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ccgwalt 's review for:
Too Many Fairy Princes
by Alex Beecroft
February TBR Challenge 2022 https://wendythesuperlibrarian.blogspot.com/
After seeing the prompt for this month's TBR Challenge was Fairy Tale, I looked though my TBR list and found this book by Alex Beecroft which I put on my list in 2012. I've enjoyed Beecroft's books in the past so I happily selected this for this month's challenge.
I admit after reading the blurb, I was thinking it would be a relatively light romp with perhaps some fighting, but mostly some funny moments of the fairy prince adjusting to the human world. I was wrong. Too Many Fairy Princes has a lot more in common with the original, unedited Brothers Gimm than with your average modern fairytale. It's at times brutal and unflinching. It's also beautifully written, incredibly creative, and tongue-in-cheek funny (a savvy Queen Elizabeth makes more than one appearance). The world-building is detailed and inventive. Kjartan and Joel are well developed and grow in strength and understanding over time.
It's interesting that Beecroft does not soften the realities of her fantasy world (or the real one) or make the actions of her characters more palatable for her readers. I was at times uncomfortable and wanting an easy out from the situation, but overall I'm actually very pleased the characters acted in ways consistent with their personalities.
Moral of the story: The "soft"emotions are not weakness, but instead are essential for being a good person and a good ruler. At the same time, no one gets through life without tough choices and sacrifice.
After seeing the prompt for this month's TBR Challenge was Fairy Tale, I looked though my TBR list and found this book by Alex Beecroft which I put on my list in 2012. I've enjoyed Beecroft's books in the past so I happily selected this for this month's challenge.
I admit after reading the blurb, I was thinking it would be a relatively light romp with perhaps some fighting, but mostly some funny moments of the fairy prince adjusting to the human world. I was wrong. Too Many Fairy Princes has a lot more in common with the original, unedited Brothers Gimm than with your average modern fairytale. It's at times brutal and unflinching. It's also beautifully written, incredibly creative, and tongue-in-cheek funny (a savvy Queen Elizabeth makes more than one appearance). The world-building is detailed and inventive. Kjartan and Joel are well developed and grow in strength and understanding over time.
It's interesting that Beecroft does not soften the realities of her fantasy world (or the real one) or make the actions of her characters more palatable for her readers. I was at times uncomfortable and wanting an easy out from the situation, but overall I'm actually very pleased the characters acted in ways consistent with their personalities.
Moral of the story: The "soft"emotions are not weakness, but instead are essential for being a good person and a good ruler. At the same time, no one gets through life without tough choices and sacrifice.