- Hardcover: 328 pages
- Publisher: Del Rey Books (18 Aug 2009)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0345458524
- ISBN-13: 978-0345458520
- Product Dimensions: 16.8 x 3 x 24.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,036,971 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Book Description
Return to the world of Landover, in Terry Brooks' first Magic Kingdom book in over a decade.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
After fourteen years, New York Times bestselling fantasy master Terry Brooks has returned to the magic kingdom of Landover. The remarkable realm of dragons, demons, wizards, and wonders that wove an irresistible spell in five classic novels throws open its gates at long last for a brand-new adventure featuring a dazzling cast of characters and creatures.
Ben Holiday, Chicago lawyer and mere mortal turned monarch of enchanted Landover, has grappled with scheming barons, fire-breathing beasts, diabolical conjurers, and extremely wicked witches. None of whom have prepared him for the most daunting of challengers–a teenage daughter. Sent by Ben and his beloved sylph bride, Willow, to an exclusive girls’ prep school, headstrong (and half-magical) Mistaya Holiday has found life in the natural world a less than perfect fit. And when her latest rebellious antics get her indefinitely suspended, she’s determined to resume her real education–learning sorcery from court wizard Questor Thews–whether her parents like it or not.
But back home in Landover, Mistaya’s frustrated father is just as determined that the precocious princess learn some responsibility, and he declares her grounded until she successfully refurbishes the long-forsaken royal library. Mortified by the prospect of salvaging a king’s ransom in moldy books–and horrified by word that repulsive local nobleman Lord Laphroig seeks to marry her–Mistaya decides that the only way to run her own life is to run away from home.
So begins an eventful odyssey peppered with a formidable dragon, recalcitrant gnomes, an inscrutable magic cat, a handsome librarian, a sinister sorcerer, and more than a few narrow escapes as fate draws Landover’s intrepid princess to the last place she expected to go, and into the thick of a mystery that will put her mettle to the test–and might bring the kingdom to its knees.
Ben Holiday, Chicago lawyer and mere mortal turned monarch of enchanted Landover, has grappled with scheming barons, fire-breathing beasts, diabolical conjurers, and extremely wicked witches. None of whom have prepared him for the most daunting of challengers–a teenage daughter. Sent by Ben and his beloved sylph bride, Willow, to an exclusive girls’ prep school, headstrong (and half-magical) Mistaya Holiday has found life in the natural world a less than perfect fit. And when her latest rebellious antics get her indefinitely suspended, she’s determined to resume her real education–learning sorcery from court wizard Questor Thews–whether her parents like it or not.
But back home in Landover, Mistaya’s frustrated father is just as determined that the precocious princess learn some responsibility, and he declares her grounded until she successfully refurbishes the long-forsaken royal library. Mortified by the prospect of salvaging a king’s ransom in moldy books–and horrified by word that repulsive local nobleman Lord Laphroig seeks to marry her–Mistaya decides that the only way to run her own life is to run away from home.
So begins an eventful odyssey peppered with a formidable dragon, recalcitrant gnomes, an inscrutable magic cat, a handsome librarian, a sinister sorcerer, and more than a few narrow escapes as fate draws Landover’s intrepid princess to the last place she expected to go, and into the thick of a mystery that will put her mettle to the test–and might bring the kingdom to its knees.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I read all of this series as they were published, reading the first "Magic Kingdom For Sale--Sold!" as a 12 year old way back in 1987. I'm a big fan of the series, and when Terry Brooks announced he was writing this latest, I set about re-reading the whole series back-to-back in preparation for the new release. And now it's here, all I can say about it is...Weak. The previous series of 5 books were consistently entertaining, imaginative and captivating. Quite why after a 14 year gap Terry Brooks was unable to create a story equally good is a mystery. It begins promisingly enough, with all the old characters there and being their usual selves, but by the half-way point I realised it was becoming very predictable and dull, and by the end was just glad the sorry mess was over. One of the fun things of the rest of the series was the frequent trips between Earth and Landover, and the contrasts and chaos this would throw into the mix. There's almost nothing of that here. Furthermore, Ben Holiday is relegated to a second-place character behind his teenage daughter Mistaya (who's story this is), poor Willow gets even less to do, appearing in about three scenes and barely speaking, and there's no appearance from the Paladin. At least Questor Thews is given stuff to do, though not as much as earlier books. As for the new characters Mistaya is vaguely interesting, but as a child of three worlds (Earth, Landover and Faerie) is underdeveloped, as are all the rest of the new characters, most of which are more caricatures than characters. Sadly I got the feeling that Terry Brooks got bored of writing it towards the end; a prime example being at the end when (giving absolutely nothing away) Questor states that a hinted-at devious trap set to capture Ben Holiday was so wicked and fiendish that he refuses to tell anyone (including the reader) how it was supposed to have gone. This just smacks of laziness and a lack of imagination, and leaves the reader feeling short-changed. In fact that's how I feel about the whole tale. Very disappointing. Terry Brooks has hinted that he has ideas for another couple of Landover books. Let's hope if they appear then they are a return to form. The only light on the horizon is that this latest potentially sets up some genuinely interesting and exciting events yet to occur (Nightshade's return and a chance to finally unite the Crown with the Lords of the Greensward).
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Princess is a well known tale, using a well known formula. Picture a rebellious teen, who has a journey in which she develops an awareness of self and a respect for those around her. It's been seen a hundred times in trashy teen movies and the formula has now had a fantasy make over, in the familiar Landover world. Princess is mostly a story by the numbers, never really getting out of first gear. The characters are stereotypical and the plot is straight as an arrow, the only real diversion is the crafty and coy Prism Cat. It's a quick read and opens up avenues for further adventures in Landover which will hopefully rekindle some of the spirit seen in the earlier entries. **1/2
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I was really looking forward to reading A princess of Landover as I enjoyed the previous books so much but was very disappointed with this effort.
I just hope Terry Brooks redeems himself with another book soon, this time up to his usual standard!
I just hope Terry Brooks redeems himself with another book soon, this time up to his usual standard!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Excellent value!
This was really good value. I bought it as a gift so was pleased when it arrived quickly, well-packed, and in top condition. I would buy from this seller again. Read more
Published on 9 April 2010 by Mrs. J. A. Canfield
Brooks on form.
Fans of Terry's the world over have been looking forward to this tale, part of his Landover series. Whilst this is the lighter side of Brooks work it is a series that has won a... Read more
Published on 6 Sep 2009 by Gareth Wilson - Falcata Times Blog
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