Customer Reviews

The Magic Mirror of the Mermaid Queen

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The Magic Mirror of the Mermaid Queen (2009) is the second Fantasy novel in the Changeling series, following Changeling. In the previous volume, Neef was exiled from Central Park. So she went on a quest and met her fairy changeling counterpart. She won the mirror of the Mermaid Queen. When she presented it to the Green Lady, Neef was allowed to return home.

In this novel, Neef is a mortal changeling. When a fairy changeling was exchanged for her, Neef was brought to New York Between. Her fairy godmother and godfather have raised her to be a proper subject of the Green Lady, Genius of Central Park.

Astris is a giant rat. She is also Neef's fairy godmother.

The Pooka is a trickster and Neef's godfather. He likes to take people on wild rides and dump them in the lake, but he only protects Neef.

Tiffany is an upperclassperson at Miss Van Loon's School for Mortal Changelings. She is almost ready to graduate.

Bergdorf is another student at the school. She is the sidekick of Tiffany.

In this story, Astris and the Pooka decide that Neef needs to go to the School for Mortal Changelings. Her godparents tell her about the school the day before she is to attend. Of course, being fairy, they know nothing about the school curriculum (see Rule 3).

Naturally, Neef is very confused. She is also hot, so Neef goes down to the duck pond and takes a swim. When she returns to the castle, the Pooka has strewn her clothes all over the kitchen.

Her godparents are trying to find her proper clothes to wear to school. Since all her jeans have holes in the knees and her T-shirts are a mess, they decide to have Neef wear the clothes given to her by Honey the vampire. The Pooka also gives his coat to her, which goes well with the black pants and white shirt.

Next morning, the Pooka waits outside to give her a ride to school. He takes her down fifth Avenue and then over toward East River Park. The school is a solid red building at least three stories high.

The Pooka would like to see the interior, but the doorkeeper will not let him enter the building (see Rule 2). Neef is taken to see the Schooljuffrouw -- the headmistress -- and told that she is late. She is given an Inside Sweater and a 200 page Big Book of Rules (see Rule 10). Then she taken to the Tester to determine her classes.

Neef is slated for Basic Manners, Diplomacy for Ambassadors, History of New York Between, Moral History and Customs, Talismans, and Questing. She wonders at the selection. Then she goes out to meet her guide.

In the hall, a small crowd of mortal changelings are talking. When the new students come out, they straighten up and smile like the Wild Hunt viewing prey. The tallest guide has blonde hair, a slender body and an Inside Sweater with many stars across the front.

Tiffany is the leader of the East Side pack. She tries to snub Neef and gets a cutting response. Then the Diplomat interrupts the catty session (see Rule 1) and sends everyone to their classes (see Rule 50).

Bergdorf takes Neef to her first class, which is Basic Manners. Neef is the oldest person in the class, but she is also the least knowledgeable in the subject. And Neef plays with her hair when she is nervous (see Rule 242).

After this class, Bergdorf shows Neef to Talismans, which is kind of interesting. Then Bergdorf guides her to the dining hall for lunch. There Neef sits with some of her classmates and meets a few more students.

This tale involves Neef in a dispute between the Mermaid Queen and the Green Lady. The Mermaid Queen wants her mirror back. The Green Lady is not in the mood to return it. Besides, she has lost the mirror somewhere.

Neef takes on a new quest: looking for the mirror. She makes new friends and sees new places. She even learns Rule 0. Read and enjoy!

Highly recommended for Sherman fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of fairy magic, tough schools, and gutsy heroines.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Sherman returns to her delightful alternate New York City in her second book about Neef, the official changeling of New York Between's Central Park. After surviving her first quest (in _Changeling_), Neef figures that going to school won't be too difficult, but Miss Van Loon's School for Mortal Changelings turns out to be tougher than she thought. The snobbish East Side girls look down on Neef and her friends, and there are way too many rules to follow. As if that weren't enough, the magic mirror of the Mermaid Queen of New York Harbor is lost, and Neef has to go on another quest to find it, with a little help from her friends, and maybe from her enemies. I thought this was just as delightful as the first book. I love the playful setting, the wealth of faerie lore and references to other books, and the tough, clever, impulsive Neef.

If you liked Changeling, you'll love Neef in this book!

Now she's becoming the Official Changeling of Central Park, and in this Ambassadorial role, she has to find the Magic Mirror, negotiate with the nasty Genius of the Harbor, and rescue her friends - all while keeping up her grades at Miss Van Loon's School for Mortal Changelings. This is Neef with a more confident voice, tougher adventures, and new friendships. And if, like me, you're a fan of New York Between - here it is again.

This book should appeal to young fantasy readers of all ages from about 9 or 10 upward - and their parents.

This wonderful sequel to Changeling is the best kind of YA book out there. With focus on a sharp, fun story, a likable protagonist and nothing overtly scary/cruel/vulgar, author Delia Sherman really writes for any and all ages.

I initially picked up Changeling on a whim at my local library after running across it on Amazon. I have no prejudice against YA books and will read them for enjoyment on occasion. Many are a let-down though, and I feel often that such books "talk down" to their youth audience, or try too hard to "sound" hip and young. Changeling didn't do that. It simply gave you a wonderful, classically inspired and good-old-fashioned fairy tale set in modern New York City.

I'm pleased to say that The Magic Mirror of the Mermaid Queen continues this same setting and characters and builds on the first book. The story continues past the first book's conclusion and gives us new challenges for the main character, Neef, to conquer. We meet some new characters along the way and in traditional "hero's quest" format, Neef not only ultimately succeeds in her goals but learns important lessons about herself and life along the way.

I highly recommend both of these books to young and old alike. They are a good way to introduce kids to myths and literary characters they might not have been as exposed to in the modern media (especially not in their more classic presentations) and a fun way for adults to remember hearing fairy tales with such creatures/characters from their own youth.