The Prince and the Dressmaker

The Prince and the Dressmaker

Jen Wang

This beautiful comic follows Frances, an overworked dressmaker with a creative eye, and Prince Sebastian, a young prince with a secret.  When Frances’ bold fashion creation scandalizes the aristocracy, she receives a cryptic job offer from a mysterious benefactor. Desperate for a better job, she accepts only to discover that her mysterious benefactor is actually the young prince! Wearing beautiful dresses makes Sebastian feel confident and the Prince wants this daring dressmaker to be outfitted as Lady Crystallia.   

The relationship between Frances and Sebastian grows from friendship to something more, but their secret might get between them as it inhibits Frances’ career. Their reputation grows until Lady Crystallia becomes the hottest fashion icon in the kingdom, but Frances gets none of the credit for her amazing creations. On top of that, can Sebastian keep this secret or will this secret identity be discovered. And, if that identity is discovered, what will people think? 

This comic has everything: gorgeous illustrations, loveable characters, creative plot, and strong heartwarming moments. It has a fairy tale vibe full of romance, fashion, and charm.  I love the message that society may set limitations on what you can and cannot do, but breaking out of that mold can make you all the more interesting and successful.  Just because you are a poor seamstress, does not mean you cannot have a voice, and just because you’re supposed to be a certain way does not mean you cannot thrive if you break out of that mold. 

The Prince and the Dressmaker is a great story with a clear, positive message. An all-around smile inducing story!

Book of the Month - Happily Ever After

By Kiera Cass
 
Happily Ever After by Kiera Cass is a relative of the Selection Series. While this book is not part of the chronological selection stories, it does offer a behind the scenes look at some of the more prominent characters in the main series. Before picking up this book, you need to be aware that it contains spoilers and if you have not completed the Selection books before reading it, you will learn the outcome of things yet to happen. Despite having read this book while waiting for the Heir to arrive, I still enjoyed reading about the characters I had come to know, even though some information about future events was revealed.

In this book, each character has his or own chapter, and we learn a little of their back story, which helps in some cases to understand the actions of the character in the series. The Queen takes us into Queen Amberly's pre-queen days and we can see why she has an affinity for America. In The Prince lets us a little futher inside Maxon. Aspen`s story is told in The Guard and is a little longer than the others. Truth be told, I get a little tired of Aspen in the series, he unnecessarily hounds America. I really liked The Favourite, as Marlee was a good friend to America and I was saddened at her demise, so this tale gave me a little more information to lift that sadness. I did not really care for Celeste, but this chapter did help me to dislike her a little less. With The Maid,  I was happy to learn a bit more about Lucy and her chance for happiness. After the One offers a glimpse at America's mew life and there's a final chapter that wraps up the girls who remained in the selection to the end. I liked that as I often wonder what happened to those "left behind" and it was a nice way to end their stories. 

If you like this series, you might like to try this collection of short stories. It's a nice quick read, and takes you a bit further into the world of the Selection.

Book of the Month: January - Dorothy Must Die

By Danielle Paige

We’ve all heard the tales. Dorothy, a simple farm girl from Kansas and her peppy little dog Toto, are whisked away by a tornado to a magical land called Oz. There she meets a strange assortment of friends, and in a deal with the Wizard of Oz she battles the Wicked Witch of the East and as a reward is sent back to Kansas. Or, at least that’s what Frank Baum wants us to believe…

Finally, we have the true tale of Dorothy who overthrew the Wizard of Oz and now rules with a fury that would make Alice in Wonderland's Queen of Hearts seem like a pacifist. What about Scarecrow, Tin man, and Lion? Scarecrow is a mad scientist experimenting on monkeys, Tin Man has knives for fingers, and Lion kills his foes by absorbing their fear. Magic is strong in Oz.

Along comes Amy, another girl from Kansas. She’s no farm girl, but rather she’s a strong-willed teenager from the local trailer park. One night Amy, along with her mom’s pet rat, is whisked away to Oz where she’s recruited to take down Dorothy and restore peace.

To do so, Amy will have to undergo rigorous training to use weapons and magic. Guided by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked, a trio of witches and an assortment of teens, Amy reluctantly takes on her task in hopes to get home.

This is a fantastic retelling of an age-old classic that both those familiar and unfamiliar with the original story will enjoy. It’s gritty, violent, and yes there’s a touch of romance without it being center to the story. Highly recommend.

There is a prequel (e-book only) called No Place Like Oz, and three sequels, The Witch Must Burn, The Wizard Returns and The Wicked Will Rise. Other books like Dorothy Must Die: Cinder by Marissa Meyer, The Ring and the Crown by Melissa de la Cruz, and The Iron King by Julie Kagawa.