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3.36 AVERAGE
3.36 AVERAGE
I liked the book for the most part but at the beginning it was a little confusing.
What saved this from being a one-star book was some lovely writing. Often I felt like I was there in snowy Russia, exploring the immense, empty castle right along with Sophie.
Unfortunately, the characters drew me out of the story. The way Sophie reacted to almost everything seemed unrealistic, and the side characters often had the same problem. I couldn't figure out why Sophie cared so much about pleasing the princess, when the woman kept displaying erratic--even frightening--behavior. The plot felt a little contrived, too.
All in all, I think the author had a nice idea that could have used more polishing before being released.
Unfortunately, the characters drew me out of the story. The way Sophie reacted to almost everything seemed unrealistic, and the side characters often had the same problem. I couldn't figure out why Sophie cared so much about pleasing the princess, when the woman kept displaying erratic--even frightening--behavior. The plot felt a little contrived, too.
All in all, I think the author had a nice idea that could have used more polishing before being released.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I would have LOVED this book as a child. The trope of the poor, unloved orphan discovering her exotic and romantic family history was exactly my thing.
But it's frustrating how dumb the characters are. All of them are very 1 or 2 dimensional. You only get a hold on Sophie, and she's just not bright enough to be believable. The girls read as being 10-12 years old, but then Sophie describes 10 year old Masha (who speaks like a 100-year old sage woman) as a "little girl". I'm not sure how old they're supposed to be, but the book just doesn't hit the right tone.
But it's frustrating how dumb the characters are. All of them are very 1 or 2 dimensional. You only get a hold on Sophie, and she's just not bright enough to be believable. The girls read as being 10-12 years old, but then Sophie describes 10 year old Masha (who speaks like a 100-year old sage woman) as a "little girl". I'm not sure how old they're supposed to be, but the book just doesn't hit the right tone.
Let's make this clear: I have never been a huge fan of princess stories (particularly the Disney versions). As a result, this book is by it's very nature something that I would not normally read.
Despite that fact, I found it to be an overall cute book. The plot line was extremely predictable and cliche although I don't think that I have yet come across many of these "long lost royalty" type books in a modern setting. I therefore was more than a little confused about the time period to begin with but as the story progressed my confusion dissipated.
I enjoyed the Russian setting and this book did make me much more interested in the Russian language. (Before reading this book the only word in Russian I'd ever heard was "da" meaning "yes".)
This is a good book for girls between the ages of 10 and roughly 14 or anyone in the mood for a heart warming, uplifting story. I particularly recommend it for wintertime.
As for the cover to the American edition of this book . . . What was the publisher thinking?
[bc:The Wolf Princess|15835861|The Wolf Princess|Cathryn Constable|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1345367447s/15835861.jpg|21573737] to [bc:The Wolf Princess|17168248|The Wolf Princess|Cathryn Constable|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1380754838s/17168248.jpg|21573737]
I mean no offence to the people designing either cover and the American cover isn't exactly "bad" but the UK cover is an estimated ten times more times likely to end up on my bookshelf. Is there some reason that publishers can't coordinate? On the other hand, I suppose I shouldn't complain and just be overjoyed by the fact that I got to read an Arc . . . to be perfectly honest I very well might not have read it otherwise.
Despite that fact, I found it to be an overall cute book. The plot line was extremely predictable and cliche although I don't think that I have yet come across many of these "long lost royalty" type books in a modern setting. I therefore was more than a little confused about the time period to begin with but as the story progressed my confusion dissipated.
I enjoyed the Russian setting and this book did make me much more interested in the Russian language. (Before reading this book the only word in Russian I'd ever heard was "da" meaning "yes".)
This is a good book for girls between the ages of 10 and roughly 14 or anyone in the mood for a heart warming, uplifting story. I particularly recommend it for wintertime.
As for the cover to the American edition of this book . . . What was the publisher thinking?
[bc:The Wolf Princess|15835861|The Wolf Princess|Cathryn Constable|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1345367447s/15835861.jpg|21573737] to [bc:The Wolf Princess|17168248|The Wolf Princess|Cathryn Constable|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1380754838s/17168248.jpg|21573737]
I mean no offence to the people designing either cover and the American cover isn't exactly "bad" but the UK cover is an estimated ten times more times likely to end up on my bookshelf. Is there some reason that publishers can't coordinate? On the other hand, I suppose I shouldn't complain and just be overjoyed by the fact that I got to read an Arc . . . to be perfectly honest I very well might not have read it otherwise.
Disappointed this wasn't any better than average.
Good enough story and characters (if an incredibly obvious twist) but it didn't really hold my interest, though maybe it's because I'm not quite the target market!
Good enough story and characters (if an incredibly obvious twist) but it didn't really hold my interest, though maybe it's because I'm not quite the target market!
Fluff. But sparkling, soft, white fluff like snow, and entirely appropriate to devour in one sitting, more or less, on Boxing Day while it pours with rain in the dark outside. One must suspend one's disbelief, for it is very far fetched indeed - but it is a fairytale.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Slow in the beginning. Good story to read in the winter time/to children. Anna was predictable for a 'bad guy' or I play too much Uncharted, lol.
I absolutely love the cover for The Wolf Princess, and the purple edging on the pages makes it extra specially nice. The Wolf Princess starts off with Sophie, Delphine and Marianne in their school and them all looking forward to the upcoming school trip. They end up being selected to go to Russia and stay with a host family there. Upon collection from the train station the girls soon find themselves abandoned by Dr Starova on a train and they end up being left at an old ramshackle station waiting for whatever train comes through to take them home. Ivan comes along in his fantastic train, ushering them into a warm cosy carriage as it takes them to the Volkonsky winter palace.
While I fell in love with the book cover, it did take me a while to fall in love with the story itself. It wasn't until the girls got to the palace that the mystery begins to unravel and get interesting. The Wolf Princess is loosely based upon the story of Anastasia and the Tsar, which I found really interesting. As the mystery behind Princess Anna Volkonskaya is slowly unravelled I began to pick up a few hints and I slowly pieced it together, and was very happy and surprised with the end result. The scenery and buildings described in the pages sound like a little girls dream come true, who wouldn't want to live in a palace surrounded by snow in the heart of some woods in Russia. Getting to dress up in elegant clothes and eat like princesses. I alone would be happy with the snow and the animals.
The secondary characters in The Wolf Princess bring their own personality to the pages and I instantly liked Dmitri, who looks after horses and cleans for princess, and his sister Masha. Princess Ann was one that never truly piqued my interest, to me she was arrogant and self centred but after things are revealed I did feel a tiny bit sorry for her.
The Wolf Princess was a book that kept me interested and wanting to know what happens with Sophie. A perfect read to help you escape the real world for a few hours.
While I fell in love with the book cover, it did take me a while to fall in love with the story itself. It wasn't until the girls got to the palace that the mystery begins to unravel and get interesting. The Wolf Princess is loosely based upon the story of Anastasia and the Tsar, which I found really interesting. As the mystery behind Princess Anna Volkonskaya is slowly unravelled I began to pick up a few hints and I slowly pieced it together, and was very happy and surprised with the end result. The scenery and buildings described in the pages sound like a little girls dream come true, who wouldn't want to live in a palace surrounded by snow in the heart of some woods in Russia. Getting to dress up in elegant clothes and eat like princesses. I alone would be happy with the snow and the animals.
The secondary characters in The Wolf Princess bring their own personality to the pages and I instantly liked Dmitri, who looks after horses and cleans for princess, and his sister Masha. Princess Ann was one that never truly piqued my interest, to me she was arrogant and self centred but after things are revealed I did feel a tiny bit sorry for her.
The Wolf Princess was a book that kept me interested and wanting to know what happens with Sophie. A perfect read to help you escape the real world for a few hours.
