The Runaway Princess

September 11, 2006
In this parody of traditional fairy tale motifs, first-time novelist Coombs introduces a host of comical heroes, heroines, villains and buffoons. Meg, the only daughter of King Stomgard and Queen Istilda, is not your ordinary princess. She detests frilly dresses and would rather chase frogs than learn to embroider. What 15-year-old Meg hates most is being "sequestered" in a tower while princes from far and wide contend for her hand in marriage. The contest consists of three tasks: slaying a dragon, hunting down a witch and ridding the kingdom of bandits. Employing her wits, agility, and quite a lot of help from Cam, the gardener's boy, and Dilly, the princess's personal maid, Meg manages to escape her prison and embark on the wildest adventure of her life. Her goal is to beat the royal contenders at their own game and thus avoid matrimony. Meg's quest to stay one step ahead of her suitors is sure to keep readers entertained, especially when the dragon, witch and bandits turn out to be far more amiable than the vain "bread-for-brains" princes, and Meg receives magical trinkets that enable her to perform some interesting tricks. Reminiscent of Shrek
and Once Upon a Mattress
, this pleasingly twisty tale offers rib-tickling surprises around every corner. Ages 10-up.

September 1, 2006
Gr 5-7 -Princess Meg, 15, has a problem. Her father, the king of Greeve, has issued a proclamation offering her hand in marriage to any prince who can defeat a dragon, a witch, and a hoard of local bandits. The princess isn -t thrilled with this plan. After all, the witch is harmless, the dragon defunct, and the bandits steal from the rich and give to the poor. Unfortunately, because she objects so strongly, she is immediately sequestered to the tower until the contest is over. Fortunately, Meg knows how to get out of a difficult situation, and it -s up to her to warn the witch, help the bandits, and take care of a relatively innocent young dragon before some of the less-than-honorable princes wreak havoc on the kingdom. Coombs -s good-natured tale is as comfortable poking fun at established fairy-tale tropes as it is honoring them. Readers will have no difficulty rooting for Meg, and the story as a whole is a pleasurable read with amusing details and witty twists. Pair this rousing adventure with Gail Carson Levine -s "Ella Enchanted" (HarperCollins, 1997)." -Elizabeth Bird, New York Public Library"

Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2006
In an attempt to replenish the treasury of Greve, King Stromgard offers his 15-year-old daughter Meg's hand in marriage to the prince who can rid the kingdom of a dragon, a witch, and some pesky bandits. The plan calls for Meg to be sequestered in a tower for the duration, a troublesome detail that she quickly circumvents with the help of several other palace teens. Together they rescue the dragon (a baby); warn the witch (receiving her help in return); meet a helpful young wizard; and discover that the bandits are really not as evil as everyone thinks. Coombs, who also wrote " The Secret Keeper " (2006), has created another strong heroine who eschews the trappings of her birth in the pursuit of truth, justice, and adventure. Reminiscent of Jean Ferris' " Once upon a Marigold " (2002) and M. M. Kaye's " The Ordinary Princess " (1984), this witty, humorous tale will be popular with fantasy buffs who enjoy takeoffs on fairy tales. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)