An adorable story

This is a sweet middle-grade read. A bit predictable, but pre-teens should find themselves engrossed in the tale. Adventure and magic with exiled wizards, a courageous knight, and a misunderstood princess. ( )

Note: This review is not in conjunction with The Review Board.

This is a wonderful contemporary story for young audiences. The tempo of the action was so steady that I felt sad when the adventure came to an end. The author's visuals involving the ball, the tournament, and the different locations were striking, and the richness of the cover in the front made me yearn for illustrations in the book to really strike a balance between art and text.

There were slight opportunities here and there for punctuation and misspelling, plus formatting and spacing abnormalities, but nothing that deterred me from the read.

I found King Theodore to be a tough but just king and could relate to his dedication to duty. Although at times Madeline came across as spoiled, I understood how resistant she was at not having a clear choice as it pertained to a mate. Daniel was absolutely alluring, and I cheered they would find their way to each other, even with this path and other elements of the story being predictable.

Other characters, like Madeline's twin brother and best friend, didn't seem to have a very strong role, but hopefully it is because they will have more of a presence in the other books in this series.

Great story, attractive pace, and rich conflict awards this a 4 out of 5 Stars!
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A wonderful contemporary tale set in a fantasy realm.

I was immediately engaged, entertained, and found it easy to keep reading straight through, from start to finish. Kirstin Pulioff authored a highly relevant story of a young woman's life with a single parent. Though its setting is medieval or high-fantasy, the story delves into the dynamics of a single parent upbringing, from a teenager's point of view. A very contemporary read with lessons and a message to young teens trying to find their way in today's world.

Princess Madeline faces some harsh truths about growing up. She's rebellious against her father's authority and direction of her life. She makes a foolish, brave escape, hoping for freedom from her father's control. Instead, she has turned the entire kingdom on its head, and risked her own life in the process.

This is a story of decisions, consequences, and responsibilities. Madeline and her father, the King, both learn that what matters most in all the world is keeping our loved ones close.

Highly recommended. And I am on to the next installment, The Battle for Princess Madeline!

**I recieved a copy of this novella for purposes of an honest review.
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Princess Madeline lives in the fairy tale kingdom of Soron, with a loving father and twin brother, Braden, a castle of servants at her beck and call, a charmed and pampered existence … and yet, she is not happy. For one thing, her father King Theodore has decided that at the ball to celebrate her sixteenth birthday, a suitor will be chosen for her. This indignity totally offends Madeline who is quite capable of making her own decisions. She wants freedom, independence, the ability to make her own choices, and—very importantly—to choose her future husband for herself. The only thing to do is run away; desperate measures for sure, but a drastic situation calls for an equally drastic response. Her disappearance throws the castle and indeed the whole kingdom into total turmoil, with Knight Daniel, her champion and protector, setting off to find her. Various princely suitors (mostly unsuitable!), but eager to court favour with the king, also set off on their own missions to retrieve the princess. Madeline, however brave she feels inside, is completely unprepared for life in the real world. Her inexperience and ignorance land her in the clutches of brigands. Daniel, meanwhile, has done the unforgivable; he has approached the wizards, now banished from the kingdom, for their help. Will he find Madeleine in time? Have the wizards betrayed him? And why is the creepy Prince Paulsen so interested in saving Madeleine?

This is a traditional fairy tale with a realistic twist. The princess does start out as a bit spoiled, but a few nights on her own, braving brigands and an inhospitable environment soon shake her up. Parents reading this will smile at the part where Madeline deeply regrets giving up what she had for what she thought she wanted: isn’t that what life is all about? This is a life lesson in a dynamic package as she comes to terms with her own selfish desires versus what her responsibilities as future princess would be. She also realises how much pain she has caused those who love her. The author’s strength lies in wonderful, rich descriptions that entice all the readers’ senses. From the opulence of the palace, to the terrors of the forest, to the magicality and enchantment of the wizard realm, the readers will experience it first-hand. Although the story seems simple, there is a strong back history that no doubt comes into play with the subsequent books. There is also a strong hint that certain people are not who they appear to be. I would have liked a more detailed back history, instead of a prologue to create Soron’s past and delve deeper into King Theodore’s painful memories. I hope this is developed more in the following books. Charming, and with enough fairy tale elements to satisfy young readers, this book sets a nice beginning for the Princess Madeleine Trilogy. ( )

Review of The escape of Princess Madeline.

Rating 5 stars

www.reviewoffantasy.com

The book was given to me from the author for an honest review.

Firstly this was just like sleeping beauty, snow white or little red riding hood. A fairy tale that our parents read to us before bed-time, maybe the escape of Princess Madeline is the re-telling of a fairy-tale, I am not sure but just loved it, it made me feel like a child again. This is one to have on your fairy-tale book shelf.
Madeline a princess is being married off, but doesn’t want the life of a princess she wants adventure while her father pushes her harder into what is right for the Kingdom. At first Madeline rebels in small ways not wearing a dress laid out for her, being rude to guests but the King soon pushes too hard and Madeline escapes the Kingdom going on an unexpected adventure one she hadn’t exactly been dreaming about, she gets kidnapped by bandits.
Knights are dispatched to find Princess Madeline. Daniel is amongst them, the one who loves the princess not because of her status but because of the person she is.

The author takes us on a magical journey of the Kingdom with adventure and mostly love. An enchanting story one that all young girls “Princess’s” should read or even for some of us that never grew up. (Guilty)

Thank you for allowing me to read your work.

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