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3.32 AVERAGE
3.32 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Such clumsy prose it's borderline unreadable. Attempts to tackle mature themes but fails spectacularly to do them justice. Can't seem to identify who its target age group is. The characters are flat and boring, and there are no stakes or conflict.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
{π§ πππ βπ¦πππ€ π π βπ πͺπππ₯πͺ}
by Cale Dietrich
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Narrator(s): Major Curda | Max Meyers
Length: 10h 55m
Source: ALC - NetGalley, Macmillan Audio
Release Date: December 10, 2024
#QOTD ππ» Whatβs your favorite movie or fandom?
β’β’β’β’β’β’β’
~ Two princes from neighboring countries fall into a whirlwind royal romance in this sparkling spin on The Princess Diaries. ~
Jamie Johnson is used to being in the background and he likes it that way. But when the truth comes out and the world finds out heβs the only heir to the small country of Mitanor, his life is thrust into the spotlight. Side Note: His love of Studio Ghibli is my faaave!!! Heβs so nerdy and I LOVE it.
Erik Lindstrom is the stoic βspareβ prince of a neighboring country. Often looked over and used, he jumps at the opportunity to tutor the new southern prince in all the ways of royalty. What he doesnβt expect is to find himself and love along the way.
This was the SWEETEST little romance. First love, identity crisis, familial expectations, and two young men who pull strength from each other. Gah! Erik and Jamie were well developed, mature, and considerate characters. I adored them both and rooted for each of them.
NARRATION:
Love, love, loved these narrators! Not only did each narrator portray their character perfectly, they also had a fantastic production. The audio added such a vivid and personal touch to the story. It made my rating a half star more just from it.
{I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook. All reviews are my own.}
β’
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Didn't realize it was YA, but a few minutes in and it was very obvious. Probably a cute story, but the writing style wasn't for me.
I received this both as an eARC from Netgalley and a Goodreads Giveaway, so this 2-star review will be for both.
As a Young Adult Librarian, I try to keep up with the latest Young Adult books coming out so I know what to recommend and select for the library's collection. Sometimes, I read something amazing that starts me on a journey to something new and exciting. Other times, like with this book, I keep allowing myself to be let down time and time again by the same author in the hopes that it'll reignite the love I felt for the first one I read by him.
Cale Dietrich wrote The Rules of Royalty. He wrote funny characters who sometimes made mistakes, but meant well. He also wrote 17 (almost 18 year olds) as if they were immature middle schoolers in their first relationship.
The Rules of Royalty has a very basic premise: an American boy is a secret prince of a European Nation and when he's told this, he visits said European Nation and is instantly beloved and perfect at being a prince/brother/son/etc. He meets Another Prince from Another European Nation and instant sparks and insta-love ensues.
I think what I struggled with is that Dietrich wrote this with alternating POVs between Jamie and Erik, but neither of them had a distinct voice. The only way to tell who was narrating what chapter was to see if the "I" pronoun was saying "Jamie" or "Erik" at any given time. I never really got a sense for what the characters looked like, what they liked about each other, or if they truly like each other or do they just have proximity heart eyes.
And the bit with Erik's grandmother. Like. I get it, you want to create conflict and tension. But you expect me to believe that someone who is almost a whole adult can't even fight for someone they think they love? They just roll over with barely a whimper? Where's the fight in Erik. Where is the drive to be something other than his grandmother's grandson?
Anyway. I really liked The Love Interest and I keep trying with this author, but I don't think I'll keep trying after this.
As a Young Adult Librarian, I try to keep up with the latest Young Adult books coming out so I know what to recommend and select for the library's collection. Sometimes, I read something amazing that starts me on a journey to something new and exciting. Other times, like with this book, I keep allowing myself to be let down time and time again by the same author in the hopes that it'll reignite the love I felt for the first one I read by him.
Cale Dietrich wrote The Rules of Royalty. He wrote funny characters who sometimes made mistakes, but meant well. He also wrote 17 (almost 18 year olds) as if they were immature middle schoolers in their first relationship.
The Rules of Royalty has a very basic premise: an American boy is a secret prince of a European Nation and when he's told this, he visits said European Nation and is instantly beloved and perfect at being a prince/brother/son/etc. He meets Another Prince from Another European Nation and instant sparks and insta-love ensues.
I think what I struggled with is that Dietrich wrote this with alternating POVs between Jamie and Erik, but neither of them had a distinct voice. The only way to tell who was narrating what chapter was to see if the "I" pronoun was saying "Jamie" or "Erik" at any given time. I never really got a sense for what the characters looked like, what they liked about each other, or if they truly like each other or do they just have proximity heart eyes.
And the bit with Erik's grandmother. Like. I get it, you want to create conflict and tension. But you expect me to believe that someone who is almost a whole adult can't even fight for someone they think they love? They just roll over with barely a whimper? Where's the fight in Erik. Where is the drive to be something other than his grandmother's grandson?
Anyway. I really liked The Love Interest and I keep trying with this author, but I don't think I'll keep trying after this.