Review Detail

Reader reviewed by eeyore gal

Its a modern fairy tale with a bunch of clever twists. Its a comedy in several acts. Its a
spoof, its a farce, an adventure story, a mystery or a love story, call it what you will. Above all its fun! It takes place in a long ago far away kind of magical land, but has a jaunty, witty tone. Seventeen year old Christian, our hero, is a bright, independent boy. When he was only six years old he ran away from his parents and persuaded a troll to let him live with him in his forest cave. Christian definitely does not like to do as he is told, nor does he care about fine clothes, fancy places to live, or learning manners. What he does care about are: the two huge dogs, Beelzebub and Hecate, inventing things, messing about in the woods with the occasional centaur, leprechaun, or elf, and the Princess Marigold, who lives in the castle across the river from his forest home. Oh, and he thinks Edric, his adopted troll father, is ok too. Hes constructed a telescope which is how he discovered the princess and her family. First he figured out how to communicate with her via P-mail (carrier pigeons). They find out they have much in common, and become the very best of friends. Now hes got a job in the castle stables. Soon he discovers that there is a nefarious plot afoot to destroy the princess. What can he do to save her? Meanwhile, Princess Marigold is hardly a blushing wimp of a heroine. She loves Greek myths, bad jokes, and will stop at nothing to foil Queen Olympias schemes to get her married off to one awful suitor after another. Poor Marigold is the reluctant recipient of a fairys birth gift which enables her to know anyones feelings just by touching them. Is that why the queen NEVER touches her? It does look as though it is up to Christian to solve the puzzle and save the princess. But how on earth is he going to accomplish this when he gets thrown into the deepest dungeon by a miffed palace guard?