What do you think?
Rate this book
The Princess and the Lord of Night
Cursed at birth by an evil lord, a princess uses intelligence, cleverness, and generosity to outwit the lord and undo the spell
32 pages, Library Binding
First published March 1, 1994
2 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
Emma Bull
83 books692 followersEmma Bull is a science fiction and fantasy author whose best-known novel is War for the Oaks, one of the pioneering works of urban fantasy. She has participated in Terri Windling's Borderland shared universe, which is the setting of her 1994 novel Finder. She sang in the rock-funk band Cats Laughing, and both sang and played guitar in the folk duo The Flash Girls while living in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Her 1991 post-apocalyptic science fiction novel Bone Dance was nominated for the Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Awards. Bull wrote a screenplay for War for the Oaks, which was made into an 11-minute mini-film designed to look like a film trailer. She made a cameo appearance as the Queen of the Seelie Court, and her husband, Will Shetterly, directed. Bull and Shetterly created the shared universe of Liavek, for which they have both written stories. There are five Liavek collections extant.
She was a member of the writing group The Scribblies, which included Will Shetterly as well as Pamela Dean, Kara Dalkey, Nate Bucklin, Patricia Wrede and Steven Brust. With Steven Brust, Bull wrote Freedom and Necessity (1997), an epistolary novel with subtle fantasy elements set during the 19th century United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Chartist movement.
Bull graduated from Beloit College in 1976. Bull and Shetterly live in Arizona.
Her 1991 post-apocalyptic science fiction novel Bone Dance was nominated for the Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Awards. Bull wrote a screenplay for War for the Oaks, which was made into an 11-minute mini-film designed to look like a film trailer. She made a cameo appearance as the Queen of the Seelie Court, and her husband, Will Shetterly, directed. Bull and Shetterly created the shared universe of Liavek, for which they have both written stories. There are five Liavek collections extant.
She was a member of the writing group The Scribblies, which included Will Shetterly as well as Pamela Dean, Kara Dalkey, Nate Bucklin, Patricia Wrede and Steven Brust. With Steven Brust, Bull wrote Freedom and Necessity (1997), an epistolary novel with subtle fantasy elements set during the 19th century United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Chartist movement.
Bull graduated from Beloit College in 1976. Bull and Shetterly live in Arizona.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 14, 2024
A young princess must be given everything she wants in this original fairy-tale, or else the curse put upon her by the Lord of the Night will lead to the death of her parents and the ruination of her kingdom. Realizing one day that she must set out to find what she really wants, the girl takes to the road on her swift white horse that can traverse the length of the kingdom in a day. Accompanied by her walnut-brown dog who understands speech, her ash-gray cat as swift as a blink and as clever as six professors, and her ink-black crow who can recite every poem in the world, and carrying her blue invisibility cloak, the princess parts with each of her animals to help people she meets along the way. Eventually she even gives away her cloak, receiving in return a magical ring that will aid her in obtaining her heart's desire: freedom from the Lord of the Night's curse...
Published in 1994, The Princess and the Lord of the Night is, as far as I know, the only picture book ever produced by author Emma Bull, who is better known for her fantasy fiction for adult readers. The story itself is a wonderful tale, one in which generosity and courage are rewarded, as the eponymous princess finds that she wants others to be safe, happy and healthy more than she wants to hold on to the wonders which belong to her—a state of affairs which results in her winning her freedom from the curse holding her, her family and her kingdom captive. The accompanying artwork from illustrator Susan Gaber, done in watercolor and colored pencil, is just lovely, capturing the beauty and magic of the princess, her companions and her journey. I have encountered Gaber's work before, in Heather Forest's Stone Soup , and in her The Baker's Dozen , and have enjoyed it, but I think the illustrations here far surpass what can be found in those two other titles. In any case, this is one I greatly enjoyed, and which I would recommend to young fairy-tales lovers, and to picture book audiences who enjoy fantastical stories.
Published in 1994, The Princess and the Lord of the Night is, as far as I know, the only picture book ever produced by author Emma Bull, who is better known for her fantasy fiction for adult readers. The story itself is a wonderful tale, one in which generosity and courage are rewarded, as the eponymous princess finds that she wants others to be safe, happy and healthy more than she wants to hold on to the wonders which belong to her—a state of affairs which results in her winning her freedom from the curse holding her, her family and her kingdom captive. The accompanying artwork from illustrator Susan Gaber, done in watercolor and colored pencil, is just lovely, capturing the beauty and magic of the princess, her companions and her journey. I have encountered Gaber's work before, in Heather Forest's Stone Soup , and in her The Baker's Dozen , and have enjoyed it, but I think the illustrations here far surpass what can be found in those two other titles. In any case, this is one I greatly enjoyed, and which I would recommend to young fairy-tales lovers, and to picture book audiences who enjoy fantastical stories.
June 25, 2017
I don't know if the cat is going to feature in the story, but I started to read and immediately want to record: "Once upon a time there was a princess who had... and ash-gray cat as swift as a blink and as clever as six professors."
-------------
Ok done. Charming, effective modern folk tale with a 13 yo princess who is both wise and clever, and also kind. Appealing illustrations, and well-written. Not quite wonderful, but definitely worth a place on the library shelves.
-------------
Ok done. Charming, effective modern folk tale with a 13 yo princess who is both wise and clever, and also kind. Appealing illustrations, and well-written. Not quite wonderful, but definitely worth a place on the library shelves.
June 17, 2018
3.5 stars
I only wanted to read this because it’s by Emma Bull, author of my favorite book of all time- “War For The Oaks”
I didn’t even realized when I bought it that it was a short children’s picture book 😂
But it was a cute story about someone who has everything she wants giving it away to people who need it more than she does. And the illustrations are AWESOME! Susan Gaber is so talented!
I do own a few more Emma Bull books I have not read yet and I am excited to do so!
I only wanted to read this because it’s by Emma Bull, author of my favorite book of all time- “War For The Oaks”
I didn’t even realized when I bought it that it was a short children’s picture book 😂
But it was a cute story about someone who has everything she wants giving it away to people who need it more than she does. And the illustrations are AWESOME! Susan Gaber is so talented!
I do own a few more Emma Bull books I have not read yet and I am excited to do so!
April 28, 2019
Lovely fairy tale with some gorgeous art!
When the Lord of Night lays a curse, he really knows how to do it right. If the princess is not provided with everything she ever desires, the entire kingdom will be destroyed.
But our Heroine may just be able to circumvent the curse.
A delightful story for pre-schoolers and those who love art and clever princesses.
When the Lord of Night lays a curse, he really knows how to do it right. If the princess is not provided with everything she ever desires, the entire kingdom will be destroyed.
But our Heroine may just be able to circumvent the curse.
A delightful story for pre-schoolers and those who love art and clever princesses.
January 9, 2021
A nice original tale about a kind and generous princess. I enjoyed the illustrations and how selfless the princess was, but it was unfortunate that one character was simply called "the little brown man."
August 17, 2010
This is slightly longer than I thought when I picked it up from the library. Julia does read books this length and has read one chapter book (on the lookout for another good one for her) but for our "during the day summer reading" we mostly go with the shorter ones. Julia is just under five years old and while she can read a book this length in one sitting she starts getting fidgety after about a half to three quarters. Maybe this is geared towards children a little older?
The illustration is lacking in my opinion and when I asked Julia what she thought she only shrugged. Usually she's quite verbal about what she liked and doesn't like about not only the pictures, but the wording also. So, I came to the conclusion that she was pretty bored with the pictures.
The premise of the story is nice, written in fairy-tale form with a princess under a spell. The princess goes on a journey trying to get out from under the spell and along the way selflessly helps others and in return gets the help she needs.
The way she turned things around on the wizard (was he a wizard?) was different although it'll probably slightly confuse a kid as young as my daughter. She seemed to understand it but when we finished and talked about it some she needed a few things claririfed.
I'm thinking maybe this would be better for a kid a year or two older.
The illustration is lacking in my opinion and when I asked Julia what she thought she only shrugged. Usually she's quite verbal about what she liked and doesn't like about not only the pictures, but the wording also. So, I came to the conclusion that she was pretty bored with the pictures.
The premise of the story is nice, written in fairy-tale form with a princess under a spell. The princess goes on a journey trying to get out from under the spell and along the way selflessly helps others and in return gets the help she needs.
The way she turned things around on the wizard (was he a wizard?) was different although it'll probably slightly confuse a kid as young as my daughter. She seemed to understand it but when we finished and talked about it some she needed a few things claririfed.
I'm thinking maybe this would be better for a kid a year or two older.
October 27, 2008
Once there was a young princess who had everything she ever wanted. She *has* to have everything she wants because if she doesn't, a terrible curse will kick in and kill her parents. Instead of being a silly spoiled brat, the princess is kind and tries not to ask for much. She wakes up one morning and realizes that there is something she wants, but instead of asking the king and queen, she decides to get it herself. This begins a day that changes many lives.
What a nice story. The princess is a great character who genuinely cares about others and helps them as best she can. She could easily be a spoiled brat, but instead she is kind and considerate. And by exhibiting these traits, she ends up with the one thing she truly wants.
What a nice story. The princess is a great character who genuinely cares about others and helps them as best she can. She could easily be a spoiled brat, but instead she is kind and considerate. And by exhibiting these traits, she ends up with the one thing she truly wants.
January 22, 2015
Caroline had found this book among the Bunny Bag books (from the library) at school. Her teacher texted me a pic of the book & told me how C literally stared at the pictures, enraptured with the story, every day for a week! Now, I simply have no willpower against buying a book for my daughter, especially when she absolutely adores one! I immediately scoured the internet for a copy at a decent price. New copies were out of print & being sold at exorbitant prices, but, as luck would have it, I found a used copy in great condition for $5 -- THE BEST $5 I've ever spent! It's a wonderful story about the best kind of princess -- a generous, unselfish, self-rescuing, intelligent, thankful go-getter! Read it to you children! You won't be sorry. This is a gem!
November 13, 2015
Here is another great story for girls fed up of being married off to the prince.
The princess here suffers under a curse that if she is left to want anything her kingdom will be destroyed. Her parents hasten to fulfill her every desire, but instead of being spoiled she is painfully aware of the trial her curse causes them. She sets off therefore to break the curse herself, and does so by helping others with her many wonderful possessions.
The climax of the story is the princess' success in her quest and defeat of the Lord of Night - there is no prince involved at all, and everyone finishes with a good party. My daughters loved this book, and so did I.
The princess here suffers under a curse that if she is left to want anything her kingdom will be destroyed. Her parents hasten to fulfill her every desire, but instead of being spoiled she is painfully aware of the trial her curse causes them. She sets off therefore to break the curse herself, and does so by helping others with her many wonderful possessions.
The climax of the story is the princess' success in her quest and defeat of the Lord of Night - there is no prince involved at all, and everyone finishes with a good party. My daughters loved this book, and so did I.
October 24, 2013
DRA:? Grade Level: 2-6 grades.
The princess had been cursed by the lord of night when she was born. If she did not always get whatever she wanted, her kingdom would be destroyed. On the day of her thirteen birthday, the princess decided to mount her horse and leave the kingdom so that she could try to do something for herself instead of having people catering to her all the time. In her journey she encountered different people that were suffering and in difficulty. The princess was glad to help them and share whatever she had to better their fortune. Eventually, she uncovered a way to hid herself from the curse; put other's wishes first instead of always her own.
The princess had been cursed by the lord of night when she was born. If she did not always get whatever she wanted, her kingdom would be destroyed. On the day of her thirteen birthday, the princess decided to mount her horse and leave the kingdom so that she could try to do something for herself instead of having people catering to her all the time. In her journey she encountered different people that were suffering and in difficulty. The princess was glad to help them and share whatever she had to better their fortune. Eventually, she uncovered a way to hid herself from the curse; put other's wishes first instead of always her own.
April 30, 2017
What would you do if you were granted your every wish because, if your parents didn't do it, their kingdom would be taken away from them? Most kids have probably imagined at some time in their lives that their parents would be required to give them anything they want. In this story the princess has a good heart, and tries not to make her wishes known so that her parents won't have to try to grant them. One day she sets out on a mysterious quest, with only her cat, dog, horse, crow, and velvet cloak. What does she want this time, and who will give it to her?
February 24, 2014
One of my absolute favorite children's books! I love reading this story aloud. It has a lot of characters and a lot of content! It's a little long, but the kids LOVE it! It tends to be better for ages 7+ since it takes a little attention. The illustrations are beautiful, and the story is powerful! It's great to find a story about a princess that is about her finding herself and not about her finding 'true love.'
January 6, 2008
This is a book that has been in our family since my eldest daughter, Shannon, was young. It is a fable like many others, but the heroine is wise and kind and teaches us all an important lesson about the things we want. She also stands up to the dark and evil wizard. Minnesota author Emma Bull is best known for her adult science fiction, but this is one for readers of all ages.
July 31, 2011
Great story and lovely pictures - I'm sure there are tons of lessons to extract, but I liked the princess heading off to take care of things all on her own. She followed the fairy tale rule nicely too (if you see someone sad or hurt on your journey, stop and help them - even if they are ants or bees) - quite satisfactory.
March 9, 2015
Nice illustrations, but the story is a little lacking.
August 4, 2010
Oh hey, an Emma Bull book I hadn't heard of or read. Cute little story, nice art.
April 11, 2015
Minnesota author!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews