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philippam's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
I really wanted to like this book, but while it poses some interesting questions about a world of fairytales, unfortunately, the narrative style leaves me with little faith that these questions will be explored or answered in a meaningful or satisfying way. This tale is set in a generic and outdated world that's deeply misogynistic with no attempt at nuance so we will rally behind our "I'm not like other girls" protagonist, Crisanta, as she sets out to prove that girls can be protagonists too. Fifty years ago, this book might have been progressive, but by 21st-century standards, it falls short, and it's only Crisanta's equal disdain for both men and women that keeps her from being a complete Pick Me Girl.
Choosing to disregard the basic storytelling technique of "show, don't tell" in her narrative style, the author instead fills the pages with copious blocks of unnecessary descriptions (predominantly of the outfits that the protagonist resents wearing and how boring her classes are) and flat, generic character dialogue that our narrator reminds us every few pages are supposed to be 'sassy' and 'sarcastic'. Unfortunately, this causes the pacing to drag, especially in the first half of the book. However, my biggest disappointment with this book was that we did not get to join the characters' figuring out clues in their journeys, and three or four of the major plot beats in the latter half of the story feature the characters facing a challenging puzzle, only for Crisanta to miraculously pull the right answer out of thin air without any of the information have been previously established (with the pearl riddle being the only exception to this).
While it's a fun concept to explore, the fact that this book has one of the lower page counts compared to the later books guarantees I won't be picking up the rest of the series; I dread to think how much repetitive exposition and unnecessary outfit descriptions must be in the final book to clock in at more than double the page count of this one.
poetkoala's review against another edition
3.0
A little like Disney's Descendants or Once Upon a Time with some Sky High for good measure. Author really likes the word "moreover," but it was a charming read.
chelle493's review
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
rachelrie's review
3.0
With all the fairy tale retellings on the market, I didn't expect to get past the first few chapters. However, I was sucked in and ended up reading the entire series.
For a fun read with a smart twist on the fairy tale scene, this book is a winner. The plot is surprisingly complex and the main characters are fairly well rounded. Culbertson's fairy tale world is creative and engaging, and only becomes more so as the series progresses.
On the other hand, the writing itself isn't very compelling. There is more "tell" than "show" with almost too much description of what's going on in the narrator's head. While hyper-focusing on one unfair aspect of life is typical teenage behavior, the author beats the "princesses don't need saving" motif to death through the main character's perspective.
As a former educator, I would recommend them to my students - not for the incredible writing, but for a fun story with relatable characters who fight for what they believe in.
For a fun read with a smart twist on the fairy tale scene, this book is a winner. The plot is surprisingly complex and the main characters are fairly well rounded. Culbertson's fairy tale world is creative and engaging, and only becomes more so as the series progresses.
On the other hand, the writing itself isn't very compelling. There is more "tell" than "show" with almost too much description of what's going on in the narrator's head. While hyper-focusing on one unfair aspect of life is typical teenage behavior, the author beats the "princesses don't need saving" motif to death through the main character's perspective.
As a former educator, I would recommend them to my students - not for the incredible writing, but for a fun story with relatable characters who fight for what they believe in.
books4life2000's review against another edition
mysterious
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0
The main character was very irritating, just seemed to complain about everything. The story took a while to happen and then left it open for a sequel without really concluding anything.
casseyt's review against another edition
3.0
This is a 2.5 read - great premise, just far far too many moments where I rolled my eyes.
sianiemae's review
5.0
Fairy tale characters offspring and siblings??? I'm all in!!
After trying very hard to source this book in the UK and failing and talking to geanna culbertson myself a few times I recieved the audio book to protagonist bound but I just couldn't get along with it so I was super super shocked to open my door to the surprise parcel of the first three books in the series gifted to me. Thankyou so much firstly!
Secondly I couldn't wait to start my adventure with Crisanta Knight, being the daughter of the great cinderella there were rules to follow and standards to meet, it's basically the only rule in her life but its a huge one!
We start with crisa's journey through the land of Book to her boarding school (lady agnues) where her mother is reminding her that she is a princess and that there are certain ways to behave, crisa has other ideas, see the protagonists (main characters) have a path written for them by the author, there is no plan B and our protagonist absolutely despises this as she isn't exactly princess material, she doesn't swoon at boys and doesn't accept help from anyone, not even her closest friends who by the way are SJ who is snow whites daughter and Blue, red riding hoods sister......
The three along with a few boys from the sister school decide to try and change their fates and the story takes many twists and turns and ends on an amazing cliff hanger that makes you run to pick the second book up straight away....
I loved this book so much, the descriptions are so immersive that I can almost smell the scents and see the halls of lady agnues, I really really wish they were sold in the UK!
Edit, I have just been informed you can purchase the books through book depository
After trying very hard to source this book in the UK and failing and talking to geanna culbertson myself a few times I recieved the audio book to protagonist bound but I just couldn't get along with it so I was super super shocked to open my door to the surprise parcel of the first three books in the series gifted to me. Thankyou so much firstly!
Secondly I couldn't wait to start my adventure with Crisanta Knight, being the daughter of the great cinderella there were rules to follow and standards to meet, it's basically the only rule in her life but its a huge one!
We start with crisa's journey through the land of Book to her boarding school (lady agnues) where her mother is reminding her that she is a princess and that there are certain ways to behave, crisa has other ideas, see the protagonists (main characters) have a path written for them by the author, there is no plan B and our protagonist absolutely despises this as she isn't exactly princess material, she doesn't swoon at boys and doesn't accept help from anyone, not even her closest friends who by the way are SJ who is snow whites daughter and Blue, red riding hoods sister......
The three along with a few boys from the sister school decide to try and change their fates and the story takes many twists and turns and ends on an amazing cliff hanger that makes you run to pick the second book up straight away....
I loved this book so much, the descriptions are so immersive that I can almost smell the scents and see the halls of lady agnues, I really really wish they were sold in the UK!
Edit, I have just been informed you can purchase the books through book depository