Customer Reviews

A Posse of Princesses

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Cinderella went to the ball, we all know that, but what happened at the ball? What were the other guests like? What did people talk about when they weren't dancing, and who became friends with whom? What was going on behind the scenes?

A Posse of Princesses answers those questions. Princess Rhis doesn't think she's necessarily going to snag the prince (though she can't help hoping), but she's determined to have a good time at the ball, and she does. But there's more going on than meets the eye, and the adventure she and her new friends find themselves in when the most obnoxious ball guest is kidnapped snaps with excitement and surprise.

The story is tightly written, with likeable, engaging characters (no cardboard cutouts here!), and a good dose of humor.

I discovered this author with her, at the time, duet Crown and Court Duel.
All the things I liked about those books are in this one.
Feisty lead character, intricate plotting, it's a romantic adventure. There's a touch of magic, and definitely humor. But at it's heart it is the story of a girl who finds her destiny by helping others with her own unique gifts. One of which is seeing others as people, not as their roles, be it servant or prince.

Rhis, princess of the small kingdom of Nym, is going to a party: all the eligible princesses around have been invited to the coming-of-age party of Lios, the crown prince of Vesarja. Though Rhis feels out of place and plain next to Iardith, the most beautiful (and snobbish) of the princesses, she soon finds a circle of friends she can have fun and be herself with, and when Iardith is kidnapped, Rhis and her friends go to the rescue. The idea of princesses competing for a prince could easily be clichéd, but Smith's take on it is fresh and charming, with vivid characters, engaging friendships, and several delightful romances.

The title is a little silly. The cover could be more attractive. I enjoyed reading it though, and that's the important thing, right? I have to admit that, as silly as it is, the title was part of the appeal for me. The five-year-old little girl in me wanted to read about princesses, and this book claims to contain a whole posse of them!

***This review contains spoilers***
The plot is a bit predictable (and other reviews have summarized it quite well so I won't describe it here), but when reading about princesses and romance, one does not really need surprise plot twists so long as there is a happily ever after. Which there is. I'm sorry if that spoils it for you ;)

There are lots of princesses of all different kinds, and although the story does revolve around only one, Rhis, even the minor characters are well-drawn and believable.

My only quibble with the book is that it kind loses steam at the end. There's romantic tension and build-up and right when it seems there is going to be a resolution, the flow of the story is interrupted with a separation between the heroine and her hero during which they can only write one letter a year to each other for five years. I imagine a whole book could have been taken up with their letters to each other if there hadn't been this strange one letter a year rule that seemed very out of place.

Overall, it's a fun read if you like stories about princesses and sweet romances (as opposed to steamy romance novel romances). Technically I think it's considered a young adult fantasy, but the magic element is very minimal; it's incidental to the story. If you like your romantic fantasy to have lots of magic, this might not be the story for you.

I believe this story is set in the same world as Smith's Wren series (Wren to the Rescue (Wren Books), Wren's Quest (Wren Books), Wren's War (Wren Books)). Although set in that world, I think people who like Smith's Crown Duel (Crown Duel / Court Duel) duet, especially the second half (the Court Duel half), or Shannon Hale's Princess Academy, will really enjoy this book.

I read this book straight through the day I got it. Then, then next day, I went through and read it again. The book is refreshing in that you don't just get one "stock" princess in the mix: you get a bunch of different princesses, none of them that are really the "perfect" image of what a princess "should" be.

Rhis, the main character, would rather spend time singing and writing ballads and playing the tiranthe (a 24 stringed musical instrument) than studying history and laws from her stuffy sister-in-law. Then a messenger comes from the Queen of Vesarja, inviting her to a rather "Cinderella" like party for the crown prince, where he will meet all of the eligible princesses and ladies from the surrounding kingdoms (and some of the princes as well).

But rather than being a simplistic Cinderella-like ball, there are meals, festivities, and other events leading up to the grand masquerade, where people get to meet each other and show of their characters. Rhis learns that words and people are not always as they seem (I'd like to write more, but that might give away too much). When the prettiest and most polished of all the princesses is abducted, Rhis and four friends take off after her (and a group of the princes soon follow), for a rousing adventure that just might change their lives forever (it certainly does Rhis's)

The first half of the book is about the party, the second 3/4 is about the chase, and the last little bit is done with letters and one final scene, wrapping things up nicely (but not everything, quite, so the ending isn't "pat") Don't let the mark "YA Angst" deter you from enjoying this lively, upbeat book. Sure, everyone in this book has problems, but they don't wallow in them or enjoy wallowing in them.

I had originally overlooked this story based on the incredibly cheesy cover and the horrible title, but saw the review titled "Don't judge this book by its cover." So when I was in need of a new read and saw this at the local library, I thought 'why not.' A different take on Cinderella among all the fairytale retelling wannabes, it stands alone. This doesn't start like all the others like the "Once Upon a Time" series or Gail Carson Levine. This story is reminiscent of Crown Duel (Crown Duel / Court Duel)--A story standing on it's own merit and on it's own feet.

Princess Rhis, the youngest child in her royal family is invited to a neighboring kingdom's "Coming Out" party for their prince, who was just recently named heir to the throne. She has never been invited anywhere, nor traveled outside her own kingdom. At only 16, she has some pretty romantic (and silly) ideas about what this party will be like. She hopes to fall deeply in love and have love ballads written about her. She travels with her sister-in-law's younger sister and they become fast friends. Once there, she meets all the young royals and aristocracy from all the neighboring kingdoms. They all spend about a week together getting to know each other over meals, activities, dances, and concerts. Then comes the masquerade. Everyone has high hopes for the night, including Rhis. The next day, one of the princesses is discovered missing. Thinking she can save her, Rhis and a few loyal friends dash after her....and some of the princes follow after the girls.

I really enjoyed this story. Rhis started out as a rather silly and overly-romantic girl. But as the story progressed, she grew up. She discovered her strengths and her friends. She discovers her ability to lead and to choose. I knew I really liked this book when I was only 1/2 way through and already wanted to reread it.

Why only 4 stars? There was only 1 major twist in this story, which seemed rather obvious. I did appreciate it and what it did for the development of the characters...to reveal their true selves. And the ending was rather abrupt. I did appreciate that it wasn't one of those endings where the leads overcome their initial hurdle and run down the aisle to get married, but this ending managed to be abrupt and drag on all at once.

All in all--a great read. If it were made into a movie, it would be along the lines of "Princess Diaries". Very rated G. No worries over language, sexuality, or violence.

This book is typical of Sherwood Smith's other books: great worldbuilding, wonderful characters, good magic system. the world seems to exist on its own and the reader is just catching a glimpse into a fantasy world that has its own complex history and politics and magic. It is also a coming of age story about a young princess named Rhis, and how she meets a prince, falls in love, makes friends, and generally just becomes an adult. It sounds like cliched elements for a fantasy coming of age tale, but Smith gives it originality and tweaks it to be something unique on its own. Rhis is likeable and ordinary, and ends up working hard for what she wants, and finds strength on her own to solve her problems. This is not the fantasy book where there's one main character who has beauty and magic and is super important just because the author makes him so. there are real repercussions in this book.

on another note, i loved the ending of this book. unlike all the twilight craziness in fantasy out there where guy meets girl, turns her world upside down, etc. the decisions the characters in this book make for love are real. they make their decisions as adults, not as hormonally influenced teens. this is an example of YA fantasy done right.

Okay, so I admit this wasn't much of a challenge for me to read, since this is the kind of stuff I lap up with a spoon. I mean c'mon, prince and princesses, castles...magic diamonds. Now, wait! Don't run, this isn't a cheesy version of Princess Diaries 2 (although, if you must know I liked that fluff film.) This is an adventurous take on some prince and princess clichés.

Up until now I had only read Sherwood Smith's Crown & Court Duel, but that was enough to cement her into my list of favorite authors. What I love about her, is that although I'm indulged with all my favorite elements in fiction, I'm still confronted with practical girls, who although wish for romance, know the duties they must face to protect things in life that are bigger than themselves.

Enter Rhis, princess of the small kingdom of Nym known for its mountains and gems. It's such a small kingdom they don't hold court or do that many social activities. She loves to spend her time in her tower playing her tiranthe and writing ballads. She feels no pressure to apply herself in her studies as she is not the heir, and will not grow up to be a royal mage like her sister. Before applying herself she wants to undergo an adventure and a bit of romance. Well lucky for her Queen Briath from a neighboring kingdom has invited all the eligible princesses to her son Lios coming of age party. So Rhis gets a chance to practice courtly behavior as well as be an ambassador for her own kingdom.

Income all the princesses who have hopes of snagging the prince and a series of parties, picnics, dances and all sorts of fun. Rhis finds herself making friends with such interesting characters. There is Taniva of the High Plains whose idea of fun is fighting with her neighboring enemy Jarvas of Damatras.Then there is Shera from Gensam who can't help but flirt with every boy she sees. Yuzhyu of the Isle of Ndai who is sort of left out of everything despite being the princes cousin, and the mysterious and charming Dandiar the princes personal scribe. The characters are really fleshed out, and the ones we end up hating we find out the reason they became that way.

But when Iardith the most beautiful princess (albeit also the most ill-mannered princess), who the girls can't help but dislike ends up being abducted the girls set out to bring her back. This is definitely a girl power sort of book, because although the girls all want the prince they discover more important things like friendship and self worth. That no one can really be overlooked, because everyone has value. And that falling in love isn't just about looks, but heart and mind. I know the cover is sort of cheesy, but don't let that get in the way. Sherwood Smith makes awesome characters who are practical when necessary but always fun.

If you've ever watched the Disney movies and dreamt of being a princess, and who hasn't, then you'll wish that Disney would tell this story of a princess who isn't all about "the prince." :) I absolutely loved this book and read it all in one sitting. Rhis is a princess from a small kingdom who is invited to a party along with all the other princesses so that Crown Prince Lios can meet them all. Although she's only 16 years old she has the maturity of an older girl and discovers that having fun isn't all about 'the boy' (although she hopes for the "boulder on the head" love moment) but is found in the people you're with and just enjoying yourself. But when the most beautiful, and most obnoxious, princess at the party is kidnapped she and her friends take off to the rescue. What follows is a fantastic adventure and a story where falling in love is about getting to know yourself as well as the person you think you love. I loved this book and would recommend it for my 13-year old goddaughter - and also her mom. It's a sweet story that I think will appeal to readers of all ages.

One of my favorite things to do when I was young was go to the library. I loved the crinkle of the plastic covers over the books and the smell of the pages when I opened a book and prepared to dive into its adventures for the first time. I even loved the overly used part of the pages, the fingerprints and stains because those told stories to me in addition to the words that were printed on the page.

One of my favorite types of stories to read were stories of princesses and adventures. What little girl didn't go through a princess phase?

A Posse of Princesses would have been a perfect addition to those books I frantically checked out. Even though I'd never read this story as a girl, as I opened my library copy of this book I was transported back to a time when "happily ever after" was something I believed in with all my heart and where princesses really could be strong, kind, wise and fun.

Now, before I talk about the awesome Rhis from the kingdom of Nym, let me just say that ... the cover for this book is horrible. Seriously, just look past it and listen to me when I say that this is a princess story you want your daughters reading.

Every kind of princess is represented here. They all gather together for a "Cinderella" type of weekend in which they are to woo the most eligible prince, the Crown Prince of Vesarja. While the plot is a big predictable, the antics of Rhis and her friends had me laughing out loud and remembering just how much I loved these types of stories as a young girl.

I loved the ending of this book the most. In a world of young adult books that give instant gratification to the heroine, Rhis is treated differently. Sherwood Smith approached the ending with a unique, but perfect solution and I applaud her for providing a great example of patience and maturity to girls today.

Grab this book and start reading folks. See if you are inspired to remember some of your favorite books and reading memories as well.