My daughter-in-law told me I had to read this book and lent it to me. Thank you, McKenzie! I absolutely loved every minute of it. Previous to "Enchantment" I'd only read "Saints" by Card and liked it. This book is a modern fairytale based on Ukrainian or Russian folk tales, especially concerning the witch Baba Yaga and the well-known story of Sleeping Beauty. Ivan Smetzki and his family emigrated to the United States when he was about 11 after some time staying with his Uncle Marek in the Ukraine. While staying at Marek's farm he finds a mysterious place in the woods with an abyss covered with leaves. In the middle he can make out a platform and the figure of a beautiful sleeping princess. But then he sees something coming toward him through the leaves, becomes frightened and takes to his heels. While writing his dissertation concerning Russian folk tales, Ivan returns to Kiev and visits Uncle Marek. He has never forgotten his experience in the woods and finds the place again. I'll stop here to avoid spoiling the story.

There's a lot of magic from unexpected sources and frequent touches of humor. The characters are very well-done. Some of the language is, for lack of a better word, "frank", but there aren't any really steamy passages.