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A Tale of Two Castles #2
Stolen Magic
Newbery Honor author of Ella Enchanted Gail Carson Levine weaves a thrilling tale of mystery in this companion to A Tale of Two Castles.
Elodie, the dragon detective Meenore, and the kindly ogre Count Jonty Um are all on their way to Elodie’s home island of Lahnt. Elodie has barely set foot on land before she learns that the Replica, a statue that keeps her island’s deadly volcano from erupting, has been stolen! If the Replica isn't found in three days, a mountain will be destroyed. And when Elodie ends up alone with a cast of characters any of whom may be guilty, she has to use her wits to try to unravel a tangled web of lies.
New York Times bestselling author Gail Carson Levine has written an imaginative, fast-paced mystery that will be enjoyed by fans of A Tale of Two Castles, as well as those meeting Elodie, Meenore, and Count Jonty Um for the first time.
Elodie, the dragon detective Meenore, and the kindly ogre Count Jonty Um are all on their way to Elodie’s home island of Lahnt. Elodie has barely set foot on land before she learns that the Replica, a statue that keeps her island’s deadly volcano from erupting, has been stolen! If the Replica isn't found in three days, a mountain will be destroyed. And when Elodie ends up alone with a cast of characters any of whom may be guilty, she has to use her wits to try to unravel a tangled web of lies.
New York Times bestselling author Gail Carson Levine has written an imaginative, fast-paced mystery that will be enjoyed by fans of A Tale of Two Castles, as well as those meeting Elodie, Meenore, and Count Jonty Um for the first time.
322 pages, Hardcover
First published April 21, 2015
79 people are currently reading
3122 people want to read
About the author
Gail Carson Levine
65 books9,666 followersJust letting you all know: I'm only going to review books I love. There's enough negative criticism without me piling on. A book is too hard to write.
Gail Carson Levine grew up in New York City and began writing seriously in 1987. Her first book for children, Ella Enchanted, was a 1998 Newbery Honor Book. Levine's other books include Fairest; Dave at Night, an ALA Notable Book and Best Book for Young Adults; The Wish; The Two Princesses of Bamarre; and the six Princess Tales books. She is also the author of the nonfiction book Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly and the picture book Betsy Who Cried Wolf, illustrated by Scott Nash. Gail, her husband, David, and their Airedale, Baxter, live in a 1790 farmhouse in the Hudson River Valley of New York State.
Gail Carson Levine grew up in New York City and began writing seriously in 1987. Her first book for children, Ella Enchanted, was a 1998 Newbery Honor Book. Levine's other books include Fairest; Dave at Night, an ALA Notable Book and Best Book for Young Adults; The Wish; The Two Princesses of Bamarre; and the six Princess Tales books. She is also the author of the nonfiction book Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly and the picture book Betsy Who Cried Wolf, illustrated by Scott Nash. Gail, her husband, David, and their Airedale, Baxter, live in a 1790 farmhouse in the Hudson River Valley of New York State.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 155 reviews
October 14, 2021
I had a really hard time reading this book. Maybe I was reading it at a time when I was too distracted to appreciate it, but I just could not enjoy it. Gail Carson Levine is one of my favorite authors, so I was really disappointed.
Brunkas and bees and "ITS" and Replicas... my brain started to hate reading about them. Ludda-bee and Ursa-bee and Johan-bee and why the heck are there so many bees? And why would they sacrifice their lives to become pretty much nuns and monks to guard a stupid Replica just so the volcano won't explode? I say let it explode. I cared absolutely zero for everyone in the story. Zero. I was really looking forward to some adventures of Meenore, Elodie, the Count and Nesspa, but all I got was some weird who-took-the-statue thing and the four main characters all split up - the Count was gallivanting across the mountain, Meenore just ditched and searched for him for half the book, Nesspa was kept in the stable, while Elodie observed and observed and observed by herself and actually got NOWHERE. The ending was so anti-climatic. And lame. And the puppet in the box was C.R.E.E.P.Y.
The first book, while still not up to Ella Enchanted and Fairest caliber, was soooo much better than this one. I just don't even know what the point of this one was. There was no character growth, no surprises, no chemistry between characters, no story arc.
Bleh. :(
Brunkas and bees and "ITS" and Replicas... my brain started to hate reading about them. Ludda-bee and Ursa-bee and Johan-bee and why the heck are there so many bees? And why would they sacrifice their lives to become pretty much nuns and monks to guard a stupid Replica just so the volcano won't explode? I say let it explode. I cared absolutely zero for everyone in the story. Zero. I was really looking forward to some adventures of Meenore, Elodie, the Count and Nesspa, but all I got was some weird who-took-the-statue thing and the four main characters all split up - the Count was gallivanting across the mountain, Meenore just ditched and searched for him for half the book, Nesspa was kept in the stable, while Elodie observed and observed and observed by herself and actually got NOWHERE. The ending was so anti-climatic. And lame. And the puppet in the box was C.R.E.E.P.Y.
The first book, while still not up to Ella Enchanted and Fairest caliber, was soooo much better than this one. I just don't even know what the point of this one was. There was no character growth, no surprises, no chemistry between characters, no story arc.
Bleh. :(
June 15, 2015
I just keep thinking Gail Carson Levine will write something as wonderful as Ella Enchanted and then getting disappointed.
August 31, 2015
I’m incredibly disappointed by Stolen Magic, the lackluster followup to A Tale of Two Castles. Another fantasy-set whodunit, this book is concerned with the theft of a magical artifact (which will make a volcano erupt if not returned). The mystery lacks much mystery – I guessed the first culprit with pages of meeting him, and could not differentiate the supporting characters enough to care about the second culprit.
What irked me most of all was the constant interruption of Elodie’s story to give brief perspectives from Meenore and the ogre. I don’t want to read about their haphazard rescue attempts, I want to read about the mystery without all the jarring interruptions. Ugh, I was so annoyed every time an Elodie chapter ended, because I knew I’d have to power through the other POVs.
Gail Carson Levine is a hit-or-miss author for me (though when it’s a hit, it’s a big hit). This one was a miss.
What irked me most of all was the constant interruption of Elodie’s story to give brief perspectives from Meenore and the ogre. I don’t want to read about their haphazard rescue attempts, I want to read about the mystery without all the jarring interruptions. Ugh, I was so annoyed every time an Elodie chapter ended, because I knew I’d have to power through the other POVs.
Gail Carson Levine is a hit-or-miss author for me (though when it’s a hit, it’s a big hit). This one was a miss.
September 9, 2017
So much of what is wrong with this book could have been fixed by reading literally the last page or two of the prior book. I never expected to be so let down by Levine, but honestly, this is quite possibly the worst sequel ever due to the number of mistakes in carrying forward the same 'world' as the last one.
1) Goodwife Celeste and her Goodman Twah. End of last book, these spies from Tair delayed their return trip to go back with Elodie et al and took the cog back to Lahnt together. Enter this book and neither person is on the ship with them, nor is ever mentioned. Discovering this book was written four years after the initial book makes this make more sense, but is really inexcusable, because - read literally the last couple of pages of your own book first!
2) Caps. Only the city folk of Two Castles are up-to-date on the fashion change, so everyone there wears little caps that tie under the chin. Nobody on Lahnt wears them, since Lahnt is a bit small and isolated. But the very first Brunka they meet is wearing a cap, and a few others in the book are mentioned as wearing one.
3) Stupid phrases. Elodie constantly says/thinks "lambs and calves!" as an expression of surprise throughout the first book. Now everyone has a two-item phrase tailored to their livelihood. "Whales and porpoises!" says the coastal islander Master Robbie - even though something like "land & sea" or something shorter would have made for less of a mouthful. "Hair and teeth!" says the barber-surgeon, which honestly I thought a bit creepy. Even the dragon gets in on it - "Fire & Smoke!", "Teeth & Scales!" Eventually, High Brunka Marya gets one, though it doesn't make sense: bees are what they call the normal human beings who help the Brunkas, not real bees, but her expression is "Bees & Ants!" Does the innkeeper say "Room & Board!"?? Really it was just annoying to hear everyone else use a form of this expression when 'lambs & calves' was overused already.
4) The entire idea of Brunkas/Brunkles/Bees. If they had been there in the author's original imagining of the island, they would definitely have been mentioned or referred to in the first book given how much of an influence they have over Lahnt. I have no idea of whether they were based on real creatures, but it seems likely given their really stupid powers - they're constantly 'flicking' rainbows off their fingers, they have super-hearing but are never overpowered by loud noises, constantly happy, jolly beings that do nothing but good. They live off donations, and there are Lahnt sayings surrounding them 'they give out of goodness, we give out of gratitude,' and a 1/20 of everything goes to the local brunka. Bees, human people who live with them & work, aren't allowed to own anything but a change of clothes and their pallet to sleep on, and can't marry unless they quit being a Bee. I don't know why, but this entire concept was irritating.
5) The Replica. Don't get me started. Why didn't they just go to Tair. Why. Even though there was literally a volcano going to explode, this book had no tension.
6) Seriously, I was hoping for Tair, opened the book and saw that map of Lahnt with the little numbers on it and knew and I was so disappointed.
7) SERIOUSLY WHY AREN'T THEY GOING TO TAIR?! Because their plan was really stupid. For one, it's the onset of winter - they run right into a blizzard shortly after arriving. Who begins their pleasure trip around the world in the age of carts and wagons at the start of winter?
For another, the ogre eats MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF FOOD at every meal even if he's shape-shifted into a smaller creature. Why would they plan to go to Elodie's family farm (with no notice) and spend an entire season with them? Much less the winter, when there will be less food and no way to get more?!
8) The rest of the book was filled with really clunky, overblown descriptions. Characters who were never seen again were described from eyes to hair to skin to their garments. Rooms were exhaustively detailed, but not well; I started just skimming over them and it made no difference really.
Clunky applied too well to characters' actions. At first, it would be passable - someone would say something uneasily, then fidget and look at the ground. Then Elodie would think that they looked uneasy/uncomfortable. Then she would say to them "Hey, you look uneasy and/or uncomfortable." I hated being clobbered with it. Just give the actions and leave it to us to pick up the cues!!!
9) And finally, the whole mansioning-is-acting-but-not-really thing. Last book, it seemed like a superpower, this book it's downright magic. Elodie finds some relics/artifacts that are bespelled to evoke certain emotional responses: a daffodil that laughs and makes everyone who hears it laugh as well, regardless of their emotional state or intent; a handkerchief that emits a weeping so sincere, so heartbroken, everyone who hears it must also cry.
Lodie thinks, huh, I wonder if I could mansion [act] something so well it could make others cry or laugh with me. And does! The first try! And every time thereafter! Meenore the dragon says how nice it would be if the handkerchief hadn't been stolen, then they could see its powers for themselves. So Elodie just thinks sad thoughts and begins to cry, and wails so powerfully that both Master Robbie AND THE DRAGON cry with her, uncontrollably, until she stops. ????? Later, when everything is going down and someone's got weapons, she just sits up and starts laughing, and laughs so happily that literally everyone in the entire room has to laugh with her, to the point where they're so weak they can't stand anymore. And that's how she saves the day.
You've got to be kidding me.
1) Goodwife Celeste and her Goodman Twah. End of last book, these spies from Tair delayed their return trip to go back with Elodie et al and took the cog back to Lahnt together. Enter this book and neither person is on the ship with them, nor is ever mentioned. Discovering this book was written four years after the initial book makes this make more sense, but is really inexcusable, because - read literally the last couple of pages of your own book first!
2) Caps. Only the city folk of Two Castles are up-to-date on the fashion change, so everyone there wears little caps that tie under the chin. Nobody on Lahnt wears them, since Lahnt is a bit small and isolated. But the very first Brunka they meet is wearing a cap, and a few others in the book are mentioned as wearing one.
3) Stupid phrases. Elodie constantly says/thinks "lambs and calves!" as an expression of surprise throughout the first book. Now everyone has a two-item phrase tailored to their livelihood. "Whales and porpoises!" says the coastal islander Master Robbie - even though something like "land & sea" or something shorter would have made for less of a mouthful. "Hair and teeth!" says the barber-surgeon, which honestly I thought a bit creepy. Even the dragon gets in on it - "Fire & Smoke!", "Teeth & Scales!" Eventually, High Brunka Marya gets one, though it doesn't make sense: bees are what they call the normal human beings who help the Brunkas, not real bees, but her expression is "Bees & Ants!" Does the innkeeper say "Room & Board!"?? Really it was just annoying to hear everyone else use a form of this expression when 'lambs & calves' was overused already.
4) The entire idea of Brunkas/Brunkles/Bees. If they had been there in the author's original imagining of the island, they would definitely have been mentioned or referred to in the first book given how much of an influence they have over Lahnt. I have no idea of whether they were based on real creatures, but it seems likely given their really stupid powers - they're constantly 'flicking' rainbows off their fingers, they have super-hearing but are never overpowered by loud noises, constantly happy, jolly beings that do nothing but good. They live off donations, and there are Lahnt sayings surrounding them 'they give out of goodness, we give out of gratitude,' and a 1/20 of everything goes to the local brunka. Bees, human people who live with them & work, aren't allowed to own anything but a change of clothes and their pallet to sleep on, and can't marry unless they quit being a Bee. I don't know why, but this entire concept was irritating.
5) The Replica. Don't get me started. Why didn't they just go to Tair. Why. Even though there was literally a volcano going to explode, this book had no tension.
6) Seriously, I was hoping for Tair, opened the book and saw that map of Lahnt with the little numbers on it and knew and I was so disappointed.
7) SERIOUSLY WHY AREN'T THEY GOING TO TAIR?! Because their plan was really stupid. For one, it's the onset of winter - they run right into a blizzard shortly after arriving. Who begins their pleasure trip around the world in the age of carts and wagons at the start of winter?
For another, the ogre eats MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF FOOD at every meal even if he's shape-shifted into a smaller creature. Why would they plan to go to Elodie's family farm (with no notice) and spend an entire season with them? Much less the winter, when there will be less food and no way to get more?!
8) The rest of the book was filled with really clunky, overblown descriptions. Characters who were never seen again were described from eyes to hair to skin to their garments. Rooms were exhaustively detailed, but not well; I started just skimming over them and it made no difference really.
Clunky applied too well to characters' actions. At first, it would be passable - someone would say something uneasily, then fidget and look at the ground. Then Elodie would think that they looked uneasy/uncomfortable. Then she would say to them "Hey, you look uneasy and/or uncomfortable." I hated being clobbered with it. Just give the actions and leave it to us to pick up the cues!!!
9) And finally, the whole mansioning-is-acting-but-not-really thing. Last book, it seemed like a superpower, this book it's downright magic. Elodie finds some relics/artifacts that are bespelled to evoke certain emotional responses: a daffodil that laughs and makes everyone who hears it laugh as well, regardless of their emotional state or intent; a handkerchief that emits a weeping so sincere, so heartbroken, everyone who hears it must also cry.
Lodie thinks, huh, I wonder if I could mansion [act] something so well it could make others cry or laugh with me. And does! The first try! And every time thereafter! Meenore the dragon says how nice it would be if the handkerchief hadn't been stolen, then they could see its powers for themselves. So Elodie just thinks sad thoughts and begins to cry, and wails so powerfully that both Master Robbie AND THE DRAGON cry with her, uncontrollably, until she stops. ????? Later, when everything is going down and someone's got weapons, she just sits up and starts laughing, and laughs so happily that literally everyone in the entire room has to laugh with her, to the point where they're so weak they can't stand anymore. And that's how she saves the day.
You've got to be kidding me.
July 11, 2017
I didn’t think Stolen Magic was half as good as A Tale of Two Castles. It has that “tacked-on sequel due to popular demand” feel to it, where the author tries to recapture the essence of the first novel and fails. The plot tries to be a decent mystery but there are so many characters introduced all at once that it’s hard to follow and the world seems small and cramped compared to the first novel. There’s also way too many logical leaps done at the very beginning, with Elodie immediately jumping to “The Replica’s been stolen!” even though there’s really no believable way she could have reached that conclusion as quickly as she did. In addition, the entire book pretty much takes place in one area, and most of the time the characters are simply talking at a table.
Even Levine seemed to realize how inactive the plot was, and so interspersed the mystery aspect with snapshots of Jonty Um, andeventually Meenore, helping the inhabitants of Lahnt escape to safety. But those are so obviously placed there to increase the pace that it makes the book seem sloppily put together. It also makes it so that the reader knows some things before the characters, which I never like because that sort of anticipation as the reader waits for the characters to catch up is rarely done well. It tends to become more irritation than anticipation.
Stolen Magic is, in a way, aptly named, because it steals the magic found in the first book right out of existence and turns it into a trudge of a mystery that’s only slightly interesting. All the “bee” characters introduced all at once made things hard to follow, there was too much talking across tables and too many back-and-forth accusations, and the whole thing felt rushed and poorly done. Sequels written years after the first book are rarely done well, because they often tend to reek of fan service and poorly-conceived thinking and plotting. And, unfortunately, it looks like even Gail Carson Levine, as divine as some of her books are, is not immune to this sort of blunder.
Even Levine seemed to realize how inactive the plot was, and so interspersed the mystery aspect with snapshots of Jonty Um, andeventually Meenore, helping the inhabitants of Lahnt escape to safety. But those are so obviously placed there to increase the pace that it makes the book seem sloppily put together. It also makes it so that the reader knows some things before the characters, which I never like because that sort of anticipation as the reader waits for the characters to catch up is rarely done well. It tends to become more irritation than anticipation.
Stolen Magic is, in a way, aptly named, because it steals the magic found in the first book right out of existence and turns it into a trudge of a mystery that’s only slightly interesting. All the “bee” characters introduced all at once made things hard to follow, there was too much talking across tables and too many back-and-forth accusations, and the whole thing felt rushed and poorly done. Sequels written years after the first book are rarely done well, because they often tend to reek of fan service and poorly-conceived thinking and plotting. And, unfortunately, it looks like even Gail Carson Levine, as divine as some of her books are, is not immune to this sort of blunder.
April 27, 2015
Original review on my blog: https://unquenchablereads.wordpress.c...
Edition: e-Arc, Edeleweiss
Pages: 214 (that’s what the Arc had), 336 in the hardcover
Series or Standone: Series, 2nd
Published: Arpil 21th, 2015
Publisher: HarperCollins
Link To Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16...
I’m going to do something different with my continuation of series reviews.
Favorite Character: Meenore. It’s just great. Or maybe Elodie.
Most annoying character: I can’t think of one at this moment.
Favorite part of the plot? The entire mystery of what happened.
Do I have a ship yet? Not that kind of book…. but yes I do.
How did it compare to the first book? I thought it was a very good squeal to Tale of Two Castles.
Mini review without spoilers:
A beautiful whimsical fantasy. This book starts off where the first one left off (or pretty close to it). The characters grew even more in this novel. The plot was so fun to read and it was such a quick read. This is a middle grade novel, so if you like middle grade, you should definitely check it out.
Any quotes? Nope.
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
About the Author: Gail Carson Levine grew up in New York City. She decided to write for a career in 1987. She has written such classics as Ella Enchanted, Dave at Night, and many more. She writes fiction and nonfiction. Gail is living in the Hudson River Valley of New York State in a 1790 farmhouse.
Edition: e-Arc, Edeleweiss
Pages: 214 (that’s what the Arc had), 336 in the hardcover
Series or Standone: Series, 2nd
Published: Arpil 21th, 2015
Publisher: HarperCollins
Link To Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16...
I’m going to do something different with my continuation of series reviews.
Favorite Character: Meenore. It’s just great. Or maybe Elodie.
Most annoying character: I can’t think of one at this moment.
Favorite part of the plot? The entire mystery of what happened.
Do I have a ship yet? Not that kind of book…. but yes I do.
How did it compare to the first book? I thought it was a very good squeal to Tale of Two Castles.
Mini review without spoilers:
A beautiful whimsical fantasy. This book starts off where the first one left off (or pretty close to it). The characters grew even more in this novel. The plot was so fun to read and it was such a quick read. This is a middle grade novel, so if you like middle grade, you should definitely check it out.
Any quotes? Nope.
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars
About the Author: Gail Carson Levine grew up in New York City. She decided to write for a career in 1987. She has written such classics as Ella Enchanted, Dave at Night, and many more. She writes fiction and nonfiction. Gail is living in the Hudson River Valley of New York State in a 1790 farmhouse.
May 9, 2017
2.5
If this is a retelling, I don't recognize it. It was third person this time.
Elodie and Masteress Meenore act clever to save the day. It feels forced, though, probably because the characters know when they're acting clever. Sure, cleverness isn't spur-of-the-moment all the time and can be taught, but it's not as fun that way.
I must not be a fan of mysteries. I hate not being able to trust anyone. Seriously, everyone except Elodie, Meenore, and the count were suspects. Similar to last time, I couldn't feel that Elodie had any stakes in the matter. How did the conflict affect her? Why should the reader care about the missing whatchmacallit? And there wasn't even an arrest to up the ante like in the first book. And why in the world wasn't the replica chained down?
I still cannot care about the count. I don't like him. All his scenes were blah. Elodie's were at least a little interesting.
If this is a retelling, I don't recognize it. It was third person this time.
Elodie and Masteress Meenore act clever to save the day. It feels forced, though, probably because the characters know when they're acting clever. Sure, cleverness isn't spur-of-the-moment all the time and can be taught, but it's not as fun that way.
I must not be a fan of mysteries. I hate not being able to trust anyone. Seriously, everyone except Elodie, Meenore, and the count were suspects. Similar to last time, I couldn't feel that Elodie had any stakes in the matter. How did the conflict affect her? Why should the reader care about the missing whatchmacallit? And there wasn't even an arrest to up the ante like in the first book. And why in the world wasn't the replica chained down?
I still cannot care about the count. I don't like him. All his scenes were blah. Elodie's were at least a little interesting.
November 3, 2015
The first book, A Tale of Two Castles, was alright - I can't even say that I remember much about it though. I enjoyed this sequel far less: that is to say, I didn't enjoy it all. It lacked that vital essence that I love in some of Gail Carson Levine's other, earlier books: Ella Enchanted, Fairest, and The Two Princesses of Bamarre. Oh well.
Read
January 2, 2016Hmmm. Not sure. Should I have read book 1 first? Should I have listened to it? All those crazy names and words...I just can't keep reading. It's not the Gail Carson Levine I want it to be.
June 26, 2024
Eheh...eheh...eheh....
You also have to also give Levine some kudos for writing characters with non she/her or he/him pronouns in her 2011 middle grade novel.
You also have to also give Levine some kudos for writing characters with non she/her or he/him pronouns in her 2011 middle grade novel.
March 27, 2021
I like this book a lot - I reserve 5 stars for my favorites. I might have given it 5 if I were 12 years old.
I enjoyed it more than A Tale of Two Castles - that one was marred for me by having no idea who was to be trusted. (I realize some people might like that kind of suspense.) Since Elodie has two old friends with her in Stolen Magic, we know that they at least are "good guys". And there a couple others who seem definitely trustworthy (and actually are, as it turns out).
Particularly as a math teacher, I love that Elodie's detective boss tells her to "induce, deduce, and use common sense". He makes her define induce and deduce, too. Elodie does such a good job of all three that she and a friend solve the mystery even though they lose contact with two friends who have collected evidence that shows who done it. And Elodie is the only one who figures out where the stolen item is - and saves many lives as a result, including those of her dear friends.
I enjoyed it more than A Tale of Two Castles - that one was marred for me by having no idea who was to be trusted. (I realize some people might like that kind of suspense.) Since Elodie has two old friends with her in Stolen Magic, we know that they at least are "good guys". And there a couple others who seem definitely trustworthy (and actually are, as it turns out).
Particularly as a math teacher, I love that Elodie's detective boss tells her to "induce, deduce, and use common sense". He makes her define induce and deduce, too. Elodie does such a good job of all three that she and a friend solve the mystery even though they lose contact with two friends who have collected evidence that shows who done it. And Elodie is the only one who figures out where the stolen item is - and saves many lives as a result, including those of her dear friends.
December 14, 2017
Who is a good person? The person who avows their concern and care for everyone and allows bullying to run unchecked for years, or the person who declares they don’t care about anyone else and dares a volcano to rescue strangers? Hmmmmmmmm?
Note: cool motive still murder always applies.
This book is ripe for discussion about heroism and goodness, and really is a solid follow up to the “don’t judge entirely by appearances” of the first book. Only with more murder.
Note: cool motive still murder always applies.
This book is ripe for discussion about heroism and goodness, and really is a solid follow up to the “don’t judge entirely by appearances” of the first book. Only with more murder.
May 14, 2021
While this has some fun aspects to it, this duology is not my favorite by Gail Carson Levine.
I did listen to the audiobook and I think, with all the titles and names to keep track of, I would probably have enjoyed reading it more.
Overall, I didn't care very much about many of the characters and whole I loved the mystery aspect when it came to seeing the characters doing detective work, I found it to be fairly predictable.
I think I would have liked these a lot more when I was middle grade age.
I did listen to the audiobook and I think, with all the titles and names to keep track of, I would probably have enjoyed reading it more.
Overall, I didn't care very much about many of the characters and whole I loved the mystery aspect when it came to seeing the characters doing detective work, I found it to be fairly predictable.
I think I would have liked these a lot more when I was middle grade age.
June 4, 2018
detective fantasy novel
August 16, 2022
After 35 or so pages, I thought "Wow, I'm really not enjoying this, despite loving the first in the series," so I stopped to check what others were saying. And sure enough, there's a strong contingent of reviews that loved the first and were disappointed by the second.
So it's probably not me and my mood. I already hate brunkas and bees and rainbows and I can't see it getting any better by spending more time with them. So, onto another book—there's no shortage of them.
Note: I have written a novel (not yet published), so now I will suffer pangs of guilt every time I offer less than five stars. In my subjective opinion, the stars suggest:
(5* = one of my all-time favourites, 4* = really enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = actually disappointing, and 1* = hated it. As a statistician I know most books are 3s, but I am biased in my selection and end up mostly with 4s, thank goodness.)
So it's probably not me and my mood. I already hate brunkas and bees and rainbows and I can't see it getting any better by spending more time with them. So, onto another book—there's no shortage of them.
Note: I have written a novel (not yet published), so now I will suffer pangs of guilt every time I offer less than five stars. In my subjective opinion, the stars suggest:
(5* = one of my all-time favourites, 4* = really enjoyed it, 3* = readable but not thrilling, 2* = actually disappointing, and 1* = hated it. As a statistician I know most books are 3s, but I am biased in my selection and end up mostly with 4s, thank goodness.)
October 17, 2024
Needed audiobook for car ride with daughter.
August 31, 2015
The review I posted on Amazon:
Having been a fan of Levine since Ella Enchanted came out, I was really looking forward to Stolen Magic, the sequel to A Tale of Two Castles. Recently I reread Two Castles in anticipation of its sequel, but after reading the first review here on Amazon I almost didn't buy it. Thankfully, I trusted my gut and went ahead and bought and read it.
I couldn't put Stolen Magic down- I loved it! The mystery was very well done with lots of possible, and plausible, suspects. The main characters were as charming as ever and I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
My response to the first reviewer's complaint that Lahnt wasn't the "quaint farming community" portrayed in the first book is that the majority of the story doesn't take place in Elodie's hometown and isn't even in a farming community at all. I enjoyed the location and setting of this story and felt it fit perfectly with the world of the first book.
As for the reviewer's complaint about Count Jonty Um's presence feeling forced in the book, I don't agree. I think what would have helped would have been a better reminder at the beginning of the story of why the group- girl, ogre, dog, and dragon- were traveling together and why they were in Lahnt.
The connection of Stolen Magic to its prequel is brief and incomplete, there's no mention of Tair in the first few chapters, which will make it more difficult for those who haven't read the first book at all/recently to understand/remember the main characters' purpose in being in Lahnt.
Here's a reminder: At the end of Two Cities the Count decides to travel to Tair where there are several ogres and where he feels he will better fit in, unlike Two Castles where the "humans are... clannish". He hires Meenore and her assistant to accompany him and his dog, Nesspa, on the journey. Elodie explains that "one way to reach Tair involved crossing Lahnt" where she might see her parents and friend, Albin.
The passages from the Count's and Meenore's points of view were a bit distracting, but they were short and necessary to know what the ogre and dragon were experiencing. I loved some of their experiences and felt the writing of these passages fit well with each character's personality.
Overall this was yet another charming and enjoyable book by Levine that I'm thrilled to add to my collection of favorite books!
Oh, and for those who purchase the Kindle version, be sure to scroll back to the front of the book (my Kindle Fire automatically jumps to the first chapter which is really annoying) to see the two maps, one of Lahnt and the other of the Oase. Sadly, I missed these; they would have been really helpful to consult while reading Stolen Magic.
Having been a fan of Levine since Ella Enchanted came out, I was really looking forward to Stolen Magic, the sequel to A Tale of Two Castles. Recently I reread Two Castles in anticipation of its sequel, but after reading the first review here on Amazon I almost didn't buy it. Thankfully, I trusted my gut and went ahead and bought and read it.
I couldn't put Stolen Magic down- I loved it! The mystery was very well done with lots of possible, and plausible, suspects. The main characters were as charming as ever and I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
My response to the first reviewer's complaint that Lahnt wasn't the "quaint farming community" portrayed in the first book is that the majority of the story doesn't take place in Elodie's hometown and isn't even in a farming community at all. I enjoyed the location and setting of this story and felt it fit perfectly with the world of the first book.
As for the reviewer's complaint about Count Jonty Um's presence feeling forced in the book, I don't agree. I think what would have helped would have been a better reminder at the beginning of the story of why the group- girl, ogre, dog, and dragon- were traveling together and why they were in Lahnt.
The connection of Stolen Magic to its prequel is brief and incomplete, there's no mention of Tair in the first few chapters, which will make it more difficult for those who haven't read the first book at all/recently to understand/remember the main characters' purpose in being in Lahnt.
Here's a reminder: At the end of Two Cities the Count decides to travel to Tair where there are several ogres and where he feels he will better fit in, unlike Two Castles where the "humans are... clannish". He hires Meenore and her assistant to accompany him and his dog, Nesspa, on the journey. Elodie explains that "one way to reach Tair involved crossing Lahnt" where she might see her parents and friend, Albin.
The passages from the Count's and Meenore's points of view were a bit distracting, but they were short and necessary to know what the ogre and dragon were experiencing. I loved some of their experiences and felt the writing of these passages fit well with each character's personality.
Overall this was yet another charming and enjoyable book by Levine that I'm thrilled to add to my collection of favorite books!
Oh, and for those who purchase the Kindle version, be sure to scroll back to the front of the book (my Kindle Fire automatically jumps to the first chapter which is really annoying) to see the two maps, one of Lahnt and the other of the Oase. Sadly, I missed these; they would have been really helpful to consult while reading Stolen Magic.
December 31, 2017
I'm about three-quarters of the way through this book and I'm ready to bang my head against the wall. Usually I love Levine's writing (she is, without a doubt, my favorite childhood author), but this book is just incredibly frustrating.
Levine is usually very good at inserting foreign terms into her books in a way that makes them easily understandable, but here she inserts them too many times, confusing the reader. Additionally, Elodie's personality appears to have not matured at all - if anything, she's more over-dramatic in this book, suspecting everybody. This once again throws the reader all over the place with no direction, which makes this book hard to read. Finally, I can't decipher the hidden fairy tale in this book (or even if there is supposed to be one). The last book was more enjoyable because of its twist on a fairy tale, but this one doesn't even have that to motivate me to keep reading.
Levine is usually very good at inserting foreign terms into her books in a way that makes them easily understandable, but here she inserts them too many times, confusing the reader. Additionally, Elodie's personality appears to have not matured at all - if anything, she's more over-dramatic in this book, suspecting everybody. This once again throws the reader all over the place with no direction, which makes this book hard to read. Finally, I can't decipher the hidden fairy tale in this book (or even if there is supposed to be one). The last book was more enjoyable because of its twist on a fairy tale, but this one doesn't even have that to motivate me to keep reading.
August 26, 2015
The language was a bit difficult to get into, but more fun near the end. (I'm still having trouble with this "bee" business!) This novel's particularly fun because it's truly a sequel (which she hasn't done before). The advantages as such is that Levine can start to play with the characters. I adore Mastress the dragon, I adore ITs relationship with Elodie and that IT hasn't a defined gender. This is also a mystery/detective novel that I think is much more tricky than the first.
I will love this book more if it has another sequel, because not too much happens outside this story. Some character development occurs, but I'm a bit greedy. It's cute, it's fun, but it leaves me wanting more.
I will love this book more if it has another sequel, because not too much happens outside this story. Some character development occurs, but I'm a bit greedy. It's cute, it's fun, but it leaves me wanting more.
October 31, 2018
Paper book review.
DNF.
I started reading this book, not aware that it was a companion novel. Right off the bat, I started getting confused about the characters, the setting, the titles, the author's own created lingo for this world. I gave it about 80 pages before calling it quits. I'm just too confused, and keep forgetting who is who and what is what. There are too many author creations in this story for me to follow naturally without major focus, and I have no desire to search out the first story to help further my understanding. From what I've read of the characters so far, they're not all that interesting, and the writing was a bit boring.
DNF.
I started reading this book, not aware that it was a companion novel. Right off the bat, I started getting confused about the characters, the setting, the titles, the author's own created lingo for this world. I gave it about 80 pages before calling it quits. I'm just too confused, and keep forgetting who is who and what is what. There are too many author creations in this story for me to follow naturally without major focus, and I have no desire to search out the first story to help further my understanding. From what I've read of the characters so far, they're not all that interesting, and the writing was a bit boring.
November 7, 2020
This was bad. Like really bad. I finished the book but wasn’t happy about it. I will be getting rid of my copy.
I this that this is supposed to be like a Sherlock meets magical renaissance world. The Dragon who is not gendered which was fine except we had to have our attention drawn to it every time it was referred to. IT ITSELF just got old also there were monks but instead of calling them Brother Ben or Sister Marie they were called Bees. Bee Ben and Bee Marie that to me was unwanted lazy world building that didn’t add to the story at all.
I gave up about half way and just skimmed the rest. Not recommended
I this that this is supposed to be like a Sherlock meets magical renaissance world. The Dragon who is not gendered which was fine except we had to have our attention drawn to it every time it was referred to. IT ITSELF just got old also there were monks but instead of calling them Brother Ben or Sister Marie they were called Bees. Bee Ben and Bee Marie that to me was unwanted lazy world building that didn’t add to the story at all.
I gave up about half way and just skimmed the rest. Not recommended
May 10, 2015
I grew up reading Gail Carson Levine's stories, and this one didn't disappoint. I love mysteries, and this endowed me with a nice weekend read of wondering "whodunit." I loved the character development of all in the story, but especially Meenore. The book was also a really good sequel, which I always appreciate since the sequel usually isn't nearly as good as the original. My only complaint really relates to myself in that I seem to be getting above the targeted age group.
June 10, 2018
Not as good as the first one. The story is not as good, the telling is not as tight. I don’t remember it bothering me so much in that first one, but man I got sick of the whole “mansion” misusage. Why did she feel compelled to use a fake word instead of just saying “act out” or “portray?” It really bugged me.
May 30, 2018
This book took me forever to read!!!
September 21, 2022
I enjoyed aspects of this book, but I did find the dragon's double persona super confusing for a long time. Was this a dragon with a woman companion? Was it a dragon who identified as Madam Meenore in a kind of non binary way - one minute Madam, the next IT in a way that read like there were TWO characters? Did said dragon/Madam have some kind of personality disorder? It was truly annoying.
In fact it was so damned annoying I'm going to alter the rating down. This is a children's book and it's meant to be fun.
I had no issue with the concept of gender ID, but since the dragon/Madam never seemed to work it out then how can any intelligent reader be expected to enjoy it?
Mansioning. WHAT the hell was mansioning? Once again, we were meant to work it out in-between the bee stuff and the split stories. Was it acting out a part? I believe it was, but, once again, it took a long time for me to figure out what the author was doing.
Sometimes, Gail, you have to realise that what you have in your head is not clear to another person. Mindreading through this book was both painful and unnecessary. Please don't repeat the experiment.
In fact it was so damned annoying I'm going to alter the rating down. This is a children's book and it's meant to be fun.
I had no issue with the concept of gender ID, but since the dragon/Madam never seemed to work it out then how can any intelligent reader be expected to enjoy it?
Mansioning. WHAT the hell was mansioning? Once again, we were meant to work it out in-between the bee stuff and the split stories. Was it acting out a part? I believe it was, but, once again, it took a long time for me to figure out what the author was doing.
Sometimes, Gail, you have to realise that what you have in your head is not clear to another person. Mindreading through this book was both painful and unnecessary. Please don't repeat the experiment.
January 10, 2022
This book was cute, but to me it was definitely not memorable or that excellent. It was the sequel to A Tale of Two Castles, which for a while I thought was a standalone novel. I am glad that I can say I have read the series, but it wasn’t something I really enjoyed.
Same as A Tale of Two Castles, I felt as though this book had some of Gail Carson Levine’s weakest writing. There were some parts of the story that felt strange or childish. I suspect that this series was intended for a younger audience than most of her other books.
While the beginning (and most of the middle) really dragged due to the writing, the end got a bit more exciting. The solution to the mystery in this book was not as satisfying as it was in the previous book, but it still was interesting and made sense.
Even though I was disappointed by this book and felt as if I was pushing myself through it, I am glad that I have wrapped up Elodie’s story and saw the full journey. 2.5-2.75 stars.
Same as A Tale of Two Castles, I felt as though this book had some of Gail Carson Levine’s weakest writing. There were some parts of the story that felt strange or childish. I suspect that this series was intended for a younger audience than most of her other books.
While the beginning (and most of the middle) really dragged due to the writing, the end got a bit more exciting. The solution to the mystery in this book was not as satisfying as it was in the previous book, but it still was interesting and made sense.
Even though I was disappointed by this book and felt as if I was pushing myself through it, I am glad that I have wrapped up Elodie’s story and saw the full journey. 2.5-2.75 stars.
April 3, 2025
I tried to start this book via audiobook but realized after a point that I'd been listening for 30 minutes and had no idea what was happening or who these people were ha. I kept getting characters mixed up. So I switched to my physical copy, which I've owned for probably almost 10 years without reading.
Unfortunately I didn't like it as much as the first book. The main characters are split up for most of the story. I didn't even think anything about the dragon being IT when I last read the first book, but now I'm wondering if it's some sort if political statement about gender? (I hate that I have to even wonder that these days.) The mystery was lacking. Just a bit blah.
Unfortunately I didn't like it as much as the first book. The main characters are split up for most of the story. I didn't even think anything about the dragon being IT when I last read the first book, but now I'm wondering if it's some sort if political statement about gender? (I hate that I have to even wonder that these days.) The mystery was lacking. Just a bit blah.
May 6, 2021
I had read the first book in the series a LONG time ago and didn't care for it much. Part way into the book a dragon that wouldn't reveal it's gender and called itself "IT" (capital letters pronoun) was introduced. I thought it was weird but didn't worry about it too much in a fantasy novel.
Perhaps I'm more sensitive to LGBTQ subject matter now, especially in children's books. But this was too much for me. Calling a mythical creature "it" makes sense but calling it "IT" and mentioning several times it's lack of gender in the first few chapters felt like preaching.
Perhaps I'm more sensitive to LGBTQ subject matter now, especially in children's books. But this was too much for me. Calling a mythical creature "it" makes sense but calling it "IT" and mentioning several times it's lack of gender in the first few chapters felt like preaching.
February 20, 2025
A pleasant enough book. I believe I read the first book several years ago…but I was coming in not remembering very much. It took me a little while to realize that this was a classic closed-door mystery—there’s a small group of people trapped in a monastery because of a blizzard and one of them must have stolen the artifact. As others have noted, when I see Gail Carson Levine’s name I expect Ella Enchanted…but not every book can be Ella Enchanted! I thought it was pretty cool that the dragon defied gender and was referred to as “masteress” and “it”. We love a non-binary mystery-solving icon!
June 19, 2020
I liked this book alright, although I enjoyed the first one better. I first one had more variety of locations and I felt like the sole local of this book being the Oase (with a very small amount of time spent on Zenterum with Meenore and Jonty Um) made this one less interesting all around. I also liked the mystery better in the first one. The classic "whodunnit" didn't work super well for me in this one.
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