Bibliography: George, Jessica Day. (2010). Princess of Glass. New York: Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books. ISBN: 9781599904788
Plot Summary: After the curse that forces Poppy and her sisters to dance night after night in Princess of the Midnight Ball was broken, she decides she has had enough of dancing and balls, thank you very much. When she travels to Breton to help rebuild relationships and alliances, she gives in to her hosts and agrees to attend a ball or two but not to dance. If anyone could persuade her otherwise, it might be the charming and handsome Prince Christian, but he seems to have eyes only for the mysterious Eleanora, whose gowns dazzle and shoes of glass sparkle. But what is Eleanora giving up for such magnificent beauty? Poppy and her friends are determined to find out.
Critical Analysis: This companion to George’s Princess of the Midnight Ball is charming, romantic, witty and lots of fun. A retelling of the Cinderella story with a twist that one of the main characters has given up dancing. The plot and packing seems to move faster than Midnight Ball, and if I have one quibble, it is that because Poppy is for the most part outside of the enchantment until the very end, the story does not have the same sense of urgency and danger that the first book has. That being said, so refreshing to read a fantasy that doesn’t feel the need to go on and on and on for hundreds and hundreds of pages for no real reason.
I love the world that George has built, the details of a fairy godmother is anything but an old grandmotherly type, the description of the ball gowns, how the glass slippers came about, the horse and carriage and everything add to this magic world where things are not always what they seem. I am excited for the thought that there are many more of Rose and Poppy’s sisters left for George to use as a basis to retell still more fairy tales and to continue to build this world.
Readalikes: There are many wonderful Cinderella retellings available. Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine comes to mind, as does Ash by Malinda Lo. For another view of the fairy godmother, look for Godmother: The Secret Cinderella Story by Carolyn Turgeon.
Review Excerpts: “In a clever reworking of the Cinderella story, George once again proves adept at spinning her own magical tale. Fans of Donna Jo Napoli’s retellings will cheer loudly as George proves her own mettle.”–Booklist
Reviewed from publisher provided advanced copy. Amazon Affiliate: If you click from here to Amazon and buy something, I receive a percentage of the purchase price.
