A Hidden Magic

Once upon a time-before kings and queens were replaced by an act of congress and when kissing a frog still sometimes resulted in more than a case of warts-there lived a young princess named Jennifer. So begins Vivian Vande Velde's fairy tale, A Hidden Magic. As you might expect, Jennifer meets Prince Charming who is immediately bowled over by her grace and beauty. The two marry and live happily ever after, having perfect children who someday grow up to have perfect children of their own. Well, okay, so Prince Charming isn't really bowled over by her beauty. And he isn't really that charming. In fact, I've rarely met a more egotistical (self-centered) stuck up prig in my life. But he is pretty to look at, and to a young somewhat homely girl like Jennifer that seems important.This story is an obvious parody (misrepresentation) of the standard fairy tale. A Hidden Magic feels somewhat predictable at times. This book is almost exactly the opposite of the standard "handsome prince rescues princess" story, which we are all used to reading and in its attempt to parody it loses much in the way of originality.The characters are:Jennifer, a princess who's a bit homely and works at her father's old, run-down castle. Later, when she is faced with adversity (difficulty), she reacts well, keeping her goal in mind and doing her best to achieve it. She has a chubby, good-natured kind of face that parents would tend to call nice and sweet disposition (character) and really is quite a likable girl, but certainly isn't your typical princess.Prince Alexander is a bold, arrogant (self-centered), proud, exquisite to look at and totally aware of it, and generally a royal pain. Women fall all over him and her knows it. He feels superior to everyone because he is the son of the king who reigns in a very wealthy place. He has curly golden hair, deep blue eyes, and very broad shoulders. In many ways, he is a very stereotypical (trite) royal.Norman had the ability to change shape with the help of the ring that the old sorcerer gave him. But, underneath his outward appearance, he is always the same rather young and lonely sorcerer. Norman is steadfast (dedicated), loyal, clever, and has a good sense of humor. He is willing to make sacrifices for those he cares for. The Magical Mirror serves the evil witch, living in one of her many residences in the enchanted forest. He has little patience for stupidity and dishonesty and reacts badly when Prince Alexander tries to steal him. He leaves Jennifer with a riddle to help her save the prince. Malveenya, the evil witch, is known as the most evil creature in the enchanted forest. The townspeople erected a magical wall to keep her in the enchanted forest and away from civilized folks because of her propensity (tendency) for damage. The owner of the magical mirror, Norman and Jennifer must eventually face Malveenya in their quest to rescue the not-so-charming prince.

This is the first book I've read by Vivian Vande Velde, and I'm sure I will return to her. A Hidden Magic by her was utterly delightful. It is a rich parody of the fantasy genre. The plot follows Jennifer. She is a princess, but certainly not the usual type. Her country is so poor that she is basically a peasant. One day the most handsome prince ever comes through her country looking for a wife. They're going to fall in love, right? He is rich and handsome, but he is also arrogent and dumb. Together one day, the prince and Jennifer wander into the magical forest of her country. The prince, being his usual brilliant self, falls under a spell of the evil sorceress Malveenya. Jennifer is forced to try to save the prince. She eventually happens upon Norman, a sorcerer. He's young and not overly powerful, but he is smart and a friend. Together, Jennifer and Norman set out to confront Malveenya and save the prince.A Hidden Magic is a pretty exciting story. The greatest thing about the book though is its humor. Vande Velde uses a lot of word-play which works very well. The scene with the dragon is the best in the book. A Hidden Magic is a very entertaining novel. Other books in this vein are the Dealing With Dragons series by Patricia Wrede, of course the Harry Potter books, Smith of Wooten Major and Farmer Giles of Ham by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Princess Bride by William Goldman (though this one is for older readers), and also everything by Lloyd Alexander.

A not so ordinarily perfect princess named Jennifer meets snobby ego-packed prince named Alexander. He makes themgi into an Enchanted Forest, where he falls under a spell. Jennifer goes off to find a way to save him. she meets, Witches, Sorcerers, Dragons, and the occasional Giant along with many others.This book is for all ages and I recomend it to everyone. I would rate this book a 100. I think it's a must read and you should definatly get it, it's a good cassette as well as book, and the company is really good because they have different people doing the different characters, if you like this one you should look at The Arkadians and Dealing with Dragons. I hope you found this helpful and thanks for reading it.

Vivian Vande Velde manages to mock all traditional fairy tales with their standard beautiful princesses, evil magicians and handsome princes in A Hidden Magic. Jennifer, the princess, is extremely nice, but not at all pretty; Alexander, the prince, is certainly handsome, but the question remains whether or not he has a brain... Norman, the sorcerer, is not at all nebulous and vague, although he certainly does have a brain. These idiosyncratic characters, combined with various intellectually challenged giants, slippery, slithery dragons and a not-so evil witch pervade the story with humor and surprises.

If you enjoy books about princesses (the strong, good kind that don't make you puke) and books about sourcerers (the kind that do unexpected things that are awsomely powerful and can change into things) or if you like stories about witches (but not the kind that eat their worts off their own faces)then this is the book for you. Jennifer(the princess) has to save Alexander (the prince) from an evil spell. She gets help from Norman (the sorcerer) and escapes from a dragon and a giant's house. In the end she gets married but that's a surprise. It's a fantastic book and I know you'll love it! It even has great pictures!