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charliethebookworm 's review for:
The Ugly Princess: The Legend of the Winnowwood
by Henderson Smith
This was a brilliant book, I really enjoyed it. It's the kind of story I would have loved to read in my younger years and I'd definitely recommend it to middle grade readers although I of course think adults will enjoy it too.
It was such an easy fantasy read which was refreshing as some fantasies can be very heavy and difficult to get through. That wasn't the case with this book; I was hooked from the first page. There genuinely wasn't a dull moment in this story and I appreciated the fast pace.
Regarding the world, this definitely read like a fairy-tale. It contained all the fantastical things you would expect in a great fairy-tale world including magic, talking animals, wicked relatives and of course a princess! Despite ticking all the boxes of a classic fairytale, it was completely unique. I've never read anything like this before and I loved it.
I found the story itself quite predictable but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Once we hear of the prophecy at the beginning I was pretty certain it had to apply to Olive as she was the main character after all. That being said, I was thrilled with the ending. Sometimes it's nice to get a happily ever after.
For a YA fairytale, there were both dark and hopeful themes throughout the book. Olive's arrogant father and narcissistic sister were very unlikeable and intentionally so. The book constantly sported messages of inner beauty and the ultimate goodness that can come from a selfless act. The idea of mutilating oneself and destroying what makes you unique for the sake of beauty was rather sinister although most fairytales are quite dark and it was a welcome element in the book for me, it can't be all talking woodland creatures all the time after all.
While the characters didn't have much development or personal growth, they were who they were and it was nice to see some consistency. I would have been disappointed if the King was suddenly all apologetic and remorseful at the end of the book, he was an awful man who bullied one of his children relentlessly and he doesn't deserve our forgiveness.
I loved Olive! The deliberate contrast to her vain, cowardly sister really emphasised how strong she was. Honestly, if I lived in Olive's world, I have no idea how I could make the choice between having such unique magic which forced others to detest me or be powerless and adored. She may be a princess but she was a fighter, think Merida from Brave here her sacrifices her independence or her spirit for no man. She was kick ass and so selfless although almost too perfect at times. A slightly different ending could have made her truly strong but hey, it's a fairytale, she deserves to have it all.
There were a few (only 2 that I noticed) spelling and grammar issues in this book, but I still really enjoyed it.
*This book was provided by the author through the Never too old for YA & NA group in exchange for an honest review.
It was such an easy fantasy read which was refreshing as some fantasies can be very heavy and difficult to get through. That wasn't the case with this book; I was hooked from the first page. There genuinely wasn't a dull moment in this story and I appreciated the fast pace.
Regarding the world, this definitely read like a fairy-tale. It contained all the fantastical things you would expect in a great fairy-tale world including magic, talking animals, wicked relatives and of course a princess! Despite ticking all the boxes of a classic fairytale, it was completely unique. I've never read anything like this before and I loved it.
I found the story itself quite predictable but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Once we hear of the prophecy at the beginning I was pretty certain it had to apply to Olive as she was the main character after all. That being said, I was thrilled with the ending. Sometimes it's nice to get a happily ever after.
For a YA fairytale, there were both dark and hopeful themes throughout the book. Olive's arrogant father and narcissistic sister were very unlikeable and intentionally so. The book constantly sported messages of inner beauty and the ultimate goodness that can come from a selfless act. The idea of mutilating oneself and destroying what makes you unique for the sake of beauty was rather sinister although most fairytales are quite dark and it was a welcome element in the book for me, it can't be all talking woodland creatures all the time after all.
While the characters didn't have much development or personal growth, they were who they were and it was nice to see some consistency. I would have been disappointed if the King was suddenly all apologetic and remorseful at the end of the book, he was an awful man who bullied one of his children relentlessly and he doesn't deserve our forgiveness.
I loved Olive! The deliberate contrast to her vain, cowardly sister really emphasised how strong she was. Honestly, if I lived in Olive's world, I have no idea how I could make the choice between having such unique magic which forced others to detest me or be powerless and adored. She may be a princess but she was a fighter, think Merida from Brave here her sacrifices her independence or her spirit for no man. She was kick ass and so selfless although almost too perfect at times. A slightly different ending could have made her truly strong but hey, it's a fairytale, she deserves to have it all.
There were a few (only 2 that I noticed) spelling and grammar issues in this book, but I still really enjoyed it.
*This book was provided by the author through the Never too old for YA & NA group in exchange for an honest review.