Haunted Waters

by Mary Pope Osborne, Angela Barrett (Illustrator)

In this compelling tale of romance and terror, a little-known legend has been woven into a novel that will grip readers from beginning to end.

Who is Undine, the mysterious, wild maiden who swims at midnight to hear the fish sing? When Lord Huldbrand first meets her on a lost and haunted promontory, she seems utterly beautiful and pure. But gradually he begins to wonder just how much he really knows about his bride. He fears her murky past and her mystical powers. And worst of all, he fears that the faceless demon that stalks them through the woods and castle, cackling with laughter and howling with rage, could be coming to claim her. A love story with a horrifying mystery at its core,  Haunted Waters  tests its young hero’s commitment to a heroine who sparkles and changes like water.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Retellings, Mystery, Romance, Fairy Tales

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Mary Pope Osborne is an American author of children's books and audiobook narrator. She is best known as the author of the Magic Tree House series, which as of 2017 sold more than 134 million copies worldwide. Both the series and Osborne have won awards, including for Osborne's charitable efforts at promoting children's literacy. One of four children, Osborne moved around in her childhood before attending the University of North Carolina. Following college, Osborne traveled before moving to New York City. She somewhat spontaneously began to write, and her first book was published in 1982. She went on to write a variety of other children's and young adult books before starting the Magic Tree House series in 1992. Osborne's sister Natalie Pope Boyce has written several compendium books to the Magic Tree House series, sometimes with Osborne's husband Will Osborne.

Reviews

[Book2Dragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore this writer, and this was a lovely book but the ending, well, I won't give it away. This is a retelling of a myth, but in another era. I'm not familiar with the myth.
This is a love story.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well it was a mercifully quick read. This had the potential to be so much better. My biggest complaint is the protagonist. She couldn't have made him much less appealing. He had little strength of character. The only thing that made him remotely attractive is the whole land holding thing.

[Kathryn McCarrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this small unassuming book today as a gap filler and I was wrong to! Such a brilliant book, horrific and desperately sad. I usually avoid books which surround water and mysticism but this has truly changed my opinion. Faultless, would recommend and read again!

[Eden Silverfox · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book starts off with the main character, Lord Huldebrand, riding through the woods on his horse. Huldedbrand was on his way to meet with the duke and saw the opening to the woods. He couldn't help, but want to explore it. Huldebrand became lost in the woods and while trying to find his way out he runs into something. To him, it looks like a demon. It's standing right ahead of him, in the woods.

He was so frightened that he yelled and his horse began to run. He tried to stop the horse, but eventually he fell off. After falling off and laying there for awhile he see's a fisherman. The fisherman asks Lord Huldebrand to come and stay at his house. Huldebrand accepts the man's offer and comes home with him. Huldebrand see's the fisherman has a wife and a daughter.

Undine was the daughter's name. Huldebrand was overwhelmed by the sight of her. The next few days that he stayed at their house; he watched. She was kind of strange with the things she did. Undine's favorite thing was to swim. But, as strange as she was, Huldebrand couldn't help liking her.

The more the days go on he realizes just how much he likes her and feels sad by the thought of leaving and going back to his world. How could he ever go back to his life after knowng Undine? He didn't want to leave without her. Without seeing her, hearing her voice. Undine knows how Huldebrand feels and agrees to marrying him.

Their life together starts off very good, but Huldebrand realizes strange things happening. Like something or someone is following them.

This book is inspired by the german fairy tale called Undine. I borrowed this book from the library because I thought that it sounded interesting, but it was even better than I thought it would be. I got sucked into the book and read it all in one day.

This is an amazing story of love, and terror. It will suck you in and keep you reading because you want to find out what is going to happen next. It sucked me in, and now this book is one of my favorites.

[Hannah Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and sad and definitely haunting!

[Juds Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Osborne's Magic Tree House series as a child, and something about the timeless story of paranoia of this book was satisfying to me. The pacing felt rushed and it was quite a short book but I also think I'm rushing through the books I read. Regardless, I enjoyed how well Huldbrandts paranoia was written and the three main characters, Undine and Bertalda included. Bertalda’s character I loved. She was effortlessly sisterly and confident and reasonable until she wasn't. I think the shift from her steadiness to her lack thereof was extremely effective.

[Nora R.M · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only made it halfway through this one before deciding it wasn't something I wanted to spend more time on. I had expected something a little more ghosty but this was more focused on a man falling deeply in love with a mysterious women he barely knows. Their relationship just didn't work for me, and the man was kinda creepy with how much he worships Undine for really no reason at all. The writing was clunky and passive, and it wasn't memorable enough to keep my attention. This story isn't bad, it just didn't suit me like I hoped it would.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Confusing. Not my favorite of hers.

[Mir S · Rating 4 out of 5]

*slight spoilers*
I was wary when I started this book, as I am very familiar with how mythology tends to treat women. However, I can say that I did appreciate the characterization of Undine; she was well-rounded, and an actual person, who subverted sexist tropes in a subtle way.
Huldbrand was as disappointing as you'd expect a rich man to be; however, his characterization was realistic, and his actions received consequences, so while I may not like him as a person, as a character, he was interesting.
The vibes of this book are immaculate, and I'd highly recommend reading this on a rainy/foggy day, ideally near a body of water.

[Aby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I mean it was ok. Kinda boring and slow. But interesting topic. Was she a princess of the deep sea? I have so many questions in the end that weren’t stated, but it’s probably implied.

[September · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful little story. Reminds me of the vague stories that Anne reads in Anne of Green Gables. I loved this. Magical and creepy.

[Courtney Aguilar · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate this book

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a confirmed book addict I always make sure to check the "Friends of the Library" sale section of any library I visit. Often you can get great deals on new and classic books. A few days ago I picked up Haunted Waters by Mary Pope Osborne at a local library in this fashion.

I was intrigued because it was a reworking of a myth, something I am fascinated by, and it was a short well packaged story - something I else enjoy.

After reading it last night I can say it was well worth the dollar I paid for it! It is a reworking of the myth of Undine (a water spirit) and in particular the version as told by Baron de la Motte-Fouqu in 1814.

Lord Huldebrand of Ringstetten is lost in an ancient forest when he is driven by a violent storm and otherworldly spirits toward the sea. There he finds a poor elderly fisherman and his wife. They invite him in to escape the storm and share their humble hut and meager food. He also meets their beautiful and ethereal daughter Undine.

The storm cuts off the coastal penisula from the mainland forcing Huldebrand to stay with the family. He slowly becomes enchanted with Undine and can't be without her. But a demon seems to haunt her, or at least the family, and he is unsure of who or what this enchanting creature is or represents.

In Osborne's telling Undine rather unsubtly proposes marriage and Lord Huldebrand, in his infatuations and obsession, agrees. A priest is conveniently washed up on shore and is there to conduct the ceremony. Soon the couple head back to civilization to start their lives.

As you might imagine, not everything goes as planned and this story doesn't exactly end with "happily ever after." Huldebrand swore love and faithfulness to Undine forever even as she hinted that tragedy might await.

Back in his own world Huldebrand can't shake the haunted nature of his love nor the sense that he has made a tragic mistake. And despite his love and true devotion, he only finds out the true nature of his bride, and the consequences of his choices, when it is too late.

This is easily a story you can read in one sitting. The simple tale has all the elements of mythical romance and tragedy; and it pulls the reader forward in the way these classic stories do.

Publisher's Weekly summed it up well:

"The gifted author unfolds her tale so that its developments seem both inevitable and wholly surprising. She chooses details elegantly and economically, using just a few descriptive phrases to evoke a sumptuously imagined chivalric age. Lustrous as a pearl."

If like me you love a good story infused with mythology, and all the romance and mystery that entails, be sure to check out this great edition. A classic for teens and adults alike.

[Gale · Rating 5 out of 5]

MYTH AND MYSTERY FLOW LIKE LIQUID MIST


This expanded version of Fouque's fairy tale noir is excellent; the plot flows right along, emptying into a sea of despair. Twenty-four short chapters provide readers thiity for more details the opportunity to drink deeply of the intimate dialogue between the ill-starred couple: Undine, supposing herself the daughter of humble fisher olk, and young Lord Hudlbrand of Ringstetten, lost in the dark forest. While Fouque's heroine (see reviews for UNDINE) is fair and blonde, Osborne's maiden has dark tresses and even darker origins. The author encloses her tale within a brief prologue and epilogue of her own creation, to further explain the fate of this mysterious girl.

Both versions have the old fisherman, the flooded peninsula, demonic trailing, the sudden arrival of a shipwrecked priest and the romantic complications caused by Lady Bertalda. This noble lady is less threatening to Undine than Fouque's; though less guilty and conniving, she still represents the Eternal Triangle . Narrated in the first person, HAUNTED WATERS reveals more of the psychological struggle of a nobleman deeply in love with his bride. Yet he is increasingly distressed about her fascination with the sea, her unusual powers over water and her para-human origins.

Once he doubts her love and suspects her link to the aquatic underworld, Huldbrand's life cascades into terror and disaster. Despite Undine's warnings not to antagonize the water spirits by causing her pain in their presence, he can not prevent the distance between their once-adoring hearts. Their happiness and their very lives are doomed, yet Osborne implies some hope for an unusual afterlife. This is a wonderful read for fans of Fantasy and Fairy Tales of all ages; I loved it!

(July 17, 2012. I welcome dialgoue with teachers.)

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all I was interested in the author herself and wondering whether she could pull off writing a book of this genre after having immersed herself in such well known children's work. Mary Pope Osborne has done a wonderful job in proving that some authors are able to reach outside their comfort zone and hit the nail on the head.

First of all I don't really know what to say that has caught my attention on this book and kept it. The writing seems weak at times and very repetitive while Lord Huldbrand could absolutely drive you batty with his spinelessness. Undine, herself, is too sweet but off to also catch you while there is no great romance that pulls you in.

Instead the author does a great job of using words that weave around you in a sense that does remind you of fairytales. They are strong descriptors, seeming to flow like the water that fills the book. At the same time there is an eerie emotional undertone that oozes out to give voice so the book reads to you while you are reading it. This is truly an improvement against the sometimes bland voice of the Magic Tree House series.

And finally even though the story doesn't follow the true story of the Undine it is a beautiful and provocative story. What probably stood out to me the most is perhaps since I don't know how to think or feel after reading it.... There is an end to the book but it doesn't feel like the end and as one fellow reviewer mentions you are standing on a proverbial cliff while staring down into an abyss that has no mention, no definition or context but yet adds a yearning ache to you.....

[Huiling_mei · Rating 2 out of 5]

Haunted waters by Mary Pope Osborne, is about a man who meets a woman from another world. Undine is the one who belongs to the sea king, but she does not know that until she moves and marries to Huldbrand. Because their love was not strong enough Undine was not able to stay with him and he lost her forever to the sea. Urdine was full of mysteries from a world where humans do not exist. When Huldbrand moved on in life and was about to remarry, Undine came back to take his life away.
When humans die do they go to heaven or hell? Is there even heaven or hell? I wonder what happened after a person dies. Will they be reincarnated of just move on? Being reincarnated seems so cool it's like another chance to live and experience life even if you don't notice it. Sometimes I really wonder if spirits are real or not, if there are good ones than there must also be bad ones. Also between Undine and Huldbrand’s love it was so strong at first but it didn’t last. Will love last forever between two people? I think at first it kind of bad to fall in love so deeply at first because if it doesn’t work out there will only be pain. And for their love to not have lasted they were never meant to be. Many humans and things from other worlds are also never meant to be.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well....It's a fast read. I expected good writing from Osborne. She certainly had me at the "couldn't put it down" phase. I was expecting more "Little Mermaid." I was not familiar with the German fairy tale "Undine." Well, now I am and I'm glad Osborne strayed from the original or else I would have been furious at the waste of my time and of her talent. It's a book that leaves me thinking, that is certain. But those thoughts I do not think will eventually lead to making me a different person because I read the book. They'll just be thoughts of "was the villain actually a villain?" or "what traits were good and what weren't in various characters?" and much more. I'm just not sure how to explain the standing at the edge of a cliff pondering the abyss below after reading this book.

One thing I know for sure--this should not be in the Children's section! YA most definitely. A couple of parts, though not absolutely obvious and not detailed in any way still had me blushing. Plus, the intense presence of evil and darkness in the book might be a bit much. Especially when the book seems to be driving at a point, but never actually makes one. Still, a good choice during the Halloween season.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haunted Waters by Mary Pope Osborne, author of the Magic Tree House series, is told through the perspective of Lord Huldbrand after he was stranded on an unknown area of land where a fisherman, his wife and daughter Undine lives. Lord Huldbrand stays with the fisherman and his family for a couple of days. During his stay, Lord Huldbrand is captivated with Undine’s beauty and associations with the water. Before he leaves, Lord Huldbrand marries with Undine and brings her back to his castle where a mysterious figure appears to follow Undine. The figure continues to haunt Undine until Lord Huldbrand cannot stand it any more… and then events start unrolling downhill.

Although this book was rather short, the book was great. Osborne kept me reading until the very end through the suspense that she creates especially the description of the vanishing figure. The ending was unexpected because typically stories like these would be happy instead, it was opposite: joyful with a little bitterness. The voice of Lord Huldbrand was clearly heard and purpose of his actions is very clear and reasonable because it would be the normal response of a human. However, the language was simple and this book would be best suited for an easy read or reading for leisure.

[toonepersonyoumaybetheworld · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like this book it was very interesting and i have read books like this before with a lot of paranormal things but this has been one of my favorites.

This book is about a girl named Eundine and a king named Lord Hulbrand. They live in a cottage by the sea and they notice a monster trying to take Eundine. They finally went to his palace and got married. Before the wedding Eundine was feeling sick because she remembered the monsters face and thought she did not want to make the wrong choice and have to marry him and be haunted for the rest of her life. Lord Huldbrand went by his beautiful fountain and saw Eundine standing named. He asked what was wrong with her but she did not reply. Finally she fell in the fountain and died. Lord Huldbrand went to try and save her but he couldn't she was dead within two seconds. Lord Huldrbrand died too. Finally two big ducks came and took them away and dropped them in the sea by her cottage.

What i do like is how the author choose to use monsters and unnatural creatures. I have read many books but this has been one of my favorites.

What i don not like about this book is how it was hard to understand and i could not picture what was going on because there was so many things going on.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found that I did not like the way this story progressed. I found it a bit abrupt and sometimes confusing. I did like the story though. I thought it was an original fairy tale. It was not like the damsel in distress who is rescued by Prince Charming. Undine is stronger then Huldbrand mentally and physically. Even Bertalda had more emotional strength then Huldbrand. It was refreshing to read a child's story with strong female characters.

[Whitney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had a unique story, kinda a fairy tale setting. I thought that the story could have been more detailed and made to be a little longer. The story has so much one can expound upon. I looked up the origins of the Ondine story and it is a unique story. I think more could have been done with this story, but it was enjoyable.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this about ten years ago, though I read the "original" version (this one has been rewritten a little). I love the mermaid/ sea fae fairy tale story of it, the haunting and doomed love that seems to live on even after both lovers are gone.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another book I found on SwapTree that I thought I would get for one of my children. The book is based on a German fable. It could have been edited and enhanced to make it a more enjoyable read. I like Mary Pope Osborne's style of writing, but I don't intend on having my kids read it.

[Angelique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lyrical and eloquent I expected this to have been written long ago. But it wasn't. As it turns out it was written in 1994. A great tale almost myth like in its telling. I believe there is a true myth regarding the same character. A very quick and easy tale.

[Joelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book. It was a very easy read, and it took me less than an hour to finish. It was written by Mary Pope Osborne; who was the author of the Magic Tree House series. This book has a haunting ghost story, and is very fast paced.

[Ephiny Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully haunting--I read it in middle school and just fell in love with it, and the story has stayed with me well over 20 years later. Just the right amount of mystery, magic, romance, and horror.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was different.....interesting......BEAUTIFUL!! its suppsed to be horror but its also a love story.

[The Fairy Godmother]

Based on a German fairy tale, Undine.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A neat story, quick easy read

[Shani · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was beautifully melancholy, if you know what I mean. Really very lovely, it nevertheless had a sad aura. Nevertheless, I thouroughly enjoyed it.