Review by Booklist Review
Keira's life is dominated by her mother's strict rules: no stories, no fantasies; only facts and science. But when she discovers her grandmother's magic pen, her mother's rules go out the window, because the pen makes anything she writes come to life. What a perfect time to enter a fiction-writing contest! Winning the contest earns her a trip to France, and while she's living a real-life fantasy, she starts to realize that she and others are in danger. Meanwhile, she's trying to save the princess she wrote about, but there are potential consequences: she may end up trapped in her own story. The tale unfolds slowly in short chapters, which might make this a challenging read for some, though the pace is effective for building a deep sense of mystery. Slowing down works for the overall mystery, though, particularly since, in Keira's first-person narrative, readers will discover clues right along with her. Drawing inspiration from many classic fairy tales, this would be a good pick for fans of Melissa de la Cruz's The Isle of the Lost (2015).--Pino, Kristina Copyright 2017 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-6-A lackluster novel of magic, history, and the power of a well-written tale. Keira is frustrated with her family and their strange rules. Her mother does not allow pens or stories in their house. With the help of a friend, Keira secretly enters a writing contest. It turns out that she holds the power to write stories that come to life. When winning the competition takes her to an amazing castle in France, Keira goes on an adventure of a lifetime with her grandmother's magical pen. Readers may not be all that enchanted, as each character is a tired archetype seen in many middle grade fantasies. The plot is uninteresting and reinforces stereotypical portrayals of French culture. The pacing is muddled by a myriad of escapades and minutia about the rules of the magical world Keira inhabits. VERDICT A disappointingly unoriginal offering. Middle grade readers who like action, adventure, and stories coming to life should instead seek out Cornelia Funke's "Inkheart" series, Gail Carson Levine's Ella Enchanted, Christopher Healy's The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom, Brandon Mull's "Fablehaven" books, or Suzanne Collins's Gregor the Overlander.-Jessica Bratt, Grand Rapids Public Library, MI © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
