Review by Frank Plowright

The title pretty well explains the concept. Aged nine, Amaya is a princess of the Amethyst house on the magical Gemworld. She’s young, mischievous and will involve her younger brother in her hijinks. When she takes a prank too far, her parents exile her to Earth to live where there’s no magic, accompanied by the housekeeper Citrina. Will she able to cope with an ordinary life without servants and unable to use magic to put everything right? It’s only supposed to be for a week, but something goes seriously wrong.

Unlike other DC series aimed at young readers where a younger version of a familiar character is the star, Amethyst was, for the most part, always aimed at younger readers, and it’s just taken decades for DC to have a proper presence in that arena. That’s a space co-writers Shannon Hale and Dean Hale have occupied for years, and their take on Amethyst is an old fashioned moral fable. She might arrive on Earth with arrogance and entitlement, but a prolonged spell reveals her better qualities. However, that’s only the opening section, and much of the adventure actually takes place back on Gemworld, and with a good twist that adds fun to the new danger. Amaya’s adventurous character is well delivered, and while her friend Autumn is less developed, she makes for good company.

Asiah Fulmore seems to have combined the Disney castle with a view of Florence to create Amethyst’s kingdom on the opening page, and that ought to be glorious enough for anyone. She draws the cast to appeal to the target readership, very friendly and sympathetic, and the visual appeal extends to everything about Gemworld and its customs.

When Amaya returns to Gemworld it’s to discover that large crystal insects have become a threat and there’s no way to defeat them. However, Hale and Hale run a theme of integration throughout, and just because the people of one world can’t see a solution, the experience learned on another could make the difference. While they’re at it, they come up with a tidy explanation of how Gemworld operates.

Well-paced and exciting, likeable characters appealingly drawn, what’s not to like? This is a definite hit and more would surely be welcome.