Book Review: "The Salamander Spell" by E.D. Baker

A SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

Before Emma, Grassina hasn't yet come into her magic. She sneaks around trying to learn about her sisters' magic lessons. When her mother is affected by a curse when exposed to flowers, she makes Grassina and her sister's lives terrible. They spend their days doing errands for her until something terrible happens that pushes Grassina to run away. Eventually she meets a strange boy named Haywood and discovers she has her own magical abilities. But she has to face werewolves who are terrifying the land, since no one else can.

OUR CAST OF CHARACTERS

Grassina is clever and adventurous, much like Emma. She doesn't much fit the idea of a princess and has spent her childhood sneaking off into the swamp. She hates her red hair and freckles and wishes she looked like her sister instead. Although it is believed that the first born will be the green witch, she still has an interest in magic.

Chartreuse is beautiful and surrounded by suitors who shower her with attention. She is rather romantic and wants a prince who will woo her like her father wooed her mother. It's this aspect that makes her seem a little like a bimbo. She is also dramatic and easily annoyed by Grassina.

Queen Olivene was originally kind and caring, but when the curse transforms her she becomes easily annoyed and has a habit of turning her daughters into animals as punishment.

Haywood is a young, brave boy who went to live in the forest for unknown reasons. Although at first he seems annoyed with Emma, he quickly grows to admire and care for her. He provides her with food and shelter.

FORESHADOWING

We get a couple of hints about Grassina's abilities. When her mother gets affected by the curse. Grassina senses that something is different, seconds before the curse occurs. The second hint is when she find's Haywood's Island, and he points out she shouldn't be able to. Obviously, he had a magical barrier of some sort and it had no effect on Grassina.

PACING

The big is essentially divided into two parts, the first part being how Grassina copes with how the curse affected her mother. This mainly involves her doing different tasks assigned to her, but this also shows the relationship between her and Chartreuse. I was anxious to get to meeting Haywood, and was surprised by this structure.

The second part is when Grassina departs home and meets Haywood. This is actually the smaller section of the book. The book has eighteen chapters, and we don't meet him until chapter ten.

The pacing of the story picks up a bit after this, where we encounter a creature called a vali, werewolves, and a manticore.

TWO SISTERS

Although Chartreuse and Grassina seem at odds throughout most of the book, they still rely on each other for a good portion of the story. Grassina notes they used to best friends before Chartreuse began training as the green witch. I wish this subject was approached and discussed between the two of them.

And although Grassina makes a valiant effort to be friends, Chartreuse eventually reacts to a scary event out of proportion, and blames Grassina for all of her problems. From there, there isn't a reconciliation. Of course, we know how their relationship is in the future from the Frog Princess books. But we also know that Haywood will become an otter, but that isn't shown. And the story ends on a positive note, but that's understandable.

MOOD

Two large events of the story affect Grassina in profoundly negative ways, but the book still manages a whimsical atmosphere. Grassina has a lot of clever lines she uses against her sister. A group of spiders are dramatic and amusing and the snake Pippa always serves to lighten any mood. I found her much more charming than Lil the bat.

CONCLUSION

Baker does a good job of showing how life was like for Grassina in her youth. As well as why her and Chartreuse don't get along very well in the future. I give “The Salamander Spell” three and a half stars.

What do you think? Did you read this book? Agree or disagree with me on any points? Please let me know!

Book Review: "No place for Magic" by E.D. Baker

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

Emma and Eadric are finally getting married. But first they are visiting Eadric's parents. But when his younger brother goes missing, its up to them to find him. To do that, they have to find the lair of the trolls. Along the way they meet a banshee, a group of cockatrice that turn you to stone if you look at them, and some not-so-friendly vampires.

RETURNING CHARACTERS

Emma is confident in her magic and enjoys turning into a dragon on a regular basis. She still struggles to get along with her mother and wonders if Eadric's mother will ever accept her.

Eadric defends his fiance from the attacks of his mother at every chance and lacks the naivete that started arguments in the past. When Emma explains she feels she let him down about Bradston, he is comforting and supportive.

Lil tags along and there is an argument between her and Garrid. A spat between the bat and the vampire is short and has no bearing on the story. And when I was reading how Lil was mad that Garrid's family didn't know about her, I kept thinking...you're an animal. He's a man. Shouldn't he be embarrassed?

Garrid is still a cameo character we don't know much about. His presence is necessary to help Emma and Eadric out of a tough spot though.

NEW CHARACTERS

Bradston is the younger brother of Eadric. He spends most of his time getting into trouble. He is demanding, whiny and entitled. He isn't even grateful when he's rescued.

Fatlippia is the troll queen. She is not much smarter than the others but with four heads is much larger. She adds mostly humor to the story.

Grunella is a troll that guards the caves where Bradston is being kept. Although big, she isn't too bright and her illness makes her no match for Emma and Eadric. She mostly serves to add humor to the story.

Queen Frazella is the same as she was in the last book. She doesn't like Emma because of her magic and doesn't treat her well, giving her a small room to stay at and letting her distaste known.

PACING

Although the book starts slow once it gets going, it's one thing after another. From giants, to griffons, to trolls, to cockatrices, to almost drowning. But there is plenty of slower paced times to even it out.

FORESHADOWING-SPOILERS

There isn't as many hints and tips at things to come in this story. Although we do discover Bradston is alright ahead of time and have time to wonder why and how.

Also, Emma finds out that the trolls were manipulated into kidnapping Bradston. But she doesn't ponder this much, as her wedding is going to take place. The only clue we get is when she spots a troll wearing a necklace with a ball on it.

MOOD

There is still the same mood of silliness and whimsy, even though the danger exists.

Emma and Eadric meet a banshee who is sad that no one likes her, because she goes around foretelling deaths. Emma puts a spell on Bradston that produces amusing results and we meet two sea monsters that have a hilarious conversation.

THE CLIMAX

After the many troubles that face them, when we reach the trolls in the caverns, their stupidity seems like a letdown. The reader might be expecting to have to fight the trolls but soon discover that is not necessary. They are easily outsmarted.

However, after finding Bradston, there are a few chapters left in the book. Baker doesn't fail, creating an army and a troll queen who is a fearsome foe. It may not be what the reader is expecting, but Baker manages to show us the wedding we have been waiting for but going out with a bang.

CONCLUSION

I would have liked Emma and Eadric's relationship to develop more than the short-lived doubts that Emma experiences about their marriage. I also would have had liked to see a serious fight or something that brought real doubts about their future marriage. But I still liked the story so I give “No place for magic” three and a half stars.

What do you think? Did you read this book? Agree or disagree with me on any points? Please let me know!

Book Review: "Once Upon a Curse" by E.D. Baker

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

Emma is determined to turn back Grassina and undo the curse that turns all the women into her family into horrible, ugly creatures when they touch flowers. To do this, she must travel back in time to when the curse was enacted. There she meets her ancestors, two princesses: the rude but pretty Hazel, and her younger sister, Millie. But thinks prove harder than she expects when the kingdom has it's own problems, like harpies and a dragon. Emma knows she shouldn't interfere with the past, but surely she won't cause any trouble.

RETURNING CHARACTERS

Emma is much more confident in her magic from the occurrence in the last book. Her magic has amplified and she has confidently taken over as the Green witch. She mentions that she tours the kingdom every few weeks by magic carpet to deal with problems like harpies. In the climax it's revealed that her magical ability has grown.

Eadric and Emma go through their usual fights when Eadric wants to go back with her. This is a bit predictable and pointless, as we know Eadric will come with us. Also, Emma gets upset when Hazel flirts with Eadric. The situation is similar to the mermaids and the outcome is the same.

Grassina is no longer the women we knew. She is vindictive and nasty. She often takes the form of a giant lizard and goes around the castle scaring people.

Lil travels with Eadric and Emma back in time. Although she isn't in the story much, her character does rather suddenly and perhaps not believably, fall in love.

NEW CHARACTERS

Garrid is one of many suitors to Hazel, and seems to have a secret. He goes off every morning and leaves the castle.

Princess Millie is the younger sister of Hazel and looks similar to Emma with her auburn hair. She is much kinder and friendlier than her sister. She has a secret of her own.

Princess Hazel is the beautiful, older sister who commands a strong influence of how the castle is run because of her magic. She is selfish, self-absorbed and vapid. Her magic consists of mainly using plants.

FORESHADOWING

The tapestry of the green witch that appeared in the second book is revealed in this book, although it seems different. Emma takes the same items as last time, a piece of string, a candle stub, a square piece of cloth, and this time some salve from Ralf. Three of these items get used.

EXPLICIT CONTENT

Emma finds a dungeon of skeletons.

Their is alcohol at Hazel's party and the Swamp Fairy gets so drunk that she falls asleep and doesn't wake until a day later.

AN ODD ROMANCE-SPOILERS

I have one big criticism and in order to explain it I am going to have to spoil a part of the book. There is a romance between a human—a vampire, and the Bat Lil. I think being an adult I found it weird. Lil is just a bat. Not a bat with human intelligence, not a bat who can do magic. Just a bat, an animal that Emma can communicate with because she is a witch. And Garrid can communicate with her because he is a vampire. But...she is still an animal and he a human.

It felt like bestiality to me. And it felt unnecessary in the book as well, as Lil is barely in the story and her infatuation seems childlike and silly. I think it would have added to the book if Millie had been in love with him instead, so when she found it, it would have affected her and she would have to overcome her bigotry. As well as Emma, who believes vampires to be evil. And then we could have actually gotten to know the character of Garrid. But he becomes as two dimensional as Lil. Also, when Garrid shows up to find Lil, we never understand why Emma suddenly thinks its okay. Are vampires suddenly not evil?

CONCLUSION

I still like the story but it's inferior to the last two. Eadric's and Emma's relationship seems to be going in a circle and is rather predictable. And the subplot of Lil and Garrid feels forced and odd. I give “Once upon a curse” three and half stars.

What do you think? Did you read this book? Agree or disagree with me on any points? Please let me know!

Book Review: "Dragon's Breath" by E.D. Baker

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

After discovering the long-lost love of Grassina, Emma and Eadric are on a quest to get all the ingredients to a potion that will change him back. This quest takes them to a magical market, inside a fish bowl that hides an ocean and a mermaid who lives in a castle, and the dragon Olympics. But magic is goofing up again, and whenever Emma sneezes her and Eadric turn back into frogs. This may be a problem, especially when facing a giant spider or returning to humans, when Dragons consider them enemies. Not to mention Prince Jorge's father is invading the kingdom, and Grassina, the green witch, is too distracted to help defend Greensward.

RETURNING CHARACTERS

Emma is now a witch like her aunt, and she is eagerly learning new skills everyday. But she still has problems with her magic and doubts about her abilities. When unforeseen events lead to Emma being the only witch who can protect her kingdom, she has to take charge in a way she never has: going into battle.

But the adults around her are not all useless, as in the first part of the book, it's Grassina who confronts the man who entrapped the old witches. This is important, as it's Emma and Eadric who gather all of the items for the potion later. And when Emma takes over in the climax, it is a sharp contrast from the girl in the first part of the story.

Eadric is the same, still asking for a kiss at the oddest moments. There is some tension between him and Emma with regards to her magic and the mistakes she makes that affect him. And when they meet a room full of mermaids, Eadric's attention is taken which annoys Emma. Basically, they have their first real fight.

Grassina is completely immersed in turning Haywood back into a man and in finding him after his disappearance. There is some explaining about the relationship between her and Chartreuses which explains why Emma and her mother have a difficult relationship. Although she seems rather two dimensional when it comes to her love, near the end she reveals doubts about Haywood and if he will still love her, since so much time has passed.

NEW CHARACTERS

Ralph is a young dragon that Emma and Eadric rescue. He is not as biased against humans as older dragons and is impressed when he witnesses them turn into frogs. He is key in helping Emma get two ingredients.

Nastia is the sea witch who is the mother of Pearl. She is angry, violent and demanding, and amusing. The arguments between her and Pearl are funny. Baker reminds us that this a childrens' story, and we shouldn't take things too seriously.

Olivene, Emma's Grandmother is nasty but comical, constantly getting Haywood's name wrong and making trouble. Sometime she acts more like a rebellious teenager than a senior.

Grandfather is a ghost but still loves his daughter deeply, as well as who his wife used to be. He is also not afraid of her and often comes to the defense of Emma when Olivene shows up and bullies her. It is explained he was not in the first book because he was at the council of ghosts. (Note: this book takes place one day after the first one.)

Shelton is a chatterbox crab that hooks a ride with Emma when he sees her as a frog turn into a human. He can be annoying or amusing but serves a specific purpose in the story.

Queen Chartreuse is her usual disagreeable self. She seems to think since Eadric was alone with Emma, her honor has been sullied. She eventually agrees they should marry, but doesn't think Eadric will wait long. She manages to get in more than a few barbs about Emma.

PACING

The pacing is similar to the first book. There is event that carries the majority of the book, but it doesn't happen until they confront Emma's Grandmother, eight chapters in. And the second event not until chapter nine. Before then, there is only one action scene but mostly it is spent exploring an island and finding one man. So it is rather a relaxed pace. But after reading book one, this should be no surprise.

MOOD

Again, the mood is light-hearted and funny at times, unless we are in an action or climax scene. I laughed at the homes that the retired witches had, and the story of the witch killed by children. As well as the rambling of Shelton and the relationship between the mermaid Pearl and her mother. Not to mention Eadric's new sword.

FORESHADOWING

There is a mentioning of a tapestry in Grassina's room that has a part in the third book in the series. Emma gets a few items for the journey: a piece of string, a candle stub and a piece of square cloth. She ends up using the candle in this book, and the string in the next.

CONCLUSION

We get to explore more of Emma's world, with magic carpets, secret portals, giant spiders and dragons. There's a lot to see and I give “Dragon's Breath” four stars.

What do you think? Did you read this book? Agree or disagree with me on any points? Please let me know!

Book Review: "The Frog Princess" By E.D. Baker

SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY

We all know the fairy tale, a young princess loses her toy and when a frog returns it, he asks to be kissed. When she does kiss him, he becomes a prince. Except in this story, for some reason, our princess becomes a frog as well! Baker must have asked one question: what if the spell didn't work properly? What could cause such a thing?

Emma is a princess who, after kissing a frog who claims to be a prince, turns into a frog herself. The two set off to find the witch who cursed Eadric, the prince. But instead find trouble, in the form of angry witches, friendly and not-so-friendly snakes, and an otter with an eye for shiny objects.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Emma is the princess of Greater Greensward, a little clumsy but determined to avoid marriage to an annoying prince. She often spends her time at the swamp looking for animals or with her Aunt Grassina, a wizard. Although Grassina tries to teach her wizardry, Emma hasn't had much success.

Eadric is the prince of Upper Montevista, who through his own naivete and big mouth, got turned into a frog. He is a little full of himself, but has a good heart, instantly becoming protective of Emma. He takes her under his wing, teaching her to swim and catch flies. It's a running joke that he tries to get her to kiss him all the time.

Grassina is much closer to Emma than her sister, Emma's mother. They both have the same chestnut hair, and Grassina claims that her niece has the ability to be a witch. Not caring much for her appearance, Grassina does not look like a princess, as she wears oversized clothes and doesn't do her hair. When she was younger, her mother turned her fiance into an animal and sent him away. Because of that, she is often sad, although she puts on a good face for Emma.

Queen Chartreuse is often at odds with her daughter. She wants her to marry Prince Jorge and Emma often spends her time avoiding arguing with her.

Lil is a bat that Emma and Eadric meet when they are captured by a witch. She befriends them and comes along with them to meet Grassina, and become another witch's bat. She is hesitant to leave at first but slowly gains confidence.

PACING

We don't jump into the story right away. Emma meets the frog, leaves, and then comes back, only to kiss him. Because the chapters are short we don't have to wait long until she gets turned into a frog and the ball gets rolling. After she turns into a frog, there is a chapter between then and confronting Eadric. I would say those two events, the opening and after being turned into a frog, reveal the pace of the story, not fast, but not slow. Somewhere in the middle.

FORESHADOWING

There are details that seem of no importance to the reader at first that come back to carry an important meaning. For example, when Emma gets turned into a frog, her bracelet slips off, and she witnesses an otter take it. And all throughout the story, a white dog turns up, causing trouble for Emma and Eadric. It seems very random, but it gets explained near the end. Also, Grassina tells a sad story about lost love in the beginning that is easily glossed over, but again, carries importance near the end of the story.

MOOD OF THE STORY

I mentioned the gag about Eadric always wanting a kiss. That pretty much defines the mood of the story. Even though there are dangers they face, the story doesn't go too long before we get a good joke in. Usually the humor is supplied by Eadric. I enjoyed the silly mood as it didn't take from the story, and reminded me that this is written for children, in a good way.

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

Most of the character development comes from Emma. She starts believing she can never do magic even though her Aunt says she can. It's only near the end of the story that she suddenly starts to believe in herself, taking the final task into her own hands. But even when she takes the steps to do this, she doesn't magically change personality. She still doubts herself and wonders if she can really change.
As for Eadric, it seems from the get-go that he is fond of Emma. He teaches her all he knows about being a frog and not long after meeting her shows jealousy when a toad shows off to her. As time passes he shows that he is willing to risk his life for hers.

CONCLUSION

I love the sweetness of the characters and the simplicity of the story. It embraces what it is, a fairy tale for children, and doesn't try to be anything else. It continues to make me smile, as I originally read it in my teen years. I give “The Frog Princess” four stars.

What do you think? Did you read this book? Agree or disagree with me on any points? Please let me know!