BOOKS

In a fresh corner of Gail Carson Levine’s fairytale world, why-ever not?

From Levine’s pen, I expect nothing less than a triumphant fantasy, a reworking of a classic tale. While her latest novel, A Tale of Two Castles, is not quite as promising as her first, Ella Enchanted, it certainly does not disappoint.

The peculiar thing about A Tale of Two Castles is that it is the cast of supporting misfits that you tend to like the most. Heroine Elodie, a naïve 12-year-old, is likeable, but never loveable, while her masteress, Meenore, and the friendly ogre, Count Jonty Um, are refreshingly real.

The story itself takes time to reach its stride, beginning slowly as it does with Elodie’s sea crossing from countrified Lahnt to metropolitan Two Castles. There is no love interest here, or morality play between inner and outer beauty, but rather a tale that urges readers to, well, think. Induce and deduce, Meenore directs his unlikely young friend. Use logic instead of guessing the answer. Discover the truth for yourself instead of relying on gossip.

What did I love most about A Tale of Two Castles? The end. The unraveling of the mystery, the charades, the epilogue! I think it’s in the final 50 pages of the novel that we really see the characters grow. Elodie is starting to think for herself, to act instead of following others’ directions. Meenore is softening up, and Count Jonty Um? Not quite a pushover after all! While I found it a little difficult to get started, I wish I could have launched immediately into volume 2. Lucky for us, it looks like Levine is penning another book starring Elodie. All I’ve gotta say is I hope Meenore and the Count are goin’ along for the ride!

TALK BACK: Tell us what you think

Let’s get the conversation going with a few discussion questions. Feel free to address them (or not) in the comments!

1. Elodie wants to be an actress more than anything, and there are a lot of scenes and charades acted out in the novel by her or others. What do you think their importance was?

2. Who was your favorite character and why?

3. What do you think A Tale of Two Cities’ lesson? Was it effective?

by Brittany Taylor | 2/1/2016