Scan barcode
reddyrat's review
4.0
Reading A Farewell to Charms was bittersweet. I adore the Princess for Hire series and am sad to see it come to an end. But I'm excited to read more from Lindsey.
There is a lot going on in this last book. Perhaps a little too much, but there are so many different plot elements that need to be resolved. You have Desi serving as a Level 3 sub, further investigating & protesting Facade's practice of stealing magic, Desi and Reed's burgeoning relationship, conflicts between Desi and her friend Kylie, and Desi's interaction with her family. Going back and forth between so many different topics certainly keeps the book from dragging, but it also gets somewhat choppy.
As always, Desi is full of spunk and passion. She's at the age where everything is black and white and she is incredibly gung ho about pursuing the cause she thinks is right. But when something is confusing or gray - like her relationship with Reed - she is much more hesitant and childlike. It's cute seeing the juxtaposition in her character. And I love how she is with Reed. He's a nice, normal boy who treats her well and values her opinion.
I wish we could have seen more Princess subbing scenarios. There were certainly significant portions of the book dedicated to them, but I would have liked to see even more. Much of the book was focused on Desi's crusade against Facade's magic stealing. This plot element lends substance to the story, but wasn't as much fun as the cutesy princess subbing story arcs. Of the fun princess subbing scenes, I particularly enjoyed the kind of crazy ninja Princess Vanna.
The Princess for Hire series is shelved with MG but easily fits in the young YA category. Often I get frustrated with the juvenility of MG because I'm accustomed to YA. I rarely had that difficulty with PFH. There are times where Desi seems adorably (or frustratingly) young. However, there are also times when she seems improbably mature for a 13 year old. Mostly, it's nice to read a series that is good natured, with good messages, but above all is super adorable.
Rating: 3.5 / 5
There is a lot going on in this last book. Perhaps a little too much, but there are so many different plot elements that need to be resolved. You have Desi serving as a Level 3 sub, further investigating & protesting Facade's practice of stealing magic, Desi and Reed's burgeoning relationship, conflicts between Desi and her friend Kylie, and Desi's interaction with her family. Going back and forth between so many different topics certainly keeps the book from dragging, but it also gets somewhat choppy.
As always, Desi is full of spunk and passion. She's at the age where everything is black and white and she is incredibly gung ho about pursuing the cause she thinks is right. But when something is confusing or gray - like her relationship with Reed - she is much more hesitant and childlike. It's cute seeing the juxtaposition in her character. And I love how she is with Reed. He's a nice, normal boy who treats her well and values her opinion.
I wish we could have seen more Princess subbing scenarios. There were certainly significant portions of the book dedicated to them, but I would have liked to see even more. Much of the book was focused on Desi's crusade against Facade's magic stealing. This plot element lends substance to the story, but wasn't as much fun as the cutesy princess subbing story arcs. Of the fun princess subbing scenes, I particularly enjoyed the kind of crazy ninja Princess Vanna.
The Princess for Hire series is shelved with MG but easily fits in the young YA category. Often I get frustrated with the juvenility of MG because I'm accustomed to YA. I rarely had that difficulty with PFH. There are times where Desi seems adorably (or frustratingly) young. However, there are also times when she seems improbably mature for a 13 year old. Mostly, it's nice to read a series that is good natured, with good messages, but above all is super adorable.
Rating: 3.5 / 5
plants_and_bees's review
4.25
I read the first 2 books in Dutch when i was very young and i loved them, those two books are two of the books that have stuck with me the most from all the books i read in my childhood, through the years i kept checking for a Dutch translation of the third book and ever since i started to read in English this book has been on my to-read pile, it took a long long while to get to but i am so glad i did. I fully expected the magic to have worn off, it being more of a nostalgic thing than something i could still fully enjoy but this was a really fun middle grade book and it was a joy reading it!
sqeeker's review
3.0
- I don't really like how young Desi is. I wish she was just a little bit older, like 16-17 instead of 13. I think the story would be more suited for an older teen. She has a lot of responsibility, and a girl's relationship at 13 doesn't last. I'd like to think that Reed and Desi have a long lasting relationship.
- I liked this one better than the second book, but not as much as the first. It was still funny and charming, but I'm not huge into the Jr. High drama stuff.
- I liked how everything was resolved. Desi and Meredith got really lucky, and I'm glad Genevieve wasn't a total snob like Lilith. I like how Reed played a larger role, and we got to know more about him. Everything about Kylee is awesome!!
- I really love the characters in this series. The story is good, but what really captivates me is the characters and their friendship. I especially love Desi. She is an amazing young woman. I would like to be her friend.
- Overall, this was a really nice ending to fun trilogy. I wish there was more. I'd like to see how everyone settles into things.
- I liked this one better than the second book, but not as much as the first. It was still funny and charming, but I'm not huge into the Jr. High drama stuff.
- I liked how everything was resolved. Desi and Meredith got really lucky, and I'm glad Genevieve wasn't a total snob like Lilith. I like how Reed played a larger role, and we got to know more about him. Everything about Kylee is awesome!!
- I really love the characters in this series. The story is good, but what really captivates me is the characters and their friendship. I especially love Desi. She is an amazing young woman. I would like to be her friend.
- Overall, this was a really nice ending to fun trilogy. I wish there was more. I'd like to see how everyone settles into things.
caitlinjoyful's review
4.0
4 stars
I listened to the audio of the first book in this series and fell in love with the characters and Facade. And when I went to get the second audiobook I was heartbroken to find out it wasn't on the app. I spend two months trying to find somewhere that had it. Bookstores, libraries, everything and after looking I decided I couldn't wait. I read a synopsis of the book, and started the third one.
Readers, Please don't come after me. It killed me to do it. But I was desperate.
As much as I wish I could have read the second book first I'm glad I read this one. It was nice seeing Desi again, and watching her journey. Watching her grow.
The ending of this book was so unexpected but amazing. I loved it.
I listened to the audio of the first book in this series and fell in love with the characters and Facade. And when I went to get the second audiobook I was heartbroken to find out it wasn't on the app. I spend two months trying to find somewhere that had it. Bookstores, libraries, everything and after looking I decided I couldn't wait. I read a synopsis of the book, and started the third one.
Readers, Please don't come after me. It killed me to do it. But I was desperate.
As much as I wish I could have read the second book first I'm glad I read this one. It was nice seeing Desi again, and watching her journey. Watching her grow.
The ending of this book was so unexpected but amazing. I loved it.
jennifervu's review
4.0
This is such an adorable book! It was so easy to relate to Desi and I could totally understand her teenage problems since I'm about the same age as her! Few aspects of the beauty process were a little confusing but it didn't damper my experience with this book overall. The romance is cute and refreshing, especially because of its rocky and tumultuous path... Reed seems really amazing and just every girl's dream guy...
Ah, I'm so sad that this series is finally over. At least their story will never be ;)
Ah, I'm so sad that this series is finally over. At least their story will never be ;)
mj38012's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.25
stephanie8123's review
5.0
Okay so at first I was skeptical about reading this series because the first book cover was way too pink, had "Disney" written on it and it was a jr. high fiction. But I didn't want to judge a book by its cover so I picked it up and read. Now I've just finished the last book in a little over 24 hours and I loved it!!
Seriously don't let the cover deter, this series was great! It was such an original story which was refreshing after reading so many YA high school fiction stories about girl meets boy. Desi is one of my favorite characters I've read about in a while. She's so smart, headstrong, wise, and only 13! She's a big fish in a small pond and that what makes her so unique and interesting. This last book was a great end to the series, Desi was so headstrong and I loved how she challenge Facade.
Agh! I don't even know what exactly I loved so much about this book. It had so many great elements, like the magic, all the crazy princesses she subbed for, her attitude, her life Spudsville (tragic) and Reed. Reed was pretty great, loved the dynamic between them! Maybe what I loved most was that is wasn't what I expected. I though it would be another totally cheesy, fake Disney story but it was so much more than that. Desi was way mature for being 13, though I wish the Leavitt had made Desi a little older like 16, but that's my personal preference.
Overall, read this! It'll surprise how fun and refreshing it is!
Seriously don't let the cover deter, this series was great! It was such an original story which was refreshing after reading so many YA high school fiction stories about girl meets boy. Desi is one of my favorite characters I've read about in a while. She's so smart, headstrong, wise, and only 13! She's a big fish in a small pond and that what makes her so unique and interesting. This last book was a great end to the series,
Spoiler
I like to think her and Reed had they're own "happily ever after"Agh! I don't even know what exactly I loved so much about this book. It had so many great elements, like the magic, all the crazy princesses she subbed for, her attitude, her life Spudsville (tragic) and Reed. Reed was pretty great, loved the dynamic between them! Maybe what I loved most was that is wasn't what I expected. I though it would be another totally cheesy, fake Disney story but it was so much more than that. Desi was way mature for being 13, though I wish the Leavitt had made Desi a little older like 16, but that's my personal preference.
Overall, read this! It'll surprise how fun and refreshing it is!
am1a's review
5.0
The book was awesome I couldn't put ot down seriously. I stayed up the whole night to read this. Its well written and its a nice ending i love this series and am a little sad that its ending:( but still I love it very much
ankonyx's review
4.0
I didn’t really like this one as much as the others, but it was still really fun. The ending was ehhhhh and not my thing but literally the only logical ending so I’ll accept it. The rest of the book was a solid 4-5/5 stars though