Original Retelling

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Once upon a time on the coldest night of midwinter....

Vanja was born with the worst luck that can exist, she is the thirteenth daughter of a thirteenth daughter, when was young her mother gives her to the goddess of Fortune and Death, they became her God Mothers, but with a price.

It's slightly inspired in the fairytale The goose girl, I say slightly because it´s feels very unique, the worldbuilding was so rich with inspiration from German folklore. It's a beautiful and complex tale with magic, goodness, shapeshifters, mystery, princess, thievery, and a race against time to break a curse.

Once upon a time a princess and her maid from her ...

If you know the original tale, they are two girls, the good princess, and the evil maid,
Vanja grew up in a castle as a maid of princess Gisele, when they were children they were best friends, but now things are complicated, and with the help of magic, Vanja impersonates Gisele.

The prose is so beautiful, very lyrical, feels like a traditional fairy tale, the story set in the present, but have lots of flashbacks (so put attention) they serve to understand the present events, why Vanja steels jewels, why she doesn't want the help of Fortune and Death and why to masquerade as a princess.

I adore the world, beautiful old fashion fairytale but this is a story about character development. The characters are amazing; Vanja, Ragne, and Gisele. I'm here for the female power and support.

Vanja is fun, she wants to be independent, is smart and resourceful, she is not perfect, makes mistakes, does not accept help from others easily, and can be selfish.
The side character: Ragne, I want friends like her, so awkward, fun, and loyal, she is fantastic, Gisele, she is cool one you know her and Emeric, so sweet and so smart.

I really enjoy this. If you like dark fairytales, complex and gray characters, and almost impossible missions, then this is for you.