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Genre: ✨ Modern Fairy Tale | Age: 👩🏼 Older Middle Grade to Young Adult (12+) | Buy: Amazon or Bookshop | ⭐See star rating

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Christian has grown up in a cave with a troll. He likes to invent things in his spare time. Princess Marigold is trapped in her castle until she is married off to a man with a kingdom.

🧚🏻‍♀ Reminiscent of Gail Carson Levine

Gail Carson Levine is the author of “Ella Enchanted.” I have not read that book, but I have read many of Levine’s other books, and Marigold’s story held the same tone as those nearly-classic modern fairy tales.

There are trolls (we actually only get to meet one), there are fairies (we only get to meet the tooth fairy), there are giants (we meet one who is a castle guard), and there are royals (we meet many princes, princesses, kings, and queens).

Oh, I almost forgot the animals! The dogs are delightful. And the pet ferret is…interesting.

🪄 Whimsical is an Understatement

It seemed like every sentence of the story had humor or sarcasm, and I felt my mood getting lighter and lighter as I read it. That was such a welcome surprise. Here is an example:

Who would believe the truth coming from him, a mere forest troll, compared to a big lie coming from an adorable kid with the heart of a weasel?

The writing had a magical feel to it, even though there was no magic in the story. The sentences were somewhat choppy — or they were drawn out with purpose — and each character was distinct.

The troll mixed up his cliches. The giant liked to exert his strength on others. The queen was evil to her core — no gray back-and-forth to muddy the message.

🐕 Sweet Non-Romantic Relationships

There were so many cozy relationships in this book!

Edric the troll and Christian living as father and son in a cave.

Christian and Marigold conversing via pigeon.

Marigold and her triplet sisters.

Marigold, her sisters, and their relationships with their king father.

And let’s not forget all of the pets.

🦉Who Would Like This Book

Someone looking for a delightful palate cleanser between heavier books.

Tweens or teens who enjoy a clever turn of phrase.

Lovers of modern fairy tales.

Someone looking for a non-magical fantasy with a smidgen of clean romance.

I hope you or your kids enjoy this one!

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🤖 Always written and edited without the use of AI.

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