Name: The Wolf Princess
Author: Cathryn Constable
Publisher: Chicken House
Release Date: October 4th 2012
Pages: 288, Paperback
Source: For review (from publisher)
Rating: 4 stars
The Wolf Princess is a beautiful, heart-warming tale of three British teenage girls who get whisked off to Russia in a whirlwind of secrets, diamonds and forgotten palaces. It is a truly sparkling debut from a promising new British author for younger teens.
The setting of this book is what made it a truly magical experience. There was always a rather dreamy atmosphere present in the pages and this was heightened when the three girls journey to Russia. Cathryn Constable was generous with beautiful, entrancing descriptions of the country renowned for its palaces and plentiful snow. Every time I picked up the book, I felt as if I had been transported to an entirely different world.
The characters were pretty average young teenagers but I think younger readers would find it easier to connect with them. Sophie's selflessness was what really stood out and she would make a great role model for tweens. Her best friends came in the form of Delphine, the beautiful, rich girl, and Marianne, the typical nerdy friend.
The plot itself was quite interesting and enchanting, and I loved reading about the history and learning about the wolves. I also picked up a few Russian words (although my pronunciation must have been terrible!) and there was so much culture and magic from the pages.
The Wolf Princess is a truly captivating read, perfect to pick up beside a crackling fireplace. Sometimes we all need a gentle reprieve from heavier YA books and The Wolf Princess is perfect if you want something to evoke childhood memories and the sense of innocence you always get from books like this. Let Cathryn Constable whisk you away on a train through a cold, Russian winter night...
Alone in the world, Sophie dreams of being someone special, but she could never have imagined this.
On a school trip to Russia, Sophie and her two friends find themselves on the wrong train. They are rescued by the beautiful Princess Anna Volkonskaya, who takes them to her winter palace and mesmerises them with stories of lost diamonds and a tragic past. But as night falls and wolves prowl, Sophie discovers more than dreams in the crumbling palace of secrets.
[summary taken from Goodreads]
Beverley's Review
The Wolf Princess is a beautiful, heart-warming tale of three British teenage girls who get whisked off to Russia in a whirlwind of secrets, diamonds and forgotten palaces. It is a truly sparkling debut from a promising new British author for younger teens.
The setting of this book is what made it a truly magical experience. There was always a rather dreamy atmosphere present in the pages and this was heightened when the three girls journey to Russia. Cathryn Constable was generous with beautiful, entrancing descriptions of the country renowned for its palaces and plentiful snow. Every time I picked up the book, I felt as if I had been transported to an entirely different world.
The characters were pretty average young teenagers but I think younger readers would find it easier to connect with them. Sophie's selflessness was what really stood out and she would make a great role model for tweens. Her best friends came in the form of Delphine, the beautiful, rich girl, and Marianne, the typical nerdy friend.
The plot itself was quite interesting and enchanting, and I loved reading about the history and learning about the wolves. I also picked up a few Russian words (although my pronunciation must have been terrible!) and there was so much culture and magic from the pages.
The Wolf Princess is a truly captivating read, perfect to pick up beside a crackling fireplace. Sometimes we all need a gentle reprieve from heavier YA books and The Wolf Princess is perfect if you want something to evoke childhood memories and the sense of innocence you always get from books like this. Let Cathryn Constable whisk you away on a train through a cold, Russian winter night...
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| 4 Teacups for The Wolf Princess
*Thanks to Chicken House for the book!*
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Posts
Ooh, I love that there's such a fantastic setting for this one and it sounds great! I hadn't heard of it before, so thanks for putting this on my radar, Bev! Great review! :)
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of this book, but your praise of the setting definitely intruiged me. Russia is a different backdrop, and that's great that the book teaches you words of that country's language. :) It certainly does sound enchanting.
ReplyDeleteBEVVVVV! WOW. RUSSIA. Meee likeyyy! There's something about Russia that's always intrigued meeee :) This does look like a book younger teens would enjoy but I'm still glad you liked it so much! Awesome review Bev<3
ReplyDeleteThe Russian setting sounds magical, Beverly! Glad to see you enjoyed this. Lovely review. :)
ReplyDeleteThis looks gorgeous! Not only the cover but the story. I can read a dreamy atmosphere. I love that she's a Wolf Princess. I love wolves <3. I have to add this on Goodreads now. Lovely review (:
ReplyDeleteI quite liked this too :) Great review :)
ReplyDeleteThis does sound lovely! Think I may have to grab a copy of this and put the fire on!
ReplyDeleteI remember lots of people receiving this one for review with the lovely parcel wrapping.. the cover is so beautiful! :) I haven't been interested it reading this up until your review so thanks for sharing. :) Great review, Beverley! <3
ReplyDeleteoooh this sounds really good! So adding it to my tbr pile, awesome review hun! (:
ReplyDeleteHaley @ YA-Aholic
I always find it really refreshing when I read books for younger teenagers too! I just love the childhood memories they bring back! This book particularly stands out to me for this very purpose - I'm definitely in the mood to be whisked up into another world and out of my own! Beautiful review, Bev! Thanks so much for sharing! :D
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds awesome! I might be adding this to my TBR books!
ReplyDeleteJust started following you and hope you can follow back as well!
www.themakeupmother.blogspot.com
Oh, Russia? I haven't read a book set anywhere other than the US in far too long. This sounds wonderfully refreshing! I'm glad to hear you were impressed with the storytelling here. Wonderful review as always, Beverley! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I adored this book! I went to see Anna Karenina around the same time that I read The Wolf Princess, and now have a mild obsession with Russia...
ReplyDeleteThanks for your review. I really didn't know much about this book. This is the first review that I have had the pleasure to read.
ReplyDeleteOh this sounds so lovely! I like how you said it was dreamy and the descriptions were detailed.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely checking this out. Sort of reminds me of Eva Ibbotson's books if you've read them.
I LOVE Eva Ibbotson's books. Do you mean her YA historical romances or the middle reader stuff? I've mostly read the former, and loved them all.
DeleteNice to see a review of this one here! I think it's getting minimal buzz, so sadly not that many people seem to have heard of it, even though it's a great book. Very atmospheric...and magical without any actual magic.
ReplyDelete