The Battle for Urth

The real world collides with a magical one, accessible through a hidden door in a cheesy fantasy-themed restaurant.Prince Fredrick Alexander Siegfried Maria Thorston XIV, the pampered and coddled crown prince of Heldstone, dreams of glory and of the magical world beyond a door that cannot be opened, a world called Urth. Meanwhile on Earth, Kara is less than impressed by her school trip to Legendtopia, a fantasy-themed restaurant. When a prop malfunction causes her server to accidentally carry off Kara's owl necklace, the last gift her Argentinian father gave her before he mysteriously disappeared (as parents in books like this are wont to do), Kara's quest to get it back brings her to the door to Heldstone. There, she stumbles afoul of the powerful and clearly evil Sorceress. She and Prince Fred flee back to Earth, pursued by the Sorceress. The Sorceress quickly takes to Earth technology (while humor is found in Fred's reactions to things, such as calling cellphones "Self-Owns"), combining it with her magic for frighteningly effective world domination plots. While evading the Sorceress, the heroes discover a connection between Kara's father and Heldstone, giving extra incentive to find their way back. The ending sets up a sequel but offers no resolution to any of the extreme things that have happened on Earth. Both Heldstonian Prince Fred and half-Latina Kara are depicted with light skin on the cover. A humorous diversion. (Fantasy. 8-12) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

October 1, 2016

Gr 4-6-A story of courage and friendship. Kara is happy to be on a field trip and away from school. She doesn't mind that the class is going to Legendtopia, a fantasy-themed restaurant. But when she drops her owl necklace, the only thing she has left of her father, she ends up accidentally falling into the Realm, a fantastical dimension where she meets Prince Frederick Alexander Siegfried Maria Thorston XIV, who has always wanted to visit Urth-what he considers a magical place filled with cell phones and other odd objects. Prince Fred saves Kara from an evil sorceress and follows her back to her world. Together, the two new friends must face evil bent on taking over the Realm and Urth. Along the way, they confront ogres, dragons, and hordes of magical monsters. The pacing is brisk, the writing is straightforward, and action and humor abound. VERDICT A quick and easy title sure to appeal to both avid and reluctant readers, particularly fans of light adventure fantasy with doses of comedy.-H. Islam, Brooklyn Public Library

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