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The Princess Spy (2014)

by Melanie Dickerson(Favorite Author)

4.06 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

0310730988 (ISBN13: 9780310730989)

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Zondervan

series

YA Romance Fairy Tales

review 1: The Princess Spy by Melanie Dickerson is based on the Frog Prince fairy tale. Fans of her Beauty and the Beast retelling, The Merchant's Daughter, will especially love this one since their grandson, Colin, is one of the main characters! :-)This story takes us back to Hagenheim where Duke Wilhelm's eldest daughter, Margaretha, is being courted by Lord Claybrook from England. Margaretha isn't too sure about her new suitor, but knows she has to marry soon so her younger sister can get her chance for love.Colin arrives in Hagenheim severely beaten. Confused and disoriented, he is desperate to protect everyone from Claybrook, But there's one problem... he can't speak English! Colin is surprised to find that someone can understand and communicate with him. When he finds out that... more it's the Duke's daughter, Margaretha, he is thrilled with the chance to warn them all of such a dangerous man. Margaretha doesn't know what to think about this mysterious man. He seems like a raving lunatic, but... what if what he says his true? Margaretha knows she talks too much and wants to change, but it isn't easy when she isn't trusted by her own family with secrets. Colin believes in her, though and because of that, she is able to still be herself and learn how to control her tongue. Plus, she finds out that not only is she stronger than she realized, but she really is a force to be reckoned with!This book really makes you think about what you say about and to others. My mom would always say that home is supposed to be an encouraging place not a discouraging place, and this story has definitely made me even more adamant to have that in our home, too. This book was such a pleasure to read, and I so wish it didn't have to end! But I know more stories are in the works. If you enjoy a good fairy tale, then you will love Melanie Dickerson's novels! I was given this book free from Booklook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.
review 2: To add to Melanie Dickerson's library of fairy-tale retellings this Frog Prince story made for a unique read. I loved Melanie's other fairy tale retellings so much that I didn't even really look into The Princess Spy before I read it. It hit me as I made my way through Margaretha and Colin's story that I couldn't truly tell which fairy tale this was. I had to look it up (I guess because of my unfamiliarity with the Frog Prince story in the first place). Then it made more sense and was quite funny.The writing in this one seemed slightly stilted and off at times. Perhaps because of this book taking me a bit longer than usual. Still, I enjoyed Margaretha's and Colin's story. The pacing was great: nothing ever slowed down for these two and I never could guess the next move or twist in the story.I disliked Anne, Margaretha's cousin, but then readers are meant to. I just wish she had been given a bit of a greater role. She annoys and causes an inconvenience for Margaretha and Colin later, but then we never really see her again and I expected her to have a part to play in the climax.Speaking of the great climax, that wasn't what I expected, either! Margaretha's father and brothers are heroes in their own fairy tale retellings (don't let that dissuade you from reading this one before you read the others, however, as they are completely capable of being read out of order); so I liked that they were not just stock heroes ready to move when Margaretha needed them and made them aware of danger. They're the heroes I came to know and love.The romance in this book is sweet, albeit a little immature. Margaretha and Colin do a lot of growing up in a short time, and I felt like this wasn't as supported by their growing up when it came to loving each other. They *do* love each other and are willing to sacrifice for each other, but they seemed a little preoccupied with kissing and the newness of it all. Of course, that may have been normal giddiness. I've never been in love before and wouldn't much know. ;)If you're looking for another unique fairy tale retelling for whiling away winter hours in front of the fire, check out Melanie Dickerson's latest release, The Princess Spy. less

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