Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Princess Anatopsis has a powerful magical gift and a mother who wants that gift used for the greater good of their kingdom. Since Ana, as she prefers to be called, just wants to follow in the footsteps of her wandering, free-spirited father, she's disturbed by the changes brought on by her thirteenth birthday: she must study with her family's rivals, she is assigned a strangely magnetic demigod tutor, and her closest allies are disappearing at an alarming rate. There is also a larger issue that Ana must consider: the consequence of centuries of disregard for the environment by Anna's mother, the queen, and her fellow magical immortals. The time has finally come for a dramatic showdown between the beleaguered citizens and the irresponsible immortals, but Ana may find the price of the changes she seeks too much to bear. The lesson—that getting what you want isn't always the best possible or most satisfying outcome—is a powerful one, and it's explained with emotional complexity. The environmental and moral messages are strong, but they're subtly conveyed, evoked in the struggles of the characters or touched with humor rather than didactically announced. This will be an easy sell to fantasy buffs, environmentally minded readers, and those who enjoy strong female heroines.