Wednesday, November 30, 2011

I Read This: The Princess Curse


Twelve princesses suffer from a puzzling (if silly) curse, and anyone who ends it will win a reward. Reveka, a sharp-witted and irreverent apprentice herbalist, wants that reward. But her investigations lead to deeper mysteries and a daunting choice—will she break the curse at the peril of her own soul? 


(Just say it - that cover is amazing!)

The book itself? Yes. It is quite good. Since this story fits the genre of novels I'm currently writing, I decided to pick up this fine debut from author Merrie Haskell to see what all the commotion was about.

And was my curiosity ever satisfied!

What's cool about it? The humor, Reveka is a model heroine, and the story is a unique take on The Twelve Dancing Princesses and Beauty and the Beast. So, yeah. I recommend this novel for anyone in the mood for a fairytale retelling and a young protagonist that rocks.

Click here for a shameless promotion.

I'm David, and Romanian creatures are creepy!

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27 comments:

  1. Kelley LynnNovember 30, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    Ooo, I do LOVE that cover! I've seen this on a few other blogs...might have to give it a shot :)

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  2. Robyn CampbellNovember 30, 2011 at 9:05 AM

    Oh man. What an excellent cover. It urges me to pick the book up and head to checkout. I gotta have it. *waving*

    Btw, you should develop your ideas into picture books. I'd love to read them. :-)

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  3. BrindaNovember 30, 2011 at 9:13 AM

    The cover is beautiful. Is it middle-grade or YA?

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  4. David P. KingNovember 30, 2011 at 9:17 AM

    Brinda - Technically it's MG, but it reads more like YA. So, adult MG, if that makes sense?

    Robyn - Thanks! I'll look into that. :)

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  5. Emily R. KingNovember 30, 2011 at 9:18 AM

    This sounds like a fun read. I'm all about putting a twist on fairy tales. Thanks for the referral!

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  6. Michael Offutt, Phantom ReaderNovember 30, 2011 at 9:19 AM

    That is a nice cover.

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  7. Jennie BennettNovember 30, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    That sounds like a great book! And I totally LOVE the cover :)

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  8. Jay NoelNovember 30, 2011 at 10:00 AM

    Herbalists make natural heroes.

    (Okay, sorry. I couldn't help being a little punny. Ouch. I mean funny)

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  9. Small Town Shelly BrownNovember 30, 2011 at 10:36 AM

    As a romanian creature, I take offense.
    I will still be reading your blog, though, as I can't help myself.

    P.S. Your top secret ARC still links to The Princess Curse.

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  10. David P. KingNovember 30, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    Shelly - Whoops! Thanks for that heads up. And I meant creepy in a good way, so you know. :)

    Jay - Contrary to popular belief, I like puns. And that was a good one!

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  11. AnonymousNovember 30, 2011 at 11:06 AM

    It looks like an awesome book. Thanks for sharing!

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  12. ENovember 30, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    The Twelve Dancing Princesses is one of my favorite fairy tales! Entwined, by Heather Dixon is another excellent retelling of this story, with a more YA feel.

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  13. Leigh CovingtonNovember 30, 2011 at 1:11 PM

    This sounds great David! I've had it on my TBR list since you mentioned it before. I think I am definitely in the mood for something like that.!

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  14. Cortney PearsonNovember 30, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    I was thinking of Entwined when I saw this too. Looks good!!

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  15. Jaime MorrowNovember 30, 2011 at 3:29 PM

    This book sounds really good! I love the cover, and even before you mentioned it, I was wondering if it somehow had something to do with The Twelve Dancing Princesses (one of my absolute favourite fairy tales ever). I will be adding this to my TBR list now.
    P.S. Welcome to my blog, BTW =)

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  16. MorganNovember 30, 2011 at 3:49 PM

    Ohhhhh... verrrry cool ;) I put props in for the cover too :D

    I'm a fellow Utahan myself--yup. Utah writers rock. Hands down. Glad to be connected!

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  17. Golden EagleNovember 30, 2011 at 4:39 PM

    I've seen this book around--I want to read it!

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  18. DEZMONDNovember 30, 2011 at 4:39 PM

    nice book cover.

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  19. Natalie AguirreNovember 30, 2011 at 5:41 PM

    I'm excited to read this too. Merrie lives close to me so I'm planning to interview her for my blog.

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  20. Alex J. CavanaughNovember 30, 2011 at 6:47 PM

    So it's a young adult book?

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  21. UnknownNovember 30, 2011 at 7:32 PM

    That is such a beautiful cover! I love the synopsis. A healer as a hero is a great choice in my mind.

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  22. Lydia KangNovember 30, 2011 at 8:33 PM

    I'd read it in a heartbeat. (*looks intently at book budget*)

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  23. Brenda SillsNovember 30, 2011 at 9:57 PM

    Hey thanks! What a great review— concise and intriguing. I always love hearing about a good book!

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  24. Kate CourseyNovember 30, 2011 at 10:09 PM

    I love the cover! Absolutely gorgeous. I'll have to check this out :).

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  25. Donna K. WeaverDecember 1, 2011 at 7:40 AM

    I agree. That cover art rocks!

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  26. Brenda SillsDecember 1, 2011 at 11:42 AM

    Oh, and talking about re-tellings of The Twelve Dancing Princesses, I love Jessica Day George's PRINCESS OF THE MIDNIGHT BALL! She also wrote PRINCESS OF GLASS about another one of the twelve sisters and a third book in the series will be coming out. I've met Jessica several times and she's just as awesome of a person as she is a writer!

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  27. C D MeetensDecember 2, 2011 at 2:04 AM

    I hadn't heard of this, and it looks really good (the story and the cover), so I'll be sticking it on my TBR list.

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