Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George

Genre: Fairytale Retelling

Publication Date: May 2010

One Word Review: Great

Author Website: www.jessicadaygeorge.com

First Line: “When someone knocked on the bedroom door, Poppy nearly leaped right off the bed.”

GoodReads Synopsis: 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.

Kathy’s Review: Loved it! This was an interesting take on the Cinderella story, told from the perspective of Poppy, Christian and Eleanora. I’m thinking Eleanora is supposed to be the “Cinderella” character, but the main characters are really Poppy and Christian. I loved both, they were fun to read and I enjoyed their relationship. Poppy is a fun and unique heroine. She is a bit of a tom-boy, but is striving to be a little more lady like. She doesn’t take any gruff from people and jumps in to help when she sees her friends in trouble. Christian was also a great leading man, even when he was “enchanted” with Ella his feeling for Poppy kept him grounded. I hope I haven’t given away too much there. This is a sequle/companion to Princess of the Midnight Ball, it could probably stand on its own, but I would recommend reading them in order.

The story unfolded smoothly, was well paced, and full of surprises. Day was able to mix in common elements of the Cinderella story while still creating a very unique and enjoyable version. I think Day is an amazing author and I love her books, I truly hope there will be many more!

Bookworm Rating: 5

Reading Order:
Book One: Princess of the Midnight Ball
Book Two: Princess of Glass

Dragon Spear by Jessica Day George

Genre: YA Fiction

Author Site: www.jessicadaygeorge.com

First Line: “It’s a bucket of sand,” I said.

One Word Review: Fun

Book Synopsis: "As far as Creel is concerned, all is finally right with the world. The dragon king, Shardas, and his queen, Velika, have made a home for themselves on the Far Islands, and for the first time in centuries it seems dragons and humans might be able to live together in peace. So what better time for Creel and Luka to plan their wedding? But when Velika is kidnapped, Creel and Luka will join Shardas on their most dangerous mission yet-- only to discover that the real enemy may be one of their own. and if dangerous new foes and volcanic eruptions weren't enough to throw off the wedding, add in a bushel of unwanted relations and a little accident involving not one but two wedding gowns, and Creel's dream wedding might be turning into a nightmare." -GoodReads

My Review:
This is the third book in the Dragon Trilogy, and probably my least favorite of the three. Don’t get me wrong, I actually enjoyed the story and thought it was a good book. It just didn’t capture me the way that Dragon Slippers did. It was a fun story, I loved being reunited with all my favorite characters again, and watch as they go through yet another unbeatable obstacle. I love Shardas and Velika, as well as many of the other dragons. George goes into a lot more detail about dragon history/culture that I thoroughly enjoyed. I am not usually a huge “dragon lover” but these books have converted me. I was glad to see Hagen (Creel’s brother) more in this book and think it would be awesome if George did a spin-off series with Hagen as our lead!

Cover Comments: I like the book covers, especially the dragons. However, they always make Creel out to be twelve, instead of 18+ that she actually is. I know this book is targeted to the juvenile audience, but I think all three can appeal to all age ranges and wish that they had depicted Creel a little older. Still cute covers though.

Reading Order:
Book One: Dragon Slippers
Book Two: Dragon Flight
Book Three: Dragon Spear

Other Reviews:
Always Something to Read

Dragon Flight by Jessica Day George

“In her last adventure, Creel talked her way out of a dragon’s clutches. Then she talked her way into a job as a seamstress, caught the eye of a prince, foiled a diabolical princess’s plans to take over a country, and, oh yes, was named Heroine of the Dragon Wars for her troubles. Now, with the Dragon Wars over, Creel is back to work as a seamstress. Business is steady and life is good, but it’s also a bit…dull. So when word comes that a bordering country has been training dragons for an imminent invasion, Creel throws herself into the line of duty again. After all, joining forces with dragons, rekindling a friendship with the prince who captured her heart, and maybe—just maybe—saving the day has got to be more fun than sewing dresses for some snooty duchess, right?”

I was pleasantly surprised when I received an email informing me that my copy of Dragon Flight had come in at the library. Luckily, my husband had to go into work today so I was able to curl up and continue the story of Creel and her dragon friends. I was a bit nervous to start, wondering if I would like it as much as the first, and was pleased when I started reading and things picked up right where we left off. The story was original and full of adventure. It was a great sequel and again draws you into the wonderful world of Feravel. Creel is charming as ever, and you fall in love with her best friend Marta. My only complaint is that the relationship between Creel and Luka is not used enough, or at least I didn’t feel like there was enough interaction between them. It’s said that they correspond through letter, and in some parts of the book they are together, but it felt a little lacking. I am very eager to read the third book and hope that Luke and Creel will be together more.

Book One: Dragon Slippers
Book Two: Dragon Flight
Book Three: Dragon Spear (released May 12, 2009)

Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George

“Many stories tell of damsels in distress who are rescued from the clutches of fire-breathing dragons by knights in shining armor and swept off to live happily ever after. Unfortunately, this is not one of those stories. True, when Creel’s aunt suggests sacrificing her to the local dragon, it is with the hope that a knight will marry Creel and that everyone (aunt and family included) will benefit handsomely. Yet it’s Creel who talks her way out of the dragon’s clutches. And it’s Creel who walks for days on end to seek her fortune in the king’s city with only a bit of embroidery thread and a strange pair of slippers in her possession. But even Creel could not have guessed the outcome of this tale. For in a country on the verge of war, Creel unknowingly possesses not just any pair of shoes, but a tool that could be used to save her kingdom…or destroy it.”

Fantastic! I absolutely loved this book and am a huge fan of Jessica George’s work. I am in eager anticipation of picking up the sequel to this book, Dragon Flight, as soon as possible. It’s been awhile since I stayed up late at night to finish a book, which I had to do for Dragon Slippers. I couldn’t sleep until I knew what happened. I am normally not a huge fan of dragons. I love fairy tales and fantasy novels, but for some reason I have never really liked dragon stories. This book has made me change my mind. I loved the dragons in this story; they had great personality and were presented in a new and refreshing view. As for our heroin Creel, I loved her. She was witty, smart, fun, and endearing. I just hated her name! I hate writing that, but I really didn’t love the name “Creel”. That sounded more like a name for a dragon then our heroine, I kind of nicknamed her CC in my mind (her full name is Creelisel Carlburn). And our young prince Luka was very likable, charming, and has a big heart. He and Creel have great chemistry, and although a romance wasn’t the main theme of the book, I’m hoping that something will develop in the rest of the trilogy. Everyone should read this book!

Book One: Dragon Slippers
Book Two: Dragon Flight
Book Three: Dragon Spear

Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George

“Princess Rose is the eldest of twelve sisters condemned to dance each night for the wicked King Under Stone in his palace deep within the earth. It is a curse that has haunted the girls since their birth—and only death will set them free. Then Rose meets Galen, a young soldier-turned-gardener with an eye for adventure and a resolve that matches her own, and freedom suddenly begins to seem a little less impossible. To defeat the king and his dark court, they will need one invisibility cloak, a black wool chain knit with enchanted silver needles, and the most critical ingredient of all—true love.”

This is my second Jessica Day George book, and I have to say I am definitely a fan. This is a retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses. It was full of mystery, magic, romance and intrigue. What first drew me to this book was the beautiful cover, and of course the fact that it was based on a fairy tale. I enjoyed that the story was told from a few different viewpoints, in that way we are really able to see and understand what is going on throughout the story. Galen is a great character, who is instantly likable and charming. I love a strong male hero who stays true to himself and is kind, has integrity and is brave. I equally liked Rose. She was smart and strong, yet not too strong to where she wasn’t believable. It was a very entertaining read, and I am looking forward to reading “Dragon Slippers”, which I think was George’s first book.

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George

“When a woodcutter’s daughter known simply as “the lass” agrees to accompany a great white bear to his castle, she believes she has made a wise decision. After all, the bear has promised her family untold riches in exchange for a year of the lass’s company. Although she is given every luxury, the lass feels more a prisoner than a guest, and it’s not long before her contentment turns to unease. One by one the servants disappear, and the lass suspects the bear knows more than he is telling. In her quest to learn the truth, the lass unwittingly set in motion a chain of events that take her on a windswept journey beyond the edge of the world, to fight for the man she has only just discovered is her true love.”

I was pleasantly surprised with this book. I had the opportunity to live in Norway for a summer so when I heard that this book was based on an old Norwegian fairytale (East of the Sun, West of the Moon) I couldn’t wait to start reading. Norway is truly a magical place, it was so easy to slip into the book and imagine the small cottage “the lass” lived in and also the palace out in the middle of a snowy nowhere. The story is reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, but very unique in its own way. The Lass and her faithful companion Rollo are endearing and although she makes mistakes along the way, causing more harm than good, you are always rooting for her and Isborn (the polar bear prince) to somehow find a way to be together. The reason why our heroin is known simply as “the lass” is because her mother basically didn’t love her; she was tired of having kids and decided not to give her ninth child a name. Early on she is eventually given a name, which we don’t find out until the end. Throughout the book it talks about her name or lack thereof so much that I thought something important would happen when she finally reveals her name…nope. Although that was a little disappointing it didn’t take away from the magic of the book. I loved it and recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good fairytale!