Fun juxtaposition of fantasy and the real world

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	• Princess Nevermore Dian Curtis Regan Darby Creek Publishing, 2006 - 246 pages average customer review:based on 94 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Fun juxtaposition of fantasy and the real world

Princess Quinn lives in Mandria, a magical kingdom set beneath the surface of the earth. Her only view of the world above is through the water of a magic wishing pool, located above the chamber of the famous wizard Melikar. Seeking excitement, Quinn and her friend Cam (the Wizard's Apprentice) attempt a spell to send them to "Outer Earth". Through a mishap, only Quinn is sent, leaving Cam to face the wrath of the Wizard, and Quinn to face a completely unfamiliar world alone.

For me, the most captivating aspect of the book is the humorous situations that ensue due to Quinn's very different mores and expectations from those in Outer Earth (what would appear as ordinary, modern-day life for us). She's baffled by the revealing clothes that people wear, the miracle of electric light, and the lack of defined protocol in human interactions. For example, here is Quinn's take on an amusement park:

"Another contraption looked like a giant spider, but at the end of each skinny leg was a basket full of people, spinning and calling out to each other.

From every direction, shouts and screams seemed to shake the air. Why were these people being punished? What horrible crimes had they committed?

Quinn's fear made her step behind a fountain to observe and not be seen. This must be an Outer-Earth prison. How barbaric!"

Fortunately, Quinn finds a safe haven in the home of an elderly man mysteriously connected to Mandria, with two teenage grandchildren. She attends high school (filled with mysterious scenarios to her), falls in love, copes with jealousy, and encounters a dangerous enemy. Meanwhile, back in Mandria, Cam is mourning Quinn's absence, and sending her mental messages to help find her way back home.

There is magic to this story, but it's not enough to overwhelm the tale. The magic is more a vehicle to offer hints of wonder for the reader, and to cause trouble for Quinn. It's more a time travel story than a story of magic, really. Quinn could almost be any Medieval princess, mysteriously transported to a modern-day high school. The juxtaposition of her Medieval phrases and sensibilities and those of the modern kids offers entertainment, and in some cases enlightenment.

I found Quinn to be a likable, realistically flawed heroine. She's impetuous, and the tiniest bit vain (a consequence of her pampered upbringing). She made me laugh, and I cared what happened to her. I appreciated and cared about Cam, back in Mandria, too. And when I got to the end of the book, I wanted to read more. That's always a strong indicator for me of a satisfying read. Fortunately, I have Cam's Quest waiting on my nightstand.

Although this is listed as a middle grade fiction title (ages 9 to 12), it features dating, and even falling in love. I think that this content makes it appropriate for middle school kids up to age 14 or so. Princess Nevermore should please fans of fantasy, as well as fans of historical fiction. It's a relatively quick read, not as plot-complex as the Harry Potter books and other epic fantasies, but one that will leave readers wanting more.

This book review was originally published on my blog, Jen Robinson's Book Page, on April 3, 2007.

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Fantasy 101

I left a review for the original publication of Princess Nevermore, but found it necessary to leave a review for this new edition as well. Why?

1. There is not one line or thought that hasn't been changed in some way.

2. It is an exceptional story.

3. A very original idea with a great plot that expands the idea.

4. Princess Nevermore has brilliantly written Characters.

5. This book is truly a page turner without exception.

6. New characters are introduced to us that are important for the sequel, Cam's Quest.

Princess Nevermore is about a 15-year old princess, Quinnella (Quinn) from the underground Kingdom of Mandria. She is best friends with Cam, the wizard Melikar's apprentice. Cam and Quinn have always dreamed of traveling to Outer-Earth, our earth. They've planned it out over the years. Quinn visits Melikar's chamber often, and views the outer world through the wishing pool, which borders our world and theirs.

On one visit Quinn gets that chance to visit our world by spell-traveling. Her moment arrives when Cam says the spell that will send the both of them to Outer-Earth. However, something happens that changes the course of their careful plan. The Princess (Quinn) is accidentally sent to Outer-Earth, alone and without anything but the dress she is wearing.

Cam is left to bear the burden of his grand mistake, and when Melikar tells him that the princess doesn't know how to return, Cam realizes the consequences of his actions.

Quinn is both amazed and alarmed when she sees Outer-Earth for the first time. She quickly befriends an older man named Mondo, but his grandchildren are a different story. She has no trouble getting to know Adam, but Sarah seems to want nothing to do with Quinn.

Quinn decides to go to "lessons" at the local high school with Sarah and Adam. However, she is not prepared for the language barrier and never knows if what she is saying is proper for our world. It also doesn't help that a guy her age has taken sudden interest in her and the "strange" things that happen around her.

Torn between her desire to return to her world and the desire to remain with Adam in his world haunts her everyday. Not knowing how to return creates a hurdle and a burden for her. The only ones who can help her find her way home are below the river and can only send thoughts and suggestions to her for her safety.

But, will that be enough? Will her love for Adam be enough for her to stay on Outer-Earth? Will she and Sarah ever be friends? Will she escape the dangerous path that she's heading on?

This is truly a great read for ages 9 and up. I couldn't put it down and continue to return to the story. The new characters and other kingdoms and villages were a joy to read about. I'm truly grateful to have come across such a fantastic story and will enjoy it for many years to come.

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Princess Nevermore

I read this book many times. Quinn and Cam is great character. It is about Quinn the princess who lived under the wishing lake. She want to vist outer world - known as earth so one day she visit it by accident. she has to deal with everything until cam get her back to her kingdom. her kingdom lived in medieval era.

Past favorite

I remembered I really liked this book, I've never liked a book enough to finish it in a day, but I did. I borrowed it from the library as an assignment at first that was recommended to me from the librarian. Afterwards, I liked it so much, I had to go out and buy it for myself.

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Amazing Book!

Cam, the apprentice sends Princess Quinn to the outer world from Mandria, and she meets Mondo,Sarah,and Adam. She becomes apart of their family for awhile. She ends up falling in love with Adam, and while all that is going on she is trying to get home to Mandria. I liked the book. The characters were pretty much believeable. At first the book didn't have my interest, but as I started to get farther into the book, I couldn't put the book down!

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Princess Quinnella is quite familiar with Mandrian truths. At 15, she's still allowed to come and go as she wishes in the kingdom of Mandria, visiting Melikar the wizard and playing at magic. But she knows that as soon as she turns 16, she will become a woman. A parade of suitors will court her until she chooses one--or the king chooses one for her--then comes marriage, childbearing, and royal protocol. But Quinn isn't ready for this life of predictability. More than anything, she wants to travel to "outer earth," the world above the wishing pool. When a magical mishap sends her to Earth, Quinn gets far more than she bargained for. As she is drawn deeper into this strange new world of skateboards, Halloween dances, and pizza, danger and adolescent intrigue surround her. There's only one problem: she doesn't know how to return to Mandria, and she's not even sure she wants to!

Dian Curtis Regan's modern-day fantasy is witty and suspenseful. Minor lapses into pop culture and fashion might give the savvy contemporary reader pause--the book was begun as a short story in 1975, and was completed as a novel 20 years later. (Ages 9 to 12) --Emilie Coulter

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