THE BATTLE FOR URTH

The real world collides with a magical one, accessible through a hidden door in a cheesy fantasy-themed restaurant.

Prince Fredrick Alexander Siegfried Maria Thorston XIV, the pampered and coddled crown prince of Heldstone, dreams of glory and of the magical world beyond a door that cannot be opened, a world called Urth. Meanwhile on Earth, Kara is less than impressed by her school trip to Legendtopia, a fantasy-themed restaurant. When a prop malfunction causes her server to accidentally carry off Kara’s owl necklace, the last gift her Argentinian father gave her before he mysteriously disappeared (as parents in books like this are wont to do), Kara’s quest to get it back brings her to the door to Heldstone. There, she stumbles afoul of the powerful and clearly evil Sorceress. She and Prince Fred flee back to Earth, pursued by the Sorceress. The Sorceress quickly takes to Earth technology (while humor is found in Fred’s reactions to things, such as calling cellphones “Self-Owns”), combining it with her magic for frighteningly effective world domination plots. While evading the Sorceress, the heroes discover a connection between Kara’s father and Heldstone, giving extra incentive to find their way back. The ending sets up a sequel but offers no resolution to any of the extreme things that have happened on Earth. Both Heldstonian Prince Fred and half-Latina Kara are depicted with light skin on the cover.

A humorous diversion.