Alissa, Princess of Arcadia

Stardust Classics

by Jillian Ross

Alissa is impatient with her great-aunts' lessons in fine manners. She'd much rather study with her new teacher, Balin-a wise and powerful wizard. Balin's lessons take on new importance when his crystal ball reveals a threat to the kingdom. Can Alissa solve a series of riddles in time to prevent disaster? Full color illustrations throughout. Ages 7 and up.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy

87 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1997

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of what was talked about in this story is definitely stuff I'll see progress as the series goes on. Such as Alissa learning magic. I was glad there was a story within the story that ended from this book. The banquet with Roderick. So that we'd get some satisfaction from this book ending rather than having to find out what happens next at the end of a book by having to continuously read the next one.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book about Alissa from the Stardust Classics series. The Alissa books are about the adventures of a ten-year-old girl who is the princess of Arcadia, a Medieval fantasy kingdom.

As the only child of the king, Alissa will one day be the queen of Arcadia, a Medieval-esque fantasy kingdom. She recently had her tenth birthday, and her life has changed as a result. Instead of being able to spend her days having fun, she must learn etiquitte with her great aunts. And with an important alliance ceremony with a neighboring kingdom coming up, in which Alissa will play a role, there is extra pressure to learn to become a proper princess. Then she meets a wizard, Balin, who lives in a secret room in the castle. He begins to give her lessons in magic, which she is eager to learn. However, Balin foresees that a danger threatens the alliance and could lead to war for Arcadia, and he believes Alissa is the only one who can find who the villain is. Will she solve the riddle in time?

This is a good fantasy story for young girls. The character of Alissa will appeal to them; she is a strong female character. The setting of the kingdom is not described much, and the story is very simple, but young girls, including reluctant readers, are sure to enjoy this book, and want to read the rest of the books about Alissa's adventures.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is an old childhood favorite, and while simple, I think the story is still good.

But it's way more obvious a copy of the "American Girl" formula than I had realized. The books are the same size and shape as the original AG paperbacks, and they mix full-page illustrations with small sidebar pictures. (When American girl changed their branding to "beforever" most of those illustrations vanished, which was a shame).

Nick Backes, who illustrated the Alissa series, also illustrated the American Girl Molly. And Alissa and Molly have the SAME FACE.

[Martine]

Bought these books for my daughter Alissa. She never read them but I am holding on them for old time sake.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

12.28.1999 My Alissa really liked the activities in the back of the book. Alissa liked it that King Edmund was taught by Balin, the Wizard just like Alissa was.