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thelibrarylady42's review
4.0
*Copy provided by Net Galley*
Oh Jessica Day George how I love you. I wish you would write books for all 12 princesses. I understand not wanting to commit to 12 books but how I will miss King Gregor's lovely daughters.
There is something about reading a final book in a series that makes it wonderful and bittersweet. If it's a good series you know it must end but you can't help wanting more. That is exactly how I felt as I prepared to say good-bye to my favorite dancing princesses. I knew that the story had to end sometime because eventually the cast of characters would get ginormous (that is in fact a literary term.) Okay not really but spell check recognized it. Already the cast was getting quite large and I found myself having to stop and think which prince went with which princess.
I would have liked to see Petunia and Oliver together more simply because they were just so adorable together. I like that they didn't fall instantly in love (it was quick but not instant). I'm old and cranky and insta-love annoys me sometimes.
The thing that I love most about these books, the Dragon series as well, is that George creates strong female characters that don't have to beat the snot out of people to prove that they are strong and smart. Don't get me wrong I love a good Katniss but it's nice to see strong young women who aren't violent. Petunia and her sisters are smart and strong and that is what attracts young men to them. In a world of YA relationships that are of questionable value it's nice to see relationships that grow out of mutual respect and actually getting to know a person.
Verdict: Book is already on order. I am often selling George's books to young girls and boys who are looking for adventure and wholesome fun. They are very popular in my library.
Oh Jessica Day George how I love you. I wish you would write books for all 12 princesses. I understand not wanting to commit to 12 books but how I will miss King Gregor's lovely daughters.
There is something about reading a final book in a series that makes it wonderful and bittersweet. If it's a good series you know it must end but you can't help wanting more. That is exactly how I felt as I prepared to say good-bye to my favorite dancing princesses. I knew that the story had to end sometime because eventually the cast of characters would get ginormous (that is in fact a literary term.) Okay not really but spell check recognized it. Already the cast was getting quite large and I found myself having to stop and think which prince went with which princess.
I would have liked to see Petunia and Oliver together more simply because they were just so adorable together. I like that they didn't fall instantly in love (it was quick but not instant). I'm old and cranky and insta-love annoys me sometimes.
The thing that I love most about these books, the Dragon series as well, is that George creates strong female characters that don't have to beat the snot out of people to prove that they are strong and smart. Don't get me wrong I love a good Katniss but it's nice to see strong young women who aren't violent. Petunia and her sisters are smart and strong and that is what attracts young men to them. In a world of YA relationships that are of questionable value it's nice to see relationships that grow out of mutual respect and actually getting to know a person.
Verdict: Book is already on order. I am often selling George's books to young girls and boys who are looking for adventure and wholesome fun. They are very popular in my library.
forgottentaxes's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
chemwitch's review
3.0
Alright bois. It's review writing time. A time when I manically review all 6 books I've left in my rtc too long. Book 1, let's go?
Okay, so this book concluded the Princesses of Westfalin Trilogy, and in my opinion is was the weakest of the three. It was still enjoyable, but I came close to rating 2 instead of 3 stars, for the following reasons:
1) Petunia was pretty flat as a character. Desire to be treated like an adult isn't really a character trait. Both Rose in book 1 and Poppy in book 2 had more spunk and personality to them.
2) Whatever the fuck the love interest's name was, he was about as interesting as a cardboard cutout. He just served to pair off the last of the princesses and I was not here for it.
3) The plot. We already did this. This plot has already happened. Why are we doing this plot again.
4) The pacing was... weird. There was a ton of build-up and very little pay-off. Nothing really felt urgent, even when it should have. The first book suffered from this as well, but I thought after the second we were done with that. Guess not?
But! This book did eke out a 3 star rating. Mainly because the Grand Duchess was a Bad Ass Bitch and her part of the story was the most interesting. And the goodfrau. She is also amazing. I would die for her.
Honestly, I think that if I hadn't just come out of the magical glass world from book 2, this might have been better. But I adored the Corley storyline and thought it was so intriguing and then we went back to... this. Kind of a disappointing wrap-up.
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2/27/19: Am I reading books faster than I can review them? Yes.
But am I a garbage human who may never write reviews for these books at all?
Also yes. (Rtc, perhaps.)
Okay, so this book concluded the Princesses of Westfalin Trilogy, and in my opinion is was the weakest of the three. It was still enjoyable, but I came close to rating 2 instead of 3 stars, for the following reasons:
1) Petunia was pretty flat as a character. Desire to be treated like an adult isn't really a character trait. Both Rose in book 1 and Poppy in book 2 had more spunk and personality to them.
2) Whatever the fuck the love interest's name was, he was about as interesting as a cardboard cutout. He just served to pair off the last of the princesses and I was not here for it.
3) The plot. We already did this. This plot has already happened. Why are we doing this plot again.
4) The pacing was... weird. There was a ton of build-up and very little pay-off. Nothing really felt urgent, even when it should have. The first book suffered from this as well, but I thought after the second we were done with that. Guess not?
But! This book did eke out a 3 star rating. Mainly because the Grand Duchess was a Bad Ass Bitch and her part of the story was the most interesting. And the goodfrau. She is also amazing. I would die for her.
Honestly, I think that if I hadn't just come out of the magical glass world from book 2, this might have been better. But I adored the Corley storyline and thought it was so intriguing and then we went back to... this. Kind of a disappointing wrap-up.
-------
2/27/19: Am I reading books faster than I can review them? Yes.
But am I a garbage human who may never write reviews for these books at all?
Also yes. (Rtc, perhaps.)
eyreguide's review
4.0
I didn't realize this was the third book in a series when I started reading it, and I recommend not doing what I did and read it anyways without reading the first two. There are characters and previous events that would have been nice to know more about before reading the abbreviated version of events in this book.
The author's new take on the Twelve Dancing Princesses fairy tale is more the basis of this book - as the same events that happened in the previous books are overtaking the Princesses again. Although elements of Red Riding Hood and Robin Hood are woven in, the Princesses fairy tale is the one that gets the most intriguing makeover. This time the Princesses seem to be stronger and better prepared, making them more formidable, especially Petunia who is a fantastic, strong female character. The way the Princesses stick together, when nightmares from the King Under Stone plague them, is heartwarming and it's so great to read about how the Princesses work together to help themselves out of their predicament.
There is romance, action and fairy tale historical lore to make this a fast-paced, fun read, full of great character development. I do think I would have loved this story more if I had read the previous two and had known all the loose ends the author was tying up in this one, but on it's own this is a really enjoyable read.
The author's new take on the Twelve Dancing Princesses fairy tale is more the basis of this book - as the same events that happened in the previous books are overtaking the Princesses again. Although elements of Red Riding Hood and Robin Hood are woven in, the Princesses fairy tale is the one that gets the most intriguing makeover. This time the Princesses seem to be stronger and better prepared, making them more formidable, especially Petunia who is a fantastic, strong female character. The way the Princesses stick together, when nightmares from the King Under Stone plague them, is heartwarming and it's so great to read about how the Princesses work together to help themselves out of their predicament.
There is romance, action and fairy tale historical lore to make this a fast-paced, fun read, full of great character development. I do think I would have loved this story more if I had read the previous two and had known all the loose ends the author was tying up in this one, but on it's own this is a really enjoyable read.
flowersofquiethappiness's review
3.0
It was fun to return to the lives of this family again. But goodness, these princesses have a hard time staying out of trouble. Petunia is determined to show that while she's the youngest, you should never underestimate her. Unfortunately, in the midst of trying to do that, she acts a bit impetuously and hinders things instead of helping. So she still has a little growing up to do. Oliver is a bit impetuous himself, but I enjoyed the parts with his POV. He kept the story going. The interactions between characters did seem to move a little quick. So quick that I could never quite feel a real connection to any of them. And the romance really wasn't quite believable for me. (Yes, I know it's a fairy tale, but still.) Plus I had a hard time keeping track of the sisters who have never had their own story. It was good to see Rose and Galen again though! And I'd love to have a cape like Petunia. :) This is a pleasurable fairy tale re-telling and I enjoyed it. I will certainly be interested to see what Ms. George writes in the future!
booklover160's review
5.0
I have to go back and read all the others, but as of now, this was my favorite. The action, the love, the resolution!!! It was a magnificent story. I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves classic fairytale retellings (the first is, naturally, a retelling of the 12 Dancing Princesses, the second is a retelling of Cinderella, and the third is Red Riding Hood) but they are reworked so beautifully that it feels entirely original with a hat tip to the source.
I love Petunia as a main character so much. I love that she meets her future husband with a pistol in his face. I love their progression. I really think I enjoyed this book from the series the most.
I love Petunia as a main character so much. I love that she meets her future husband with a pistol in his face. I love their progression. I really think I enjoyed this book from the series the most.
what_ella_reads's review
4.0
This third book in this series was pretty good. There were around half a dozen mild curse word and some magic, but I did enjoy it.
mnstucki's review
3.0
Don't know why, but this one didn't hit the spot for me as much as the others. Still incredibly funny at parts, and I love Oliver as a character, but the ending to this series wasn't quite as satisfying as I was expecting. Definitely a good read though. Maybe I will revisit it later and feel better about it.
michieknee's review
3.0
Three for now, could go lower.
Meh, this book didn't draw me in as well as the rest of the novels in the series. I found the male love interest mostly irritating and the romance between the two all tell and no show. For a finale, the whole story felt pretty weak and the ending a bit rushed. Jessica Day George writes as superbly as ever but overall the book just didn't do enough to engross me. It's a bit of a shame too because I really did like this series but Silver Woods kind of brought the series as a whole down a bit in my opinion.
Meh, this book didn't draw me in as well as the rest of the novels in the series. I found the male love interest mostly irritating and the romance between the two all tell and no show. For a finale, the whole story felt pretty weak and the ending a bit rushed. Jessica Day George writes as superbly as ever but overall the book just didn't do enough to engross me. It's a bit of a shame too because I really did like this series but Silver Woods kind of brought the series as a whole down a bit in my opinion.