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Enchanted Forest Chronicles #4.5 - Utensile Strength
Book of Enchantments: Ten Witty Fantasy Tales About Queens, Magic, and Wolves for Children
This witty and charming collection of ten short fantasies includes a story, set in the Enchanted Forest, about Queen Cimorene's Frying Pan of Doom; a zany yarn about a magical blue chipmunk with a passion for chestnuts; and an eerie tale of a caliph who turns his vizier's daughter into a wolf.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
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3958 people want to read
About the author
Patricia C. Wrede
67 books3,999 followersPatricia Collins Wrede was born in Chicago, Illinois and is the eldest of five children. She started writing in seventh grade. She attended Carleton College in Minnesota, where she majored in Biology and managed to avoid taking any English courses at all. She began work on her first novel, Shadow Magic, just after graduating from college in 1974. She finished it five years later and started her second book at once, having become permanently hooked on writing by this time.
Patricia received her M.B.A. from the University of Minnesota in 1977.
She worked for several years as a financial analyst and accountant, first with the Minnesota Hospital Association, then with B. Dalton Booksellers, and finally at the Dayton Hudson Corporation headquarters.
Patricia finished her first novel in late 1978. In January, 1980, Pamela Dean, Emma Bull, Will Shetterly, Steven Brust, Nate Bucklin, and Patricia Wrede -- all, at that point, hopeful but unpublished -- formed the writer's group that later became known as "The Scribblies." Several years later, they were joined by Kara Dalkey. In April of 1980, Patricia's first novel sold to Ace Books. It came out at last in 1982, which is the year she met Lillian Stewart Carl (who introduced her to Lois McMaster Bujold by mail).
In 1985, shortly before the publication of her fifth book, she left the world of the gainfully employed to try winging it on her own.
Her interests include sewing, embroidery, desultory attempts at gardening, chocolate, not mowing the lawn, High Tea, and, of course, reading.
She is a vegetarian, and currently lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her cat Karma. She has no children.
Patricia received her M.B.A. from the University of Minnesota in 1977.
She worked for several years as a financial analyst and accountant, first with the Minnesota Hospital Association, then with B. Dalton Booksellers, and finally at the Dayton Hudson Corporation headquarters.
Patricia finished her first novel in late 1978. In January, 1980, Pamela Dean, Emma Bull, Will Shetterly, Steven Brust, Nate Bucklin, and Patricia Wrede -- all, at that point, hopeful but unpublished -- formed the writer's group that later became known as "The Scribblies." Several years later, they were joined by Kara Dalkey. In April of 1980, Patricia's first novel sold to Ace Books. It came out at last in 1982, which is the year she met Lillian Stewart Carl (who introduced her to Lois McMaster Bujold by mail).
In 1985, shortly before the publication of her fifth book, she left the world of the gainfully employed to try winging it on her own.
Her interests include sewing, embroidery, desultory attempts at gardening, chocolate, not mowing the lawn, High Tea, and, of course, reading.
She is a vegetarian, and currently lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her cat Karma. She has no children.
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May 23, 2022The section at the end where Wrede talks about how each of these stories came to be is fascinating.
October 27, 2018
Wrede [pronounced as "Reedy"] is one of my favorite authors, and IMO one of the best writers of English-language fantasy fiction in her generation. Equally at home with long and short fiction, she showcases her talent for the latter in this collection of 10 stories, four of them published here for the first time. Some printings of this book were marketed by their publishers to younger readers, some to adults; that's indicative of the fact that she simply spins wholesome, engaging stories well told, which can appeal to readers of any age. (One story, "The Lorelei," has child protagonists; the rest are about adults.) Her writing is free from bad language, lewd sexual content, or gratuitous violence; and she writes both serious and humorous fantasy, different stories here illustrating both types of her work.
"Roses by Moonlight" is perhaps the most thought-provoking selection here; it's a modern-day distaff version of Jesus' parable of the prodigal son (inspired by listening to "one too many sermons" on the passage --she's a practicing Roman Catholic, although the content of her writing isn't explicitly Christian) and focusing on the equally lost older sibling. "The Lorelei" features the titular siren-like demon of German folklore. Several of the stories, such as "Stronger Than Time," re-imagine or reinvent traditional fairy tales. A couple of stories come from "shared world" anthologies: "The Sword-Seller" is set in Andre Norton's Witch World, while "Rikiki and the Wizard" takes place in the fictional city of Liavek (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liavek ). It's not necessary to have read anything else set in these locales to appreciate either story (I hadn't at the time I read this collection, and still haven't read any other Witch World fiction); but in the case of the humorous "Utensile Strength," spun off from Wrede's own Enchanted Forest Chronicles (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8... ), readers probably will appreciate and connect with the characters more for having read that four-book series. Besides the stories mentioned, "Cruel Sisters" was another one I considered a standout; but all of the tales here are quality work.
This was a book I read out loud to my wife, and she enjoyed it as much as I did! It's enhanced by a short author's note explaining the inspiration for each of the stories; and readers who like recipes with their books will also like the appended one for "Quick After Battle Triple Chocolate Cake," inspired by the culinary-related "Utensile Strength," and requested by Jane Yolen, who published the first printing of the collection.
"Roses by Moonlight" is perhaps the most thought-provoking selection here; it's a modern-day distaff version of Jesus' parable of the prodigal son (inspired by listening to "one too many sermons" on the passage --she's a practicing Roman Catholic, although the content of her writing isn't explicitly Christian) and focusing on the equally lost older sibling. "The Lorelei" features the titular siren-like demon of German folklore. Several of the stories, such as "Stronger Than Time," re-imagine or reinvent traditional fairy tales. A couple of stories come from "shared world" anthologies: "The Sword-Seller" is set in Andre Norton's Witch World, while "Rikiki and the Wizard" takes place in the fictional city of Liavek (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liavek ). It's not necessary to have read anything else set in these locales to appreciate either story (I hadn't at the time I read this collection, and still haven't read any other Witch World fiction); but in the case of the humorous "Utensile Strength," spun off from Wrede's own Enchanted Forest Chronicles (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8... ), readers probably will appreciate and connect with the characters more for having read that four-book series. Besides the stories mentioned, "Cruel Sisters" was another one I considered a standout; but all of the tales here are quality work.
This was a book I read out loud to my wife, and she enjoyed it as much as I did! It's enhanced by a short author's note explaining the inspiration for each of the stories; and readers who like recipes with their books will also like the appended one for "Quick After Battle Triple Chocolate Cake," inspired by the culinary-related "Utensile Strength," and requested by Jane Yolen, who published the first printing of the collection.
June 27, 2022
All of these stories were fun but a few were great. The Earthwitch and The Sword-Seller being my favorites.
June 30, 2023
I'm sorry to be done with Enchanted Forest Chronicles even though the series was full of small disappointments. This world is so much fun and I really loved Wrede's takes on fairy-tales. That said, this collection actually mostly isn't set in Enchanted Forest and lot of the stories are in more serious tone which I wasn't fan of. I'm planning to try some other series from Wrede, but I have to say that this collection clearly showed me that while funny & playful Wrede works wonderfully for me, serious Wrede not so much. So... I need to be careful with my next pick... though to be honest my eyes already settled on Sorcery & Cecelia: or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot not that I'll be picking that up anytime soon. More series to finish first!
Actual rating of this collection is about 3,6⭐ rounded up
Rikki and the Wizard ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hilarious fairy-tale about the importance of consent.
The Princess, the Cat, and the Unicorn ⭐⭐⭐⭐
We are back in the Enchanted Forest! This one was SO funny, but then the ending was a bit abrupt for my taste... Also, talking cat! (Not so amazing as in Calling on Dragons though...)
Roses By Moonlight ⭐⭐⭐
This one has a modern feel which I didn't love and is overall a bit more serious. Idk, not for me.
The Sixty-two Curses of Caliph Arenschadd ⭐⭐⭐,5
Taking aside the slightly racist evil-caliph trope this one was kind of hilarious. AND I loved the subversive ending of this one.
Earthwitch ⭐⭐⭐,4
I loved the witchy atmosphere, but once more this is a serious story and... idk, Wrede's serious stories clearly aren't working for me.
We love fainting men in this house though...
The Sword Seller ⭐⭐⭐
Boring. Boring. Boring. There was some good tension in this one, but the ending didn't deliver for me.
The Lorelei ⭐⭐,5
Another modern one and boring. I feel like there was no soul in this story.
Stronger Than Time ⭐⭐⭐⭐,5
Sleeping Beauty retelling! It was so sad and lovely and horrorish. I really liked this one and I cried like a baby. Some elements of the story were very predictable and I would like just a bit more of a continuation in the ending, but... liked this one.
Cruel Sisters ⭐⭐⭐
Another gloomy one... and you guessed it, I thought it was kind of boring 🤷🏽♀️
Utensile Strength ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
And finally, the short-story I picked up this collection for! This was just hilarious... it wasn't a perfect short-story, but I'm letting everything slide, because... you know, it was fun with great ideas (bake off tournament!) and I'm sold...
Actual rating of this collection is about 3,6⭐ rounded up
Rikki and the Wizard ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hilarious fairy-tale about the importance of consent.
"For," he thought, "not only will I be as rich and famous as anyone could desire, I will also get my Ryvenna a husband worthy of her beauty."
The wizard made his preparations and cast his spells, He worked for a week to get everything right. But the gods were angry with him, because he had never asked his daughter whether she agreed to his plan.
The Princess, the Cat, and the Unicorn ⭐⭐⭐⭐
We are back in the Enchanted Forest! This one was SO funny, but then the ending was a bit abrupt for my taste... Also, talking cat! (Not so amazing as in Calling on Dragons though...)
The Queen was not at all fond of the councilors because they kept trying to persuade her to turn her stepdaughters into swans or throw them out of the castle while the King was away.
Roses By Moonlight ⭐⭐⭐
This one has a modern feel which I didn't love and is overall a bit more serious. Idk, not for me.
The Sixty-two Curses of Caliph Arenschadd ⭐⭐⭐,5
Taking aside the slightly racist evil-caliph trope this one was kind of hilarious. AND I loved the subversive ending of this one.
I tend to agree with Mother. Cutting someone's head off is permanent a curse, you can break. Of course, it usually takes something nasty and undignified to do it, but everything about curses is supposed to be unpleasant. Father doesn't see it that way. I think he'd prefer to be permanently dead than temporarily undignified.
Earthwitch ⭐⭐⭐,4
I loved the witchy atmosphere, but once more this is a serious story and... idk, Wrede's serious stories clearly aren't working for me.
We love fainting men in this house though...
The Sword Seller ⭐⭐⭐
Boring. Boring. Boring. There was some good tension in this one, but the ending didn't deliver for me.
The Lorelei ⭐⭐,5
Another modern one and boring. I feel like there was no soul in this story.
Stronger Than Time ⭐⭐⭐⭐,5
Sleeping Beauty retelling! It was so sad and lovely and horrorish. I really liked this one and I cried like a baby. Some elements of the story were very predictable and I would like just a bit more of a continuation in the ending, but... liked this one.
Looking back toward the light he had just quitted, he had seen white bones dangling inside the hedge, invisible from any other angle: human bones entwined with briars. There were more bones among the shadows, bones that shivered in the wind, and leaned toward him, frightening him until he ran away.
Cruel Sisters ⭐⭐⭐
Another gloomy one... and you guessed it, I thought it was kind of boring 🤷🏽♀️
Utensile Strength ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
And finally, the short-story I picked up this collection for! This was just hilarious... it wasn't a perfect short-story, but I'm letting everything slide, because... you know, it was fun with great ideas (bake off tournament!) and I'm sold...
"He's probably come to apply for a job in the kitchen," Cimorene said. "We still need a third assistant cook and two scullery maids, and I told the head cook I want to interview them myself. I refuse to let him hire a princess in disguise who's hoping to sneak into the newt ball wearing a dress as shining as the stars so that Daystar will fall in love with her. Princesses are very persuasive, but most of them aren't much use in the kitchen."
September 1, 2020
Rikki and the Wizard - 3.25 stars
The Princess, the Cat, and the Unicorn - 3.5 stars
Roses By Moonlight - 3.75 stars
The Sixty-two Curses of Caliph Arenschadd - 3.75 stars
Earthwitch - 4.25 stars
The Sword Seller - 3 stars
The Lorelei - 3 stars
Stronger Than Time - 3.75 stars
Cruel Sisters - 4.25 stars
Utensile Strength - 3.75 stars
Mathematical Average - 3.625 stars
The Princess, the Cat, and the Unicorn - 3.5 stars
Roses By Moonlight - 3.75 stars
The Sixty-two Curses of Caliph Arenschadd - 3.75 stars
Earthwitch - 4.25 stars
The Sword Seller - 3 stars
The Lorelei - 3 stars
Stronger Than Time - 3.75 stars
Cruel Sisters - 4.25 stars
Utensile Strength - 3.75 stars
Mathematical Average - 3.625 stars
March 5, 2011
As a general rule of thumb, I don't like wizards and I dislike books that are simply a collection of short stories. I do love Patricia C. Wrede though and especially The Enchanted Forest Chronicles so when I found this book at our library, I couldn't resist.
And I'm glad I didn't!
Wrede is a delightful writer with funny characters and delightful plots you can't help liking. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the collection of short stories and the variations I found in them.
Ten stories, each one with a slightly different theme/take, but all involving magic. Some of the endings are happy, others are depressing. I enjoyed that they all don't always end on a "happily-ever-after" note. Some are takes on familiar fairy tales like Sleeping Beauty, others are completely new, even with a modern setting. The very last story even has characters from The Enchanted Forest Chronicles! (<3 Cimorene and Mendanbar and Daystar!!!!)
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. It was a charming breeze through some good, humorous but reflective writing with great plots and several morals the chew over.
A perfect four stars.
And I'm glad I didn't!
Wrede is a delightful writer with funny characters and delightful plots you can't help liking. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the collection of short stories and the variations I found in them.
Ten stories, each one with a slightly different theme/take, but all involving magic. Some of the endings are happy, others are depressing. I enjoyed that they all don't always end on a "happily-ever-after" note. Some are takes on familiar fairy tales like Sleeping Beauty, others are completely new, even with a modern setting. The very last story even has characters from The Enchanted Forest Chronicles! (<3 Cimorene and Mendanbar and Daystar!!!!)
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. It was a charming breeze through some good, humorous but reflective writing with great plots and several morals the chew over.
A perfect four stars.
August 11, 2018
I really enjoyed these stories. Wrede has a wonderful sense of humor and subversion in her fantasy. Only a handful of these will make a lasting impression, but they were enjoyable in the moment. My favorite story was the first, about a greedy wizard who unfortunately gets everything he wished for from a blue chipmunk god.
December 10, 2020
Ahora que leí este libro puedo decir que realmente me encanta como escribe esta autora y la imaginación tan interesante que tiene.
Pensé que todas las historias iban a estar ambientadas en la Enchanted Forest pero no, el punto en común es que en todas hay magia en diferentes formas, pero sólo en dos se nota abiertamente que están situadas en el mundo de Cimorenne.
Otra cosa que me tomó por sorpresa es que varias están situadas en nuestro mundo y época, y tienen un tono muchísimo más adulto que las Crónicas. Incluso hay una que parece sacada de Las Mil y Una Noches (cosa que fue intencional y se nota), y felizmente también hay una historia corta y muy divertida con los protagonistas de siempre, con spoilers de la saga.
Muy buena antología.
-----------
Rikiki and the Wizard: 4/5
The Princess, the Cat, and the Unicorn: 4/5
Roses by Moonlight: 4/5
The Sixty-two Curses of Caliph Arenschadd: 4/5
Earthwitch: 4/5
The Sword-Seller: 4/5
The Lorelei: 3.5/5
Stronger Than Time: 4/5
Cruel Sisters: 5/5
Utensile Strength: 5/5
Quick After-Battle Triple Chocolate Cake: 5/5 (quiero hacerla, necesito un yelmo)
Pensé que todas las historias iban a estar ambientadas en la Enchanted Forest pero no, el punto en común es que en todas hay magia en diferentes formas, pero sólo en dos se nota abiertamente que están situadas en el mundo de Cimorenne.
Otra cosa que me tomó por sorpresa es que varias están situadas en nuestro mundo y época, y tienen un tono muchísimo más adulto que las Crónicas. Incluso hay una que parece sacada de Las Mil y Una Noches (cosa que fue intencional y se nota), y felizmente también hay una historia corta y muy divertida con los protagonistas de siempre, con spoilers de la saga.
Muy buena antología.
-----------
Rikiki and the Wizard: 4/5
The Princess, the Cat, and the Unicorn: 4/5
Roses by Moonlight: 4/5
The Sixty-two Curses of Caliph Arenschadd: 4/5
Earthwitch: 4/5
The Sword-Seller: 4/5
The Lorelei: 3.5/5
Stronger Than Time: 4/5
Cruel Sisters: 5/5
Utensile Strength: 5/5
Quick After-Battle Triple Chocolate Cake: 5/5 (quiero hacerla, necesito un yelmo)
August 24, 2024
Сборник продается как часть серии Enchanted Forest, но на деле это борщ из обрезков.
Одни сказки закончены, другие напоминают черновик с хорошей идеей, но без финала. Есть даже фанфик на Андрэ Нортон и рецепт торта.
Если вы хотите веселую байку для детей - тогда рекомендую Rikki and the Wizard и The Sixty-two Curses.
Если вы ��отите дарковый твист знакомой сказки - тогда Roses by Moonlight, Stronger Than Time и Cruel Sisters.
И, конечно, фанатам Enchanted Forest понравится Utensile Strength.
Остальные рассказы... ну такое.
Rikki and the Wizard 5☆
The Princess, Cat and Unicorn 2☆
Roses by Moonlight 5☆
The Sixty-two Curses 4☆
Earth Witch 2☆
The Sword Seller 2☆
The Lorelei 3☆
Stronger Than Time 4☆
Cruel Sisters 4☆
Utensile Strength 5☆
P. S. Рецепт не пробовала, но звучит вкусно.
Одни сказки закончены, другие напоминают черновик с хорошей идеей, но без финала. Есть даже фанфик на Андрэ Нортон и рецепт торта.
Если вы хотите веселую байку для детей - тогда рекомендую Rikki and the Wizard и The Sixty-two Curses.
Если вы ��отите дарковый твист знакомой сказки - тогда Roses by Moonlight, Stronger Than Time и Cruel Sisters.
И, конечно, фанатам Enchanted Forest понравится Utensile Strength.
Остальные рассказы... ну такое.
Rikki and the Wizard 5☆
The Princess, Cat and Unicorn 2☆
Roses by Moonlight 5☆
The Sixty-two Curses 4☆
Earth Witch 2☆
The Sword Seller 2☆
The Lorelei 3☆
Stronger Than Time 4☆
Cruel Sisters 4☆
Utensile Strength 5☆
P. S. Рецепт не пробовала, но звучит вкусно.
December 26, 2025
I liked it a lot! I’m a fan of the enchanted forest chronicles, so the last story was delightful, and I enjoyed some of the other equally well. I think there may be one or two bad words. I am not sure though. The owner before me strategically took whiteout to a couple of places. Overall, a good book.
December 13, 2013
I think, perhaps, that I am too old to read these stories. I can feel that they have a certain kind of magic about them that, due to cynicism or age, I cannot connect with. I do not say that these are bad stories, quite the opposite. These are the stories that you should read your daughters and be proud of the women they will grow up to be. These are fractured fairy tales at the very best. Stories with strong, cunning, self reliant women who triumph not because they are beautiful, but because they are wise.
There are, of course, three stories that touched me very deeply. "Roses by Moonlight," "Stronger than Time" and "Cruel Sisters" are stories that harken back to the old tales, where you were meant to learn something from the sorrow and suffering of others. There is no "Happily Ever After" for these characters, the best we can hope for them is a bittersweet resolution, but know in our heart of hearts that it is probably impossible. Instead of the usual fairy tale that follows the hero or the princess, these stories follow those were are left behind. They teach us that our actions, and sometimes our inaction, can irrevocably change our lives. Do we speak out against our siblings, when we know they wrong us? Do we rush headlong into our delights and find out at the last minute that we've missed our window of opportunity? These three stories are the gems of this book and I encourage anyone, young or old, to read them because they speak to our darkest fears, our fondest hopes, and to the child in us all.
If I had been 13 when I read this for the first time instead of 27, I think I would have been madly in love with the stories and the storyteller. Patricia Wrede has a remarkable way with words for children that really speaks to the angst that teens and tweens feel as they inhabit this world between child and adult. Shes takes the vanity, the insecurities, and eagerness of youth and tells you "its ok, this is normal, and it will make you strong." I would without hesitation recommend this collection of short stories to anyone who feels that perhaps they don't quite fit in because it will help you find your place in a world of stories. For someone who loves Gail Carson Levine, but is willing to dip into the darker side of the stories. I think this would be the perfect bridge between the Disney-fied fairy tale and the dark disturbing world of Grimms and Perrault and English bards.
There are, of course, three stories that touched me very deeply. "Roses by Moonlight," "Stronger than Time" and "Cruel Sisters" are stories that harken back to the old tales, where you were meant to learn something from the sorrow and suffering of others. There is no "Happily Ever After" for these characters, the best we can hope for them is a bittersweet resolution, but know in our heart of hearts that it is probably impossible. Instead of the usual fairy tale that follows the hero or the princess, these stories follow those were are left behind. They teach us that our actions, and sometimes our inaction, can irrevocably change our lives. Do we speak out against our siblings, when we know they wrong us? Do we rush headlong into our delights and find out at the last minute that we've missed our window of opportunity? These three stories are the gems of this book and I encourage anyone, young or old, to read them because they speak to our darkest fears, our fondest hopes, and to the child in us all.
If I had been 13 when I read this for the first time instead of 27, I think I would have been madly in love with the stories and the storyteller. Patricia Wrede has a remarkable way with words for children that really speaks to the angst that teens and tweens feel as they inhabit this world between child and adult. Shes takes the vanity, the insecurities, and eagerness of youth and tells you "its ok, this is normal, and it will make you strong." I would without hesitation recommend this collection of short stories to anyone who feels that perhaps they don't quite fit in because it will help you find your place in a world of stories. For someone who loves Gail Carson Levine, but is willing to dip into the darker side of the stories. I think this would be the perfect bridge between the Disney-fied fairy tale and the dark disturbing world of Grimms and Perrault and English bards.
December 18, 2009
This enjoyable fantasy collection is comprised of 10 stories that vary widely in tone and setting. Some are laced with humor, while others have melancholy overtones. The ten stories included are the following:
"Rikiki and the Wizard"
"The Princess, the Cat, and the Unicorn"
"Roses by Moonlight"
"The Sixty-Two Curses of Caliph Arenschadd"
"Earthwitch"
"The Sword-Seller"
"The Lorelei"
"Stronger Than Time"
"Cruel Sisters"
"Utensile Strength"
Two tongue-in-cheek tales are set in the "Enchanted Forest" of the author's existing dragon book series. One of these selections involves a thoroughly conceited unicorn; one was inspired by the biblical parable of the prodigal son. Even readers who aren't drawn to the literature of sword and sorcery may enjoy "Utensile Strength," a humorous tale in which a wizard tries to create the ultimate weapon and ends up with the Frying Pan of Doom. Those familiar with the genre will find it even funnier.
"The Lorelei" offers a modern version of the German legend. Another takeoff on an old story gives readers a look at what would have happened to Sleeping Beauty's castle if the prince had failed to arrive on time.
Each selection stands alone, but also seems as if it might belong to some longer tale as yet untold. A chapter of notes from the author (of where her ideas stem from) concludes the book. While a few of the stories may have messages that are a bit too subtle for the intended audience, the volume as a whole should have high appeal for fantasy lovers and might lure some newcomers to the genre.
Book Details:
Title Book of Enchantments
Author Patricia C. Wrede
Reviewed By Purplycookie
"Rikiki and the Wizard"
"The Princess, the Cat, and the Unicorn"
"Roses by Moonlight"
"The Sixty-Two Curses of Caliph Arenschadd"
"Earthwitch"
"The Sword-Seller"
"The Lorelei"
"Stronger Than Time"
"Cruel Sisters"
"Utensile Strength"
Two tongue-in-cheek tales are set in the "Enchanted Forest" of the author's existing dragon book series. One of these selections involves a thoroughly conceited unicorn; one was inspired by the biblical parable of the prodigal son. Even readers who aren't drawn to the literature of sword and sorcery may enjoy "Utensile Strength," a humorous tale in which a wizard tries to create the ultimate weapon and ends up with the Frying Pan of Doom. Those familiar with the genre will find it even funnier.
"The Lorelei" offers a modern version of the German legend. Another takeoff on an old story gives readers a look at what would have happened to Sleeping Beauty's castle if the prince had failed to arrive on time.
Each selection stands alone, but also seems as if it might belong to some longer tale as yet untold. A chapter of notes from the author (of where her ideas stem from) concludes the book. While a few of the stories may have messages that are a bit too subtle for the intended audience, the volume as a whole should have high appeal for fantasy lovers and might lure some newcomers to the genre.
Book Details:
Title Book of Enchantments
Author Patricia C. Wrede
Reviewed By Purplycookie
August 12, 2011
Short fairy-tale type stories, some of which take place in the Enchanted Forest. In some ways, a meatier version of The Tales of Beedle the Bard. Very clever.
1. Rikiki and the Wizard: ****
A vain but lucky wizard tries to auction his daughter off for fame and fortune, but things don't go as planned. Fun and clever. My favorite story of the bunch.
2. The Princess, the Cat, and the Unicorn: ****
A middle child princess from an off-beat kingdom decides to take a journey accompanied by the castle cat. Great deviation from regular fairy tales.
3. Roses by Moonlight: ***
A jealous sister is given the opportunity to change her life. Told in a modern setting. Makes you think, in the same way as Jodi Picoult
4. The Sixty-Two Curses of Caliph Arenschadd: ***
A powerful and arrogant caliph places curses on any who annoy him. Unusual take on the werewolf story.
5. Earthwitch: ****
An earthwitch is approached by an old flame turned acquaintance for help to end a brutal war. But help from the earth comes with a price. Interesting and unpredictable.
6. The Sword-Seller: ***
An unemployed mercenary is given a crusty sword by a sword-seller and is then hired to escort a lady to a new home. Unfortunately for him, more than one person has ulterior motives. Okay story, but feels somewhat rushed, even for a short story.
7. The Lorelei: ***
Bus of students gets stranded near a cliff where a siren-like creature is said to call sailors to their death. Interesting characters, but too brief for any real substance.
8. Stronger Than Time: ****
A keep in the woods is surrounded by thorns and death. A nearby elderly woodcutter comes home to find a stranger at his doorstep, asking for assistance getting in. My favorite after Rikiki and the Wizard. Interesting twist to a traditional tale.
9. Cruel Sisters: ***
Two sisters are amazingly fierce rivals, and nothing their sister does seems to help. A rather dark story, but intriguing.
10. Utensile Strength, also referred to the Frying Pan of Doom: ****
Brings back our favorite Enchanted Forrest characters, Cimmorene, Mendanbar, and Daystar. A frying pan was enchanted as a weapon by mistake, and the family agrees to help by finding the hero that can wield it. Refreshing and entertaining.
Quick After-Battle Chocolate Cake (recipe): **** sounds yummy!
Notes about where her story ideas originated from: *****
1. Rikiki and the Wizard: ****
A vain but lucky wizard tries to auction his daughter off for fame and fortune, but things don't go as planned. Fun and clever. My favorite story of the bunch.
2. The Princess, the Cat, and the Unicorn: ****
A middle child princess from an off-beat kingdom decides to take a journey accompanied by the castle cat. Great deviation from regular fairy tales.
3. Roses by Moonlight: ***
A jealous sister is given the opportunity to change her life. Told in a modern setting. Makes you think, in the same way as Jodi Picoult
4. The Sixty-Two Curses of Caliph Arenschadd: ***
A powerful and arrogant caliph places curses on any who annoy him. Unusual take on the werewolf story.
5. Earthwitch: ****
An earthwitch is approached by an old flame turned acquaintance for help to end a brutal war. But help from the earth comes with a price. Interesting and unpredictable.
6. The Sword-Seller: ***
An unemployed mercenary is given a crusty sword by a sword-seller and is then hired to escort a lady to a new home. Unfortunately for him, more than one person has ulterior motives. Okay story, but feels somewhat rushed, even for a short story.
7. The Lorelei: ***
Bus of students gets stranded near a cliff where a siren-like creature is said to call sailors to their death. Interesting characters, but too brief for any real substance.
8. Stronger Than Time: ****
A keep in the woods is surrounded by thorns and death. A nearby elderly woodcutter comes home to find a stranger at his doorstep, asking for assistance getting in. My favorite after Rikiki and the Wizard. Interesting twist to a traditional tale.
9. Cruel Sisters: ***
Two sisters are amazingly fierce rivals, and nothing their sister does seems to help. A rather dark story, but intriguing.
10. Utensile Strength, also referred to the Frying Pan of Doom: ****
Brings back our favorite Enchanted Forrest characters, Cimmorene, Mendanbar, and Daystar. A frying pan was enchanted as a weapon by mistake, and the family agrees to help by finding the hero that can wield it. Refreshing and entertaining.
Quick After-Battle Chocolate Cake (recipe): **** sounds yummy!
Notes about where her story ideas originated from: *****
February 23, 2025
I picked this up for the Enchanted Forest story, with a knowledge there were other stories included, but I thought they probably took place near the enchanted forest or something. It turned out to be a collection of random stories by Patricia Wrede, some of which I enjoyed more than others, but I did enjoy it. My favorite part may have been the recipe at the very end, (I would love to see some sketch comedians do a video tutorial of how to make After-Battle-Triple-Chocolate-Cake!)
August 18, 2019
I loved these stories. They were thought provoking and so magical. I would recommend to anyone :)
March 13, 2021
Bunch of funny short stories. Great entertainment.
May 12, 2025
I think this is the third time I've read this book and it almost certainly won't be the last.
The stories fall in into many different subgenres of fantasy - a few are downright creepy. None are connected to any other, but the last story, "Utensil Strength" gives us a brief, pleasant reunion with Queen Cimorene, King Mendenbar, and Prince Daystar of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles.
The stories fall in into many different subgenres of fantasy - a few are downright creepy. None are connected to any other, but the last story, "Utensil Strength" gives us a brief, pleasant reunion with Queen Cimorene, King Mendenbar, and Prince Daystar of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles.
March 16, 2022
Love this short story collection.
August 26, 2013
I do not usually read short stories. They turn me off, for some reason. I have no idea why, because when I do pick up an anthology or collection, I am usually happy with the results.
Such was the case with Patricia C. Wrede's Book of Enchantments. This book was on my Library's withdrawn and for sale pile and its title and author led me to bring it home for myself. I read and enjoyed Sorcery & Cecelia: or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot, co-written by Wrede and Caroline Stevermer.
In this collection for Jan Yolen books, there are ten stories (and a cake recipe!) blending folklore, fairytale, and fantasy to create a most appealing melange to charm and delight. Wrede turns the fantasy and fairytale tropes on their heads for many of the stories, including "The Princess, the Cat, and the Unicorn" and "Utensile Strength." She re-imagines fairy and folk tales in "The Lorelei" and "Stronger Than Time." One of my favorite folk songs is fleshed out and given life in "Cruel Sisters." And her "Roses by Moonlight," her take on the Prodigal Son story, is haunting and fascinating. Her stories can be light and amusing, such as "Rikiki and the Wizard" and "The Sixty-two Curses of Caliph Arenschadd," or somber and serious, like "Earthwitch" and "The Sword-Seller."
The poignancy of missing a deadline, considering the various paths of one's life, and the rivalry between sisters really grabbed me hard and made me not just like, but love several of the stories. After reading this book, I wondered why my Library withdrew it. I feel that, like me, others just don't give short stories a chance often. And for that, they truly miss out.
I especially enjoyed the "Notes from the Author" at the very end, in which Wrede does not sidestep the question of "Where do you get your ideas?" as many authors do. Instead, she talks about each story's origins, showing that a writer's work, though often fantastical, springs from the muse of real life.
Such was the case with Patricia C. Wrede's Book of Enchantments. This book was on my Library's withdrawn and for sale pile and its title and author led me to bring it home for myself. I read and enjoyed Sorcery & Cecelia: or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot, co-written by Wrede and Caroline Stevermer.
In this collection for Jan Yolen books, there are ten stories (and a cake recipe!) blending folklore, fairytale, and fantasy to create a most appealing melange to charm and delight. Wrede turns the fantasy and fairytale tropes on their heads for many of the stories, including "The Princess, the Cat, and the Unicorn" and "Utensile Strength." She re-imagines fairy and folk tales in "The Lorelei" and "Stronger Than Time." One of my favorite folk songs is fleshed out and given life in "Cruel Sisters." And her "Roses by Moonlight," her take on the Prodigal Son story, is haunting and fascinating. Her stories can be light and amusing, such as "Rikiki and the Wizard" and "The Sixty-two Curses of Caliph Arenschadd," or somber and serious, like "Earthwitch" and "The Sword-Seller."
The poignancy of missing a deadline, considering the various paths of one's life, and the rivalry between sisters really grabbed me hard and made me not just like, but love several of the stories. After reading this book, I wondered why my Library withdrew it. I feel that, like me, others just don't give short stories a chance often. And for that, they truly miss out.
I especially enjoyed the "Notes from the Author" at the very end, in which Wrede does not sidestep the question of "Where do you get your ideas?" as many authors do. Instead, she talks about each story's origins, showing that a writer's work, though often fantastical, springs from the muse of real life.
April 28, 2025
I have loved Wrede’s writing since I was a kid. It was so fun to be back in her world/worlds.
Read
April 13, 2009Love this one.
This is a collection of fantasy short stories by Patricia Wrede, author of the Enchanted Forest series (Calling on Dragons, etc.). While there is an Enchanted Forest series story in this one (Frying Pan of Doom), the real gems are the stand-alones. A story about a group of high schoolers encountering the Lorelei (my favorite!!), a story about a magical rose garden you can only experience once, a story about a selfish Caliph. These really are enchanting stories--but also vividly real takes of the decisions we make and the consequences we live must live with.
This is a collection of fantasy short stories by Patricia Wrede, author of the Enchanted Forest series (Calling on Dragons, etc.). While there is an Enchanted Forest series story in this one (Frying Pan of Doom), the real gems are the stand-alones. A story about a group of high schoolers encountering the Lorelei (my favorite!!), a story about a magical rose garden you can only experience once, a story about a selfish Caliph. These really are enchanting stories--but also vividly real takes of the decisions we make and the consequences we live must live with.
November 14, 2014
A collection of short stories. All fantasy.
Other than that -- some contemporary, some in other worlds -- some in shared worlds, or the Enchanted Forest. Some lightsome and merry, others rather dark. Retold tales, with a twist, and originals. Most of them strong stories.
Involving chestnuts, a scullery maid, a statue of the Lorelei, a spiteful little sister who tells lies, a wood cutter, a reunion, a girl talking back to the caliph, in various ones.
There's also a recipe at the back of the book
Other than that -- some contemporary, some in other worlds -- some in shared worlds, or the Enchanted Forest. Some lightsome and merry, others rather dark. Retold tales, with a twist, and originals. Most of them strong stories.
Involving chestnuts, a scullery maid, a statue of the Lorelei, a spiteful little sister who tells lies, a wood cutter, a reunion, a girl talking back to the caliph, in various ones.
There's also a recipe at the back of the book
March 15, 2016
I read this book when I was younger, it's a Young Adult book by an author whose other books I had also read. This book has some short stories set in her normal universe and some that are quite separate. I remember really enjoying this collection and it's variety when I was a young reader, and would recommend it to other young fans of SciFi/Fantasy.
August 1, 2012
This collection of short quirky stories was a fun, quick read. This would be a good book to read at Halloween with some of the haunting fable-type stories in the collection.
July 2, 2009
Disappointing short fantasy stories. I love PCW, but this is far from her usual standard.
April 13, 2011
Has the best recipe for chocolate cake ever.
Frying Pan of Doom. Enough said.
Frying Pan of Doom. Enough said.
January 1, 2025
Honestly I just bumped this from 4 to 5 stars because the recipe for the Quick After Battle Triple Chocolate Cake was deeeeeeelish
October 15, 2024
The majority of the stories were great in the which isn't usual for me in short story collections.
May 4, 2020
A famous, all-powerful wizard desires to be remembered long after his death, and tries to make a deal with the Gods that ends up being a test of tenacity between Rikiki and the Wizard. Rikiki, a blue chipmunk God, wasn’t interested in the wizard’s deal and just wanted to see what the hullabaloo was about, and the wizard spends the rest of the story trying to get rid of him. In the end, predictably, the wizard’s initial wish turns into a case of ‘be careful what you wish for’, and his much cleverer daughter shows that a good nature and some common sense can trump all-powerful magic. One of the best stories of the batch and good for a laugh, you’ll adore the characters and the solution in this folk-style tale.
Wrede tells a story with The Princess, the Cat, and the Unicorn that echoes some of my favorite things about her Enchanted Forest books. The eponymous princess is the plain middle daughter of a royal family living relatively normal lives in an otherwise fairy-tale universe. Their stepmother is a loving, motherly woman, the three princesses all get along, no fairy tale plants are able to take root in the royal gardens, and the castle is far enough away from fairy territory that there are no curses placed at any of the girls’ christenings. After years of being hassled by her father’s councillors try and poison one of her sisters (just to keep up appearances), the middle daughter sets out on a quest just to shut them up for a while. Another great story, and the protagonist has enough genre savvy to work with the fairy tale forces around her instead of letting herself get caught up in their usual traps. The characters were all adorable, and while the romance at the end wasn’t one I felt had any chemistry involved, the plot was a solid traditional fairy tale and a fine read.
We get thrown into urban fantasy with Roses by Moonlight a story of an eldest daughter granted a chance by her fairy godmother to choose her future. I’m not really a fan of urban fantasy, but I liked how the ending is a little ominous. There’s a chance that the daughter goes on to make the changes she needs to live a happy life, but she puts off making those changes ‘until tomorrow’, leaving the impression that she’ll end up with one of the negative futures after all.
The Sixty-two Curses of Caliph Arenschadd is the story of a royal vizier whose ruler also happens to be a famously short-tempered wizard. He keeps a list of sixty-two curses he can throw at people when they annoy him, and the curses afflict the person and their immediate family until they come up with the counter-curse on their own. As the vizier, Imani’s father is in his presence the most and has picked up the most curses, but they’re annoying and otherwise harmless. This changes dramatically with the poorly considered curse forty-eight, a curse both horrifically dangerous and impossible to break. It’s a good idea of what would happen if your ruler was short-tempered, magical, and impulsive. Curse forty-eight has the potential to be a gory mess, and it’s the children who figure out the workaround. A good story with a light, humorous touch.
The Earthwitch serves as the conduit for the earth's magic for seven years, after which they must step aside for their successor. But near the end of the current Earthwitch's term, a face from her past comes seeking her help at the price of his own life. The second of the serious fairy tales, the story wasn’t bad but I had a hard time believing there was any emotional connection between the Earthwitch and the man visiting her. She and the petitioner are supposed to be a former couple that broke up, and while the man does a great job at showing this history and what he’s learned from their breakup, it’s a little harder for the Earthwitch to drop her otherworldly act and relate to him.
The Sword-Seller is a cheat, but not in the way his latest customer is expecting. The sword cleans up well and he quickly gets a chance to put it to use when a maiden comes to him for protection on passage to an abbey. Her guardian had been acting very strangely during his wife's pregnancy, and the maiden and the sell sword suspect there might be a dangerous motive for his odd behavior. The story was written to mimic the sound of Andre Norton's Witch World series for his compilation, Tales of the Witch World 3 . I had no clue what was going on by the end of it. The plan was convoluted and this was the only story I didn’t particularly care for no matter how well-written it was.
It’s back to urban fantasy with The Lorelei. A busload of kids breaks down at the Lorelei cliff in Germany and the group settles in to continue their tour in the morning. But one student realizes a classmate has gone missing, and in looking for him stumbles into the trap of the cliff’s namesake. It’s a nice story that doesn’t let us get away with the ‘sirens only work on men’ loophole, as the protagonist is a young girl. She and the victim have to work together to escape, and it left her with a couple of new friends.
Love is Stronger Than Time in this story about the impetuousness of youth causing death and disaster for decades. Sleeping beauty's prince jumped the gun and was killed by the thorns, leaving her trapped much longer than the counter curse was expected to last. The castle is crumbling to ruin, the servants and courtiers have died in their sleep, and the bones of princes past decorate the thorns at the base of the enchantment. But one young man thinks he may have puzzled out the trick to defeating a curse outside its prescribed window, and attempts to do so with the help of an old woodcutter. Heartbreakingly well-written, you have an idea of what the twist is going to be long before it arrives, but it still strikes you as sweet and pitiful. One of the best in the collection.
Cruel Sisters happen in any family, but this pair take their maliciousness to a devastating level with the help of a morally questionable harper. The tale of the harper who makes his instrument from the bones of a drowned maiden and who then uses the magic harp to sing out the name of the murderer is a fairy tale plot that comes around often enough to be familiar to me. I never especially liked it; the idea of a harp made of bones was shudder-worthy to think about and the magic singing was a deus ex machina, but Cruel Sisters takes both these things and addresses them by drawing more attention to them. What made me shudder now becomes disgusting as the protagonist thinks of her poor sister's corpse being picked apart by this musical carrion bird, boiling and sanding down her bones and plucking her beautiful hair to string the harp that sings with her stolen voice. And the song that declares the name of her murderer is preceded by years of sisterly vindictiveness and selfishness, and you're left with the unsetting thought that the dead sister may have died by accident and decided to get one last jab at her sibling. The harper is an indifferent villain; he sees nothing wrong with taking a harp made with the desecrated parts of a drowned woman to play at the court of a king whose youngest daughter had recently drowned and whose body was never recovered, and is confident that he's done the right thing in 'turning [this family's] clean grief to bitter poison'. And can I just point out how lovely the writing is in this one? It's a beautifully unsettling story with a bitter ending.
Utensile Strength is the second short story to take place in the Enchanted Forest (The Princess, the Cat, and the Unicorn is the other) but unfortunately has the less interesting plot. Queen Cimorene comes into possession of a Frying Pan of Doom (a frying pan got in the way of a legendary weapon spell, happens all the time), and since it's exactly the kind of thing that would be just asking for trouble to keep around she decides to hold a tournament and cooking contest to see who's destined to wield it. The Enchanted Forest Chronicles characters aren't the protagonists of this story despite starting out that way. Cimorene and her family are shoved aside when the story of a runaway princess who's snuck onto the kitchen staff hijacks the spotlight. The king and prince (Daystar... I just realized the 'day star' is the sun. Cimorene named her son, 'Sun'. Oh my God, every scene he's in is suddenly so much funnier) barely get more than a passing mention and Cimoren is only present to throw out one-liners.
Quick After-Battle Triple Chocolate Cake is the chocolate cake recipe that won the cooking contest in the previous story. I haven't tried it, but it's a cute, quick read since it's written as though by a barbarian (First, round up the prisoners and have them make a good fire. [p.224]) translated for the modern kitchen.
EDITING:
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The first two stories were comedic, then the rest of the book settled us in for more serious adventures (I wouldn’t even call The Sixty-two Curses funny since the danger of the situation was what made the biggest impression on me). Toward the end, Stronger Than Time was melancholic and Cruel Sisters was downright unsettling, but then we get sucker punched by mood whiplash with the goofy Utensile Strength. Bookending the book with genres so different from the bulk may not have been the best decision and is going to cost it a star.
ENJOYABILITY
I enjoyed most of the book, but I find myself wishing it was either all serious adventures or all lighthearted Enchanted Forest -style short stories. There weren’t enough funny ones to balance the collection, so they stuck out instead. Even that wouldn’t have affected the score more than a half star if it hadn’t been for that painful case of mood whiplash.
THEME:
That recipe at the end was a little bizarre, but the afterword explains it as specifically requested by her editor and the overall theme was anything written by this author, so I suppose I'll let it pass.
OTHER ASPECTS:
Peter de Sève did the cover art for Wrede again, and it's another great creation. Rikiki is such a cutie-pie.
THE VERDICT?
A lovely little book of short stories that I’m happy to recommend. I only wish something had been done to better balance the mood.
Wrede tells a story with The Princess, the Cat, and the Unicorn that echoes some of my favorite things about her Enchanted Forest books. The eponymous princess is the plain middle daughter of a royal family living relatively normal lives in an otherwise fairy-tale universe. Their stepmother is a loving, motherly woman, the three princesses all get along, no fairy tale plants are able to take root in the royal gardens, and the castle is far enough away from fairy territory that there are no curses placed at any of the girls’ christenings. After years of being hassled by her father’s councillors try and poison one of her sisters (just to keep up appearances), the middle daughter sets out on a quest just to shut them up for a while. Another great story, and the protagonist has enough genre savvy to work with the fairy tale forces around her instead of letting herself get caught up in their usual traps. The characters were all adorable, and while the romance at the end wasn’t one I felt had any chemistry involved, the plot was a solid traditional fairy tale and a fine read.
We get thrown into urban fantasy with Roses by Moonlight a story of an eldest daughter granted a chance by her fairy godmother to choose her future. I’m not really a fan of urban fantasy, but I liked how the ending is a little ominous. There’s a chance that the daughter goes on to make the changes she needs to live a happy life, but she puts off making those changes ‘until tomorrow’, leaving the impression that she’ll end up with one of the negative futures after all.
The Sixty-two Curses of Caliph Arenschadd is the story of a royal vizier whose ruler also happens to be a famously short-tempered wizard. He keeps a list of sixty-two curses he can throw at people when they annoy him, and the curses afflict the person and their immediate family until they come up with the counter-curse on their own. As the vizier, Imani’s father is in his presence the most and has picked up the most curses, but they’re annoying and otherwise harmless. This changes dramatically with the poorly considered curse forty-eight, a curse both horrifically dangerous and impossible to break. It’s a good idea of what would happen if your ruler was short-tempered, magical, and impulsive. Curse forty-eight has the potential to be a gory mess, and it’s the children who figure out the workaround. A good story with a light, humorous touch.
The Earthwitch serves as the conduit for the earth's magic for seven years, after which they must step aside for their successor. But near the end of the current Earthwitch's term, a face from her past comes seeking her help at the price of his own life. The second of the serious fairy tales, the story wasn’t bad but I had a hard time believing there was any emotional connection between the Earthwitch and the man visiting her. She and the petitioner are supposed to be a former couple that broke up, and while the man does a great job at showing this history and what he’s learned from their breakup, it’s a little harder for the Earthwitch to drop her otherworldly act and relate to him.
The Sword-Seller is a cheat, but not in the way his latest customer is expecting. The sword cleans up well and he quickly gets a chance to put it to use when a maiden comes to him for protection on passage to an abbey. Her guardian had been acting very strangely during his wife's pregnancy, and the maiden and the sell sword suspect there might be a dangerous motive for his odd behavior. The story was written to mimic the sound of Andre Norton's Witch World series for his compilation, Tales of the Witch World 3 . I had no clue what was going on by the end of it. The plan was convoluted and this was the only story I didn’t particularly care for no matter how well-written it was.
It’s back to urban fantasy with The Lorelei. A busload of kids breaks down at the Lorelei cliff in Germany and the group settles in to continue their tour in the morning. But one student realizes a classmate has gone missing, and in looking for him stumbles into the trap of the cliff’s namesake. It’s a nice story that doesn’t let us get away with the ‘sirens only work on men’ loophole, as the protagonist is a young girl. She and the victim have to work together to escape, and it left her with a couple of new friends.
Love is Stronger Than Time in this story about the impetuousness of youth causing death and disaster for decades. Sleeping beauty's prince jumped the gun and was killed by the thorns, leaving her trapped much longer than the counter curse was expected to last. The castle is crumbling to ruin, the servants and courtiers have died in their sleep, and the bones of princes past decorate the thorns at the base of the enchantment. But one young man thinks he may have puzzled out the trick to defeating a curse outside its prescribed window, and attempts to do so with the help of an old woodcutter. Heartbreakingly well-written, you have an idea of what the twist is going to be long before it arrives, but it still strikes you as sweet and pitiful. One of the best in the collection.
Cruel Sisters happen in any family, but this pair take their maliciousness to a devastating level with the help of a morally questionable harper. The tale of the harper who makes his instrument from the bones of a drowned maiden and who then uses the magic harp to sing out the name of the murderer is a fairy tale plot that comes around often enough to be familiar to me. I never especially liked it; the idea of a harp made of bones was shudder-worthy to think about and the magic singing was a deus ex machina, but Cruel Sisters takes both these things and addresses them by drawing more attention to them. What made me shudder now becomes disgusting as the protagonist thinks of her poor sister's corpse being picked apart by this musical carrion bird, boiling and sanding down her bones and plucking her beautiful hair to string the harp that sings with her stolen voice. And the song that declares the name of her murderer is preceded by years of sisterly vindictiveness and selfishness, and you're left with the unsetting thought that the dead sister may have died by accident and decided to get one last jab at her sibling. The harper is an indifferent villain; he sees nothing wrong with taking a harp made with the desecrated parts of a drowned woman to play at the court of a king whose youngest daughter had recently drowned and whose body was never recovered, and is confident that he's done the right thing in 'turning [this family's] clean grief to bitter poison'. And can I just point out how lovely the writing is in this one? It's a beautifully unsettling story with a bitter ending.
Utensile Strength is the second short story to take place in the Enchanted Forest (The Princess, the Cat, and the Unicorn is the other) but unfortunately has the less interesting plot. Queen Cimorene comes into possession of a Frying Pan of Doom (a frying pan got in the way of a legendary weapon spell, happens all the time), and since it's exactly the kind of thing that would be just asking for trouble to keep around she decides to hold a tournament and cooking contest to see who's destined to wield it. The Enchanted Forest Chronicles characters aren't the protagonists of this story despite starting out that way. Cimorene and her family are shoved aside when the story of a runaway princess who's snuck onto the kitchen staff hijacks the spotlight. The king and prince (Daystar... I just realized the 'day star' is the sun. Cimorene named her son, 'Sun'. Oh my God, every scene he's in is suddenly so much funnier) barely get more than a passing mention and Cimoren is only present to throw out one-liners.
Quick After-Battle Triple Chocolate Cake is the chocolate cake recipe that won the cooking contest in the previous story. I haven't tried it, but it's a cute, quick read since it's written as though by a barbarian (First, round up the prisoners and have them make a good fire. [p.224]) translated for the modern kitchen.
EDITING:
The first two stories were comedic, then the rest of the book settled us in for more serious adventures (I wouldn’t even call The Sixty-two Curses funny since the danger of the situation was what made the biggest impression on me). Toward the end, Stronger Than Time was melancholic and Cruel Sisters was downright unsettling, but then we get sucker punched by mood whiplash with the goofy Utensile Strength. Bookending the book with genres so different from the bulk may not have been the best decision and is going to cost it a star.
ENJOYABILITY
I enjoyed most of the book, but I find myself wishing it was either all serious adventures or all lighthearted Enchanted Forest -style short stories. There weren’t enough funny ones to balance the collection, so they stuck out instead. Even that wouldn’t have affected the score more than a half star if it hadn’t been for that painful case of mood whiplash.
THEME:
That recipe at the end was a little bizarre, but the afterword explains it as specifically requested by her editor and the overall theme was anything written by this author, so I suppose I'll let it pass.
OTHER ASPECTS:
Peter de Sève did the cover art for Wrede again, and it's another great creation. Rikiki is such a cutie-pie.
THE VERDICT?
A lovely little book of short stories that I’m happy to recommend. I only wish something had been done to better balance the mood.
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