Lisa Dawn's Blog: The Princess Blog, page 10

Review: Spellbound

Although it was overshadowed by some more "popular" moviegoing experiences this weekend, Spellbound is one of this year's most anticipated releases amongst old-school Disney Princess fans. Promising to bring back the feel of classic animated films, the movie was released by the relatively new Skydance Animation Studio and distributed by Netflix. The Disney tie-in comes from its creative team, using the renowned Alan Menken and for its music and lyrics and featuring many well-known actors for its voice talent, including Rachel Zegler, Disney's upcoming Snow White, in the lead role of Princess Ellian. The movie takes place in a Latin American-inspired medieval kingdom reminiscent of Elena of Avalor. Does it live up to the hype? Let's explore.

The premise of the movie, which is shoved in our face from the expository opening song, is that Princess Ellian's parents, the king and queen of Lumbria, have mysteriously turned into monsters, forcing the underage princess to take on the heavy burden of ruling the kingdom by herself. At 14, Ellian is young even by fairy tale princess standards, yet her advisors claim that she can be in charge of the entire kingdom at 15. This is either a reference to the shorter lifespans in the Middle Ages or the Latina coming-of-age ceremony called a Quinceañera, which is traditionally held for girls who turn 15. Ellian's goal to return her parents to normal is well established within minutes of the film. What it doesn't reveal is why her parents have become monsters or what they were like as humans. This is its biggest flaw that prevents its core message from getting through until the film is practically over.
For most of Spellbound, we see Ellian's struggles to keep her parents, who have been essentially reduced to hostile housepets, under control. The royal guard struggles to keep their curse a secret and pushes all royal duties onto Ellian, forcing her to grow up sooner than she's ready for. The first half or so of the movie is drawn out by Ellian chasing after a couple of queer-coded oracles to learn how to break her parents' curse. During these adventures, a personality swap happens to two minor characters that have absolutely no effect on the story. Eventually, small traces of her parents' humanity return such as their ability to speak English, but we still know very little about them. It isn't until the movie is practically over that its true message about how marital struggles can turn parents into monsters is revealed.
Although it may be a spoiler because it's revealed so late in the film, the movie serves no other purpose than trying to help children cope with parents who are separated or divorced. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this as it is an issue that many children struggle with, and fairy tale allegories help with all kinds of personal struggles. The problem is that after all the filler, the film is left with only minutes left to address the issue. There were many ways this could have been fixed such as starting it before the curse so we can see how Ellian missed her parents' struggles with each other. She also could have found the fabled Lake of Light earlier in the movie and spent more time figuring out why it didn't turn them back. Instead, the film took shortcuts by trying to distract its audience with nostalgic music and fun character designs instead of focusing on its main message.
Spellbound is an animated princess film that promises to deliver a classic animated experience but falls short in its execution. Despite its stunning animation, memorable voice talent, and nostalgic music, the movie's message is overshadowed by its meandering plot and lack of character development. The film's attempt to address children of divorce is commendable, but its late reveal and rushed resolution leave much to be desired. With some tweaks to its storytelling and pacing, Spellbound could have been a truly spellbinding experience. As it stands, it's a missed opportunity to create a timeless Disney-inspired classic.

Review: Wicked (Part 1)

While not technically a princess movie, Wicked  is quite possibly the most high-profile release of the year with a princess-like character, G(a)linda. I have been a huge fan of the Broadway show for almost 20 years and know it by heart, so this release was a pretty big deal to me as it was to many other die-hard fans. Many were concerned about the fact that the play was split into two films--one for each act. Now that I've seen it, I have to say that I understand this decision. There is so much that happens in the musical that forcing it all into a single movie would feel overloaded. The longer runtime gives the story a chance to breathe while adding more exposition to enhance the phenomenal characters and plot. As an added bonus, there were lots of Easter eggs referencing the original 1939 Wizard of Oz  movie that inspired Wicked as well as an anticipated cameo from two beloved Broadway performers.

Wicked is the story of Elphaba Thropp, who is better known as the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz. It reveals everything from her troubling birth and early childhood all the way up to how she became known as a wicked witch. Ever since its origins as a racy novel, Wicked has been a story of racism, politics, and accepting people who are different. This message comes across as vividly in the film as it does in the musical with Elphaba being ostracized by the other students at Shiz University for her green skin, and to a lesser extent, through her sister, Nessarose, wanting to live a normal life despite her disability. It is also the story of Galinda, a spoiled princess-like archetype who is used to getting everything she wants without having to work for it. Together, the two represent opposing sides of womanhood, giving the full spectrum of female spectators characters to relate to. Their friendship represents the power of working together and using our strengths to lift each other up.
Elphaba and Galinda have become caricatures over the years, and these caricatures are on full display through the movie's costuming. In the original musical, Elphaba and Galinda were introduced as students at Shiz University. Mostly, they looked like they belonged there even though they hardly blended into the crowd. Elphaba stood out because of her green skin, and Galinda stood out by wearing an all-white uniform when the other students' uniforms incorporated both school colors of blue and white. This movie does not even attempt to make them look like ordinary students. There is Elphaba, there is Galinda, and there is everyone else. Elphaba first appears in one of her signature black dresses and visits Shiz just to drop off Nessa until Madame Morrible recognizes her talent for magic and insists that she enrolls. Meanwhile, Galinda has a monochrome pink wardrobe that makes her look more like a Barbie doll than the fashionista she was in the Broadway show. We all know her signature color is pink, but that doesn't mean she can't wear other colors.
I could go on and on about my love of the songs from Wicked, but they existed long before the movie, so there's no need to comment on that here. Instead, I will say that and Ariana Grande put their absolute heart and soul into these roles. Their singing, though not perfectly identical to the Broadway soundtrack, was top-notch, and their acting brought Elphaba and Galinda to life for the big screen. The extra hour of content only enhanced the story without making any drastic changes. It helped that the screenplay was written by , who wrote the book from the Broadway show. The visuals were stunning and eye-catching. Oz's bright colors, whimsical architecture, and steampunk technology really made it feel like another world. The additional talking animals besides Doctor Dillamond also helped to emphasize Elphaba's sympathy for their plight.
The movie adaptation of Wicked is a mesmerizing and empowering tale that brings the beloved Broadway musical to life on the big screen. With its themes of acceptance, friendship, and womanhood, it's a must-see for fans of the musical and newcomers alike. The decision to split the story into two films pays off, allowing for a more in-depth exploration of the characters and their backstories. The performances by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are standout, bringing depth and nuance to Elphaba and Galinda. As we wait a whole year for the next installment, we can revel in the magic of this film and the powerful messages it conveys. So, grab some popcorn, sing along to the iconic songs, and get ready to be spellbound by the wonder of Oz – and the wickedness that lies within.

I Threw a Party for National Princess Day!

It's November again, and that means all the princess movie anniversaries are happening. Today marks the 35th anniversary of my favorite movie, The Little Mermaid . November 18th, the anniversary of The Swan Princess, was officially licensed as National Princess Day. As an officially licensed holiday, this is a great time to do something big to celebrate our love of princesses. Last year, I celebrated this milestone with an event at the library that brought in a small group of royals who listened to a pop-up book of "Cinderella" and made some printable ornaments from Red Ted. This year, instead of a traditional storytime, I decided to throw a party fit for a princess complete with a photo station, durable crafts to take home, games, music, and treats. I got a little more than I bargained for when so many people showed up that the library was flooded with royals. Talk about a wild princess party!

As the party hostess, I made sure to dress the part in an official Giselle costume from HalloweenCostumes.com. I've always found it a little amusing how people can't tell princess dresses apart. One year, I wore Belle's iconic gold dress for Halloween, and someone asked me if I was Cinderella. Another time, I wore Ariel's pink tea dress, and I got called Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. I frequently got asked if I was Anna when I wore Ariel's "Kiss the Girl" dress that was inspired by the Fairytale Designer Doll Collection, but those looked similar enough that the confusion was understandable. When I dressed as Giselle, one parent thought I was Elsa, and another said I looked like Cinderella. The dress was princessy enough to pass for the part regardless. Instead of going for the fully screen-accurate look, I paired it with my 3D-printed Amulet of Avalor from Sofia the First, which one little girl recognized, and a Swarovski crystal Belle-inspired tiara from Epcot.
I wanted to give guests a true royal welcome, so I got a full-sized castle backdrop for photo opportunities. Since the backdrop was hung a bit high for the little ones, I placed a large chair in front of it and called it our "throne." That way, everyone could sit in front of the castle and feel like royalty. After they got their pictures taken, the doors swung open to reveal the royal banquet within. Cupcakes with shimmery princess skewers were served along with bright pink sugar cookies to match the feminine theming. A table was set up with princess books available for check out, wooden wands, and foam tiaras in three different colors to decorate. The decorating kit came with a few sheets of press-on gems and colorful ribbons for the kids to add some sparkle to their accessories. Unfortunately, they were having a hard time sharing the gems, and some parents asked to cut them up so they could be divided among the kids. The event was so popular that supplies ran out within minutes of the doors opening. I tied bow bracelets with the remaining ribbons around the wrists of a few of the latecomers so they wouldn't feel left out.


I made sure there would be plenty to do outside the banquet so the party guests wouldn't need to crowd around the small room. In the main part of the library, we played "Pin the Crown on the Princess" using a poster print of Cinderella and some crown stickers that I numbered in silver metallics so the children could keep track of their progress. I also put on a Disney Princess playlist from Spotify for the entire length of the event to allow party guests to sing and dance to their favorite princess songs if they so desired. However, there were so many people there that it was nearly impossible to hear the songs until the crowds started to clear out. One final bonus activity for people waiting for treats or latecomers was a variety of princess coloring sheets and crayons that I left on a table just outside of the main party area. These were a huge hit. I ended up printing 80 pages, most of which disappeared almost immediately into people's royal collections of personal artwork.

This year's National Princess Day celebration was a royally unforgettable experience! With a photo station, durable crafts, games, music, and treats, the party was a wild success - maybe even too successful, as the library was flooded with royals! Despite the chaos, everyone had a magical time, and I was thrilled to see so many little princesses (and princes!) enjoying themselves. As the party hostess, I was delighted to dress up as Giselle and welcome guests to the royal banquet. The castle backdrop, royal throne, and princess-themed treats added to the enchantment. While the decorating station was a bit of a challenge, the kids had a blast making their own wands and tiaras. And, of course, who could resist singing along to Disney Princess tunes? All in all, it was a day filled with joy, sparkle, and plenty of princess magic. Are you doing anything special for National Princess Day this year? Let me know in the comments!

Review: Off the Page (Between the Lines 2)

Off the Page is the sequel to the novel Between the Lines, which inspired my current musical obsession. Like Between the Lines, it is written by Jodi Picoult and her daughter, Samantha van Leer. It does not work as a standalone or a direct sequel to the musical. For that reason, if you want to avoid spoilers, I would suggest not reading this review unless you've already read Between the Lines. I would also like to take this time to point out that whoever was in charge of marketing these books did a terrible job. The books are fun and entertaining, but they are both listed as YA with realistic-looking covers that do not represent the whimsical and fantastical stories within them. The original cover for Off the Page was better than the current one because it portrays characters coming out of a book. The new one is just some girl's back, which makes it look like a contemporary drama. These books are great fun, but they are very much juvenile stories. I have no idea why they are marketed the way they are. Now that I've gotten that off my chest, this is your last opportunity to stop reading this before I spoil the first book.

The first book in Between the Lines ended with a shocking twist that it was possible for Oliver to switch places with his real-life counterpart, Edgar, to leave the book he lived in. Off the Page continues these zany shenanigans by popping even more characters in and out of the book from both worlds. The rules are a little questionable, but it's all in good fun. Until it isn't. Much like Disney's Enchanted, this book focuses on Oliver's transition from a two-dimensional character into a real person. To do this, he must learn about all the ugly truths in life that don't exist in his fairy tale world including mortality and teenage drama. At times, Delilah feels more like Oliver's babysitter than his girlfriend, but that doesn't get in the way of her feelings toward him. Even when she questions his feelings due to a misunderstanding, she never stops loving him. The book places more focus on characters who were in the background of the first book such as Edgar, Jules, Seraphima, and Allie. We learn more about what makes them tick and all the crazy secrets hidden within the pages of the magical book.

While it had its darker moments, Off the Page is silly, whimsical and doesn't require much thought. Some of the more entertaining passages include Princess Seraphima's first trip to a real-life mall, Edgar's attempt to convert the fairy tale book into a sci-fi story, and Jules getting stuck in the role of a princess despite being a punk goth. The darker elements of the book felt out of place, especially a passage that was written with the help of a medical expert, but they were necessary to reinforce the themes addressed in the musical about the harshness of reality that the first book was lacking. Through their journeys in and out of the book, the characters learn a lot more about themselves, who they want to be with, and where they belong. The story is told from three different perspectives--Edgar's, Oliver's, and Delilah's. I found this a little confusing at times as I seem to have trouble keeping track of books with more than two perspectives.

The magical elements are a lot of fun, but they don't always make sense. For instance, in Between the Lines, Edgar changed the original manuscript of the fairy tale, but for some reason the book tried to change itself back without much explanation as to why it was doing so. The book also contained a magic portal that led to the author's imagination hidden and all kinds of other secrets that didn't always make sense. This sort of plot works fine for a children's story, so calling it YA is misleading. It was fun to discover all the wacky secrets of Oliver's world without ever knowing what was going to happen next. In the end, the story came down to valuing life and had a powerful message that it doesn't matter what kind of crazy chaotic world you live in as long as the people you care about are there with you.

Off the Page is a whimsical and fantastical sequel to Between the Lines, continuing the zany adventures of Delilah, Oliver, and their friends as they navigate both the real and fairy tale worlds. While it may not work as a standalone or sequel to the musical, it's a delightful read for those who enjoy juvenile fiction and are looking for a lighthearted, fun story. With its focus on self-discovery, magical elements, and the power of love and friendship, Off the Page is a charming tale that will transport readers to a world of wonder and enchantment. Just be aware of the misleading YA marketing and embrace the whimsy!

Between the Lines Is the Best Off-Broadway Musical You've Never Seen!

If there was ever a musical that felt like it was written just for me, it's Between the Lines. Never heard of it? That's not surprising. The show had a limited premiere for a few weeks in 2017 and a quiet off-Broadway run for a few months in 2022 before disappearing from the face of the earth. Its fall to obscurity was a crying shame until a pro-shot was released this year on BroadwayHD, the official streaming service for live theater. Based on a novel by Jodi Picoult and her then-teenage daughter, Samantha van Leer, the musical tells the story of a high school book nerd named Delilah who falls in love with a prince from a fairy tale that comes to life. This story is incredibly meaningful to me as both a writer and a reader. Not only have I had many intense crushes on fictional characters, but the plot is nearly identical to the first script I ever wrote for my first screenwriting class in college.

Between the Linse is a love letter for princess fans around the world that is chock full of fairy tale Easter eggs. The protagonist, Delilah, is played by Arielle Jacobs, who was one of the original actresses to star as Princess Jasmine on Broadway in the Aladdin musical. Prince Oliver's first appearance is similar to the moment when Thumbelina met Prince Cornelius by startling her when he popped out of the page of a book in Don Bluth's famous animated classic. There is also a scene where Delilah undergoes a magical dress transformation reminiscent of "Cinderella," and the classic fairy tale theme of true love is prevalent throughout the show despite being discouraged by modern media. Like many Broadway shows such as Wicked and Legally Blonde, the play improves upon the source material, incorporating the main ideas and characters from the book while changing small plot points every here and there to make the themes resonate more with audiences. The show is an absolute treat for princess fans of all ages.

The biggest tragedy of this show is that it will never be able to make its way to Broadway and mainstream media because it doesn't follow the current agenda of fierce princesses and man-hating. Prince Oliver is actually (gasp) a decent and respectable human being who happens to live inside a book. That awful Britney Spears musical from a few years ago thought it was being original by making its Prince Charming a dirty philanderer, but that trope had already been played out with Into the Woods back in the '80s. Between the Lines even pokes fun at the modern misandrist themes that have populated fairy tales from the last decade with its feminist mermaids who have a killer song about their disapproval of men and traditional female roles. However, this show does not encourage its audience to get lost in their fictional crushes and live a life of delusion either. The small but significant changes made to the book's ending teach us that it's better to go out there and write the story you want to live than to sit around dreaming about it. This is the message that the two "Cinderella" musicals that flopped on Broadway last year tried and failed to convey.

Although I wasn't able to watch the show live, the BroadwayHD pro-shot reveals a dazzling combination of practical and special effects to create the fairy tale world that Prince Oliver lives in. It has been a recent concern that many modern shows have been ruined by the overuse of digital projection effects instead of actual set pieces. Between the Lines takes full advantage of both modern and classic effects with working doors that look like giant book pages, shelves upon shelves of library books, and a screen behind the stage to show the audience the illustrations that Delilah talks to when she opens her book. The show looks like it would have been an absolute spectacle to see in person. Even the high school sets look fantastic. It was a clever touch to cast the same actress for the princess from the book as the "mean girl" at Delilah's school, showing us that mean girls see themselves as beautiful princesses when the "ordinary" girl who likes to read and daydream is the one who truly captures the prince's heart.

Between the Lines is a hidden gem of a musical that will captivate princess lovers of all ages. With its relatable protagonist, Delilah, and her fairytale come true romance with Prince Oliver, this show is a love letter to those who grew up loving fairytales. The production's clever use of practical and special effects, Easter eggs, and positive message make it a standout. Despite its limited run, the pro-shot release on BroadwayHD has given this enchanting musical a new life. Don't miss the chance to experience this delightful show, which proves that true love and self-empowerment can triumph over modern misconceptions. Get lost in the pages of Between the Lines and discover the magic that lies within.

Review: Rescuing the Prince

I discovered Rescuing the Prince by Meghann McVey from a Facebook promotion. It looked like a cute story that appealed to my interests, so I decided to check it out. It is the first book from the Leah Heroman series, which appears to be a series of clean romance novels with strong isekai and Disney inspiration. This book started out a little hokey and felt like an off-brand version of the Kingdom Keepers, but it got better as it went along. By the time I finished, I enjoyed it more than I expected to and even found myself curious about what happens next in the series. Although not based on a fairy tale, the story has strong Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper vibes, along with a magic school, a love triangle, and a relatable heroine from the real world who loves princesses. It's a great escapist fantasy for princess fans of all ages.

Leah Heroman is a princess performer at Disneyland Portalis Park (which definitely would have been sued by Disney if it were a real place). Life is business as usual for her and her boyfriend, Gerry, who plays her prince, until one day, a dragon swoops down, takes him away, and sends her to a real-life fantasy world. When she wakes up confused and disoriented in this other kingdom, a poised and elegant queen appears and tells her that she looks identical to her daughter, a real-life princess, who has gone missing yet again. Overnight, Leah goes from a children's princess entertainer to an actual princess impersonator who must learn to act like a real princess at political affairs, balls, and royal banquets. She goes along with all of this in the hopes that she will find out what happened to Gerry. Soon, she discovers that she has a talent for magic and enrolls in a magic school, where she levels up her skills in this other world even more.

There is a lot packed into this book, and some of it seems rushed despite being the first of a series. At times, it can feel like a self-insert, but who wouldn't want to play a princess at Disneyland and then get to do it for real? I enjoyed the escapist fantasy elements of the book even though I had a hard time keeping up with some of the world-building. For instance, there was a part where the kingdom went to war all of a sudden, which directly affected Leah's role as Princess Fiona, but it wasn't entirely clear what her specific involvement was in the war or who the main antagonist was. The kingdom seemed to have enemies all over the place, yet Fiona was rarely threatened thanks to the two brave knights protecting her. It wasn't until the end of the book that the true villain was revealed, and there wasn't much buildup to it.

While I appreciate that this book was a clean romance, the love triangle seemed to be a minor subplot that took a backseat to all the other crazy things going on in Leah's life. She develops feelings for her guard, Tolliver, but tries to push them away because of her relationship with Gerry. The book's title, Rescuing the Prince, refers to Gerry, but he is barely in the book at all. I felt that I knew very little about him despite supposedly being in a serious relationship with Leah before the story began. It was pretty obvious who Leah would end up with. Her relationship with Tolliver happened rather quickly without much buildup as well. The one element that didn't feel rushed was a surprise twist concerning the missing princess that I did not see coming at all. Despite its shortcomings, the book did a fantastic job with that revelation.

Rescuing the Prince by Meghann McVey is a delightful and enchanting read that will transport you to a world of magic, royalty, and adventure. While it may have started off a bit rocky, the story quickly finds its footing and sweeps you up in its whimsical tale of a princess performer turned real-life princess. With its strong Disney inspiration, clean romance, and escapist fantasy elements, this book is a must-read for princess fans of all ages. Despite some minor quibbles with pacing and world-building, the story's charm and wit shine through, making it a captivating introduction to the Leah Heroman series. So, if you're looking for a lighthearted and fun read that will leave you feeling like royalty, look no further than Rescuing the Prince.

Review: A Splintered Land (Heartsong)

Deborah Grace White is quite possibly my favorite modern author. She did an amazing job with her enchanting series of fairy tale retellings in The Singer Tales, but I think I like her original fantasy romance stories even better. I was blown away by the magic, romance, and worldbuilding in her amazing mermaid tetralogy, The Vazula Chronicles. Since then she's done an excellent job of writing even more original romance stories about curious heroines living in controversial worlds. Her contribution to the Sacrificed Hearts series takes place in the same magically enriched world as The Singer Tales as does her newest trilogy, Heartsong. To celebrate the completion of Heartsong, she offered an irresistible promotion to read the first book, A Splintered Land, for free. To her readers' delight, A Splintered Land contains many of the same elements that I loved from her other books.

Marieke (pronounced muh-REE-kuh) is a recent graduate of the Academy of Song, a school that those gifted with singing powers can attend to learn more about their craft. As an accomplished student, she is offered an ambassadorship to travel to a nearby land to help calm political tensions between their leaders and learn more about their singing academy. Before she arrives, she is met with a natural disaster that nearly takes her life. The first person she encounters after the near-fatal experience attempts to do her in again, but she is rescued by Zev, a mysterious farmer with a heart of gold. Zev hopes to part ways with her after this since aiding a singer from enemy territory goes against his personal and familial goals. However, the two are fated to meet time and again, and each time, he is there to save her from an unknown attacker.

Although this book doesn't contain the dazzle factor of dragons and mermaids that populate so many of Debrah Grace White's other fantastical works, it shares the same heart and soul that makes her books enticing. Like Merletta, the feisty mermaid heroine from The Vazula Chronicles, Marieke is a curious student who is hungry for knowledge and innocent of the corruption that surrounds her territory and culture. Zev, like White's many other reluctant love interests, is fiercely protective of her and is willing to give up his personal interests for her safety. Unfortunately, his personal interests are in direct conflict with her safety. With his family's aversion to singers and his deceptively simple upbringing, hints are dropped that he is someone far more important than he lets on. Although Marieke has her suspicions, the book leaves many questions to be answered in the rest of the trilogy.

Deborah Grace White excels at writing clean romance with high stakes, and that's where this book shines. From Marieke and Zev's first encounter, it is undeniable that they belong together. Marieke is innocent and curious, and Zev is worldly and knowledgeable. If it hadn't been for Zev, Marieke's quest to solve the mysteries of their lands would have ended several times over with her death. Unfortunately, Zev alone was unable to save all the singers who became victims to the unknown threat. As only the first book in the Heartsong trilogy, it is heavily implied that their combined forces will be necessary to save countless lives in the future. Their romance is fraught with tension due to Zev's secret, which makes it all the more enticing when the young lovers can push aside their reservations and share tender moments together.

In A Splintered Land, Deborah Grace White weaves a formidable tale of magic, romance, and political intrigue, reminiscent of her previous works. Marieke and Zev's story is a slow-burning flame that builds into a passionate and suspenseful narrative, filled with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. While it may lack the fantastical creatures of her other series, it makes up for it with its rich worldbuilding and complex characters. As the first installment in the Heartsong trilogy, it expertly sets the stage for a thrilling adventure, with a clean romance that will leave you rooting for the star-crossed lovers. If you're a fan of White's previous works or just looking for a new fantasy romance to get lost in, A Splintered Land is a must-read. So, buckle up and join Marieke and Zev on their epic journey, as they navigate the treacherous landscape of their world and discover the true power of their hearts.

The Winx Club Reboot Released Its First Teaser!

The upcoming reboot of Winx Club has gone through countless delays in favor of bland live-action adaptations and original animated shows, but a teaser has been released at last for this highly anticipated ninth season. It has been known for a long time amongst fans that the series has fully transitioned to CGI, which has never looked as good to me as the original 2D animation. However, the art form has come a long way since then. Rainbow S.p.A. has improved its technique over the years to add more magic to its computer animation. The new season looks like an attempt to retell the same story the show released in 2004 with updated animation for modern audiences. There are positive and negative ramifications to this. While they aren't trying to change everything for the worse like Fate: The Winx Saga, it's still at risk of going in the same direction as Disney's live-action remakes, which change so little that it's better to just watch the original again.

The teaser boasts the tagline "The magic is back" and begins with a recreation of a scene from Winx Club's original pilot in which Bloom helps defend Stella from an ogre and learns that she has magic powers. She is then whisked away to the Alfea school to become a fairy like her new friends. Most of the characters sound similar to what we've heard in previous English dubs except for Flora, who has a thick Spanish accent. This is likely in response to complaints of whitewashing that have stigmatized the Winx fandom over the years. Aisha (originally introduced to English-speaking countries as Layla) appears prominently with the rest of the Winx fairies in a full-cast shot that was leaked from a recent anniversary event. This is a small but welcome retcon of the original series, in which Aisha was not introduced until the second season. With her much-needed diversity to the group and her fascinating background as a cousin of merfolk, she makes a great addition to the team and will hopefully have an even more detailed backstory thanks to her earlier introduction.

Rainbow has already proven its advancement with CGI animation through the gorgeous character designs they revealed in Mermaid Magic a few months ago. The Winx girls look spot-on with their new character models. Their outfits are reminiscent of the high fashion inspiration of the original series without being exact replicas. My favorite outfit reveal is Flora, who wears a pink dress with a billowing skirt that looks like flower petals under a more casual green jacket and belt. The teaser also briefly reveals Stella and Flora's fairy forms, saving the rest as a surprise for later. Their wings now have more definition and color than the original wings from the 2D version of the show, which makes sense because animation has come a long way since then, and we have already been spoiled by numerous wing designs for these girls over the years.

The trailer also reveals the three witches from Cloud Tower, Icy, Darcy, and Stormy, the fairies' main antagonists during the first season. They look exactly as they did in the original Winx Club series, implying that they will return to their old wicked selves. The eighth season reimagined a nicer version of Icy who was only doing bad things to help her sister, but the reboot will likely take these characters back to their roots. Alfea College, which is apparently no longer a college but a high school, looks very much the same as it did in its original reincarnation, building nostalgia for fans of the original 2004 series along with a brief glimpse of the specialists. The trailer ends with Bloom explaining that "Winx" doesn't mean anything, a questionable decision when the original dub used it to describe the source of the fairies' powers. The new reboot is set to premiere next year in 2025.

The wait is finally over, and the teaser for Winx Club's ninth season has arrived! While it's exciting to see the return of our beloved fairies in CGI, it's hard not to feel a sense of déjà vu. Will this reboot breathe new life into the franchise or play it too safe? There have been so many attempts to redo this show over the years, yet none of them could top the original formula. Share your thoughts on the teaser, the changes, and what you hope to see in the new season! Do you think the updated animation and diversity efforts will enhance the story or are you worried about the creative choices? Let's discuss in the comments!

Review: To Shatter a Slipper

Three is the magic number for this review. To Shatter a Slipper by Abigail Manning is the third book I've read from the Shattered Tales series and the third "Cinderella" retelling I read from this author. Despite retelling the same fairy tale so many times, she still manages to find a new twist that makes the book feel fresh and original. This book has a similar plot to Disney's Cinderella III: A Twist in Time in which the infamous glass slipper fits another girl who must work together with Ella to reclaim her happy ending. It fits the theme of the Shattered Tales series because the "Cinderella" story is literally shattered when the glass slipper doesn't fit Ella, and it's an unexpected perspective swap that acknowledges and celebrates Cinderella's kind and gentle nature.

Kirsi has no interest in marrying a prince. She's more concerned with the restrictions her father placed on her relationship with Caden, a servant at the palace. Just when she thinks she found a spend time with him without her father's knowledge, the glass slipper prince's betrothed impossibly fits her own foot. She tries to protest and tell everyone it was a mistake, but her father won't let her. Not only that, but he tells her that if she doesn't marry the prince, he will get Caden fired, forcing him to fend for himself on the streets. Kirsi feels she has no choice but to go along with her father's wicked scheme. To make matters even worse, Cinderella's fairy godmother curses Kirsi so that any time someone sees her reflection, it shows Ella instead. When Caden learns of everything that transpired, he forms an unlikely friendship with Ella to help her reclaim her happy ending so that he and Kirsi can be together.

Despite the similarities to Cinderella III: A Twist in Time, this story stands on its own due to some key differences. There is no time travel or magic involved in the wicked scheme. Kirsi is not Cinderella's stepsister but instead, an ordinary girl with the misfortune of being stuck with a father who is as evil as Cinderella's stepmother. The prince takes a less proactive role in this story. Although it is meant to be a deconstruction, it sticks to the original stereotype that the prince knew nothing about Cinderella and fell in love after dancing with her for only a few moments at the ball. Though he immediately assumes that the first person who fits the slipper is the same girl without question, it is still established that Ella is his true love. Many modern "Cinderella" adaptations have challenged this trope by having Cinderella and the prince know each other beforehand with the slipper as a mere formality. Still, it's easy to forgive this transgression because it is more Kirsi's story than it is Ella's.

This book is significantly shorter than the other two "Cinderella" adaptations I've read by Abigail Manning. It is a perfect read for someone who doesn't have a lot of free time and needs a quick fairy tale fix or has a long list of books they are trying to get to. Considering its low page count, it does an excellent job of giving Kirsi a complete character arc from a submissive victim who feels she has no choice but to comply with her father's orders to someone who decides to take charge of her own destiny. Ella doesn't have the same arc and needs help every step of the way, but she isn't ostracized for this weakness and instead celebrated as a hard-working and deserving heroine. Caden is a great supporting character who uses his words to help Kirsi and Ella see the wrong of their parents' ways and how important it is to make things right for their future happiness.

In To Shatter a Slipper, Abigail Manning masterfully shatters the traditional Cinderella narrative, crafting a fresh and original tale that celebrates kindness, self-discovery, and the power of friendship. Through Kirsi's journey, Manning skillfully explores themes of agency, consent, and the importance of taking control of one's destiny. While Ella's story is expertly woven throughout, Kirsi's transformation from a victim of emotional abuse to a determined heroine is the true magic at play. With its concise yet impactful storytelling, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking a quick yet satisfying fairy tale fix. Manning's unique spin on the classic Cinderella tale will leave readers enchanted, inspired, and perhaps even a little bit shattered – in the best possible way.

Fall 2024 Is the Anime Season of Romance!

This hasn't been the best year in terms of new anime. The past two seasons had a dearth of princesses after the Winter 2024 isekai explosion. Not only that, but the Spring 2024 season was severely lacking in romance. Get your tissue boxes ready because the new Fall 2024 season is here to change all that. Nearly half this season's anime shows have a romantic arc of some sort, which is a great follow-up to the shocking love confession in last week's episode of Wonderful Precure. Two anime shows from this season that stand for having romantic princess-oriented plotlines are Nina the Starry Bride and The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor. These are the types of shows that I never get tired of. Although they follow some stereotypical anime tropes, they are the only way to relive some of the original Disney Princess archetypes that have been lost to time in Western animation.

Nina the Starry Bride is the newest take on the female-oriented rags-to-riches doppelganger trope that began with Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper . It starts out like a gender-bent Aladdin  with a ragtag group of thieves who are forced to live on the streets and do what they can to survive. When a group of slavers capture Nina and realize that she bears a strong resemblance to the recently deceased Princess Alisha, they decide to disguise her as the princess to maintain her upcoming nuptial alliance with a prince from another kingdom. Little is revealed about her new fiancé in the first episode as he is apparently bedridden, but one of her captors turns out to be a prince as well, and love is in the air. Prince Azure, the first to discover Nina's resemblance to the princess, plays a similar role to Julian in Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper in helping her adapt to royal life. As he helps guard her secret, he reveals a protectiveness that goes beyond his initial plan to deceive the other kingdom, setting the scene for a potential love triangle.

The Do-Over Damsel Conquers the Dragon Emperor has the same plot as one of Winter 2024's most compelling series, 7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy. Both shows portray a noble lady who was engaged to a royal man, gets stabbed in the back, and is sent back in time to the moment of their proposal so they can turn it down and get a second chance toward a better future. These enlightened reborn brides both end up seeking love with the ruler of their enemy kingdom, who turns out to be a better match for them. Although The Do-Over Damsel gets few points for originality, it has a surprisingly silly love interest with the "Dragon Emperor." Despite his dark and stoic appearance, he turns out to be a child at heart who loves petite young women like Jill and takes her proposal at face value without considering that she may have had an ulterior motive. He even comes with an adorable talking baby dragon sidekick who calls him out on his silly antics, never missing an opportunity to make fun of him. Although this show uses a heavily recycled plot, it makes up for it in the humor department.

Romance has become surprisingly rare in Western media and is even frowned upon in a culture that is becoming increasingly misandric. Japan has taken note of this with its influx of romance-based anime. Although my favorite type of romance is the kind that involves princesses in fancy dresses, there are other options for hopeless romantics this season as well. Some of those include TsumaSho, which is about a man whose wife got reincarnated as a child and returned to him and his daughter ten years after her death, 365 Days to the Wedding about a couple of office workers who plan a fake engagement to avoid being sent overseas, and DAN DA DAN, which features two high schoolers who must help each other overcome creepy supernatural threats like aliens and ghosts. My favorite romance anime from this decade remains last year's I'm Giving the Disgraced Noble Lady I Rescued a Crash Course in Naughtiness. Despite its overly long and deceptively suggestive title, this show does a stellar job of portraying a sweet princess-like character who has strong chemistry with a powerful outcast who is determined to spoil her with happiness.

The Fall 2024 anime season has brought a welcome resurgence of romance and princess-oriented storylines, a departure from the previous seasons' lackluster offerings. Shows like Nina the Starry Bride and The Do-Over Damsel rekindle the magic of classic princess archetypes, with doppelgangers, rags-to-riches tales, and love triangles that harken back to some beloved stories of the past. While some anime series may rely on familiar tropes, they bring a freshness and humor that's been missing from Western media. With a range of romantic options available this season, from fantastical princess tales to supernatural high school adventures, there's something for every hopeless romantic. What are your thoughts on the new anime season? Do you have a favorite? Let me know in the comments below!