Wisdom’s Kiss by Catherine Gilbert Murdock is a young adult novel also appropriate for tweens and adults that is ready for release on September 12 2011. The story is that of three young people trying to find their way in a world what just might not be ready for them. Trudy, or later Fortitude, is an orphan that has the ability to see into the future, not precise pictures but the emotions that certain directions, people or actions might bring about. All Trudy wants is a home and family, with Tips by her side. Wisdom is the youngest princess of the kingdom of Montagne who has agreed to marry a duke, who just happens to be the son of a power hungry schemer, although what she really wants is adventure. Tips is Trudy’s childhood friend and love of her life that has left home as an apprentice. Over the years, his letters have been telling Trudy that he is a soldier, but he is really a circus performer. When the three come together in the same place for Wisdom’s wedding plots and schemes collide and they must stop political agendas from ruining lives, including their own.
Wisdom’s Kiss is a fun story working with a variety of fairy tales, much like Murdock’s earlier work Princess Ben. There is magic, a special cat, a scheming villain, a fool and a little romance. The story itself is told from eight points of view, which can become a little confusing and repetitive at times. However, the overall effect was woven together well with only a few exceptions. I think the only problems arose when Murdock was simply too clever and added an extra twist or turn, that while interesting were not really needed in the grand scheme of things. The twists almost seemed to weigh down the story at times, although I did enjoy connecting some of those twists to moments in Princess Ben or lesser-known fairy tales. My only other complaint was that I really wanted more about the cat.
What I loved about Wisdom’s Kiss was that it points out that a girl does not need her first love, or to be married at all, to lead a happy and successful life. Too many books for tweens through adults equate a relationship with happiness, which is not always the case. Fans of Murdock’s will love seeing Princess Ben as Wisdom’s grandmother, the dowager queen. Though Murdock is quick to point out that this is not a sequel. It is simply set in the same land as Princess Ben, long after the events of that book have taken place.
I recommend Wisdom’s Kiss to fifth graders through adults, since there is something for everyone in the story. Readers that enjoyed Princess Ben will love this story. Readers that enjoy books that play with new formats, fairy tales and the complications of growing up and dealing with changes brought about through the world around us, will all appreciate something in Wisdom’s Kiss.