I got this paperback at a local Savers thrift shop, attracted by the cover-art - and by the premise: there's prince Athelstane seeking a bride, his cousin Lady Vevila craving adventure, and his friend Mazigian seeking a job now that he's a full-fledged wizard. Their goal? A remote castle hidden behind thorny walls, in which a princess - and three princes! - lie asleep, waiting to be magically awakened...

There are many amusing elements here, not least the "spot the fairy-tale reference" game. Among the other fun bits: Mazigian gets cursed to speak only in quotes from Shakespeare, which tests his memory and both amuses and annoys everybody else; the ever-growing glut of princes and princesses, some in disguise, some under enchantment, some fake (the princess-and-the-pea test makes an appearance), and all drawn to the biggest royal-matchmaking-magical-mixer of all time; poor Vevila having to go through all the heroine-tropes while wearing a series of fancy dresses (which do not fare well with all the running and climbing and escaping); the bit where the witch says she did NOT curse the princess with sleep - keeping her quiet and safe for a hundred years was a miracle, not a curse {snerk}; and the various major and minor characters work out their fates (or have them worked out for them) in a satisfactory manner by the end of the story.

That said, the book does have its flaws. Athelstane, nominal lead character, is pretty tedious and thick, and while that has its humorous moments I found myself begrudging every scene he was in. And I thought that the whole sleeping-princes subplot was rather thrown away; I'd have played with that part of the story in a very different manner. But overall it's an amusing romp.

[For another all-the-fairy-tales comedic fantasy, check out Terry Pratchett's Witches Abroad - it's one of the best of the excellent "Discworld" books! And I had to wonder whether the character of Tom, the cat-turned-coachman in Never After, was inspired by Greebo from Witches Abroad...]

I'm adding this to the Otherworldly bookbox, which will be on its way to its next stop soon. Enjoy!

Taken out of the Otherworldly box.

Was hoping I’d like this but couldn’t get into it.

Released for the Tick Tock challenge

When he looked up again Tas had gone. Rising to join the others, he caught sight of something small and abandoned on the floor. "Tas you forgot your pipe." He picked it up and then saw words carved into the wood he had not seen before. Find the music, find the magic.
"Did you carve this?"
Tas did not turn. "Yes," he said, reluctantly. "I have to leave it."
"But, Tas, why?"
Tas squared his shoulders as though firming some resolve. But still he did not turn. "Because the shepherd said that it could only be used once. Thats why I can't get the pipe to play that song-or any song. I've used the magic." He took a deep breath and went on. "And he said that once I found the magic I had the pass the pipe on." he paused and then he did turn, a scamp's humor in his long brown eyes. "It's going to be a long winter. I'm going to leave it here for someone else to find." "Snowsong" by Nancy Varian Berberick

Found a book? Find the magic! Welcome to BookCrossing!! If you are already a member, "Hello!", if you have only just found this lovely site, welcome!

Congratulations on finding a released BookCrossing book! You can now register on the site, if you want to. It's free to register, but of course you can remain anon. It's up to you!

If you do decide to join, please add me as your referring member, AlterEgoZoe. Thanks!

Most of all, enjoy the book, and enjoy BookCrossing!