Princess of Glass - Review

Title ~ Princess of Glass
Series ~ Single Title
Author ~ Jessica Day George
Release Date ~ May 25, 2010
Age Group ~ Middle Grade
Publisher ~ Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books
Source ~ Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books

GOODREADS SUMMARY

Hoping to escape the troubles in her kingdom, Princess Poppy reluctantly agrees to take part in a royal exchange program, whereby young princes and princesses travel to each other's countries in the name of better political alliances—and potential marriages. It's got the makings of a fairy tale—until a hapless servant named Eleanor is tricked by a vengeful fairy godmother into competing with Poppy for the eligible prince. Ball gowns, cinders, and enchanted glass slippers fly in this romantic and action-packed happily-ever-after quest from an author with a flair for embroidering tales in her own delightful way.

REVIEW

Princess of Glass is a fairytale retelling mash up where Twelve Dancing Princesses meets Cinderella.

Princess Poppy is one of the twelve sisters from Jessica Day George’s book, Princess of the Midnight Ball. Poppy is not a typical princess. Although she dances beautifully, she refuses to go to balls. She is feisty, speaks her mind, and knows what she wants. Poppy has a vulnerable side too. The perfect heroine.

Cinderella enters the story in the form of Eleanor. With a royal past, Eleanor is now known as Ellen, a lowly maid. Her one goal in life is to return to royalty. It sounds a bit shallow, but I felt like her motives were pure.

Instead of an evil stepmother, there is an evil fairy god mother known as the Corley. Ba-ha-ha-ha! The Corley uses her evil powers on Prince Christian and this sets off a series of crazy events for everyone involved. The glass slipper incident is especially funny.

Fairy tale retellings are tricky business. I like them to be different enough that I can’t predict the outcome – yet similar enough that I recognize the original tale. Princess of Glass is the perfect combo of both. Well played!

RATING

5 Loved

COVER COMMENTS

I love the mysterious way Princess Poppy is looking back. Is she looking at her past, checking to see who is following her, or something else? The dress is BEAUTIFUL ball gown. The marble pillars add a royal touch. Love it!