Princess Nevermore [Library Binding]

Dian Curtis Regan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1995 | Age Level: 10 and up

A magical fantasy finds a young princess inadvertently leaving her kingdom beneath a wishing pool and traveling into a weird and wonderful land known as Earth. By the author of My Zombie Valentine.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Princess Quinnella is quite familiar with Mandrian truths. At 15, she's still allowed to come and go as she wishes in the kingdom of Mandria, visiting Melikar the wizard and playing at magic. But she knows that as soon as she turns 16, she will become a woman. A parade of suitors will court her until she chooses one--or the king chooses one for her--then comes marriage, childbearing, and royal protocol. But Quinn isn't ready for this life of predictability. More than anything, she wants to travel to "outer earth," the world above the wishing pool. When a magical mishap sends her to Earth, Quinn gets far more than she bargained for. As she is drawn deeper into this strange new world of skateboards, Halloween dances, and pizza, danger and adolescent intrigue surround her. There's only one problem: she doesn't know how to return to Mandria, and she's not even sure she wants to!

Dian Curtis Regan's modern-day fantasy is witty and suspenseful. Minor lapses into pop culture and fashion might give the savvy contemporary reader pause--the book was begun as a short story in 1975, and was completed as a novel 20 years later. (Ages 9 to 12) --Emilie Coulter

From Publishers Weekly

The worlds of the fairy-tale past and the workaday present collide in this suspenseful and poignant fantasy about a magic princess who briefly sojourns in middle America. Sixteen-year-old Princess Quinn's only diversion in the underground kingdom of Mandria consists of watching the "outer-earth" people through the waters of a wishing pool. Betraying his master's trust, an apprentice wizard sends Quinn to the outer world, where she meets up with teenagers Sally and Adam Dover and their mysteriously wise grandfather Mondo. One day melts into the next, and soon the princess wishes to keep her newfound life-and love-even when Mondo tells her a terrible, cautionary secret. Then Quinn learns that she is in mortal danger, and must put her emotions aside and act to save not only herself, but all Mandria. While spinning an enthralling yarn, Regan (the Ghost Twins series) has some sly fun in using courtly language to describe modern goings-on (in a high school girls' room, "[a] dozen maidens vied for a spot in front of each glass, combing their hair and coloring their faces"). A real page-turner, her story will leave readers' heartstrings quivering delightedly. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Library Binding: 232 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Trade (September 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590457586
• ISBN-13: 978-0590457583
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (97 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,582,982 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dian Curtis Regan is the author of more than 50 books for young readers.

She is a former "Member of the Year" of the Society of Children's Book Writers and
Illustrators, has been inducted into the Oklahoma Professional Writers' Hall of Fame, and has received a "Distinguished Medal of Service in Children's Literature" from the Oklahoma Center for Poets and Writers. Also, a library in South America has been dedicated to her.

Dian was born in Colorado Springs, graduated from the University of Colorado in Boulder, and taught school in Denver. She is a frequent speaker at writing conferences and schools.

She has lived in Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma, Venezuela, and Kansas.
Websites: www.diancurtisregan.com www.princessnevermore.com www.rockycavekids.com
princessnevermorefansite.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite books!, October 18, 1999

By 

Melissa M.Acosta (miami,florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Princess Nevermore (Library Binding)

I loved reading this book, it was one of the best books ive ever read i enjoyed every page of it! I couldn't put it down.I read this book in one day it was addictive becouse you can't wait to see what happens next. i'd recomend this book to anyone espeacially those who love romance books,like me thank's and i hope theres a second part to it couse its to good to finnish like that. Thanks for reading,Melissa!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantasy 101, October 25, 2006

By 

Ashley Pasco - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Princess Nevermore (Point Fantasy) (Mass Market Paperback)

I left a review for the original publication of Princess Nevermore, but found it necessary to leave a review for this new edition as well. Why?

1. There is not one line or thought that hasn't been changed in some way.

2. It is an exceptional story.

3. A very original idea with a great plot that expands the idea.

4. Princess Nevermore has brilliantly written Characters.

5. This book is truly a page turner without exception.

6. New characters are introduced to us that are important for the sequel, Cam's Quest.

Princess Nevermore is about a 15-year old princess, Quinnella (Quinn) from the underground Kingdom of Mandria. She is best friends with Cam, the wizard Melikar's apprentice. Cam and Quinn have always dreamed of traveling to Outer-Earth, our earth. They've planned it out over the years. Quinn visits Melikar's chamber often, and views the outer world through the wishing pool, which borders our world and theirs.

On one visit Quinn gets that chance to visit our world by spell-traveling. Her moment arrives when Cam says the spell that will send the both of them to Outer-Earth. However, something happens that changes the course of their careful plan. The Princess (Quinn) is accidentally sent to Outer-Earth, alone and without anything but the dress she is wearing.

Cam is left to bear the burden of his grand mistake, and when Melikar tells him that the princess doesn't know how to return, Cam realizes the consequences of his actions.

Quinn is both amazed and alarmed when she sees Outer-Earth for the first time. She quickly befriends an older man named Mondo, but his grandchildren are a different story. She has no trouble getting to know Adam, but Sarah seems to want nothing to do with Quinn.

Quinn decides to go to "lessons" at the local high school with Sarah and Adam. However, she is not prepared for the language barrier and never knows if what she is saying is proper for our world. It also doesn't help that a guy her age has taken sudden interest in her and the "strange" things that happen around her.

Torn between her desire to return to her world and the desire to remain with Adam in his world haunts her everyday. Not knowing how to return creates a hurdle and a burden for her. The only ones who can help her find her way home are below the river and can only send thoughts and suggestions to her for her safety.

But, will that be enough? Will her love for Adam be enough for her to stay on Outer-Earth? Will she and Sarah ever be friends? Will she escape the dangerous path that she's heading on?

This is truly a great read for ages 9 and up. I couldn't put it down and continue to return to the story. The new characters and other kingdoms and villages were a joy to read about. I'm truly grateful to have come across such a fantastic story and will enjoy it for many years to come.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding Fantasy story!, September 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Princess Nevermore (Point Fantasy) (Mass Market Paperback)

I really liked this book, and I hope that it has a sequel. I couldn't put it down, and managed to read it over one school day. I think that this book would probably make a good series, and I encourage the author to write more like it. If you like fantasy and fun, I suggest you give this book a try.