Publisher: Poppy
Publication Date: May 1, 2012
Format: Hardcover
Status: First in the Last Princess series. (Heh.)
Source: Received from the publisher in exchange for review.
Genre: Teen Post-Apocalyptic
Other Info: Craze is also the author of By the Shore and Tiger, Tiger.
Description and link from Goodreads):
I don’t know about you, but I’m a total Anglophile. I mean, I’m not ready to start drinking my beer at room-temperature or anything, but a reference to Mother England on a dust-jacket always earns a second look from me. You could write a book about fluffy bunny zombies–which, let’s face it, is no one’s favorite genre–but if the backcover blurb mentions how the Fluffy Bunny Zombies invade the Houses of Parliament, I won’t immediately reject it. Shallow? Perhaps, but be honest–who here doesn’t have a back cover blurb weakness? Didn’t think so.
Almost everything about this book–from the moody cover to the blurb with the right keywords–made it seem that it would be a hit with me. (The author’s name being the exception.) Too bad I was entirely mistaken. The Last Princess is one of those books that you have to read alone so others won’t see the faces you make. Or maybe my WTF? face is particularly ugly. Either way, I can’t recommend this one, and here’s why.
The Last Princess hops from one horrible event to the next. I don’t mean that it has nonstop action–I mean, literally, no one has worse luck than Princess Eliza. She just goes from one bad situation to another. The result is eye-rolling. It makes sense that, as a princess, Eliza would have little real-world experience, but it doesn’t mean that she needs to lack intelligence as well. Also, the constant stream of life-threatening events did nothing to heighten the tension of the novel. It lessened it. Despite the fact that Eliza is placed in numerous life-threatening situations, I never once feared for her life. I don’t think my blood pressure spiked at all.
There’s also the pace of the novel. The Last Princess clocks in at 295 pages–but those are large-print, widely-spaced pages. A lot happens…but a lot also doesn’t. Namely, characterization, setting, emotional resonance and world-building. Because of this book, I’ve decided that England would be an awesome setting for a post-apocalyptic novel. I mean–think about it! It’s an island! Think of the complete isolation, the hardship that would result if it was disconnected from the rest of the world! INSTANT CONFLICT. It’s just that The Last Princess didn’t have the juice to pull it off. Thus–interesting concept, poor execution.
Pacing aside, the thing that killed this novel for me was the one-dimensional characters. They were wooden. Again, full of potential, but poorly realized. Part of the problem is the length. I don’t know if I’ve actually said this before, but The Last Princess should have been longer. It needed more substance. I don’t know if more words would’ve have entirely fixed the problem, but I don’t think it would have hurt, either.
1 1/2 Matryoshkas: An elevator ride with this book would be extremely uncomfortable.
Leave a Comment | |
|
|
|
Aww, too bad. I would’ve picked this one because of the blurb too. It sounds awesome. Unfortunately the flaws you pointed out already raise red flags of reasons I would DNF this right away. Hope your next read is much better!
Jenny (from Supernatural Snark) liked it a lot better than I did, so it may have been just me. Still…I won’t be recommended this one to anyone.
My next read was fantastic. I read False Memory by Dan Krokos. It does fast-paced so flipping well!
Meh, I have seen this book around but I’m put off by the share crazyiness of the author’s name. I’ve heard it’s the author’s actual name and that kind of makes it worst.
Though, complete sallowness aside, I keep hearing that the book lacks a lot of development in the character department and that just drives me nuts so I avoid the book.
I’m sorry it wasn’t better for you but I hope your next read is way awesome.
If you were put off by her name, you should check out her info on her author page at Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/213659.Galaxy_Craze
Yes, I agree. Lack of character development is a major, major flaw in a book.
Oh no! I was really looking forward to this book!
It sounds like if I’m determined to read this one, I should borrow it from the library! 
Yeah, I’d definitely suggest a no-strings approach to getting your hands on a copy of this book. There’s always a chance that you’ll like it better than I did, though, so keep that in mind!
Sorry to read that you didn’t love this one but I can totally understand why after reading your review. I really can’t stand characters that don’t grow and just aren’t smart. This one doesn’t sound like one for me.