The Amaranth Enchantment

Gr 6—9—Orphaned by a tragic accident and raised as a servant in her uncle's goldsmith shop, 15-year-old Lucinda is accustomed to hard work and neglect. Following her relative's sudden death, Lucinda finds herself out on the street, homeless and clutching a mysterious gem that must be returned to its owner. Thus begins Lucinda's fantastic fairy-tale journey, complete with an unlikely friend, a handsome prince, an evil villain, a kindly enchantress, and an animal with peculiar talents. Julie Berry's tale (Bloomsbury, 2009) deftly weaves the lives and fates of several characters, Celeste Ciulla's narration drags the text down at some points, giving light-hearted phrases undue weight and making some of the longer conversations wander on interminably. Although the story is delightful, the audiobook is only for serious fantasy collections and fans of titles like Gail Carson Levine's Ella Enchanted (HarperCollins, 1997).—Sara Saxton, Tuzzy Consortium Library, Barrow, AK