The Princess in the Opal Mask

Gr 6–9—Galandria is on the brink of war, threatened by neighboring Kyrenica and unrest among its own citizenry. Caught in the middle are Elara and Wilha, twin daughters of Galandria's monarchs. Prompted by an ancient prophecy regarding disaster brought upon the kingdom by royal twins, the king orders the sisters be separated shortly after birth. Elara is secreted away to a distant village to live in ignorant anonymity while Wilha is cursed to always hide her face behind a bejeweled mask. The sisters are unaware of the other's existence until their 16th birthday. Reunited and forced to be pawns in a dangerous political game that began centuries earlier, they have some important choices to make. Their actions will determine not only the fate of their kingdom, but also their own destinies. This fairy tale based on "Cinderella" and Alexandre Dumas's The Man in the Iron Mask is the first in a planned two-book series, and a departure from the author's earlier works. Despite sometimes stilted dialogue, the story shines with potential. Light romance and strong female characters make it an ideal choice for tween girls, and the dual viewpoint narration aids the plot's momentum. This delightfully fanciful tale will find a captive audience among fans of Gail Carson Levine.—Alissa J. Bach, Oxford Public Library, MI