Reviews

The Princess Protection Program by Alex London

readinginfairyland's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

mbenzz's review

4.0

This was a fun little book! Things got a bit over the top there at the end, but this is a solid Middle Grade read that kept me entertained all the way through. I'd love to see this story turned into a series and explore the stories of other Prince's and Princesses!

natverse's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

ribbonquest's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

Listing this book as "middle grade" is greatly overestimating its complexity. The story and characters are very basic. Vocabulary is introduced, defined, and reinforced like in a school lesson. Cleaning sucks, being messy is okay, school is boring, and pizza is great. The Little Mermaid girl is described with non-stop ocean similes, which got old after the first paragraph with her.

The Princess Protection Program is fine for a third or fourth grader who hasn't experienced fairy tale reimaginings before.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting

halforq's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

Cute, a lot of the story made me smile. 

cavtasticreader's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

This was a cute read. Fun middle grade play of a twisted fairytale. I did enjoy the princesses finding their voice but I also felt like the story jumped at times and could have developed deeper. But over all good book with a good message.

lattes_lipstick_literature's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

3.0

 *I received a copy of this book digitally for free and am leaving this review voluntarily*

Hello Fellow Readers,

I've read many fairy tale retellings, but this felt like a breath of fresh air. A fun new take on the princess fairy tales we all grew up with, rather than picking a story and trying to modernize it London decided to do a 'What if'. Rosamund is an interesting character whose fairy tale, Sleeping Beauty, we are all very much knowledgeable about and the side characters are all princesses (and princes) whom we've all grown up reading about so seeing them all actually gets personalities. 

The plot was slow at first as, like Rosmund, we are learning about a whole other world and the HEA. It did not pick up quite how I wanted it to, but for any middle-grade child who is reading it, then the pace might be perfect. I like the message that The Princess Protection Program is trying to tell, and London did a great job conveying that you can absolutely break out of the story you think is intended for you and have a different happily ever after. 

Overall, a great children's book for any kid who likes to ask 'Why?' 

xhekap30's review against another edition

adventurous funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

karen_the_baroness's review against another edition

5.0

The Princess Protection Program by Alex London is about princesses getting a second chance. 

Will the Royals from HEA make their own decisions about their stories? 

The Royals 

Princess Rosamund finds Home Educational Academy, set in the real world, when she flees from her story, opens a Door of Opportunity. While there Rosamund encounters, Rana, Sirena, Cindy, Charlie, and countless others that have fled their own stories because they didn't like what was happening. Rosa is a curious princess that has been asleep for a hundred years because she pricked her finger on a spindle and now she has been awakened by a kiss that makes her run away. She ends up at this school where she meets the other royals, and I love them all. I have to say that Mr. London had a great idea, and how he spun each one to work within this world is amazing. 

Rosa, our main character, is so curious about everything that I admire her for everything that she has done throughout the book. 

The Story 

Rosa ends up making a lot of friends throughout this journey and her curiousness makes her a great character as she is able to ask the questions that none of the others ever thought about asking before. Rosamund, after being asleep for a hundred years, just wants to understand a lot of things, especially about what they are teaching them at the school. Although, something is sinister underfoot at this so called Princess Protection Program with one of the princes. 

I have to say that Mr. London had me at the edge of my seat throughout the entire story. 

Five Stars 

I am giving a five star rating to The Princess Protection Program by Alex London and recommending it to anyone that loves a good middle grade fantasy book. It has the right amount of fantasy while also allowing people to use their imagination to figure some things out. The underlying message is great as well. 

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. 

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of The Princess Protection Program by Alex London. 

Until the next time, 

Karen the Baroness 

If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out Baroness Book Trove. 

carleesi's review against another edition

3.75

Beautiful reimagining of a whole range of fairy tales with some great messages for young readers.