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Wide-Awake Princess #2
Unlocking the Spell: A Tale of the Wide-Awake Princess
Now that Annie has helped her sister Gwendolyn (a.k.a. Sleeping Beauty) wake up from the 100-year curse by finding her beloved prince, you would think that things would get back to normal. Think again! That beloved prince, Beldegard, is stuck in the body of a bear and the only way that Annie can be free of the two irritating lovebirds is to help-by finding the evil dwarf who cast the spell. Luckily, Annie has assistance from handsome prince Liam, and she has many tricks up her non-magical sleeve . . .
288 pages, Paperback
First published October 2, 2012
141 people are currently reading
2810 people want to read
About the author
E.D. Baker
48 books1,591 followersE.D. Baker made her international debut in 2002 with The Frog Princess, which was a Texas Lone Star Reading List Book, A Book Sense Children's Pick, a Florida's Sunshine State Readers List pick & a 2006 Sasquatch Book Award nominee. The Frog Princess inspired the Disney's Princess and the Frog!
E. D. Baker was born in Buffalo, New York and spent most of the next eighteen years in the Town of Tonawanda with her older brother and her parents. She married her husband while in college, and had two children a few years after graduating from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. When her son was four, the family moved to the state of Maryland. With two young children at home, E.D. worked part time in her husband’s business and took writing classes at the local community college. She continued taking writing classes after the birth of her second daughter, but when she and her husband divorced, she went back to school and entered the SIMAT (School Immersion Masters in the Art of Teaching) program at Johns Hopkins University. After graduating, she taught fifth grade until her parents’ health began to fail. Her son had already graduated from college when E.D. and her daughters moved north to be closer to her parents. Having gained a new perspective on what is important in life, E.D. decided that it was time to believe in herself and devoted her time to writing. Her first book, The Frog Princess, was published in 2002. E.D. has written 25 books to date and has no plans to quite writing anytime soon.
Currently E. D. Baker lives on a small farm in Maryland where she and her family breed Appaloosa horses. They also have dogs, cats and goats.
If you have a question or a comment for E. D. Baker regarding her books, you can e-mail her at edbakerbooks@gmail.com and she will try very hard to reply to your e-mails. (Just keep in mind it may take a while before she responds, because she is working on a new book for you to enjoy!) For updates, announcements on upcoming books and daily posts by E.D. Baker be sure to follow her on Facebook.
E. D. Baker was born in Buffalo, New York and spent most of the next eighteen years in the Town of Tonawanda with her older brother and her parents. She married her husband while in college, and had two children a few years after graduating from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. When her son was four, the family moved to the state of Maryland. With two young children at home, E.D. worked part time in her husband’s business and took writing classes at the local community college. She continued taking writing classes after the birth of her second daughter, but when she and her husband divorced, she went back to school and entered the SIMAT (School Immersion Masters in the Art of Teaching) program at Johns Hopkins University. After graduating, she taught fifth grade until her parents’ health began to fail. Her son had already graduated from college when E.D. and her daughters moved north to be closer to her parents. Having gained a new perspective on what is important in life, E.D. decided that it was time to believe in herself and devoted her time to writing. Her first book, The Frog Princess, was published in 2002. E.D. has written 25 books to date and has no plans to quite writing anytime soon.
Currently E. D. Baker lives on a small farm in Maryland where she and her family breed Appaloosa horses. They also have dogs, cats and goats.
If you have a question or a comment for E. D. Baker regarding her books, you can e-mail her at edbakerbooks@gmail.com and she will try very hard to reply to your e-mails. (Just keep in mind it may take a while before she responds, because she is working on a new book for you to enjoy!) For updates, announcements on upcoming books and daily posts by E.D. Baker be sure to follow her on Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 343 reviews
January 20, 2013
I was so desperate for a cute, romantic comedy that I resorted to middle-grade reading level. And I was NOT disappointed. I've read a few E.D. Baker books, and I just really like not only the way she retells classic fairytales, but also the how she incorporates so many into one book.
I really liked Annie and Liam from book one, and I admit Gwendolyn has really grown on me, all while not losing her same personality. Along the way, we meet a lot of friends from our childhood days, but it was interesting to see how how Baker would make a character that appeared in two fairytales the same person (i.e. the wolf from Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs). And of course, how they all fit in this story. (I still question the part about Snow White being a sister and then finding out this Snow White was an only child.)
And Baker just has a writing style that is just fun to read. I found myself laughing at times, like the story about the fish. Overall, it was a delight to read - one that reminds you that you're never too old to read a kids book.
I really liked Annie and Liam from book one, and I admit Gwendolyn has really grown on me, all while not losing her same personality. Along the way, we meet a lot of friends from our childhood days, but it was interesting to see how how Baker would make a character that appeared in two fairytales the same person (i.e. the wolf from Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs). And of course, how they all fit in this story. (I still question the part about Snow White being a sister and then finding out this Snow White was an only child.)
And Baker just has a writing style that is just fun to read. I found myself laughing at times, like the story about the fish. Overall, it was a delight to read - one that reminds you that you're never too old to read a kids book.
November 5, 2012
3.5 stars.
Cute and fun sequel to The Wide-Awake Princess.
Annie, Liam, Beldegard, and a stowaway Gwendolyn set off on a quest to find the dwarf that enchanted\cursed Beldegard and get him to break the spell.
Nothing too serious.
Plenty of random fairytales thrown in for a cameo appearance.
The one thing that truly bothered me was Liam.
The ending could be a ending for the series satisfactorily.
Cute and fun sequel to The Wide-Awake Princess.
Annie, Liam, Beldegard, and a stowaway Gwendolyn set off on a quest to find the dwarf that enchanted\cursed Beldegard and get him to break the spell.
Nothing too serious.
Plenty of random fairytales thrown in for a cameo appearance.
The one thing that truly bothered me was Liam.
The ending could be a ending for the series satisfactorily.
dnf
June 22, 2024DNF at 43%
While it is a nice story I was also pretty bored.
Annie, Liam, Gwendolyn and Belregard bounce from one fairytale to the other but nothing really happens.
While it is a nice story I was also pretty bored.
Annie, Liam, Gwendolyn and Belregard bounce from one fairytale to the other but nothing really happens.
October 12, 2021
a short and sweet middle-grade read, featuring a fun crew of characters, including annie, the only person who cannot be touched by magic, her sister gwendolyn, who is the most beautiful princess in the land, and the love of her life, who just so happens to be a bear…well, until they can find the dwarf that cursed him.
the second book in the wide awake princess series cameos multiple other fairy tales, including the three little pigs, goldilocks, snow white, and even little red riding hood (but all with happy endings!)
liam is shown as being cold-shouldered towards annie throughout most of the book, leading her to wonder whether or not he liked her anymore, and we weren’t really given a satisfactory reason as to why (but, hey, he’s a guy, so i guess i can’t say this is Too unrealistic.)
the ending was not left on a cliffhanger, so i’m not certain where the series will go after this. i can imagine that there will be more adventures across their world (and i have to say that this is the one time in which i fully understood and used the map as they went along their journey!)
the second book in the wide awake princess series cameos multiple other fairy tales, including the three little pigs, goldilocks, snow white, and even little red riding hood (but all with happy endings!)
liam is shown as being cold-shouldered towards annie throughout most of the book, leading her to wonder whether or not he liked her anymore, and we weren’t really given a satisfactory reason as to why (but, hey, he’s a guy, so i guess i can’t say this is Too unrealistic.)
the ending was not left on a cliffhanger, so i’m not certain where the series will go after this. i can imagine that there will be more adventures across their world (and i have to say that this is the one time in which i fully understood and used the map as they went along their journey!)
January 30, 2018
Unlocking the Spell, by E. D. Baker, is about a girl that magic can’t touch. Annie’s sister Gwendolyn, also known as Sleeping Beauty, was previously awaked by her true love. The only problem is that her true love, Prince Beldegard, was turned into a bear by a dwarf. Annie, Liam (a handsome guard), Beldegard, and Gwendolyn, go out to find this rude dwarf. This book includes amazing adventures, like crossing a rainbow bridge. Annie and her crew, run into many fairy tale characters like the three little pigs, little red riding hood, and the three bears from goldilocks.
Reading this book was worth my time. It was so good! It, along with the other books in the series, are now my favorite books! I could hardly keep my nose out of the book! I read it in any spare minute I could find. I thought the book flowed smoothly. All the parts of the book were easy to understand. The events were transitioned very well. There wasn’t a time that I didn’t enjoy the book. The author did an amazing job with all her characters and perspectives of the fairy tales and settings. The plot was very well thought out. I can make connections to the book because I have an older sister, who is sometimes bossy, but deep down, she is so nice, and I love her. This book makes me feel excited, adventurous, and ready to see what happens next. The characters personalities are perfect, I can’t imagine writing a better book.
Spending time with others can show you their true personality. Annie isn’t the greatest of friends with her sister. Gwendolyn, known as the most beautiful princess in all the kingdoms, never wanted Annie around. Annie’s immunity to magic has an aroma and whoever was touching Annie, or in the presence of her would lose their magic for a couple of minutes. After Annie went on a highly adventurous quest to wake the her sister and the kingdom, Gwendolyn showed a little more respect and love for Annie. In the beginning of the book, Annie, Liam, and Beldegard were the only ones going to find the dwarf. Annie didn’t want Gwendolyn around, she even told her, “You’re not going with us.” After a couple of miles into the quest, they find that Gwendolyn had been following them. Much to Annie’s reluctance, Gwendolyn comes with them. As they move on throughout the trip Annie and Gwendolyn become better friends. Gwendolyn tells Annie, “I’m Sorry. For acting like you’re some kind of monster that I have to keep at bay.” They become a little nicer to each other. This is a great book, with many great themes and messages.
Reading this book was worth my time. It was so good! It, along with the other books in the series, are now my favorite books! I could hardly keep my nose out of the book! I read it in any spare minute I could find. I thought the book flowed smoothly. All the parts of the book were easy to understand. The events were transitioned very well. There wasn’t a time that I didn’t enjoy the book. The author did an amazing job with all her characters and perspectives of the fairy tales and settings. The plot was very well thought out. I can make connections to the book because I have an older sister, who is sometimes bossy, but deep down, she is so nice, and I love her. This book makes me feel excited, adventurous, and ready to see what happens next. The characters personalities are perfect, I can’t imagine writing a better book.
Spending time with others can show you their true personality. Annie isn’t the greatest of friends with her sister. Gwendolyn, known as the most beautiful princess in all the kingdoms, never wanted Annie around. Annie’s immunity to magic has an aroma and whoever was touching Annie, or in the presence of her would lose their magic for a couple of minutes. After Annie went on a highly adventurous quest to wake the her sister and the kingdom, Gwendolyn showed a little more respect and love for Annie. In the beginning of the book, Annie, Liam, and Beldegard were the only ones going to find the dwarf. Annie didn’t want Gwendolyn around, she even told her, “You’re not going with us.” After a couple of miles into the quest, they find that Gwendolyn had been following them. Much to Annie’s reluctance, Gwendolyn comes with them. As they move on throughout the trip Annie and Gwendolyn become better friends. Gwendolyn tells Annie, “I’m Sorry. For acting like you’re some kind of monster that I have to keep at bay.” They become a little nicer to each other. This is a great book, with many great themes and messages.
July 10, 2012
I love this series. It is so super cute. Annie is such a great character! She is Gwendolyn’s (Sleeping Beauty) non-magical sister. Annie received a gift from her fairy godmother at birth that would not let any magic affect her, unlike everyone else in the kingdom. Because of this gift, Annie can sense when magic is near. Her power can also cause someone’s magic to falter. I found this to be one of the best parts of the story. I loved the descriptions of characters that suddenly found themselves without their magical qualities and gifts. One of the other qualities that make Annie so endearing is her resourcefulness. Because she has grown up without the help of magic, she has had to learn how to do many things on her own. Her sister, Gwennie, is described as “the most beautiful princess in the world” (with the help of magic of course), but Annie is often overlooked. While this could be lonely and a bit annoying, it makes Annie a great character. She is smart, stubborn, and extremely clever. The perfect underdog heroine.
The plot also weaves together familiar fairytales with slightly altered storylines. Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the Three Little Pigs, Cinderella, and Little Red Riding Hood all make appearances—just not in the ways we are familiar with. How the author used these stories and characters was very creative.
This is a middle grades series, which means it is squeaky clean. A little kissing, but appropriate for younger readers. Older readers would probably find it too wholesome. Maybe I’m a big nerd, but I loved it. Of course, I liked the first book (The Wide Awake Princess), too. Personally, I think all fairy tale fans should read this series. It is charming.
June 20, 2013
I had read and really enjoyed the first book in this series, I was really excited when I found out there was a sequel. I was hoping for a great one :)
Annie is the younger sister of sleeping beauty. Who, in this tale, is called Gwendolyn. Gwendolyn fell asleep a couple weeks ago. So Annie, who had the fairy gift of not being affected by magic, went off to search for her sister's true love. She found him after rounding up a bunch of princes to try. Turns out he is an enchanted prince. He's currently a bear.
Now in this book Annie and her more-than-friend friend, a Prince Liam who she met on her last quest, set out with Gwennie's true love to find the evil dwarf who turned him into a bear. They hope to find him and get him turned back into a prince so that he and Gwennie can get married! Just, first, they have to find him...
Pros:Although the first book, Wide-Awake Princess, was better (or so I felt) this one was still really sweet and fun. I love retellings and this one had a whole mix thrown in! From the three little pigs, snow white and red riding hood, this book is filled with fairy tale magic and is totally wonderful if you (like me) love fairy tales and retellings. Annie is a sweet, no-nonsense girl and she's down to earth. There are some great magical scenes where the magic rebounds, really hilarious!
Cons: For an older reader some things could be a little cliche or eye roll worthy, but overall this was a really sweet book. Perhaps not the best sequel also, but I liked it :)
So yeah...overall I liked it and loved the retellings. I would definitely recommend to tween girls, just the thing I loved to read when I was that age :) I'm going to make sure my sisters and younger friends pick up this book :)
Annie is the younger sister of sleeping beauty. Who, in this tale, is called Gwendolyn. Gwendolyn fell asleep a couple weeks ago. So Annie, who had the fairy gift of not being affected by magic, went off to search for her sister's true love. She found him after rounding up a bunch of princes to try. Turns out he is an enchanted prince. He's currently a bear.
Now in this book Annie and her more-than-friend friend, a Prince Liam who she met on her last quest, set out with Gwennie's true love to find the evil dwarf who turned him into a bear. They hope to find him and get him turned back into a prince so that he and Gwennie can get married! Just, first, they have to find him...
Pros:Although the first book, Wide-Awake Princess, was better (or so I felt) this one was still really sweet and fun. I love retellings and this one had a whole mix thrown in! From the three little pigs, snow white and red riding hood, this book is filled with fairy tale magic and is totally wonderful if you (like me) love fairy tales and retellings. Annie is a sweet, no-nonsense girl and she's down to earth. There are some great magical scenes where the magic rebounds, really hilarious!
Cons: For an older reader some things could be a little cliche or eye roll worthy, but overall this was a really sweet book. Perhaps not the best sequel also, but I liked it :)
So yeah...overall I liked it and loved the retellings. I would definitely recommend to tween girls, just the thing I loved to read when I was that age :) I'm going to make sure my sisters and younger friends pick up this book :)
August 11, 2012
Review of an advance copy:
This is a great sequel to The Wide-Awake Princess. (Which was also a fabulous book, and if you haven't read it, you should!) In this book, Annie & Liam are trying to find the dwarf whose curse turned Princess Gwendolyn's fiance Beldegard into a bear. Beldegard obviously had to come along, but Gwendolyn has decided she isn't going to be left behind. It is quite funny seeing the two sisters' reactions to their various obstacles since Gwendolyn is quite used to being pampered and Annie is super independent. Like the previous book, this one weaves all sorts of fairy tale characters into the journey. We meet Red Riding Hood and the Wolf, Cinderella, Rose Red, the Three Bears, Snow White, and a number of others. We also meet the fairy godmother who "gifted" Annie at her birth and get to see lots of magical spells and curses (aimed at Annie) fly back at their senders. I didn't like this one quite as much as the first (which was a lot, so I guess that still makes the book pretty excellent!) I think I liked the first book better because some of the clever parts were so unexpected, particularly all of the fairy tale characters showing up and watching the spells be "returned to sender." These were some of the best parts of both books, but were expected in this second volume. Readers will enjoy following this foursome on their path to happily ever after.
This is a great sequel to The Wide-Awake Princess. (Which was also a fabulous book, and if you haven't read it, you should!) In this book, Annie & Liam are trying to find the dwarf whose curse turned Princess Gwendolyn's fiance Beldegard into a bear. Beldegard obviously had to come along, but Gwendolyn has decided she isn't going to be left behind. It is quite funny seeing the two sisters' reactions to their various obstacles since Gwendolyn is quite used to being pampered and Annie is super independent. Like the previous book, this one weaves all sorts of fairy tale characters into the journey. We meet Red Riding Hood and the Wolf, Cinderella, Rose Red, the Three Bears, Snow White, and a number of others. We also meet the fairy godmother who "gifted" Annie at her birth and get to see lots of magical spells and curses (aimed at Annie) fly back at their senders. I didn't like this one quite as much as the first (which was a lot, so I guess that still makes the book pretty excellent!) I think I liked the first book better because some of the clever parts were so unexpected, particularly all of the fairy tale characters showing up and watching the spells be "returned to sender." These were some of the best parts of both books, but were expected in this second volume. Readers will enjoy following this foursome on their path to happily ever after.
June 15, 2013
This book was fun, but not anything extraordinary. I think I liked The Wide-Awake Princess a little better, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the story. I did think that Liam's suddenly distancing himself and the reason for that were lame and not very convincing. I also would have liked to see Annie save the day by doing something, rather than by just letting magic bounce off of her. She's a pretty strong protagonist-- she goes on quests and saves the day, but when it comes to the major confrontations, she mostly lets things happen to her instead of actually doing anything-- it would be nice to see her save the day by something she does rather than something she is.
September 18, 2022
**Again, the same warning: Contains minor spoilers. Big ones are hidden, blah blah blah, read at yer own risk.**
Well. I have to say, the second book is not much better.
Issues:
★ Gwendolyn had basically zero character development. She was annoying and snobby at first, and is a teeny weeny less annoying and snobby only because she'll stop and wonder "hmm was that annoying and snobby? Maybe I should apologize" and apologizes in the most offensive way possible.
Here is an example of her anoyingness and snobbiness. This is what she told Annie when Gwen wanted her to break Beldegard(her *true* love)'s curse (he's got the appearance of a bear) and turn him back into a human so they can wed:
"You brought Beldegard to me, so you're responsible for this. I know you did it to wake me and save the kingdom, but I never would have known that he was my true love if you hadn't introduced us. Surely you feel some obligation to help us?"
I'm sorry, WHAT?! Do they live in Backward Land or something? Where I'm from, if ya I introduced me to my true love, 'tis I who'd feel some obligation to help YOU !
★ Annie's ego is the size of Minneapolis. (Not sure why I did Minneapolis...it was just the first thing that popped into my mind.) She literally has TOO MUCH SELF-CONFIDENCE.
We know magic doesn't work on her, yes? And that is VERY valuable against witches, yes? So if we meet a witch and trick her, do you think the first thing after you do it you tell her, "oh, magic doesn't work on me"?
IT'S A VALUABLE SERCET!
Don't just blab it to everyone! Especially not evil witches that want to kill you!
If I were Annie, I'll just be like, "I am supremely powerful and have the greatest magic, blah blah blah." [insert evil laugh]
Even better, say nothing and just look at her with a mysterious smile!
★ Annie is obsessed with Liam. For a while Liam seems to be avoiding Annie and not *coff* kissing as often so Annie is constantly worrying about it.
She keeps on thinking, Why won't he kiss me? It's been so long! Does he not like me anymore? Oh, look at my sister and her true love, they're kissing. Hmm, why isn't Liam kissing me?! I am so confused! If only he'll kiss me! and so on.
By the by, how old is Annie? I've always that of her as an annoying ten year old or something, but I think she is old. Always thinking about kissing and
"For someone as levelheaded as Annie, an expedition into the woods to find a nasty, magic-wielding dwarf wasn't at all intimidating. "
Um, okay, even heroes get scared, it's okay to admit it.
[insert mega eye roll]
★ Beldegard has become annoying and snobby. I mean, in the first book, he was shown as this caring prince who is unfortunately cursed. THAT'S WHY HE'S GWENNIE'S TRUE LOVE! Everyone else was annoying and snobby!
However, that has changed.
At one point, he had an argument with Liam about who-knows-what and he is portrayed as the angry, rough bear while Liam is the cool, calm-ish prince.
At least, that's what I infered.
★ One word. Moonbeam. She is the fairy who gave Annie the " no-magic". Yet, in this book, Moonbeam totally forgets and casts a spell on Annie.
HOW CAN ONE FORGET THIS VERY POWERFUL SPELL?!
And why is Moonbeam so annoying and snobby now? In the first book she was this wise, favored, helpful fairy.
Now she is just forcing people to fall in love?!
Ugh. It's illogical.
(Okay, maybe not, but it is ANNOYING.)
"Just be sure that he finds her and that you don't mess it up anymore that you already have!"
★ The fairy tales are going overboard. I know I said I liked thoses, but this one is overdoing it. In this book, I think it has Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs, Puss in Boots, Snow White, and maybe a couple more.
Is this going to be the norm for the rest of this series? I think Mr. Baker is gonna run out of fairy tales...!
★ Nobody is beautiful without magic. Especially the royalty. Annie literally knew someone was a princess because that girl's beauty vanished when Annie got near!
"She was as beautiful as a princess, and when Annie touched her to remove the necklace, the girl's beauty had faded....she resolved to.....ask it's if any of the royal princesses were missing.
Um.
No one is really pretty? Seriously? I know if you get gifted, it's usually like you're really pretty, because USUALLY the magic won't be removed. But with Annie in the scene, I've come to think of magic gifts as a Lunar's glamour.
And the citizens think so too! This book kicks off with Annie having to help a LOOOONG line of people who want to use Annie as an anti-magic machine and check if their gold is real or not.
Now, I get it if it's just gold, but there's this guy named Bartley who wants Annie to check his betrothed cuz he wants to know if she's really actually pretty so he can have good-lookin' children.
Uh...
★ The characters like to state the obvious. Here are a couple of examples:
"Haha," said Beldegard without a trace of humor.
And this one from Miss Perfect Princess(aka Annie):
"Liam is no ordinary prince. Unlike most princes, he didn't acquire his skills through magic. He taught himself a lot of things because he's interested in a lot of things."
It might just be my opinion, but those sound very obvious to me.
---------------------------------------------
If you stuck around all this time, congratulations👏!
I give you some strawberry fudge!
And though I just spent all that time dissing this book, there actually were a couple of things I enjoyed. Surprise!
"When you left, all the matchmaking mamas descended on me, hoping I'd fall in love with one of their daughters.
So maybe I almost recommend this...
(If the first book was 2 stars, this one might be 2.3 stars.)
— Lady Glitter Sparkles🌺
My review for the first book
Well. I have to say, the second book is not much better.
Issues:
★ Gwendolyn had basically zero character development. She was annoying and snobby at first, and is a teeny weeny less annoying and snobby only because she'll stop and wonder "hmm was that annoying and snobby? Maybe I should apologize" and apologizes in the most offensive way possible.
Here is an example of her anoyingness and snobbiness. This is what she told Annie when Gwen wanted her to break Beldegard(her *true* love)'s curse (he's got the appearance of a bear) and turn him back into a human so they can wed:
"You brought Beldegard to me, so you're responsible for this. I know you did it to wake me and save the kingdom, but I never would have known that he was my true love if you hadn't introduced us. Surely you feel some obligation to help us?"
I'm sorry, WHAT?! Do they live in Backward Land or something? Where I'm from, if ya I introduced me to my true love, 'tis I who'd feel some obligation to help YOU !
★ Annie's ego is the size of Minneapolis. (Not sure why I did Minneapolis...it was just the first thing that popped into my mind.) She literally has TOO MUCH SELF-CONFIDENCE.
We know magic doesn't work on her, yes? And that is VERY valuable against witches, yes? So if we meet a witch and trick her, do you think the first thing after you do it you tell her, "oh, magic doesn't work on me"?
IT'S A VALUABLE SERCET!
Don't just blab it to everyone! Especially not evil witches that want to kill you!
If I were Annie, I'll just be like, "I am supremely powerful and have the greatest magic, blah blah blah." [insert evil laugh]
Even better, say nothing and just look at her with a mysterious smile!
★ Annie is obsessed with Liam. For a while Liam seems to be avoiding Annie and not *coff* kissing as often so Annie is constantly worrying about it.
She keeps on thinking, Why won't he kiss me? It's been so long! Does he not like me anymore? Oh, look at my sister and her true love, they're kissing. Hmm, why isn't Liam kissing me?! I am so confused! If only he'll kiss me! and so on.
By the by, how old is Annie? I've always that of her as an annoying ten year old or something, but I think she is old. Always thinking about kissing and
"For someone as levelheaded as Annie, an expedition into the woods to find a nasty, magic-wielding dwarf wasn't at all intimidating. "
Um, okay, even heroes get scared, it's okay to admit it.
[insert mega eye roll]
★ Beldegard has become annoying and snobby. I mean, in the first book, he was shown as this caring prince who is unfortunately cursed. THAT'S WHY HE'S GWENNIE'S TRUE LOVE! Everyone else was annoying and snobby!
However, that has changed.
At one point, he had an argument with Liam about who-knows-what and he is portrayed as the angry, rough bear while Liam is the cool, calm-ish prince.
At least, that's what I infered.
★ One word. Moonbeam. She is the fairy who gave Annie the " no-magic". Yet, in this book, Moonbeam totally forgets and casts a spell on Annie.
HOW CAN ONE FORGET THIS VERY POWERFUL SPELL?!
And why is Moonbeam so annoying and snobby now? In the first book she was this wise, favored, helpful fairy.
Now she is just forcing people to fall in love?!
Ugh. It's illogical.
(Okay, maybe not, but it is ANNOYING.)
"Just be sure that he finds her and that you don't mess it up anymore that you already have!"
★ The fairy tales are going overboard. I know I said I liked thoses, but this one is overdoing it. In this book, I think it has Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs, Puss in Boots, Snow White, and maybe a couple more.
Is this going to be the norm for the rest of this series? I think Mr. Baker is gonna run out of fairy tales...!
★ Nobody is beautiful without magic. Especially the royalty. Annie literally knew someone was a princess because that girl's beauty vanished when Annie got near!
"She was as beautiful as a princess, and when Annie touched her to remove the necklace, the girl's beauty had faded....she resolved to.....ask it's if any of the royal princesses were missing.
Um.
No one is really pretty? Seriously? I know if you get gifted, it's usually like you're really pretty, because USUALLY the magic won't be removed. But with Annie in the scene, I've come to think of magic gifts as a Lunar's glamour.
And the citizens think so too! This book kicks off with Annie having to help a LOOOONG line of people who want to use Annie as an anti-magic machine and check if their gold is real or not.
Now, I get it if it's just gold, but there's this guy named Bartley who wants Annie to check his betrothed cuz he wants to know if she's really actually pretty so he can have good-lookin' children.
Uh...
★ The characters like to state the obvious. Here are a couple of examples:
"Haha," said Beldegard without a trace of humor.
And this one from Miss Perfect Princess(aka Annie):
"Liam is no ordinary prince. Unlike most princes, he didn't acquire his skills through magic. He taught himself a lot of things because he's interested in a lot of things."
It might just be my opinion, but those sound very obvious to me.
---------------------------------------------
If you stuck around all this time, congratulations👏!
I give you some strawberry fudge!
And though I just spent all that time dissing this book, there actually were a couple of things I enjoyed. Surprise!
"When you left, all the matchmaking mamas descended on me, hoping I'd fall in love with one of their daughters.
So maybe I almost recommend this...
(If the first book was 2 stars, this one might be 2.3 stars.)
— Lady Glitter Sparkles🌺
My review for the first book
October 31, 2012
Not fabulous, but cute. I think I prefer the first book better, but this was a fun follow-up to see how they would break the spell of the Bear Prince. Sometimes the story was a bit too convenient, and other times it felt like unncessary details or story elements were present. But I liked the twist of the different fairy tales, and was happy to see at least one lesser-known fairy tale. The constant reminder of various things was a bit annoying, but I still enjoyed the book. The whole build-up of what was wrong with Liam and then the reason and "resolution" at the end were just dumb.
Otherwise, the book is fine. For those who liked Annie, they will enjoy reading more about her. But if you liked Annie and Liam together, you don't get as much of that as you did in the first book. At least you get to see her interact with her sister and perhaps improving on a relationship there.
Otherwise, the book is fine. For those who liked Annie, they will enjoy reading more about her. But if you liked Annie and Liam together, you don't get as much of that as you did in the first book. At least you get to see her interact with her sister and perhaps improving on a relationship there.
May 4, 2022
This book is so cute and reminds me of being a kid and staying up at night under the covers to read.
When I was 9 Annie and Liam were my dream couple, and now that I' older I've realized it's a very simple relationship and cliche, but that's expected: this is a middle-grade novel. But they are cute nonetheless and I found them very good together. A great story for the level it's at, and even though I've probably read this book over 4 times (and am not the demographic that this book was made for,) I was interested all the way through.
This book is too close to home for me to give it anything less than a 4/5 stars.
When I was 9 Annie and Liam were my dream couple, and now that I' older I've realized it's a very simple relationship and cliche, but that's expected: this is a middle-grade novel. But they are cute nonetheless and I found them very good together. A great story for the level it's at, and even though I've probably read this book over 4 times (and am not the demographic that this book was made for,) I was interested all the way through.
This book is too close to home for me to give it anything less than a 4/5 stars.
May 29, 2013
Not E. D. Baker's most spellbinding narrative (if you will pardon the pun) but still fun and chock full of fairy tale references. It could have been just a tad shorter and a bit more clear in its dialogue, but overall a simple, unassuming fairytale romp through magic kingdoms as Liam, Annie, Gwen and her beloved enchanted prince Belregard go on a quest to return him to his human form.
Sequel to The Wide-Awake Princess.
Sequel to The Wide-Awake Princess.
May 4, 2018
I can see that a lot of middle-grade and above readers would love this book. It has two very different Princesses and two Princes (one is a bear) as MCs, and they encounter a lot of slightly fractured fairy tales on their journey.
For me it got rather tedious. Basically our foursome goes somewhere and encounters some characters from a fairy tale, then they go somewhere else and encounter some characters from a fairy tale, then they go somewhere else and encounter some characters from a fairy tale... That's all there is to this story.
But it is amusing, and I'm pretty sure my 9 year-old niece will love these books. I haven't read the first one but I'll pick it up and the library and see if I can tempt her to try it. It seems perfect for her. And there are lots more, so if she likes the first one she'll have more fun reading to look forward to over the summer.
For me it got rather tedious. Basically our foursome goes somewhere and encounters some characters from a fairy tale, then they go somewhere else and encounter some characters from a fairy tale, then they go somewhere else and encounter some characters from a fairy tale... That's all there is to this story.
But it is amusing, and I'm pretty sure my 9 year-old niece will love these books. I haven't read the first one but I'll pick it up and the library and see if I can tempt her to try it. It seems perfect for her. And there are lots more, so if she likes the first one she'll have more fun reading to look forward to over the summer.
March 24, 2020
In the sequel after the spell has been broken on Annie's sister, Gwennie the fairset princess in the kingdom, she is given the task of helping Gwennie's true love break the spell on himself-the one that made him a bear.
However, after setting out with Liam and Bedregard, the quest is hampered a little by the appearance of luxury loving Gwennie. As the sisters repeatedly butt heads and learn more about each other than they have in the last fourteen years, they dodge evil witches, theives and wolves along the way.
A lovely story about family, friends, and threaded with rich nuggets of truth that make the reader pause to digest.
1. I'm Liam and Annie's biggest fan
2. I have gotten a strong distrust of fairies of any kind. XD
However, after setting out with Liam and Bedregard, the quest is hampered a little by the appearance of luxury loving Gwennie. As the sisters repeatedly butt heads and learn more about each other than they have in the last fourteen years, they dodge evil witches, theives and wolves along the way.
A lovely story about family, friends, and threaded with rich nuggets of truth that make the reader pause to digest.
1. I'm Liam and Annie's biggest fan
2. I have gotten a strong distrust of fairies of any kind. XD
June 15, 2020
God, I wish I could give this five stars but the writing is a bit too simple for me. Such a shame because I loved so many things in this book.
In another fairy tale mashup, Annie goes on a quest to try to break the spell that's turned her sister's intended into a bear. On the way, they meet characters from different stories and find true love.
This novel was a delight and extremely easy to get through. I was eager to see which character we'd meet next and tried to find clues beforehand. Some of the stories had a lovely twist to them and the ending was very romantic and pitch perfect. A reread might bump it up to five stars - time will tell!
In another fairy tale mashup, Annie goes on a quest to try to break the spell that's turned her sister's intended into a bear. On the way, they meet characters from different stories and find true love.
This novel was a delight and extremely easy to get through. I was eager to see which character we'd meet next and tried to find clues beforehand. Some of the stories had a lovely twist to them and the ending was very romantic and pitch perfect. A reread might bump it up to five stars - time will tell!
Read
February 21, 2022MORE SPOILERS AND DRAMA
They FINALLY kissed!! Ahh such a good book, I loved it! The characters continued as themselves, Liam and Annie FINALLY fixed it, and LIAM PROPOSEEEDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!! Ahhhh I'm so happy!! I love how E.D. Baker also adds in other fairy tales, like the 3 bears, Snow White, and expands them so that they reach the end of what we know, but also continues (i.e., Snow White: we hear her story and the dwarves but then she ends up with Prince Whatshisname (Beldegard's brother) and then she realizes he doesn't really love her and it's a whole other side plot). It. Is. Just. Such. An. Amazing. Series!!!!!!! I'm going to go read book 3 now, byeee
They FINALLY kissed!! Ahh such a good book, I loved it! The characters continued as themselves, Liam and Annie FINALLY fixed it, and LIAM PROPOSEEEDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!! Ahhhh I'm so happy!! I love how E.D. Baker also adds in other fairy tales, like the 3 bears, Snow White, and expands them so that they reach the end of what we know, but also continues (i.e., Snow White: we hear her story and the dwarves but then she ends up with Prince Whatshisname (Beldegard's brother) and then she realizes he doesn't really love her and it's a whole other side plot). It. Is. Just. Such. An. Amazing. Series!!!!!!! I'm going to go read book 3 now, byeee
October 1, 2018
Way too much better than the first book
I love the adventure
And the way that the fairy stories included
Nice job
I love the adventure
And the way that the fairy stories included
Nice job
Read
February 17, 2023this one too. 80000 times reread. I hate liam. I remember wanting to throw up just reading about him and annie. Yet. I. Kept. Rereading. Time felt liminal. I wasnt okay. EW. wow. I cant believe i reread this so many times. I hate it in my GUTS but its like i have a weird attachment to it? Like seeing the cover brings me back. This book definitely messed me up psychologically.
I cannot stress enough how uncomfortable this book makes me.
Nothing against the author! This is definitely a me problem this time! 🤭🫶
I cannot stress enough how uncomfortable this book makes me.
Nothing against the author! This is definitely a me problem this time! 🤭🫶
December 30, 2014
Princess Gwendolyn and Prince Beldegard were so happy to find each other at the end of the last book. They are eager to get married, but there's the small problem of Beldegard still being a bear. They decide that Princess Annie needs to help them track down the dwarf that turned Beldegard into a bear so he can undo the spell. Annie would prefer to have a little rest, after all, she just tromped all over the kingdom to find the prince to break her sister's curse. But if it means she doesn't have to stand there holding the happy couple's hands every time they want to gaze into each other's human eyes, she decides another quest is worth it. Prince Liam thankfully volunteers to go with her and Beldegard. Annie is sure Gwennie is NOT cut out for life on the road, so she purposefully leaves her behind. Or at least tries to. It isn't far into the quest that they discover Gwennie following them, so it's either send her back to the castle with Liam or drag her along. It turns out that the group doesn't have to go too far before they start hearing about the dwarf. Rumor has it he's been summoned home for some kind of a family emergency, and from there they just end up following the trail of people the temperamental dwarf has upset and/or turned into animals like Beldegard. It starts to look like half the creatures in the forest will be eager to turn back into humans once Annie and gang can catch that dwarf. Along the way they meet Rose Red, Cinderella, a girl wearing a red hood, three little pigs, three bears, some animals from Bremen, and of course the dwarf family has a guest named Snow White.
Baker does another fun adventure seamlessly weaving in numerous fairy tales along the way. This has been a popular one with the girls who are constantly craving more fairy tales. More mature readers should appreciate Annie's dubiousness about love at first sight and how she encourages the various princes and princesses to spend some time actually getting to know each other. I personally really liked the way the Bremen animals were added to the group and how Snow White's tale was woven in so well. I also liked the light lessons woven into the story, especially the one Beldegard's brother learns about how the friends he hangs out with can impact his character. Overall, a lighthearted read with lots of fairy tale elements, and the occasional good lesson for kids.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content beyond some kisses. There's some potential violence that gets avoided. One person is hunting bears for malicious reasons. Some thieves attempt a robbery and get thwarted by some animal scratches and kicks. A witch tries to kill a couple people, but is thwarted.
Baker does another fun adventure seamlessly weaving in numerous fairy tales along the way. This has been a popular one with the girls who are constantly craving more fairy tales. More mature readers should appreciate Annie's dubiousness about love at first sight and how she encourages the various princes and princesses to spend some time actually getting to know each other. I personally really liked the way the Bremen animals were added to the group and how Snow White's tale was woven in so well. I also liked the light lessons woven into the story, especially the one Beldegard's brother learns about how the friends he hangs out with can impact his character. Overall, a lighthearted read with lots of fairy tale elements, and the occasional good lesson for kids.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content beyond some kisses. There's some potential violence that gets avoided. One person is hunting bears for malicious reasons. Some thieves attempt a robbery and get thwarted by some animal scratches and kicks. A witch tries to kill a couple people, but is thwarted.
April 14, 2015
This is the second book to E.D. Baker's “The Wider-Awake Princess” series. I was forewarned by my older sister that the second book wasn't quite as good as the first, so I went into it with low expectations and because of that, I probably will have enjoyed it more than most.
Plot-line:
After waking up from a curse caused sleep, Gwendolyn, Annie's older sister, is determined to lift the curse of her beloved which has caused him to be locked in the form of a bear. And so, she, along with her reluctant sister, Annie; their guard and friend, Prince Liam, and Beldegard (the bear prince), set out on an adventure. Along the way, they strive to help others who have been cursed by a similar magic. But when Annie begins to feel her relationship with Liam grow stiff and distant, she worries that perhaps happiness isn't as easy to attain as her sister makes it look. Perhaps, the reason Gwendolyn is able to find happiness is simply because she is beautiful. And maybe, for plain girls like Annie, it is impossible to hope that a life with love is attainable.
As I said, going into this, I already knew some things. I had been warned that Gwendolyn was extremely annoying in book two. So, when I finally read it, I wasn't as put off as some might be who read this book without that prior knowledge of it's downfalls. Actually, I found Beldegard, the bear-man, to be more annoying than Gwen was. He was rude, self-absorbed, and was blinded by his love for Gwen. I tried my best to ignore him, which wasn't hard since half the time he was off scouring the woods ahead of the rest of the group.
I liked seeing how things had progressed in the relationship between Annie and Liam. It was important to see that unlike the love between Beldegard and Gwen, Annie and Liam's love wasn't always hearts and flowers. There were misunderstandings and troubles just like any other real relationship. I thought that the time of distance between them gave Annie the chance to evaluate her feelings and emotions so that in the end, she already knew what her heart wanted.
Overall, “Unlocking The Spell” was a moderately well written second book. There were some parts I found a bit dull and I wished that after a while they could just find the dwarf they were seeking and be done with it, but other than that, I liked it well enough. It wasn't a fantastic, thrilling adventure that had me turning pages in suspense but it wasn't terrible either. It was worth reading once, just for the sake of learning even more about the characters, but it definitely wasn't my favorite book in the series.
Plot-line:
After waking up from a curse caused sleep, Gwendolyn, Annie's older sister, is determined to lift the curse of her beloved which has caused him to be locked in the form of a bear. And so, she, along with her reluctant sister, Annie; their guard and friend, Prince Liam, and Beldegard (the bear prince), set out on an adventure. Along the way, they strive to help others who have been cursed by a similar magic. But when Annie begins to feel her relationship with Liam grow stiff and distant, she worries that perhaps happiness isn't as easy to attain as her sister makes it look. Perhaps, the reason Gwendolyn is able to find happiness is simply because she is beautiful. And maybe, for plain girls like Annie, it is impossible to hope that a life with love is attainable.
As I said, going into this, I already knew some things. I had been warned that Gwendolyn was extremely annoying in book two. So, when I finally read it, I wasn't as put off as some might be who read this book without that prior knowledge of it's downfalls. Actually, I found Beldegard, the bear-man, to be more annoying than Gwen was. He was rude, self-absorbed, and was blinded by his love for Gwen. I tried my best to ignore him, which wasn't hard since half the time he was off scouring the woods ahead of the rest of the group.
I liked seeing how things had progressed in the relationship between Annie and Liam. It was important to see that unlike the love between Beldegard and Gwen, Annie and Liam's love wasn't always hearts and flowers. There were misunderstandings and troubles just like any other real relationship. I thought that the time of distance between them gave Annie the chance to evaluate her feelings and emotions so that in the end, she already knew what her heart wanted.
Overall, “Unlocking The Spell” was a moderately well written second book. There were some parts I found a bit dull and I wished that after a while they could just find the dwarf they were seeking and be done with it, but other than that, I liked it well enough. It wasn't a fantastic, thrilling adventure that had me turning pages in suspense but it wasn't terrible either. It was worth reading once, just for the sake of learning even more about the characters, but it definitely wasn't my favorite book in the series.
December 15, 2016
I read this book before I read the first in the series-but I still loved it!
Here's how it started:
I got this book as a present for my ninth birthday, and two weeks after that, I was going to move to a brand-new state!
Anyway, my mom's colleague gave me this book to read during the trip, but I finished it WAY before we even started the trip, so of course, I loved the book and re-read it many times. At that time, I thought it was probably my favorite book--ever!
This book is still one of my longtime favorites, and has a special place in my heart.
:)
Here's how it started:
I got this book as a present for my ninth birthday, and two weeks after that, I was going to move to a brand-new state!
Anyway, my mom's colleague gave me this book to read during the trip, but I finished it WAY before we even started the trip, so of course, I loved the book and re-read it many times. At that time, I thought it was probably my favorite book--ever!
This book is still one of my longtime favorites, and has a special place in my heart.
:)
August 26, 2020
I loved this book. So fun and creative and I loved her little twist on the classic fairytale princess stories. It's fast paced, funny, creative and imaginative. Just how I like a book to be. Annie is such a strong, smart, fun female character. I can't wait until my daughter is older so I can read this series to her.
July 20, 2014
I must say I did not enjoy this one as much as the first mainly because I find Gwendolyn to be annoying. The main difference was Gwendolyn was awake in this book. There was all the fun glimpses of fairy tales with little twists just like the first book. I would have liked to see Annie and Liam's relationship build more.
July 8, 2012
This story incorporates many fairy tale characters seamlessly. Kids who have grown up hearing these fairy tales will enjoy the twist this story puts on many old favorites as well as the quest that Annie goes on to help her sister's true love.
December 20, 2016
Fun, but not nearly as much as book one. There were some good moments, but most of it was just them running around in the woods trying to find an evil dwarf and always arriving just afterward. It got a bit tedious.
February 9, 2023
Emphasis in this 2nd book is on cramming as many other stories in here as possible. Not a lot of thoughtfulness or character development. But, enough heartfelt charm to make me want to continue reading the series!
And yes, the author does thank named creators like Perrault and Southey.
And yes, the author does thank named creators like Perrault and Southey.
October 18, 2012
A very cute sequel to The Tale of the Wide Awake Princess. I love catching all of the other fairytale characters appearing throughout the story. Like a Disney movie in book format. Mindless fun.
January 21, 2013
Loved it! Disney should really make a movie about this series. I would love to see all the characters on a big screen.
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