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The Scribe's Daughter (Crowns of Destiny Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Stephanie Churchill (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 133 ratings
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Prepare to be swept away by The Scribe's Daughter, a captivating tale of adventure, mystery, and self-discovery. Set in a world that is at once familiar and exotic, this book takes you on a journey across cultures, as the intrepid heroine, Kassia, sets out to unravel the secrets of her family's past.

As Kassia delves deeper into the mysteries that surround her, she finds herself facing unexpected challenges and encountering a cast of unforgettable characters, from the eccentric scribe who hires her to the enigmatic Jack, son of a band of rebels. Along the way, she discovers that the truth can be a double-edged sword, and that sometimes the price of knowledge is higher than one might imagine.

With its intricate plot, richly drawn characters, and vividly imagined settings, The Scribe's Daughter is a feast for the senses and a must-read for fans of historical fiction, fantasy, and adventure.

So why wait? Join Kassia on her journey today and discover a world of wonder and intrigue that will keep you turning pages long into the night.

“This historical-feeling book has no history but felt vaguely medieval. That rooted the world for me while the deeply drawn characters and twisting plot made me turn pages. I didn’t want it to end.” - Sara

"This book is hands down the best medieval fantasy novel I've read in years." - Lauren S.

"Kassia is a sassy, scrappy character who hooked me from the opening." - cb

"Stephanie Churchill has vividly created a world that will feel familiar to those who enjoy medieval fiction. Kassia experiences adventures that take her on the full range of fortune's wheel, and each setting is beautifully described. I had a clear vision of mountain vistas, sparkling lakes, bustling cities, and thick forests, and each felt as though I was there at Kassia's side... We get to laugh out loud at her snarky sarcasm while we are sharing her inner pain and doubt. This strong, courageous young woman goes through more to get her happily ever after than anyone in the story, besides the reader, is privy to." - Carpe Librum

•2017 New Apple Award for Excellence in Independent Publishing - Solo Medal Winner, Fantasy
•2018 Golden Book Award
•indieB.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree
•Chill with a Book Award winner

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Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 3
    Crowns of Destiny
  2. Print length
    425 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    August 25, 2015
  6. File size
    1635 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

  • "The Scribe's Daughter is not an easy book to categorize. It takes place in another world, but the reader will encounter no dragons or vampires. Its major female character is in her teens, but her story will appeal to readers of all ages. Kassia's life could easily be rooted in the Middle Ages, but it isn't. It is simply a very well written book about a character that readers will care about, amused by her dry humor, admiring her courage, and wincing at her recklessness." -- Sharon Kay Penman, New York Times bestselling author of Lionheart and A King's Ransom
  • "An entertaining, page-turning read." -- Elizabeth Chadwick,New York Times bestselling author of The Greatest Knight

From the Inside Flap

·"The Scribe's Daughter is not an easy book to categorize. It takes place in another world, but the reader will encounter no dragons or vampires. Its major female character is in her teens, but her story will appeal to readers of all ages. Kassia's life could easily be rooted in the Middle Ages, but it isn't. It is simply a very well written book about a character that readers will care about, amused by her dry humor, admiring her courage, and wincing at her recklessness." -- Sharon Kay Penman, New York Times best-selling author of Lionheart and A King's Ransom

·"An entertaining, page-turning read." -- Elizabeth Chadwick, New York Times best-selling author of The Greatest Knight

·"There are some books that you can disappear into, lose track of time and become completely embroiled in the world that the author has created -- The Scribe's Daughter is one of those books. Ms. Churchill has created a masterpiece of historical fantasy." -- Mary Anne Yarde, award-winning author of The Du Lac Chronicles

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B012YS1Q3K
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 25, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1635 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 425 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1517053420
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 133 ratings

About the author

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Stephanie Churchill

Stephanie Churchill

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After serving time as a corporate paralegal in Washington, D.C., then staying home to raise her children, Stephanie Churchill stumbled upon writing, a career path she never saw coming. As a result of writing a long-winded review of the book Lionheart, Stephanie became fast friends with its New York Times best-selling author, Sharon Kay Penman, who uttered the fateful words, “Have you ever thought about writing?” Stephanie has since published three historical-feeling novels, The Scribe’s Daughter, The King’s Daughter, and The King’s Furies. She lives in the Minneapolis area with her husband, two children, and two dogs while trying to survive the murderous intentions of a Minnesota winter.

Stephanie’s books are filled with action and romance, loyalty and betrayal. Her writing takes on a cadence that is sometimes literary, sometimes genre fiction, relying on deeply-drawn and complex characters while exploring the subtleties of imperfect people living in a gritty, sometimes dark world. Her unique blend of historical-feeling fiction combined with elements of romance and thrillers ensures that her books are sure to please of historical fiction and epic fantasy literature alike.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
133 global ratings
Award Winning Read
5 Stars
Award Winning Read
The Scribe's Daughter by Stephanie Churchill has received a Chill with a Book Readers' Award."Beautifully written with lots of surprises."Pauline Barclay - Founder of Chill with a Book Awards
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Top reviews from the United States

Marsha
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic read!
Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2015
Verified Purchase
The Scribe's Daughter by author, Stephanie Churchill is an exciting tale from the first page to the last. As I read the book I felt like it was a historical fiction body of work with some fantasy added in, The Scribe's Daughter has something for fans of either genre.

Kassia, the main character is a strong willed, self reliant young lady that is quick with a sarcastic quip. Kassia is so well written that the reader is swept along with Kassia upon her journey of self discovery. Through trials and tribulations Kassia comes out the stronger for these happenings and with the author having a flair for drawing in the reader to sympathize and root for Kassia to overcome all of the obstacles thrown her way. With a wide variety of secondary characters and a well thought out story line the author tells a tale with many plot twists and turns. I enjoyed being kept guessing on what was going to happen next and how Kassia's journey would end.

I was lucky enough to be a beta reader for this book but loved it so much I went out and purchased the paper back. For a first time author, Stephanie Churchill has a fine grasp of the craft of writing and I look forward to reading many more books by her. I am especially looking forward to learning about the fate of Kassia's sister, Irisa.
2 people found this helpful
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Carpe Librum
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent cast of characters!
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2017
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Being an indie author myself, I enjoy reading novels by other brave souls who decide to self-publish. It's tough to be responsible for a book from cover to cover, and I tend to be more forgiving when reviewing an indie novel because I sympathize with the challenges faced. This is the attitude I held when I picked up The Scribe's Daughter, but this novel demands that it be held to a higher standard.

Nothing about this book made me think, "It's good for an indie novel." This book is just a joy to read and can hold it's own against any competition, traditional or self-published. It is beautifully written, edited, and formatted with an intriguing storyline and captivating characters.

Stephanie Churchill has vividly created a world that will feel familiar to those who enjoy medieval historical fiction. As the protagonist, Kassia, experiences adventures that take her on the full range of fortune's wheel, each setting is beautifully described. I had a clear vision of mountain vistas, sparkling lakes, bustling cities, and thick forests, and felt as though I was there at Kassia's side.

Each character that shares Kassia's trials is given a unique and complex personality, but none more so than Kassia herself. Since the novel is told from a first person point of view, the reader is inside Kassia's head. We get to laugh out loud at her snarky sarcasm while we are sharing her inner pain and doubt. This strong, courageous young woman goes through more to get to her happily ever after than anyone in the story, besides the reader, is privy to.

This novel has action, romance, betrayal, secrets, and more, sure to please any reader of historical fiction or epic fantasy adventure. I grew close to the characters during my time with them and look forward to seeing them again in future installments to the series.
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Lauren M. Sapala
5.0 out of 5 stars A deliciously addictive mix of Margaret Atwood and J.R.R. Tolkien
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2018
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This book is hands down the best medieval fantasy novel I’ve read in years.

I started The Scribe’s Daughter not sure what to expect. Realistic, contemporary fiction is usually my go-to genre, so I wasn’t sure I would click with this book. The very first chapter proved me wrong though. I was immediately sucked into this alternate world and incredibly intrigued by the mystery that was slowly unfolding.

I won’t include spoilers (because I hate it when reviews do that) but I will say that there were more than a few twists and turns that I never saw coming. I will also say that I felt an extremely strong connection with Kassia (the MC). She’s exactly the type of character I love—gutsy, whip smart, and totally unconventional. She’s also enormously complex and came off as a real person with real, complex problems and feelings. I loved that Kassia’s story was always layered and never fixed with a simple solution. To me, this is the hallmark of truly excellent writing.

All in all, The Scribe’s Daughter felt like a deliciously addictive mix of Margaret Atwood and J.R.R. Tolkien. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy literature of any sort.
2 people found this helpful
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Nasreen Fynewever
5.0 out of 5 stars Well-written, the reader will be drawn in
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2016
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Churchill maintains integrity of writing well throughout a complex, but captivating storyline. The protagonist is steeped with grit and invitation both. The reader is drawn to her resilience and the unknown. The rising action holds rich details of new places and experiences for all the developed characters. Churchill artfully paints scenes, emotions, and cultures with finesse. Personally, I found the portioned relief of mystery that came three-quarters of the way through was needed. As the reader typically learned everything alongside the heroine, the transition to situational irony towards the end was refreshing and engaging. Teens and adults who enjoy fantasy and a historical bent will find enjoyment in this book and likely look forward to a sequel, which surely will have good momentum and intrigue based in Churchill's debut novel.
One person found this helpful
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Jay
3.0 out of 5 stars Uneven
Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2016
Likable main character, rambling plot line that I just didn't feel involved in. Unevenly written, some parts very well done, other parts too predictable or dragging on. Could benefit from a good editor.
One person found this helpful
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Patricia Hinds
4.0 out of 5 stars A Story Worth Reading!
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2016
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Our memories and our dreams can either result from the day’s events or set the tone for them. I like the use of these in The Scribe’s Daughter as they introduce chapters and set up the next adventure. I must admit that I did not immediately take to this girl, dressed as a boy, thieving for survival. Just couldn’t relate. But as time went on and Kassia’s story unfolded, I was thoroughly engaged. Ms. Ling’s storytelling ability grabbed me and there were some surprises around each literal bend in the road. At one point, I did want to sit down with Kassia and talk about relationships as her angst became a little much for me, but others may have found that totally relatable. In any case, this is a story worth reading and I look forward to the next one!
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Top reviews from other countries

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11thc girl
5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing start to a great series!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 10, 2022
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Set in a world of the author's imagination, orphans Kassia and her sister Irisa try their best to eek out a life in a harsh cruel city, living under the regime of a harsh cruel ruler. One day, Kassia is given a mysterious assignment by a mysterious man who mysteriously gives her a bag of coins. As she takes herself out of the heart of the city to work on her mission, she is spared the fate of her sister's disappearance and meets a young man, Jack, who vows to help her discover the secret of her missing sister's fate. along the way, she learns the truth about who she is and is faced with a terrible decision.

The things I like most about this book was the pace, the characterisation, the writing style and syntax, all coming together to produce an enjoyable tale. The plot is intricate but not so much that its difficult to follow, and although we only glimpse small chunks of the world in which Kassia and her companions live, there is some very clever world building.
I loved the characterisations and the deep emotions that Kassia speaks of as she tells us her story in the first person. There is a cast of memorable characters, from the heavily accented pigdog 'Swine' to the handsome Jack who is captivated by Kassia and the loyal, always helpful Cai, one of my favourite secondary characters. Kassia's sense of humour and wit are a joy to listen to, but just as easily as she can make you smile, she can make you feel sad and the reader cannot fail to feel for her.
The plot is creative and intelligently woven. We learn the story of her transition from a girl to a woman, damaged by the cruel abuse she experiences on her journey. There are times when you want to shout at her and ask her what the hell is she thinking! Just like Jack, whose relationship with her has its rocky moments.

On the face of it, fantasy sometimes feels as though it must be the easiest genre to write, but can also be one of the most difficult. World building is a skill, and this is Ms Churchill's first go at it and she does it well, making you feel as though the world she is writing about once existed, somewhere in a medieval fairy tale. Her use of language and the skill she uses in putting words together in such a way that you makes you wish you had written that line. The love affair between herself and Jack is a clever device to drive the plot and there are some beautiful scenes between the two of them where the dialogue is so natural, you feel as though you are listening to two real people and not characters in a book.

This is the first book that Churchill has written in this series and there is a second called the King's Daughter, which I cannot wait to read, and i believe a third is in the offing too. Churchill is definitely an author to watch for!
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susana pliego
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book!
Reviewed in Mexico on November 12, 2017
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I loved this reading so much moved promptly to the sequel as soon as it became available! read them booth by now and they are wonderful. I was shocked and amazed at the same time while reading this book, which in my point of view is very well and speaks of a masterful writer. I certainly recommend reading this books and hope there are more.
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cb
5.0 out of 5 stars excellent debut
Reviewed in Canada on October 21, 2017
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Both my favourite genres come together in Scribe’s Daughter: historical fiction and fantasy. The historical fiction is rich and nuanced. The fantasy consists of a world that only exists in the author’s imagination. Some readers might expect their fantasy to include, at the very least dragons or magic. My answer is why does it have to? I enjoyed this foreign world, and it occurred to me that an advantage to it being entirely fictional is that you can’t dart into Wikipedia to discover how it turns out. Anything can happen and does.
Kassia lives alone with her sister, Irisa, after they’ve lost their parents, and it’s up to Kassia to support them, any which way she can. Kassia is a competent tinker but she is forced to steal food just to keep up with the rent. One day, a mysterious stranger comes to her shop offering an outrageous sum for her to repair a pair of bracelets. She’s hardly qualified to do so, but the coin would allow her and Irisa to leave the city and find a nice home in the country, This sets off a life-changing adventure for Kassia and her path crosses with Jack, an exiled tradesman whose people have a connection to Kassia’s past.
Kassia is a sassy, scrappy character who hooked me from the opening. When her fortunes changed and she found herself surrounded by politically ruthless characters, I found myself wishing that she could return to the hand-and-mouth existence back in the city just so she could be free Kassia again.

Churchill has an enjoyable writing style with a strong voice. The world she created consisted of rich description and a fully realized setting. She did not shy away from emotionally difficult scenes, and I found that she treated them with intelligence and skill. Most of the side characters were vivid and intriguing. My only quibble was that I wanted more of them, particularly Swine, the scummy landlord.

A Scribe’s Daughter is the high stakes struggle for a kingdom pitted against a woman’s life. I’m looking forward to the second book, which was recently released.
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Jannm
5.0 out of 5 stars An engrossing and warm hearted story
Reviewed in Australia on April 12, 2024
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Stephanie Churchill she's written a great, rollicking story that relentlessly keeps you reading and caring about the characters. A great debut!
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C. Beans
4.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommendable!
Reviewed in Spain on August 30, 2015
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Set in a land that in my mind bears some resemblance to Renaissance Europe, young Kassia and her sister survive in the city thanks to their skills (and Kassia's light fingers and wit), after the death of their mother and disappearance of their father (presumed dead on a trip). Although Kassia is the younger of the two, she's the one taking care of the both of them, wiser to the ways of the world than her sister, and not afraid to get her hands dirty to ensure their survival. But one day their life changes when she gets entrusted with a mysterious job that will change their lives forever.

Not saying anymore about it to avoid spoilers, but damn was this an entertaining and enthralling read! Couldn't put it down, and led to a couple of sleepless nights! Kassia is a very lively protagonist, with some very fixed ideas about the world (so fixed that sometimes you want to hit her on her head a bit to jar her out of it), and with very good survival instincts.

So I really enjoyed the story, the characters, the mise en scène... pretty much all of it! The only reason I'm docking a star off is the ending. It felt much too rushed, as if there were a deadline or a maximum page limit to be met and all of the sudden the story needed to end. I think it needed a bit more to make the ending feel more "right". On the other hand, there's an interesting epilogue that promises future tales, so there's that to look forward to! :)
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