Beastly by Alex Flinn

Kyle Kingsbury is a golden boy - he has the looks, the girls, and a father with the money to send him to the best school and get him whatever he wants. But having everything turns out not to be terribly wonderful when his shallowness convinces a witch to turn him into a beast. Suddenly, Kyle discovers that life isn't so wonderful when you're different. His father abandons him to a secluded house and Kyle attempts to make sense of what has happened to him. The only chance he has is to find a girl who can love him as he is - and whom he can love in return - and time is running out.


I really enjoyed this modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast. For the most part, it sticks pretty closely to the Disney and traditional versions of the story. It is told in first-person, giving a direct view into the character and struggles of a popular boy-turned-beast. Each section also has a portion written as if it takes place in a chatroom, amongst other 'fairy tale' characters; I enjoyed the actual story more, but it does add another, modern dimension. I would definitely recommend this book to fantasy fans - particularly those who enjoy retellings of fairy tales or modern fantasy stories.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Black Pearls, Gifted: Out of Sight, Out of Mind, , Once Upon a Marigold, or Now You See It

Knight & Rogue Novels by Hilari Bell

In the first of the Knight and Rogue Novels, The Last Knight, Sir Michael Sevenson is a knight errant in a 'modern' age when knights are a thing of the past. His reluctant squire, Fisk, joins him on his adventures, but often voices his dissent. Things take a turn for the worst when one of their first jobs is to rescue an imprisoned maiden...except that it turns out she was a suspected murderess. Now it is up to Michael and Fisk to track her down and bring her to justice. In a world full of 'magica' and traps laid along the way, they'll have to learn to work together in order to accomplish their mission.


In the second book, Rogue's Home the story focuses on Fisk and his family when he is recalled to his home, Ruesport, by his sister, Anna. Her husband, Max, has been framed as a blackmailer and the family holds out hope that Fisk might be able to clear Max's name once and for all. Along with Michael - who is suffering the consequences of his choices at the end of the first book - the pair will have to work together to solve a very different kind of problem, and try to stay alive doing it.


These books were really fun and I found myself really hoping for a third book once I finished them (it looks like Player's Ruse will be released in January, 2010). The story is told from both characters' points of view in alternating chapters. The different voices add a lot to the story and make the characters very identifiable and more realistic. The plots are also interesting and not entirely predictable - this is not the usual knight-and-squire sort of relationship or story. I would definitely recommend this to fantasy fans, particularly those looking for something amusing or those who really enjoy stories about knights in shining armor.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Heroics for Beginners, Dark Lord of Derkholm, or The Last Apprentice

Radiant Darkness by Emily Whitman

In this retelling of Greek mythology, Persephone feels trapped by her mother, Demeter. Although she feels that she has reached an age of maturity, her mother continues to treat her as a young girl and refuses to allow her to 'grow up.' Then a mysterious stranger appears in a nearby meadow. When Hades offers to take her away and make her his queen, Persephone must choose between becoming a woman or staying her mother's little girl forever. But every choice has a consequence...


I really enjoyed this retelling. The characters and plot are all very well developed with just enough imagery to give it a realistic feeling. The story is told in first person, giving readers a view into Persephone's perceptions and feelings and making it easy to sympathize with her character and the challenges that she faces. From a 'fantasy' perspective, this book reads more like a novel than a typical fantasy story, but I would still recommend it to readers who enjoy Greek myths and coming-of-age stories.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Ever, Princess Ben, Firebird, or A Posse of Princesses

Aurelie: A Faerie Tale by Heather Tomlinson

In this story, three humans - Princess Aurelie, Garin, and Netta - are childhood friends with Loic, a river dragon. But then a promise is accidentally broken and their friendship is no longer enough to bind them all together. Years after they have gone their separate ways, Aurelie's path starts to cross with the others'. Political unrest is threatening to destroy their lives and destroy more than one country. Soon it seems that the only way to solve all of the problems is to come together and renew their friendship.


This was a cute story - it's a very short, quick read. Although Aurelie is definitely the most prominent and well-developed character, each of the others plays a significant role in the way that the tale plays out. Parts of the plot are a bit predictable, and the ending is almost too neat, but it's nice for a slightly fluffy, upbeat fantasy tale. I would definitely recommend this for fantasy fans who are looking for a quick read or something that's a little fluffy; those who enjoy fairy tales will probably like this story as well.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: The Swan Kingdom, The Fairy's Return, or Dragon Slippers

Poison by Chris Wooding

In this 'phaerie' tale, Poison lives in a little village called "Gull" in the middle of the Black Marshes - it's a harsh life, but there's rarely a reason to leave. When Poison's little sister is stolen from her by a malicious faerie, however, she decides that, rather than accept it as fate, she will find the Phaerie Lord herself and force him to return her sister. Along the way, she collects various allies including a soul-catcher named Bram, a girl named Peppercorn (who Poison thinks is fairly useless), and a strangely intelligent cat named Andersen. Drawing on the stories that she has read and heard from her mentor, Fleet, Poison bravely sets herself at every problem. What she doesn't realize at first is that not everything is as it seems. Something is awry in her world and she becomes convinced that it has to do with the Heirophant - he's been writing again and everyone seems upset about it. Now Poison must figure out what's going on and find a way to make everything right again, no matter how much it costs her in the end.


This book was rather gruesome - it has that 'original Grimms' sort of feel with horrible things happening and graphic descriptions of them. (I am personally not a huge fan of gruesome). The story itself was good overall, although somewhere near the end it takes a somewhat bizarre, existential twist and turns into a very philosophical piece questioning life, the universe, and everything, essentially. All in all, it wasn't bad - but I did find it incredibly surprising and unpredictable in the sense that the way it ended up was entirely unlike the way that it started. The characters were well-developed and most of the plot followed a general fantasy vein with predictable elements that were often just a little 'off-kilter'. This is definitely not a light, fluffy book - I would only recommend this book to fantasy fans who are really looking for a darker book with some horror and gore in it, and those who want something really out of the ordinary that inspires deeper thought and reflection.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Wicked Lovely, Lady in Gil, The Two Princesses of Bamarre, or Fly by Night

Anatopsis by Chris Abouzeid

Princess Anatopsis and Prince Barnaby come from rival Magical families. In the last year before the final wizard tests, a demigod tutor, Mr. Pound, insists that the two study together - a traditional requirement that has been enforced for generations. Ana and her human companion, Clarissa, and Barnaby with his dog, Uno, get off to a rocky start. Complicating matters is that neither Ana nor Barnaby wishes to inherit their family corporations. But, more importantly, they discover that Mr. Pound's requirements are part of a larger plan and hidden agenda which threatens the world as they know it. Resentments, personal preferences, and frustrations must all be put aside if everything is to be set to rights - and there are no guarantees for a happy ending.


I expected this book to be rather fluffy, but instead, this book is fairly serious, creating a fantastical alternate reality that explores human nature, dreams, discrimination, and sacrifice. Some of the plot points seemed a little more convoluted than necessary and a bit confusing at times, but overall, the issues within the story definitely come through. The main characters are well-developed and identifiable, though I did not always find it easy to sympathize with them. In general = if you're looking for a light-hearted book with a satisfying ending, this is not the one to pick up. Fantasy fans - particularly older teens - who are looking for something more thought-provoking or serious may consider trying this one out.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Princess Academy, Poison, Fablehaven, or The Abhorson Trilogy

Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr

In this sequel to Wicked Lovely and Ink Exchange, each of the characters is struggling to discover how to live with their roles. Keenan (the Summer King) and Donia (the Winter Queen) are in love, but being together is hurting both of their courts, especially since Keenan desperately wants Aislinn by his side so that they can rebuild after the former Winter Queen's reign. Meanwhile, Aislinn is trying to juggle her life a s a "normal" teenager with her new responsibilities as a queen of Faery. Perhaps the most complicated of all, Seth cannot reconcile that his best friend is king of the Dark Court and the girl he loves has become immortal - he knows that someday he'll grow old and die while she'll continue to rule by Keenan's side. The struggle causes all of them to make difficult choices to further their own aims - the question is whether or not they'll all be able to live with the consequences.

This sequel definitely keeps up the energy of the previous two books. It was a look into the character's lives that gave another piece of the puzzle, although it definitely left me wanting more (I'm hoping another sequel is in the works). The characters and their situations are complex, but the story was engaging and definitely shows the "human" side of Faery. These books do need to be read in order, but I would recommend this series to older teens and fantasy fans who prefer the slightly darker stories and the 'real life' fairy stories.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Fablehaven, Black Pearls, or Howl's Moving Castle

The Dragon Princess by E. D. Baker

Millie is not an ordinary princess - whenever she gets angry, she turns into a dragon. It was merely annoying as a child, but now that she's fifteen, it's causing all sorts of problems when she tries to find a suitor. No matter the magics and potions, Millie can's seem to control her temper. Then a friend suggests that Millie seek out the Blue Witch who lives in the Icy North to help her learn to deal with her emotions. Along with her best friend, Zoe, and her cousin, Frances, Millie sets out to find answers, but discovers that they might find themselves along the way.


This book works very well as a stand-alone, but is also the sixth book in the series that starts with The Frog Princess (Millie is the daughter of the main character in the first books). This book is light-hearted and a fairly quick read, but it also has interesting characters and good plot development. I would recommend this to younger fantasy fans and those who are looking for a quick read with a bit of adventure.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: East, Dragon Slippers, Of Two Minds, or Spirit Fox

The Prophecy by Hilari Bell

Prince Perryn's land is being attacked by a dragon and all of his father's armies are barely keeping it from overrunning the land. Perryn is supposed to be training to be the next warrior-king, but he'd rather be a scholar. His interest in books is scorned by his father, even when he finally finds what he's been searching for - a prophecy to destroy the dragon. When no one will listen, Perryn sets out on his own; he's on the run from his father's army and the traitor in the court who wants him dead...but he's determined to prove once and for all that he has what it takes, even if it isn't the traditional sort of strength.


This was a cute book. The story was somewhat predictable, but just different enough from the 'norm' that it was entertaining and engaging. I also enjoyed the characters and variety of personalities (and not just of the humans). I would definitely recommend this book to fantasy fans - particularly younger teens or anyone looking for a story that's light-hearted without being terribly fluffy.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Once Upon a Marigold, The Two Princesses of Bamarre, Dark Lord of Derkholm, or The Last Apprentice

Wings by Aprilynne Pike

Laurel's life has changed a lot - her family has moved to the city even though she's always lived in the country and she's going to a public school for the first time. But more changes are in store. When she suddenly sprouts wing-like petals from between her shoulder blades, she'll have to discover who her friends are and confront the reality of who she is before it's too late to prevent disaster.

This book takes a different approach than most 'fairy' stories. It was enjoyable and only occasionally predictable. Overall, I liked the characters and the story although it was a little fluffy - and the ending definitely set up a sequel, so if you're looking for a stand-alone book or don't want to wait for the next one, this may not be the book for you. I would recommend this to fantasy fans looking for some light reading, especially younger teens or people who enjoy the 'real life' fairy stories.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Fablehaven, The Fairy Path Series, or Princess Nevermore

Alyzon Whitestarr by Isobelle Carmody

Alyzon Whitestarr does not come from an ordinary family: her father is a musician, her mother is a pinter, and her siblings have all inherited similar artistic talents; in fact, Alyzon is the only ordinary one among them. After an accident puts her in a coma, however, everything changes. When she wakes up, all of her senses are heightened, making the world seem to be a new and fascinating place. But most importantly, she can now smell things no one else can sense - including the emotions of those around her. This new ability will be invaluable when Alyzon discovers that something terrible threatens her family and friends - and she's the only one who can tell that it's there.


There were several things that I really enjoyed about this book - the characters, in particular, are well-developed and interesting people. The story was also a bit different from the ordinary and moved at a good pace. The only thing that I had trouble with is that I couldn't quite buy in to the central premise of the story regarding the 'evil' in the world that they were trying to stop; I was actually a bit disappointed because I liked reading the book, but it seemed a little dubious to me. (Also, I couldn't figure out where it was supposed to take place, which doesn't really matter, but I prefer to know.) That being said, I would suggest that critical fantasy readers who want everything explained should probably let this one go - if you're just looking for something fun and a little different (or if you're a fan of conspiracy theories), this book might be worth it for you.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Now You See It, Wicked Lovely, or Gifted: Out of Sight, Out of Mind

Gifted: Out of Sight, Out of Mind by Marilyn Kaye


Amanda Beeson is the most popular - and nastiest - girl at Meadowbrook Middle School. But Amanda has a secret: there's a reason she's so mean, because feeling sorry for someone means Amanda spends time "in their shoes." Literally. One morning she wakes up in someone else's body - quiet, timid Tracy Devon, the biggest nobody in school. Now Amanda has to learn to live as someone else and find a way to control her ability so that she can return to being herself.


This book was interesting - sort of a Freaky Friday with a bit of a twist. Although the story was a little fluffy, there were definitely some more serious undertones; also, the characters were interesting but it was pretty clear that character and plot development are going to continue running throughout the "Gifted" series which focuses one at a time on the students at Meadowbrook who have special abilities. The book can stand on its own, but it definitely seems to be the sort that might be better with the sequels. The ending seemed a little abrupt, but overall, I enjoyed it and would recommend it, particularly for younger teens and fantasy fans who are looking for some light reading.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: The Summoning, The Lightning Theif, The Wish List, or Fablehaven

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Jessica has known her whole life that she's adopted, but when a strange, foreign-exchange student shows up, she finds out that there's a lot her parents never told her. Not only is she (apparently) a vampire, she's betrothed to the new student, Lucius Vladescu, who turns out the be overbearing, possessive, and too intrusive for Jess' tastes. But when she finally discovers there might be more to him than she thought, he seems to have moved on to an obnoxious, blond cheerleader. With only a copy of Growing up Undead: A Teen Vampire's Guide to Dating, Health, and Emotions to help her, Jess must figure out who she is and what she wants before she loses it all.


This book was an interesting read with well-developed characters and I enjoyed it for the most part. It is rather predictable, however, and some readers might find it to be a little too sappy and romance-novel-like. For the most part, it wasn't too fluffy and I would definitely recommend it to readers who are looking for an amusing teen romance novel with a fantasy twist.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Wicked Lovely, Twilight, Tantalize, or The Fairy Godmother

The Immortal Realm by Frewin Jones

This is a continuation of The Faerie Path series.

In this fourth book, Tania has finally started to make peace with her magical heritage and has shown the world of Faerie to her mortal parents. Life finally seems to be setting down, except that not all is well in Faerie; first children start to get sick and die. Then the illness spreads. In a place where disease is unheard of and death rarely happens, panic grips the entire realm. Soon Tania is on a quest to find the cause - and cure - before the Plague destroys her family, friends, and the place she has grown to love.

This book continues the series very well, bringing in some new characters while maintaining the ones from the previous volumes. Some of the plot felt overly complicated, but it may just be that it's been too long since I read the first three books. In fact, I was a little surprised to discover that there was a fourth book - the end of the third was a bit abrupt, but all of the loose ends that had carried through the first three books were pretty much tied up - and this book introduces another plot that will span at least one additional book. I would recommend this book to readers who really enjoyed the first three and are looking for more.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: The Two Princesses of Bamarre, Wicked Lovely, or The Elemental Masters series

The Swan Kingdom by Zoe Marriott

Alexandra is a princess in the Kingdom. Her father rules well and her mother keeps the Old Ways, maintaining the health of the people and the land; Alexandra's brothers are just as talented in their own ways, destined to keep the Kingdom on its path. But everything changes when Alexandra's mother dies in a mysterious attack and the king brings home a new wife. When Alexandra is banished and her brothers disappear, she must learn to look within and find a way to use her own gifts and save everyone - including herself.


This is a really great retelling of The Wild Swans. It's told from Alexandra's point of view and the characters are so well developed that it adds an extra depth to the story. The progression of the plot actually seemed a little random at times, but I didn't think that it detracted from the story overall. I would definitely recommend this book to fans of re-tellings or fantasy readers who like strong female characters.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: The Two Princesses of Bamarre, Spirit Fox, or The Goose Girl

The Guardians of Time Trilogy by Marianne Curley

In the first book of the trilogy, the named, Ethan has a secret; although he works hard to fit in as an ordinary high school boy, in his spare time, he is a member of the Guardians of Time. Lathenia, the goddess of Chaos, and her followers are constantly attempting to change history so that she can take over the universe; her brother, Lorian, supports the efforts of the Guard to keep the balance of power - and history - as it is. Ethan has been a member of the Guard from a young age and has done well enough that he has advanced rapidly in the rankes. Now he faces his greatest challeng: training his new apprentice, Isabel. Time is short as the agents of Chaos step up their attacks. Ethan, Isabel, and all of the Guard must reach deep within and learn to use their talents and work together if they have any hope of maintaining history.

The story continues in the dark; the Guard has managed to hold their own and thwart Lathenia's plans, but now she strikes back by banishing Arkarian (Ethan's mentor) to an underworld lost in darkness and full of soulless creatures. Ethan, Isabel, and the others want to do whatever is necessary to rescue him, but Lorian has forbidden in. The race is on to find a way to reach Arkarian before it is too late and without losing all that they have worked for.

In the final book, the key, the Guard is scrambling to keep ahead of Lethenia's plans. The battle against Chaos is more desperate than ever but matters are made worse by the suspicions and distrust within the midst of the Guard. The time of the Prophecy regarding the Named and the final battle between dark and light is finally coming to pass.


Each book is told by a different pair of characters which gives it an interesting depth of perspective. The basic premise is fairly common - good vs. evil - but the story does a good job of giving it a unique edge by affecting history as a way of affecting the outcome. Overall, I enjoyed the characters and plots, although some bits were rather predictable. There were only two things that bothered me; the writing seemed a little off occasionally, as if there were inconsistencies in the tenses (but for the most part, this was fairly minor). The second issue was that the ending is really abrupt. I was actually confused at first when I turned the page and realized that there was no more text. The finale is somewhat artistic, but not satisfying at all. I would still recommend this series to readers who enjoy reading about time travel, but with the caveat that anyone who needs a really complete and happy ending probably out to skip this one.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: The Lightning Theif, The "Minds" series, or Dark Lord of Derkholm

The Faerie Path Series by Frewin Jones

Anita Palmer is an average high school student in London until she turns sixteen and a series of events causes her to end up in Faerie. Suddenly, she finds out that she is Tania, the youngest daughter of Oberon and Titania, and that she has been lost for 500 years. Faerie has been in mourning since her disappearance but now it starts to come alive again. Anita wants to believe that what she is being told is true, but she is having trouble reconciling the life she knows with the life everyone in Faerie wants her to have. Meanwhile, a plot threatens all of them and Anita may be the only one who can stop it.

In the second book, The Lost Queen, Tania and Edric return to the Mortal Realm to see if they can find Titania and bring her home. Their simple plans are disrupted, however, by enemies still attempting to thwart them. It will come down to a race against time and a healthy dose of luck to save the lost queen and all of Faerie.

In the third book, The Sorcerer King, Tania has found Titania, but an ancient evil has been unleashed on the land of Faerie. None of the problems thy have faced thus far have prepared them for the Sorcerer King of Lyonesse. Now that Titania has discovered her new life, she may not be able to save her land and family in time to live 'happily ever after.'

This series is fun and overall a great read. I enjoyed the characters and the story even though the plot was somewhat predictable. This series introduces several long story arcs, so the endings are a little unsatisfying unless you continue reading; probably not a great choice for readers who don't want to invest in a series. However, I would recommend these books to readers looking for light reading or, in particular, those who enjoy stories about the Faerie Realm.


I originally thought this book was a trilogy, but it actually continues; see this posting for the fourth book, The Immortal Realm

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Wicked Lovely, The Fairy Godmother, Cecelia and Kate, or Princess Nevermore

Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Quincie Morris is a relatively ordinary high school senior in Austin, but her life is rather busy. Her parents founded an Italian restaurant which she and her uncle have been running since their deaths. But to make it more interesting, they've decided to completely remodel to reopen with a vampire theme. Unfortunately, they have to find a new "vampire" chef in a hurry and turn him into a Dark Lord for the melodramatic aspect of the restaurant. As if that isn't enough stress, her half-werewolf best friend is unavailable as he deals with the difficulties of coming-of-age, leaving Quincie wondering where they stand. Will Quincie be able to deal with all the issues in her personal life and still pull off a perfect opening night at the restaurant?

This was definitely an interesting book. The characters, particularly Quincie, are well-developed and realistic. I thought the actual plot was a little odd - the ending seemed a little unfinished somehow, although it's obviously meant to be a bit silly. In general, I'd recommend this book to fantasy readers who enjoy fluffy stories or stories about the supernatural in real life.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Wicked Lovely, Twilight, or The Wish List

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

Crown Princess Ani is not like other children. She enjoys spending time outside and speaking with geese, but she cannot seem to understand people. Although she tries, Ani is never comfortable dealing with her future subjects. But after the death of her father, she finds out that she is to be married off as part of a treaty. Unfortunately, the trip is long and not all of her protectors are loyal. When Ani winds up alone, she must learn to use her unique gifts in order to appreciate her talents and reclaim her birthright.

This is a great retelling of The Goose Girl. I really enjoyed the characters and the story which uses some really beautiful language. It was a little hard to get into, but it was worth working through the slow parts. I'd definitely recommend this book to fantasy readers, especially fans of fairy tale retellings.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Princess Ben, Spirit Fox, Midnight Pearls, or The Two Princesses of Bamarre

Ever by Gail Carson Levine

In Ever, Olus, the Akkan god of the wind, is used to getting his way. As he travels the world, learning about humanity, he discovers a girl named Kezi. Although she has caught his notice like none before, the people of Kezi's country worship Admat, the One God, and, due to their beliefs, Kezi is meant to die n a few short weeks. Kezi's faith and Olus' love with both be tested as they search for a way to avoid her death and find a life together.

This book really is unlike any of the other books I have read by Gail Carson Levine. It feels very much like a Greek myth rather than a fairy tale, but it is just as enjoyable. The characters are interesting and the plot is unpredictable; the tests are truly difficult, but they don't always end up as neatly as they do in the tellings of Greek myths. I would definitely recommend this book to fantasy readers, particularly those who enjoy myths or who are looking for something a little different.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: The Lightning Thief, The Immortals Series, or Spirit Fox

Dragon Slippers and Dragon Flight by Jessica Day George

Creel's aunt has decided that their best option for saving the family farm is to sacrifice Creel to a dragon (assuming that she'll then be rescued by a knight who will marry her and take them all in). But the plan gets sidetracked when Creel talks her way out of the dragon's clutches and leaves with a pair of blue slippers. She plans to go to the city and make her way as an embroiderer, but soon discovers that it's more difficult than she realized. Unfortunately, the blue slippers are more than they seem and they're about to create all kinds of trouble for her...


In the sequel, Dragon Flight, Creel has settled in as a dressmaker with her friends and life is good. Then, the king gets word that a foreign country plans to invade and their army is mounted on dragons. As the resident 'expert' on dragons, Creel is called in for consultation and given a mission that seems impossible - to stop the army and save the country yet again.


These books were a lot of fun and left me hoping that the author will write a third book. There's a degree to which the plots are a little predictable because there's a lot of foreshadowing going on, but I didn't feel that it detracted from the story when I was reading them. The characters were all well-developed and likable (particularly the dragons). I would definitely recommend these books to fantasy readers, especially if you enjoy non-traditional stories about dragons.

• If these books sound interesting, consider these: Harper Hall Trilogy, Dragonhaven, or Dark Lord of Derkholm

A Posse of Princesses by Sherwood Smith

Rhis, princess of the small mountain country of Nym, has been invited to a gathering of titled peers to meet Prince Lios. She has never been a very "good" princess, as her older sister-in-law continually reminds her; she is far more interested in ballads and music than lessons in history and deportment. Now, she quickly attempts to catch up and finds that she enjoys the company of some, including Shera (her sister by marriage) and the prince's scribe, Dandiar. Some people are far less pleasant - particularly the beautiful lady Iardith. But when Iardith is kidnapped, Rhis and several other princesses band together to rescue her and must rethink many of the lessons they have learned.

It isn't terribly often that a book has multiple princesses - and all together in the same place. I really enjoyed reading this book. Rhis and the other characters seem very real and their story is a little dull in the middle, but picks up before too long. Aside from the number of princesses, the plot isn't too predictable to make up for the bit when they're all getting to know one another. I would recommend this book to fantasy readers who want something that isn't too heavy and a little different, or to those who like the books about girls who figure out how to manage on their own.

• If this book sounds interesting, consider these: Princess Ben, Princess Academy, or Princess Nevermore

Ella Enchanted, and Fairest by Gail Carson Levine

Ella Enchanted tells the story of Ella of Frell. Her life is a bit out of the ordinary because she received a fairy 'gift' when she was born; as a result, she must be obedient when anyone gives her an order. Her mother has told her that she mustn't share her secret with anyone, but when she dies unexpectedly, Ella is left alone with her father, who does not know and does not understand his daughter. When he chooses to remarry, Ella's life changes even more and she must learn whom to trust and how to take care of herself. Will she be able to make her life turn out happily ever after?


Fairest, a retelling of Snow White, returns to the world of Ella Enchanted, to the country of Ayortha where people sing more than they speak. Aza was adopted as a baby by an inn-keeping family. Despite her "ugliness," Aza has an amazing voice which she can even use in ways that others cannot. When Aza has a chance to go to the capital for a royal wedding, her abilities are discovered by the new, foreign queen who befriends her. Aza soon learns more about royalty, politics, friendship, and true beauty as she becomes entrenched in the personal life of a queen who wants to be the fairest in the land.


Ella Enchanted is one of my all-time favorite books; it's the one that helped me discover fairy tale retellings. I love all of the characters and the way that the story all comes together, and, the way that an old story is made completely new again. For those who have seen the movie, I have to mention that it bears only passing resemblance to the book (mostly just the names), so don't let that stop you from enjoying the book. Fairest continues the tradition, although I have to admit that it doesn't quite have the energy of Ella Enchanted. It's still a wonderful retelling, however, with more well-written characters. I would absolutely recommend either of these to any fantasy fan, and particularly to those who love retellings.

• If these books sound interesting, consider these: Black Pearls, The Elemental Masters Series, Bound, or Once Upon a Marigold