The Fairy Godmother by Mercedes Lackey

The Fairy Godmother by Mercedes Lackey. New York: Luna, 2004. ISBN: 0-373-80202-1

A truly charming fantasy story that is essentially an extension of any number of traditional fairy tales. The tale takes place in “The 500 Kingdoms,” a realm where magic definitely works, and the “Tradition” continually attempts to force local events into one of the standard fairy tale endings, whether happy or awful.

Our tale begins with a variation on Cinderalla, with our heroine determined to break out of her misery-filled existence. Instead of making it to the ball with the assistance of her fairy godmother, she is taken on as an apprentice by the current incumbent, and is all too soon left in charge as the new fairy godmother herself. In this role, her job is to avert the awful endings that Tradition is just as likely to create as the more satisfactory happier ones.

Things get interesting when our newly minted fairy godmother takes on the education of a couple of arrogant princes, and eventually falls in love with one of them. Throw in a completely unexpected evil sorcerer, some besotted unicorns, loyal household help of the brownie elfish variety, a magical house to live in, and who knows what might happen.

Highly recommended for all fantasy lovers, fairy tale fans, and anyone who likes happy endings.