Location: United States
Member Since:
Oct. 12, 2012
Diane DesAutels
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Smashwords book reviews by Diane DesAutels
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Second-Hand Princess
on May 29, 2014
(no rating)
The bones are here of a rather entertaining satire, but it reads a little too flat/superficial. I don't mean how the princess begins with unquestioned assumptions and propriety -- that's part of the premise -- but rather how we're never given the chance to see real emotions and three-dimensionality from the cardboard cast, except a bit from the little ghost girl and the princess herself. There are also a lot of never-answered questions, such as the reason for all the ghosts in the one kingdom (something to do with the briefly-mentioned wizard??) or their variable physicality. Also, and possibly answered in the sequel[s], what was the actual fate of "her" dragon, not to mention her parents? It's actually not that bad, though, and I personally liked the ending "punchline"-type twist. An unsatisfying ending can spoil even an excellent story, but this seemed very appropriate, even if open-ended.
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Second-Hand Princess
on May 29, 2014
(no rating)
Sorry -- my tablet is having no luck selecting a star rating. I was trying to give it a 3 (average of 4 for the premise / general plot, 3 for writing mechanics, and 2 for the aforementioned lack of depth). I recommend Patricia Wrede's Enchanted Forest Chronicles for a richer riff on an unconventional princess.