Princess in Glass by Jessica Day George

The engrossing companion novel to Princess of the Midnight Ball, with a wicked twist on Cinderella.

Hoping to escape the troubles in her kingdom, Princess Poppy reluctantly agrees to take part in a royal exchange program, whereby young princes and princesses travel to each other’s countries in the name of better political alliances—and potential marriages. It’s got the makings of a fairy tale—until a hapless servant named Eleanor is tricked by a vengeful fairy godmother into competing with Poppy for the eligible prince. Ballgowns, cinders, and enchanted glass slippers fly in this romantic and action-packed happily-ever-after quest from an author with a flair for embroidering tales in her own delightful way.

How does Jessica Day George write great stories over and over again? True, she's writing stories that all children know and are told as fairy tales, but Ms. George does it with great imagination and carefully plotted twists. Her characters jump off the page as real people and their lives are believable even if fantasy.
Princess in Glass is no exception.
Poppy is a princess that lived through a terrible fate of dancing every night in an enchanted castle. After a servant set her and her sisters free, Poppy, now 16, leaves her kingdom for another in a political attempt to being all the kingdoms together.
While there, Poppy finds a mystery, handsome prince, friends and her own inner strength. Plus, she has to dance though she vowed never to do so again.
I loved Poppy! She's spirited, flawed, funny and kind. She curses like a warrior thanks to her brothers-in-law (but the book never has the swear words), she can fight and shot a gun plus dance gracefully.
Every character has their own story and are believable. They only character that didn't get enough page time is the godmother. I would've liked to see more of her personality she I could be taken in by her.
Ms. George weaves a new story of Cinderella, cinders and glass slippers. Or Eleanora as she was known in the castles she was hired to work. Poor Eleanora can't cook, clean, wash or iron without catastrophe.
The story line of Poppy and Eleanora twists seamlessly together and both must show their strengths.
And in the end, the handsome prince must slip the glass shoe on his true love.
This book is one of my new favorite fairy tale retelling. I recommend it as a summer read-outloud book for your family.
Good job, Jessica! I'm waiting for your next book!

Rating: PG
V: Evil godmother
L: None
S: None