Book review: ‘Wizard of Oz’ retelling ‘Spelled’ is a clever, funny read
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"SPELLED," by Betsy Schow, Sourcebooks, $9.99, 344 pages (f) (ages 12 and up)
Princess Dorthea of Emerald is downright spoiled in the novel "Spelled," but it’s hard not to act spoiled when your closet is full of Glenda Original ballgowns and Hans Christian Louboutin heels. On top of that, Dorthea is restless. One woman of the Emerald royal line has been cursed to become evil and destroy the kingdom by fire, and no one is sure which Emerald princess it will be.
So Dorthea, like the princesses before her, has been stuck inside her whole life for the protection of the kingdom. To make matters worse, she’s just been betrothed, without her consent, to the conceited and extremely rude Prince Kato.
When Dorthea gets a chance to make a wish upon a wishing star, she doesn’t think twice before wishing that everything controlling her would just disappear. However, the wishing star was cursed by a wicked witch who planned on Dorthea’s spoiled behavior influencing her wish.
With the entire kingdom turned upside down as a result of her wish, Dorthea and some very unlikely companions set out to find the Wizard of Oz before it’s too late.
Betsy Schow presents a fun and witty retelling of "The Wizard of Oz" to readers just in time for summer with its June 2 release. "Spelled" is full of clever plays on words and fun reinterpretations of the original classic. 
"Spelled" is ideal for readers who are looking for something light and entertaining. Fans of "The Wizard of Oz" will appreciate Schow’s attention to detail in bringing characters and places they already know to new life with a clever twist.
While "Spelled" does not contain any swearing, Schow has created her own curse words that are used frequently. There is no violence or sexual content.
Hikari Loftus blogs at FoldedPagesDistillery.blogspot.com.
