The Magic Mirror of the Mermaid Queen

Neef is a changeling, a human baby stolen by fairies and replaced with one of their own. She lives in "New York Between," a parallel Manhattan of elves, fairies, demons, and mythological spirits. Neef has always been protected by her (rat) nursemaid,Astris, until she winds up breaking Fairy Law. Now, unless she can meet the challenge of the Lady of Central Park, she�ll be sacrificed to the bloodthirsty Wild Hunt. But Neef is a native New Yorker, streetwise and sharp, and she�s determined to beat the rap. The acclaimed Delia Sherman�s first novel for younger readers turns both Manhattan and storytelling inside out! Neef, is a very self-aware changeling, knowing her mortal roots, in the Other Side of Manhattan, as she tells the story of her quest. Typically enough, the story begins as Neef bemoans her daily boredom and how her curious mischievous nature gets her into trouble. Neef is atypical for her fairy world, she is mortal. Her troubles begin when she circumvents her Fairy Godmother and the Sandman and attends the Solstice Dance at Central Park. When her presence at the Dance is discovered, the protection she earlier had from the darker aspects of the enchanted Manhattan is lifted, and she becomes the prize in the Great Hunt. After the Dance and being told of the great Fairy rule she has broken, Neef comes across a boogeyman and her human counterpart, whom she names Changeling. Only by bargaining with the guardian of Central Park can Neef reclaim her safety. Much easier said than done, as her quest entails procuring a few veritably impossible items can she complete the quest A determined heroine, a quest— adventure galore! Neef is a changeling, a human baby stolen by fairies and replaced with one of their own. She lives in “New York Between,” a Manhattan that exists side by side with our own, home to various creatures of folklore. Neef has always been protected by her fairy godmother—until she breaks a Fairy Law. Now, unless she can meet the challenge of the Green Lady of Central Park, she'll be sacrificed! Neef is determined to beat the rap—but time is running out . . . In a parallel New York City, Neef, a changeling, breaks Fairy Law and will end up sacrificed to the Wild Hunt unless she can meet the challenge of the Green Lady of Central Park.