📖 Overview
Princess Amira rides through the forest one day and discovers Princess Sadie trapped in a tower. This chance encounter sets both princesses on an unexpected journey together through their kingdom.
The two princesses face obstacles and challenges as they travel, learning to work as a team despite their different backgrounds and approaches to problem-solving. Their quest brings them into contact with dragons, ogres, and other beings who test their developing partnership.
This graphic novel explores themes of friendship, self-discovery, and defying stereotypes about what makes someone a "proper" princess. The story demonstrates how strength comes in many forms and how people can complement each other's abilities while staying true to themselves.
👀 Reviews
Readers highlight this graphic novel's positive LGBTQ+ representation and its fresh take on fairy tale tropes. Parents and teachers note it works well for young readers ages 7-12.
Readers appreciated:
- The art style and color palette
- Representation of different body types and relationships
- Simple but meaningful messages about being yourself
- Age-appropriate content for elementary school readers
Common criticisms:
- Story feels rushed and underdeveloped
- Too short at 56 pages
- Some readers wanted more world-building
- Basic plot that older readers may find predictable
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.1/5 (6,800+ ratings)
Amazon: 4.7/5 (230+ ratings)
Barnes & Noble: 4.7/5 (40+ ratings)
One teacher reviewer noted: "My students love that it breaks traditional princess stereotypes." Multiple readers mentioned wanting a sequel or longer version to flesh out the characters and world more fully.
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The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang A graphic novel about identity and acceptance follows a prince who secretly wears dresses and the talented dressmaker who helps him express himself.
Nimona by Noelle Stevenson A shapeshifter becomes the sidekick to a supervillain in this graphic novel that subverts fantasy tropes and explores themes of identity and friendship.
In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan A boy enters a magical realm and turns fairy tale expectations upside down while navigating relationships and questioning traditional heroic structures.
The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag A graphic novel about a boy from a magical family who must choose between following tradition and pursuing his true calling as a witch rather than a shapeshifter.
🤔 Interesting facts
🌟 Author Kay O'Neill identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, creating inclusive stories that challenge traditional fairy tale gender roles.
🏰 The graphic novel began as a webcomic before being published as a book by Oni Press in 2016.
👑 The story subverts classic fairy tale tropes by having Princess Amira rescue Princess Sadie from a tower, rather than the traditional prince-rescues-princess narrative.
🌈 The book received widespread praise for its positive representation of same-sex relationships in children's literature, particularly in the fantasy genre.
🎨 O'Neill's distinctive art style uses soft, pastel colors and rounded shapes to create a welcoming, gentle atmosphere that makes complex themes accessible to young readers.