Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Review: The Thirteenth Princess

I love, love, love to read. I haven't read a new book front to end in a long time--I've just been too busy with other things, or I figure I ought to write instead, or--well, you know. But I saw this book, by Diane Zahler, and I was just taken by the cover and the premise; it is a retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses fairy tale.

Let me explain one thing right here. I love retellings. My Dad used to tell me fairy tales from various points of view of the other characters, and I think that might be part of the reason why. The wolf could speak for himself and was maybe an innocent bystander in Little Red Riding Hood, but oh! Let me tell you, that lumberjack had a good tale to tell, as well. And it wasn't just that one--the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Anderson either rolled in their separate graves, or rose in spirit with the new life we breathed into those tales. I love how things are explained, how characters are developed, or how sense can be made of what we otherwise would not have understood, set down as they are. So, I love retellings. And fairy tales, in general.

Back to "The Thirteenth Princess." I found a commercial for this book, by the way, which you should watch--it's pretty terrible. It's overly dramatic, and does not at all make me want to read this book. I'm glad I didn't see it beforehand. I probably wouldn't have read it. It's definitely a middle reader, but does that really matter in the grand scheme of things? If a book is good, then it's good!

However, this book was average for me. Granted, I was up until 3am or so, reading it. On a weekday. When I had to work at 8 the next morning. Ouch. But that was because I had just hit the meat of the book. The really good parts. And where this book is good, the writing is crisp and descriptive, and you're sucked in. However, there's a bit too much that is not quite there, for me.

The story follows our red-haired protagonist, Zita. She is the thirteenth princess, born last to a queen of failing health (who then dies), and to a king who wanted a son, who spurns her, forces her to live with the servants, while her twelve Barbie-blond sisters live in splendor. Magic is banned here, but of course that is just a recipe for magic to occur. I'm not entirely convinced of the plausibility of magic being banned so easily, anyway, but maybe I'm not supposed to, so I am okay with this point.

Zita is supposed to live up to her red-haired description. In the beginning of the book, I do not think she does. She wheedles, she is baby-ish, she is never just strong, though she is told she is different--a Princess who can cook! Well, what else was she supposed to do? She was living in the kitchen, after all!

The sisters, too, often annoy me. They all have names beginning with "A", and they are all almost too perfect, though I respect that the oldest, accurately named Aurelia (Golden), wishes to find a husband who will accept her as Queen and not want to rule. (You go girl!) I just wish she had more backbone--or even that I could tell the other princesses apart. True, they are under an enchantment, but still.

I didn't get into the book until the sisters started to get sick, and Zita had to find out why. She starts to show a little bit more character in that part, as well. Yet I can't get over the fact that I knew who was casting the enchantment, a big mystery in the book, by the time she first realized someone actually was enchanting them, and began to wonder who it was. I had about four or five chapters on her. Nonetheless, Zahler pulled off the reveal with some interesting revelations I wouldn't have necessarily thought of, so I felt satiated by the way the pieces matched up.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, and I'm glad I read it. There was some very lovely writing here...but it was not a book I feel like I'll be raving over or even insisting that my friends read. It's worth a read, especially if you're into fairy tales, and it's quite fast to read...but I found some character traits wanting, and felt the action came a bit too late. So, from a self-proclaimed fairy tale aficionado--it wasn't bad. Just don't let that terrible "book preview" link I added above keep you from giving it a shot!

4 comments:

dolorah said...

Well, you are - how old? And if the book was average for you, maybe it just wasn't written for your well developed story meter.

I do that too when I'm reading books I'd like to recommend to my kids. I forget how simple a child's worldview can - and should - be.

(sighs) But, you were up to 3a so I'm gathering it was an engaging read. :) I love it when a book forces me (twists my arm practically) to drop everything to know WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. hehehe

I've missed you Sarah. I'm so glad you're resurfacing again. I hope you accomplished everything you needed to do while you were gone. (I know, I need to read your last post.)

Looking forward to more of your book reviews.

.......dhole

Just Another Sarah said...

Donna--That is an interesting point. Granted, some of my favorite books are middle readers and YA--but it is possible that even though I do read and even write some in that genre, I expect a lot out of them, and forget about some of the simplicity. Definitely, some of the plot points that I noticed would not have been noticed by younger readers. Yet...I'm torn, still. Mostly about the characters in the forepart of the book. (This would make an excellent post!) But, as you say, the book was definitely engaging. And it got me reading again! Do expect more book reviews--of all categories--in the future!

And, aw! I'm so pleased to see you again on here, too! My goals for the fall are to not let the blog fall to the wayside. I've missed being here, and making these connections. Thanks for the sweet comment!

Amalia Dillin said...

This sounds like a book I'd be interested in too-- and I'm totally jealous about your dad telling you stories from different character's points of view. I am going to have to remember that for the future!!

Just Another Sarah said...

:P You should be jealous! Hahaha, just kidding. It totally rocked. I want to do something with those stories, some day.