[In The Wicked Enchantment, Mrs. Benary-Isbert] offers a modern fairy-tale full of suspense, fun, excitement, answering children's love of animals, the circus and magic. She uses an Old World setting and plays with an old German legend, weaving in her memories of old arts of Europe; the book is both gay and serious, ending in the cathedral on Easter Eve, where, listening to the ancient bells, we know that love and courage can overcome superstition and tyranny….

With all its wealth of detail the story is clearly told and its very real human relations balance its magic. The pages glow with … colorful imagery…. It is a rare book to stimulate the wits of bright children besides stirring their hearts. (p. 7)