The Thirteenth Princess

The Thirteenth Princess
by Diane Zahler



Genre: Fantasy, Fractured Fairytales

Rating: Clean

Summary:

Zita is not an ordinary servant girl—she's the thirteenth daughter of a king who wanted only sons. When she was born, Zita's father banished her to the servants' quarters to work in the kitchens, where she can only communicate with her royal sisters in secret.

A classic fairy tale with a bold twist, The Thirteenth Princess tells the unforgettable story of a magical castle, true love, spellbound princesses—and the young girl determined to save them all.

Personal Review:

I saw this book on sale in one of my favorite book stores and decided to give it a try. I was very pleasantly surprised. I had just had a super busy week and I wanted a quick and fun read. This book fully satisfied me. It was simple and sweet which is one reason why I love children's and young adult novels. Though this novel is targeted at young readers, it was well written which is a must for me! Good writing and a cute or interesting story makes a book appropriate for all ages to me (but sometimes I am a kid at heart.) I would recommend this book.

-Curry

If you liked this you may also like:

The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine
Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier
The Wide Awake Princess by E.D. Baker

Rapunzel Untangled

Review by Felicity

Rapunzel Untangled

by: Cindy C Bennett

Genre: Fractured Fairytales/Contemporary fiction

Rating: Y

Content: clean

Summary:  (from goodreads)

Rapunzel is not your average teenager. For one thing, she has a serious illness that keeps her inside the mysterious Gothel Mansion. And for another, her hair is 15 feet long. Not to mention that she’s also the key to ultimately saving the world from certain destruction. But then she meets a boy named Fane, who changes all she has ever known, and she decides to risk everything familiar to find out who she really is. Filled with romance, adventure, and mystery, Rapunzel Untangled is one story you won’t want to put down. Discover the true meaning of love and friendship in this modern twist to the classic fairytale.

Personal Review:

I have not read many if any versions of Rapunzel since I was a child. I remember vaguely tales from my childhood and the Disney version is most prominent in my mind. I read the authors note before the book and was reminded of the more original telling of this fairy tale, she pointed out that Rapunzel is an inherently dark tale. This book successfully modernized Rapunzel and gave me new insight into this fairy tale. This book is not Tangled, however I really enjoyed it and would read it again.

-Felicity

If you liked this you may also enjoy:

Golden by Cameron Dokey

My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Book of a Thousand Days

Review by Felicity

Book of a Thousand Days

by: Shannon Hale

Genre: Fantasy/ Fractured Fairytales

Rating: Y

Content: 3 different references to nudity (however there is nothing crude or graphic about it just a statement, I still consider the book clean)  

Summary:  (back of book)

When Dashti, a maid, and Lady Saren, her mistress, are shut in a tower for seven years because of Saren’s refusal to marry a man she despises, the two prepare for a very long and dark imprisonment.

As food runs low and the days go from broiling hot to freezing cold, it is all Dashti can do to keep them fed and comfortable. With the arrival outside the tower of Saren’s two suitors—one welcome, the other decidedly less so—the girls are confronted with both hope and great danger, and Dashti must make the desperate choices of a girl whose life is worth more than she knows.

With Shannon Hale’s lyrical language, this little-known classic fairy tale from the Brothers Grimm is reimagined and reset in a land inspired by the Asian steppes; it is a completely unique retelling filled with adventure and romance, drama and disguise.

Personal Review:

I really enjoyed reading this book. It is well written. There is romance yet the book is about much more than any handsome prince. This is the kind of book I would encourage young girls to read because it is fun, fantasy, and thought provoking all at the same time. Plus the main character is strong and has many qualities to be admired.

- Felicity

If you like this you may also like:

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George

My Fair Godmother

Review by heyes

My Fair Godmother

by Janette Rallison

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Romance, Fractured Fairy-tale

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary:

We have all heard it before. Jane is a nerd and no guys notice her, but wait actually she’s pretty and gets the guy she’s been in love with for forever. Fast forward… this story isn’t about Jane it is actually about Savannah; beautiful, popular, and couldn’t care less about school, Savannah. She’s just been dumped and humiliated. Enter Chrysanthemum Everstar. She’s Savannah’s Fair Godmother. Fair because she takes a page from Savannah’s book when it comes to school work. Now Savannah’s miserable life is Chrissy’s extra credit assignment. Savannah gets three wishes to turn her pathetic life into something more. The problem is when a broken-hearted teenager that has no idea what she actually wants makes wishes granted by a fairy who didn’t pay attention in school and a disgruntled leprechaun, Savannah doesn’t get Prince Charming. She gets an evil step mother, ugly step sisters, and the middle ages.

Personal Review:

My book club just read this book for book club and everyone loved it. This book is written so cute and cleverly and all the characters are great. The author is so talented when it comes to making you like characters that are likable and ones that you normally root for. The romance is cute and clean. The morals made in this story are good morals that I want my kids to learn. i.e. “Well if you wanted a guy that is smart why haven’t you been developing that attribute in yourself” (Very paraphrased) This is a book that will have you turning pages all night and wishing for more. Which is great since there is a second one out and a third currently being written. But honestly if you like this book you don’t need to wait for the third. You can’t go wrong with anything Janette Rallison writes.

-heyes

If you liked this you may also enjoy

-My Unfair Godmother by Janette Rallison

-Unenchanted by Chanda Hahn

-Erasing Time by C.J. Hill

An Unfortunate Fairy Tale Series

Review by heyes

An Unfortunate Fairy tales Series

Unenchanted

Fairest

Fable

by Chanda Hahn

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fractured Fairy Tales

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary: Mina has always tried to fit in. Being accident prone, fitting in just seemed like a good idea. But when she saves her long time crush’s life and weird stuff starts happening, Mina wonders if her life is becoming like a fairy tale or a nightmare. Her mom finally opens up to her and tells her that because she is a descendant of the Grimm Brothers she is cursed to live the fairy tales that they became famous for; a curse that has killed many Grimms, including Mina’s father. Can she finish the 200 tales before they finish her?

Personal Review: This series was a fun read and a great book for your sons or daughters. It is the first three of I assume four. The fourth does not come out until later this year I believe. The main character is really easy to like and although she has her faults, I admire her. There is literally nothing that I feel like my kids couldn’t handle in this book and I seriously doubt that any future books are going to have any bad content either. This is just a fun cute read and the books aren’t too long. Great books to give to kids or to read on a rainy day with a blanket.

-heyes


If you liked this you might also enjoy:

Beauty Sleep by Cameron Dokey
My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison

The Fairest Beauty

Review by Felicity

The Fairest Beauty

by Melanie Dickerson

Genre: Fractured Fairy Tales, Christian, Romance

Rating: Y

Content: Clean (spend night together unchaperoned which is pointed out as not good)

Summary:  (from goodreads)

Sophie desperately wants to get away from her stepmother's jealousy, and believes escape is her only chance to be happy. Then a young man named Gabe arrives from Hagenheim Castle, claiming she is betrothed to his older brother, and everything twists upside down. This could be Sophie's one chance at freedom—but can she trust another person to keep her safe?

Gabe defied his parents Rose and Wilhelm by going to find Sophie, and now he believes they had a right to worry: the girl's inner and outer beauty has enchanted him. Though romance is impossible—she is his brother's future wife, and Gabe himself is betrothed to someone else—he promises himself he will see the mission through, no matter what.

Personal Review:

I do enjoy Fractured Fairy Tales. I like most of what the author did with the story of Snow White. However I found it too preachy for my taste and there were, surprisingly, a lot of scripture references that I didn’t feel really added to the story. Still it is a fun romance.

- Felicity

If you like this you may also like:

The Captive Maiden by Melanie Dickerson

Fairest by Gail Carson Levine

My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison

The Wide-Awake Princess

Review by Curry

The Wide-Awake Princess

by: E.D. Baker

Genre: Fantasy, Fractured Fairy Tale, Young Readers

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary:

This book is about princess Anna, Who is the younger sister of Gwen (sleeping beauty.)  When princess Anna was born she was blessed that no magic could touch her. On her sixteenth birthday, Anna’s sister pricks her finger on a spinning wheel thus falling into eternal sleep along with the entire castle and court as well… except Anna. Knowing that she is the only one that can save her sister, Anna sets out on a journey to find a prince to wake up her sister. However Anna runs into many exciting and terrifying bumps along the way.

Personal Review:

This book was really cute. The story-line and ideas are very original especially for being based off of such a well known fairy tale.The writing is very simple and does not go as deep as some older readers would like but because of the sweetness of the story I think that most people will like it. Overall an enjoyable read especially for young readers.

- Curry

If you liked this you may also like:

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Beauty Sleep by Cameron Dokey

Wildwood Dancing

Review by: Curry

Wildwood Dancing

by: Juliet Marillier

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Fractured Fairytales

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

I first picked up this book because it has such a beautiful cover. It has now become one of my favorite books and I have read it many times.

Summary: (Here is the goodreads summary)

High in the Transylvanian woods, at the castle Piscul Draculi, live five daughters and their doting father. It's an idyllic life for Jena, the second eldest, who spends her time exploring the mysterious forest with her constant companion, a most unusual frog. But best by far is the castle's hidden portal, known only to the sisters. Every Full Moon, they alone can pass through it into the enchanted world of the Other Kingdom. There they dance through the night with the fey creatures of this magical realm.

But their peace is shattered when Father falls ill and must go to the southern parts to recover, for that is when cousin Cezar arrives. Though he's there to help the girls survive the brutal winter, Jena suspects he has darker motives in store. Meanwhile, Jena's sister has fallen in love with a dangerous creature of the Other Kingdom--an impossible union it's up to Jena to stop.

When Cezar's grip of power begins to tighten, at stake is everything Jena loves: her home, her family, and the Other Kingdom she has come to cherish. To save her world, Jena will be tested in ways she can't imagine--tests of trust, strength, and true love.

Personal Review:

As I stated before I LOVE this book. Wildwood Dancing is very well written. The characters and their relationships are well developed. Jena, the heroine of this book, is so strong and yet realistic for a girl at her age in that time. Just like the cover, the book is filled with delicious details that help place you right into the setting. I also really enjoyed the pacing of this book. It is paced to perfection in that it is not so action packed and yet I never got bored. I would (and do) recommend this book to everyone. 5 stars for me!

-Curry

If you like this you may also like:

Cybele’s Secret by Juilet Marillier

The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine

The Reluctant Heiress by Eva Ibbotson