A Tale of Two Castles by Gail Carson Levine

Elodie is a spirited girl who only wants to become a mansioner, an actor, but is thwarted in her ambitions by her lack of money.  So she becomes the assistant to Meenore, a dragon skilled in logic and deduction.  When the ogre hires the dragon to find out who is behind a strange turn of events at his castle, Meenore sends Elodie to be ITs eyes and ears.  And Elodie learns about using her mansioning and logic talents for other purposes. 

Gail Carson Levine can tell a good tale.  While some of her other books are retellings of fairy tales (Ella Enchanted), this one has a few aspects (Puss in Boots) but is a wholly original book.  And it is a very cute book.  I loved all the fairy tale touches and the characters were delightful.  I thought the solution to the mystery was easy, but that is because there tends to be a pattern in Levine's fairy tale books that gave it away.  I do wish there was more of the dragon and the ogre because I loved both characters, but I'm wondering if they are going to be more books with Elodie and her friends.

Provided by NetGalley
Publish date: May 10, 2011

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