Scan barcode
thebiasedbibliophile's reviews
665 reviews
For Evergreens and Aspen Trees by A. L. Lorensen
5.0
I waited way too long to write this review since listening to this wonderful audiobook, but thankfully I took notes! I had my eye on this book for a while because the title was very intriguing to me, and I was so excited that Lorensen tied the title into the story so directly, cleverly, and emotionally.
From the beginning of the story, you know Tristan’s secret identity, but you don’t know the details of how the characters got to where they were at the start. I appreciated the way Lorensen revealed those details gradually throughout the novel, weaving in tension and suspense to keep the reader’s interest.
On a similar note, all the characters were robust and three-dimensional. The story follows multiple characters with drastically different motivations, but each character’s motivation was strong and plausible. As a reader, their actions in pursuit of their goals made sense, and I even found myself rooting for some of the villains because their motivations were so believable.
Furthermore, I adored the juxtaposition of humor and lyrical writing. Books that make me laugh and contemplate the big questions in life are my favorite, and For Evergreens and Aspen Trees certainly meets those criteria. Lorensen’s writing is poetic and immersive.
Finally, the narrator of the audiobook, Aaron Volner, was wonderful! I listened to the book for hours, and I loved the way Volner made you feel immersed in the story.
As a whole, For Evergreens and Aspen Trees was an exceptional read, and I can’t wait to continue the series!
Stormwaker: Bewilderness Book Four by Kevin Cox
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
5.0
Just when I thought I couldn’t love this series any more, Kevin Cox comes through with the masterpiece that is Stormwaker!
This book follows Ambrielle and Gavian as they look for a way to seal the rifts between worlds, saving the universe from the destruction of the Shadows. In the midst of their journey, they are thrown into Gavian’s war-torn home world of Isodonia, where they must fight the darkness that threatens to overtake the planet.
This series is the perfect example of how an author’s writing can grow and evolve with each book. Bewildneress was an impressive debut novel, and each book in this series has shown Cox’s imagination and talent as a writer. The fantastical yet technological world-building along with the unique and distinct characters have become a staple in this series.
At this point, Ambrielle, Gavian, Darby, and Dexius feel like friends more than characters in a book. They are the epitome of a ragtag group of heroes and a found family. I really appreciate how they each have their own individual personalities that somehow work perfectly together. Even when they are at odds with one another, you know that they love each other.
Additionally, I fell in love with Wegin, a synthetic drone assistant with an endearingly literal sense of humor. His character added a sense of lightheartedness to the novel, and between him and Dexius, I laughed out loud many times.
Furthermore, I loved the themes woven throughout the story and how they related to Ambrielle's and Gavian’s character arcs. The two protagonists had such conflicting views about destiny and our place in the world, and it was refreshing to see how their experiences changed their perspectives.
Similarly, stories with myths are always compelling, and Stormwaker had multiple myths about a magical sword. The way these stories were shared between characters strengthened their bonds and added a sense of mystery to the novel. I was also a fan of the way Cox tied the title of the book into the story as well.
Finally, my favorite part of the story was the philosophical questions raised throughout the narrative that went hand-in-hand with the themes. The book encourages readers to reflect on their own views of destiny; what role we play in our own destinies and in others’; and how our experiences, relationships, and losses affect our destinies.
As a whole, this book is an absolute gem! I am simultaneously elated and terrified for the fifth and final book in the series to be released, as I know readers will love it, but I will be so sad to say goodbye to these characters and this universe Cox has created.
Disclaimer: I edited this book but loved the series long before I had the opportunity to work with Kevin as an editor.
This book follows Ambrielle and Gavian as they look for a way to seal the rifts between worlds, saving the universe from the destruction of the Shadows. In the midst of their journey, they are thrown into Gavian’s war-torn home world of Isodonia, where they must fight the darkness that threatens to overtake the planet.
This series is the perfect example of how an author’s writing can grow and evolve with each book. Bewildneress was an impressive debut novel, and each book in this series has shown Cox’s imagination and talent as a writer. The fantastical yet technological world-building along with the unique and distinct characters have become a staple in this series.
At this point, Ambrielle, Gavian, Darby, and Dexius feel like friends more than characters in a book. They are the epitome of a ragtag group of heroes and a found family. I really appreciate how they each have their own individual personalities that somehow work perfectly together. Even when they are at odds with one another, you know that they love each other.
Additionally, I fell in love with Wegin, a synthetic drone assistant with an endearingly literal sense of humor. His character added a sense of lightheartedness to the novel, and between him and Dexius, I laughed out loud many times.
Furthermore, I loved the themes woven throughout the story and how they related to Ambrielle's and Gavian’s character arcs. The two protagonists had such conflicting views about destiny and our place in the world, and it was refreshing to see how their experiences changed their perspectives.
Similarly, stories with myths are always compelling, and Stormwaker had multiple myths about a magical sword. The way these stories were shared between characters strengthened their bonds and added a sense of mystery to the novel. I was also a fan of the way Cox tied the title of the book into the story as well.
Finally, my favorite part of the story was the philosophical questions raised throughout the narrative that went hand-in-hand with the themes. The book encourages readers to reflect on their own views of destiny; what role we play in our own destinies and in others’; and how our experiences, relationships, and losses affect our destinies.
As a whole, this book is an absolute gem! I am simultaneously elated and terrified for the fifth and final book in the series to be released, as I know readers will love it, but I will be so sad to say goodbye to these characters and this universe Cox has created.
Disclaimer: I edited this book but loved the series long before I had the opportunity to work with Kevin as an editor.
A Threat of Shadows by J.A. Andrews
I have to be honest with you; I have a secret…. I’ve never read any of the classic epic fantasy novels…like not a single one. However, after reading A Threat of Shadows, I’ve come to the conclusion that I don’t need to because they could never be as good as this book!
You know that feeling when a book is just so fantastic that you don’t have the words to describe it, and you feel like screaming aimlessly and extremely loudly is the only possible way to convey your feelings? Nope, just me? Well, that’s how I felt about this book. I think I’m going to have a book hangover for the rest of my life.
5.0
Alaric is a Keeper, a person with magic who is tasked with protecting the people of Queensland and recording their stories. But after he falls in love, his only concern is to save his wife, and he is willing to do some very un-Keeper-like things to do so. His quest leads him to a ragtag group of treasure hunters, which includes Douglon the dwarf, Gustav the wizard, and Ayda the elf. The group goes on an adventure of a lifetime filled with peril and discovery.
I have to be honest with you; I have a secret…. I’ve never read any of the classic epic fantasy novels…like not a single one. However, after reading A Threat of Shadows, I’ve come to the conclusion that I don’t need to because they could never be as good as this book!
You know that feeling when a book is just so fantastic that you don’t have the words to describe it, and you feel like screaming aimlessly and extremely loudly is the only possible way to convey your feelings? Nope, just me? Well, that’s how I felt about this book. I think I’m going to have a book hangover for the rest of my life.
Okay, okay, I’ll try to put what I liked about the novel into words. First off, the epicness (which is not technically a word, but it should be) of the story is unparalleled. You really feel like you’re going on an adventure with the characters, getting to know them, bonding with them, and feeling their wins and losses as if they were your own. I’m completely convinced that this book is somehow a portal to another universe because there’s no way I was on Earth while reading it.
Additionally, the themes in the novel are extremely powerful. Andrews has an uncanny ability to write strong themes, something I wish we’d see more often in fantasy. The theme of loss is not one I typically seek out in the novels I read, but it was so compelling in this story. Right from the start, you have Alaric, who is facing the loss of his wife. Each character experiences loss in their own unique way, and I absolutely loved what Andrews did with that theme (even though I bawled my eyes out).
Finally, I was moved by the message that our misdeeds do not make us who we are. The idea that we can reach our darkest point and still be redeemable is one that will stick with me for a long time to come. It was an absolutely beautiful message woven through an equally beautiful story.
*Please note: Spelling of character names might be incorrect because I listened to the audiobook.
*Please note: Spelling of character names might be incorrect because I listened to the audiobook.
The Crownless Prince: A Maid Maleen Retelling by Selina R. Gonzalez
I really enjoyed this retelling! I had never heard of Maid Maleen, so I was worried that I wouldn’t be invested in the story, but that was not an issue at all. The pacing of the novel was great, and it picked up even more about halfway through, which was perfect. The romance was cute and just the right amount for me.
One thing I particularly appreciated about the novel was Gonzalez’s decision to swap the genders of the original fairy tale. Honestly, I think I would have been a little disappointed with the stereotypical princess locked away in a tower. So, the fact that the prince was the one who was locked away was wonderful.
I will say that I felt like Marcus had more chemistry with his best friend, Edwin, toward the beginning of the novel. I definitely wouldn’t have been disappointed if the two had developed a romantic relationship. That being said, the pairing of Marcus and Adriana grew on me as the novel progressed, and I ended up loving the meaningful friendship Marcus had with Edwin. I truly can’t complain because we don’t see as many deep connections between friends in novels as I would like. So, in the end, I got the best of both worlds with a cute romance and a close friendship.
4.0
In this gender-swapped Maid Maleen retelling, Prince Marcus is in love with Princess Adriana, but when he refuses to be part of an arranged marriage, his father locks him away in a tower. Marcus fears that Adriana will think he abandoned her and worries that his father will start the war he’s been desperately hoping for. When Marcus finally escapes his tower, the world is not what it once was and, despite being a prince, he is forced into servitude to survive.
I really enjoyed this retelling! I had never heard of Maid Maleen, so I was worried that I wouldn’t be invested in the story, but that was not an issue at all. The pacing of the novel was great, and it picked up even more about halfway through, which was perfect. The romance was cute and just the right amount for me.
One thing I particularly appreciated about the novel was Gonzalez’s decision to swap the genders of the original fairy tale. Honestly, I think I would have been a little disappointed with the stereotypical princess locked away in a tower. So, the fact that the prince was the one who was locked away was wonderful.
I will say that I felt like Marcus had more chemistry with his best friend, Edwin, toward the beginning of the novel. I definitely wouldn’t have been disappointed if the two had developed a romantic relationship. That being said, the pairing of Marcus and Adriana grew on me as the novel progressed, and I ended up loving the meaningful friendship Marcus had with Edwin. I truly can’t complain because we don’t see as many deep connections between friends in novels as I would like. So, in the end, I got the best of both worlds with a cute romance and a close friendship.
Overall, The Crownless Prince was a quick read, perfect for fans of fairy tale retellings!
I received an ARC of this book, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an ARC of this book, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
The Shoeless Prince: A Puss in Boots Retelling by Jacque Stevens
5.0
I was not sure how I would feel about a puss in boots retelling, but wow! I was so impressed with this book! When Archie’s dad, the miller, passes away and leaves him a magical cat, he doesn’t quite know how to feel. He is determined to make a life for himself, and enlists Leo the cat’s help.
Okay, so you all know that I love a little feminism in the books I read, so when I read the part where Archie thinks of the princess as “a pretty piece of poetry or an oil canvas mounted on the wall…” I was a bit put off. HOWEVER, Jacque Stevens is an absolute genius and used this objectification to develop Archie’s character. At the beginning of the story, Archie definitely views Ainsley as more of an object than a person, more so because her station is so far removed from his reality than out of malice. But, as the story progresses and the two become closer, he sees that he was wrong for thinking of her in that way. He understands that thinking of her as “the princess” is no less harmful than people thinking of him as “the miller’s son.” I was blown away by this character arc!
Furthermore, Archie just made this story shine (although I loved Leo and the others as well)! His honesty is heartwarming and it was endearing to watch him gradually open up to Ainsley. I appreciated the juxtaposition of his objectification of her with his perception of her objectifying him. We not only get to see him slowly change his views of Ainsley as a person but also realize that she was not objectifying him so much as giving him space to be himself.
Additionally, Archie’s motivation is so strong throughout the entirety of the story. He desperately wants someone to see him for who he really is. As a reader, my heart broke for him whenever he couldn’t be his authentic self. Related to that, I appreciated that he had something to work toward in the story. Since his father left him with nothing, he had to find a way to make a life for himself. He is kind of thrown into becoming a huntsman, and even though he is not really doing the work at first, he is determined to make something of himself. He strives for honesty, both in his words and actions, which made his character so wholesome.
Finally, Stevens also flipped the script on us readers with Archie’s agency. It is mentioned multiple times throughout the novel that Archie does not have a lot of agency; he is thrown into many circumstances throughout the novel, and other characters often get the last word on what he can or can’t do. While a lack of character agency is typically not compelling for readers, Stevens did a phenomenal job of making the lack of agency part of the story. It wasn’t an accidental misstep, it was intentional, and that made a world of difference. Likewise, Archie’s character was developed more every time he showed a little autonomy, so even small actions felt immense.
As a whole, my review doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of how wonderful The Shoeless Prince was. Archie and Leo were like Linguine and Remy, and they stole my heart from the very beginning. There were so many more things to love about this story, so go buy yourself a copy when it’s released on Friday!
I received an ARC of this book, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
Okay, so you all know that I love a little feminism in the books I read, so when I read the part where Archie thinks of the princess as “a pretty piece of poetry or an oil canvas mounted on the wall…” I was a bit put off. HOWEVER, Jacque Stevens is an absolute genius and used this objectification to develop Archie’s character. At the beginning of the story, Archie definitely views Ainsley as more of an object than a person, more so because her station is so far removed from his reality than out of malice. But, as the story progresses and the two become closer, he sees that he was wrong for thinking of her in that way. He understands that thinking of her as “the princess” is no less harmful than people thinking of him as “the miller’s son.” I was blown away by this character arc!
Furthermore, Archie just made this story shine (although I loved Leo and the others as well)! His honesty is heartwarming and it was endearing to watch him gradually open up to Ainsley. I appreciated the juxtaposition of his objectification of her with his perception of her objectifying him. We not only get to see him slowly change his views of Ainsley as a person but also realize that she was not objectifying him so much as giving him space to be himself.
Additionally, Archie’s motivation is so strong throughout the entirety of the story. He desperately wants someone to see him for who he really is. As a reader, my heart broke for him whenever he couldn’t be his authentic self. Related to that, I appreciated that he had something to work toward in the story. Since his father left him with nothing, he had to find a way to make a life for himself. He is kind of thrown into becoming a huntsman, and even though he is not really doing the work at first, he is determined to make something of himself. He strives for honesty, both in his words and actions, which made his character so wholesome.
Finally, Stevens also flipped the script on us readers with Archie’s agency. It is mentioned multiple times throughout the novel that Archie does not have a lot of agency; he is thrown into many circumstances throughout the novel, and other characters often get the last word on what he can or can’t do. While a lack of character agency is typically not compelling for readers, Stevens did a phenomenal job of making the lack of agency part of the story. It wasn’t an accidental misstep, it was intentional, and that made a world of difference. Likewise, Archie’s character was developed more every time he showed a little autonomy, so even small actions felt immense.
As a whole, my review doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of how wonderful The Shoeless Prince was. Archie and Leo were like Linguine and Remy, and they stole my heart from the very beginning. There were so many more things to love about this story, so go buy yourself a copy when it’s released on Friday!
I received an ARC of this book, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
The Silver Prince: A Twelve Dancing Princesses Retelling by Lyndsey Hall
4.5
Things have been a little hectic, so my review for The Silver Prince is a little late, but that just means you don’t have to wait for it to be released to buy yourself a copy; you can buy it right now! I’ve read a few of Lyndsey Hall’s short stories and absolutely adored them, and this story was no different!
When Anders, a prince of the Silver Isle, is arrested on the Golden Isle, he knows his freedom and life are at stake. So, when he hears that the princesses have been cursed, he decides to make a bargain: he’ll break the curse in exchange for his freedom. However, he must learn to work with Princess Issy, which is not an easy task considering their kingdoms are resentful of one another.
I enjoyed so many aspects of this story! Perhaps my favorite feature was the cultural elements of the Silver Isle and the Golden Isle. It’s mentioned that, in the Silver Isle, people have a responsibility to care for one another. Details like this really helped develop the cultures in the story. Similarly, the prejudices the characters held for people from the opposing kingdom added an additional layer of conflict and made the story feel much more meaningful than just a simple love story.
There were a couple things I didn’t necessarily love. For instance, the ending felt a bit rushed to me, and I would’ve liked to see Anders and Issy’s relationship develop more. Likewise, there was one small potential plot hole toward the end.
Additionally, I thought the characters were well fleshed out. Issy is not your stereotypical perfect princess, but her kingdom is actually better off because of that. On a similar note, Anders has PTSD from serving in the army. I appreciated this representation and thought it added a lot of depth to Anders.
There was also a huge element of mystery to the story, which helped drive it forward. Anders was determined to figure out who cursed the princesses, and there were plenty of suspects to consider. I was guessing until the very end, and I was shocked by the big reveal!
Finally, I appreciated the fact that the story was just as much about Anders and Issy finding freedom than it was about them finding love. Not that love isn’t important too, but I would’ve been a little disappointed if Hall had focused solely on their love story, ignoring the challenges the two faced in gaining autonomy.
Overall, this series just keeps getting better and better. To be honest, I thought I would be reading lighthearted and simple romances, and to a certain extent they have been, but they are also enticingly complex and beautiful stories as well!
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
When Anders, a prince of the Silver Isle, is arrested on the Golden Isle, he knows his freedom and life are at stake. So, when he hears that the princesses have been cursed, he decides to make a bargain: he’ll break the curse in exchange for his freedom. However, he must learn to work with Princess Issy, which is not an easy task considering their kingdoms are resentful of one another.
I enjoyed so many aspects of this story! Perhaps my favorite feature was the cultural elements of the Silver Isle and the Golden Isle. It’s mentioned that, in the Silver Isle, people have a responsibility to care for one another. Details like this really helped develop the cultures in the story. Similarly, the prejudices the characters held for people from the opposing kingdom added an additional layer of conflict and made the story feel much more meaningful than just a simple love story.
There were a couple things I didn’t necessarily love. For instance, the ending felt a bit rushed to me, and I would’ve liked to see Anders and Issy’s relationship develop more. Likewise, there was one small potential plot hole toward the end.
Additionally, I thought the characters were well fleshed out. Issy is not your stereotypical perfect princess, but her kingdom is actually better off because of that. On a similar note, Anders has PTSD from serving in the army. I appreciated this representation and thought it added a lot of depth to Anders.
There was also a huge element of mystery to the story, which helped drive it forward. Anders was determined to figure out who cursed the princesses, and there were plenty of suspects to consider. I was guessing until the very end, and I was shocked by the big reveal!
Finally, I appreciated the fact that the story was just as much about Anders and Issy finding freedom than it was about them finding love. Not that love isn’t important too, but I would’ve been a little disappointed if Hall had focused solely on their love story, ignoring the challenges the two faced in gaining autonomy.
Overall, this series just keeps getting better and better. To be honest, I thought I would be reading lighthearted and simple romances, and to a certain extent they have been, but they are also enticingly complex and beautiful stories as well!
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
The Poisoned Prince: A Snow White Retelling by Kristin J. Dawson
As a whole, I really enjoyed this novel, especially toward the end when everything really starts to come together. Dawson did a great job of playing into the original fairy tale while also keeping readers on their toes by adding her own twists to the story. The ending was a whirlwind in the best way possible.
That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed everything else! Perhaps my favorite element was the way Dawson tied emotion into the story. Instead of having 7 emotionally named dwarves, Snow has the ability to read emotions. I thought this was a particularly genius way of approaching the dwarves because it allowed them to have more complex personalities than if they had been tied to one emotion. And, Snow’s abilities made it clear why she would be a good leader for her kingdom.
4.0
The Poisoned Prince by Kristin J. Dawson follows Snow White after she discovers that she is the king’s daughter. Before he dies, the king gives Snow a ring that will appear to everyone on her 19th birthday and tells her she will rule the kingdom. However, Max, the royal huntsman, knows that the queen will not hand over the kingdom so willingly. The two must navigate politics all while trying to keep Snow safe. But everything turns out to be much more complicated than they ever could have anticipated.
As a whole, I really enjoyed this novel, especially toward the end when everything really starts to come together. Dawson did a great job of playing into the original fairy tale while also keeping readers on their toes by adding her own twists to the story. The ending was a whirlwind in the best way possible.
There were a couple things that I didn’t love, but they didn’t take away much from the story. For instance, the romance didn’t play a huge part in the story until halfway through, and even then it kind of took a backseat to the political turmoil the kingdom was in. Similarly, the title of the novel didn’t necessarily fit the story in my opinion. The novel read more like Snow’s story than Max’s. However, I can see how the title fits with the series as a whole.
That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed everything else! Perhaps my favorite element was the way Dawson tied emotion into the story. Instead of having 7 emotionally named dwarves, Snow has the ability to read emotions. I thought this was a particularly genius way of approaching the dwarves because it allowed them to have more complex personalities than if they had been tied to one emotion. And, Snow’s abilities made it clear why she would be a good leader for her kingdom.
Finally, the characters in the story really made it come to life. As I said before, the dwarves were detailed characters, and they were also a lot of fun. Max’s character was a nice foil to Snow’s. I appreciated the way their emotions played off of one another and how Snow’s powers affected that. There were also many endearing supporting characters, including the king, Princess Elisabeth, Judge Helene, and even the queen.
Overall, this is yet another solid installation in the Once Upon a Prince series!
I received an ARC of this book, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an ARC of this book, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
The Midnight Prince: A Cinderella Retelling by Angie Grigaliunas
This was possibly my favorite Cinderella retelling ever! Right off the bat, the romance is intense and angsty. There is so much tension and hurt between Kirran and Alia, which really heighten the stakes of the story. I really appreciated how the ball was at the beginning of the story. It was a bit unexpected, and it allowed for events to unfold with a unique twist to the original fairy tale.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Just when I thought I’d never get over my book-hangover from The Wicked Prince by Celeste Baxendell, Angie Grigaliunas comes through with a wonderful Cinderella retelling in The Midnight Prince. Prince Kirran’s heart was broken by his beloved Alia when she didn’t show up to his birthday ball 7 years ago. He had planned on announcing her as his bride since the two were madly in love, despite her being a servant and an orphan. When she didn’t show, he took his broken heart to the warfront and became a vicious soldier. However, after his brothers are killed and he is the only prince left who can inherit the crown, he returns home. When he runs into Alia at a masquerade ball, he’s shocked to find out that, according to her, she did attend the ball 7 years ago. And, in her memory, she caught him telling his friends and family that she was merely a fling.
This was possibly my favorite Cinderella retelling ever! Right off the bat, the romance is intense and angsty. There is so much tension and hurt between Kirran and Alia, which really heighten the stakes of the story. I really appreciated how the ball was at the beginning of the story. It was a bit unexpected, and it allowed for events to unfold with a unique twist to the original fairy tale.
Similarly, I felt like Kirran and Alia’s relationship was very authentic and believable. In many ways, Grigaliunas took on a huge task with their relationship. Where the original fairy tale doesn’t necessarily involve a lot of emotional depth, Kirran and Alia’s relationship is vividly complex. The foundation of their romance was portrayed remarkably well considering it was all backstory. The backstory did not bog down the current story, yet it also felt solid and tangible. This made the hurt both characters felt and their attempt to find out what happened to them all the more powerful for the reader.
Oftentimes, my reviews of romance or romantasy novels involve me highlighting aspects outside of the romance because I rarely love romance for the actual romance; it’s usually the side characters, world-building, magic system, or other factors that make a romance enjoyable for me. So, when an author can make me love a romance for the romance, that says something about their talent, and that was the case with this novel. I also adored the other aspects of the novel as well, particularly Alia’s friendship with Reena, but the romance really shined in this story! Another win for the Once Upon a Prince series!
I received an ARC of this book, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an ARC of this book, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
The Wicked Prince: A Robin Hood Retelling by Celeste Baxendell
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Brief description of my thoughts after reading the Once Upon a Prince books so far:
The Crownless Prince: Ooooh! This was pretty good! I could read 11 more books like this!
The Unlucky Prince: Wow! This book was amazing! I’m not sure how any of the other books in the series can top it!
The Golden Prince: Okay, clearly my last thought was wrong! These keep getting better and better!
The Wicked Prince: OMG!!! THIS BOOK WAS EVERYTHING, AND I’M NEVER GOING TO GET OVER THIS BOOK HANGOVER!!!
The Crownless Prince: Ooooh! This was pretty good! I could read 11 more books like this!
The Unlucky Prince: Wow! This book was amazing! I’m not sure how any of the other books in the series can top it!
The Golden Prince: Okay, clearly my last thought was wrong! These keep getting better and better!
The Wicked Prince: OMG!!! THIS BOOK WAS EVERYTHING, AND I’M NEVER GOING TO GET OVER THIS BOOK HANGOVER!!!
I literally messaged Celeste Baxendell while reading this book to let her know that she was disrupting my sleep patterns, and I was not mad about it! Haha! Ugh, I don’t even know where to start. I cried. I laughed. I nearly threw my phone across the room. I sat with a big dopey grin on my face. This book convinced me to do a giveaway on my Instagram page for one of the books in the series, and a part of me (unfairly since I haven’t read all the books yet) thinks that anyone who chooses any other book is just wrong.
The first thing you need to know is that this book is not only a gender-swapped Robin Hood retelling but also a villain romance! One thing I often struggle with when I read romances is that they don’t always feel compelling. I usually don’t read spice because I feel like it is sometimes used in lieu of crafting a compelling romance, but clean romances often fall flat for me, too. I want my emotions to be so intertwined with the characters that I feel like my own heart is being ripped out and then stitched back together. The Wicked Prince did that in the best way possible!
This book was the epitome of swoony romance without being cliché. The details throughout the book were absolute perfection. For instance, Prince John wonders if Robin would notice if he replaced the dining table with one that was one inch shorter every night, just so he could be closer to her. AND THEN HE ACTUALLY DID!!! If that isn’t the cutest thing, then I don’t know what is!
Furthermore, the characters were wonderfully written. I appreciated that John had some traits that are rarely seen in your stereotypical prince. He likes drawing and designing clothes. One of his biggest flaws is that he is a coward, something that was developed through his character arc perfectly. I loved the way that he was a villain, but also not really. Even his more villainous traits, like his slight obsession with Robin, were endearing. I particularly admired the way Baxendell kept John from becoming creepy or misogynistic. I know some readers like those kinds of romances, which is totally fine, but for me, that is a line that I don’t want my romances to cross.
Finally, Robin was a fantastically complex character, too. I liked that she was pretty oblivious yet also very strong. She was funny and innovative, and I felt like those traits gave her more depth. At one point, she tears up her wedding dress to make breeches she can train in, which captured her character excellently.
This is the first book I’ve read by Baxendell, and part of me wants to binge all of her books to see if they are equally captivating. Sadly, I don’t have the time to continue staying up until 4-6am reading, although I will admit that I convinced my parents to pitch in for an early birthday present, buying signed copies of all twelve of Celeste’s books (which are available at https://celestebaxendell.myshopify.com/ until October 31st). Another part of me feels like bawling my eyes out and screaming at the top of my lungs, “I WILL NEVER READ A BOOK THIS MAGNIFICENT AGAIN!!!” So, please read this book so we can be miserable together! I will just spend the rest of my life trying to relive the high of experiencing this book for the first time!
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book, and I’m sharing my review voluntarily.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book, and I’m sharing my review voluntarily.
The Golden Prince: A Rapunzel Retelling by Alice Ivinya
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Alice Ivinya is one of the names that drew me to the Once Upon a Prince street team! Then, to find out that her book is a Rapunzel retelling?! I was beyond excited! I read and adored Ivinya’s stories in Enchanted Forests and Enchanted Flames, but The Golden Prince was the first full-length novel I read by her, and I can honestly say there will be many more to come because I loved it!
One thing I really appreciate about this book (and so far, all the books I’ve read in this series) is that the authors do a phenomenal job of intertwining their own original story with the classic fairy tale they are retelling. Just one example of this was Maisie’s ability to change the length and color of her hair. Going off of that, Ivinya tied Maisie’s magic to the larger magic system flawlessly and meaningfully.
Up until the 50% mark, I was thoroughly enjoying this book…then I stopped existing in this realm and traveled to the realm the characters live in! I literally could not put the book down after the halfway mark! The romance was spot on, which really kept the novel moving at a wonderful pace.
On top of that, I was very impressed by the ways Ivinya twisted the original fairy tale, mainly through the characters. So many of them were extremely compelling. Thomas was endearing in a comical way. It was hilarious that he read the room so wrong in many situations. His personality was very much like the stereotypical Rapunzel, who is innocent and perfect. I was drawn in by the way he cared about his people and his naiveté. He had some very romantic ideas of love that were adorable.
Similarly, Greggory, Thomas’s manservant, was a nice foil to the prince. The way he called out Thomas on his dishonesty was great. He not only felt like a dynamic character but also helped move the story along.
Finally, Maisie was the perfectly imperfect Rapunzel! I liked that she was not innocent and trusting. She was cynical and everything a princess shouldn’t be. Both Maisie’s and Thomas’s character arcs were fantastic. They were both transformative yet still believable, which added a lot of depth to the story.
As a whole, I feel like us readers put a lot of trust in authors when we read fairy tale retellings, especially of our favorite fairy tales. In many ways, it is a difficult position for an author to be in because they have to balance originality with elements from the story they’re retelling. The Golden Prince was simultaneously one of the books in this series I was looking forward to most and one that I worried about since I love the original fairy tale so much. I am so glad to say that Ivinya did justice to the original fairy tale, and in this reader’s opinion, improved it by adding her own spin on the story!
I received an ARC of this book, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an ARC of this book, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.