Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Pan, 2008
(Age 12+) A change of pace from the author of Dairy Queen and its
sequel, The off season, Princess Ben is a fairy tale with a difference.
When her mother is assassinated and her father and his brother the King
disappear, Princess Benevolence is forced by Queen Sophia to acquire
some of the characteristics befitting a princess. Used to running wild
and having her own way, Ben uses every skill she has to hinder the
queen's attempts to make her lose weight and groom her to rule the
kingdom. When she is locked into a tower she discovers a passage that
leads to an enchanted room and spends her nights learning spells and
how to manipulate a magic broom. However her magical skills are
inadequate and she is flung out into the world to fend for herself.
When war looms she is forced to re-examine what she needs to do to look
after her country.
This coming of age story has the reader empathising with Ben, who has
been used to being the centre of her parents' world. Alone and unloved,
she is determined not to turn into the sort of girl who is only
interested in attracting the right type of suitor. Her courage and
determination to become her own person keeps the reader engrossed as
she thwarts Queen Sophia, pursues her magic skills and survives as a
prisoner in the king of Drachensbett's army. The romance strand with
Florian, the Prince of Drachensbett, is less satisfying to romance
lovers, but fits in well with Ben's feisty character.
This would be an easy to read and enjoyable introduction to the genre
of fairy tales retold and could lead to the exploration of more
in-depth stories like those told by Robin McKinley.
Pat Pledger