Sunday, December 06, 2009

Palace of Mirrors (MG)


Haddix, Margaret Peterson. 2008. Palace of Mirrors. Simon & Schuster. 304 pages.

Somewhere in the world I have a tiara in a little box. It is not safe for me to wear it. It is not safe for me to know where it is. It is not safe for me even to tell anyone who I really am.

Will the real 'true princess' please stand up?

Cecilia has grown up believing--knowing--that she is the true princess of the land. Her own 'Sir Stephen' a knight and a tutor has told her so. Why isn't she on the throne? Why isn't she ruling the land? Well, after her parents were murdered--leaving her an orphan of course--she was hidden away for her own good. She's grown up knowing another girl--now almost fully grown--has been living her life--living in the palace, in luxury, eating and wearing only the finest and best. While Cecilia has grown up in poverty--loved to be sure--with her Nanny and her best friend (who's a boy) Harper. (Yes, Harper plays the harp.) But when things begin to feel different, feel dangerous, Cecilia decides to leave (with her best good buddy at her side) the home she's known to set off on an adventure, a quest to win back her place on the throne. Will it be as easy as traveling to the capital city, requesting an audience with the princess, and telling her openly and honestly announcing that she's the real princess and would she [the other so-called princess] ever so kindly to step down now? What do you think?!

This one is a cute story, a light story. It's enjoyable enough. I was expecting a little bit more maybe. But I did like it.

© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

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