Twice Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris

Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris was one of my favorite books as a young whippersnapper, and so imagine my delight when I found that there was a sequel, titled, appropriately, Twice Upon a Marigold.
Once Upon a Marigold was a whimsical fairy tale about a boy named Christian, who lived in a crystal cave with a troll named Edric, across the river from a castle. In this castle lives the princess Marigold, along with her three sisters, the kindly old king, and the evil, scheming queen, Olympia. A bunch of stuff happens, but suffice to say that in the end, Marigold and Christian get married, Olympia is defeated and washed away down the river,¹ and everyone lives happily ever after. Or do they?
Olympia, though not dead, has lost her memory and is living a happy life in a little town miles away from the castle. But one day, she wakes up and, lo and behold, her memory has come back. And so she returns to the castle, bringing her evil-ness with her. Mayhem ensues. Mwahahaha!
Twice Upon a Marigold is quite a fun book-- a quirky fairy tale that doesn't take itself too seriously. But it doesn't quite work. While Once Upon a Marigold was an utterly engrossing and adorable tale of love and misfortune and messenger pigeons, Twice Upon A Marigold drags a bit, seeming contrived at times, rather than clever. While it's still a good book, it doesn't nearly measure up to the amazingness that is Once Upon a Marigold. I'm rather disappointed. I've been waiting for this book for years.
Definitely read the first book if you haven't already, but don't get your hopes up for the second. It's good, but not nearly as good as it should be.

Put this book in the middle of your pile.


Disappointedly yours,

1. But not dead, of course. They never die in these sorts of books.