E.D. Baker is the author of the popular "The Frog Princess" series, which includes titles like "No Place for Magic." Her middle-grade fantasy novels are known for their engaging characters and magical adventures. Baker's work often explores themes of friendship and self-discovery within whimsical settings.
Archivist's Choice
No Place for Magic
Genre
Fantasy / Children's / Young Adult / Romance
Reading Time
12 Minutes
Key Themes
See below
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A witch and her groom-to-be brave trolls and disapproving parents to marry in this charming, funny fairy tale sequel.
Synopsis
Emma, a witch, and Prince Eadric are deeply in love and ready to marry, but Eadric's royal parents vehemently oppose their union due to Emma's magical abilities. Determined to win over the king and queen and secure their blessing, the couple embarks on a journey to Upper Montevista, Eadric's homeland. Their quest for acceptance is sidetracked when they discover Eadric's mischievous younger brother, Bradston, has been kidnapped by a group of troublesome trolls. What follows is a humorous and charming adventure as Emma and Eadric must first rescue Bradston before they can even begin to address the royal family's prejudice, all while navigating their own relationship amidst magical mishaps and family drama.
Difficulty
Easy
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Charming, Humorous, Romantic, Adventurous, Whimsical
Plot Summary
A Royal Engagement and Parental Disapproval
Emma, a witch, and Prince Eadric, a former frog prince, are in love and plan to marry. They begin wedding preparations, which delights Emma. However, Eadric's parents, the King and Queen of Upper Montevista, are not pleased. They believe a witch is an unsuitable match for their son and future king, fearing magic will bring instability and scandal. Eadric is determined to marry Emma, so they decide to travel to Upper Montevista to convince his parents to accept their union, hoping that meeting Emma will change their minds.
A Detour and a Familiar Face
As Emma and Eadric travel to Upper Montevista, they take a shortcut through a less-used path. They find a distressed person being chased by grotesque trolls. To Eadric's dismay, the person is his younger brother, Prince Bradston, who often gets into trouble. Bradston, known for his mischievous and often irritating behavior, is clearly in over his head. Despite their urgent mission to reach the kingdom, Eadric feels he must help his brother, which initially frustrates Emma but she soon understands.
Troll Trouble and a Daring Rescue
Bradston explains he was trying to prove his bravery by going into troll territory and got captured. The trolls are crude and formidable, posing a real threat. Emma uses her magic, and Eadric uses his courage and sword-fighting skills, to plan Bradston's rescue. Their combined efforts lead to a tense fight with the trolls. Emma's confidence in her magic grows, and Eadric's protective instincts are evident. They outsmart and overpower the trolls, freeing Bradston, though it is a close call.
Bradston's Unwanted Company
After his rescue, Bradston, always seeking attention, insists on going with Emma and Eadric to Upper Montevista. He claims he needs to report his heroic (in his mind) escape to his parents and implies he needs their protection. Eadric is hesitant, knowing Bradston often complicates things, especially with his parents. Emma also finds Bradston irritating, but they agree, realizing it might be harder to get rid of him than to tolerate him. Bradston's constant chatter and attempts to impress Emma and annoy Eadric become a running joke during their travels.
Arrival in Upper Montevista
When they arrive at Upper Montevista, Emma is immediately struck by the grandeur and formality of the royal court, which contrasts sharply with her simpler life. The King and Queen are there, along with various courtiers. The reunion with Eadric is stiff, and their disapproval of Emma is clear. They are polite but distant, making it obvious they do not approve of her as a prospective daughter-in-law. Bradston tries to exaggerate his troll encounter, further annoying Eadric and amusing Emma with his antics. The atmosphere is tense, setting the stage for difficult conversations.
The Queen's Tests
Determined to prevent the marriage, the Queen subtly and sometimes not so subtly tries to discredit Emma. She creates a series of 'tests' and social situations to expose Emma's perceived flaws as a witch and her unsuitability for royal life. These challenges range from formal dinners where Emma's table manners are scrutinized to requests for her to perform 'useful' magic, often with a hidden agenda. Emma, though sometimes flustered, tries her best to navigate these trials with grace and good humor, often surprising the Queen with her common sense and kindness.
Bradston's Unexpected Role
Surprisingly, Bradston, despite his usual irritating behavior, accidentally becomes Emma's ally. His constant need for attention and his tendency to get into minor scrapes often require Emma's magical help. Whether it's finding his lost pet, mending a torn garment, or helping him with a school assignment, Emma's practical magic helps Bradston. These small acts of kindness and problem-solving slowly begin to change the King and Queen's ideas, as they see Emma's magic used for good and her patient nature with their difficult younger son.
A Royal Crisis
Just as Emma starts to make progress, a more serious threat appears. A powerful, dark magical force begins to affect Upper Montevista, causing strange occurrences and minor disasters. This force is initially blamed on Emma by some fearful courtiers, fueling the Queen's doubts. However, it quickly becomes clear that this is a separate, malevolent entity. The royal family and the kingdom are in real danger, showing the limits of conventional defenses against magic. Eadric and his family realize they need someone with actual magical knowledge to confront this growing crisis.
Emma's Heroism
With the kingdom in danger, Emma volunteers to use her magic to fight the unknown threat. She researches and consults with Eadric, eventually finding the source of the dark magic. Her courage and skill are tested as she confronts this magical entity, which is more powerful than anything she has faced before. Eadric supports her, providing moral strength and physical assistance when possible. Emma's actions and powerful magic ultimately dispel the dark force, saving Upper Montevista from disaster and proving her abilities.
Acceptance and Celebration
Seeing Emma's bravery and her selfless use of magic to protect their kingdom and family, the King and Queen finally change their minds. They realize their prejudices were wrong and that Emma's magic is a gift, not a curse. They formally bless Emma and Eadric's marriage, apologizing for their earlier resistance. The kingdom celebrates Emma as a heroine, and the wedding preparations begin with the full support and joy of the royal family. Emma and Eadric can finally look forward to their happy future together.
Principal Figures
Emma
The Protagonist
Emma grows in confidence, learning to navigate royal society and proving her worth and power to Eadric's prejudiced parents and the entire kingdom. She fully embraces her identity as a witch and a future queen.
Prince Eadric
The Protagonist
Eadric strengthens his resolve and commitment to Emma, standing up to his parents and proving his unwavering love. He learns to trust Emma's magic even more and fully accepts her as his partner and future queen.
Prince Bradston
The Supporting
Bradston, through his interactions with Emma, slowly begins to see the value of her magic and kindness, becoming an unwitting advocate for her in the royal court, and maturing slightly by the end.
The Queen of Upper Montevista
The Antagonist (initially)
The Queen undergoes a significant transformation, moving from prejudice and fear to acceptance and admiration as she witnesses Emma's true character and heroic actions.
The King of Upper Montevista
The Supporting
The King moves from wary acceptance of his wife's prejudices to fully embracing Emma as a member of the royal family, swayed by her heroic actions and character.
The Trolls
The Antagonist
The trolls serve as an initial external conflict, overcome by the protagonists, and do not have a personal arc.
Themes & Insights
Prejudice vs. Acceptance
A central theme is the struggle against prejudice, especially the Queen's ideas about witches. Emma, as a witch, faces skepticism and judgment from Eadric's family, who connect magic with danger. The story explores how fear and tradition can blind people to someone's true character. Through Emma's actions, kindness, and heroism, the story shows how genuine character and good deeds can break down biases, leading to understanding and acceptance.
“But a witch! We can't have a witch in the royal family! Think of the scandals, the curses!”
Love Conquers All
The enduring power of love between Emma and Eadric is a driving force. Their commitment to each other is strong, even with royal disapproval and life-threatening challenges. Their love goes beyond social barriers and magical differences, proving strong enough to overcome family opposition and external threats. The story celebrates their bond as the foundation for their future and the reason for positive change within the royal family.
“I love her, Mother. And I will marry her, with or without your blessing.”
The Nature of Power and Responsibility
The book explores different kinds of power – magical, royal, and personal – and the responsibility that comes with each. Emma's magic is a significant source of power, and she consistently uses it for good, showing responsibility. Eadric's royal power comes with the responsibility of leadership and protecting his people. The story highlights that true power is not just in ability, but in how it is used, emphasizing selfless service and protection over self-interest or control. The Queen learns that her power to judge also brings a responsibility to be fair.
“Magic is a tool, like any other. It can be used for good or ill, depending on the hand that wields it.”
Family Dynamics and Forgiveness
The story explores family dynamics within the royal household, especially the strained relationship between Eadric and his parents regarding Emma. It also shows the challenging but ultimately loving bond between Eadric and his mischievous brother, Bradston. The story ultimately emphasizes the importance of forgiveness, understanding, and reconciliation within a family, showing that even deeply held prejudices can be overcome for the sake of love and unity.
“We were wrong, Emma. Terribly wrong. Can you ever forgive us?”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
The Unsuitable Match Trope
A classic romantic obstacle where social status or background creates conflict.
This device centers around Emma, a witch, being deemed an 'unsuitable match' for Prince Eadric by his royal parents. It creates the primary external conflict, driving the plot as Emma and Eadric must journey to Upper Montevista to convince the King and Queen. This trope highlights themes of prejudice and social barriers, allowing Emma to prove her worth beyond societal expectations, ultimately challenging and overcoming the initial disapproval based on her magical identity and common background.
The Rescue Quest
A mission to save a character in distress, often leading to unexpected developments.
The rescue of Prince Bradston from the trolls serves as a significant early plot device. While seemingly a detour from the main goal of gaining royal approval, it is crucial for character development and plot progression. It immediately establishes Emma and Eadric's teamwork, showcases Emma's practical magical skills, and introduces Bradston as a catalyst for future interactions. This quest not only provides immediate action but also subtly begins to demonstrate Emma's positive influence to the reader, and eventually, to the royal family.
The Trial by Fire/Heroic Act
A climactic challenge where the protagonist must prove their worth and save the day.
This device culminates in Emma's confrontation with the dark magical threat endangering Upper Montevista. After enduring various 'tests' from the Queen, Emma faces a genuine, life-or-death crisis where her unique abilities are essential. Her heroic act of identifying and defeating the malevolent force serves as the ultimate proof of her courage, competence, and good intentions. This decisive moment directly leads to the King and Queen's acceptance, solidifying her place within the royal family and resolving the main conflict.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
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Key Questions (FAQ)
No Place for Magic follows Emma and Eadric as they prepare for their wedding. Eadric's parents are hesitant about Emma, a witch, joining their family, prompting Emma and Eadric to travel to Upper Montevista to convince them. Before that, they must rescue Eadric's younger brother, Bradston, from trolls.
