"Chock-full of the cheerfully macabre . . . This quirky novel stands out from the crowd in its hilarity and its compelling premise; give it to readers who like villains who aren't, really."
--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Horwitz has created a perfect blend of wit and heart in this fresh fantasy adventure . . . Highly recommended, this title will keep a wide variety of readers entertained with its compelling characters and witty twists on the fairy-tale universe."
--School Library Journal

"Horwitz primes readers to expect the unexpected--and delivers. . . .Horwitz's ingenuity for bizarre enchantment and characterization proves boundless . . . In a wry, satisfying ending, Clementine hints at future enchantments ahead."
--Publishers Weekly

"A spell-binding tale of dark lords and unicorns."
--The Newark Star-Ledger

"The castle is full of sorcery and cleverly devised magical objects, and the legends about the mountains surrounding it give Horwitz's imagined world a unique history. The story has plenty of heart and charm. Themes of trust, forgiveness, and belonging deepen this enjoyable fantasy."
--The Horn Book

"The descriptions of magical beings are fittingly awe-inspiring . . . This inventive fantasy twists conventions while involving readers through good storytelling laced with irony and wit."
--Booklist

"After luring readers in with wordplay and tongue-in-cheek, genre-savvy humor, the plot takes an emotionally rich thematic turn, dwelling on community and forgiveness--all the while building toward a mythical, mystical arc involving the unicorn. The few action sequences are mined for utmost impact, as are the slice-of-life scenes and flashback vignettes . . . Absolutely delightful."
--Kirkus Reviews