Tuesday 23 August 2011

Book Review - Once Upon A Curse

Title: Once Upon A Curse
Author: E.D Baker
Series: Frog Princess (book 3)
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Release Date: 4 Oct 2004
ISBN-13: 978-0439810883

Synopsis
Many years ago a slighted fairy placed a curse on a beautiful young princess--a curse that caused her and all her female descendants to turn into mean, ugly witches if they ever touched a flower after turning sixteen. Now, Princess Emma, who is about to turn sixteen herself, is determined to break the spell once and for all. Emma travels back in time to the day the curse was placed on her ancestor in the hope of preventing the curse from being cast. Unfortunately she isn't successful in her efforts, but she does learn how to break it. Armed with this knowledge, Emma returns to her own time full of hope. But disaster ensues and Emma is about to give up completely--until true love shows itself in the most unexpected place of all. 


My Review
I'm getting through these really quickly, they are really easy reads. This is book 3 in the series. Emma has been told for years about the family curse, any female over 16 in her family must stay away from flowers. Years ago Princess Hazel insulted a Fairy who cast the curse on her, now Emma's Grandmother is a bad tempered, mean spirited old witch, and has been for a few years, but now it's worse - her fun loving friendly aunt Grassina has been turned bad. Instead of the helpful jolly Aunt she is used to Emma now has to deal with moods, moaning and mean tricks. Everyone thought her gran was bad, but Grassina is much worse.
Determined to find a way to break the curse Emma sets off on an adventure with Prince Eadric and L'il. She travels back in time, hoping to prevent the curse from ever happening. She meets her ancestors and sees time unfold before her. Although she doesn't stop the curse she does find how to break it - but this brings a whole new set of complications. Only weeks away from her 16th Birthday Emma knows time is running out.
Another quick read. I love Prince Eadric's devotion to Emma and his willingness to do anything for her and her Kingdom. A strong bold knight with a sense of justice and a deep love for the Kingdom. I loved the new characters - Emma's ancestors. Millie the princess is lovely and a perfect companion, Hazel is spoilt and ill tempered but the sort of person you love to hate. She's like a combination of all the mean girls you met in school, the ones that got away with everything because they were 'cool', but then got what they deserved in the end - oh sweet justice! hehe
Aunt Grassina turning bad did make for a good storyline but I must admit I missed her warm presence throughout the book, it was like a friend going away. 
I liked this one better than book 2, the pace was better and more exciting, but book 1 is still my favourite.


My Rating
I would give this book 8.5/10. Magical, exciting read.

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