Pathways

Kingdom Chronicles, Book 1

De: Camille Peters

Narrado por: Shiromi Arserio

Eileen has never been interested in love. Ever since her father's abandonment, she's vowed to never experience such pain again. But the enchanted forest has different ideas. When the continuously shifting pathways lead her to a mysterious stranger, Eileen finds her promise to fiercely guard her heart increasingly difficult to keep.

One night when she becomes lost in a storm, the enchanted forest's pathways lead her to the castle, home to the kingdom's Dark Prince, where Eileen finds herself entangled in what many consider an opportunity but which Eileen believes to be a curse: competing for the Dark Prince's hand through a series of tests that judge one's royal worth. Eileen is neither royal nor interested in becoming a princess. But the mysterious stranger she met in the woods has his own reasons for helping her succeed, although the cost of his assistance may be too high: that of Eileen's heart, the one thing she's vowed never to give.

©2019 Camille Peters (P)2020 Tantor

Superficial Love

This book seems to be intended for a teenage audience. The love was so superficial I had trouble finishing the book. Since I have experienced real true deep love, it was hard to appreciate a story that just talks about gushy feelings for someone the girl doesn’t really know.

The hero is also very immature throughout the story. He does apologize at the end, but you never see him truly act selflessly. If the story was longer and he proved his selfless love, then maybe I would like it better, but he never won me over. I never really liked him as a character. He came across as slimy and selfish the whole way through the book. He also never forgives his sister or confronts his own darkness. He came across as the abusive type. I wish I could return the book.

I needed a sweet story like this

Yeah it’s young adult fiction, but I enjoyed the heck out of this story and love the narrator from other series I’ve listened to. I needed this kind of story…a Fairytale retelling with a bit of resolving relatable trust issues…

Cute Story

YA but still good story. An enjoyable listen, narrator was perfect. Will definitely listen to the next book a good in-between book.

Insipid, repetitive, predictable

Recommend for tweens, not young adult or adults. Sadly the story had no depth and was saccharine. Every character was pretty one dimensional and almost a caricature of their singular personality trait. Struggled to finish.

Sweet story

I loved this sweet fairy tale story and I really enjoyed the narrator did a great job.

Loved it!!

I really enjoyed listening to this book. Great fairy tale & story. Narrator makes the story come to life. She’s great!

Pathways of Life

This is the great title for this book metaphorically and literally. I have read a few titles from this author and realized again how much I love her books.
sweet fantasy/fairy tale referen

Very Sweet!

A very sweet story. It is nice to have a book that isn't filled with violence, sex, drugs, and profanity. A good story with memorable characters.

It made me feel like a princess myself

Sweetest fairy tale love story with a smidgen of magic. I found my chest gushing with emotions frequently. Perfect for falling asleep to and for enjoying with a cup of tea and soft pillows during the day. I couldn't put it down and finished it in just over 2 days.

Review: Pathways by Camille Peters

Overview

Pathways—the first installment in The Kingdom Chronicles—is a fairy-tale retelling that blends elements of “Rumpelstiltskin” and “The Princess and the Pea.” It follows Eileen, a peasant girl emotionally guarded after her father’s unexplained disappearance, who ventures into an enchanted forest whose ever-shifting paths lead her to Aiden, a mysterious stranger. Soon after, she finds herself swept into a high-stakes challenge at a castle where she must compete for the hand of the Dark Prince—something she never wanted. Along the way, Eileen’s resolve not to love is tested in ways she could never have anticipated.  

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Strengths & Enchantments

Captivating Setting & Atmosphere

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its world-building. The enchanted forest is described with vivid, evocative prose and even takes on a character-like quality—mysterious, alive, and enchanting: “If it were all real, I would have packed my bags already to escape the scorching sun outside”  . Many readers echoed this sentiment:

“The forest was alive and had so much to do with the direction of the story.” 
“The descriptions of surroundings were impeccable, I could just see the environment and feel the feelings … I couldn’t put it down.” 

The ambiance of the forest and the title’s recurring motif of “pathways” are woven into the narrative with artistry that enhances the fairy-tale feel. 

Charming Romance & Supporting Cast

Eileen’s journey from emotional isolation toward vulnerability is endearing. Her inner strength shines through even when she’s hesitant about love:

“Eileen is not your typical MC… I really like how Eileen doesn’t want to be a princess but tries anyway … Great qualities to have.” 

The cast of supporting characters—particularly friends at the castle—adds depth and warmth. Their presence enriches the narrative and sets up future story possibilities:

“I also really loved the side characters and can’t wait to get their stories in more books.” 

A Cozy, Clean Escape

For lovers of light YA fantasy and fairy-tale romance, Pathways offers a cozy, clean, and uplifting experience. One blogger summed it up as:

“A cute story for younger teens and tweens … a simple story for them to read and escape from the real world for awhile.” 

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Criticisms & Caveats

Predictable Plot & Lack of Conflict

A recurring critique centers on the story’s very gentle pacing and minimal tension. Several reviewers noted the absence of a strong antagonist and predictable plot twists:

“There is no villain at all and very little conflict … I saw every plot twist from a mile away.”  
“It’s a forced love story and very little else.”  

With the stakes feeling low and the obstacles underdeveloped, the romance can come across as rushed or unearned to some readers.

Underdeveloped Themes & Romance

Some critiques pointed to superficial treatment of emotional arcs and a lack of exploration into deeper themes like Eileen’s emotional trauma or her relationship with her missing father. One reviewer was particularly frustrated by how the father’s fate was handled:

“The revelation of what happened to Eileen’s dad … was reduced to ONE SENTENCE.” 

Others remarked that the romance lacked depth:

“Aiden felt more like a villain … undeserving of Eileen.”  
“The chemistry … was childlike, super rushed, and not well thought out.” 

Stylistic Inconsistencies

A few readers noted inconsistencies in tone and style, where the voice veered from whimsical, archaic phrasing to modern colloquialism abruptly:

“It feels like the author only remembers that writing style 10% of the time.” 

While the forest shines, other elements like dialogue and narrative consistency sometimes pull the reader out of immersion.

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Final Verdict

Pathways by Camille Peters is a charming, fairy-tale–inspired romance best suited for younger teens or readers craving a gentle escapade into a magical forest and a budding love story. Its strengths lie in evocative setting, heartfelt emotional beats, and endearing characters. The forest itself remains a standout—almost a character in its own right.

However, readers seeking high-stakes adventure, richly layered themes, or slow-burning, deeply developed relationships may find the story too light. The lack of dramatic conflict, rapid unfolding of romance, and stylistic unevenness may limit its appeal for those seeking deeper engagement.

If you’re looking for:
• A cozy, romantic fairy-tale vibe
• An atmospheric setting with magical charm
• A gentle escape with accessible characters

Then Pathways might delight you.

But if you prefer:
• Emotionally complex or slow-burn relationships
• Intricately woven plot twists or high tension
• Rich exploration of character trauma or inner conflicts

Then you might find this retelling a bit too surface-level.