Enchanted, Inc.

Last updated

Enchanted, Inc
Enchanted, Inc..jpg
Author Shanna Swendson
Cover artistNina Berkson
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
SeriesKatie Chandler
Genre Urban fantasy, romance
Publisher Ballantine Books
Publication date
May 31, 2005
Pages320
ISBN 978-0-345-48125-2
OCLC 56590838
Followed byOnce Upon Stilettos 

Enchanted, Inc. is the first book in the "Katie Chandler" series of romantic urban fantasy novels by Shanna Swendson published in 2005.

Contents

Plot summary

Kathleen "Katie" Chandler has been living and working in New York City for about a year, but is originally from Texas. She has a job under a boss named Mimi, but she hates it. She is offered a mysterious job. When she looks into it, it turns out that she is one of the 1% in the world who are immune to magic, and that the company offering her the job is a magic company called MSI Inc, which stands for Magic, Spells, and Illusions Inc. It soon becomes apparent that the world is in trouble from the evil wizard Phelan Idris and it is up to Katie and her friends to save it. [1]

Characters

Katie Chandler
A young Texas woman who has always been ordinary. She discovers that she is one of the rare people who has absolutely no magic in them and so magic can not be used on her. Because of this immunity she is recruited by MSI as a verifier. She can see through every spell or veiling without exception.
Owen Palmer
A shy, intelligent, powerful and gorgeous wizard who works for MSI. Owen works translating ancient spells. A former MSI employee, Phelan Idris, has a personal vendetta against him because Owen had him fired.
Rod Gwaltney
Owen's best friend since boyhood, Rod is a playboy who hides his not so attractive visage behind a very handsome illusion. He and Owen recruit Katie.
Merlin
The actual Merlin, from King Arthur. Merlin was woken from his enchanted sleep to help with some serious, imminent magical trouble. Merlin is very powerful and is fond of Katie, who teaches him about life in New York.
Phelan Idris
A former MSI employee who worked with Owen. Idris was fired for dabbling in dark magic. MSI is strictly good, and Owen was the one who reported him. Idris is now selling his own evil spells and Katie, Owen and Merlin have to stop him before it is too late.
Ethan Wainwright
A lawyer who specializes in intellectual property. Katie and Ethan met on a date (he was set up with one of her roommates) and started talking about law. After consulting with Merlin, Katie asks Ethan out, mostly to find out if they had an intellectual property case against Idris. On their date, Katie finds out that Ethan is an immune and recruits him to be a lawyer for MSI.
Sam
The head of security for MSI and also a gargoyle. Katie had been seeing him around the city for months before finding out that magic exists.
Marcia and Gemma
Katie's roommates. Normal humans in every way, except maybe a little brighter and more beautiful. Katie is not allowed to tell them about magic and that is fine with her, she needs some normality in her life. It does cause problems, though, when Katie needs to sneak away to battle evil magicians, or when her friends start dating former frogs she freed from enchantment.

Reviews

Chick Lit Books website gave Enchanted Inc 5/5 stars and called it, "A fresh new entry into the new fantasy/paranormal chick lit genre." [2]

Publishers Weekly called it, "Lively ... a pure and innocent fantasy ... a cotton candy read."

Melissa de la Cruz, author of The Au Pairs, called it "A totally captivating, hilarious and clever look on the magical kingdom of Manhattan, where kissing frogs has never been this fun." [3]

Romantic Times Bookclub, June 2005 issue, wrote, "This is a witty, unique approach to the familiar story of a young woman working in modern Manhattan, and the laughs are plentiful." (4 stars) [4]

Booklist, May 15, 2005, wrote, "This appealing novel offers a charming cast of characters and a clever premise, and readers will hope that Katie's skills will be needed in New York City again soon." [4]

Dark Realms, issue #18, said, "... like the Harry Potter of adulthood. Author Shanna Swendson pens a delightful, whimsical tale about an unlikely heroine who saves the day against all odds -- and oddities. Enchanted, Inc. offers a wonderful escape from the ordinary." [4]

Huntress Reviews aid, "The writing is superb and the story is seamless! Fans of Charlaine Harris's "Southern Vampire" series will especially enjoy this new author! A fun and witty read!" *****

Armchair Interviews rote, "Chick lit at its finest. Bridget Jones, move over. ... a delightful romp through the world of magic with a dash of romance thrown in for good measure. There are characters you'll love and remember."

Film adaptation

Strike Entertainment is[ when? ] in pre-production of a film adaptation of Enchanted, Inc.. In January 2010, Steven Rogers was hired to write the screenplay. [5] Rogers wrote the screenplays for the romantic comedies Hope Floats , P.S. I Love You and Kate & Leopold . [6] The film is listed on IMDb as in development since 2011. [7]

The series

The "Katie Chandler" series (also called "Fairy Tales for Modern Times") has nine published books.

  1. Enchanted, Inc. (May 2005, Ballantine Books, ISBN   978-0-345-48125-2) [1] [8]
  2. Once Upon Stilettos (April 2006, Ballantine Books, ISBN   978-0-345-48127-6) [9]
  3. Damsel Under Stress (May 2007, Ballantine Books, ISBN   978-0-345-49292-0) [10]
  4. Don't Hex with Texas (April 2008, Ballantine Books, ISBN   978-0-345-49293-7) [11]
  5. Much Ado About Magic (September 2012, NLA Digital Liaison Platform LLC, ISBN   978-1-620-51052-0) [12]
  6. No Quest for the Wicked (October 2012, NLA Digital Liaison Platform LLC, ISBN   978-1-620-51056-8) [13]
  7. Kiss and Spell (May 2013, NLA Digital Liaison Platform LLC, ISBN   978-1-620-51078-0) [14]
  8. Frogs and Kisses (December 2016, NLA Digital Liaison Platform LLC, ISBN   978-1-620-51256-2)
  9. Enchanted Ever After (July 2019, independently published, ISBN   978-1-079-31713-8)

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Merlin</span> Legendary Welsh wizard

Merlin is a mythical figure prominently featured in the legend of King Arthur and best known as a magician, with several other main roles. The familiar depiction of Merlin, based on an amalgamation of historic and legendary figures, was introduced by the 12th-century British pseudo-historical author Geoffrey of Monmouth and then built on by the French poet Robert de Boron and their prose successors in the 13th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lady of the Lake</span> Enchantress and sorceress in Arthurian legend

The Lady of the Lake is a name or a title used by several either fairy or fairy-like but human enchantresses in the Matter of Britain, the body of medieval literature and mythology associated with the legend of King Arthur. She plays several important roles in many stories, including providing Arthur with the sword Excalibur, eliminating Merlin, raising Lancelot after the death of his father, and helping to take the dying Arthur to Avalon. Different sorceresses known as the Lady of the Lake appear concurrently as separate characters in some versions of the legend since at least the Post-Vulgate Cycle and consequently the seminal Le Morte d'Arthur, with the latter describing them as a hierarchical group, while some texts also give this title to either Morgan or her sister.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morgan le Fay</span> Enchantress in the Arthurian legend

Morgan le Fay, alternatively known as Morgan[n]a, Morgain[a/e], Morg[a]ne, Morgant[e], Morge[i]n, and Morgue[in] among other names and spellings, is a powerful and ambiguous enchantress from the legend of King Arthur, in which most often she and he are siblings. Early appearances of Morgan in Arthurian literature do not elaborate her character beyond her role as a goddess, a fay, a witch, or a sorceress, generally benevolent and connected to Arthur as his magical saviour and protector. Her prominence increased as the legend of Arthur developed over time, as did her moral ambivalence, and in some texts there is an evolutionary transformation of her to an antagonist, particularly as portrayed in cyclical prose such as the Lancelot-Grail and the Post-Vulgate Cycle. A significant aspect in many of Morgan's medieval and later iterations is the unpredictable duality of her nature, with potential for both good and evil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Incantation</span> Formula intended to trigger a magical effect

An incantation, a spell, a charm, an enchantment, or a bewitchery, is a magical formula intended to trigger a magical effect on a person or objects. The formula can be spoken, sung, or chanted. An incantation can also be performed during ceremonial rituals or prayers. In the world of magic, wizards, witches, and fairies allegedly perform incantations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jody Lynn Nye</span> American science fiction writer (born 1957)

Jody Lynn Nye is an American science fiction writer. She is the author or co-author of approximately forty published novels and more than 100 short stories. She has specialized in science fiction or fantasy action novels and humor. Her humorous series range from contemporary fantasy to military science fiction. About one-third of her novels are collaborations, either as a co-author or as the author of a sequel. She has been an instructor of the Fantasy Writing Workshop at Columbia College Chicago (2007) and she teaches the annual Science Fiction Writing Workshop at DragonCon.

<i>Merlins Shop of Mystical Wonders</i> 1996 American film

Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders is a 1996 American fantasy horror film written and directed by Kenneth J. Berton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fantasyland</span> Themed land at Disney theme parks

Fantasyland is one of the "themed lands" at all of the Magic Kingdom-style parks run by The Walt Disney Company around the world. It is themed after Disney's animated fairy tale feature films. Each Fantasyland has a castle, as well as several gentle rides themed after those Disney animated feature films.

<i>Guinevere Jones</i> Canadian TV series or program

Guinevere Jones is a fantasy television series and a series of four novels created by Elizabeth Stewart. It revolves around the adventures of the title character as she uses magic to fight evil, while at the same time dealing with problems and difficulties of high school. The show debuted in Canada on May 4, 2002, on YTV and ten days later in Australia. It ran for twenty-six episodes over two seasons.

<i>Rusalka</i> (novel) 1989 novel by C. J. Cherryh

Rusalka is a fantasy novel by American science fiction and fantasy author C. J. Cherryh. It was first published in October 1989 in the United States in a hardcover edition by Ballantine Books under its Del Rey Books imprint. Rusalka is book one of Cherryh's three-book Russian Stories trilogy set in medieval Russia in forests along the Dnieper river near Kyiv in modern-day Ukraine. The novel draws on Slavic folklore and concerns the fate of a girl who has drowned and becomes a rusalka. It is also an exploration of magic and the development of a young wizard.

<i>Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders</i> Television series

Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders, also known outside of North America as Starla & the Jewel Riders, is an American fantasy-themed animated television series aimed at pre-teen girl audiences and produced by Bohbot Entertainment in association with Hong Ying Animation Company Limited. It was internationally syndicated by Bohbot on their Syndicated Amazin' Adventures block, where it originally ran for two 13-episode seasons from 1995 until 1996. The show's plot follows the quest of the eponymous young Princess Gwenevere of Avalon and her two fellow teenage Jewel Riders, Fallon and Tamara, to find the seven lost enchanted jewels so they can stop the evil sorceress Lady Kale from taking over the kingdom. In the second season, the Jewel Riders receive more powers to compete against the returning Kale and the mighty new enemy Morgana for more magical jewels in order to rescue their banished mentor Merlin and restore harmony in magic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magic ring</span> Fictional or mythological piece of jewelry with supernatural powers

A magic ring is a mythical, folkloric or fictional piece of jewelry, usually a finger ring, that is purported to have supernatural properties or powers. It appears frequently in fantasy and fairy tales. Magic rings are found in the folklore of every country where rings are worn. Some magic rings can endow the wearer with a variety of abilities including invisibility and immortality. Others can grant wishes or spells such as neverending love and happiness. Sometimes, magic rings can be cursed, as in the mythical ring that was recovered by Sigurð from the hoard of the worm Fáfnir in Norse mythology or the fictional ring that features in The Lord of the Rings. More often, however, they are featured as forces for good, or as a neutral tool whose value is dependent upon the wearer.

The wizard is one of the standard character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. A wizard uses arcane magic, and is considered less effective in melee combat than other classes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magician (fantasy)</span> Magicians appearing in fantasy fiction

A magician, also known as an archimage, mage, magus, magic-user, spellcaster, enchanter/enchantress, sorcerer/sorceress, warlock, witch, or wizard, is someone who uses or practices there was so a girl name furry rap and she ate cookies with milk and loved Kekwmwmagic derived from supernatural, occult, or arcane sources. Magicians enjoy a rich history in mythology, legends, fiction, and folklore, and are common figures in works of fantasy, such as fantasy literature and role-playing games.

<i>The King of Elflands Daughter</i> 1924 novel by Lord Dunsany

The King of Elfland's Daughter is a 1924 fantasy novel by Anglo-Irish writer Lord Dunsany. It is widely recognized as one of the most influential and acclaimed works in all of fantasy literature. Although the novel faded into relative obscurity following its initial release, it found new longevity and wider critical acclaim when a paperback edition was released in 1969 as the second volume of the Ballantine Adult Fantasy series.

Shanna Swendson is an American author of romance novels and chick lit. She has also written under the pseudonym Samantha Carter. Swendson is perhaps best known for the "Katie Chandler" series of novels, beginning with the 2005 publication of Enchanted, Inc.

<i>Merlin</i> (2008 TV series) British fantasy-adventure television series (2008–2012)

Merlin is a British fantasy-adventure drama television programme, loosely based on the Arthurian legends regarding the close relations of Merlin and King Arthur. Created by Julian Jones, Jake Michie, Johnny Capps and Julian Murphy for the BBC, it was broadcast for five series on BBC One between 20 September 2008 and 24 December 2012. The programme starred Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Katie McGrath, Angel Coulby, Richard Wilson, Anthony Head, and John Hurt.

Stories involving the mythical wizard Merlin have been popular since the Renaissance, especially with the renewed interest in the legend of King Arthur in modern times. As noted by Arthurian scholar Alan Lupack, "numerous novels, poems and plays center around Merlin. In American literature and popular culture, Merlin is perhaps the most frequently portrayed Arthurian character."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morgan le Fay in modern culture</span> Morgana le Fay is a character portrayed as a sorceress in Arthurian legend.

The Matter of Britain character Morgan le Fay has been featured many times in various works of modern culture, often but not always appearing in villainous roles. Some modern stories merge Morgana's character with her sister Morgause or with aspects of Nimue. Her manifestations and the roles given to her by modern authors vary greatly, but typically she is being portrayed as a villainess associated with Mordred.

Annowre (Anouwre) is an evil enchantress who desires King Arthur in Thomas Malory's Le Morte d' Arthur. Malory based her on a nameless character from the earlier Prose Tristan, who was named as Elergia in the Italian La Tavola Ritonda.

References

  1. 1 2 De Lint, Charles (August 1, 2005). "Enchanted, Inc. (Book Review)". The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction. Retrieved February 28, 2010.
    - Eubanks, Michelle Rupe (May 27, 2005). "'Enchanted' makes good beach read". TimesDaily . Retrieved February 28, 2010.
  2. "Review: Enchanted, Inc. : Chick Lit Books". Archived from the original on August 1, 2009. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  3. "Powell's Books | the World's Largest Independent Bookstore". Powell's Books.
  4. 1 2 3 "Enchanted, Inc. Reviews". Shanna Swendson. Archived from the original on March 27, 2009. Retrieved August 7, 2009.
  5. Siegel, Tatiana (January 26, 2009). "Rogers 'Enchanted' by tome". Variety. Retrieved February 28, 2010.
  6. Reynolds, Simon (January 27, 2009). "Rogers adapting fantasy novel 'Enchanted'". Digital Spy. Retrieved February 28, 2010.
  7. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1365052/ Archived January 30, 2011, at the Wayback Machine [ user-generated source ]
  8. Guthrie, Courtney (July 3, 2005). "Irving writer's fiction debut enchanting". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved February 28, 2010.
  9. Hayton, Tasha (April 24, 2007). "Local author brings magic to everyday life". Coppell Gazette. Retrieved February 28, 2010.
    - Fan, Katherine (June 21, 2006). "'Stilettos' trips on its high aspirations". Daily Texan. University Wire. Retrieved February 28, 2010.[ dead link ]
  10. Churnin, Nancy (May 3, 2007). "Magic is the trick for writer; Irving novelist's series puts Potter-like spin on romance". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved February 28, 2010.
    - Waddell, Ealish (July 26, 2007). ""Damsel Under Stress" fun, quirky". The Thomasville Times. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved February 28, 2010.
    - Huntley, Kristine (May 2007). "Damsel Under Stress (book review)". Booklist. Retrieved February 28, 2010. A beguiling, magical world in which teens can lose themselves
  11. Mendenhall, Amy (May 11, 2008). "Women's Interests, Paranormal Combine in Fiction". Parkersburg News and Sentinel. Retrieved February 28, 2010.
  12. Link text
  13. Link text
  14. http://shannaswendson.com/