Rogue Princess

October 28, 2019
In this futuristic Cinderella reimagining, a princess and a palace servant join forces to uncover the rebel conspiracy threatening their resource-strapped world. For the good of planet Astor, Princess Delia must choose between numerous suitors, though she wishes she could marry for love. Meanwhile, Aidan’s goal is to make the money needed to leave his neglectful, abusive family and start fresh on a distant colony. When the two cross paths and discover evidence of a planned coup, they vow to thwart it. Delia thinks Aidan is an undercover royal bodyguard, and he’d rather she not learn that he’s a common thief. As they get closer to uncovering the truth behind the conspiracy, a long-hidden secret may tear them apart. While this novel hits all the familiar beats of its fairy tale inspiration, Myers (Girl on the Run) introduces new elements with her interstellar setting and political intrigue. The slow-burning relationship between Aidan and Delia plays well against the high stakes and late revelations, though some aspects of the worldbuilding and narrative don’t hold up under further scrutiny. An enjoyable interpretation of an old favorite. Ages 13–up.

December 13, 2019

Gr 7 Up-Princess Delia teams up with a snarky commoner named Aidan in this gender-swapped sci-fi twist on "Cinderella." Delia struggles with her duty as heir to the throne. She must choose a prince to marry who will secure an alliance and save her failing planet. However, Delia secretly dreams of true love and is determined to find another way to help her kingdom. After she steals a spaceship to avoid marriage, she discovers Aidan as a handsome stowaway. Aidan prides himself on his sticky fingers, secretly "borrowing" trinkets from the palace to fund his passage off-planet. Sparks fly from their first meeting as they battle pirates and discover plans for a planetary revolution, and the two fall for each other while uncovering the traitorous plot. The novel features good pacing and characterization of its protagonists, though many secondary characters are flat. Readers who enjoy sci-fi, especially Marissa Meyer's "Lunar Chronicles" series, will be charmed by Aidan and Delia. VERDICT A fun and imaginative space adventure with a modern fairy tale twist.-Linsey Milillo, Lane Public Library, Fairfield, OH

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