Customer Reviews

The Princess Diaries, Volumes I & II: Mia Tells It Like It Is (Princess Diaries)

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Though I am definitely several years past teenage-hood myself, I still like to read the occasional young-adult book, if for no other reason than to think back a few years when life problems were a lot more fun.

I picked up this edition, which combines both the first and second books of _The Princess Diaries_ series, last night for a bit of light reading and managed to finish the entire thing (400 some-odd pages) in less than a day. It's been ages since I've wanted to do that with a book. Both books were easy to read and extremely fun.

Mia Thermopolis is an average teenage girl. That is, until her dad shows up to tell her that she's next in line, after him, to rule a small European country. Things start happening pretty quickly after that as Mia comes to terms with who she is and how a Princess is supposed to act (thanks to on-going Princess Lessons with her Grandmere, the dowager Princess).

All of the characters, from Mia's austere Grandmere, to her slightly flaky Mom and over-the top best friend Lilly are well-drawn, believable and even likeable (each in different ways, of course). A good book can be based on one very strong character, but in my opinion the thing that makes a great book is an entire cast of wonderful characters. You will definitely find those within the pages of these books.

What really made me love both of the books so much, though, (even more than just a great cast of characters) was the humor. Ms. Cabot's writing is light and fresh and just what I've been needing for a bit of a pick me up. More often than not I found myself laughing out loud every few pages.

I look forward to reading the next books in the series and plan to also look up Ms. Cabot's other work. You should do the same, you won't be disappointed.

My daughter has enjoyed reading this book series. While some have objected to the frank subject matter, the truth is that it addresses the world our tweens and teens live in. It's honest and is probably comforting for many young girls to read, in that they discover others have the same feelings they do. Whether your girl agrees or disagrees with how Mia lives her life, this series can open opportunities for parents and their daughters to have honest discussions about the decisions teen girls must make.

This series of books, of which these are the first three, is entertaining and addictive. I found the character of Mia delightful in a neurotic-teenage-girl kind of way. (Please forgive my redundancy.) From the first I realized that my children were too young yet to enjoy this series - it is inappropriate for anyone pre-teen or younger - but after reading the entire series so far, I've decided that I don't want my children reading it even when they are older.

As the series progresses it deals with more and more serious issues in ways that I'm finding less and less responsible and moral. I can overlook the heavy-handed political bias but the moral prejudices worry me. The idea of virginity as anything worthy of saving is laughed at and the concept of waiting until marriage is considered ludicrous even by "silly," romantically deluded Mia. Worse, Mia's desire to keep sex as something special is shown as possibly destroying what is supposedly a healthy, potentially life-long, true-love relationship (even though at the point where she is considering having sex she is still under legal age).

For any parent who does NOT share the author's values, I would strongly recommend keeping your children and teens as far away from these books as possible. They are too engaging and enjoyable. With all the references to pop culture the world of these books feels like the "real" world, only lacking in any sort of common sense or traditional values as far as sexual and personal relationships are concerned. If you do not want your children confused by the supposedly "modern," hedonistic and self-centered attitudes these books take for granted as normal and proper, it is better not even to let them start reading the series. Once begun, it will be difficult to stop.