Title: A True Princess
Author: Diane Zahler [website]
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Harper Teen
Format: Paperback
Source: Publisher
Parental Advisory: alcohol, kidnapping
Teachable Moments: courageousness, loyalty, freedom of choice, navigating class structure.

“He turned once more to us, and I could see the question play across his face as he searched his ancient memory for the answer.  But he did not reply.  Instead he began to laugh, and his courtiers, his daughter, and her ladies laughed with him as they disappeared into the trees, gone in an instant, as if they had never existed.”

Summary:
Twelve-year old Lilia must save her best friend, Kai, from a terrible enchantment caused by their perilous encounter with the Elf-King and his beautiful daughter.  Now the only way for Lilia to break the spell is to find a mysterious jewel of ancient power hidden somewhere in the North Kingdom.  But the jewel will not be easy to find.  The castle where it lies is caught up in a different kind of search — the search for a true princess.

Opinion:
The perfect entry for middle-schoolers into the realm of fantasy literature, A True Princess was a fun and fantastical romp through the forests and kingdoms skirting a magical elfin land.  A fairytale re-telling of The Princess and the Pea, Zahler amps the action up with an empowered teenage girl on a magical road trip where she realizes her first true love and discovers that she may be more than she seems.

In Lilia, girls have a strong role model from which to learn the values of loyalty and bravery.  As a young sheperdess and maid she resigns herself daily to the loss of her true family with dignity.  Though seemingly enslaved by a wicked step-mothers she endures her lowly station and finds happiness in the cherishing of the bond she’s built with her adoptive parent’s children.  Sadly, one day, in an effort to avoid being sold into a loveless marriage and servitude she runs away in the middle of the night.  Hoping to find her real parents, or at least make her own way in the world, she sets off towards kingdoms unknown.

Not alone for long she is quickly joined by her two siblings Kai and Karina, both of whom want to get away from the wicked step-mother as well.  Their journey is perilous and fraught with danger at every turn.  There are sword-fights and scary passages through mystical woods filled with vicious creatures.  Nevermind the difficulty of navigating the social and class structures that come along with being in the presence of royalty.

Zahler has done a fantastic job with the characters in A True Princess.  Lilia is a straightforward and honest girl who is looking for nothing more than the opportunity to live the life she chooses.  Moreover she’s a dedicated and supportive friend to her siblings putting their happiness and safety before her own on more occasions than not.  Despite being unsure of the outcomes she has no difficulty putting herself in danger to ensure the safety and security of the people she loves.   I found the secondary characters were well fleshed out as well.  I was happy with the focus paid on Kai and Karina as well as the two families from which Lilia came.  Their presence and actions reinforced Lilia’s story in the perfect way.  Even though there wasn’t a great deal of time spent in the presence of the Elf King himself he provided a constant air of mystery and foreboding needed to keep the tale going.

Zahler has also crafted a wonderful plot.  Action packed from the start there was very little room for boredom.  At no time did I feel like I was looking for more out of the story.  I can see where children looking for a fun fantasy tale would embrace and read through this book in one sitting.  It was focused enough to keep attention but had enough twists and turns to excite and enthrall.  A fast and entertaining read A True Princess is a good book for lovers of fairytales with a twist.