TWICE UPON A TIME . . . .
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“Magic in the hands of an unenchanted being is dangerous.”
—The Mandrian Book of Magic
Princess Nevermore
Originally published by Scholastic Books.
Updated edition published by Lerner Books, Darby Creek imprint
“Suspenseful and poignant. A real page turner.” —★Publishers Weekly starred review
An entertaining fantasy with a well-paced plot. Will delight readers. A good choice for those not yet ready for the more serious struggles between the good and evil of high fantasy.” —School Library Journal
“Engrossing and fascinating.” —Kirkus
“Regan captures the gaze of a newcomer to the contemporary world with humorous authenticity, capitalizing on the potential for funny medieval-meets-modern moments.” —Children’s Literature
Junior Library Guild Selections
Oklahoma Book Award Finalist (Cam)
Oklahoma YA Sequoyah Award Nominee
Maryland Children’s Book Award Nominee
Interview on Cam’s Quest for the TV program “Write About It.”
Cam's Quest
Published by Lerner Books, Darby Creek imprint
A Junior Library Guild Selection
Reader Reviews:
“This book will not disappoint fans of Princess Nevermore. The characters who readers grew to love in the first book are back, and their adventures are even more interesting this time around! Cam’s Quest is a page turner, written by a talented author. Like Princess Nevermore, Cam’s Quest is a fairy tale that readers of all ages will enjoy.”
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From a Librarian:
“I read the book. I can’t tell you how much I liked it. The girls in the library are fighting over it!”
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“This is the Hero’s Journey, come to life, with all of the archetypes and elements in all the right places. The author follows that pattern so effortlessly, yet I know that effortless is just an illusion.
The story moves right along with just the right number of close-ups and details to ground it. And that irresistible element, where we see our familiar world through the eyes of a stranger. These moments are so cleverly observed and so funny.”
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“More please. Mandria, Part 3? Could you please pencil that into your calendar?”
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“It has been a long time since the publication of Princess Nevermore, and I thought there would never be a sequel. Thank heavens the author proved me wrong.
Cam’s Quest is a nice adventure, tied up in a romance with just the right amount of magic and danger.”
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“This was the greatest book I have ever read and I am only 12.”
Princess Nevermore Trivia
- The book’s original title was “The Princess from Under the River.” “Princess Nevermore” was suggested by a VP at Scholastic. It turned out to be the perfect title.
- Names in Princess Nevermore:
Quinn and Cam: At the time, I thought these names were unique.
Adam and Sarah: Two of my many cousins. (Somewhere along the way, I think they were told that they inspired these names.)
Melikar: A vendor at a company where I worked was named “Melichar.” I thought it sounded like a good name for a wizard, so I changed the spelling to make the pronunciation more obvious.
Mondo: I was looking for a name that sounded “other-worldly.”
Ameka: I saw this name in a newspaper and liked it enough to give it to my favorite tutor.
Dagon: I invented this one, however, I once signed a book to a Daegon—pronounced the same.
Scrabit: Totally made up.
Marnie names: Grizzle, Jol, and Taba (in Cam’s Quest) are all invented. Grizzle was originally ‘Grissel,’ but was changed in the updated version to match the sequel.
Katze: I’d just returned from Germany and needed a good name for a cat.
Zack: A favorite name.
Roger: A guy I had a crush on in high school. Shhhhh.
Mr. French: The teacher was originally named Mr. Muench. French is a family name. - Wonderland Park is a real amusement park in Amarillo, Texas, therefore it’s the actual Outer Earth setting.
- Caprock High is a real high school in Amarillo. (Go, Longhorns!) I doubt anyone at the school knows Caprock appears in Princess Nevermore.
- A model was hired to pose for the original cover, but the image is so small, you can’t see what she looks like.
- “Princess Nevermore” has become a Halloween costume. I’ve even been asked to provide a bigger image so trick-or-treaters can use it to create a costume.
- “Princess Nevermore” has also become an online moniker for girls on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, blogs, etc.
- A writer friend suggested I invent a sign Mandrians use to seal agreements. I came up with the Sign of the Lorik. (Also an invented name.)
- In the updated version of Princess Nevermore, “Telephone” has become “cell phone.” And “20th Century” has been changed to “21st Century.”
- People have been saying “It’s a Mandrian Truth” to me ever since the first book was published. I am truly honored.
