Kedrigern Wanderland

As their third-year wedding anniversary draws near, the wizard Kedrigern learns, to his consternation, that his wife Princess desires a magic wand for her anniversary present. The travel-detesting Kedrigern and the extroverted Princess embark on a journey of quite epic proportions and soon encounter the ensorcelled sword Panstygia, Mother of Darkness (Louise, to her friends). Panstygia implores Kedrigern, the master of counterspells, to reverse the spell cast on her and her three royal kin (now respectively an iron shield, a crown, and a wand) by a cunning, vindictive but now deceased wizard. The cranky Keddie (who is, at heart, a softie) promises to do what he can...They set off on their new quest and must brave perilous roads, enchanted woods and a castle under a wicked spell. In their travels, they come upon odd creatures: Hamarak, the simple fellow who becomes a monarch, but really only wants fresh, hot bread; the menacing spoilsport giant Green Riddler; and a jovial fellow in the woods who keeps his feet in a puddle. Armed with the magical might and sagacity of Kedrigern, the courage and wings of Princess, and the invincible sword Louise (oops, I mean, Panstygia, Mother of Darkness), these questers are determined to win through. And, somehow, Kedrigern must still come up with Princess's anniversary present. Wonderfully written by John Morressey, Kedrigern in Wanderland is the third book in the Kedrigern series, and is another clever sendup of various classic fantasy elements. Surprisingly (but in a good way), halfway thru the book, the storyline takes a darker turn, inspiring the author to actually write introductory words of caution to his readers. But, not to worry, it doesn't take long before things are back to its lighthearted, whimsical normality. I had fun reading about Zorilon, possibly the worst fairy tale storyteller ever, and the three very subpar "evil" witches ( the Witch of Over There Someplace, the Witch of Sticky Little Things, etc), who each went away for years to cause mayhem but, at their worst, only managed to accomplish very menial heinous acts. Nice to see also, near the end, the comeuppance of a certain nasty bog fairy, with whom the Princess is very familiar. And word to the wise and the faint-hearted: lurking in the pages of this book is a fart joke, which amuses me but incenses Kedrigern. But then again, Keddie is much more of a prude.

This is the third book in John Morressy's wonderful Kedrigern series, the first two being A Voice for Princess and The Questing of Kedrigern. In this book Princess develops a desire to obtain a magic wand and prods the reluctant Kedrigern into undertaking yet another journey. Along the path, Kedrigern and Princess encounter a princess who was cruelly turned into a sword by an evil wizard; who also turned her brother into a shield, her sister into a crown, and her cousin into . . . a wand! In this book, Morressy delivers a triumph of wit and adventure topping even his first two wonderful books. As an added bonus, at the end of their quest, just when you think that the story is over, there comes one last adventure: Keddy and Princess encounter Bertha the Bog-fairy, the villainess who turned Princess into a toad and left her without a memory. Bertha does not like having her spells undone by meddling wizards, so who will get the "sweet revenge?"

A world where magic is commonplace. I love the author's sly witticisms, and his character's practical, matter-of-fact dealings with the counter-spells which Kedrigern specializes in. Meet an enchanted family, now in the forms of a sword, a crown and a shield. A dragon becoming himself, a giant Green Riddler, and a malevolent bog fairy. A superb escape!