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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
This review originally published at The Children's Book and Media Review
It’s not easy being a Prince Charming, especially when the bards can’t get your story right and things don’t work out with your princess. In spite of being called “Prince Charming” by the bards, four princes have to leave their homes when the bards focus on the unheroic parts of their stories. Liam finds out that Sleeping Beauty is actually a cruel leader, Prince Frederic cannot impress Ella (Cinderella) because he’d rather dance than fight with a sword, Gustav has to be rescued by Rapunzel, and Duncan isn’t settling into married life with Snow White as well as he would like. The unpopular princes come together to save the bards and their kingdoms from trolls, bandits, dragons, and Rapunzel’s witch while becoming the kind of heroes that no one expected them to be.
The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom is a charming fractured fairy tale with a twist. Instead of being full of already perfect princes, these flawed characters show that everyone, even princes, can use some improvement. The unlikely friendship between the princes teaches about teamwork and playing to the strengths of the different members of a team. The book also has strong female characters either coming to the rescue or causing trouble for the team of princes. The humor is great for kids as well as for adults. This book is a fun tale of what happens when happily ever after doesn’t come when you expect it.
It’s not easy being a Prince Charming, especially when the bards can’t get your story right and things don’t work out with your princess. In spite of being called “Prince Charming” by the bards, four princes have to leave their homes when the bards focus on the unheroic parts of their stories. Liam finds out that Sleeping Beauty is actually a cruel leader, Prince Frederic cannot impress Ella (Cinderella) because he’d rather dance than fight with a sword, Gustav has to be rescued by Rapunzel, and Duncan isn’t settling into married life with Snow White as well as he would like. The unpopular princes come together to save the bards and their kingdoms from trolls, bandits, dragons, and Rapunzel’s witch while becoming the kind of heroes that no one expected them to be.
The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom is a charming fractured fairy tale with a twist. Instead of being full of already perfect princes, these flawed characters show that everyone, even princes, can use some improvement. The unlikely friendship between the princes teaches about teamwork and playing to the strengths of the different members of a team. The book also has strong female characters either coming to the rescue or causing trouble for the team of princes. The humor is great for kids as well as for adults. This book is a fun tale of what happens when happily ever after doesn’t come when you expect it.
I borrowed the audio book for the sole reason that Bronson Pinchot was the narrator, and frankly, I love to hear him read to me.
The book picks up where “Happily Ever After” begins and these princes get to change the narrative of their story, showing that building their character doesn’t end with falling in love.
I was not expecting to chuckle along with the story as I did. This would make a great read along with a preteen in your life. There is a blend of humor and snark, mixed in with the moral of the story.
The book picks up where “Happily Ever After” begins and these princes get to change the narrative of their story, showing that building their character doesn’t end with falling in love.
I was not expecting to chuckle along with the story as I did. This would make a great read along with a preteen in your life. There is a blend of humor and snark, mixed in with the moral of the story.
Fun start to a series that skews the fairy tale set. Looking forward to the sequels.
So I'm on a bit of a YA streak. I suppose that happens when I'm with my kids at the library every week. This was a rather quick read (finished it within a week) but it somehow felt longer than it was. It was equal parts humorous/entertaining and awkward/cringe-worthy. I feel as though this would have made a great movie- even a straight to video one. There are quite a few scenes that would have been so much better with a visual aide than on paper. The sketches certainly helped, and they were very well done.
The Princes flubbed and tripped so often, it was completely frustrating by the end of the book. What started out as cute character flaws had me ripping my hair out by the end. Enough with them making mistakes and getting caught already. ENOUGH. I did enjoy the characters- I have to give that to Healy. Perhaps if someone else could take his characters and weave a different, not so annoying story, that would be perfect. I'm not sure I'll be reading the sequel anytime soon, unless I am encouraged by someone else who has read it.
The Princes flubbed and tripped so often, it was completely frustrating by the end of the book. What started out as cute character flaws had me ripping my hair out by the end. Enough with them making mistakes and getting caught already. ENOUGH. I did enjoy the characters- I have to give that to Healy. Perhaps if someone else could take his characters and weave a different, not so annoying story, that would be perfect. I'm not sure I'll be reading the sequel anytime soon, unless I am encouraged by someone else who has read it.
Did you know the princes who saved Rapunzel, Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty weren't actually named "Charming" as we so often believe? No, these men have real names: Liam, Duncan, Frederic and Gustav to be exact. So why are they all named "Charming" in their fairy tale tropes? Well, the bards in charge of telling their stories can't seem to keep names and details straight, that's why.
In fact, we only know these beloved stories up until "happily ever after" but the truth of the matter is, all four of the aforementioned princesses rejected their associated Prince Charming in some form or another and forced the princes from their kingdoms. In the meantime, they manage to discover a nefarious plot afoot that puts all of their kingdoms at risk. Can these dunderhead princes save the day or will they fall short and risk the lives of the people in their kingdoms?
The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom is a brilliant debut novel by Christopher Healy and one that is bound to become a children's classic. In fact, I'm predicting it won't be long before a movie studio gets wind of this book and snatches it up for an animated feature.
Read the rest of my review here.
In fact, we only know these beloved stories up until "happily ever after" but the truth of the matter is, all four of the aforementioned princesses rejected their associated Prince Charming in some form or another and forced the princes from their kingdoms. In the meantime, they manage to discover a nefarious plot afoot that puts all of their kingdoms at risk. Can these dunderhead princes save the day or will they fall short and risk the lives of the people in their kingdoms?
The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom is a brilliant debut novel by Christopher Healy and one that is bound to become a children's classic. In fact, I'm predicting it won't be long before a movie studio gets wind of this book and snatches it up for an animated feature.
Read the rest of my review here.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The Hero's Guide To Saving Your Kingdom is the perfect book for all fairy tale fans. Christopher Healy's debut novel is a fresh take on the Princes Charming. It's a hilarious adventure-filled book that readers will adore.
Not all of the Princes Charming are quite so charming. Really out of the four Prince Frederic is the only one that really fits the name. Being charming is Frederic's only real skill. He's terrified of practically everything but he can talk his way out of almost any bind. Prince Gustav is the least charming of the four. In fact, he's sometimes downright rude. He's rather nasty at times but he does have a softer side. He's also rather hotheaded and he doesn't really think things through. Luckily he's nearly indestructible. Prince Liam is the only real hero of the bunch. He's spent his whole life saving people. The only problem is that no one knows about it. This time he wants recognition for his heroic deeds. And last but not least there is Prince Duncan. Duncan is an odd sort and because of this he has no friends. He jumps at the chance to join the Princes Charming on their adventure and he hopes to bring along some of his seemingly endless supply of good luck. There four get into quite a bit of trouble and it makes for some serious laughs. And they are all so great although Prince Duncan is definitely my favorite of the four.
The story is full of adventure. Prince Frederic sets out to find his missing fiancee and along the way he stumbles upon a plot that could ruin not only his kingdom but the kingdoms of the other Princes Charming as well. Along the way they manage to encounter thieves, bandits, pirates, trolls, giants, dragons, and one very evil witch. And let's just say that they don't always make it out of the encounters looking so charming. The princes' tactics are all quite hilarious and the messes they get into will have readers laughing throughout the book.
The princesses are all a bit of a mystery to me but there will be a sequel and hopefully there will be more about them in that book. There's a lot of potential for the princesses and I would love to read more about them. Ella is the only one really prominently featured in this book and she is one fierce girl (who is also just plain brilliant.) She is one girl who doesn't need a prince to come save her. Briar Rose, Snow White, and Rapunzel are also in the book but have much smaller roles. There is also Prince Liam's sister, Lila, who has a pretty big role and she has a lot of potential as well. There girls all seem like they could be great heroines. (Except maybe Briar Rose. She seems better suited to villainy and you'll see why when you read the book.)
Overall, The Hero's Guide To Saving Your Kingdom is a fabulous fairy tale retelling. This one has definitely earned a spot on my favorites shelf.
Not all of the Princes Charming are quite so charming. Really out of the four Prince Frederic is the only one that really fits the name. Being charming is Frederic's only real skill. He's terrified of practically everything but he can talk his way out of almost any bind. Prince Gustav is the least charming of the four. In fact, he's sometimes downright rude. He's rather nasty at times but he does have a softer side. He's also rather hotheaded and he doesn't really think things through. Luckily he's nearly indestructible. Prince Liam is the only real hero of the bunch. He's spent his whole life saving people. The only problem is that no one knows about it. This time he wants recognition for his heroic deeds. And last but not least there is Prince Duncan. Duncan is an odd sort and because of this he has no friends. He jumps at the chance to join the Princes Charming on their adventure and he hopes to bring along some of his seemingly endless supply of good luck. There four get into quite a bit of trouble and it makes for some serious laughs. And they are all so great although Prince Duncan is definitely my favorite of the four.
The story is full of adventure. Prince Frederic sets out to find his missing fiancee and along the way he stumbles upon a plot that could ruin not only his kingdom but the kingdoms of the other Princes Charming as well. Along the way they manage to encounter thieves, bandits, pirates, trolls, giants, dragons, and one very evil witch. And let's just say that they don't always make it out of the encounters looking so charming. The princes' tactics are all quite hilarious and the messes they get into will have readers laughing throughout the book.
The princesses are all a bit of a mystery to me but there will be a sequel and hopefully there will be more about them in that book. There's a lot of potential for the princesses and I would love to read more about them. Ella is the only one really prominently featured in this book and she is one fierce girl (who is also just plain brilliant.) She is one girl who doesn't need a prince to come save her. Briar Rose, Snow White, and Rapunzel are also in the book but have much smaller roles. There is also Prince Liam's sister, Lila, who has a pretty big role and she has a lot of potential as well. There girls all seem like they could be great heroines. (Except maybe Briar Rose. She seems better suited to villainy and you'll see why when you read the book.)
Overall, The Hero's Guide To Saving Your Kingdom is a fabulous fairy tale retelling. This one has definitely earned a spot on my favorites shelf.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes