Another Name for Magic is Power Play

‘Kingdom Keepers IV’ is a Disney classic worth telling.

Ever since I read “Disney After Dark,” my favorite one in the Kingdom Keepers series, I was instantly captivated by the author’s wildest Disney imagination.
In “Kingdom Keepers IV: Power Play” by Ridley Pearson, the two malicious arch villains, Maleficent and Chernabog, are imprisoned in one of the Disney parks.
For several months, Wayne Kresky, a Disney Imagineer who helps guide the Kingdom Keepers in their missions, is in hiding after being hospitalized from a terrible incident during the Fantasmic Show. The Kingdom Keepers were living peacefully in their normal teen lives, but little did they know were other villainous characters stirring up more trouble for them all.
While Finn, Charlene and Amanda attended a school function at Disney quest, they noticed that two more Overtakers, the Evil Queen from Snow White and Cruella De Vil, were blending in as cast members to spy on and attack the Keepers. Along the way, the Keepers meet new Disney characters who are willing to help save them from the Overtakers.
Meanwhile, Philby receives a message from Wayne who sadly informs him that Wayne’s daughter, Wanda, was in jail and that the Keepers needed to bail her out. The Keepers soon uncovered the Overtakers’ plan in trying to free their imprisoned dark rulers and destroy the Kingdom Keepers forever.
This story is fantastic from beginning to end. The series is full of puzzles, thrilling adventures, and likable characters that are fun to enjoy, for children and adults alike.
The one thing I really love about this book is how Pearson uses a variety of Disney characters. As Overtakers, he uses two more characters as the main villains, the Evil Queen from Snow White and Cruella De Vil from 101 Dalmatians. He also uses Judge Claude Frollo from The Hunchback of Notre Dame to lead an army of life-size green soldiers from Toy Story. The Arabian sorcerer, Jafar from Aladdin, nearly traps two of the Kingdom Keepers in the Morocco pavilion in Epcot. There are many more familiar Disney characters in this novel, both evil and friendly.
My favorite part in the story is when Finn and the rest of the Keepers are trying to save Amanda from a curse that put her in a deep sleep. After listening to the eerie spell chant of the Queen, the Keepers were able to lift this curse and set their friend Amanda free. However, not all was well in the Magic Kingdom.
from Sleeping Beauty. From the touch of the spindle wheel, the princess was put into a sleeping death. Only her true love’s kiss can bring her back to life. In this book, it was the other way around.
I also enjoyed how the author makes the reader a part of his story. You really do feel like the characters in some way, just picturing yourself wandering around the Magic Kingdom, meeting and talking with the other characters, and going through these trials with the Kingdom Keepers.
What I found really inspiring through this author’s work is no matter what age you are, everyone has dreams and your own dreams can take you places if you allow them to.
Coming up in 2012 is “Kingdom Keepers V: Shell Game,” where the five teens set sail on the Disney Cruise ship, The Magic. The Overtakers are at it again, even at sea. The Keepers are also in search of Mickey Mouse, who mysteriously disappeared.
I really can’t wait to find out what happens next in this amazing series.