Book Review: The Rat Prince

The Rat Prince is a delightful version of Cinderella told, in great part, from the point of view of the rats that lived with her. The prince of the rats, Prince Char, had taken get interest in Cinderella ever since her stepmother and stepsisters moved in. He did everything he could to make life easier for her, and in exchange, she befriended them and tried to get rid of the rat poison the mean cook set out for them.

When news of the ball came to the rats, Prince Char and some of his rat warriors went to the castle to check out the prince. If Cinderella married him, not only would her life improve, but she could get rid of the wicked stepmother who tried to kill Prince Char’s subjects, and their rat lives would improve as well.

Things take a dreadful turn for the worse when Prince Char and his warriors sneak into the castle and discover horrible news. Then to make matters worse, Cinderella’s “fairy godmother” chooses Prince Char and two of his loyal subjects to be coachmen. Prince Char must deal with his new human body and find a way to save all of them from the tragedy that looms. They have until midnight before the spell ends. Will they have enough time?

Bridget Hodder takes an idea that seems quite unbelievable, albeit terribly amusing, and turns it into a story that feels not only logical but completely possible (in a fairy tale world). Definitely a fun read.

4 Stars

Book Review: An Uncertain Choice

Seventeen-year-old Lady Rosemarie Montfort is struggling to maintain control over Ashby while trying to come to grips with the promise her parents made to the church when she was a child, the promise that Lady Rosemarie would become a nun on her eighteenth birthday. Rosemarie only learned of this promise when her parents died, and she had finally begun to accept it when her godfather, the Duke of Rivenshire, arrived to tell her there was a loophole. If she can marry before midnight on her eighteenth birthday, the contract will be broken. With her eighteenth birthday only a month away, Rosemarie agrees to let the three knights that her godfather brought with him compete to win her affection.

Even with romance in the air, life must go on. The sheriff of Ashby resents having to take orders from a woman, especially one as young as Rosemarie, and it’s not easy keeping him in line. Added to that is the conflict between Rosemarie’s long-time advisor, Abbot Francis Michael, and her godfather. And to make matters worse, treachery breaks out among her suitors, and the evidence seems to point to the one man she wants the most to be innocent.

This is an exciting, clean romance with a fairy tale feel, complete with ruthless villains and brave heroes.

4 Stars

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Book Review: Little Red Riding Hood: Werewolf Slayer

This retelling of Little Red Riding Hood opens up a wonderful new world of danger and romance. The history of the hood and its power is revealed as is the true nature of the wolf. Nothing is as innocuous as it seems, and our hero isn’t the helpless little girl we read about in other versions. This story is a little dark in places, but it will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat. I highly recommend it.

5 Stars

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