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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
Princess Ben is not your typical princess. First of all, her name isn’t pretty and feminine – it’s Ben, short for Benevolence. Secondly, she is chubby and graceless. And her life is far from perfect, especially after her parents and her uncle, the king, die on the same day. It is assumed that they were killed by the neighboring Drachensbetts, long the enemy of Ben’s people. Ben goes to live with her widowed aunt, Sophia, who is now serving as the Queen until Ben is old enough to assume the throne. Ben soothes her grief with food and sullenness, causing her aunt to keep her in a tower room until she learns to behave. But this punishment turns into freedom when Ben discovers there is something very special about this room, and the castle as well. [return][return]The story is told from a future Ben’s point-of-view, as she attempts to set the story straight on the events that made her famous. The voice is authentic and old-fashioned, and beautifully written. All of the major characters are complex and well-drawn – we see the spoiled as well as the mature Ben, the aunt who is both cruel and caring, and the Drachensbett rulers who are both enemy and friend. This book has garnered rave reviews, and will be on many people’s short list for a Newbery honor.
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A fun twist on classic fairytales. Princess Ben is a feisty, unconventional princess. It's also fun to catch the sly references Murdock makes to Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, Rumplestiltskin, and other classics.
lighthearted
fast-paced
I always read books about characters who have to take down giant monsters and defy kingdoms and it is often done with blades and blood. This book really flipped the script instead of giant bouts of magics and epic sword fights it is the political nature and quick witted nature of the main character that really bring about the end of the book.
The title and cover really need to change on this book. I am going to have a difficult time selling this as a good book, particularly to boys because of the cover art. I loved this book. It is very similar to a fairy tale. While it is a bit corny, I got sucked into it! I also loved the high vocabulary Murdock used. It will give readers a nice challenge. I would recommend this one to girls and more open-minded boys. I am glad I read it.
I really enjoyed this- it did take me a while to get into it (i wasn't convinced for the first quarter or so of the book) but once I did get into it I was throughly enthralled. It's definitely got fairy tale elements but it doesn't got too far and become cliched.
I was most impressed by how well developed all the characters are, Ben is our main character and heroine but she's not perfect, Queen Sophia (the conniving Queen as the blurb tells us) isn't your average evil stepmother, yes she makes Ben miserable and treats her badly. All the characters develop thought the story and we see different aspects as it goes on.
It's very much character driven and I did enjoy the plot- I didn't love the ending but I really did enjoy the book as a whole.
I was most impressed by how well developed all the characters are, Ben is our main character and heroine but she's not perfect, Queen Sophia (the conniving Queen as the blurb tells us) isn't your average evil stepmother, yes she makes Ben miserable and treats her badly
Spoiler
but this is more through misunderstanding and wanting to change her than maliceIt's very much character driven and I did enjoy the plot- I didn't love the ending but I really did enjoy the book as a whole.
Princess Ben short for Benevolence is orphaned after the assassinations of her uncle, the reining king, and her mother, her father’s body is not found. As the last remaining member of royal blood, Ben is forced to move into the castle and endure her aunt, Queen Sophia. Sophia insists that Ben act like the princess she should and insists that Ben learn to dance, sew, proper penmanship, and control her appetite. She later learns these "lessons" are to make her appealing to a suitor, so that the queen may marry her off! Once Ben learns of this notion, she is anything but cooperative. The Queen, upset by Bens actions locks her away. But in her moment of despair Ben discovers a room that may be her escape from Sophia and an unwanted marriage, perhaps even provide vengeance for the death of her parents.
After reading Murdocks’s other books, I was expecting a lot from Princess Ben. Not only did this book meet my expectations, it extended far beyond them! It is beautifully told in a way that only Murdock can. She is able to create such characters that you can’t help but admire. The growth that Ben undergoes throughout the story only increased my admiration for her. The plot was beyond captivating!! It was full of magic, adventure, and fantasy!!! I absolutely recommend this book!!! I can’t wait to read more from Murdock!
After reading Murdocks’s other books, I was expecting a lot from Princess Ben. Not only did this book meet my expectations, it extended far beyond them! It is beautifully told in a way that only Murdock can. She is able to create such characters that you can’t help but admire. The growth that Ben undergoes throughout the story only increased my admiration for her. The plot was beyond captivating!! It was full of magic, adventure, and fantasy!!! I absolutely recommend this book!!! I can’t wait to read more from Murdock!
