The Princess Tales, Volume I

The Princess Tales #1-3

by Gail Carson Levine, Mark Elliott (Illustrator)

A kind sister and a cruel one. A charming prince. A spiteful fairy. A hundred-year snooze. A pea under a pile of mattresses. A kiss. All the familiar ingredients, but why is the punished sister happy? Where did that extra prince come from, and what does a flock of balding sheep or a fleck of tuna in a chocolate cake have to do with anything? Gail Carson Levine has waved her magic wand over three well-known fairy tales, and presto! They are transformed -- and sparklingly funny-in these delightful The Fairy's Mistake
The Princess Test
Princess Sonora and the Long Sleep Happily ever after has never been so hilarious!

Genres: Fantasy, Fairy Tales, Young Adult, Childrens, Fiction, Middle Grade, Retellings

240 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 2002

About the author

Just 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.

Reviews

[Abi (The Knights Who Say Book) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm incredibly emo about finishing this collection. If you enjoy fairytales but have never read Gail Carson Levine's retellings, I strongly suggest you do so right now. They're all clever, genuinely sweet tales that freshen up classics, and are just as enjoyable upon rereading as they were when I was a kid.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read and loved this book years ago, and decided to read it with my kids recently. They loved these funny little mixed-up fairy tales, and we're all looking forward to reading volume 2 soon.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful. The first two were my favourites and I liked the third one substantially less, but I still laughed out loud.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as delightful as I remembered.

[Taylor G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I’ve read this close to a hundred times?
My hand me down copy can barely take it anymore 🤣😭

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

“And Mytle became truly popular which annoyed her” lol, I enjoyed every story in this book, they’re funny and meaningful, I need to read part 2

[Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Musings on The Princess Tales, Volume I.

I should really know better by now than to read a second book by a different writer within a genre in succession. I should. This compilation is cute, don't get me wrong, but after reading Kontis' Enchanted it was a bit like having a scoop of vanilla ice cream after a scoop of strawberry lemonade sorbet.... still tasty but no comparison, really.

Also, if you haven't tried it, Strawberry Lemonade sorbet is delectable!!

In this collection Levine takes traditional fairy tales and spins them on their head, adding humour and silliness to the age-old stories. It's a cute, light and fun read. I would suggest it for before bed novel readings with the munchkins.

[Spencer H · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars. I remember reading these books (in little tiny volumes) as a kid and enjoying them, but didn't actually remember any of the content. GCL's trademark humor is here in a big way, and helps the tales go down a lot smoother. I appreciated that rather than create ultra 'feminist' characters as is more the trend these days in fairy tale revisions, the morals here are more subtle. In the Fairy's Mistake it is actually the "bad" sister who saves the day, The Princess Test points out that even those fit for nothing are fit for something, and Princess Sonora tackles the issue of being too smart for your own good. All three are charming and clearly written in a style that would appeal to younger readers in that 8-10 years old sweet spot. Even as an adult I enjoyed them immensely, though the passages picked for illustrations were a bit odd in parts.

Overall, it's a perfect choice for young readers who like fairy tales with quirky humor.

[Ellen - most.lyromance · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Princess Takes is a collection of three novellas, each a fairy tale with a twist. This edition contains The Fairy’s Mistake, The Princess Test and Princess Sorona and the Long Sleep.

The Fairy’s Mistake features two sisters who are cursed and gifted two very different powers. This is my favourite of the three stories, I don’t recognize what twisted tale this was, so it just felt unique.

The Princess Test is a retelling of The Princess and the Pea. I really loved the twist and how Lorelei was just utterly clueless about so many things.

Princess Sorona and the Long Sleep is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty. While still fun, this novella is my least fave of the three.

I enjoyed reading these middle grade novellas. Gail Carson Levine was one of my faves growing up and I’m happy to say that her writing and the story holds up. The kids I read this to really enjoyed the novellas as well!

[Olea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has three short stories in one.
They are fun and good twists to the originals.

These books are obviously meant for younger audiences. The grammar isn’t hard at all. The storylines have pieces missing that for younger audiences is fine but isn’t as satisfying to older readers.
For example, princes don’t just happen to ride by a girls house and fall in love with her. Especially, after only seeing her hang up laundry and hardly talk to her. Particularly, when there’s other princess that he would probably know better and could just as easily “fallen in love with”.
For older audiences with more reading experience and higher expectations it can be less satisfying. They are basic, and obviously targeted towards younger audiences. However, that being said they are a fun read, and very creative twists to the original books.

[Rebecca Lumbrix · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet & funny little sick day read! I couldn’t get enough of Gail Carson Levine when I was young, and this book was perfect to revisit while I wasn’t feeling well because it requires exactly zero brainpower/focus. And now that I’m thinking about it, maybe my love of this & similar books as a child was the precursor to my love of books like Circe and The Mists of Avalon as an adult!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book from the get go. They are wonderfully traditional, fun, get lost in fairy tales, updated from the original! The writing, of course, is marvelous. Thank you Sarah! Can't wait for volume 2.

[(Katie) Paperbacks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed doing a reread of The Princess Tales by Gail Carson Levine. The author has such a unique take on new and old fairytales. If you like unique new tales and twists on classic tales, then you will love this book. ❤

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this as a kid and I remember The Fairy's Mistake being my absolute favorite. I still remember it pretty vividly 19 years later.

Once Upon a Time could have really benefited from having Gail Carson Levine on their writing team :(

[Alana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that it was perfect for that," I am leaving on a trip in two days and want a super fun short read until then" which was literally me. Finished it in one day.
Liked it.

[Ruth Mortensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three princess stories that include love, magic and princes. I could not put the book down. It was so fun to read!

[Holli · Rating 5 out of 5]

These mixed up fairy tales were a lot of fun. My kids, ages 7, 9 and 11, enjoyed them, almost as much as I did.

[Hannah S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read it at least six times, and it's interesting each time.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed these fairy tales retold.

[Alissa J. Zavalianos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved these! So light and cute and charming.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these stories growing up. Quick and easy reads with fun alternatives to the original fairy tales.

[Gabriella Shell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the twists on classic fairy tales!

[Jenn Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a delight to read, and I never seemed able to put it down between chapters.

[PottWab Regional Library]

SM

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant read that took me back to high school day and simpler times.

[Victoria Budkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am convinced that GCL couldn't write poorly if she TRIED.

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes, these are stories for children, but I still enjoyed them. These three stories are cute, clever, and humorous retellings of classic fairy tales. They aren't as intricate or compelling as Levine's novels (it's impossible to beat The Two Princesses of Bamarre in my opinion), but they are fun and quick to read.

[Jemima Raven · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful retelling of some classic fairy stories, with twists and unexpected endings, told with quirky humour throughout. 'The Fairy's Mistake' tells the story of what can happen when a blessing and a curse can both go horribly wrong for both the recipients and the caster. The poor fairy struggles during the story to give the sweet, kind maiden the type of fairy story she deserves, while calculating and selfish characters take advantage of her blessing that is of little worth to herself.Will her cranky and unkind sister ever be made to feel remorse for her wicked nature?

In the second story 'The Princess Test' is a retelling of the Princess and the Pea. To me this is an absolute childhood favourite and I think I loved Gail Carson Levine's version of it even more than the original classic. Could the poor prince end up marrying a princess whose carriage is driven by a team of crocodiles and who looks like she would like to eat him up in one big bite? The love of his life is only a merchant's daughter.

The final story "Princess Sonora and the Long Sleep' was my least favourite, but only because I found the delayed action during the necessary 100 years of slumber, essential to any retelling of 'Sleeping Beauty' more than slightly soporific. who knew that sheep could be cured of baldness by a princess that is such a know it all that her name is a byword for anyone who wants an answer to a difficult problem, despite her person becoming the stuff of legends through the decades.

A relaxing and fun read, especially appealing to the pre teen girl and the young at heart adult, who hides a secret wish for a little more royal magic in their daily life. Each story is broken into easy to read chapters, making this an enjoyable project for the reluctant reader.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

My love affair with fairy tales isn't something new, but it was pretty much comatose for a good 10 years. Then, in 2007, I selected "Myth and Fairy Tales" as one of my electives in college and the affair was transformed into a bona fide relationship. That class, its textbooks, and the papers I had to write were lightning bolts of inspiration. And they helped me hear my muse for the first time in years.

So I selected Princess Tales purely on the fairy tale aspect, not knowing its author, while browsing the kids section with my daughter. I don't normally go in that section with a list and prefer to simply go stack-by-stack when I'm on the hunt for something new. I've found the best little treasures and surprises doing it that way...finish reading this review.

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has the first three of 6 Princess Tales (you can read them in single books about 100 pages each or in volumes I and II). It took me the first one to get used to the style--they weren't what I expected. (I didn't like the first two as well.) But, I decided to see how the rest turned out.

Levine takes regular fairy tales, but the retellings are not regular at all! They're funny, unpredictable, and a delightful read. My favorite was #3, Princess Sonora and the Long Sleep. I think I'll read it aloud to my kids cause they'll get a kick out of it. Our library is missing 2 of the 6 in the collection, so I ordered volume 2 off of Amazon because I enjoyed reading these so much.