Nostalgia galore! The first half of the book is definitely the best part. ( )

00002025

Prequel to Wise child ( )

About a young girl named Ninnoc, only child of a King and Queen is sent away for a year and a day to learn magic - although she mostly learns healing arts centered around roots and herbs. When she returns, she discovers that evil magic has taken over her father's kingdom.

I remember being initially disappointed that the other book in this series wasn't a continuation of Wise Child's story, but a prequel about Juniper's childhood. However, I wasn't disappointed for long as it's such a wonderful story.
Princess Ninnoc of Cornwall is sent to apprentice with Euny, an old woman who seems to have the ear of Ninnoc's father, the Regulus, and also, mystifyingly, refers to Ninnoc as "Juniper". The spoiled princess is at first distressed by Euny's spare existence and uninvolved teaching style, but soon finds the experience valuable. Aunt Meroot, her father's older sister is covetous of power and schemes to seize it by setting her own son on the throne. Juniper must resist her aunt, save her cousin and possibly the entire kingdom. ( )