Review also published on my blog: AWordsWorth.blogspot.com
eARC received from author for review.

The Hidden Blessing picks up not far after The Seventh Blessing leaves off: with Princess Emmalyn Meredith's blessing ceremony and a trick-and-twist of the fairy blessing. Emma is the daughter of our beloved Samantha and Nolan, and as such, inherits a certain secret blessing of her mother's -- a blessing that will play an unexpected key role later in the story. But first, things must be fast forwarded to a peaceful afternoon in Conti Wayo, where things suddenly go horribly awry. The Princess disappears, and all fear her dead. And yet ...

... In a neighboring kingdom, there is a beautiful, intelligent girl who lives with a fairy - her adopted grandmother - and remembers nothing of her past. The story goes that her parents were killed in a recent war, and a kindly traveler rescued her and brought her to a safe home. Emma grows in grace and beauty, and earns the respect of the Lord whose manor she works in. This is where she meets Will and Allessia, who are traveling to Mittra for Prince Thad's birthday celebration. Allessia needs a new lady's maid, and Emma needs a safe home after a dangerous encounter with the Lord's son, so Emma joins the party -- finding out along the way that her Lord has named her his heir, with Will acting as guardian along the journey. This is only the first of many startling revelations for Emma though, and once in Mittra, she finds herself sucked into a whirlwind of mystery and discovery. The missing Princess is rumored to be alive, and Thad's birthday ball quickly becomes a "Princess Test" to sift through all the girls in the kingdom (and even neighboring kingdoms) to see if one of them is the missing Emmalyn Meredith. Emma assists with the testing, and finds herself drawn into closer and closer relationships with all the royal family -- including Will, who she is shocked to discover is in fact Crown Prince.

As the Princess tests get more and more intense, Emma is confused by disturbing memories -- or half-memories -- that begin to break through the fog of her past. So much seems familiar, with no reason at all. It all comes to a dramatic climax of dizzying awesomeness, when old enemies return seeking vengeance and new alliances are formed. Discoveries are made, hearts and bonded, and all things become clear. The journey is one of bungling miscommunications and oh-so-human interactions between characters who struggle to make sense of the confusing waters of life's journey.

I loved this just as much as the first installment, and Will is every bit as amazing and root-able a Prince as Nolan was. Emma has spunk and a decidedly human streak in her, and all the characters have a fullness of life to them. Old favorites Sam, Nolan (oh, Nolan...) and Talia return, and are the better for age and experience. All in all? A fantastic follow-up offering by someone I love to consider a virtual long-lost sister. ( )

The Hidden Blessing is the second book in the Tales of Gymandrol. If you haven't read the first book, The Seventh Blessing, don't worry, you'll be able to follow the story without any problems. The Hidden Blessing follows the story of Emma, who is the child of Queen Samantha and Prince Nolan. When Emma was a little girl she was stolen away from her parents. She's brought up by a kind lady, whom she calls Grammie. Despite a troubled past that she can't remember, Emma grows up happy and healthy. It is only when she is nineteen that her world turns upside down. She meets Prince Will and his sister, Princess Allessia. Emma and Ellissa are instant friends. Emma soon travels with them to Mittra, where her destiny awaits.
Emma is kind, inquisitive, and brave. She travels with Will and Allessia with no preconceived expectations. She does her best to try to fit in, be a hard worker, and bring peace around her. Rumors that the lost princess is still alive reach the Queen's ears, and Emma helps to develop a test to help uncover the real princess. She doesn't realize that in the process she's also uncovering her past. This story is great. I really liked the first book, The Seventh Blessing, so I was excited to get the opportunity to read the next book in the Tales of Gymandrol. The Hidden Blessing did not disappoint. I love that Melissa Buell gives her characters integrity, morals, and strength. The story line is interesting and entertaining. It's a tale for the young and old. This story is clean-cut, so it's perfect for the younger (middle grade) audiences. The Tales of Gymandrol is a book that I recommend for people who love fairy tales. ( )