Lisa Dawn's Blog: The Princess Blog, page 21

Review: The Golden Prince

The Golden Prince by Alice Ivinya is the third ARC I received from the upcoming Once Upon a Prince multi-author series. While it isn't a full gender reversal fairy tale retelling like The Crownless Prince, it is a unique take on the story of "Rapunzel" that focuses heavily on the prince, making it clear that the author understood the assignment. There are some fun nods to Disney's Tangled as well as many original fantasy elements that convey a strong sense of worldbuilding. The book delves into fae mythology as well as the legend of Baba Yaga with a few subtle nods to "The Snow Queen." The romance is tantalizingly chaotic with lots of "Will they? Won't they?" moments that dance on the fine line between lovers and enemies. Overall, it is a solid addition to the Once Upon a Prince series that works well as a standalone fantasy novel.

When Prince Thomas inherits the legendary Sword of Spring, the only thing that can ward off the deadly power of Winter, he has no idea how much peril is about to come with it. His quest to end the famine plaguing his kingdom leads him to the home of Baba Yaga, which has already been hit by the malicious Winter warriors. After some investigating, he learns that the fate of his kingdom is tied to a girl who must be crowned Queen to save everyone. Like a true fairy tale prince, Thomas assumes he will have no trouble charming this girl and that their union will end the plague on his people. Little does he know that Maisie has no desire to be charmed and instead decides to use him for her own purposes. She is a street-smart rogue who is kept in a tower by a greedy witch until she finds her first opportunity to escape. As Thomas and Maisie embark on a dangerous game of cat and mouse, a new threat looms over his kingdom that catches them both unaware.

For a series that focuses on princes, this book does a good job of fleshing out the charming and heroic prince archetype that is so commonplace in fairy tales. Thomas is a brave warrior wielding a magic sword who is full of charm and wit. The "bad boy" thief personality that Disney used for Flynn Rider in their version of "Rapunzel" is transferred to the female lead of this story. Although Maisie has magic hair and follows the "Lost Princess" trope, her personality is closer to Flynn Rider than that of Rapunzel. She sees everyone as a pawn to be manipulated and refuses to believe that she is capable of love. Thomas's innocence and pampered upbringing allow him to believe in her in spite of everything she does to him, and there are some real whoppers! Eventually, his faith gives her the strength to give love a chance and help to save his kingdom.

The lore of this world is captivating and well-developed. The curse on Thomas's kingdom is caused by an ongoing war between the Winter and Spring courts that is bigger and more widespread than his little romantic tiff with Maisie. The elements of the sword and the lost princess of the Spring Court add a sense of scale to a story that could have easily been written off as a simple romance. The side characters were also a lot of fun. Thomas's knight, Greggory, is an excellent comedic character who has a lot of dry banter with the prince, adding humor to a fairly dark situation. The witches in the story have fleshed-out motivations for their actions and are believable in their roles, which all help to move the book along. All in all, it is a fast-paced and action-packed adventure with a whirlwind romance between two unlikely heroes.

This unique twist on the story of "Rapunzel" captivates readers with its focus on the prince and his journey. Thomas and Maisie embark on a perilous game of cat and mouse, unaware of the looming threat to their kingdom. The book masterfully fleshes out the charming prince archetype, presenting Thomas as a heroic warrior with charm and wit. In contrast, Maisie embodies the charming rogue personality, challenging Thomas's beliefs and ultimately discovering the power of love. The compelling lore surrounding the ongoing war between the Winter and Spring courts adds depth to the story, complemented by well-developed side characters and their motivations. Overall, The Golden Prince by Alice Ivinya is a dazzling, fast-paced adventure that seamlessly combines romance and fantastical elements, making it a solid addition to the Once Upon a Prince series and a standalone fantasy novel worth delving into.

Review: The Unlucky Prince

The Unlucky Prince by Deborah Grace White is the second ARC I've received from the Once Upon a Prince series, an anthology of fairy tale adaptations by different authors from the princes' perspectives. While The Crownless Prince was a creative gender-bent retelling of "Maid Maleen," this book is a basic retelling of "The Frog Prince" with no frills attached. It makes sense that the author chose to go this route since reversing the genders to have the princess turn into a frog would make the story focus more on her like in the Disney version, and it's something that has been done before. For such a short length, this book is somewhat slow and unimaginative, which was surprising coming from Deborah Grace White, who is usually a master worldbuilder. There were some references to her other books, including the dragon Rekavidur, a recurring character in most of her stories. The main character, Ari, is a minor character from Kingdom of Feathers, her retelling of "The Wild Swans" which I have not read. People who are not familiar with her other books may not have much to take away from this one, which is a shame since it is meant to be a standalone.

Prince Ari thinks all of his troubles have ended when the curse on himself and his brothers is broken thanks to the efforts of his sister, Wren, allowing them to live their lives as normal people again instead of as swans. He's out of the fire and into the frying pan when he visits a foreign kingdom, winds up in the wrong place at the wrong time, and gets himself turned into a frog! Just before this new curse, he falls for one of the kingdom's princesses, Violet. The inconvenient timing of his disappearance makes her think that she scared him away by coming on too strongly with her affections. He tries his best to comfort her in his new form, but the lack of ability to communicate as a frog makes it difficult to explain that he needs a kiss to break the spell. Meanwhile, Violet has problems of her own when she proposes a marriage alliance to a powerful merchant to end the trade issues with their kingdom despite the fact that she is actually in love with Ari.

What I enjoyed the most about this book was the sincerity of the characters. Violet genuinely wants to help her kingdom and to let Ari know how she feels about him. Ari is far from your average brave hero and instead does everything in his power to make Violet happy and communicate with her as much as he can in his frog form. His clumsiness and lack of fortune add an element of humor to the book, especially considering the bizarre circumstances that lead to his froggy transformation. The villains have a somewhat interesting backstory, but the book does not spend a great deal of time exploring it. The way that Ari manages to break his curse at the end is also pretty amusing and adds an unexpected twist to an otherwise familiar story.

For people who are already familiar with the books of Deborah Grace White and her sister, Melanie Cellier, this book has very little new content to offer. It is a bare-bones retelling of a well-known story with a clever princess who must unravel a political scandal to protect her family and her kingdom. Even though the series is called Once Upon a Prince, the book places just as much focus on Violet as it does on Ari. Since their roles are the same as in the fairy tale, it seems like the author did not fully understand the assignment. Despite being a quick read, the pacing is on the slower side. It isn't until halfway through the book that Ari is transformed into a frog, and there is very little that happens prior to that. The romance, while believable, has very little buildup. Violet proposes to Ari practically on the spot and later worries that she came off too strong. While it's nice to see characters who know what they want, their candor with each other leaves little room for a payoff at the end of the book.

The Unlucky Prince offers readers a straightforward and no-frills retelling of the classic "Frog Prince" story. While it may lack the imaginative world-building that Deborah Grace White is known for, the book still showcases the sincerity of its characters, particularly in the heartfelt portrayal of Violet's dedication to her kingdom and Ari's determination to please her. The book's slower pacing and minimalistic approach to the retelling may leave readers craving more depth and intrigue, but the sweet and humorous moments, along with an unexpected twist at the end, provide an enjoyable reading experience for fans of fairy tale adaptations. My next ARC to review from this series will be The Golden Prince by Alice Ivinya, so stay tuned.

Review: Lake Locked

I received Lake Locked by S.R. Nulton from an amazing book deal a few years ago that contained many of my favorite fairy tale books. This one stood out to me because it was a retelling of my favorite fairy tale, "The Little Mermaid," and "The Wild Swans," which I had only read one other adaptation of. Both of these fairy tales have a protagonist who must remain silent for varying reasons, making them a natural choice to bring together. However, there are enough differences that a combination of the two would need to favor one over the other, and in this case, Lake Locked favors "The Wild Swans." In fact, the mermaid element is so downplayed in this book that it makes me question why it was included at all. Aside from the lack of undersea worldbuilding, the main character comes off as immature, making her difficult to relate to. However, her personal growth as a result of these experiences makes her more tolerable by the end of the book.

Ariel is a princess living in a seaside kingdom who has the ability to turn into a mermaid when she enters water. It isn't explained why she can turn into a mermaid or whether or not the other people in her family have this ability as well. It's just something she can do. The only time this is relevant to the story is a brief flashback of when she rescued a boy from drowning when she was younger. A few years later, Ariel still acts quite young despite having entered adulthood. The first-person narration does not do her character any favors. She has a reputation amongst her family as a chatterbox. When a witch curses her cousins to transform into swans unless someone will sew six shirts out of nettles and take a vow of silence to save them, Ariel is the first to volunteer. Not only does she blame herself for the curse that the witch cast as punishment when Ariel refused to make a sculpture for her, but she also wants to prove to her family that she is capable of changing her ways. During her quest to collect nettles, she encounters a prince named River who invites her and her cousins to come live with him in his castle.

There are many things that happen in this story just because they were in the fairy tale and don't make sense in the context of the book or have little to no consequences. For instance, Ariel's vow of silence never gets in the way of communicating with River, nor is it explained why River decides to take her in immediately upon finding her. It also doesn't make much sense that the witch would curse Ariel's cousins instead of Ariel when she was the one who refused to make the sculpture. The curse itself is more of an annoyance than a blight since her cousins are able to regain their normal human forms every night after the sun goes down. Ariel's ability to turn into a mermaid rarely comes up, so there is none of the undersea worldbuilding that I usually enjoy in other books. There is also no direct villain threatening Ariel during her time in River's kingdom. The villain is only mentioned in passing, and her sole threat is a case of mistaken identity. Another part I struggled with was that Ariel's secret plan for the climax was not explained, forcing me to go back and reread a passage that could have easily been foreshadowed with a little extra dialogue.

There were still some elements of the book that were enjoyable. The story had a heavy focus on Scottish culture, regularly incorporating accents into the dialogue of characters from River's kingdom and describing the scenery surrounding it in a similar manner to that of Scotland. Breeze was a great character who became fast friends with Ariel. Inspired by the character from "The Little Mermaid" who stole the prince away, Breeze's inclusion adds a sense of strong female friendship to this book by its bold decision not to turn the girls into romantic rivals and fight over River. Instead, they work together to overcome each other's difficulties and lift each other up in the spirit of female empowerment. River and Ariel don't have a lot of chemistry, but they make a fine couple when they need to. While the climax adds a hint of excitement to the story, the stakes are not very high since Ariel is never in danger at any point. Despite being the protagonist, the only characters who suffer are the ones around her, including River, Breeze, and her cousins. Her sole struggle is learning to keep her mouth shut, which she seemed to be able to do just fine when it came down to it.

Lake Locked by S.R. Nulton combines elements from "The Little Mermaid" and "The Wild Swans" to create a unique retelling. However, the inclusion of the mermaid element feels unnecessary and the main character, Ariel, does not act her age, making her difficult to relate to. The story lacks depth in terms of worldbuilding and explanation of certain events, and the curse placed on Ariel's cousins seems misplaced. Despite these shortcomings, the book does have its merits, such as its focus on Scottish culture, the portrayal of a strong female friendship, and some enjoyable moments between Ariel and River. Ultimately, the story lacks high stakes and Ariel's struggle mainly revolves around learning to keep silent. I would recommend this story to fans of "The Wild Swans" because there are so few full-length adaptations of that fairy tale, but if you are little for a unique "Little Mermaid" retelling, there are better options out there.

Review: Time Princess - Saga of Viera Part 2

It's been over two years since I shared my review of Saga of Viera, the high fantasy visual novel from Time Princess. At the time, I was excited to see an enchanting fantasy story in the game but disappointed that none of the endings provided a resolution to the protagonist's plight. Since then, the Time Princess app has focused more on urban fantasy with stories that take place in darker worlds that focus on gruesome topics like murder mysteries in more realistic settings. I was beginning to lose hope that the game would ever return to its elegant historical and fantasy roots when out of the blue, they released the second part of this beloved relic. All long last, all of my gripes with Saga of Viera have been resolved, and I can celebrate it as one of the most engaging and aesthetically pleasing visual novels in the game.

In the second chapter of Saga of Viera, our heroine, Zoya, continues her journey right where it left off. She prays desperately for her life as the Sacred Tree is destroyed, seemingly sealing her fate that she will succumb to her family's curse of dying at the age of 25. Her journey to this unknown fate leads her back to the beautiful Elven Queen, who informs her that there may be a way to revive the tree if the last dragon can be found. Depending on the player's choices, Zoya embarks on a quest with either Reuel or Salvia from the first chapter, to recover a dragon egg. In both routes, she successfully finds the egg, and it hatches to reveal a baby dragon named Ray, who hides many secrets. After bonding with Ray, Zoya must make a difficult decision about whether breaking her own curse to save her life is worth sacrificing another in her place.

Salvia and Reuel remain the two primary love interests in this chapter. Since the developers of Time Princess are aware that most players have already maxed these characters out, they added Emilio as a third companion to provide an additional challenge to completing the story. Making Emilio a companion does not change anything about the plot. All it does is provide some extra work to complete the visual novel and the bonus treat of a fully animated model whenever his character has dialogue. I was extremely pleased with the additional character development for both Reuel and Salvia. After over two years, players can finally learn why Reuel does not have pointed ears despite presenting himself as a high elf. Plus, he finally has a satisfying romance route. Salvia is much nicer than she was in the first part of the game, making her an alternate option for a queer romance.

The first part of Saga of Viera provided beautiful fantasy and religious garb with long flowing robes and golden accents. The new chapter contributes three additional new outfits to collect. While none of them are nearly as stunning as the ones that were already part of the story, they do provide something new for players who already completed this story two years ago. One is a lacy white dress that matches Reuel's graceful elegance. Another is a majestic black robe that is as cunning and mysterious as Salvia. The third is a simple green adventure dress, which is reminiscent of Emilio design, providing a nice tribute to the newest companion. Though the new outfits were a nice touch, I still prefer the ones I collected from the first portion of the visual novel.

The long-awaited second chapter of Saga of Viera has blissfully reunited players with the enchanting fantasy visual novel they fell in love with. From the moment Zoya continues her journey, the narrative captivates with intriguing choices and unexpected turns. With the introduction of a potential resolution to her family's curse and the addition of Emilio as a companion, the game cleverly adds fresh challenges and character dynamics. Though the new outfits may not surpass the beauty of the previous ones, they still add excitement for those revisiting the story. All in all, this long-awaited installment stands tall as an exquisitely crafted visual novel, finally delivering the resolution and aesthetic pleasure fans have eagerly yearned for.

Disney Kicks Off World Princess Week with a LEGO Special!

Today marks Disney's third annual World Princess Week, and it kicked off with a surprise special on Disney+ featuring four of the original voices called LEGO Disney Princess: The Castle Quest . The special featured LEGO versions of Snow White, Ariel, Tiana, Rapunzel, and Moana embarking on a quest to rescue King Triton from Gaston, who used Snow White's Magic Mirror to help him take over an abandoned castle. While his unexpected combination may seem a little reminiscent of Wreck-It Ralph 2 , in which Vanellope got together with a group of all the Disney Princesses, this special takes things to the next level. Since the characters and backgrounds are made of LEGO bricks, it doesn't take itself seriously and goes all out with Easter eggs and references. For instance, Ariel and Moana's quest brings them to a pirate ship where they encounter Smee from Peter Pan , Iago, and the Magic Carpet from Aladdin . The special may have contained an unapologetic amount of fan service, but it remained ever loyal to the personality and charm of the Disney Princess characters and brand.

My favorite thing about LEGO Disney Princess: The Castle Quest is that the princesses stayed true to themselves no matter how zany or ridiculous the circumstances got, largely thanks to the special's brilliant use of their original actresses. It was particularly pleasant to hear Jodi Benson reprise her role as Ariel, the princess who was most personally affected by Triton's capture. Her warmth and sympathy shined through her LEGO model, who wore the green dress that Ariel wears in the Disney Parks, which had never appeared on screen prior to this special. I loved that Ariel didn't want to let the other princesses help her because they might get hurt and the interaction she had with Tiana, who told her she refused to sit back and watch someone else lose a father. Moana's powers over the ocean came into play as well when she broke down a LEGO tree and used the bricks to build a boat. Snow White's love of animals was incorporated several times to get the princesses out of some sticky situations, and Rapunzel had lots of fun showing off her magical glowing hair.
The princesses split into two teams to pass Gaston's challenges. Ariel and Moana, who had been a popular fan pairing for years due to their mutual affinities with the ocean, traveled by sea with Ariel temporarily transforming back into a mermaid, while Snow White, Tiana, and Rapunzel entered the dark forest. Both groups' quests were filled with adventure, wonder, and kindness. I was personally more biased toward Ariel and Moana, who both used their unique abilities to weather a terrible storm at sea and discover an enchanted pirate ship, where they made a daring escape on the Magic Carpet from Aladdin. Snow White was the ipso facto leader of the forest team, armed with a dwarven axe and "indestructible armor." Despite her modern-day accessories, she was still very much the classic character from Walt Disney's first animated feature, focusing on using compassion instead of violence to defeat an angry pack of wolves and a ferocious dragon. Tiana and Rapunzel provided additional assistance through their knowledge of herbs, plants, and flowers.

The LEGO special isn't the only thing to come out of this year's World Princess Week. Like in previous years, Disney has collaborated with a number of other companies to release special princess-themed collections. One of the most exciting of these is with American Girl, one of my favorite historical doll and book collections as a child. After about three decades of teaching girls history, American Girl has teamed up with Disney to release their first set of Limited Edition Disney Princess dolls, featuring Rapunzel, Belle, and Jasmine. It's rare to find Limited Edition Disney Princess dolls in this size and style. Each princess doll boasts a detailed version of her iconic gown with a glistening jeweled tiara. The dresses and accessories are all accented with glittering Swarovski crystals for a unique royal touch. Another special event for World Princess Week is the Once Upon a Wish Party, a unique princess ball for children in the Make-a-Wish program. Disney has a long history of making dreams come true for Make-a-Wish kids, most notably when they animated one into an episode of The Little Mermaid animated series.
Disney's World Princess Week and the LEGO Disney Princess: The Castle Quest special have captured the hearts of fans with their enchanting storytelling and imaginative collaborations. From the unexpected combination of princesses embarking on an adventurous quest to the heartfelt portrayal of the characters by their original voice actresses, there is no shortage of magic in this joyful celebration. The special's playful use of LEGO animation and the inclusion of beloved Disney references added a layer of nostalgia, making it a true treat for fans of all ages. Furthermore, the World Princess Week collaborations, such as the American Girl Disney Princess dolls and the Once Upon a Wish Party, demonstrate Disney's commitment to bringing happiness and dreams to life. As we commence this celebration, let us carry the spirit of princesses, unity, and making cherished dreams come true into our own lives.

Review: The Prince's Captive

When I first received the ARC for The Prince's Captive by Celeste Baxendell, I thought that it was her entry for the upcoming Once Upon a Prince series. However, I quickly realized that it is the first book from her newest fantasy series, Runes of Pain and Peace. Her gender-bent fairy tale retelling, The Wicked Prince, is yet to come. The Prince's Captive is quite a bit longer and more intense than a light-hearted fairy tale retelling. It tells an original fantasy story for young adult readers that gives off Romeo and Juliet vibes in a world with mages who cast spells using runes similar to my own fantasy trilogy. Though it was a riveting book, the circumstances behind the romance were so troubling that it felt like a guilty pleasure. The female lead was a prisoner like Belle from "Beauty and the Beast," Yet that story is rather tame compared to the level of torment that Marcella suffers in this book.

Marcella's appearance is both a blessing and a curse. She is fortunate to look nearly identical to her clan's leader, Hypatia, who she idolizes. However, when Hypatia has a vision of getting captured by the enemy on her wedding night, Marcella is the only person who looks convincing enough to stand in for her. It is Marcella's duty and privilege to pretend to be Hypatia, even if that means getting brutally maimed to replicate her leader's scar and suffering all of the torture that the Inimicus clan have in store for her. Marcella is surprised to learn that her primary captor, Gavril, is intelligent enough to figure out her true identity. She is even more surprised to learn that he is not willing to reveal her secret to the rest of the clan so they can dispose of her and instead chooses to protect her in any way possible, including performing a marriage ceremony to make her his wife. He does this by convincing the clan that marrying "Hypatia" himself would prevent her marriage alliance with another clan. Their language barrier and cultural differences prevent Marcella from understanding the significance of the ceremony.

This book does a fantastic job of portraying a love story between two people from different cultures who speak different languages. It rarely incorporates words from their own languages that would only read as gibberish and instead uses broken English to reveal the little parts of each language that Marcella and Gavril understand from each other. The broken-up dialogue makes it easy for the reader to sympathize with both characters and how little or how much they are able to understand, which makes it believable that Marcella doesn't realize that Gavril married her. It also makes Gavil's love for Marcella all the more endearing as he works hard to protect her despite her hatred of him and his lack of ability to understand her. Instead of trying to force her to speak his language, he devotes all of his time and effort to getting better at her language and learning more about her likes, dislikes, and customs that differ from his own culture. It would be a beautiful metaphor for an interracial marriage if it weren't for the fact that Marcella does not realize they are married and is Garvil's prisoner for the majority of the story.

Though I found this book to be a thoroughly enjoyable and captivating love story, I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable about Marcella's situation. It is explained multiple times why Gavril is unable to grant her his freedom due to his duty and loyalty to his clan, but he still allows his people to lock up and torture her whenever he is not with her. While he does his best to stop them whenever it is in his power, he never goes so far as to betray them entirely in order to liberate her from her miserable state of being. He also never reveals to Marcella that he made her his wife despite having ample opportunity to do so because he is worried she will be angry with him, which is likely correct. These are things that will probably be addressed in the next book from this series, The Prince's Mage, but it is troubling to enjoy a love story so much when one of the characters holds so much power over the other. Marcella suffers immensely throughout this book and winds up in some horrifying situations that give her PTSD. As much as Gavril tries to comfort her, it is simply never enough.

In light of the intense and complex dynamics portrayed in The Prince's Captive by Celeste Baxendell, the novel delves into the intricate themes of power, language barriers, and the struggles of two individuals from different cultures. Despite the discomfort that may arise from the unequal power dynamics between Marcella and Gavril, the story captures the audience's imagination and emotions, leaving them eagerly waiting for the next book in Runes of Pain and Peace. Readers of this series must critically engage with the complexities presented, understanding that it provides a safe space for exploring challenging narratives and pushing the boundaries of our own understanding. The Prince's Captive undoubtedly sparks important discussions about love, loyalty, and the lengths one will go to protect those they care about, prompting us to ponder the blurred lines between captivity and affection. Due to the nature of its themes, I would recommend this series to older readers who are in the mood for something dark and heavy.

Story Saturday: Princess Casey's Magic Closet

"Princess Casey's Magic Closet"

Once upon a time, there was a princess named Casey. A fairy had blessed her with an enchanted closet that would create any gown she could desire. Each creation would fit perfectly and come in any color or style that she wanted. Casey loved her closet. She was never seen in public in the same dress more than once, and she always had the perfect outfit for every occasion. When she was invited to ride horses, the closet manifested a frilly suede and lace riding outfit that was as beautiful as it was practical. When she was invited to royal balls in other kingdoms, she always arrived in an elegant gown that matched the colors and most popular style of that kingdom.

One day, a foreign dignitary came to visit in the hopes of making peace between the two kingdoms. They had been at war for many years, so the relationship between the kingdoms was still rocky. Casey decided the best way to win them over would be to put on a show they would never forget. Even though the kingdom was her enemy, they were known for their beautiful ballet performances. Casey decided that would be the perfect way to honor their foreign guest. Not only were ballerinas graceful, but they also wore beautiful tutus and tiaras. She stood in front of her closet and described her ideal ballet ensemble. The closet glowed in its usual way, and out came a beautiful floral tutu dress with pink accents that she just knew would wow her guest.
When Casey stepped into the audience chamber and appeared before her waiting audience, she realized that she did not know a single step that she saw the graceful ballerinas from the foreigner's kingdom perform. She tried to stand on the points of her toes and immediately lost her balance and plummeted to the ground.
"How dare you insult us with such a mockery of our art!" cried the dignitary. "If this is how you feel about our kingdom, perhaps we should go back to war!"
Casey tried to hide the tears that burned her eyes as she crumbled on the floor in her lovely costume. She realized too late that there was a lot more to ballet than just wearing pretty dresses. But how could she possibly learn all the moves in such a short period of time to make up with her guest? She begged the dignitary to stay just a bit longer while she conferred with her ladies-in-waiting.
"Isn't it obvious?" asked Lady Rosa. "You have a magic closet. The best way to impress our guest is with a fashion show that honors ensembles from all over the world! All you need to do is ask for it."
"I can't put on a fashion show all by myself!" Casy cried. "Imagine how long it would take to change into all those outfits."
"You don't have to," said Lady Violet. "You have us. If you create the fashions, we can be your models."
Princess Casey rubbed the wet tears from her eyes. "You're right," she said. "I don't know why I thought I needed to do all of this by myself. If you find a way to stall our guest, I'll be back with enough outfits for the most incredible fashion show the world has ever seen!"
With determination in her eyes, Princess Casey retreated to her chamber and approached her magic closet once again. She spoke with conviction, describing the vision she had for the grand fashion show she was about to create.
"Closet, I need your help once again. Manifest for me the most exquisite and diverse collection of outfits from various cultures and time periods. I want to showcase the beauty of the world through fashion."
In response to her request, the magic closet sprang into action. One by one, it produced an endless array of stunning garments from across the globe. Traditional Japanese kimonos adorned with delicate cherry blossom patterns, elegant Indian saris in rich and vibrant colors, regal African tribal dresses showcasing intricate beadwork – the closet's creations were nothing short of spectacular.
Princess Casey quickly gathered her ladies-in-waiting and explained her plan. Lady Rosa and Lady Violet shared her excitement, and they immediately set to work coordinating the logistics of the fashion show.
As the time for the fashion show approached, Princess Casey put on her own incredible outfit, a gown inspired by the Renaissance era, complete with intricate embroideries and jewels. She stood before the full-length mirror, feeling a newfound confidence radiating from within. "Let's do this," she said to herself, determined to make amends and win over their foreign guest.
As the fashion show commenced, the audience was captivated by the breathtaking display of multicultural fashion. Lady Violet, donning an elegant Chinese cheongsam, gracefully glided across the runway. Lady Rosa followed, dressed in an ethereal Greek goddess-inspired ensemble. Each lady-in-waiting showcased a unique outfit, representing different continents, historical periods, and fashionable styles.
Awestruck by the magnificence of the fashion show, the foreign dignitary watched with admiration. The display of reverence for their culture and traditions through fashion touched his heart. He realized that Princess Casey's intentions were never to offend, but rather to bridge the divide between their kingdoms.
As the final model took her place on the runway, the princess stepped forward, wearing a breathtaking fusion of all the showcased styles. With an eloquent grace she had never before possessed, she expressed her sincere apologies to the dignitary for her previous misstep. "I humbly present this fashion show as a gesture of peace, understanding, and respect," she proclaimed.
Touched by the princess's genuine remorse and the beauty of the fashion show, the dignitary's anger began to dissipate. They saw Princess Casey's willingness to rectify her mistake and acknowledged her sincere effort to reconcile their kingdoms.
Moved by the profound statement made through the fashion show, the dignitary approached the princess with a softened expression. "Princess Casey, your fashion show has taught me the power of unity and understanding. I now see that we can find common ground despite our differences. Let us work together towards a lasting peace between our kingdoms."
And so, through the magical language of fashion, Princess Casey not only mended their strained relationship but also fostered a newfound alliance between their kingdoms. The grand fashion show became a symbol of reconciliation and the catalyst for a new era of harmony and understanding. Princess Casey's magic closet continued to create exquisite gowns, not only for her but for anyone who sought its assistance, reminding all that true beauty lies in embracing diversity and finding common ground.

How Beauty and the Beast Paved the Way for Disney's Broadway Era

Princesses are no strangers to the Broadway stage. With their glamorous gowns and gorgeous singing voices, live theater is the perfect way to showcase these glowing examples of femininity. With the Broadway Princess Party entering its seventh year currently under the guise of Disney Princess: The Concert, it seems like there has always been at least one adaptation of a Disney Princess movie gracing the Broadway stage. However, this tradition did not begin until 1994 when Disney on Broadway premiered their first show, a stage adaptation of the animated masterpiece, Beauty and the Beast. After the success of The Little Mermaid launching the Disney Renaissance in 1989, Disney movies became known for their Broadway-style soundtracks pioneered by the talent of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, who came to their animation studio with backgrounds in musical theater. Though this show is no longer running on Broadway, the script is available for other theater groups including Magnolia Musical Theatre, who performed the show for free in July and August. Thanks to this limited run, I was fortunate to see their fantastic interpretation of "Beauty and the Beast" on my birthday this year.

Though Beauty and the Beast was not the first show I saw on Broadway, it was the first one that I actively convinced my family to take me to, so it has some personal significance to me. The first time I saw it nearly two decades ago, I was a little underwhelmed that the extra hour that was added to make it a Broadway-length show didn't provide any new plot details or character development. However, I still enjoyed the additional songs that Menken and Ashman wrote to expand the runtime. I've had similar feelings about other Broadway shows that Disney adapted from their films, including Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, and Frozen. It would have been exciting if they took advantage of their Broadway department to bring more original stories to the stage like Aida, but Disney seems to prefer focusing on older properties that they know people will recognize. Seeing the Beauty and the Beast musical again after so many years and knowing exactly what to expect vastly improved my experience. I was awestruck by the show that Magnolia Musical Theatre put on. It was a gorgeous spectacle with impeccable sets, costumes, acting, and orchestrations, and I still can't believe it was all free!

The biggest draw for Disney on Broadway adaptations is the new songs that are typically written by the same writers and composers as the ones for the films. These extra songs can become so popular that they get incorporated into future projects such as the 2002 Platinum Edition DVD of Beauty and the Beast, which included a new animated sequence of the song "Human Again" from the Broadway musical. The Little Mermaid Live! television special from 2019 included some of my favorite songs from The Little Mermaid Broadway musical that were sadly replaced by more modern and less catchy versions for the live-action remake. My favorite original songs from the Beauty and the Beast musical used to be "Home," which I had on a Disney Princess compilation CD as a child, and "If I Can't Love Her," the Beast's song that concludes the first act of the show. However, seeing the show again as an adult gave me a deeper appreciation of Belle's song, "A Change in Me," from the second act. The song is about growing up and learning to accept that the things we want as children may no longer mesh with the unexpected directions our lives take as adults. I was surprised to find that I got choked up when I heard this song again now that I'm in my 30s because it had never resonated with me as a teenager.

Another thing that makes live theater special is seeing the audience's reactions to everything in person. Magnolia's show sold beautiful light-up rose wands to children and gave them the opportunity to wave the wands at the climax to help bring the Beast back to life, similar to the tradition of having the audience clap to save Tinker Bell in Peter Pan. This created a beautiful spectacle that gave children an opportunity to feel like part of the show. I also had a lot of fun watching the girls who were sitting near me because they were very energetic and danced around by the trees nearby while playing with their light-up roses. There's something magical about seeing your favorite songs performed live in front of you and knowing that anything can happen. Another fun treat was that the theatre group released thousands of bubbles into the air during the intermission and the finale of "Be Our Guest." After the show, the cast came out to sign autographs and pose for pictures with the audience, another thing that is only possible when seeing a show in person.
  
The enchanting world of Disney Princess adaptations on Broadway continues to captivate audiences, bringing beloved characters and timeless stories to life on the grand stage. From the iconic songs to the stunning sets and costumes, each production showcases the magic and wonder that live theater can create. Whether it's the allure of new songs or the nostalgia of familiar melodies, these adaptations hold a special place in the hearts of both young and old. The experience of witnessing the audience's reactions and being part of a collective moment of joy is a testament to the power of live performances. With every performance, these adaptations remind us of the enduring appeal of Disney Princesses, and the universal impact of their stories. So, if you have the opportunity, immerse yourself in the world of Disney on Broadway and allow the magic to transport you to a place where dreams come true and happily ever afters await.

Review: A Wish of Ashes and Glass

The story of "Cinderella" has been told so many ways with a prince as the main love interest that I think it is the best candidate for a queer-friendly adaptation. With her latest novel, A Wish of Ashes and Glass , my favorite fantasy artist, Selina Fenech, agrees. The ARC I received of this book contained every new element I've seen in a "Cinderella" retelling with the addition of a female love interest for our tormented heroine. Political intrigue? Check. A selfless heroine with magic powers? Check. A royal conspiracy revolving around the use of magic? Check. Nicer stepsisters? Check. Despite having so many similar elements to other retellings, the story remains fresh and interesting thanks to its surprise romantic lead, a mighty warrior princess who exudes qualities that are similar to queer-coded anime heroines of the past like Princess Knight, Utena, and Oscar.

Ellasyn was born with healing powers that allow her to absorb other people's pain, sickness, and wounds, but in order to do so, she takes on their ailments herself. Despite the scars and suffering that it causes, she made a vow to her mother, from whom her powers were inherited, that she would use them whenever encountered someone in need. After losing both of her parents, El became stuck with a wicked stepfather and two timid stepsisters. Trolaine is just as determined to marry one of his daughters off to royalty as the stepmother from the original fairy tale, but he also has a violent temper, which makes him a physical threat in addition to an emotional one. El's only solace comes from the magic tree that grew over her mother's gave and provides her with incredible things, including a cool-looking clockwork horse that carries her to the three balls that the king holds to find a bride for his son.
When El arrives at the balls in her magical gowns, she has little interest in meeting the prince and tries to enjoy the ball from the sidelines in more secluded areas of the castle. On her quest to remain hidden, she continually runs into Ara, a brave captain from the royal guard. Ara is impressed with El's humility and mystery and seeks her out at each ball to learn more about her. El, in turn, is amazed by Ara's strength and questions how a woman could have gotten such a powerful position. However, she doesn't have much time to solve this puzzle when each ball she attends has some sort of catastrophe that forces her to use her healing powers. Because of these catastrophes, the prince suspects that someone is trying to assassinate the king, and Ara and El are his number one suspects.
The book contains many unexpected twists and turns as well as the same glittering magic and romance that one would expect to find in a "Cinderella" adaptation. Both gender swaps to breathe new life into this commonly retold. The dangerous and strong stepfather provides an explanation for why Cinderella's stepsisters avoid standing up for him as well as posing a bigger threat than the wicked stepmother due to his abusive temper. Ellasyn's female love interest provides a rare opportunity for a strong and powerful heroine who is not the lead character, and the lesbian romance is handled with care and sensitivity, making the story appropriate for younger teenage readers. Selina's skills as an artist shine through her descriptive narrations of Ellasyn's beautiful gowns and the enchanted clockwork horse that brought her to the balls.
A Wish of Ashes and Glass skillfully weaves together familiar elements of the "Cinderella" tale with refreshing new additions. Selina Fenech's storytelling prowess shines through her vivid descriptions and imaginative narrative, breathing new life into the beloved fairy tale. By introducing a queer-friendly romance and exploring themes of selflessness, resilience, and love, the novel captivates readers of all ages. With its strong, empowered heroines, intricate plot twists, and a touch of enchantment, A Wish of Ashes and Glass stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the limitless possibilities of reinventing timeless classics. I would recommend this both to anyone looking for a new take on "Cinderella" or seeking a clean LGBTQIA fairy tale adaptation.

Review: Time Princess - Showdown in Glitter Rise

The latest visual novel in the Time Princess app is a western, which comes as a surprise since there are few female-oriented stories in that genre aside from a few old musicals like Annie Get Your Gun and Calamity Jane. What also came as a surprise is that Showdown in Glitter Rise is the least violent and most culturally sensitive western story I have seen to date with an extremely relatable protagonist who has a heart of gold, a black female sheriff, and a Native American companion. I've never thought of westerns as being particularly female-friendly, but this one rises to the challenge beautifully and fits right in with the other visual novels in this game that cover various cultures and historical time periods. The costumes are unique to the game's infinitely expanding wardrobe. There had not been any western wear provided as an option in one of its many events and stories up to this point.

Showdown in Glitter Rise is about a gentle cowgirl named Bella who works at a saloon with her father and a young man named Sam who they took in when his father died mysteriously. Despite being skilled with a gun, Bella leads a peaceful life and is a pacifist by nature. She is good friends with Malila, a Native American from a local tribe that she enjoys spending time with. Her life turns upside down when a mysterious do-gooder shows up called The Stranger, and the town sheriff, Alexia, wants to determine his intentions. Bella becomes acquainted with The Stranger and learns that he is a Native American nomad named Wapi who wants to discover the reason behind his mentor's depression that led up to his death. Upon getting to know him better, Bella learns that there might be a connection between the death of Sam's father and Wapi's mentor. Their search leads them to a hidden stash of gold from the California Gold Rush that a wicked man Alwyn is after.

This visual novel has three diverse companions with only the slightest hint of romance. Alexia is a no-frills sheriff who is good at her job and well-respected among the townsfolk. She is close to Bella and is willing to let her get away with certain things that she wouldn't do for other people because she trusts Bella's good intent. Sam is my least favorite of the companions. He is ferociously protective of Bella and has an awful temper that comes off as dangerous at times. He is all brawn with minimal brain power and is wholly devoted to finding his father's killer. Wapi, The Stranger, is my favorite companion. He seems like the best romantic match for Bella. Though he is a lone warrior, he is not afraid to reveal his identity to her pretty early on and has an interesting backstory about how he left his tribe to travel the world with his mentor, making it difficult to fit in with either the cowboys or the Native Americans. He is attractive and polite, making him a good fit as a love interest.

While none of the fashions in this story can be construed as glamorous, it provides some unique options to the game's wardrobe. There are several different cowgirl outfits to choose from, with some having more of a feminine flair than others. My favorite was the one with the frilly skirt, but even that one looks practical enough for horseback riding and traveling in difficult terrain. There are several different cowgirl hats in various sizes and jewelry that is unique to western wear. I also liked the fringed deerskin coat that is reminiscent of Native American fashion with matching turquoise jewelry. The hairstyles from this novel are also designed to be appropriate for rougher activities by staying tied back in simple styles. I love that no matter how many new stories the game released, the outfits always look different from the previous sets.

To sum up, Showdown in Glitter Rise is an intriguing addition to the Time Princess app's collection of visual novels. Breaking the stereotype of westerns as male-dominated and violent, this story embraces a more female-friendly and culturally sensitive approach. Through the eyes of the gentle cowgirl Bella, accompanied by the inspiring black female sheriff Alexia and the Native American nomad Wapi, players are immersed in a tale of mystery, friendship, and adventure. The game's expanding wardrobe impresses with its unique western fashion options, showcasing the intricate details of cowgirl attire and Native American-inspired accessories. With its well-crafted storytelling, diverse cast of characters, and the ability to continuously surprise players with fresh costumes, Showdown in Glitter Rise stands out as a testament to the game's commitment to inclusivity and creativity across various time periods and cultures.