Title: The Golden Princess
Author: L.R. Garner
Publisher: XlibrisNZ
ISBN: 9781493137701
Pages: 244
Genre: Fiction
Reviewed by: Lisa Brown-Gilbert
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Author L.R. Garner shifts reality for young female readers with his fantastical debut novel, The Golden Princess. Ten years in the making, this fanciful narrative was penned and published by author Garner as a work of love for his diffusing family, particularly for his granddaughters and nieces. Wholly, the novel is an appealing combination of Harry Potter meets Alice in Wonderland meets the comics as central character Alice, embarks on multiple adventures of often heroic and magical proportions, all while she grows towards adulthood and fulfilling her destiny as a modern day, Princess Royal.
As part of the royal family, young Alice leads a lonely existence while her busy parents, The King and Queen are often kept occupied and away from Alice because of other royal obligations. Poor Alice, although, surrounded by all the amenities that a young girl could want, she did not have other children to play with leaving her with her lady in waiting-Glenda, and other servants for company and at times guidance.
Loneliness aside, Alice turns out to be a resilient, inquisitive, humble, clever, and heroic- natured young lady, who in many senses is just like any other female her age, except she has an important destiny to fulfill and magical gifts she must learn to use. Initially, Alice seems a bit insecure, and hesitant about performing her royal duties as expected. But, as time goes on the princess learns about life and has exciting and occasional perilous adventures. Along the way she encounters other intriguing characters, wields her abilities and grows to accept her true destiny blossoming into a stalwart, self- assured, super-powered and beautiful adult princess.
Overall, I liked reading The Golden Princess; this was a charming book, and would certainly appeal to young female readers. I like the way the novel is set up in a series of adventurous vignettes that follow likable Alice from eight years old to adulthood. Also, Alice is a nicely developed character to follow and what was particularly engaging about Alice was her well developed, altruistic nature present throughout the story, which set a nice example for young readers, especially when it comes to helping the less fortunate. However, I do have just one minor contention and that is the mention of using “slaves” during a magic show performed by the princess. Use of the word “slave” came across as out of place in this portrayal of the life of a modern day princess. Albeit, contention aside, I do recommend The Golden Princess to readers who appreciate an engaging read about the adventures of a magically gifted princess.
