Princess Marigold—who hadn’t yet been born when the remarkable Princess Rosalind was kidnapped—is eleven when the unthinkable happens: her older sister escapes her captivity and comes home. Marigold has always known she’s not as good, sweet, or kind as the sister everyone adores, but amid the celebration of Rosalind’s return, Marigold realizes something new: if Princess Rosalind is good, then Princess Marigold must be wicked. And there’s no place for wickedness in the kingdom. When Marigold tries to find a new place for herself in an evil wizard’s fortress, though, the results are disastrous. Before she’s even learned to cackle or scowl properly, she gets tangled up in a magical plot to ruin all the Cacophonous Kingdoms. Is Marigold too wicked to make things right? Or can she—with the help of a kitchen boy, a well-dressed imp, and a grumpy blob of glop—find her own way to restore peace? This endearing fantasy will have princess and anti-princess fans alike chuckling and cheering.
- Books
- Middle Grade Fiction & Indies
- Middle Grade Fiction
- Wicked Marigold
Wicked Marigold
Author(s)
Publisher
Genre(s)
Age Range
8+
Release Date
July 16, 2024
ISBN
978-1536230499
Buy This Book
Editor review
1 review
Being wicked is hard
Overall rating
4.7
Plot
5.0
Characters
5.0
Writing Style
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
What worked:
Readers should feel empathy for Marigold since she grows up living in the shadow of her older sister. All she hears is how wonderful Rosalind was before being kidnapped. Marigold is a normal, curious, adventurous young girl but she can’t stand being ignored once her sister returns. She makes one too many mistakes, runs away, and starts calling herself wicked. The blob mentioned in the synopsis refers to Wizard Torvell after Marigold’s first attempt to cast a spell goes haywire. She really wants to help the wizard but is clearly in over her head. Torvell’s brother and sister, the Miseries, are constant annoyances and threats and Marigold is forced to find ways to appease them. How is Marigold supposed to support Torvell’s evil ways when her goodness keeps getting in the way?
The most amusing part of the book involves Marigold’s efforts to prove she’s wicked. She’s given seven days to convince an evil sorcerer’s imp Pettifog of her wickedness and that’s when the antics begin. Turning Torvell into a blob is funny by itself but trying to interact with him offers more humorous situations. Then, Marigold tries to reverse the spell but her efforts don’t turn out as expected. Pettifog constantly complains about her non-wickedness and laments her lame efforts to perform magic. The story shares numerous, funny mental images as Marigold stumbles along trying to be evil. Pettifog loves to knit tea napkins but he fears being returned to the world of demons. The contrast between being a demon and his love for Rosalind adds additional levity to his character.
The backbone of the plot pits good versus evil as the wizards and sorcerers fear peace will break out among the kingdoms. This news will be terrible for them since there will no longer be a demand for their wicked spells. Rosalind is the epitome of kindness with everyone loving and admiring her and she’s at the center of peace efforts that will unite the different kingdoms. On the other hand, Marigold is more inquisitive and a risk-taker so her behavior is not as well-received. She assumes that since she’s not as perfectly nice as her sister she must be wicked. She struggles with this internal conflict throughout the entire story.
What didn’t work as well:
Some readers may not appreciate the zaniness as the humor borders on slapstick. The wizards’ spells to maintain chaos are wacky and Torvell’s behavior as a blob is very strange. However, the resulting story is comical and entertaining for those readers with tolerant funny bones.
The final verdict:
The reverse expectations of Marigold trying to be wicked create a hilarious, enjoyable story. Her kind heart will endear her to young readers even as she half-heartedly tries to be evil. I recommend you give this book a shot.
Readers should feel empathy for Marigold since she grows up living in the shadow of her older sister. All she hears is how wonderful Rosalind was before being kidnapped. Marigold is a normal, curious, adventurous young girl but she can’t stand being ignored once her sister returns. She makes one too many mistakes, runs away, and starts calling herself wicked. The blob mentioned in the synopsis refers to Wizard Torvell after Marigold’s first attempt to cast a spell goes haywire. She really wants to help the wizard but is clearly in over her head. Torvell’s brother and sister, the Miseries, are constant annoyances and threats and Marigold is forced to find ways to appease them. How is Marigold supposed to support Torvell’s evil ways when her goodness keeps getting in the way?
The most amusing part of the book involves Marigold’s efforts to prove she’s wicked. She’s given seven days to convince an evil sorcerer’s imp Pettifog of her wickedness and that’s when the antics begin. Turning Torvell into a blob is funny by itself but trying to interact with him offers more humorous situations. Then, Marigold tries to reverse the spell but her efforts don’t turn out as expected. Pettifog constantly complains about her non-wickedness and laments her lame efforts to perform magic. The story shares numerous, funny mental images as Marigold stumbles along trying to be evil. Pettifog loves to knit tea napkins but he fears being returned to the world of demons. The contrast between being a demon and his love for Rosalind adds additional levity to his character.
The backbone of the plot pits good versus evil as the wizards and sorcerers fear peace will break out among the kingdoms. This news will be terrible for them since there will no longer be a demand for their wicked spells. Rosalind is the epitome of kindness with everyone loving and admiring her and she’s at the center of peace efforts that will unite the different kingdoms. On the other hand, Marigold is more inquisitive and a risk-taker so her behavior is not as well-received. She assumes that since she’s not as perfectly nice as her sister she must be wicked. She struggles with this internal conflict throughout the entire story.
What didn’t work as well:
Some readers may not appreciate the zaniness as the humor borders on slapstick. The wizards’ spells to maintain chaos are wacky and Torvell’s behavior as a blob is very strange. However, the resulting story is comical and entertaining for those readers with tolerant funny bones.
The final verdict:
The reverse expectations of Marigold trying to be wicked create a hilarious, enjoyable story. Her kind heart will endear her to young readers even as she half-heartedly tries to be evil. I recommend you give this book a shot.
User reviews
1 review
Overall rating
3.8
Plot
4.0(1)
Characters
4.0(1)
Writing Style
4.0(1)
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
3.0(1)
Already have an account? Log in now or Create an account
Delightful
Overall rating
3.8
Plot
4.0
Characters
4.0
Writing Style
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
3.0
"Wicked Marigold" by Caroline Carlson is a delightful and thought-provoking story that challenges the simplistic notion of good versus evil. The central message of the book is clear: life isn't black and white, and it's up to each individual to define and live their true self beyond the labels others may impose.
Marigold, the protagonist, is a character who embodies this message beautifully. She is a talented engineer with a knack for thinking outside the box, making her both relatable and inspiring for young readers. Her journey to understand that everyone has both good and bad within them is compelling and offers a meaningful lesson about self-acceptance and personal growth.
While Marigold's talent for engineering is refreshing and adds an intriguing layer to her character, it would have been wonderful to see even more of her ingenuity throughout the story. Her inventive spirit and unique problem-solving skills are highlights of the book, and showcasing more of these moments would have further enriched the narrative.
One of the standout aspects of "Wicked Marigold" is the humour woven into the character interactions. Carlson has a knack for creating comical and heartwarming scenes that will have children laughing out loud. These moments of levity balance the more serious themes of the story, making it an enjoyable read for young audiences.
Overall, "Wicked Marigold" is a charming and insightful book that encourages readers to look beyond surface appearances and embrace their true selves. With its engaging protagonist, important message, and humorous interactions, it's a story that will resonate with children and leave them with a smile on their faces. Caroline Carlson has crafted a book that is both entertaining and meaningful, making "Wicked Marigold" a delightful addition to any young reader's bookshelf.
Marigold, the protagonist, is a character who embodies this message beautifully. She is a talented engineer with a knack for thinking outside the box, making her both relatable and inspiring for young readers. Her journey to understand that everyone has both good and bad within them is compelling and offers a meaningful lesson about self-acceptance and personal growth.
While Marigold's talent for engineering is refreshing and adds an intriguing layer to her character, it would have been wonderful to see even more of her ingenuity throughout the story. Her inventive spirit and unique problem-solving skills are highlights of the book, and showcasing more of these moments would have further enriched the narrative.
One of the standout aspects of "Wicked Marigold" is the humour woven into the character interactions. Carlson has a knack for creating comical and heartwarming scenes that will have children laughing out loud. These moments of levity balance the more serious themes of the story, making it an enjoyable read for young audiences.
Overall, "Wicked Marigold" is a charming and insightful book that encourages readers to look beyond surface appearances and embrace their true selves. With its engaging protagonist, important message, and humorous interactions, it's a story that will resonate with children and leave them with a smile on their faces. Caroline Carlson has crafted a book that is both entertaining and meaningful, making "Wicked Marigold" a delightful addition to any young reader's bookshelf.
Good Points
- there is no black and white and it's up to you to define who you want to be
- tons of female representation
- humorous interactions
- tons of female representation
- humorous interactions
Latest Additions
GET A YABC BUTTON!
We have all sorts of YABC buttons for your website. Grab one here and link to YABC!