Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris

Once Upon a Marigold

Author: Jean Ferris

Publisher: Harcourt Books

Published: 2002

Paperback: 276 pages

ISBN: 978-0-15-205084-9

FTC FYI: I borrowed from the library

“Edric knew he should head for home.  It would be dark soon, and even though he was as familiar with his part of the forest as he was with the back and the front of his hand, there were dangers when the lights went out–wild animals, evil spirits, big glowing eyes attached to who-knew-what, stuff like that.  But Beelzebub and Hecate were having such a good time sniffing under every bush and barking all the grouse out from their hiding places that Ed was reluctant to spoil their fun.  Besides, he’d been having a very good day of gathering.” page 3

Ed is a troll.  He spends his days wandering the forest looking for lost items dropped by forest passer-bys.  Bub and Cate are his faithful dogs.  During one of his gathering trips, the two dogs speed past him barking mercilessly.  They have spied something in the tree that will not come down without a fight.  Ed was worried that the racket would bring the neighboring kingdom’s game warden’s and his questioning eyes.  After rushing to the tree, Ed looked up and saw a…young boy, velvet clothes and all.  He was also carrying a mysterious chain with a charm that was part eagle, part phoenix.  Christian was his name, and he didn’t want to be found, no matter the amount of coaxing from Ed.  So, Ed brings Christian to his lovely crystal cave to spend the night.

Time goes by, years in fact.  Ed has been busy trying to take Queen Mab, the confused and lost Tooth Fairy, off her throne.  Most unexpectedly, Ed grows to love Christian, and Christian Ed.  But, they both realize that Christian needs to move on with his life.  Without Ed knowing, Christian has been sending p-mail (pigeon mail) to the Princess Marigold for over a year.  When he first saw her across the river with his telescope, Christian noticed she was reading and was curious about what it was, but he also noticed that no one touched her and she was sad.  Christian, with the suggestion of Hayes Centaur the game-keeper, decides to leave the comfort of the crystal cave to get a job at the palace.  What he finds is an adventure with a death plot, and possibly love.

This book was darling.  As much as I loved Christian, Ed was my favorite character.  His humor kept me smiling throughout.  This is the only book I have read from Jean Ferris, but there is a sequel which is called Twice Upon a Marigold, and I plan on reading that asap. Learn more about her here.

4 1/2 stars

I would recommend this to anyone who loves a well told, cute fairytale, and likes to laugh.

Content:

• No language
• No sexual content
• No violence–there is a conniving Queen, but she isn’t violent.