What Being A Princess Really Means

When I first picked this book up in the local thrift store, I laughed. As noted in this review, I’m not the biggest fan of modern princess stories. For little girls, princesses are sacred. I’m not consenting to stealing the integral role a princess provides for little girls through modern de-feminization in YA literature.

However, this book surprised me and I actually like it. Will it replace The Light Princess by George MacDonald or classic Disney movies? Nope, not even close. But, I do think it offers insight into a different side of a princess which classic literature rarely illustrates: her authority.

Miri, a small girl who isn’t allowed to mine in the canyons with her family and village, is comfortable watching the sheep and trading with merchants who come to the mountain. When ministers from the King announce the next bride of the prince will be found on Mt. Eskel and the famous Princess Academy will be constructed to teach all eligible young ladies the ways of the court, the village dissents.

Over the course of a year, Miri, an outcast in her village leads them out of poverty, into proper economical standing with the kingdom, and into a flourishing trading post. Obviously, Miri also uncovers a powerful mystery surrounding the mountain via telepathic communication, but economics fascinates me more.

Thank you for listening to Novel Finds! A series where I read a book a week which I found at the local thrift store. Learn more about this series by following me on Insta and TikTok @softly.shespeaks.

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