Of Two Minds [Paperback]

Carol Matas (Author), Perry Nodelman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1997 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Princess Lenora and Prince Coren are two reluctant, soon-to-be-wed royals caught in a strange world that holds them hostage and robs them of their powers. Named one of the Best Books of the Year by "School Library Journal".

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this pair of surreal fantasies, a psychic prince joins forces with a princess who can make whatever she imagines become reality. Together they combat an evil tyrant in the first book and a marauding giant in the second. Ages 11-up.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-This collaboration begins with elements borrowed from traditional fairy tales, then offers an original, unpredictable twist; fresh, well-rounded characters; and an ambiguous, thought-provoking ending. The complex plot follows the adventures of Lenora, a headstrong princess with the power to make anything she imagines real, and Coren, the shy prince chosen by her parents to be her husband. Trapped in a strange land and stripped of their powers (Coren had been able to read the thoughts not only of humans, but also of animals and objects), the two must work together to overthrow the tyrannical Hevak, restore harmony to the country, and return home safely. Their triumph is particularly impressive and meaningful because it involves learning self-mastery (Lenora) and self-confidence (Coren) rather than simply overcoming an outside challenge through brute force. That the happy ending comes with no guarantees (and no imminent wedding bells) makes it even more believable and satisfying. The story moves swiftly and the writing is consistently smooth, with sophisticated vocabulary and challenging concepts. Matas and Nodelman have themselves done a heroic job of melding their two voices to create a kaleidoscope of character, cultures, and events that offers both entertainment and enrichment to young readers.
Lisa Dennis, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 24 pages
• Publisher: Bain & Cox (February 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0921368445
• ISBN-13: 978-0921368441
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,585,605 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Of Two Minds, July 28, 2000

By 

Samantha (Jonestown, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Of Two Minds (Point Fantasy) (Paperback)

I really love this book. I like reading fantasy and romance. This book has both but has more fantasy in it. Princess Lenora is a girl who is turning 17. Her father brings Prince Coren to her for her birthday. Her parents and Coren's parents wants them to marry. Before they met both saw something in a mirror or water. They both don't want to marry each other and some how they both think that there is something wrong with each other. They travel to a another world were they both most trust each other to save themselves and others. I think that anyone who loves fantasy with a little bit of romance should read this book and read the sequel to it. ("More Minds", "Out of Their Minds", and "A Meeting of Minds")

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fun kids fantasy, January 29, 2003

By 

Nancy E. "Nancy" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Of Two Minds (Point Fantasy) (Paperback)

Sixteen year old Lenora is a headstrong, brave and rather spoiled princess who lives in a world where everyone has the power to make the things they imagine real. Unfortunately for Lenora, using this power is strictly forbidden, not that it stops her much. Shy and logical Prince Coren lives in a world where everyone has the powers to read everyone else's mind, a power that he would do anything to get rid of. When Lenora and Coren discover that they're arranged to be married, none of them are too happy about it. Lenora is furious. She doesn't see why she's supposed to marry this boring boy that she's never met before. In an attempt to run away she ends up throwing herself in a completely different world. Unfortunately she accidentally brings Coren around with her. Everything seems perfect in this world to Lenora, from the people to the dashing ruler, Hevak. Coren is a bit more cautious. Everything seems to perfect. It's this caution that ends up getting him in trouble. Now Lenora's the only one who can save him. That is if she can resist the persuasive powers of Hevek.

Although this book isn't all that advanced it's still an original and entertaining work of fantasy. The plot is fast paced, exciting, and easy to get addicted to. The different worlds are wonderful and very well described. The only problem I really see with it are the characters are awfully underdeveloped and flat. They don't seem to grow too much through the book. But since this is a series, that could be fixed in the next four books. I'm very interested in reading the other books in the quartet, the next one being More Minds. I would recommend this to younger readers and older readers looking for a fun escapism book.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Edge of Your seat +Laughing your head off Fantasy, September 3, 2001

By 

Emma A.G Cifrino (Portland, Maine United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Of Two Minds (Point Fantasy) (Library Binding)

This book is not as serious as some of the great books i've read ( aka:His Dark Materials, stuff like that), but the writing is just as good. In this humorus fantasy, the bored Princess Lenora runs away from an unwanted marrige to the kind, but boring, weakling Prince Coren. When Lenora runs away, Prince Coren follows her. They get trapped in another world that Lenora has accidently created, a world thats completely controled by the evil Hevak. This book shows that people aren't always what they seem, and everybody has a gift that will help in hard times.