Book Review: The False Princess

The False Princess
by Eilis O'Neal
336 Pages - Hardcover
Published January 25th 2011 by EgmontUSA (first published July 13th 2010)
ISBN: 1606840797 (ISBN13: 9781606840795)
Source: Bought

Summary:

Princess and heir to the throne of Thorvaldor, Nalia's led a privileged life at court. But everything changes when it's revealed, just after her sixteenth birthday, that she is a false princess, a stand-in for the real Nalia, who has been hidden away for her protection. Cast out with little more than the clothes on her back, the girl now called Sinda must leave behind the city of Vivaskari, her best friend, Keirnan, and the only life she's ever known.

Sinda is sent to live with her only surviving relative, an aunt who is a dyer in a distant village. She is a cold, scornful woman with little patience for her newfound niece, and Sinda proves inept at even the simplest tasks. But when Sinda discovers that magic runs through her veins - long-suppressed, dangerous magic that she must learn to control - she realizes that she can never learn to be a simple village girl.

Returning to Vivaskari for answers, Sinda finds her purpose as a wizard scribe, rediscovers the boy who saw her all along, and uncovers a secret that could change the course of Thorvaldor's history, forever.

A dazzling first novel, The False Princess is an engrossing fantasy full of mystery, action, and romance.

Review:

I really loved this book. The summary doesn't really give anything that much about the story. I only knew firsthand that the protagonist is a false princess and that she is a wizard. Other than that, I had no idea what this book is all about. That's why I was really surprised when the main problem in the story was revealed. I could swear my face lit like a bulb when I read about it. I practically bounced on my seat in an omgomgomgomgomg kind of way. It has a really unpredictable plot with a lot of adventure, magic and mystery and twists and turns that kept me at the edge of my seat. There is only a little romance but I don't think this will bother romance-loving readers, because Sinda and Kiernan's relationship here is absolute. There are a couple of obstacles to what they have, but I think the readers will be able to foresee that these two are meant to be and supposed to be together.

I really like Kiernan. He is friendly to everyone, loyal and very endearing. I didn't like Sinda's character at first, though. Even though she was raised like a real princess, she is really weak and painfully shy. Even when she was told to leave the palace and stay at her dyer aunt whom she never met, she obliged without so much as a word. She accepted what she has become with no complains even though deep inside her, there is nothing she would rather be than to be in the palace and with her best friend, Kiernan.

If you think about it, one should be impressed by Sinda; that although she doesn't know anything other than to be a princess, she still quickly accepted her new life as the niece of a simple dyer. And never even uttered a single complaint about it. But the fact that she could have done something about it, but is too weak to make it happen is rather very disappointing.

However, as the story moved forward, Sinda continued to grow and grow until she became this strong-willed girl that is full of determination, who ached to tell the rest of the world that she is worth way more than just a discarded false princess. I, myself, am very surprised to see her grow so much. And the great thing about this is that you could see her growth bit by bit.

I think the only predictable part in the book is the ending. I would have been disappointed, but it was just so cute! And it doesn't border on cheesy, trust me. But anyway, I think that a happy ending is something to be expected since this is a fairy tale book. Besides, the journey is what's really important here. So really, there is nothing I could ask for more. Of the ending, I mean. But for the author, I have a few questions for her that she will be answering tomorrow, so watch out for it. :)

Rating: 5/5 stars!