Author: Julie Berry
Publication: Bloomsbury USA Childrens (March 3, 2009)
Description: A delightful fairy tale by a lyrical new voice.
When Lucinda Chapdelaine was a small child, her parents left for the royal ball and never returned. Ever since, Lucinda has been stuck in perpetual servitude at her evil aunt's jewelry store. Then, on the very same day, a mysterious visitor and an even more bizarre piece of jewelry both enter the shop, setting in motion a string of twists and turns that will forever alter Lucinda's path. In this magical story filled with delightful surprises, Lucinda will dance at the royal ball, fall under the Amaranth Witch's spell, avenge her parents' death, and maybe--just maybe--capture the heart of a prince.
My Thoughts: This fantasy novel is vaguely reminiscent of Cinderella. Lucinda Chapdelaine is an orphan who was taken in by her uncle and aunt after the death of her parents. The aunt has used her as a servant in the family's jewelry store. When her uncle dies, her aunt throws her out into the street.
Before that though, Lucinda has met the Amaranth Witch who is looking for a new setting for a very special jewel, a prince looking for a special gift for his intended bride, a thief named Peter who crashes into her garret and who steals the jewel, and a goat who behaves more like a dog.
Having nowhere to go after her aunt throws her out, she decides to find the witch to confess the loss of the jewel. The witch is a magical being from another world who has been stranded in Lucinda's. She needs Lucinda's help to recover the jewel. She plays the role of fairy godmother in the story but puts Lucinda in much more danger than Cinderella's godmother put Cinderella in.
Lucinda runs up against a villain who wants the jewel and who was instrumental in causing the death of her parents and who also stole their wealth leaving Lucinda a penniless orphan.
I liked the relationship Lucinda has with both Peter and the prince. This was an engaging tale that will enthrall teens and middle schoolers who want a combination of adventure and romance.
Favorite Quote:
"She who put a curse upon Queen Rosamund these many years ago, when the queen was with child the first time. She's not aged a day since. The witch I mean to say. Comes of being in league with Satan."I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.
This didn't strike me as a powerful reason not to be in league with Satan.
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