Since her mother's death, Madeline "Gwen" Hathaway has been determined that nothing in her life will change ever again. She keeps extensive lists in journals, has had only one friend since childhood, and looks forward to the monotony of working the ren faire circuit with her father. They arrive at the end-of-tour stop to find the faire is under new management and completely changed. Arthur, the son of the new owners and an actual lute-playing bard, messes up Maddie's plans even more. When he ropes her into becoming Princess of the Faire, Maddie is overseeing a faire dramatically changed from what her mother loved -- and worst of all, she's kind of having fun.