Customer Reviews

Sweet Sixteen Princess (Princess Diaries, Vol. 7 1/2)

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Mia, Princess of Genovia, is about to turn sixteen. The last thing she wants is a sweet sixteen birthday party, but it seems like that's the only thing her friends can talk about. While Mia is worried about how to get the administration at Albert Einstein High School to go less on the structured athletics and more on the personal exercise and health regimen, her best friend Lilly is still steaming over being passed up for her own show on MTV.

While Lilly stews over Andy Milonakis getting the spot instead, and her parents being separated, and waiting for her boyfriend, J.P., to use the L word, Mia is wondering what type of scheme Grandmere could possibly be concocting for her sixteenth birthday. Because although Lilly seems to think a sweet sixteen blow-out party is in order, Mia would rather have a nice, private dinner with her boyfriend, Michael, to celebrate the occasion.

And then comes the news--not only is Grandmere planning a sweet sixteen party, but she's planning the mother of all parties. Private jet to Genovia for Mia and one hundred of her closest friends (does she even know one hundred people?), shopping at all the swanky boutiques, even a performance by Destiny's Child to cap off the night. Oh, and it's going to be taped for the MTV reality show, My Super Sweet Sixteen, renamed for one night as My Super ROYAL Sweet Sixteen.

No, no, and no. Mia wants no part of this scheme, which she's sure was dreamed up by Lilly. As her friendships are strained over her decision not to take Grandmere up on her offer, Mia learns a few things about friendship, family, and loyalty to the country she will one day rule.

The Princess Diaries continues to be a delightful, enjoyable series, and SWEET SIXTEEN PRINCESS is another great read. The only downside? It took me only fifteen minutes to read this installment, which left me slightly disappointed.

Get ready for Sweet Sixteen, Princess Mia style. Everyone has an opinion about what that big event should include, but no one seems willing to listen to Mia herself. Lilly wants her to outdo the big party Lana had on a yacht with helicopter rides. Mia's Grandmere, the Queen, would like her birthday to involve jetting 100 of her friends over to Genovia for an all-expense paid shopping and sporting weekend, which will be filmed for an MTV reality show called "My Super Royal Sweet Sixteen." This is the very last thing Mia would possibly want.

But Mia has other concerns. As Student Council President, she is asking the PTA for stationary bikes and other fitness equipment for a program for all students. This is meeting with no success.

When Michael asks her what she wants for her birthday, she requests a nice romantic dinner and maybe for him to make her something. He is so busy each weekend trying to spend time with both of his now separated parents that she hardly sees him. Mia also mentions wanting to ice skate in Rockefeller Center, which she knows is impossible on May 1st, but as long as he's asking...

As Lilly continues to bug Mia about having a big celebration, Mia realizes that this is really about what happened last year at her 15th birthday party. That was when Lilly made out in a closet with a boy who was not her boyfriend, right in front of her boyfriend! Lilly wants this year to be special for Mia because she still feels bad about that. So Mia, in a fit of exasperation, tells Lilly that she will be forgiven for last year if and only if she tells her new boyfriend, J.P., that she loves him. J.P. is mysterious around Lilly even though they go on dates, and Mia and her other girlfriends want Lilly to try to provoke him into passion. Mia thinks Lilly will never bare her soul to him with the L word, but she is tired of Lilly bugging her.

When the big day arrives, Mia enjoys some time with her family, opening presents and watching Kellie Martin TV movies, before getting herself ready for what she thinks will be a quiet dinner with Michael. But he has a few surprises planned for her as well.

Fans will enjoy the humor and plot surprises in this short novel, while waiting for the next one in this fun series.

--- Reviewed by Amy Alessio

Mia Thermopolis - Princess of Genovia - is basically dreading her Sweet Sixteen. After all, the fiasco that Lilly Moscovitz - her best friend - caused at her last birthday party - playing Seven Minutes In Heaven with a busboy right in front of her then-boyfriend, Boris - has scarred her for life, and left her wary of future parties thrown in her honor. Which is why, much to her friends chagrin, she declines to allow anyone to throw her a Sweet Sixteen Bash - with or without her consent. However, Grandmere has other ideas. Being the publicity monger that she is, she sets Mia up with a gig to be on MTV's hit TV show MY SUPER SWEET SIXTEEN. A show that will chronicle the preparations for Mia's unwanted Sweet 16, only it will be titled MY SUPER ROYAL SWEET SIXTEEN, in honor of the fact that Mia is, indeed, a royal. When Mia gets wind of Grandmere's absurd idea, she lets loose, and instantly blames Lilly for getting her into this mess. After all, it's Lilly who will do anything to increase the viewership of her cable access television show LILLY TELLS IT LIKE IT IS. And what better way to one-up over-the-hill star, Andy Milonakis, then by beating him at his own game by appearing on MTV herself. Now, Mia must find a way to get through to her friends - and deranged family members - in an attempt to get out of being forced into a TV show that questions her morals - and will make her look like an idiot in front of millions of people - before the big day arrives.

In the world of teen fiction, Meg Cabot is the Queen Bee. Thrusting her hip, down-to-earth dialogue at the masses as they grapple to get their very own copy of her newest release - in this case, SWEET SIXTEEN PRINCESS. After years of reading about the trials and tribulations of Mia Thermopolis' life, finally she hits the big 1-6. She's legally able to drive. To drink in European countries. And to have the time of her life. Cabot has kept us up to speed with everything Mia throughout the years, and the release of SWEET SIXTEEN PRINCESS only makes die-hard fans love her even more. An ideal gift for any Princess who is celebrating her Sweet Sixteen, or for those who can't get enough of the addicting MTV TV show MY SUPER SWEET SIXTEEN. SWEET SIXTEEN PRINCESS will tickle your nose like bubbles in champagne, and leave you giggling through the night.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

I'm not going to go over the plot with you,I'm just here to tell you what I like and dislike. What I like? That's easy. Meg Cabot has once again outdone herself with this novel. Like I said, I'm not going to go over the plot, so you will have to read it or wonder for the rest of your life(okay, exaggeration). Dislikes: Just one. IT IS NINETY-SIX PAGES! I know, I know. Book 4 1/2 was fifty pages. What is the problem here? I'll tell you: This isn't a in-between book. It is supposed to be equivalent to 150 page novels previously written by Meg Cabot. Not to mention the fact that 4 1/2 had pretty much NO plot, whereas this one has a real setting, story, and more than ten characters.
That is all I have to say. Oh, yeah, one more thing:
READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This book was great! Meg Cabot really outdid herself. However, I wish it were longer. There is certainly enough plot, but only 96 pages? Really.
All in all, I would say it is a great book. You would be best getting it at a public library, because for $9, you only get 96 pages[hardcover].

Happy Birthday Mia!
Sixteen years old now, but she doesn't want a huge party. She just wants a night alone with Michael, which doesn't happen often with her being a princess and all. But Grandmere tries to get her on a special episode of My Super Sweet Sixteen.
How will she get a night alone with Michael? HOW! This was a sweet, short book that makes me ache for the next one.

WARNING SPOILERS*****************************

Mia's 16th birthday is coming up, and all she wants is a romantic getaway with her boyfriend, Michael.

One day while she visits her grandmother at the Plaza hotel, she learns that her grandmother has secretly signed Mia up to be on MTV's "Super sweet sixteen!" Mia's grandmother has decided that Mia will invite 100 of her friends to a weekend trip to Genovia where the girls will get a luxury shopping trip and the boys will go on a water skiing trip. When Mia learns of this, she freaks out and decides to cancel the party.

On the day of Mia's birthday it seems that she has got her wish, Michael is taking Mia out for her birthday, but it's not as Mia planned.

Well, another wonderful princess diaries book from Meg Cabot. I just love these little 90 page books that are published maybe twice a year.

I won't delve into the plot, since many other reviewers have already done so. Instead, I'll say that Mia is progressively coming into her own, as this installment proves. She may be nervous addressing parents and school officials, but finally she has learned to emphatically lay down the law with her friends, something she certainly had trouble with at the beginning of this series. However, I found it frustrating that the book was over so quickly, especially at full cover price. I highly suggest you purchase a used copy if you don't have lots of money to burn.

SPOILER!
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I also wonder if this book is setting up a possible future romance between Mia and another guy...

This is a very short story about Mia's 16th birthday. It is very cute and filled with lots of moments between Michael and Mia that make you feel warm and fuzzy. Very Cute!!

Short novella about Mia's 16th birthday, her grandmere's attempts to film it for MTV, her best friend's craziness, and issues with her boyfriend. Just another day for Mia. Short, sweet, fluff book that reminds me why this series continues to be a guilty pleasure. Grade: B+