Book Review: The Golden Feather by Tracy Rees

A fairytale for adults that will leave you feeling hopeful, and full of joy.

The Golden Feather Review

This is one of those stories you keep on your shelf to revisit whenever you need a lift. I was genuinely sad when it was over, having been emotionally invested in Saul and loving every step along the way.

It’s difficult for me to pinpoint just one thing that makes this novel so magical because it’s the story as a whole that works its charm. The unforgettable characters, the friendships that form, the beautiful settings, and the quest itself as the competitors travel through each Circle on their way to the Emperor of Jillibora’s storytelling competition, come together to create the magic. And then there’s the Palace, with its secrets, revelations, and sense of wonder.

Saul is the perfect underdog, the man everyone believes least likely to succeed. It’s not only that he’s illiterate or considered “very, very old”; for years, Saul’s own mindset has held him back too. Meeting Bart changes everything.

Bart is open-minded, curious, and willing to embrace new experiences which is the complete opposite of Saul. I loved the strong friendship that develops between them.

Dieter Redjacket is another character who experiences a kind of rebirth. The mistake made by his parents gave me a chuckle, although I did feel rather sorry for the unfortunate victim.

The motivation behind the recurring conflict is incredibly clever. I never worked out the connection beforehand, and loved this surprise element.

As much as I loved the quests through the Circles, I may have enjoyed the time spent at the Palace even more 🙂 It felt utterly magical. I loved the Emperor’s Healing Room and Toussek’s remarkable skills.

The book is made even more special by the beautiful original vignette illustrations by illustrator Carina Roberts. The hand-drawn artwork adds another layer of enchantment to the story and I think it perfectly complements the fairytale feel. Each illustration is like a little treasure tucked between the pages, deepening the sense of wonder and transporting you further into Saul’s world.

I keep thinking of more things I adored about this story and want to share, but I could go on forever. If you loved fairytales as a child but haven’t read one in years, The Golden Feather will awaken that sense of wonder all over again.

Author Info

Tracy Rees was the first winner of the Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller competition. She has also won the Love Stories Best Historical Read award and was shortlisted for the RNA Epic Romantic Novel of the Year. A Cambridge graduate, Tracy had a successful career in non-fiction publishing before retraining for a second career practising and teaching humanistic counselling. She has also been a waitress, bartender, shop assistant, estate agent, classroom assistant and workshop leader.

Tracy is the bestselling author of ten published novels and is currently working on a historical trilogy for Quercus. She divides her time between beautiful south Wales and London. In her rare spare time, her interests include singing, walking, learning languages and film-making.

Visit Tracy on her website or: Instagram @tracyreesbooks, X (formerly Twitter) @AuthorTracyRees