The Queen of Spells

by Dahlov Ipcar

Janet thinks her lover mad when he talks about spells and another world, but soon she has to prove her faith in him by an incredible display of courage.

Genres: Fantasy, Fae, Young Adult

155 pages, Hardcover

First published April 30, 1973

About the author

Dahlov Ipcar was an American painter, illustrator and author.

Reviews

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like Janet McNaughton's An Earthly Knight, this is a fairly straight retellingof "Tam Lin"; it's set in 19th-century America, and the heroine is a farmer's daughter named Janet, who falls in love with the mysterious Tom Linn and must then rescue him from the queen of faerie.

Ipcar follows the plot of the ballad so closely that there are really no surprises for most of the book. In fact, I was just becoming rather bored at its lack of innovation when, two-thirds of the way through, the rescue begins -- and that's where it gets interesting. Janet enters a nightmare world of forest, river, and circus -- yes, circus, where Janet ends up after pulling Tom off his horse. It sounds odd, but it works surprisingly well, at least for me, and it was frankly a lot more interesting than the rather dull retelling given in the beginning of the book.

If the whole book had been as original as the end, I'd call this a very good Tam Lin retelling; as it is, one must bear with the standard beginning for the sake of the intriguing ending.

[Auggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I purchased this book at my local library Book Sale for 50 cents I think (or $1... can't remember. Anyway CHEAP)). This book is fantastically whimsical and is a retelling of the famous ballad "Tam Lin". If you're interested in the ballad before you pick up the book follow the link:

The Ballad of Tam Lin

This story was easy to visualize and the author is very good about making sure you're seeing a world that is unexpected, glorious, and even a little bit nightmarish. The beginning is a little slow, right when you're getting to know a little bit about the main character, Janet.

Then comes in Tom. A mysterious man who appears out of nowhere one day and disappears just as quickly after making Janet promise to be his forever. He claims he will come for her after 7 days.

7 years pass and still Tom is not there. The parents are getting antsy and are ready for their daughter to be married. Though she has not seen him in 7 years she swears to love none but Tom.

Then BAM. Tom returns with an incredible story about being held captive by the Queen of the Farie. Janet must cross over into the Fae world if she wishes to rescue Tom from being taken as a sacrifice to death.

The storytelling was a little on the dull side, but the story itself was vibrant enough that your mind made up for what the author wasn't really able to provide. The most demanding of attention was the scene set in the Fae world where Janet has crossed numerous stages of very enchanting and bizarre scenery until she finds herself at a Circus where she must pass numerous tests before she is able to rescue her love.

It's a common part of folklore that the heroine or hero must hold on to their love no matter what they change into or what is thrown before their eyes to see. If they can hold on to the person they care about, no matter what shape they take, then the spell will be broken and their love will be theirs. You'll find that aspect here in this story as well, and I must say that this part is particularly read-worthy.

All in all the book starts out a bit dull and ends a bit dull, but all the parts in the middle are absolutely fantastic!

The story of Janet and Tom reads like a fantasy I'm sure many girls have had before with a couple of moments that are merely suggestive and not over-the-top. It's a children's book but adults are able to pick this book up and glean from it something a child would miss regarding the relationship between Janet and Tom.

Who Would Enjoy This?: Romantic fantasy lovers, folktale enthusiasts, young adults

[Addy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly typical Tam Lin retelling, that is until we get to the end of the book. It had one of the more unique transformation sequences I've read. I just wish it didn't have so many Romani stereotypes thrown in with it. Overall, it was short and enjoyable, if you're able to stomach the more dated aspects.

[Renee Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

A childhood fave.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved it overall, but the climax was a little disappointing. the circus and gypsies and all that felt much less magical than the earlier part of the book. but the rest! the writing is so lush and vivid, it feels like such a beautiful fairy tale world from the very beginning

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elaborates on the ballad but doesn't stray too far. Interesting, but not great. I liked the characters and setting.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well told story of a girl coming of age and her trials. Great imagery and characters bringing to life the tale of Tam Lin.

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

A re-telling of a classic tale. Also a ballad! Fairies and time shift and cool stuff.

[Susann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stumbled upon this copy at the Strand some months ago, and thought I'd take a chance. It's a reinterpretation of the Tam Lin myth and it didn't do much for me. The gypsy/circus element was interesting, but the rest left me unmoved.
This copy is a first edition with an inscription from the author: "For Jo and Dick - May the romance and the poetry never go out of your lives - With much love from Dahlov Ipcar - May 1973"

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for the first time in junior high and since then it has held my interest and remains a favorite.

[Martha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tam Lin

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a childhood favorite, so it deserves an honorable mention.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another favorite from childhood that just popped into my head. I re-read it a few (?) years ago and loved it still.

[The Fairy Godmother]

Based on Tam Lin.