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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
Read this in middle school or something, and honestly it holds up!! A classic of YA, and for good reason. Mia has such a distinctive and fun voice.
Obviously it centers a pretty privileged, upper class, white perspective; there are a couple “yikes” moments like at the end when she’s grateful(??) Iran has bombed Afghanistan, which means a paparazzi shot of her won’t be on the front page of the tabloids. If I continue reading the series, hoping there’s some growth from her on that end (she is 14 .. if that is an excuse at all)
Obviously it centers a pretty privileged, upper class, white perspective; there are a couple “yikes” moments like at the end when she’s grateful(??) Iran has bombed Afghanistan, which means a paparazzi shot of her won’t be on the front page of the tabloids. If I continue reading the series, hoping there’s some growth from her on that end (she is 14 .. if that is an excuse at all)
I love love the movies and I adore the idea behind those books. I would have really enjoyed this when I was younger, but as a 26 year old I just cringe instead LOL
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
Complicated
it was cute but definitely a Younger YA read. The main character was pretty annoying at times.
4 Nostalgic Stars
It was so fun revisiting this favorite from when I was a pre-teen. It was shorter than I remembered (the audiobook was less than 6 hours long) and I'd forgotten so many details, but this reread (or re-listen rather) felt like catching up with old friends.
It was so fun revisiting this favorite from when I was a pre-teen. It was shorter than I remembered (the audiobook was less than 6 hours long) and I'd forgotten so many details, but this reread (or re-listen rather) felt like catching up with old friends.
Disclaimer: I absolutely loved this movie when it came out! I'm sure that most of you can relate. But I love the book even more so most of this review is me gushing about how great it is.
This was written in journal format, which was a really nice change of pace from the types of books I've been reading lately. If you're looking to read something light, witty and girly, this is the one for you! I read it all in one day, it's really easy to fly through.
This is technically a re-read for me, but since I read it so long ago I completely forgot how different it is from the movie. Since basically everyone has seen the movie by now (if not, GO WATCH IT), I'll be comparing it to this book a lot in this review.
Even though the two have their differences, I couldn't help but picture the actresses/actors from the movie while I was reading this book because I think they were cast perfectly:
Mia Thermopolis, later known as Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo, Princess of Genovia
Mia lives in New York City and she's a freshman at Albert Einstein High School. She sees herself as flat chested, too tall and unpopular. Learning that she's actually a princess (explained below*) is bad enough, but then the entire city finds out. I absolutely love Mia's personality. She's such a good friend and the things that she says are too funny sometimes. Also she's a vegetarian, like myself, which I didn't remember until I started reading this again.
*Quick background info: Mia's parent's never actually got married and they're no longer together. She has literally just found out that her father is actually a prince and since he is unable to have any more children due to testicular cancer, Mia is the only heir to the throne.
Lilly and Michael Moscovitz
Siblings (and the offspring of psychoanalyst parents) Lilly and Michael couldn't be more different, besides the fact that they're both pretty smart. Lilly has been Mia's best friend since kindergarten, and offers Mia advice constantly, whether she wants it or not. She also has a pretty bad habit of over-analyzing everyone's actions, but you gotta love her. Michael, a senior at their school, is into computers and usually keeps to himself, but Mia definitely helps bring him out of his shell. Side note: he's my favorite character.
Grandmere, also known as the Queen of Genovia
Mia's grandmother is definitely more intimidating in the book. Mia actually expresses her hate for her multiple times. But nonetheless, she travels from Genovia to New York City to give Mia some "princess lessons" and a makeover. She is pretty horrified by Mia's current state of being, so it's pretty interesting.
Lana Weinberger and Josh Richter
Lana and Josh are upperclassmen at Mia's high school, and they are the cliche "cheerleader and jock" couple. Mia not-so-secretly thinks that Josh is the hottest guy in school, maybe even the hottest guy in the city, but he doesn't give her a second glance until everyone discovers the whole princess thing. Lana unfortunately pays a great deal of attention to Mia and torments her every chance she gets. Basically, she's a stuck up b*tch.
Not pictured: Mia's mother (the artist), Mia's father (the prince), Lars (Mia's bodyguard), and Mr. Gianini (Mia's algebra teacher and her mother's new boyfriend).
If you've already read this and/or seen the movie, who is your favorite character? Did you like the book or the movie better?
I really encourage you to read the book if you haven't already. It moves much slower than the movie does and you really get to know the characters.
This was written in journal format, which was a really nice change of pace from the types of books I've been reading lately. If you're looking to read something light, witty and girly, this is the one for you! I read it all in one day, it's really easy to fly through.
This is technically a re-read for me, but since I read it so long ago I completely forgot how different it is from the movie. Since basically everyone has seen the movie by now (if not, GO WATCH IT), I'll be comparing it to this book a lot in this review.
Even though the two have their differences, I couldn't help but picture the actresses/actors from the movie while I was reading this book because I think they were cast perfectly:
Mia Thermopolis, later known as Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo, Princess of Genovia
Mia lives in New York City and she's a freshman at Albert Einstein High School. She sees herself as flat chested, too tall and unpopular. Learning that she's actually a princess (explained below*) is bad enough, but then the entire city finds out. I absolutely love Mia's personality. She's such a good friend and the things that she says are too funny sometimes. Also she's a vegetarian, like myself, which I didn't remember until I started reading this again.
*Quick background info: Mia's parent's never actually got married and they're no longer together. She has literally just found out that her father is actually a prince and since he is unable to have any more children due to testicular cancer, Mia is the only heir to the throne.
Lilly and Michael Moscovitz
Siblings (and the offspring of psychoanalyst parents) Lilly and Michael couldn't be more different, besides the fact that they're both pretty smart. Lilly has been Mia's best friend since kindergarten, and offers Mia advice constantly, whether she wants it or not. She also has a pretty bad habit of over-analyzing everyone's actions, but you gotta love her. Michael, a senior at their school, is into computers and usually keeps to himself, but Mia definitely helps bring him out of his shell. Side note: he's my favorite character.
Grandmere, also known as the Queen of Genovia
Mia's grandmother is definitely more intimidating in the book. Mia actually expresses her hate for her multiple times. But nonetheless, she travels from Genovia to New York City to give Mia some "princess lessons" and a makeover. She is pretty horrified by Mia's current state of being, so it's pretty interesting.
Lana Weinberger and Josh Richter
Lana and Josh are upperclassmen at Mia's high school, and they are the cliche "cheerleader and jock" couple. Mia not-so-secretly thinks that Josh is the hottest guy in school, maybe even the hottest guy in the city, but he doesn't give her a second glance until everyone discovers the whole princess thing. Lana unfortunately pays a great deal of attention to Mia and torments her every chance she gets. Basically, she's a stuck up b*tch.
Not pictured: Mia's mother (the artist), Mia's father (the prince), Lars (Mia's bodyguard), and Mr. Gianini (Mia's algebra teacher and her mother's new boyfriend).
If you've already read this and/or seen the movie, who is your favorite character? Did you like the book or the movie better?
I really encourage you to read the book if you haven't already. It moves much slower than the movie does and you really get to know the characters.
Fun- diff than movie, but same style as other cabot books. I liked it!
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced