The Mirror's Tale (Further Tales Adventure Series)

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The Mirror's Tale (Further Tales Adventure Series) Pub. Date: 5/23/2006 Publisher: Aladdin

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Overview

Everyone has heard the story — the dwarves, the talking mirror, the evil witch. But this tale doesn't belong to Snow White anymore....

Bert and Will, the twin sons of the baron of Ambercrest, are best friends. They do everything together and can't help it if trouble just seems to...find them. But the baron is fed up and has decided that separation will keep them out of mischief. One twin, he proclaims, will stay in Ambercrest for the summer, while the other will be sent to The Crags — a foreboding, rocky outpost on the edge of the kingdom.

It is there, hidden in a forbidden black chamber, that one of the boys discovers a bejeweled and mysterious mirror. What is the precious object? And why does it make him feel so...powerful? Soon the twins' kinship is replaced by dark magic and deceit, and a kingdom hangs dangerously in the balance. What becomes of one who is ruled by the forces of evil? And can brotherly love conquer a consuming quest for power?

Editorial Reviews

Children's Literature

In a time of kingdoms, barons, and knights, two twins, Bertram and William, cause their parents much trouble. In a last-ditch effort to discipline the twin boys, Baron Charmaigne decides to separate them for the summer. William will go visit his uncle and Bertram will stay behind; but the twins decide to fool the parents and switch places. Bert will go to his uncle's and William will stay behind. This switch proves more fortunate for the kingdom than they both realize--here is where the tale becomes very compelling. At Uncle Hugh's estate, Bert discovers an enchanted mirror with an evil intent. At home, Will discovers fighting skills he did not know he had. Parley, a messenger between the two boys, discovers the Dwergh, dwarves who are perceived as enemies of the Baron. From the Dwergh, Parley learns about the evil that lurks within the mirror, a demon promising to deliver your heart's fondest desire only to want to take over one's soul. Parley realizes he must rescue Bert from this evil and knows that he needs the Dwerghs' help. As the mirror takes over Bert, Parley and Will must make a daring rescue at the uncle's mountain estate. This story would appeal to middle school students either read aloud or read as a twist on the popular fairy tale Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. The story moves quickly and one does not need to have a strong history background to appreciate the rivalry between the brothers or the knowledge that having one's greatest desire can bring large risks and challenges. Part of the "Further Tales" series.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-7-In this accessible entry in the series, Catanese imagines events many years after "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" ends. Mischievous Bert and timid Will, twin sons of the baron and constantly in trouble, are separated by their parents to keep them out of trouble. Bert is sent to "The Crags," the former castle of the Witch-Queen of the Grimms' story, and now ruled by his Uncle Hugh and Aunt Elaine. He finds the enchanted mirror and is bewitched by it, deciding to kill his brother whom he believes is likely to inherit the barony from their father. While the plot starts a little slowly, it quickens and does not lag until the exciting and action-filled climax. The human characters have a contemporary feel, which is especially evident in their dialogue. This limits the magical and historical elements of the story, but makes it more accessible to reluctant readers. While Bert undergoes some soul-searching, the transformations in the boys over the course of the story are predictable and two-dimensional. The dwarves, or Dwergh, are the most successfully drawn and interesting characters. The mirror itself is far more evil than that in the original fairy tale, and, as the title suggests, this is really its story. Buy where there is a demand for fast-paced, easily read adventure fantasy.-Sue Giffard, Ethical Culture Fieldston School, New York City Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781416912514
Publisher: Aladdin
Publication date: 5/23/2006
Pages: 288
Sales rank: 321,086
Age range: 9 - 13 Years
Lexile: 680L (what's this?)
Series: Further Tales Adventure Series
Product dimensions: 5.20 (w) x 7.60 (h) x 0.80 (d)

Meet the Author

P. W. (Paul William) Catanese was born in New York and grew up in Connecticut, where he lives with his wife and three children. When he's not writing books, he draws cartoons and works for an advertising agency.

Interestingly, the letters in "P. W. Catanese" can be rearranged to spell "want escape?" Paul figures that's why people read books like his.

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5

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Ring-fan

Posted June 1, 2010

more from this reviewer

Catanese strikes again

This is the tale of Bert and Will identical twins who are the grandsons of Snow White. After getting into continuous trouble at the castle, it is decided that Bertram and William are to be separated. The brothers switch places and this is where the story kicks in. The two are pitted against each other as Bert finds a mirror that controls his mind telling him that the brother who dearly loves him is the one who really wants is Ducal position when he's older.
The novel is endearing and shows boys who can think for themselves and also maintains that love will always keep the closest of brothers together.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous

Posted March 10, 2012

The awsome person spllled it wrong

Its awesome
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Anonymous

Posted January 21, 2012

Awsome.

This book is amazing, in every way
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Posted June 25, 2011

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Posted November 5, 2011

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