Hero

Gr 6 Up—This sequel to Enchanted (Houghton Harcourt, 2012) follows a different sister in the Woodcutter family. Saturday seems to have no magical talents of her own, but instead relies on an enchanted sword given to her as a gift. Shortly after the novel begins, her "cousin-brother," Trix, runs away from home when he receives bad news about his biological mother. Saturday vows to bring him back. The heroine and her mother set sail with Thursday, the pirate sister. While onboard, Saturday is captured by an enormous bird and taken to a cave on the highest mountaintop where an evil witch resides. There, the teen meets Peregrine of Starburn, who was cursed and forced to pretend to be the witch's daughter, and his companion Betwixt, a chimera. Saturday, Peregrine, and Betwixt undertake a fast-paced adventure to keep the witch from casting a spell that will open a portal to the demon realm and destroy their world. Fans of the television show Once Upon a Time will definitely enjoy this fractured fairy tale that references many well-known stories.—Erienne Jones, Guilford County Schools, Greensboro, NC