School Library Journal (Fri Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2017)

Gr 3-7Remarkably timely with its exploration of feminism and social justice, this fantasy title empowers as much as it entertains. In the land of Magikos, the revered Book of Fate has foretold important events since the beginning of time. It prophesied that Marco, Marabel's twin brother, will be the Chosen One to unite the kingdoms and bring harmony throughout the land. Marabel's "Unchosen One" status has deprived her the freedom to openly practice sword fighting and other endeavors her royal family considers unprincesslike. On the eve of their 13th birthday, Marco is kidnapped by rival Queen Mab and taken to the Desolate Barrens, a country created after a giant wall was erected around Magikos to keep the so-called "evils" out. Frustrated by the inaction of her father, Marabel launches her own rescue attempt. With the help of her best friend and a snarky talking unicorn, Marabel crosses into the Desolate Barrens. The trio encounters many magical creatures that challenge their assumptions about the country and its inhabitants. Marabel's journey helps her realize she's more than an overshadowed sibling and that outsiders may not be the strangers she's always feared. By acknowledging her strengths and accepting her weaknesses, she is able to rescue her brother and unite the kingdoms through working alongside those who previously opposed her. VERDICT This subversive hero's quest champions the concepts of gender equality and embracing differences while also delivering an engrossing, laugh-filled adventureSophie Kenney, Vernon Area Public Library District, IL

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Barrett (The Stepsister-s Tale) takes readers to the fantasy realm of Magikos in a series opener that pits fate against free will, touches on prejudice and patriarchy, and has fun with fairy tale tropes. Princess Marabel and her twin brother, Marco, are heirs to the throne, but Marco is the Chosen One described in the Book of Fate, -which told important Magikians what their futures held.- When Queen Mab, the siblings- estranged aunt, captures Marco on the twins- 13th birthday, Marabel becomes determined to rescue her brother, venturing into the Desolate Barrens that Mab rules, joined by her claustrophobic best friend and maid, Ellie, and a talking unicorn named Floriano. As they make unexpected friends with trolls and other creatures typically derided as -Evils,- Barrett highlights Marabel-s personal awakening, challenging beliefs she hadn-t thought to question. Heavy foreshadowing and a tidy conclusion keep the stakes modest, Barrett-s efforts to incorporate technology can feel forced (WizFi, etc.), and there-s not much character depth or development, but the story offers food for thought on an array of valuable topics. An Alloy Entertainment property. Ages 8-12. (Feb.)

Horn Book (Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

When Princess Marabel's twin brother Marco, the kingdom's Chosen One, is kidnapped, she travels past the kingdom's Wall to find Marco (held captive by their exiled aunt) and claim a role for herself outside his shadow. Barrett's fantasy kingdom is in many ways a whimsical, tongue-in-cheek version of the modern world, adding a fresh layer to this story of palace intrigue and adventures in an enchanted land.

Kirkus Reviews

Princess Marabel of Magikos goes on a quest to save her twin brother, Marco.For their 13th birthday, royal twins Princess Marabel and Prince Marco (both white) attend a grand celebration to celebrate Marco, the Chosen One as predicted by the kingdom's Book of Fate. Marabel loves her brother but feels second-rate, once again. When their aunt Mab (banished by the king to the Desolate Barrens, a separated part of Magikos) crashes the party and kidnaps Marco, Marabel, along with her white maid-cum-best friend, Ellie, and a talking unicorn named Floriano (whose plot purpose seems to be opening doors with his magical horn), nervously travels to the Desolate Barrens—a land populated by "Evils"—to rescue him. The three trudge through many derivative adventures borrowed from fairy tales and popular culture as they make their way to Mab's castle. The story considers worthy, timely themes in Marabel's realization that the creatures labeled "Evils" are only different, not wicked, and in her growing self-empowerment as she faces down danger and fear. These are unfortunately diluted by the story's slack execution. Marabel indulges in the plot contrivance of self-doubting inner questioning on a tiresomely frequent basis, and there are several plot inconsistences. Many jokes based on popular/internet culture ("WizFi," "Angry Pheonixes," and "elfie," for instance) are not well-integrated and feel gratuitous.Poor execution distracts from the story's important themes of female empowerment, tolerance, and inclusion. (Fantasy. 8-12)

ALA Booklist (Fri Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2017)

Marabel has lived her entire princess life as the unremarkable twin of the supposed Chosen One, her beloved brother who, as far as the kingdom was concerned, was undoubtedly the subject of a prophecy from the Book of Fate, by which everyone in the land lives. That is, of course, until he is kidnapped by her banished aunt, and Marabel decides to take matters into her own hands. Though this novel often pokes fun at traditional fairy tales, it makes its strongest points about not being satisfied with the status quo. Marabel doesn't question the Book of Fate or the wisdom of her father and his kingdom, until she goes to another land and sees how the other side lives. Strong themes of questioning what's always been considered a given, and being open to another way of seeing things make this book stand out, while its general plot of "princess saving someone else" and "kid finding out she's actually not as normal' as she thought" makes this a neat addition to any fantasy-fan's library.