It’s time for another Camille Peters book, and this one is brand-new! Charmed recently came out, and I was so excited to read a retelling, not just of “The Frog Prince,” but also of “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.” Let’s talk about this quick read before I “frog”et all the fun details!
Maeve is perfectly content with her simple life in the woods…until she is thrust into an unwanted magical apprenticeship.
Although she’s reluctant to leave her struggling family behind, Maeve will do anything to help her ailing brother, including honing the magic she didn’t know she possessed until she has the skill required to perform a magical cure.
One day both her magical education and carefully laid plans go awry when a mistaken ingredient creates not a spell for healing, but a curse that transforms her into a frog. Left with no other course, Maeve is forced to turn to the wizard and prince, Alden, whose distraction with anything not pertaining to magic makes him the last man she can rely on.
Unaware of his new frog companion’s true identity as his apprentice, Alden and Maeve work together to compete in a magical contest whose prize will give both of them their greatest desire. Amid all manner of charms, spells, and enchantments—as well as the dangers brought by the other competitors and a mysterious curse slowly robbing each contestant of their powers—Alden and Maeve will need to find the strength to overcome the obstacles hindering their journey in order to open their eyes to the possibility that the greatest spell of all might not be the magical ambitions they’re striving for, but the true love that has been in disguise all along.
Treasure Maps
The world of Charmed is similar to many classic fairy tale realms. There are wizards, enchanted forests, and magical competitions. Although the descriptions themselves are sufficient for the plot, I think more development would have added depth to the story, especially considering how much time the main characters spend in the enchanted forests.
The plot gave very similar feelings to a Hallmark movie; still, although it was predictable, that didn’t make it any less enjoyable to read. I wish there had been some shocking twist to continue keeping me hooked to the characters and story, but the conclusion was satisfying. No questions were left unanswered, and it left room for more fairy tale retellings in the same world.
The characters had some depth, especially when the reader discovers their backstories. I love that Camille Peters used very real human struggles to characterize these larger-than-life fairy tale characters. Both Maeve and Alden had moments of difficulty that had me rooting for them to succeed. In addition, the side characters had interesting stories and flaws that left me eager for more books in their world. The only thing I struggled with was some of the dialogue, which was a little awkward and sometimes pulled me out of the story.
Poisoned Apples:
This book has no innuendo, and mild fantasy violence. L1 profanity.
Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust
As with most of Camille Peter’s stories, Charmed has no direct spiritual references, but there are many allusions and lessons that tie in to Scripture. Alden is always doubting himself, and that causes him to have difficulties throughout his journey. James 1:5 tells us this: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” Any time we have doubts, we can go to God for wisdom, and He will provide. As Alden learns, having strong relationships to lean on during difficult times is also good.
The Frog Prince
Retelling a lesser-known fairy tale such as “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” is a difficult task, as the reader has no familiarity with the characters or the general story (the nostalgia of the Disney movie isn’t there). Camille Peters, despite these challenges, spun an engaging and entertaining tale about a wizard and his curious apprentice. Charmed hits all the necessary points for a good fairy tale retelling; a brave heroine, a charming hero, and a competition that brings them together against all odds. Also, frogs! 🐸
Were the twists unexpected or shocking? No. Did I enjoy the story, nonetheless? Yes. It’s not my favorite book in Camille Peter’s collection, but it has a fun, fast-paced plot with entertaining characters and a heartwarming ending, perfect for fans of Hallmark movies and the “friends to lovers” trope.
Special thanks to Camille Peters for the ARC copy. All opinions are my own. You can buy Charmed here.
𝑀𝒶𝓇𝒾𝑒