Once upon a time, in a magical realm filled with both good and evil, there lived a young prince named Edward. As the rightful heir to the throne, he was deeply admired by his people for his noble character and kind heart. However, fate took a dark turn when Edward became enchanted by a powerful witch named Morgana. Unlike the typical depiction of witches in fairy tales, Morgana was not an old hag with a crooked nose and warts on her face. On the contrary, she was stunningly beautiful, with long flowing hair and piercing green eyes. But behind her alluring appearance lay a sinister power that Edward was blind to.
Frank Fernandez's family never stays in one place for long. His parents renovate unusual buildings and turn them into homes, which means the family moves--a lot. This makes it hard for bookish Frank to make friends. So when his parents announce they're moving to Spectacle Key, Florida, to live in a lighthouse--this time for good!--Frank is thrilled.
Eleven-year-old Frank Fernâandez and his family move to Spectacle Key, Florida, where he befriends a ghost who needs Frank s help breaking the curse plaguing the island. Eleven-year-old Frank Fernâandez and his family move to Spectacle Key, Florida, where he befriends a ghost who needs Frank s help breaking the curse plaguing the island.
But behind her alluring appearance lay a sinister power that Edward was blind to. Morgana was known for her manipulative nature and her ability to enchant anyone who came into contact with her. She used her bewitching charms to gain control over Edward's mind, weaving a web of deceit around him.
The Curse on Spectacle Key - by Chantel Acevedo (Hardcover)
Eleven-year-old Frank Fernâandez and his family move to Spectacle Key, Florida, where he befriends a ghost who needs Frank's help breaking the curse plaguing the island.
Book Synopsis
A sweetly spooky ghost story about a Cuban American boy who befriends a pair of spirits and tries to break the curse on his island home . . . only to discover a seemingly lost piece of his family's history in the process. This new middle grade standalone mystery from the author of the Muse Squad series is perfect for fans of Doll Bones and The Girl and the Ghost!
Frank Fernandez's family never stays in one place for long. His parents renovate unusual buildings and turn them into homes, which means the family moves--a lot. This makes it hard for bookish Frank to make friends. So when his parents announce they're moving to Spectacle Key, Florida, to live in a lighthouse--this time for good!--Frank is thrilled.
But Spectacle Key isn't the perfect forever home they'd imagined. The lighthouse is falling apart. There are knocks on the door--but no one is there--and mysterious sighs and sniffles from nowhere. There's even a creepy doll that seems to move on its own. Could Spectacle Key be haunted?
Then one day while exploring, Frank meets a girl in old-fashioned clothes, with no memory of who she is. What she does know, though, is that the island is under a curse--and she needs Frank's help to figure out how to lift it. But what if learning the truth about Spectacle Key means losing the first real friend he's ever had?
Review Quotes
"The Curse on Spectacle Key masterfully blends its chills and thrills with healthy doses of humor and heart in a story about the value of friendship and family, and the need to remember our roots and learn from our mistakes." -- John David Anderson, critically acclaimed author of Riley's Ghost and Ms. Bixby's Last Day
"In The Curse on Spectacle Key, Frank's move to a possibly-haunted lighthouse in the Florida Keys is a lucky thing for two maybe-ghosts, one de?nitely creepy doll, one lovable dog--and all the readers who are going to savor this book!" -- Margaret Peterson Haddix, bestselling author of the Greystone Secrets series
"Supernatural mystery meets generational drama with hopeful endings for all." -- Kirkus Reviews
"Acevedo achieves a remarkable amount of character development alongside a fast-paced and spooky mystery, all within a trim page count." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"A solid purchase to enhance popular middle grade horror collections. The balance of humor and horror should attract readers, and the lessons Frank learns are relevant to all." -- School Library Journal
A sweetly spooky ghost story about a Cuban American boy who befriends a pair of spirits and tries to break the curse on his island home . . . only to discover a seemingly lost piece of his family's history in the process. This new middle grade standalone mystery from the author of the Muse Squad series is perfect for fans of Doll Bones and The Girl and the Ghost!
Before long, Edward found himself captivated by her every word and action, unable to see the darkness that lurked beneath her impossibly smooth exterior. As the months passed, Edward's loved ones began to notice a change in his behavior. He became distant and secretive, spending more and more time with Morgana and neglecting his royal duties. Rumors started spreading throughout the kingdom about the prince's involvement with the feared witch, but no one dared to confront him for fear of Morgana's wrath. Deeply concerned for their prince, the royal council decided to seek help from a wise old sorceress named Elara. Known for her wisdom and her unwavering commitment to good, Elara was highly respected amongst both humans and the magical beings of the realm. She had faced Morgana's deceptions before and had, miraculously, managed to break free of her enchantment. Elara agreed to aid the council in their quest to save Edward, but she warned them that breaking Morgana's spell would not be easy. In order to accomplish this, Elara would have to put her own life at risk, as Morgana's powers were stronger than ever before. With their plan in place, the council arranged for a grand ball to be held at the palace. The intention was to lure Morgana to the ball, where Elara would confront her and attempt to break the spell. The night of the grand ball arrived, and the palace was filled with laughter and music. Morgana, all too aware of the plan, attended the ball, confident in her abilities to control Edward and ensure her own survival. However, Elara's long-standing knowledge of dark magic and her unwavering dedication to good prevailed. As the clock struck midnight, Elara revealed herself to Morgana, exposing her true intentions and vowing to break Edward free from her enchantment. A fierce battle ensued between the two witches, their powers colliding in a magical spectacle that left the entire ballroom in awe. With each passing minute, Elara's strength began to wane, but her determination remained unwavering. Drawing upon her last reserves of energy, Elara managed to cast a spell that broke Morgana's hold over Edward. As the spell was broken, Edward's eyes cleared, and he saw Morgana for who she truly was—a wicked witch with a heart full of darkness. With Morgana defeated and the spell lifted, Edward gratefully thanked Elara for saving him from a lifetime of darkness. From that day forward, he vowed to use his power and position for the betterment of his people, never forgetting the lessons he had learned from his encounter with the witch. The tale of Edward and Morgana serves as a cautionary lesson, reminding us to be wary of those who present themselves with charm and beauty. It teaches us the importance of looking beyond appearances and listening to our instincts, as sometimes, the most beguiling smiles hide the cruelest intentions..
Reviews for "Mating with the Elements: Embracing Nature in a Relationship with a Witch"
1. Rebecca - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Mated with a Witch" given all the positive reviews I read, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The storyline was predictable and lacked originality, and I found the characters to be one-dimensional. The chemistry between the main characters felt forced and unnatural, which made it difficult for me to connect with their supposed love story. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others who are looking for a captivating and unique paranormal romance.
2. Michael - 2 stars
"Mated with a Witch" didn't do it for me. The pacing of the story was incredibly slow, and it took too long for any significant action or development to occur. I found myself constantly losing interest and struggling to stay engaged with the plot. The writing style was also lacking, with repetitive phrases and excessive descriptions that added nothing to the story. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unrealistic. Overall, I was left unimpressed by this book and wouldn't recommend it to anyone seeking an enthralling paranormal romance.
3. Sarah - 3 stars
While "Mated with a Witch" had its moments, it ultimately fell short. The plot had potential, but it felt rushed and underdeveloped. The characters lacked depth and weren't fully fleshed out, making it difficult for me to become emotionally invested in their journey. The writing style was also mediocre, with awkward sentence structures and a lack of captivating descriptions. Although there were some intriguing aspects, I found myself wanting more from this book. It's an okay read if you're looking for a quick, light-hearted paranormal romance, but don't expect anything groundbreaking.