The Princess Mage

Deborah Dowson is a Canadian children’s librarian living in Harvard,
Massachusetts.

In this sequel to The Princess Pawn (2003), Willow adapts to life as a
princess in a magical realm of castles, knights, and ladies in waiting.
Although Willow has the style of a modern teenager, and is impatient
with the rules of courtly manners and dress, she has the heart of a
Princess and will do her duty when required. Despite the suspicious
nature of her summons to the Elvish kingdom, she is determined to go.
Her devoted knight accompanies her and together they undergo a
terrifying ordeal at the hand of the Elvish King, only to discover that
it was a game played upon their minds. They are then sent with the
King’s twin children into a game of survival in the land of the
Goblins. Willow uses her healing power to heal the hearts of their
adversaries, eventually winning the game, but with some disturbing
consequences. Willow learns that trying to do what is right doesn’t
always turn out for the best, but it is still the best course to take.

This brilliant book is full of intriguing characters, suspenseful
situations, and wonderful imagery of elves, goblins, trolls, wizards,
and the like. It has a complicated plot that is probably easier to
follow if the reader is familiar with the first book in the series. The
dialogue is well written, juxtaposing the chivalrous world of Mistolear
with Willow’s casual, contemporary slang. The Princess Mage is sure to
delight young women who love strong female characters in adventurous
(and somewhat romantic) stories. Highly recommended.