The late Eva Ibbotson wrote several good children's books about ghosts, witches, and creepy beasts. Sadly, this is her last one, but it contains a gaggle of grim-ish creatures. Princess Mirella doesn't like doing princess-y things and wishes to be a bird rather than get married off to Prince Umberto. Mirella runs away to the Ogre of Oglefort who has the power to change people into animals. The Norns send a hag, a troll, a wizard, and an orphan on a mission to kill the ogre and rescue the princess. Instead of killing him, they end up caring for the ogre, who is depressed and wants to die to join his dead wife. This motley crew defend the ogre's castle against the armies sent by Mirella's parents and a group of ghosts sent by the Norns to finish the job they failed to do. The antics are fun and the characters are quirky, rather than scary.
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