Els Curtis

Thrice-Cursed, Thrice-Blessed Els Curtis

Three eclipsed moons gave him the curse.

Sixteen-year-old V'ren grew up with the bane of being Moon-Cursed, with monsters, beasts and dark magic-users constantly seeking his life. Learning that his father is an exiled king who was chased out of his kingdom, he travels to Kald to exact revenge on the usurper, blackmailing two wizards into helping him. Throughout their journey, not only does V'ren's curse give them trouble, but a hidden force works against them.

The third blessing conflicted with the other two.

As a baby, Princess Jory of Kald was supposed to be blessed by three fairies. But a mysterious Faerie interrupted the ceremony, shocking her parents by bestowing upon her the gift of Independence, a quality that clashed with the world's view of a proper princess. Now fifteen-years-old, suitors seek Jory's hand in marriage by accepting a quest of three dangerous tasks. With a sense of duty to her kingdom coupled with her independent streak, Jory is determined to finish the tasks first, armed with only her wits and a disgruntled frog. This middle grade fantasy is comparable to Shannon Hale's Goose Girl and Gail Carson Levine's Ella Enchanted in that it is full of magic, whimsy and courageous exploits.