The Amaranth Enchantment By Julie Berry

Lucinda Chapdelaine has live with her evil Aunt and kind Uncle, by marriage, since she was 5. She was orphaned when her parents left to the ball, and crashed in their carriage. She has had to clean, and be like a servant for her guardians gold smithy shop her whole life.

But one day, a women with very pretty eyes comes into the shop to get a new setting for the biggest jem Lucinda has ever seen. After a rude comment from Aunt about Lucinda, the young lady asks her if she would like to come and live with her. Her Aunt can't say a word, so the Lady, Beryl, leaves apologizing. Later that day, The prince comes to find a jewel for his new bride. Not recognizing him, she makes some rude remarks, and some very witty ones as well. Her Uncle saves her from embarrassment, and the prince leaves. The priest comes to tell the Montescue's shop to inform them that the young lady that was in their shop earlier that day, was actually a witch. Her aunt makes her take it back to the lady. Instead, she kept it with her, and told her Aunt that she indeed had given it back. In the morning she was going to tell her uncle about it to get some extra money. That night, a thieving boy makes his way into Lucinda's room, but not after they fight over him coming through the window.

That morning her Uncle sleeps through breakfast. Telling her Aunt she is going to straighten up, goes and gives the boy, Peter some breakfast. Then she kicks the boy out of her room. Her Aunt makes her do the chores she had already done yesterday. The last chore she has to do is clean the windows in her Aunt and Uncles room. She is not to wake her Uncle, who is sleeping in the bed. She notices that he is not breathing and runs to his side calling for her aunt. Her Aunt blames her for her husbands death and kicks her out saying never to come back again. So she goes to the witches house. She doesn't really believe that she is a witch, and arrives after a very long walk. She knocks on the front door, and the Beryl opens the door and asks if she has her stone. Lucinda reaches into her pocket and removes the stone, holding it out. But it isn't the stone, it is a pebble..."'Peter', I croaked." (page 53)

The rest of the story consist of Lucinda trying to get Beryl's stone, she has to team up with the thief, Peter to get it back. And guess who Peter sold it to? The Prince himself. She gets thrown in jail, and gets bailed out, her Aunt. It turns Beryl knows her Aunt, from when her Aunt was a little girl. And Beryl is from another world. But in the end, they will all live happily ever after... Except for Coxley, if they can catch him.

This was a great read, and the author did a great job on the explanations, it didn't take to long, like some books do. It was fun to read, and try to figure out what was going to happen next. I totally recommend reading this great book! Especially if you liked the book The Goose Girl, the two books are really similar! This was totally is a A+ book!