Violet is not a "Real" princess like the ones she hears about in stories. She has curly frizzy hair; her eyes are 2 different colors; she runs, jumps, climbs, & explores. Her best friend is a stable boy named Demetrius and they both love to explore and listen to stories.

One day they find a book in a hidden passage of the castle. Violet keeps it and soon finds out it has magic in it. A chain of events start to release this magical presence from its prison. It might just be evil. Violet must stop doubting herself and save her kingdom. she is a "real" princess. She and Demetrius must work together to stop this evil.

This is a great story of self discovery and bravery that all can enjoy. ( )

The mirrored world has had peace for hundreds of years, but a patient, long-trapped old god is about to make an escape and send the castle crumbling to the ground. Storyteller Cassian narrates the tale of the princess Violet, her friend Demetrius, the king and queen, a dragon, and the Nybbas.

Quotes

"Stories are infinite. They are as infinite as worlds." (Cassian, 29)

"Most battles are won by changing minds and turning hearts. Sometimes that's all the bravery you need." (King Randall, 53)

If this story....is true, then what other stories are true? And if the stories are true, then why is the world so removed from the way it's supposed to be? (Violet, 123)

What kind of power can a story gain when people forbid its telling? (Violet, 142)

Memory invents itself. (Cassian, 195)

"We live...in a world of our own choosing. We will insist the world is as we say it should be, until the world convinces us otherwise." (Cassian, 305)

"All stories are lies until someone believes in them....But I, for one, am sick to death of stories. Now, I want information." (Violet, 309)

"Intelligence means the ability to learn." (god's voice, 312)

Does love bind us? she wondered. Or does it set us free? (374)

"There is no belief without doubt." (voice to Auntie, 417) ( )

Charming language and illustrations that, unfortunately, don't distract from the fact that the story is too long. ( )

This book started out fine, and the premise of an unpretty princess who knows that all the princesses in stories ARE pretty was enough to keep me reading. And the more I read the more interesting and sad and wonderful the story got. But it didn't totally win me over until the ending. Violet won me over at the ending.

I think kids will enjoy the story and the adventure and the way fairytale elements get presented, but as an adult this book had an unexpected effect on me. Part of this story is about being a girl that people love (a smart girl, a funny girl, an adventurous girl) even as they acknowledge that she's not pretty or beautiful (and probably won't ever be). It's a story about what happens to a girl who thinks that when things go wrong it's because she doesn't look the way she's supposed to.

This might be a middle grade book, but this part of the story absolutely tore me apart. I couldn't help but compare Violet's story to contemporary girls confronted with a host of media telling them that if they lose that 10 pounds, dye their hair the right color, wear the right outfit, etc. etc. etc. their life will be perfect. The idea that your appearance will affect your happiness is so huge, and it's pushed so hard at girls. This book hit all the right notes for me on this issue. It explores stress, grieving, and growing and how appearance, and your perception of your own appearance, play into all those issues. Also, it's an adventure about dragons and gods and kingdoms.

It may start a little bit slow, but this book is absolutely worth the read. ( )

Collleen (are 7) rated this 5 stars. I was a little more lukewarm on it and might have just rated it 3, but split the difference. ( )