Joanne Dahme

This story is historical fiction/fantasy that takes place during the Bubonic Plague in Europe in 1348. Nell, 15, and her 9-year-old brother George lost their parents to the plague, but get a reprieve of sorts from an uncertain fate when the King passes by them and notices Nell looks exactly like his daughter Princess Joan. He offers a job to her and her brother to protect the Princess. When Joan was being sent to Castile in Spain to be married to prince Pedro, thus extending the King’s rule, Nell and George went along as well.

Unfortunately, however, the Black Prince, Joan’s brother, joins the trip. Although the Black Prince is an historical figure, the author turns him into a caricature, who not only is the most nefarious villain imaginable, but employs “dark arts” to direct an army of magical rats to do his bidding. That seemed a bit over the top.

Most of the rest of the story features Nell, George and the intrepid soldier Henry hiding from the Black Prince and his rats or running from him. Eventually, though, thanks to magic, the Black Prince catches up with them.

This book purports to be for young adults, but I would label it for tweens at the oldest.… (mais)

There wasn't a heck of a lot of plot involved. A fairly linear storyline, easy to follow, easy to predict, but an odd tip over into "sorcery" at one point (the Black Prince could apparently command an army of rats...ok, sure). I would like to read a book in which the younger brother doesn't completely annoy me, but in this one at least I didn't care all that much. None of the characters were very fleshed out, the action (what there was of it) didn't make a whole lot of sense, and I somehow missed people dying--important people. Ah well. Maybe better if you're 11 years old and reading this one?… (mais)