Kandide and the Secrets of the Mists

By Diana S. Zimmerman

Book Overview

What if everything you love is suddenly gone? And everything you fear is all you have? Welcome to Calabiyau, a land where magic is as normal as the sunrise and evil is on a rampage. Meet Kandide.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0545291542
• ISBN13: 9780545291545
• Release Date: January 2010
• Publisher: Scholastic
• Length: 333 Pages
• Weight: 0.62 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A highly original and intriguing fantasy

There are dark secrets to even the most pristine and utopian societies. "Kandide and the Secrets of the Mists: The Calabiyau Chronicles" is the story of Kandide, who is expelled from her society when her wing is crushed. She must join the outsiders that she had been brought up to fear and loathe, called the Imperfects. They turn out to be people just like her, only... imperfect. She is faced with the challenges of exile as those on the inside begin to realize they've made a mistake. A story of understanding wrongful prejudice, "Kandide and the Secrets of the Mist" is a highly original and intriguing fantasy, sure to please the genre's fans.

Two Thumbs Up!!!

Dear Diana, My name is Zion, we met at your book signing for "Kandide and the Secret of the Mists" at the Never Ending Story Bookstore in Las Vegas a few weeks ago. I finished the book about a week ago and really liked it. I give the book two thumbs up! My favorite character was Teren, because he was the only wizard and he is close to my age (in human years). I liked the way he froze Kandide in mid air when they were battling. I also liked Teren because he likes reading, just like I do. My favorite part of the book was when Kandide rescued the pregnant Griffin from the Garglans because I like animals and mystical creatures and I was glad the Griffin survived and was able to have the baby. It was cool that Kandide was able to name the baby and that she named it Courage ( a great name!). I also liked the idea of loyalty to Kandide in gratitude for her heroic rescue. The only thing I would add or change about the story was the amount of magic. I would have liked more scenes with magic. I really liked the illustrations because they were full color (even in a paper back book). They were also very accurate, they looked like what I imagined. I am looking forward to the next book to see how Lady Aron gets her revenge! Thank you for writing such a great book, you have a fabulous, amazing imagination. Thank you for coming to Las Vegas, it was fun to meet a real live author. Zion Age 10 (Posted by his mother) Las Vegas Fourth Grade

Enchanting, Magical, Life Altering Thrill Ride

If you enjoy literature that delivers chills and thrills, a life assessing message and cannot be scientifically explained, "Kandide and the Secret of the Mists" is a must read. Kandide is an arrogant, pampered and vain princess in the Land of Calabiyau, her mysterious, magical kingdom, where physical perfection is the only thing that matters. But due to a life altering accident she is forced to re-evaluate her life and her perception of the world around her and rely on people she previously shunned, even feared. In her travels she will encounter creatures and people intent on destroying her and everyone she holds dear. She finds she has an inner strength and courage to deal with all adversaries. As you follow Kandide on her magical journey of adventure, danger and discovery, you'll witness her realization that her life has been an illusion, a mask hiding the real person she is inside. I dare you to own this book and not have it change your thinking and your life. Take the voyage of self-discovery and self-acceptance with Kandide and discover the real YOU. It's an enchanting, magical thrill ride that cannot be missed.

An Amazing and Important Story

My son was one of the fortunate 21 to be involved in a special project where they had the opportunity to read the manuscript before the book was published. The kids were SO into the book - over a year later, they still talk about it and can't wait for book two (and beyond!). They did story boards, book reports, and all kinds of activities - really diving into the story - and simply loved it. The school did the project again this year - and the kids were able to read the real book - that was very exciting for them... and I hear they liked it as much - or even more - than last year's class. What's special about Kandide... in addition to well developed story lines, interesting and charming characters, an amazing land of fantasy and intrigue... is that there is a great message of acceptance that every child (and adult) will benefit from hearing. The world would be a better place if everyone read Kandide! Read the book - and get your kids to read it - it's fantastic.

Not Since L. Frank Baum!

It has been a century since L. Frank Baum charmed America with the Oz series... Now there is a worthy successor in American publishing--an author that may well break records in the English language now held by the British sensation J. K. Rowling. That writer is Diana S. Zimmerman. Kandide and the Secret of the Mists is that rare work of art that gives us permission to suspend belief and then paints a picture that rings as true as the morning newspaper or your next door neighbor. In this world obsessed with surface beauty, Zimmerman unfolds a story that teaches readers what true, unvarnished beauty really is. This book is a triumph of storytelling. I shall give nothing away... No spoilers. Read the book and be charmed, as I was!!!