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The Seelie Wars Series

Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple
Aspen is a high-born Seelie prince held as hostage in the Unseelie Court, in order to prevent war between the two factions. Snail is a midwife’s apprentice — a human changeling taken from her parents by the Unseelie. When the two accidentally start a war, they must join forces and talents in order to bring peace. This fast-paced, magic- and humor-filled series is perfect for tween readers who want to plunge into classic fantasy for the first time!
The Hostage Prince by Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple
The Last Changeling by Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple
The Seelie King's War by Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple

The Seelie Wars Series : Titles in Order

Book 3
The exciting conclusion to the Seelie Wars trilogy. Full of magic, battles, and page-turning excitement, this series is a perfect introduction to classic fantasy.

The war that Prince Aspen and midwife’s apprentice Snail started—purely by accident—is at hand. The Unseelie Army, the evil side of Faerie, will soon invade and destroy the Seelie kingdom. Aspen is terrified, not simply because his homeland is on the verge of ruin, but because he is now, after the death of his father and brothers, the Seelie King. 

He is a young, untried king; a king without a battle plan. But he has Snail, his first and only friend, and the only one who can raise the army Aspen needs—an army of changelings, like her. First, however, she has to convince the mysterious, dangerous Professor Odds, the changelings’ leader, who has a destructive plan of his own.
Book 2
In The Hostage Prince, Prince Aspen and midwife’s apprentice Snail tried to prevent the Seelie War by making a perilous journey to Aspen’s father’s kingdom. Their journey started the war instead. Chased by two armies, Aspen and Snail find refuge with the actors of Professor Odds’ traveling troupe, dodging soldiers, Border Lord berserkers, a hungry troll,  and assorted dwarfs, drows, lycants, boggles, and a cloaked spy. Will they make it out? Is any place safe for the two of them? And who, exactly, is the mysterious Professor Odds, who seems to have his own hidden powers and agenda? Fast-paced and funny,The Last Changeling, the second book of the Seelie Wars trilogy, is the perfect way to introduce newly fledged readers to fantasy.
Book 1
Terrifying monsters, daring escapes and a kingdom on the verge of war…   

Unlikely companions Snail and Prince Aspen find themselves thrown together on the adventure of a lifetime. Due to a series of misunderstandings, they end up on the run, having adventure after mishap after scary, thrilling escape. When they reach Aspen’s kingdom, they learn to their horror that their actions have divided the country and plunged it into violence. Every minute counts: it is time for Snail and Aspen to figure out a way to stop the building war—together.  


The Hostage Prince is a fast-paced, funny, exciting fantasy novel for young readers. And who better to start tweens on their journey than Jane Yolen (“America’s Hans Christian Andersen”—Time) and her son, Adam Stemple!