Reviews

The Princess Curse by Merrie Haskell

annashiv's review against another edition

3.0

I enjoyed it, but it was also just kind of weird. I'm not sure how I feel about most of the characters and I found the world a little strange. I thought the plot was interesting for the most part, just a little wandering and never clear about how I was supposed to feel about most events. I did like the buildup and her relationship with her father. Everything else was a little questionable. I dunno. It just didn't quite lay things out fully it felt. Hard to explain.

ath3na_r3ads's review against another edition

5.0

Love this book!! I’ve already have reread it TWICE!!! Would recommend if you like the twelve dancing princesses.

hayleybeale's review against another edition

3.0

An interesting take on the 12 dancing princesses folktale. Overlong and the second half drags somewhat. Not sure if the ending is a set up for a sequel or just rather limp.

jennymock's review against another edition

5.0

This is a pretty solid fantasy book for girls, especially 10 and 11 year olds. It isn't just another princess book. The use of Romanian myths and herbalism is very intriguing. I truly appreciate how Haskell ends the novel.

augustar14's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse and Torture

Minor: Blood, Violence, Death of parent, Abandonment, Body horror, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, and Vomit

ribbonquest's review against another edition

2.0

Reveka would like to solve the Twelve Dancing Princesses mystery, but she's not one of the princesses or a suitor. She's just an herbalist's apprentice who'd make good use of the monetary reward offered to not-suitors who tackle the puzzle. The Princess Curse is from a rare outside perspective and all the herbalism is pretty neat.

Unfortunately none of the characters have much personality. Everyone has the same voice and the only characters with any personality traits at all are relatively minor characters. And only two come to mind.

lotusnbooks's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

jenniferreads2's review against another edition

3.0

Hmm this was a decent story but the ending wasn’t right. It feels like it’s a setup for a sequel but I’m guessing that will never come. So with the ending as is it feels unfinished. This could’ve easily worked as a standalone with a proper ending if some of the beginning was edited down to add more room for a proper complete ending.

cimorene1558's review against another edition

5.0

4.5 stars. Really excellent 12 dancing princesses/Persephone/Beauty and the Beast and many other things-crossover retelling, and I so hope there will be a sequel, because I want more! This is funny, romantic, charming, chilling, and overall delightful!

violinknitter's review against another edition

5.0

I've only just started this book, but I am absolutely loving it.

I have a few pet peeves about fantasy books set in a medieval world. Authors often puts modern attitudes about women's roles (and men's roles) in the mouths of protagonists who could have no concept of such things given the society in which they were raised. Also, novels are often set in a generically medieval frame, where clothing, technology, and politics that existed hundreds of years apart in the real world are presented as if they could have existed at the same time.

(Mild spoiler warning from first 30 pages of the book)

Spoiler

I believe this book is marketed as a middle grade novel, so I honestly didn't have big expectations for it. I expected a fun tale set in a Generic Medieval European Country. Instead, it's obvious from the first pages that Haskell has carefully researched her background. Reveka, the protagonist, is a feisty, energetic heroine with big plans for her life: getting a job as an herbalist at a major convent. Now that may not sound exciting, but Haskell does a great job of having Reveka explain what an important and influential job that would be for a woman in her society. I love that! It's so true to the time period, and shows a girl being strong in the context of her own culture.

There are other kinds of tidbits about medieval culture woven in to the story, and yet the writing maintains the energy and flow I expect from a good middle grade book.

I can't believe an MG book has just made my history-nerd heart flutter, and I can't wait to read the rest.

Update after finishing the book: Yep, still loved it. Highly recommended.