"Rule #43: Beware of strangers bearing gifts- especially little old ladies and cute kids." -Definitive Fairy-Tale Survival Guide, Volume 1 
 Have you ever read a book that looks like a fun read but will probably not turn into anything special? Have you ever been completely wrong about that assumption and that book turns into a new favorite? That is what happened to me with Spelled by Betsy Schow. 
 Spelled is a retelling of The Wizard of Oz that takes elements and characters from the original text and transforms them into a princess story that connects all fairy tales and legends into one world. You follow Dorthea, the Princess of Emerald, who longs to leave the palace that she has never left because of a curse that was placed on the women in her family. At a ball, the queen informs Dorthea that she is betrothed to a prince she does not like. In a fit of anger, Dorthea makes an wish that changes everything about their world. 
 While Spelled is different than the source material, Schow littered her story with Easter Eggs of the original story as well as made pun references to pop culture and other fairy tales. The result is a entertaining story that is familiar but different at the same time. Personally, I enjoy the quotes at the beginning of each chapter that are taken from books in the world of Story. It makes the story seem broader and that other series could take place in the same world. 
 If this book is an example the characters that could be in this world, I am up for a spin off series. Dorthea is not the strongest of heroines. She is spoiled and whiny yet self aware at times. I enjoyed seeing her grow and learn from her experiences and question if she was the hero or a villain. I feel similarly to Kato, who is rough at first but becomes soft and charming as the story proceeds. Also, their romance is cute, fluffy and hilarious, which I always love. 
 I will admit that this story is not for everyone. Dorthea is very spoiled at the beginning. The constant puns might not be funny to everyone and the story can be cheesy at points. However, I feel like that is part of the charm of Spelled. I love seeing the imperfect Dorthea navigate a world that she has only seen from Story media. I want her to make mistakes and to fall in love. That is what makes this story special. 
 Since I have already read Wanted, I really cannot wait until the release of Banished. The preview I read is killing me. I am expecting very good things from the end of this series.