One can picture the Publishers sitting in their Dark Tower.
"We must make more money," says one.
"Hey, that kid Paolini's book made a bundle," says another. "People like books written by kids. Let's publish another."
"But we haven't got anything."
"What about that Romanian kid? The public will love that -- a kid writer and Romanian! She'll be on "Today" and "Oprah" in no time!"
"But it stinks."
"Who cares? It'll make a fortune!"

And so the evil deed was done. A bright fourteen-year-old writes a story. It's pretty good for a kid. No doubt her writing teacher is thrilled. Unfortunately, there's more to professional writing than stringing together hundreds of pages of clichés. Some of the usual requirements are a plot that makes some sense, characters that behave at least somewhat believably, and, in a fantasy, a world that has some rules, even if they're invented. This book has none of the above. Not for one second do you ever forget it was written by a child.

So what's the harm? There's nothing really objectionable here, except really really bad writing, which isn't one of our categories of parental concerns. Although many kids will find it dreary and ridiculous, some will enjoy it. The only harm comes in confusing young readers about what constitutes good writing. When they read R. L. Stine, they know they're reading garbage -- it's a guilty pleasure. But this book, by virtue of the age of the author, is already getting far more respect than it deserves. In her eighth grade writing class it is worthy of respect. But in the world of publishing this should never have seen print. And if an adult had written it, it wouldn't have.

From the Book:
Amber expected to see a charming prince straight out of a fairy tale, gallant and poetic, but Adrien looked more like a young knight with hard, chiseled features. He seemed thoughtful and self-possessed, and only his grave eyes revealed the courage and fire that burned inside him. His tousled chestnut hair added to the aura of brooding mystery that surrounded him ... And then it came to her: she understood, she knew, that she was made to love those gray-green eyes. She was certain that she and Adrien should be together -- it could not be otherwise.