A Well-Timed Enchantment

by Vivian Vande Velde

Book Overview

It's bad enough that Deanna has to waste her summer in France and her only friend is a mangy black cat, but now she's staring hopelessly into a well, trying to figure out what in the world to wish for.

Before she can make a wish, the cat scratches her, her watch falls into the well, and then . . . so has she! Except that now she's in medieval France, the cat is a handsome young man, and her watch has the power to completely change history...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0152049193
• ISBN13: 9780152049195
• Release Date: June 2006
• Publisher: Clarion Books
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.4" x 7.4"
• Age Range: 10 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 7

Customer Reviews

A Terrific Book!!

Not only is this adventurous and romantic, it's funny too. The main character is Deanna. When she drops her watch into a well, and it is transported into medievel France, Deanna must get it back before it changes history. She has only one other thing to help her - a cat-turned-into-a-boy. Okay, I know what you're thinking. How in the world could something as simple as a watch change history? Well, suppose someone found it and believed it was something magical. And then, suppose the king found out about this watch, and he took it. Well, you know how these kings get - if one king has something, another king will want it. It could start a war, and then... Well, anyway, Deanna and the cat-boy have to get back the watch. So, in medievel France, Deanna and Oliver (the cat) meet a bunch of annoying (and rather stupid) nobles. And the story goes on with even more adventure. As for the romance, a lady noble falls in love (or at least thinks she has) with Oliver, another (Leonard) decides to marry Deanna, and finally, at the end, Deanna and Oliver fall in love. Okay, so far you haven't heard of anything funny. But there is plenty of humour. Throughout the story Oliver has to get used to being a human (he's used to being a cat and this isn't an easy switch to make). For instance, here's a part where Oliver is having trouble with using expressions."'...turns out since Leonard lost so badly, he figures his lady must be a real dog, so he wants to replace her with me.' Oliver stopped and stared at her. 'Leonard is marrying a dog?'"Oliver also has trouble adjusting to a new diet of human food after all those years of mice. Anyway, if this review hasn't convinced you that this book is either adventurous, romantic, or funny, you probably wouldn't enjoy it. I'd say for ages 8-14.

I WANT A SEQUEL, OR A BETTER ENDING!!

I LOVE this book!!! I picked it up, but couldn't put it down!When I saw this book, I though it would be just your average book. Was I ever wrong!!This book was better than any book other book I've ever read!I really like Oliver and Deanna. Oliver reminds me of a nicer version of Heero Yuy from Gundam Wing^_^ That's because he's so quiet and mysterious.I think he's neat.Deanna is your average teenage girl, which makes her very likable. I've read this book over and over again,and I'm still not sick of it! I really felt sorry for Oliver, and it's really sad how this book ends!But I loved it anyway!!

A well timed enchantment

I found this book amusing and well written. Vande Velde twisted comedy with romance having an excelent effect. I think that anyone who likes ficton should read this!

A truly enchanting read

Have you ever wondered about the consequences of dropping your Mickey Mouse watch down an old wishing well? You can bet Deanna never did. She certainly hadn't counted on having twenty-four hours to retrieve her watch and keep history from changing. You see, the Mickey Mouse could start a cult in medieval Europe in which mice are sacred...and so prolong the plague in Europe for another couple hundred years...Luckily, she's got a companion to help her. Her cat-turned-human, Oliver. But a cat? Against a not-so-wicked wizard, a couple of bumbling knights and a lady who is infatuated with Oliver?? You bet. Filled with numerous puns, fractured fairy tales and a medieval setting, A Well-Timed Enchantment is a light and fun read.

Entertaining and fun

This book is absolutly inventive and really fun to read. It is not an ordinary book, but that is what makes it fun! All the characters are interesting and unpredictable. Not only is there adventure, but a minnie love story in the making. I definatly recomend reading this book! It's totally enchanting!