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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
Full disclosure: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
As with the other novels, this centers on a cast of characters in the process of figuring out who they are, what they want in life, and how to break free from the emotional baggage that keeps them from understanding and accepting themselves. For example, the toxic masculinity the dudebro "Krossfit" enthusiast centaur’s father imposed on him makes him ashamed of his tea magic. The dryad’s healing magic has a personal cost that makes her wary of being manipulated, to the point that she’s afraid to help anyone. As with the other novels, the characters experience a whole lot of personal growth and epiphany as they develop deep friendships and aid each other through hilariously disastrous situations.
The series has always poked fun at fantasy tropes and satirized famous fantasy media. The Princess Beard takes a sharper satirical bent than the other novels in the series, in a way that is not at all out of character for the series, just more focused and incisive. One of my favorite scenes in the novel involves sirens attempting to lure sailors to their doom, and they begin by promising money with which to bribe politicians for lower tax rates.
This is the third book in the series. While it can be read perfectly well as a standalone, it does contain some spoilers for previous books in the series. Several characters have appeared in previous books, but this isn’t one of those series that follows a core cast of characters over time. Personally, I always prefer to read these sorts of series in publication order so I can pick up on nods to things that happened in other books. You’ll have no trouble at all if you decide to start here, though.
This series remains some of the funniest and most delightful reading I’ve enjoyed over the last few years. The Tales of Pell series is kind and optimistic, yet isn’t afraid to lampoon difficult topics such as toxic masculinity.
As with the other novels, this centers on a cast of characters in the process of figuring out who they are, what they want in life, and how to break free from the emotional baggage that keeps them from understanding and accepting themselves. For example, the toxic masculinity the dudebro "Krossfit" enthusiast centaur’s father imposed on him makes him ashamed of his tea magic. The dryad’s healing magic has a personal cost that makes her wary of being manipulated, to the point that she’s afraid to help anyone. As with the other novels, the characters experience a whole lot of personal growth and epiphany as they develop deep friendships and aid each other through hilariously disastrous situations.
The series has always poked fun at fantasy tropes and satirized famous fantasy media. The Princess Beard takes a sharper satirical bent than the other novels in the series, in a way that is not at all out of character for the series, just more focused and incisive. One of my favorite scenes in the novel involves sirens attempting to lure sailors to their doom, and they begin by promising money with which to bribe politicians for lower tax rates.
This is the third book in the series. While it can be read perfectly well as a standalone, it does contain some spoilers for previous books in the series. Several characters have appeared in previous books, but this isn’t one of those series that follows a core cast of characters over time. Personally, I always prefer to read these sorts of series in publication order so I can pick up on nods to things that happened in other books. You’ll have no trouble at all if you decide to start here, though.
This series remains some of the funniest and most delightful reading I’ve enjoyed over the last few years. The Tales of Pell series is kind and optimistic, yet isn’t afraid to lampoon difficult topics such as toxic masculinity.
I really liked this one. Full of characters who looked at what they *should* do and said "Nah" and then went and did their own thing.
I loved this series. Very fun and lighthearted.
ETA: The audiobook is wonderful. Luke Daniels as a cranky parrot is just wonderful!
I loved this series. Very fun and lighthearted.
ETA: The audiobook is wonderful. Luke Daniels as a cranky parrot is just wonderful!
This was such a *satisfying* ending to the trilogy. More cohesive, I think, than the first book - but the story was great. Few of the characters from books one or two show up, though there are occasional references to them. Still many puns, and a few literal LOL moments - which always get me a few strange looks as I'm driving or sitting on the train. The tale was fun and interesting, the characters were great, and as I listened to the audiobook - Luke Daniels was a master as always. I will miss Pell and it's crazy inhabitants, and I'll keep my fingers crossed that there may be a return every so often!
Disclaimer: I received this book free from Netgalley
You know what I hate about this book? The fact that this is the third one in the series and I never got around to reading the first two! I saw them on Netgalley, and never picked them up and I could just kick myself. I LOVED this book!
What a joy this book was. Irreverent, silly and hilarious. I found myself literally laughing out loud. I would read lines out to my 11 year old daughter and she giggled like a fiend. We both really enjoyed it and now thanks to this book we call the box holding my cats litter box the “boom boom room”. One of the things I love about this book is that while it is so funny it is also inclusive. See comedy isn’t dead just because we expect more from comedians than the old tired way of punching down on people who are marginalized.
You won’t be sorry if you get a copy of this book, I had a ton of fun reading it. It sped by and kept my interest the entire time. Now I just need to buy the first two in the series!
You know what I hate about this book? The fact that this is the third one in the series and I never got around to reading the first two! I saw them on Netgalley, and never picked them up and I could just kick myself. I LOVED this book!
What a joy this book was. Irreverent, silly and hilarious. I found myself literally laughing out loud. I would read lines out to my 11 year old daughter and she giggled like a fiend. We both really enjoyed it and now thanks to this book we call the box holding my cats litter box the “boom boom room”. One of the things I love about this book is that while it is so funny it is also inclusive. See comedy isn’t dead just because we expect more from comedians than the old tired way of punching down on people who are marginalized.
You won’t be sorry if you get a copy of this book, I had a ton of fun reading it. It sped by and kept my interest the entire time. Now I just need to buy the first two in the series!
5/5 stars — laughter and life lessons in one absurd, delightful package
What can I say about The Princess Beard that I haven't already said about the first two Tales of Pell? In the series' third installment, Delilah S. Dawson and Kevin Hearne again bring their trademark ribald humor and touching moments to a cast of larger-than-life personalities. This is a story with inclusivity and heart baked into every centaur-conjured teacake.
This novel's unusual characters include not only the aforementioned confectionery-summoning centaur and the eponymous bearded princess but a dryad who dreams of becoming a lawyer, a talking bird who captains a pirate ship, and a disenfranchised elf seeking a prophecy. As always, the puns and slapstick are rapid-fire (sometimes literally, with naval battles in the mix), and so are the friendly jabs at franchises from Disney to Starbucks. Most of all, Dawson and Hearne hang a lampshade on every pop culture storyline they've laid eyes on.
Important life lessons get a spot in the rollicking adventure too, but they never feel preachy or out of place. The ripped centaur, initially drowning in toxic masculinity, has opportunities to learn and grow (opportunities that don't require a female love interest's emotional labor, I might add). The law-school-bound dryad weighs her fears against the dangers facing her friends and makes an educated choice. The princess, who loves her beard, confronts the side effects of an unexpected curse. Although any well-told story has bittersweet moments, each Tale of Pell has optimism at its heart. Personally, I like sometimes being able to trust in a happy ending.
The Princess Beard is probably my favorite book in this series because (among other reasons) it emphasized friendship over romance. At least two sets of characters could easily have gone down a romantic route, and I loved that the authors didn't take that path. Romance is great, but not every book needs it! I highly recommend this book to readers who, like me, prefer less romance in their media.
On that note, I also recommend this third Tale of Pell to anyone who loves an action-filled adventure story and is willing to leap headfirst into a side order of wordplay and puns ranging from great to groan-worthy. You don't have to read the other two books to enjoy this one; a few characters from earlier pop back up, but they're mostly cameos or references. If you read and enjoyed those books, though, you'll love this one too!
** I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. **
What can I say about The Princess Beard that I haven't already said about the first two Tales of Pell? In the series' third installment, Delilah S. Dawson and Kevin Hearne again bring their trademark ribald humor and touching moments to a cast of larger-than-life personalities. This is a story with inclusivity and heart baked into every centaur-conjured teacake.
This novel's unusual characters include not only the aforementioned confectionery-summoning centaur and the eponymous bearded princess but a dryad who dreams of becoming a lawyer, a talking bird who captains a pirate ship, and a disenfranchised elf seeking a prophecy. As always, the puns and slapstick are rapid-fire (sometimes literally, with naval battles in the mix), and so are the friendly jabs at franchises from Disney to Starbucks. Most of all, Dawson and Hearne hang a lampshade on every pop culture storyline they've laid eyes on.
Important life lessons get a spot in the rollicking adventure too, but they never feel preachy or out of place. The ripped centaur, initially drowning in toxic masculinity, has opportunities to learn and grow (opportunities that don't require a female love interest's emotional labor, I might add). The law-school-bound dryad weighs her fears against the dangers facing her friends and makes an educated choice. The princess, who loves her beard, confronts the side effects of an unexpected curse. Although any well-told story has bittersweet moments, each Tale of Pell has optimism at its heart. Personally, I like sometimes being able to trust in a happy ending.
The Princess Beard is probably my favorite book in this series because (among other reasons) it emphasized friendship over romance. At least two sets of characters could easily have gone down a romantic route, and I loved that the authors didn't take that path. Romance is great, but not every book needs it! I highly recommend this book to readers who, like me, prefer less romance in their media.
On that note, I also recommend this third Tale of Pell to anyone who loves an action-filled adventure story and is willing to leap headfirst into a side order of wordplay and puns ranging from great to groan-worthy. You don't have to read the other two books to enjoy this one; a few characters from earlier pop back up, but they're mostly cameos or references. If you read and enjoyed those books, though, you'll love this one too!
** I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. **
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes