This is a retelling and combining of several of the more traditional tales of mis-fated mortals dealing with elvenkind. It has some of the pluck of Charles de Lint's tales, some of the grace of Ursula leGuin's Earthsea series. A good addition to any collection of fantasy novels---and not just young adults, either.
From back cover: Summoned one night by the strangely compelling call of a horn, Nora is magically stolen away from her husband and baby and transported to the realm of Erland. The wicked Erl King has kidnapped her as a nursemaid and nanny for his newborn, Prince Elver. When the Prince can walk on his own, the King says, Nora will be free to go.
But before the Prince takes his first steps, the Queen dies, and the King begins to look to Nora as more than a nursemaid, for a king MUST have a queen. Nora's only hope, it seems, lies in the hands of little Prince Elver, who will sacrifice anything--even the use of his legs--to stop his nanny from leaving.
From back cover: Summoned one night by the strangely compelling call of a horn, Nora is magically stolen away from her husband and baby and transported to the realm of Erland. The wicked Erl King has kidnapped her as a nursemaid and nanny for his newborn, Prince Elver. When the Prince can walk on his own, the King says, Nora will be free to go.
But before the Prince takes his first steps, the Queen dies, and the King begins to look to Nora as more than a nursemaid, for a king MUST have a queen. Nora's only hope, it seems, lies in the hands of little Prince Elver, who will sacrifice anything--even the use of his legs--to stop his nanny from leaving.
This book is lyrically written and just lovely to read.
