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The Princess Tales #2
The Princess Test
King Humphrey has decided it's time for his son, Prince Nicholas, to marry. But he must make sure the bride is a real princess. So he devises a series of princess tests, designed to weed out the phonies and the fakes. Meanwhile, Nicholas has fallen in love with Lorelei, a mere blacksmith's daughter. She's no princess, but he wants to marry her all the same--but how will she ever pass the terrible tests?
91 pages, Hardcover
First published March 21, 1999
19 people are currently reading
3325 people want to read
About the author
Gail Carson Levine
65 books9,662 followersJust letting you all know: I'm only going to review books I love. There's enough negative criticism without me piling on. A book is too hard to write.
Gail Carson Levine grew up in New York City and began writing seriously in 1987. Her first book for children, Ella Enchanted, was a 1998 Newbery Honor Book. Levine's other books include Fairest; Dave at Night, an ALA Notable Book and Best Book for Young Adults; The Wish; The Two Princesses of Bamarre; and the six Princess Tales books. She is also the author of the nonfiction book Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly and the picture book Betsy Who Cried Wolf, illustrated by Scott Nash. Gail, her husband, David, and their Airedale, Baxter, live in a 1790 farmhouse in the Hudson River Valley of New York State.
Gail Carson Levine grew up in New York City and began writing seriously in 1987. Her first book for children, Ella Enchanted, was a 1998 Newbery Honor Book. Levine's other books include Fairest; Dave at Night, an ALA Notable Book and Best Book for Young Adults; The Wish; The Two Princesses of Bamarre; and the six Princess Tales books. She is also the author of the nonfiction book Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly and the picture book Betsy Who Cried Wolf, illustrated by Scott Nash. Gail, her husband, David, and their Airedale, Baxter, live in a 1790 farmhouse in the Hudson River Valley of New York State.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 365 reviews
September 17, 2020
Do you like retelling of fairy-tales? Gail Carson Levine is the author for you. She is witty, and pokes fun at fairy-tales all the while making you love the story even more.
“She cried when her porridge was too hot or too cold or too salty or too bitter or too sweet. She cried when her bathwater was too hot or too cold or too wet or not wet enough.”
– The Princess Test by Gail Carson Levine
Just by the first page, you can grasp the humor Levine puts in her words. Her use of run-on sentences leaves you out of breath and laughing from the repetitiveness.
In The Princess Test, a retelling of a Danish fairy tale called The Princess and the Pea by Hans Christian Andersen (or “The Princess on the Peas”) a little girl named Lorelei has a humble heart and is kind to anyone and everyone she meets. The problem is that even though she wants to help and wants to contribute to the household chores, she always ends up hurt in one way or another.
The nanny her father hired does not like Lorelei because she is so lazy! She can’t do anything without getting hurt! She wants to "do her off.."
Prince Nicholas has two parents that never agree on anything. If one thinks it’s too salty, the other thinks it’s too sweet. The king and queen come up with a test that maidens will undertake who want to marry Nicholas. Lorelei, after some unfortunate events, becomes an applicant…
What will happen? Will Nicholas and Lorelei end up together? Will Lorelei end up accidentally hurt herself beyond repair? What exactly are the test and why are they so ridiculous but so true?
Levine has a splash of humor you will not find anyone else. Using plays on words and awkward humor, this is perfect for a story for a young girl or for a grown woman who can’t get enough of fairy-tales (cough me), as long as the scary nanny's thoughts don't run you off. I will always be a fan of Levine’s writing.
“She cried when her porridge was too hot or too cold or too salty or too bitter or too sweet. She cried when her bathwater was too hot or too cold or too wet or not wet enough.”
– The Princess Test by Gail Carson Levine
Just by the first page, you can grasp the humor Levine puts in her words. Her use of run-on sentences leaves you out of breath and laughing from the repetitiveness.
In The Princess Test, a retelling of a Danish fairy tale called The Princess and the Pea by Hans Christian Andersen (or “The Princess on the Peas”) a little girl named Lorelei has a humble heart and is kind to anyone and everyone she meets. The problem is that even though she wants to help and wants to contribute to the household chores, she always ends up hurt in one way or another.
The nanny her father hired does not like Lorelei because she is so lazy! She can’t do anything without getting hurt! She wants to "do her off.."
Prince Nicholas has two parents that never agree on anything. If one thinks it’s too salty, the other thinks it’s too sweet. The king and queen come up with a test that maidens will undertake who want to marry Nicholas. Lorelei, after some unfortunate events, becomes an applicant…
What will happen? Will Nicholas and Lorelei end up together? Will Lorelei end up accidentally hurt herself beyond repair? What exactly are the test and why are they so ridiculous but so true?
Levine has a splash of humor you will not find anyone else. Using plays on words and awkward humor, this is perfect for a story for a young girl or for a grown woman who can’t get enough of fairy-tales (cough me), as long as the scary nanny's thoughts don't run you off. I will always be a fan of Levine’s writing.
April 6, 2015
Very short re-telling of The Princess and the Pea. It's a pretty cute and funny to be such a tiny book.
February 3, 2019
This was cute :) Laughed out loud a handful of times.
Prince Nicholas was beside himself. Where was Lorelei?
***
Lorelei was flat on her face in the forest. She had tripped over a tree root and she was too tired to get up.
She hurried across the drawbridge. "Achoo!" She would be dry inside. If the owner was an ogre and he decided to eat her, she'd warm up while she roasted. And if he was a decent ogre, he might even let her take a bath before he cooked her.
Prince Nicholas was beside himself. Where was Lorelei?
***
Lorelei was flat on her face in the forest. She had tripped over a tree root and she was too tired to get up.
She hurried across the drawbridge. "Achoo!" She would be dry inside. If the owner was an ogre and he decided to eat her, she'd warm up while she roasted. And if he was a decent ogre, he might even let her take a bath before he cooked her.
October 24, 2020
2020 Re-Read
Gave it 4 stars in 2010. Would bump it down to 2 stars with this re-read. Compromising with a rating of 3 stars.
I remember The Princess Tales as being HILARIOUS when I first read them. And perhaps that gave me the wrong expectations for this novel. It was amusing, sure. But short. And outside of the prince, I found all the characters extremely annoying.
I wonder if this just wasn't one of the better ones, or if I just had an easier threshold for humor growing up?
At least it was clever.
Gave it 4 stars in 2010. Would bump it down to 2 stars with this re-read. Compromising with a rating of 3 stars.
I remember The Princess Tales as being HILARIOUS when I first read them. And perhaps that gave me the wrong expectations for this novel. It was amusing, sure. But short. And outside of the prince, I found all the characters extremely annoying.
I wonder if this just wasn't one of the better ones, or if I just had an easier threshold for humor growing up?
At least it was clever.
May 21, 2020
I enjoyed how Lorelei has specific skills, embroidery and herbal medicine, because she’s spent her life coping with allergens. I also found Trudy’s murderous intentions odd yet funny. I enjoyed hearing about the princess tests and why Nicholas wanted to marry Lorelei, which was more than just her looks.
May 15, 2019
I regret to inform you all that this is still the most charming book in existence. Gail Carson Levine perfected it in 1999 and no one else needs to try.
(that's a lie, cute & clever retellings are my favorite genre please keep making them)
(that's a lie, cute & clever retellings are my favorite genre please keep making them)
July 19, 2022
Have fairy tales always felt bland and lacking to you?
Do you, however, enjoy the light-heartedness and warmth associated with them, nonetheless?
If so, this series is definitely for you.
This book explained and filled in holes within The Princess and the Pea fairy tale and answered all the questions I never even knew I had.
So clever. So sweet. So simple.
Good times.
Do you, however, enjoy the light-heartedness and warmth associated with them, nonetheless?
If so, this series is definitely for you.
This book explained and filled in holes within The Princess and the Pea fairy tale and answered all the questions I never even knew I had.
So clever. So sweet. So simple.
Good times.
July 5, 2011
Levine's style and spirit are fun to read, but I was disappointed in character integrity, usually held high in fairy tales. It's a spoof on the Princess and the pea, and I like the description on the goodreads website-- it makes all the inconsistencies make sense.
December 23, 2012
Not amazing, but good. Short. Sweet. Fun. This only took about an hour to read. A great escapist reading moment to lighten my mood after finishing a heavy book. I plan to read the rest of these short stories over the holiday break.
October 2, 2015
I enjoyed this book. It's a fun retelling of the Princess and the Pea. It really is a charming little book.
December 18, 2016
Another of the Princess Tales, this time based on the story of the Princess and the Pea. It was quite entertaining and a fun read for children.
March 16, 2021
Silly and good-natured. I had fun.
September 18, 2023
Childhood nostalgia 🥰
July 9, 2017
The life lesson I learned from this is: notice all the little thing you see.
December 12, 2021
Excited to re read the rest of these for a trip down memory lane
October 8, 2021
Adorable, super short retelling of the Princess and the Pea. I picked it up for my girls and read it myself because I can't turn down a Princess retelling! It's humorous and unique.
Read
November 11, 2025classic
November 24, 2013
(3.5 stars) This is a longer, darker, chapter-book version of the princess and the pea.
From page 1, ("She cried when her porridge was too hot or too cold or too salty or too bitter or too sweet. She cried when her bathwater was too hot or too cold or too wet or not wet enough.") I found myself identifying with Lorelei. She is impossibly particular, prone to allergy and illness, and rather clumsy. Lorelei realizes what a handful she can be and shows some regret, but hey, she is who she is.
At times blundering, but always helpful and sincere, Lorelei is loved. By most.
Lorelei's nursemaid cannot stand the girl, and daydreams about ways to do away with her for good.
"Trudy thought about how to do Lorelei in. She could hit her over the head with the frying pan. Or strangle her with the embroidered clothesline. Or drag her to the village square and push her out of the clock tower. Any one of those would be lots of fun. But she'd be caught. The dopey vilagers liked Lorelei."
In the end, Lorelei, our "good-for-nothing fancy idiot" survives Trudy's scheming, and finds her way to a castle where her fickleness comes in handy and proves her to be a Princess. Lorelei marries her Prince, and lives happily ever after in a castle occupied by "a bunch of persnickety monarchs," and the many royal servants ready to cater to their every whim and fancy.
The moral of the story?
Let it ride. Be yourself. You never know when you may be unexpectedly outed as a princess!
From page 1, ("She cried when her porridge was too hot or too cold or too salty or too bitter or too sweet. She cried when her bathwater was too hot or too cold or too wet or not wet enough.") I found myself identifying with Lorelei. She is impossibly particular, prone to allergy and illness, and rather clumsy. Lorelei realizes what a handful she can be and shows some regret, but hey, she is who she is.
At times blundering, but always helpful and sincere, Lorelei is loved. By most.
Lorelei's nursemaid cannot stand the girl, and daydreams about ways to do away with her for good.
"Trudy thought about how to do Lorelei in. She could hit her over the head with the frying pan. Or strangle her with the embroidered clothesline. Or drag her to the village square and push her out of the clock tower. Any one of those would be lots of fun. But she'd be caught. The dopey vilagers liked Lorelei."
In the end, Lorelei, our "good-for-nothing fancy idiot" survives Trudy's scheming, and finds her way to a castle where her fickleness comes in handy and proves her to be a Princess. Lorelei marries her Prince, and lives happily ever after in a castle occupied by "a bunch of persnickety monarchs," and the many royal servants ready to cater to their every whim and fancy.
The moral of the story?
Let it ride. Be yourself. You never know when you may be unexpectedly outed as a princess!
January 16, 2017
Reader thoughts: Let's see if I remember correctly. The MC is very fragile and picky, sort of. She has to have everything perfect and just so. She can't even sleep on mattresses if there is a pea underneath. Now, I also think she wasn't whiny about it. The other girls vying to be princess were simpering fools, but the MC wasn't. She just was too delicate to have anything less than the best. She saw past all the tests not because she was spoiled but because she had a sense of whether something was right or wrong.
I don't remember really caring for her, though.
Writer thoughts: It's a neat idea to make the story into a contest. Bring together some girls and have them prove how much of a princess they are. It reminds me of The Empty Pot, actually, except I like the picture book better because it's more obvious that honesty and integrity are more important than innate skill.
I don't remember really caring for her, though.
Writer thoughts: It's a neat idea to make the story into a contest. Bring together some girls and have them prove how much of a princess they are. It reminds me of The Empty Pot, actually, except I like the picture book better because it's more obvious that honesty and integrity are more important than innate skill.
May 9, 2012
I just reread this little book I bought when I was nine and loved; and now I'm loving it all over again. Sure, the language is simple, but not so much that it will bore you, it is for kids but adults may enjoy it if they have a young heart.
I love the personality that Levine gives her characters,specially her princesses. Although I'd probably be totally annoyed at Lorelei half the time if I had to live with her, she's so fickle. But not on purpose of course. Which would made me like her. And I have no problem with a girly princess.
I thought the romance between Nicholas and Lorelei was the sweetest thing, how he fell in love with her and wanted to marry her the day he met her.Very fairytale-y.
It was funny how the king kept using synonyms (although I suppose on the long run it can get annoying) and the things Lorelei embroidered.(when I read ths book I learnt what "embroider" meant. A new word in my English vocab.)
So you can see I enjoyed this book very much.
I love the personality that Levine gives her characters,specially her princesses. Although I'd probably be totally annoyed at Lorelei half the time if I had to live with her, she's so fickle. But not on purpose of course. Which would made me like her. And I have no problem with a girly princess.
I thought the romance between Nicholas and Lorelei was the sweetest thing, how he fell in love with her and wanted to marry her the day he met her.Very fairytale-y.
It was funny how the king kept using synonyms (although I suppose on the long run it can get annoying) and the things Lorelei embroidered.(when I read ths book I learnt what "embroider" meant. A new word in my English vocab.)
So you can see I enjoyed this book very much.
September 4, 2013
My four year old daughter handed this to me the other day and then actually listened to the entire story as I read it to her. I would guess the book is actually for maybe seven to nine year olds who can read it to themselves.
The story is an adaptation of The Princess and the Pea. It is a short, simple book, with a surprisingly not-nice housekeeper. At least it wasn't the stepmother for once! :)
I thought it was funny to have the palace servants prefer picky monarchs, because then the servants ate better. (They got to eat all of the food the monarchs had rejected!)
If your child likes fairytales, this one is great!
The story is an adaptation of The Princess and the Pea. It is a short, simple book, with a surprisingly not-nice housekeeper. At least it wasn't the stepmother for once! :)
I thought it was funny to have the palace servants prefer picky monarchs, because then the servants ate better. (They got to eat all of the food the monarchs had rejected!)
If your child likes fairytales, this one is great!
July 2, 2018
2018 Re-read.
Lorelei the blacksmith's daughter is about as high-maintenance a young lady as you'll find. The only thing she cannot bungle is embroidery, so she sits and sews all day. She attracts the notice of the Prince, who would gladly make her his bride, but the King and Queen want nothing but the best for their boy. To marry Prince Nicholas, the right girl has to pass every test, proving herself a True Princess.
Silk sheets and velvet diapers. Quirky embroidery and fussy eaters. Scheming housekeepers and crocodile princesses. Short, often silly, and really rather sweet. It's Levine's own twist on "The Princess and the Pea."
Lorelei the blacksmith's daughter is about as high-maintenance a young lady as you'll find. The only thing she cannot bungle is embroidery, so she sits and sews all day. She attracts the notice of the Prince, who would gladly make her his bride, but the King and Queen want nothing but the best for their boy. To marry Prince Nicholas, the right girl has to pass every test, proving herself a True Princess.
Silk sheets and velvet diapers. Quirky embroidery and fussy eaters. Scheming housekeepers and crocodile princesses. Short, often silly, and really rather sweet. It's Levine's own twist on "The Princess and the Pea."
September 6, 2012
Of all the fairy tale retelling books that I have read, this Princess and the Pea retelling was by far my favorite and has always held a soft spot in my heart. The main character Lorelei is delicate, to say the least. She's lovable and kindhearted, but rather blundering and laughable. She suffers from numerous ailments and is clumsy, but she's always interested in helping out. The romance is cute and fluffy, and the story is very entertaining. Anyone with a love for fairy tales will love this cute story.
May 9, 2008
So, so hilarious.
December 12, 2025
A charming and funny retelling!
December 25, 2009
This is, like, the BEST variation of The Princess and the Pea ever! (Not that there were many Princess and the Pea variations in the first place, but...)
Read
July 29, 2024These little fairy tales are adorable, and definitely something I would have laughed at when I was younger. Cute and clever, even now.
April 20, 2020
This is a remake of "The Princess and the Pea" or a similar title that I read in my youth. This story was not as good as "Ella Enchanted", but it was reasonably good and followed a similar theme.
Note: This audiobook is offered free for listening through Audible during this time of the virus crisis. I assume it is available only for a short time. You can find these audiobooks at Audible Stories.
The story: Lorelei is not cut out to be a blacksmith's daughter. She seems destined for a more noble life. She is tormented by others but Lorelei seems not to notice, maintaining her noble air. In other words, she is utterly oblivious. Nevertheless, she meets a man who turns out to be a prince. He falls in love with her, and she thinks he's not so bad himself. But, of course, he is destined to marry a real princess, so his parents set up a test to find a real princess for their son. One thing leads to another and Lorelei passes all the tests including being unable to sleep with a pea under 20 mattresses.
Any problems with this story? It is too short, and frankly, I was beginning to identify with the people who wanted to drown her or leave her out in the wood to die. She seemed useless for much of anything except for embroidering. She was good at that. She also had a good heart and that made up for a lot, but really... she needed to get married to a prince or someone who could do the laundry for her and wash the dishes.
Any modesty issues? None that I recall.
In the end it was clear that Lorelei would make a good princess, and rule in a sensible and kind manner. She was born to be a princess and even the people who hated her before made out good in the end. Happy ending. I'd listen to this audiobook again with my great grand children, but only because it is short.
Note: This audiobook is offered free for listening through Audible during this time of the virus crisis. I assume it is available only for a short time. You can find these audiobooks at Audible Stories.
The story: Lorelei is not cut out to be a blacksmith's daughter. She seems destined for a more noble life. She is tormented by others but Lorelei seems not to notice, maintaining her noble air. In other words, she is utterly oblivious. Nevertheless, she meets a man who turns out to be a prince. He falls in love with her, and she thinks he's not so bad himself. But, of course, he is destined to marry a real princess, so his parents set up a test to find a real princess for their son. One thing leads to another and Lorelei passes all the tests including being unable to sleep with a pea under 20 mattresses.
Any problems with this story? It is too short, and frankly, I was beginning to identify with the people who wanted to drown her or leave her out in the wood to die. She seemed useless for much of anything except for embroidering. She was good at that. She also had a good heart and that made up for a lot, but really... she needed to get married to a prince or someone who could do the laundry for her and wash the dishes.
Any modesty issues? None that I recall.
In the end it was clear that Lorelei would make a good princess, and rule in a sensible and kind manner. She was born to be a princess and even the people who hated her before made out good in the end. Happy ending. I'd listen to this audiobook again with my great grand children, but only because it is short.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 365 reviews