When a storm brings the dashing Prince Richard to her family's farm, Violet falls in love at first sight. Richard also gives Violet his heart, but he knows marriage is destined to be an affair of the state, not of passion. For the kind and queen have devised a contest to determine who will win their son's hand in marriage.
To be reunited with her prince, Violet must compete against princesses from across the land. It will take all of her wits--and a little help from an unexpected source--if Violet is to demonstrate the depth of her character and become Richard's bride.
Wow! This was a quick read! Brought it with me to work and didn't have a backup with me since I finished another book prior to this! Luckily, I only had two hours of boredom!! A long long time ago, in an old bookstore known as Borders, I came across this delightfully fabulous series that was later dubbed "Once Upon a Time" series. In it were several books, more coming along the way, that retold famous fairy tales! Being a lover of all things fairy tale I decided to give it a try and fell in love with each and every book I've read. Turns out the series went longer than I thought, so I've only read about half! Might have to add the other half to my TBR mountain, although it may be hard finding the older, yet more gorgeous covers.
Okay, after that little spiel, onto the review! Debbie Viguie has written a few of these wonderful books and this was the last one she wrote. Violet Eyes (not to be confused with another book called exactly the same thing that is nearly as old, if not older, that had nothing to do with fairy tales) is a retelling of The Princess and the Pea, and while this story is different from the original tale, there are still many constant themes and whatnot that remain true to the classic!
Violet is a farm girl and when her family aids Prince Richard one night after a storm, they nurse him back to health and Violet and Richard find themselves fast falling in love--a trait that remains true to the fairy tales! But Richard must marry a princess--sounds like Disney's Aladdin--and Violet is clearly not so. He sadly returns to the palace, wishing things could be different.
Little does he or Violet know, that Violet may in fact be a princess! Her parents turn out to be adopted parents, having received this little bundle of joy seventeens years ago, the night of what they would soon learn as the attack and murder of the previous rulers of Cambria. There's a bit of "history" in the story that talks of a war between Cambria and Lore, but it doesn't get too history textbook like, just simply says there was a war and that the royal family had been killed, with the baby girl presumed dead or missing.
Needless to say, Violet's world is turned upside down! She hurries to the castle in order to take part in the "princess competition" that the whole kingdom knows about. This contest featuring several princesses will result with the true princess. Much like the original fairy tale, yet here there are more tests and challenges. Although, she does arrive at the castle during a thunderstorm and is quite soaked upon arrival!
Violet, having only recently learned that she is a princess, isn't too sure of herself with the challenges. She feels like she isn't capable of passing them since she was raised on a farm and these tests seem more fitting to find the most delicate of princesses, and Violet knows she is anything but that.
Along the way she does befriend a few of the princesses. And I can't help but wonder, if the daring Arianna is supposed to somehow be connected to Debbie's Scarlet Moon, another retelling in this series, as she is truly in love with a man from her kingdom. They say he's a werewolf, but Arianna says he's the son of "former" werewolf. So yes, it definitely had my head spinning!
This is truly a delightful series to read! Each book is just magical for you get to read a beloved fairy tale only revamped! I am happy to say that Violet's final challenge does relate more to the actual fairy tale, but again there is still an interesting twist to it!
Violet was an admirable heroine in this read. She is a princess, yet she wasn't raised to be one. So she is more spunky and fun! She's also more caring and considerate than most princesses, yet the princesses she grows to befriend are quite similar in the caring and considerate sense. Except for one who wasn't really a friend to begin with anyway.
Overall this was a highly enjoyable read! I love fairy tales and these retellings are incredibly entertaining reads! What I love most is how these novels stay true to the original, yet still have its own spice to it! And naturally, if you've read any fairy tale, you know that our princess and her prince lived happily ever after.
Sorry, I could not resist ending my review with that little line!
Overall rating 5/5 stars
I also loved this book! :D It was so much fun and I haven't read a retelling about The princess and the pea before. There are some disappointing books in this series, but this one was definitely very entertaining and cute. Great review!
ReplyDeleteMel@thedailyprophecy.