Publishing Date: September 19th, 2000
Page Count: 240
Source: Borrowed from the library
Format: Hardcover
Description from Goodreads.com:
She's just a New York City girl living with her artist mom...
News Flash: Dad is prince of Genovia. (So that's why a limo meets her at the airport!)
Downer: Dad can't have any more kids. (So no heir to the throne.)
Shock of the Century: Like it or not, Mia Thermopolis is prime princess material.
Mia must take princess lessons from her dreaded grandmére, the dowager princess of Genovia, who thinks Mia has a thing or two to learn before she steps up to the throne.
Well, her father can lecture her until he's royal-blue in the face about her princessly duty--no way is she moving to Genovia and leaving Manhattan behind. But what's a girl to do when her name is Princess Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo?
Review:
The Princess Diaries is one of those super popular books that everyone has heard of, but tons still haven't read. I was one of those people. I love Meg Cabot, but I never read this series. I finally decided enough was enough when I met her this year at Book Expo America and decided to read the first book. I went to my local library, put it on hold, got it and then couldn't put it down. It was so good! If you've seen the movie, they were pretty similar. The movie definitely dramatizes a LOT and tweaks everything here and there, but for the most part they had the same message. I absolutely love it and I can't wait to read the next one. It was such a fun, light read. I am used to complex, dark plot lines and this was about an unpopular girl who finds out she's the Princess of Genovia.
There were only a couple things that irked me about Mia, but there wasn't anything big enough to make me not like her or the story. I mean, everyone has flaws - even characters. One thing that bugged me was she didn't want to be a princess. What kind of fool doesn't want to be a princess? I mean she was fine being royal, but she didn't want the judgements. Mia is super insecure, her best friend hates monarchy, and she knows she will be tortured by the popular kids at school. The thing is, I still would have been stoked. I would have told my best friend when I found out, because who can keep that inner turmoil to themselves? I would have made her see that Genovia's monarchy was different and that if she was my best friend she would be ok with it, and if not - screw her. Mia's friend does not take it well and this is something they gloss over in the movie. In the movie she is upset for like two seconds and only because Mia didn't tell her. In the book, it's a whole bunch of hoopla.
The other thing that bugged me about Mia was that she let people walk all over her. In the end she starts to get her voice, but I just wish she would have had it the whole time. Overall, though Mia was totally relatable. She was insecure, naive, and quiet. Almost every girl can relate at least a little bit to her. I also love that the story is told all in Mia's point of view and in Diary entries, but not how you think. We still get the full story, because it appears Mia has a fantastic memory. The entries are chapters, but they are just very personal - like diary entries.
Overall:
I am so happy I finally read this book! I will absolutely be continuing on with the series, and definitely rewatching the films too. It was such a fun, light, and quick read. It is a perfect series for the summer. I absolutely love the dramatic, teen angst and I can't wait for future romances to pop up. I know there are a lot of you out there who are like me and haven't read this series, so I'm telling you to get on it! It was really good!
Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 5/5
**The books cover, description, and info was all found on Goodreads. A link back has been provided. All other work and ideas are of my own creation. This book was borrowed from my local library.**
