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riellareads's review against another edition
4.0
The first in her newest series, Return to the Four Kingdoms, The Secret Princess brings Giselle, a princess of Eldon to the Four Kingdoms, Archaia of The Princess Companion, in her own story. Giselle is part of a group headed to make and strengthen connections between lands. However, as she along with her brother, Prince Oliver, sister-in-law, Princess Celine, and representatives of other kingdoms beyond the sea, journey, they experience a host of frightening and unforeseen events. Giselle finds herself trapped, stuck in the place of her servant, while her servant takes her place as princess. However, more is occurring than she originally suspects as trouble infiltrates Archaia. As a goose girl, Giselle is still determined to discover the truth with the help of another servant, Philip. However, who can she truly trust and what secrets is she still unaware of?
I love fairytale retellings, and I have loved Melanie Cellier’s other fairytale series. However, mistaken identity and secrets always makes me apprehensive. That is why Goose Girl retellings are hard for me to start, I go in already nervous for everyone in the story, especially the main character. But once I really started reading The Secret Princess, I was hooked. I couldn't wait to see what would happen! I really appreciated how Giselle understood her responsibilities and the weight of them. She felt the burden of them and sought to protect her kingdom and the kingdom she finds herself in. She understood the value of those in different positions. It was also so nice to see Alyssa again! And from a different perspective, from an outsider to the kingdom. They have a beautiful family! I am so so excited for this new series! The Secret Princess is a great first book that has a lovely story while setting up the stories of others!
I love fairytale retellings, and I have loved Melanie Cellier’s other fairytale series. However, mistaken identity and secrets always makes me apprehensive. That is why Goose Girl retellings are hard for me to start, I go in already nervous for everyone in the story, especially the main character. But once I really started reading The Secret Princess, I was hooked. I couldn't wait to see what would happen! I really appreciated how Giselle understood her responsibilities and the weight of them. She felt the burden of them and sought to protect her kingdom and the kingdom she finds herself in. She understood the value of those in different positions. It was also so nice to see Alyssa again! And from a different perspective, from an outsider to the kingdom. They have a beautiful family! I am so so excited for this new series! The Secret Princess is a great first book that has a lovely story while setting up the stories of others!
darkfantasyreviews's review against another edition
4.0
Good Story
This Is The Second Book I Am Reading By Melanie Cellier And It Has Not Disappointed Me. Being A Kindle Unlimited Member I Decided To Read This Book For Free And I Think It Is Absolutely Worth Buying. There Are So Many Twists And Turns In This Book That I Could Not Stop Myself From Reading This Book Till The End. There Is Also A Small Love Triangle Between The Characters Giselle, Phillip And Damon Which Was Also Very Interesting To Read. There's just something about retellings that makes me feel all happy and pure inside. Giselle proved to be a very fun character to whom I could relate and I have to say I'll miss her now that I've finished the book. Overall I Feel It Is An Absolutely Amazing Book. Thankyou For Reading My Review.
This Is The Second Book I Am Reading By Melanie Cellier And It Has Not Disappointed Me. Being A Kindle Unlimited Member I Decided To Read This Book For Free And I Think It Is Absolutely Worth Buying. There Are So Many Twists And Turns In This Book That I Could Not Stop Myself From Reading This Book Till The End. There Is Also A Small Love Triangle Between The Characters Giselle, Phillip And Damon Which Was Also Very Interesting To Read. There's just something about retellings that makes me feel all happy and pure inside. Giselle proved to be a very fun character to whom I could relate and I have to say I'll miss her now that I've finished the book. Overall I Feel It Is An Absolutely Amazing Book. Thankyou For Reading My Review.
cjmedinger's review against another edition
4.0
A really fun fairy tale retelling - so well told and fast paced
scarletthills's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
rebecca_bluedragonskeep_books's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
shaekin's review against another edition
5.0
Goose girl is not one of my favorite fairy tales and it usually doesn't do well in retellings. A princess gets tricked/bullied into being the maid and is just like "okay". I don't particularly like how timid and useless the princess usually is. This is one of the better retellings I've read. It took me a little bit to get into it due to my apprehensions, but I got over that fairly quickly and really enjoyed it.
decodethebooks's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars✰ ✰. ½
tw: *contains spoilers*
Spoiler
murder, attempted murder, poisoning, blood, knife violence, attempted animal death, loss of autonomy, physical injury, home invasion, burglary, verbal abuse, blackmail, emotional abuse (recounted)This was a fluffy cute (clean) romance with one of my fav fairytale retellings (goose girl). I don’t read goose girl retellings if it’s the perspective of the fake princess. Me, I want the destitution of a princess. The rise, fall and subsequent rise again in my goose girl (and six swans) retellings. Something about that shit gets me going. Maybe the fall the princess experience into a working class existence is interesting and can open up questions on working conditions, wealth disparities and that not everyone can simply be in charge of a nation. Or maybe it’s fun reading about quests that centre female protagonist that go through big personal sacrifices for the ‘greater good’. All that being said when I see a retelling of the goose girl or the six swans… imma jump at the chance to read it for they bring me joy in this bleak world.
Part 1 had me intrigued. I liked the abrupt swapping of places between the maid and the princess. Uh-oh! Goose girl story is a go!
Where this book lost me was Part 2 ‘The Prince’.
I tend to skew towards fantasy monarchist on a good day so when you tell me there are eligibility Princess’ I will want to ship them with the FMC. It’s a sickness I refuse to cure. The Prince is introduced and then I was hit with the sudden realisation this was a love triangle. The plot also waned in this section, placing the love triangle and the brewing romances more important than the breaking of curses. I also noticed a lack of mention of the missing girls in the section. Everyone stops caring in this part which is funny in a future books where they are main characters type of way. Makes the princess turned goose girl feel somewhat callous. I know she has her own issues but I would be worried sick about the other girlies in your care that disappeared into neighbouring countries.
By the time Part 3 ‘The Ball’ rolled around I had lost most steam.
Did I care about the budding romance? Sure I guess. Did I care about the plot? Not really.
Did it have a satisfying climax and resolution? Ahhh… kinda. I was not, not interested. I was more interested in it finishing as quickly as possible.
It was fluffy, it was clean, innocent, and most of all a fairytale about a fairytale retelling. The talking horse was probably one of the best parts. Who doesn’t love a talking animal companion! I live for it!! I wish he had more to do with the story.
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