Five Hundred Kingdoms Series by Mercedes Lackey

In the land of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, if you can't carry out your legendary role, life is no fairy tale...Elena Klovis was supposed to be her kingdom's Cinderella--until fate left her with a completely inappropriate prince! So she set out to make a new life for herself. But breaking with "The Tradition" was no easy matter--until she got a little help from her own fairy godmother. Who promptly offered Elena a most unexpected job.. moreIn the land of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, if you can't carry out your legendary role, life is no fairy tale...Elena Klovis was supposed to be her kingdom's Cinderella--until fate left her with a completely inappropriate prince! So she set out to make a new life for herself. But breaking with "The Tradition" was no easy matter--until she got a little help from her own fairy godmother. Who promptly offered Elena a most unexpected job...Now, instead of sleeping in the chimney, she has to deal with arrogant, stuffed-shirt princes who keep trying to rise above their place in the tale. And there's one in particular who needs to be dealt with...Sometimes a fairy godmother's work is never done... less

Return to the Five Hundred Kingdoms, where a damsel can rescue herself, thank you... Princess Andromeda knows that any problem can be solved with a bit of research. So when a dragon storms the kingdom of Acadia, she decides it's time to hit the books. Despite all her research, the only acceptable answer she can find is sacrificing a fair maiden--for Acadia is governed by "Tradition," a rule that cannot so easily be sundered... moreReturn to the Five Hundred Kingdoms, where a damsel can rescue herself, thank you... Princess Andromeda knows that any problem can be solved with a bit of research. So when a dragon storms the kingdom of Acadia, she decides it's time to hit the books. Despite all her research, the only acceptable answer she can find is sacrificing a fair maiden--for Acadia is governed by "Tradition," a rule that cannot so easily be sundered. Then she is picked as the sacrifice and must take matters into her own hands. With the help of her champion, Sir George, Andromeda sets out in search of the dragon's lair, wanting nothing more than to change her fate. But to do so will take the strongest of wills, knowledge, quick wits and a refusal to give up, no matter what happens along the way... Previously Published. Read the Tale of Five Hundred Kingdoms Series by Mercedes Lackey: Book 1: The Fairy GodmotherBook 2: One Good KnightBook 3: Fortune's FoolBook 4: The Snow QueenBook 5: The Sleeping BeautyBook 6: Beauty and the Werewolf less

The Barnes & Noble ReviewNew York Times–bestselling author Mercedes Lackey spins a variety of fairy tales -- think The Little Mermaid and old Russian folktales -- into a satisfying romantic fantasy in this third installment in her Five Hundred Kingdoms series. Katya, the youngest daughter of the Sea King, is sent by her father on a spying expedition. It's a perfect assignment for one with the unique ability to transverse both land and water... moreThe Barnes & Noble ReviewNew York Times–bestselling author Mercedes Lackey spins a variety of fairy tales -- think The Little Mermaid and old Russian folktales -- into a satisfying romantic fantasy in this third installment in her Five Hundred Kingdoms series. Katya, the youngest daughter of the Sea King, is sent by her father on a spying expedition. It's a perfect assignment for one with the unique ability to transverse both land and water. Once on land, Katya encounters a spectacular battle between two mages, then meets Sasha. He is also of royal birth -- the seventh son -- destined to play the part of the Wise or Fortunate Fool and Songweaver. Their instant affinity and blooming romance is interrupted when Katya's father calls her back on business: Two magical maidens have gone missing from an island. Katya disguises herself and gets kidnapped by the Jinn who is keeping the others prisoner, but it will take all her cleverness and powers, as well as Sasha's magic, to get them out alive. Readers will admire Katya's spirit, and fans of the previous two books -- The Fairy Godmother and One Good Knight -- will welcome the return of the Little Humpback Horse. Ginger Curwen less

Aleksia, Queen of the Northern Lights, is mysterious, beautiful and widely known to have a heart of ice. No one would seek her wisdom except as a last resort. But when she's falsely accused of unleashing evil on nearby villages, she realizes there's an impostor out there far more heartless than she could ever be.And when a young warrior following the Tradition disappears, leaving his sweetheart and mother to fear the worst, Aleksia's powers are needed as never before... moreAleksia, Queen of the Northern Lights, is mysterious, beautiful and widely known to have a heart of ice. No one would seek her wisdom except as a last resort. But when she's falsely accused of unleashing evil on nearby villages, she realizes there's an impostor out there far more heartless than she could ever be.And when a young warrior following the Tradition disappears, leaving his sweetheart and mother to fear the worst, Aleksia's powers are needed as never before. Now, on a journey through a realm of perpetual winter, it will take all her skills, a mother's faith and a little magic to face down an enemy more formidable than any she has ever known.… less

Heavy is the head--and the eyelids--of the princess who wears the crown...In Rosamund's realm, happiness hinges on a few simple beliefs:For every princess there's a prince.The king has ultimate power.Stepmothers should never be trusted.And bad things come to those who break with Tradition....But when Rosa is pursued by a murderous huntsman and then captured by dwarves, her beliefs go up in smoke... moreHeavy is the head--and the eyelids--of the princess who wears the crown...In Rosamund's realm, happiness hinges on a few simple beliefs:For every princess there's a prince.The king has ultimate power.Stepmothers should never be trusted.And bad things come to those who break with Tradition....But when Rosa is pursued by a murderous huntsman and then captured by dwarves, her beliefs go up in smoke. Determined to escape and save her kingdom from imminent invasion, she agrees to become the guinea pig in one of her stepmother's risky incantations--thus falling into a deep, deep sleep.When awakened by a touchy-feely stranger, Rosa must choose between Tradition and her future...between a host of eligible princes and a handsome, fair-haired outsider. And learn the difference between being a princess and ruling as a queen.The moral of the story? Sometimes a princess has to create her own happy endings.... less

Three unforgettable new storiesA Tangled Web by New York Times bestselling author Mercedes LackeyKidnapping Persephone should have been an easy task. But in the Five Hundred Kingdoms, nothing's ever simple and the wrong blonde goddess is stolen by mistake, leaving Prince Leopold without his new bride... moreThree unforgettable new storiesA Tangled Web by New York Times bestselling author Mercedes LackeyKidnapping Persephone should have been an easy task. But in the Five Hundred Kingdoms, nothing's ever simple and the wrong blonde goddess is stolen by mistake, leaving Prince Leopold without his new bride. At least until he braves the realm of the dead to get her backCast in Moonlight by New York Times bestselling author Michelle SagaraBarely a teenager, Kaylin Neya is a thief, a fugitive and an attempted assassin. She also has a smart mouth, sharp wits and mysterious markings on her skin. All of which make her perfect bait for a child prostitution sting in the city of Elantra, if she survives her first meeting with the Hawks!Retribution by Cameron HaleyIn the underworld, there are tricks to killing.Like executing rivals at crossroads so ghosts won't follow you home. But sometimes retribution is hard to avoid, and now a supernatural hit man has a contract on Domino Riley's life. Luckily she knows a thing or two about death. less

Kidnapping Persephone should have been an easy task. But in the Five Hundred Kingdoms, nothing's ever simple—and the wrong blonde goddess is stolen by mistake, leaving Prince Leopold without his new bride. At least until he braves the realm of the dead to get her back... A Tale of the Five Hundred Kingdoms novella. Previously published in the Harvest Moon anthology.

Rediscover the magic of the Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, witty retellings of the fairy tales you thought you knew, by New York Times bestselling author Mercedes Lackey.The eldest daughter is often doomed in fairy tales. But Bella vows to escape the usual pitfalls. Anxious to avoid the Traditional path, Bella dons a red cloak and ventures into the forbidden forest to consult with "Granny," the local wisewoman... moreRediscover the magic of the Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, witty retellings of the fairy tales you thought you knew, by New York Times bestselling author Mercedes Lackey.The eldest daughter is often doomed in fairy tales. But Bella vows to escape the usual pitfalls. Anxious to avoid the Traditional path, Bella dons a red cloak and ventures into the forbidden forest to consult with "Granny," the local wisewoman. But on the way home she’s attacked by a wolf—who turns out to be a cursed nobleman. Secluded in his castle, Bella is torn between her family and this strange man who creates marvelous inventions and makes her laugh—when he isn’t howling at the moon. Bella knows all too well that breaking spells is never easy. But a determined beauty, a wizard (after all, he’s only an occasional werewolf) and a little Godmotherly interference might just be able to bring about a happy ending.Originally published in 2011 less