This is a hilarious send-up of the traditional fairy tales about suitors contesting for the hand of a princess via an assortment of bizarre and increasingly difficult tasks. In this case, it's the handsome, powerful wizard of the north who seeks a bride, but even though he is devoted to being as wicked as he can be, he finds the prospect of choosing from among the wickedest witches a bit daunting. All but one of the witches contending for his hand are hideous to look upon, and not much fun to talk to - and the one lovely witch has an unfortunate tendency to create roses instead of thorns with her spells, and to attract furry little woodland creatures even when she tries her utmost to be Evil.

There are other complications, of course; an orphaned boy, a mysterious prophecy, an assortment of magical creatures, all blended in a very funny story that tickled me as much as it surprised me, and pleased me even more than that. At a guess, this book (and Ibbotsen's others, although so far this remains my favorite of hers) would please readers who enjoyed the Harry Potter books, and might entertain those who like fantasy-romances or updated fairy tales as well.

Released on Wednesday, September 18, 2002 at Panera Bread, at the corner of Spit Brook Road and the DW Highway in Nashua, New Hampshire USA.

Left the book in one of the take-home-menu racks at the back of the restaurant.