Once upon a curse, in a land far, far away, there lived a young princess named Aurora. She was known for her beauty and kindness, loved by all who came to know her. However, her life took a tragic turn when she was cursed by an evil sorceress on her 16th birthday. The curse was that Aurora would fall into a deep sleep, from which she could only be awakened by true love's kiss. The kingdom was filled with despair, as the king and queen searched desperately for a way to break the curse. Many brave princes tried to wake Aurora with a kiss, but none succeeded.
The Magic Tree House series has been a classroom favorite for over 25 years and is sure to inspire a love of reading—and adventure—in every child who joins Jack and Annie!
The Magic Tree House series has been a classroom favorite for over 25 years and is sure to inspire a love of reading and adventure in every child who joins Jack and Annie. With a young magician named Teddy, Jack and Annie take on the challenge in an adventure that takes them to new heights and places they couldn t even imagine.
Many brave princes tried to wake Aurora with a kiss, but none succeeded. The curse seemed unbreakable. Years went by, and the kingdom fell into darkness.
Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve: A Fall and Halloween Book for Kids (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #2) (Paperback)
This is book number 2 in the Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission series.
- #1: Christmas in Camelot (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #1) (Paperback): $6.99
- #3: Summer of the Sea Serpent (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #3) (Paperback): $6.99
- #4: Winter of the Ice Wizard (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #4) (Paperback): $6.99
- #5: Carnival at Candlelight (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #5) (Paperback): $6.99
- #6: Season of the Sandstorms (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #6) (Paperback): $6.99
- #7: Night of the New Magicians (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #7) (Paperback): $6.99
- #8: Blizzard of the Blue Moon (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #8) (Paperback): $5.99
- #9: Dragon of the Red Dawn (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #9) (Paperback): $6.99
- #10: Monday with a Mad Genius (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #10) (Paperback): $5.99
- #11: Dark Day in the Deep Sea (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #11) (Paperback): $6.99
- #12: Eve of the Emperor Penguin (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #12) (Paperback): $6.99
- #13: Moonlight on the Magic Flute (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #13) (Paperback): $5.99
- #14: A Good Night for Ghosts (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #14) (Paperback): $5.99
- #15: Leprechaun in Late Winter (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #15) (Paperback): $6.99
- #16: A Ghost Tale for Christmas Time (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #16) (Paperback): $6.99
- #17: A Crazy Day with Cobras (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #17) (Paperback): $5.99
- #18: Dogs in the Dead of Night (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #18) (Paperback): $6.99
- #19: Abe Lincoln at Last! (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #19) (Paperback): $6.99
- #20: A Perfect Time for Pandas (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #20) (Paperback): $6.99
- #21: Stallion by Starlight (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #21) (Paperback): $5.99
- #22: Hurry Up, Houdini! (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #22) (Paperback): $6.99
- #23: High Time for Heroes (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #23) (Paperback): $6.99
- #24: Soccer on Sunday (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #24) (Paperback): $6.99
- #25: Shadow of the Shark (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #25) (Paperback): $5.99
- #26: Balto of the Blue Dawn (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #26) (Paperback): $6.99
- #27: Night of the Ninth Dragon (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #27) (Paperback): $6.99
- #32: Winter of the Ice Wizard (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #32) (Hardcover): $11.95
- #50: Hurry Up, Houdini! (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #50) (Hardcover): $12.99
- #51: High Time for Heroes (Magic Tree House (R) Merlin Mission #51) (Hardcover): $13.99
Description
Make story time a little spookier with the #1 bestselling chapter book series of all time! Every visit to the magic tree house leads to a time-travel adventure!
Jack and Annie are summoned once again to the fantasy realm of Camelot. There, Merlin the Magician tells them that the Stone of Destiny has been stolen. The answer to its disappearance lies within a haunted castle. With a young magician named Teddy, Jack and Annie take on the challenge in an adventure that takes them to new heights and places they couldn’t even imagine!
Formerly numbered as Magic Tree House #30, the title of this book is now Magic Tree House Merlin Mission #2: Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve.
Did you know that the Magic Tree House series has two levels?
MAGIC TREE HOUSE: Perfect for readers 6-9 who are just beginning to read chapter books—includes this boxed set!
MERLIN MISSIONS: More challenging adventures for experienced readers ages 7-10
The Magic Tree House series has been a classroom favorite for over 25 years and is sure to inspire a love of reading—and adventure—in every child who joins Jack and Annie!
About the Author
MARY POPE OSBORNE is the author of the New York Times number one bestselling Magic Tree House series. She and her husband, writer Will Osborne (author of Magic Tree House: The Musical), live in northwestern Connecticut with their three dogs. Ms. Osborne is also the coauthor of the companion Magic Tree House Fact Trackers series with Will, and with her sister, Natalie Pope Boyce.
SAL MURDOCCA has illustrated more than 200 children's trade and text books. He is also a librettist for children's opera, a video artist, an avid runner, hiker, and bicyclist, and a teacher of children's illustration at the Parsons School of Design. Sal lives and works in New York with his wife, Nancy.
- Juvenile Fiction / Holidays & Celebrations / Halloween
- Juvenile Fiction / Fantasy & Magic
- Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Chapter Books
- Prebound (July 27th, 2010): $17.25
Formerly numbered as Magic Tree House #30, the title of this book is now Magic Tree House Merlin Mission #2: Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve.
Did you know that the Magic Tree House series has two levels?
MAGIC TREE HOUSE: Perfect for readers 6-9 who are just beginning to read chapter books—includes this boxed set!
MERLIN MISSIONS: More challenging adventures for experienced readers ages 7-10
The people lost hope, and the once vibrant land became a desolate place. But deep inside the castle, Aurora slept peacefully, waiting for a true love that seemed impossible to find. One day, a young prince named Philip heard of Aurora's plight and decided to take on the challenge. He fought his way through thorns and battled terrifying creatures to reach the castle. When he finally stood before Aurora, he knew he had found his true love. With a gentle kiss, Philip awakened Aurora from her slumber. As the curse was broken, the kingdom erupted in joy and celebration. The land that had once been filled with darkness was now filled with light and love. Aurora and Philip's love story became a legend, inspiring generations to believe in the power of true love. The curse that had once brought despair now brought hope and happiness to the kingdom. Once upon a curse, a young princess named Aurora faced unimaginable trials, but in the end, love prevailed. The story taught us that no matter how dark the times may seem, there is always hope and love can conquer all..
Reviews for "When Darkness Falls: Gothic Elements in Once Upon a Curse"
1. John - 1/5 stars - Once upon a Cuurse was a complete disappointment. The plot was weak and predictable, and the characters felt one-dimensional. I couldn't connect with any of them, and their actions seemed forced and unnatural. The dialogue was also cringe-worthy, filled with cliches and unrealistic conversations. Overall, I found the book to be a waste of time and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a well-written and engaging fairy tale retelling.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for Once upon a Cuurse, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The story lacked originality, borrowing heavily from other popular fairy tales without adding anything new or interesting. The pacing was also off, with the middle part dragging on unnecessarily and the ending feeling rushed. Additionally, the romantic subplot felt forced and didn't have any real chemistry. While the writing style was decent, it wasn't enough to redeem the lackluster plot and underdeveloped characters. Disappointing read overall.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - Once upon a Cuurse had an intriguing premise, but it failed to live up to its potential. The world-building was superficial, leaving many unanswered questions about the magical elements of the story. The main character, despite being the supposed hero, lacked depth and growth throughout the book. The plot twists, meant to surprise and captivate the reader, came across as contrived and didn't add any real value to the story. Overall, I found the book to be forgettable and would not recommend it to fans of fantasy or fairy tales.
4. Peter - 1/5 stars - Once upon a Cuurse was a complete letdown. The writing style was amateurish and filled with grammatical errors, making it a struggle to read. The story, which had potential, was poorly executed and lacked cohesion. The world-building was minimal, leaving the reader with a shallow understanding of the setting. Furthermore, the characters were flat and uninteresting, making it impossible to connect with them or care about their fates. I would definitely not recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-written and immersive fantasy tale.