Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 295
Series: ?? Not sure
Review Source: For review from Hachette Book Group Canada (@HBGCanada)
Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
Happily ever after is a thing of the past.
A series of natural disasters has decimated the earth. Cut off from the rest of the world, England is a dark place. The sun rarely shines, food is scarce, and groups of criminals roam the woods, searching for prey. The people are growing restless.
When a ruthless revolutionary sets out to overthrow the crown, he makes the royal family his first target. Blood is shed in Buckingham Palace, and only sixteen-year-old Princess Eliza manages to escape.
Determined to kill the man who destroyed her family, Eliza joins the enemy forces in disguise. She has nothing left to live for but revenge, until she meets someone who helps her remember how to hope—and to love—once more. Now she must risk everything to ensure that she not become... The Last Princess.
My Thoughts:
As soon as I heard this book’s concept I knew I had to read it. Despite the huge amount of post-apocalyptic books that have come out in the past year I still love reading about the concept and seeing the different ways that people survive after world-ending circumstances. I also happen to love stories about royalty, so the fact that this book combined the two made it one I couldn’t miss.
In some respects this book definitely lived up to my expectations. It was exciting and featured some great characters living through horrific circumstances. I loved the plot of the book and where the story went, yet somehow in the past week since I’ve read the book it’s all become a bit forgettable and jumbled up in my mind. I think one reason for this is because of the book’s length. Usually I find myself wishing an author will stop with so many details and just get on with the plot. On the opposite side of the spectrum I feel like ‘The Last Princess’ could have been split into two books in itself, therefore giving room for more details and development.
I enjoyed the concept of this book a lot, I just found the writing to be a bit sparse. I would have liked more development for the characters and the situations they were in, because I actually really enjoyed what was there. I also had an issue with the romance because it really just came out of nowhere. I’m one of the hugest fans of romance in YA novels, but this one really didn’t need that added element (unless it was developed further and felt more like a natural part of the story, rather than a gimmick).
Is this worth a read? I think so. Despite my issues with it I found the book to be exciting, and I had a good time reading about the circumstances and the characters.
The Cover:
I like it, it's pretty evocative.
Rating:
[3/5]Find The Last Princess by Galaxy Craze on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.
Hi ashley. I saw your comment about visiting the YA book festival in Rochester and came to say hello from downtown Toronto. In addition to reviewing YA books, do you also write your own YA novels? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi Giora! No, I don't write novels at this time. I used to write a lot of fiction, but nothing in the past few years.
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ReplyDeleteI still like the dystopian concept, too, as long as it's well done. While I like the idea of this one, something about it turned me off (maybe it's the author's name...poor thing. Please tell me it's a pseudonym.). Too bad the details aren't there like they need to be in a strong book of this genre.
ReplyDeleteWell, apparently it's *not* a psuedonym, which is probably the most amsuing thing about the whole situation.
DeleteI haven't read too many post-apocalyptic books but this one has caught my attention. Thanks for the great review, I think I will give Last Princess a try ;)
ReplyDeleteOh, it sounds like it didn't quite live up to the premise, though the book wasn't bad.
ReplyDeleteLike Mary, I'm also a bit put off by the author's name, it's too gimmicky for my taste - sorry if it's her/his actual name.
Haha, I think her parents were hippies because it appears to be her actual name. Apparently she was an indie actress and has a couple of other books out as well.
DeleteThat's interesting. I got a soap opera-y name (as in really long and melodramatic) but at least they are regular names :P
DeleteI'm glad it still kind of lived up to your expectations and that you still enjoyed it! It sucks the writing was a bit sparse though--it always sucks when it's got positional but falls on something like that. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI like the cover too, and am interested that it's set in England. Will try to track this one down at the library sometime - sounds worth a read. And add me to the list of people wondering about the author's name!
ReplyDeleteI was totally curious about the name as well, which is why I researched it, especially with everyone else curious about it at all. =b It's definitely very interesting, that's for sure... since it appears to be her REAL name.
DeleteAww, I'm sorry you didn't like this one, Ashley! My sister read it, and absolutely loved it, but based on your review, I'm pretty sure the writing would have irked me as well.
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
"On the opposite side of the spectrum I feel like ‘The Last Princess’ could have been split into two books in itself, therefore giving room for more details and development."
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree. Usually in a review I say something along the lines of "this book could have been 100 pages shorter" but that was definitely not the case. I loved the fast pace, but I desperately wanted more information about everything:)
I saw this book not too long ago and thought it sounded really good, but I'm kind of thinking I might not totally love it. Idk, if it lands in my hands, I might.
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