"A young prince defies his destiny by escaping the castle he is meant to rule. At first, the surrounding city seems magical, full of wondrous sounds and sights, but the prince becomes very lonely without anyone to talk to. The kindness of several strangers allows him to begin building a new life for himself, and he eventually finds a job, a home, and, best of all, true friends. All would be well if it were not for the king's courtiers, who will stop at nothing to get the boy back to the castle. The second volume in this contemporary fairy tale continues the quiet introspection and striking visual elements of The Invisible Kingdom (2016) as it examines concepts of personal choice and responsibility. The gently rambling narrative flows easily, and the prose balances a sense of wonder and underlying tension. Simple black figures set against a range of colorful, patterned backgrounds make for vibrant, engaging pages that echo the events in the text. A cliffhanger ending will leave readers waiting for the next volume in this enchanting series."