Violet Eyes

Violet Eyes

Author: Debbie Viguie

ISBN: 1416986766

Publisher: Simon Pulse, 2010

Age: 9 and up

Genre: Fairy tales

Summary: When a storm brings the dashing Prince Richard to her family's farm, Violet falls in love at first sight. Richard also gives Violet his heart, but he knows his marriage is destined to be an affair of state, not of passion. For the king and queen have devised a contest to determine who will win their son's hand in marriage.  To be reunited with her prince, Violet must compete against princesses from across the land. It will take all of her wits -- and a little help from an unexpected source -- if Violet is to demonstrate the depth of her character and become Richard's bride.

Read A-likes: Golden; Before Midnight; The World Above; and Belle.

Personal Thoughts: This book is part of a series “Once Upon A Time is Timeless” and one of my favorites!  In this book the author takes a traditional fairy tale, in this case the Princess and the Pea, and gives it a new spin.  You find yourself rooting for not only Violet, the main character, but you get to know and love some of the other princesses that are competing for the hand of the prince.  There is much more complexity to these stories than the original fairy tales, and they also are written in a more “kid friendly” fashion, which makes them more interesting to kids, as well as easier to read.  Good, clean, happy fun!