I was attracted to the paper cut artwork. The story is fine, though a bit difficult to read. Did not expect a cliffhanger. ( )

A young prince grows up in a castle, the only child surrounded by adults, rarely seeing his father and mother (the king and queen). Before the king dies, he gives his son a key, and the son, who has been sneaking out of the castle at night via a trapdoor to the attic in his room, finds a special place in the city. When his tutor chases him, he decides never to return to the castle. Book 1 of 3!

Gorgeous cut paper illustrations, like Arthur Rackham's for Cinderella. ( )