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A Hidden Magic
Once upon a time there was a very nice but very plain princess named Jennifer, who, following proper fairy-tale protocol, fell for a very handsome but very conceited prince named Alexander. When Alexander offends a powerful witch, it falls to Jennifer to save him. In the course of doing so, she meets a wizard and soon wonders if she’s such a proper fairy-tale princess afte...more
Paperback, 192 pages
Published
August 1st 1997
by Sandpiper
(first published August 1st 1985)
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A Hidden Magic is a light, frothy read, flush with comic misadventure but rather low on everything else. The characters are cute, but poorly defined, existing mainly as broad parodies and send-ups of the genre's cliches: the prince is beautiful, but kind of a jerk; the princess is kind and well-mannered, but very plain; the sorceror is clever, but incompetent; the evil witch is as beautiful as she is cruel; etc., etc. And that's really all they are. They don't change, they don't learn anything,...more
“Appearances can be Deceiving”
This delightful spoof on traditional fairy tales is an immediate charmer—with unexpected tongue-in-cheek humor, continuous action and a gallery of roguish, Grimm characters. The modest princess-heroine tries to find a spell to rescue the sleeping handsome prince (not so charming when awake, alas) with an unexpected ally of a sorcerer transformed into an old man. Folklore students will find the staple menu of characters to provide Conflict: an old crone witch, a du...more
This delightful spoof on traditional fairy tales is an immediate charmer—with unexpected tongue-in-cheek humor, continuous action and a gallery of roguish, Grimm characters. The modest princess-heroine tries to find a spell to rescue the sleeping handsome prince (not so charming when awake, alas) with an unexpected ally of a sorcerer transformed into an old man. Folklore students will find the staple menu of characters to provide Conflict: an old crone witch, a du...more
This was actually a reread. I was looking at my bookshelves the other day and saw it. It was in my already read books group (as opposed to my unread books group) and picked it up because I couldn't remember a single thing about it, and the description didn't ring any bells. It wasn't until I was thirty plus pages in that I could definitively say I'd read this book before.
I've read other Vande Velde books and enjoyed them and have quite a few more on the TBR shelves, but this one was a little di...more
I've read other Vande Velde books and enjoyed them and have quite a few more on the TBR shelves, but this one was a little di...more
Jennifer is a plain but friendly princess in a rather small kingdom with a somewhat run-down castle. She is out doing laundry when she encounters a handsome (and conceited) prince who asks her for directions. Despite how good-looking he is, the prince tends to irritate people. When he bothers an evil witch's magic mirror into casting a spell on him, Jennifer feels responsible and sets out to discover a way to break the spell. With the help of a sorcerer named Norman (whose age is indeterminate a...more
I admit this is not a difficult read; about on the level of Prison to Praise (length-wise), for those of you who are familiar. But I wanted to keep my personal goal of completing at least two books per month, and it was clear when Phil's parents arrived this weekend, that I would not be finishing my Jerram Barrs book by Monday. So I found this jewel. It was a gift from N&R, and a book I have wanted to reread for years as I remember it so fondly from my youth. A twist on the traditional fairy...more
An original & delightful parody of the classic fairy tale genre. Velde uses humorous contemporary dialogue to tell the story of the quite ordinary but spirited princess-heroine Jennifer, who finds herself in the position of saving the life of a spoiled prince & dealing w/ a most unconventional young sorcerer. However, despite a wicked witch, a magic mirror, a dark forest & a handsome prince, Velde's approach remains fresh & definitely amusing. Readers will secretly cheer when, at...more
Mild spoilers.
Succinct, cute and easy, A Hidden Magic is the perfect size. I liked it. I believe tween (or younger) fantasy lovers would probably enjoy this, since enough things happen to keep one’s attention. However written for the younger ages this is, my complain is that a lot of it came across random or unrealistic. (Oh, yes, I did just call a children’s fantasy book unrealistic.) One expects the main characters to meet other (bordering on stereotypical) characters, of course, and they do i...more
Succinct, cute and easy, A Hidden Magic is the perfect size. I liked it. I believe tween (or younger) fantasy lovers would probably enjoy this, since enough things happen to keep one’s attention. However written for the younger ages this is, my complain is that a lot of it came across random or unrealistic. (Oh, yes, I did just call a children’s fantasy book unrealistic.) One expects the main characters to meet other (bordering on stereotypical) characters, of course, and they do i...more
I simply LOVE Vivian Vande Velde's writing style, so I have made it one of my goal's (as I do with all my favorite authors) to read as many of her books as possible. I downloaded this one onto my Kindle and was happy to find that I could see the pictures that accompanied each chapter.
Her writing style for this book is obviously for the kids of elementary age and thus tries to keep things on the simple level, but encourages complexity and free thinking, challenging young minds to question and exp...more
Her writing style for this book is obviously for the kids of elementary age and thus tries to keep things on the simple level, but encourages complexity and free thinking, challenging young minds to question and exp...more
I was a little disappointed in this book. Overall it was just too shallow and cliche for me. I like short light fantasy stories usually - and have enjoyed some of Vivian Vande Velde's other books. It felt like a mash-up of several tired fairy tales picked up and set down in a very confined little world and then aimlessly pushed toward the conclusion. There were so many moments where the characters or situations could have been developed...but weren't - leaving me a little let down by the end, de...more
Okay, so I'm basing my 5-star review on my memory of reading this book when I was, I dunno...8 or 9 years old? But I LOVED it. I loved the plucky heroine who eventually wised up and fell for the nerdy wizard instead of the handsome jerkwad prince, and I loved that she was a princess, but y'know, only *technically*, and I STILL love Trina Schart Hyman, who just might be one of the best children's book illustrators who ever lived. Her drawings are so lush and delicate and bold, I would buy just ab...more
This is the book that started it all for me and introduced me to the world or reading for pleasure. Before this I was forced to read Goosebumps with an eggtimer next to me to make sure I met my daily quota. But not this book. My mom handed it to me and even read the first few pages with me and then walked off with a smil on her face because she knew she won the battle with me and reading.
I loved this book. It showed me an untraditional take on princesses and princes and happily ever after and i...more
I loved this book. It showed me an untraditional take on princesses and princes and happily ever after and i...more
this is a romantic adventure story. The main character is Jennifer (princess), she got lost with Alexander who is prince from other place in the forest. And then he was unconscious,in order to save him, Jennifer embarked on a risky journey. In forest, there are many monsters, such as ugly giant, the terror of the witch, the beautiful witch... She got to know a man,Norman, which is helper in her journey. At last, she knows herself was not love Alexander, she love Norman. ...........Alexander woke...more
This is a sweet enough fairy-tale about a princess and a prince who get lost in an enchanted forest. The arrogant prince ends up being enchanted himself, and the princess (rather than leaving him) sets out to help him. She meets a mediocre wizard about her age, who helps her past witches, giants, and dragons. The obstacles were enough to keep my boys (9 and 5) interested, but I probably couldn't get away with it if they were older because there was a love story that was a bit mushy at times.
Chec...more
Chec...more
Wacky little spoof of fairy tales--kind of like The Princess Bride movie. Also sort of Phantom Tollbooth-ish, though more straightforward and enjoyable. Ending perhaps a bit too tidy and easy--but all in all a fun mocking style throughout. Would be good to read to kids (if they're clever enough to get it).
Classic fairy tale and a fun quick read. I love VVV's writing style, and though I should have seen the end coming, I didn't. Made me laugh so hard, people gave me funny looks.
Checked out for the Trina Schart Hyman illustrations. Story is good natured but forgettable (reminds me of how I felt reading Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede).
I was at least ten years too old to read this book for the first time. Oops! Still, the illustrations by Trina Schart Hyman add a nice touch.
I loved this book as a child and enjoyed reading to my kids this summer. Despite the female point of view and lovey dovey elements, they enjoyed it also.
Trina Schart Hyman is a fabulous illustrator. The story is nice, too, and was a lot of fun.
Loved this book when I was a kid, especially the Trina Schart Hyman illustrations.
Very easy read. Cute, with a small twist at the end which I did not foresee.
A well-written fairy tale about why we love who we do...I love this author.
I love Vivian Vande Velde. Not your typical fairy tale. A Hidden Magic is clever and funny. The heroine is strong, and the story doesn't lose any of it's magic with subsequent readings.
Total fun with a good message.
The first by this author I read - the one that made me want to read everything by her.
good for younger readers.
this was so cute!!!
A cute kid's book.
Cute!
Good book, lousy book on tape. I started to listen to it, but the reader was awful...so I returned it to my friendly neighborhood library and got the book to read...o I didn't have to hear the other horrible reader. Basically, nice girl meets a pompous doofus of a prince, they get stuck in a magical realm, and she has to save him...'cuz he's a pompous doofus. Hijinks ensue. Really quick read, with just a little romance for our intrepid heroine with an awkward magician.
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Vivian Vande Velde (born 1951, currently residing in Rochester, New York) is an American author who writes books primarily aimed at young adults.
Her novels and short story collections usually have some element of horror or fantasy, but are primarily humorous. Her book Never Trust a Dead Man (1999) received the 2000 Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Novel. She says that she really likes to write for...more
More about Vivian Vande Velde...
Her novels and short story collections usually have some element of horror or fantasy, but are primarily humorous. Her book Never Trust a Dead Man (1999) received the 2000 Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Novel. She says that she really likes to write for...more
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