Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I did enjoy the world-building that the author did in the prologue. She created an intriguing setting and backstory for Princess Olive that captured my attention. However, the characters other than Princess Olive could have used more development, and the language sometimes varied between stilted and joltingly modern. (It sounds odd for a princess in a fairy tale to burst out with phrases like, "Oh, you've got to be kidding me!")
I did enjoy reading it, and would recommend it for younger middle-grade readers who like fairy tales.
I did enjoy the world-building that the author did in the prologue. She created an intriguing setting and backstory for Princess Olive that captured my attention. However, the characters other than Princess Olive could have used more development, and the language sometimes varied between stilted and joltingly modern. (It sounds odd for a princess in a fairy tale to burst out with phrases like, "Oh, you've got to be kidding me!")
I did enjoy reading it, and would recommend it for younger middle-grade readers who like fairy tales.
I recieved this book through Goodreads Giveaway.
I gave this book 4 stars. It was just a really fun and light read. Henderson did a great job of writing a fun book that was really hard to put down. I almost finished it in one sitting. Princess Olive was a relateable character and the book was filled with strong women characters. It is a great book if you are looking to take a break from serious, thriller-ish reads. Definitely a breath of fresh air!
I gave this book 4 stars. It was just a really fun and light read. Henderson did a great job of writing a fun book that was really hard to put down. I almost finished it in one sitting. Princess Olive was a relateable character and the book was filled with strong women characters. It is a great book if you are looking to take a break from serious, thriller-ish reads. Definitely a breath of fresh air!
I received a copy of this ebook in a Goodreads giveaway.
I didn’t find the premise very interesting, not a book for me.
I didn’t find the premise very interesting, not a book for me.
Faced with a choice, Princess Olive must decide to keep her magic and remain hideous, or lose her magic to be beautiful forever. Brave and kind Olive must confront her darkest fears to help her kingdom.
I received this book through goodreads giveaways .
This book was fairly straightforward and simple, but I found I enjoyed it despite that. The magic system (a crux on the left hand of the Winnowwoods) seems rather unique to me, but I wish some things, like the fact that Olive is the last Winnowwood, was explained in more depth. The main character, Olive, is very likeable as she is strong, brave and does what needs to be done whilst not complaining too much when things go wrong for her.
Initially I found the author’s writing style to be quite irritating, particularly the preface, but it improves as the book progresses, although it does still feel a little clunky. I was also quite glad to only notice one type.
The plot is very easy to follow, and a little predictable in places. I also feel there a couple of aspects to the overall world which would fall down on close scrutiny and the minor characters are a bit two dimensional (which is only really to be expected with a short novel written in first person).
Overall, a nice little story that is great if you just want something short and easy.
This book was fairly straightforward and simple, but I found I enjoyed it despite that. The magic system (a crux on the left hand of the Winnowwoods) seems rather unique to me, but I wish some things, like the fact that Olive is the last Winnowwood, was explained in more depth. The main character, Olive, is very likeable as she is strong, brave and does what needs to be done whilst not complaining too much when things go wrong for her.
Initially I found the author’s writing style to be quite irritating, particularly the preface, but it improves as the book progresses, although it does still feel a little clunky. I was also quite glad to only notice one type.
The plot is very easy to follow, and a little predictable in places. I also feel there a couple of aspects to the overall world which would fall down on close scrutiny and the minor characters are a bit two dimensional (which is only really to be expected with a short novel written in first person).
Spoiler
The thing that irritated me the most, which is a pet peeve of mine, is the ‘big reveal at the end in front of everyone’; something that I just don’t like.Overall, a nice little story that is great if you just want something short and easy.
Great YA story. The premise was really interesting and the magic was cool. I liked the main character, but the other characters were arguably terrible people who didn't get any repercussions for what they did, and the main character just forgave them like it was nothing. There were parts of the plot that felt flat to me but overall the story was interesting. The romance was cute if it took a random 180 that could've used more development. Lastly, for me the writing lacked dynamisn and there was little emotion in it, but for a middle grade or YA audience it's just fine.
If you're looking for a sweet, adventurous, girl-power fairy tale, stop right here. The Ugly Princess has just what you're looking for. This story is full of traditional fairy tale tropes, so it's a bit predictable, but that isn't always a bad thing. And the places where it differs make it shine.
Olive is an ugly princess--not because she was cursed at birth or some such thing, but because she is a Winnowwood, and the Winnowwood are powerful but also pay a price for that power. Olive is committed to not giving up her power for beauty as the others all have. For being only 18, she has a determination and maturity that is refreshing and sadly lacking among many YA characters. She's not perfect; she's not always strong; she doesn't always know the right thing to do. But she is determined to try her best and not waver in her beliefs, no matter how tempting at times. And that's why I loved Olive.
The writing was solid and Olive's voice came through strong. She is clearly her own person, and that came through beautifully in the writing. While there were a few typos scattered throughout the text, they really were very few, and it didn't detract from the language and story-telling very much. Instead, it's easy to get sucked into Olive's world and adventure as she begins a journey toward what she's always been meant to be.
The plot was appropriately fairy-tale-esque, with a few twists and turns to make it interesting. The romance itself was delightfully trope-y, and just perfect. Bart and Olive were perfect together. I loved that Olive's sister Roseline, though not an admirable character, also came across as sympathetic. As much as we, and Olive, disagree with her actions, it's also easy to see where she's coming from. People's happiness comes from different places after all.
The only real complaint I have with this story is the world and setting. As a fairy-tale, it's easy to get away with some vagueness, but I would've loved more detail on the world beyond the two kingdoms immediately involved in the story. Both because outside forces are at work, and because it seems as if the author intends further stories that reach beyond those kingdoms. I also needed more information on the way the magic of the Winnowwood worked. Though some more information is revealed at the very end, I still would've liked to have learned at least what Olive seemed to know. I'm all about the details.
[I received this book for free through First Reads and was not required to write a positive or any other type of review. All opinions stated herein are solely my own.]
Olive is an ugly princess--not because she was cursed at birth or some such thing, but because she is a Winnowwood, and the Winnowwood are powerful but also pay a price for that power. Olive is committed to not giving up her power for beauty as the others all have. For being only 18, she has a determination and maturity that is refreshing and sadly lacking among many YA characters. She's not perfect; she's not always strong; she doesn't always know the right thing to do. But she is determined to try her best and not waver in her beliefs, no matter how tempting at times. And that's why I loved Olive.
The writing was solid and Olive's voice came through strong. She is clearly her own person, and that came through beautifully in the writing. While there were a few typos scattered throughout the text, they really were very few, and it didn't detract from the language and story-telling very much. Instead, it's easy to get sucked into Olive's world and adventure as she begins a journey toward what she's always been meant to be.
The plot was appropriately fairy-tale-esque, with a few twists and turns to make it interesting. The romance itself was delightfully trope-y, and just perfect. Bart and Olive were perfect together. I loved that Olive's sister Roseline, though not an admirable character, also came across as sympathetic. As much as we, and Olive, disagree with her actions, it's also easy to see where she's coming from. People's happiness comes from different places after all.
The only real complaint I have with this story is the world and setting. As a fairy-tale, it's easy to get away with some vagueness, but I would've loved more detail on the world beyond the two kingdoms immediately involved in the story. Both because outside forces are at work, and because it seems as if the author intends further stories that reach beyond those kingdoms. I also needed more information on the way the magic of the Winnowwood worked. Though some more information is revealed at the very end, I still would've liked to have learned at least what Olive seemed to know. I'm all about the details.
[I received this book for free through First Reads and was not required to write a positive or any other type of review. All opinions stated herein are solely my own.]
It's nice that the barrier to publishing is so low now that we have access to stories that wouldn't have been heard before. But editing is still very important. I can't finish this book because the typos and poor grammar are too distracting.
In one word, this book is: adorable. But a case could also be made for "empowering." This is a definite must read for young girls, which is well defined from the start in the author's dedication page. The author does a delightful job of exploring the meaning of beauty. For the ugliest people are those who sacrifice a piece of themselves the most. While the most beautiful are those that have given up their powers to help others. I can tell one of the authors main points is to illustrate that people can be seen for their deeds instead of only by their outward appearance. I think this is sweetly discovered by the main character. This main character was compelling, enduring, and relatable. How often young girls undervalue themselves and think nobody understands them or that nobody can truly love who they are inside.
This book has good characterization, especially with some of the animal characters. I was sad her grandpa never showed up again at the end. However, overall the story is extremely enjoyable for adult readers and should resonate with younger readers, especially with all the commercialized air brushed beauty they see around them in magazines, on movie screens, etc.
Were they are predictable moments? Yes. But the author also has some good surprises for you too, particularly in the last chapter. There is going to be more, and I'm so excited about it!
**SPOILERS FROM HERE**
I think my favorite moment was when Olive becomes the prophesy. The magic was enchanting, and I liked how it tied to the early Winnowwood. But a truly character-defining moment was when Olive first saw herself after the transformation, and she wasn't impressed. She wasn't that girl. At least that's not what she saw herself as. She had never valued beauty. She never needed it. And she knew it wouldn't change her especially since her magic returned to her.
Another good plot choice was that the prince who fell in love with Olive was not the most handsome prince. I'm so glad the author didn't feel she had to have a gorgeous-on-the-outside prince fall in love with Olive. The point is what makes a person beautiful is not how they look, and the author kept this consistent even with Olive's love interest. Having a handsome prince fall in love with her would have ruined the "beauty" of the author's message. The focus should never be by appearances alone.
This book is great. While I would have liked more moments to explore Olive's grandfather and mother, I know the author has more in store for us. I highly highly recommend this book. I think it's a rare piece of literature that is original in its theme about princesses, princes, and true love.
READ THIS BOOK. Need I say more? Great writing by an inventive author.
This book has good characterization, especially with some of the animal characters. I was sad her grandpa never showed up again at the end. However, overall the story is extremely enjoyable for adult readers and should resonate with younger readers, especially with all the commercialized air brushed beauty they see around them in magazines, on movie screens, etc.
Were they are predictable moments? Yes. But the author also has some good surprises for you too, particularly in the last chapter. There is going to be more, and I'm so excited about it!
**SPOILERS FROM HERE**
I think my favorite moment was when Olive becomes the prophesy. The magic was enchanting, and I liked how it tied to the early Winnowwood. But a truly character-defining moment was when Olive first saw herself after the transformation, and she wasn't impressed. She wasn't that girl. At least that's not what she saw herself as. She had never valued beauty. She never needed it. And she knew it wouldn't change her especially since her magic returned to her.
Another good plot choice was that the prince who fell in love with Olive was not the most handsome prince. I'm so glad the author didn't feel she had to have a gorgeous-on-the-outside prince fall in love with Olive. The point is what makes a person beautiful is not how they look, and the author kept this consistent even with Olive's love interest. Having a handsome prince fall in love with her would have ruined the "beauty" of the author's message. The focus should never be by appearances alone.
This book is great. While I would have liked more moments to explore Olive's grandfather and mother, I know the author has more in store for us. I highly highly recommend this book. I think it's a rare piece of literature that is original in its theme about princesses, princes, and true love.
READ THIS BOOK. Need I say more? Great writing by an inventive author.
fast-paced