Monday, July 12, 2010

Book Review: Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George


Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George
Publisher: BloomsburyUSA Children's Books
Publish Date: May 25, 2010
Hardcover, 257 pages


My Review:
Princess of Glass is a delightful fairy-tale with a twist from Jessica Day George. It's the second book in what I am guessing is a series (there are a bunch of sisters).

I thoroughly enjoyed Princess of Glass.  Poppy was a very interesting character along with Christian and of course Ellen.  I also enjoyed the secondary character of Marianne who Poppy is staying with and who becomes fast friends with Poppy and Christian.  I especially love Poppy's spirit, she's not the typical princess of the times, she likes to try new things and doesn't back down from how she feels.  She doesn't let her title make her who she is, she makes herself who she is.  She is a great character who shows love and compassion even when it is difficult and I really enjoyed reading about her.

One of the things I really liked about the book is I never did see where it was going.  I knew Ellen was going to play a part and it was a "wicked twist on Cinderella", but I wasn't sure what was going to happen until it did.  And when the plot really gets going it never stops.  I loved reading every word of this book and it reads quickly.   It was intriguing, there is some romance, there is a wicked fairy godmother and several interesting characters.  What more can you ask for in a young adult book?

I will be seeking out Princess of the Midnight Ball now because I want to more more about this family, but I think enough was covered in Princess of Glass so that you don't have to read Princess of the Midnight Ball to read Princess of Glass.  I never felt lost in the book, just intrigued to learn more.  So check Princess of Glass out, it is a thoroughly delightful young adult read for the young and the older alike.


My Rating: 4.75/5.0

About the Book:
The engrossing companion novel to Princess of the Midnight Ball, with a wicked twist on Cinderella.

Hoping to escape the troubles in her kingdom, Princess Poppy reluctantly agrees to take part in a royal exchange program, whereby young princes and princesses travel to each other’s countries in the name of better political alliances—and potential marriages. It’s got the makings of a fairy tale—until a hapless servant named Eleanor is tricked by a vengeful fairy godmother into competing with Poppy for the eligible prince. Ballgowns, cinders, and enchanted glass slippers fly in this romantic and action-packed happily-ever-after quest from an author with a flair for embroidering tales in her own delightful way.

About the Author:
Jessica Day George is the author of Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow, Dragon Slippers, and its sequel, Dragon Flight. Originally from Idaho, she studied at Brigham Young University and lived in Delaware and New Jersey before settling down in Salt Lake City, Utah. She had been a movie store clerk, librarian, bookseller, and school office lady before she got her big break. Jessica lives with her husband, their young son, and a five-pound Maltese named Pippin in a house that needs to be vacuumed much too often.

Her website


FTC Information: I received this book through Traveling ARC Tours for review.  I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws.  I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.

Once Upon a Read-A-Thon Start


So today starts the Once Upon a Read-a-Thon hosted by Pure Imagination, Reading Angel and Candace's Book Blog.  It's today through Wednesday.  Now I can't quite get as much reading done during a weekday readathon, but I am going to try to do as much as I can and have fun.  I'll also be following the #readathon hashtag on twitter.  I'll post daily updates and a final update on Thursday.

I already have 45 minutes in this morning reading while on the Treadmill.  It's easiest to read hard backs on the treadmill so I started The Van Alen Legacy by Melissa de la Cruz and it's great so far.  I'm about 75 pages in.

Some other books I plan on reading are:

Running from the Devil by Jamie Freveletti
Running Dark by Jamie Freveletti
The Island by Elin Hilderbrand
Inner Circle by Kate Brian

Running from the Devil  Running Dark: A Novel  The Island: A Novel  Inner Circle (Private, Book 5)The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods, Book 4)

And really whatever else catches my fancy.  I expect to read 2-3 books during this time.  I'm looking forward to seeing how everyone else does as well!


It's Monday What Are You Reading - July 12


Come post weekly and see what others are reading too just so you can add to your tbr - I always do! For more information see Sheila at One Persons Journey Through a World of Books and join in!

Books Completed Last Week 
    Reading Now:
    • The Dead Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan (audible at work)
    • Cross Bones by Kathy Reichs (audiobook in car)
    • The Island by Elin Hildenbrand (review) 
    • The Van Alen Legacy by Melissa de la Cruz (library)
    Next:
    • Next Time I'm Gonna Dance by Linda Rettstatt
    • The Passage by Justin Cronin
    • Amanda Memories by Joel Gecht
    Reviews completed this week (books read before this week):

    Summary -
    Great reading week again this week, I read some really good books, no duds at all this week.  Working out is still yielding a lot of reading time and that is great - getting exercise and reading together work great for me.

    Favorite book of the week:  Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel (review coming towards the end of the month) and The Tension of Opposites was wonderful as well.

    Check my sidebar, I'm giving away a copy of The Tension of Opposites by Kristina McBride, this one has been receiving great buzz and I'm enjoying it so far.