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Princess Ugg #1
Princess Ugg Vol. 1
Princess Ülga isn't your standard princess, but her royal lineage goes back for generations. At her mother's bequest, Ülga travels to the city-state of Atraesca, where the prestigious Princess Academy lies, so that she can learn about things like diplomacy--hopefully for the benefit of her rough and tumble people. But Ülga will learn that she's more behind in her studies than she realized--and that when you're a princess, you're bound to have a few enemies.
120 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2014
9 people are currently reading
365 people want to read
About the author
Ted Naifeh
203 books257 followersTed Naifeh is an American comic book writer and artist who gained notoriety for his illustrations in the goth romance comic Gloomcookie. Naifeh has since become most known as the creator of the Eisner-Award-nominated series Courtney Crumrin, published by Oni Press.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
May 24, 2016
Cute, but unremarkable. This is an ugly duckling story like so many others. What distinguishes it from other "grungy princess makes glam" stories is Ulga's motivation. She's left her Conan-esque homeland because she's looking for some way to bring peace to her people, without entirely understanding what she's looking for. She's a very appealing character. It's just too bad that she's the only one. The other princesses are awful, and the teachers aren't much better. The art is decent, but the book as a whole isn't quite good enough to keep me reading.
October 3, 2014
A reasonably interesting story with amusing characters.
I wanted to like this more than I did in the end. Yes this make me smile a few times but not once, while reading this, did I feel connected. I didn't feel anxiety or happy for the characters or situations. I was never awestruck, or intimidated. It was always just me sitting in my chair, looking in on their world. I like ot feel a part of what I an reading. Make me hate or love a character. Or react to a situation. Nothing like that ever happened here.
The story is sound besides the lacking engagement. Ulga is the daughter of Odin and is sent to Princess school where she just doesn't fit in. The other girls are into "fashionable" dresses, dances, riding unicorns, tea time, etc. Ulga was raise for the fight. So she is mocked and exiled apart from the other girls. Her roommate in particular is spiteful and rude.
The did a decent job for most of Ulga's dialect of speech so one thing I can give them is I "heard" her through the pages.
The time period of this seems mixed. the princesses seem to be from different eras making it hard to mix up. The way they talk is often very modern which also clashes with why they tried so hard with Ulga yet went into a near slang speech for them.
So overall I enjoyed it for what it was but was not impressed. For girls who like comics but are sick of she superhero themes, they might enjoy this.
*I was loaned a digital copy of this comic from Diamond Book Distributors and Oni Press via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.*
I wanted to like this more than I did in the end. Yes this make me smile a few times but not once, while reading this, did I feel connected. I didn't feel anxiety or happy for the characters or situations. I was never awestruck, or intimidated. It was always just me sitting in my chair, looking in on their world. I like ot feel a part of what I an reading. Make me hate or love a character. Or react to a situation. Nothing like that ever happened here.
The story is sound besides the lacking engagement. Ulga is the daughter of Odin and is sent to Princess school where she just doesn't fit in. The other girls are into "fashionable" dresses, dances, riding unicorns, tea time, etc. Ulga was raise for the fight. So she is mocked and exiled apart from the other girls. Her roommate in particular is spiteful and rude.
The did a decent job for most of Ulga's dialect of speech so one thing I can give them is I "heard" her through the pages.
The time period of this seems mixed. the princesses seem to be from different eras making it hard to mix up. The way they talk is often very modern which also clashes with why they tried so hard with Ulga yet went into a near slang speech for them.
So overall I enjoyed it for what it was but was not impressed. For girls who like comics but are sick of she superhero themes, they might enjoy this.
*I was loaned a digital copy of this comic from Diamond Book Distributors and Oni Press via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.*
November 3, 2018
YA graphic novel, with a strong female protagonist, that balances fun and depth. Princess Ulga of Grimmeria travels from her mountain kingdom to the lowlands, enrolling in a snobby school for traditional princesses. No one quite understands why she's there, and of course the "bonnie wee berserker" (as her parents lovingly call her) isn't really damsel material. But there's a very serious reason Ulga has left her home, and she finds an ally in her struggle. It's fish out of water + mean girls + boarding school + "barbarian" princess, but with extremely high stakes, and our whole family has really enjoyed both books that have come out so far.
March 21, 2021
Давно не читав настільки шаблонної історії. У нас дві головні героїні-принцеси. Одна — вся така вишукана, чарівна та правильна, а друга, варварка — виросла в гірському королівстві, де життя постійно підкидує жорстокі уроки. І так склалося в королівствах навколо, що молодих принцес відправляють у «Академію принцес», щоб вони навчилися ґречності. Не так легко, стати справжньою принцесою, яка вміє їздити на вишуканому коні, брати участь у чайних церемоніях, гарно вдягатися, підтримувати розмову із майбутнім принцом та й взагалі, будь-яким способом задовольняти свого принца.
Звісно, принцеса-варварка на ймення Ульґа, незграбна, не вміє писати, чаювати і поводитися, як справжня леді. Тому всі інші принцеси насміхаються з неї, а вона ж спершу розкисає, а потім хоче доказати собі й іншим протилежне, що вона зможе усе.
Перший том акцентує увагу на розкритті цих двох героїнь та навчанні в академії, що принципі і вдається авторові. Але через ось цю клішованість на кожному кроці, історія втрачає на всіх фронтах.
Звісно, принцеса-варварка на ймення Ульґа, незграбна, не вміє писати, чаювати і поводитися, як справжня леді. Тому всі інші принцеси насміхаються з неї, а вона ж спершу розкисає, а потім хоче доказати собі й іншим протилежне, що вона зможе усе.
Перший том акцентує увагу на розкритті цих двох героїнь та навчанні в академії, що принципі і вдається авторові. Але через ось цю клішованість на кожному кроці, історія втрачає на всіх фронтах.
September 24, 2015
THIS BOOK IS THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TED NAIFEH IS A GENIUS.
I can't remember the last time I LAUGHED OUT LOUD. OUT LOUD. I was in my jammies giggling all night while reading and bearing witness to all of theatrics and atrocities Princess Ulga found herself in. The raven narrator is a hoot, and poor Ulga as she's trying to fit in at this princess academy. I just want to shout at all of Ulga’s non-friendly-princess-companions...
for their behavior towards her. I loved Courtney Crumrin and the Night Things and while, I never really kept up with that particular series, will I keep an eye out for more Princess Ugg?
Thanks for the ARC NetGalley
TED NAIFEH IS A GENIUS.
I can't remember the last time I LAUGHED OUT LOUD. OUT LOUD. I was in my jammies giggling all night while reading and bearing witness to all of theatrics and atrocities Princess Ulga found herself in. The raven narrator is a hoot, and poor Ulga as she's trying to fit in at this princess academy. I just want to shout at all of Ulga’s non-friendly-princess-companions...
for their behavior towards her. I loved Courtney Crumrin and the Night Things and while, I never really kept up with that particular series, will I keep an eye out for more Princess Ugg?
Thanks for the ARC NetGalley
April 15, 2015
Princess Ugg is, on one hand, fun light reading that incorporates familiar ideas such as the new girl trying to fit in at a ritzy boarding school, princesses, etc, which makes it wonderful reading for kids. What makes it truly "All Ages" (and not just "All ages" because they really mean for kids) is that there are wry/sarcastic jokes that older readers would appreciate. It could also just be me, but I think that Princess Ugg would resonate first generation college students, since she had difficulties acclimating to what's considered the "civilized" norm, and has chosen to get an education to help her community, despite the fact that her father and people feel like she's deserting them or thinking that she's leaving they're not "good enough" for her.
The art and coloring are fun, and reminiscent to me of all-ages fan favorites such as Elf Quest and Bone.
The art and coloring are fun, and reminiscent to me of all-ages fan favorites such as Elf Quest and Bone.
February 20, 2018
Overall, I really enjoyed this. I liked the detail on the close-ups of the faces, as well as the story element of "princess school." There is a plotline that I was very dis-satisfied about, which I am hoping volume 2 expands on. I am definitely looking forward to reading more of this.
August 14, 2015
I've always been fond of Ted Naifeh's work. Courtney Crumrin and Polly & the Pirates were some of my favorite graphic novel reads within the past few years. Each of the books published has a detailed story, wonderful characters, and amazing artwork. So, it was no surprise that I jumped at the opportunity to read Naifeh's newest work, Princess Ugg.
Princess Ugg: Volume 1 introduces readers to the rough and tumble, yet lovable Princess Ulga of the Grimmerians (who are like Vikings but with a thick accent). Princess Ulga's mother passed away, but before she did she asked her daughter to try and find an alternative solution for the war with the Frost Giants. Ulga feels that she can stop the war, but only if she becomes a true princess. To become a true princess, she travels to a prestigious princess school where she hopes to find the answers she seeks.
The graphic novel details Ulga's struggles to fit in with the other girls and to work to stop the upcoming war. It isn't an easy path Ulga has chosen, but it is one that may prove helpful and valuable in the long run. The other princesses mock her, play mean tricks on her, and refuse to allow her to become a part of their prestigious groups.
When I first started reading Princess Ugg, it was a bit difficult. The characters talk with an almost Scottish brogue and there was a talking raven who spoke in a mythology-like tone. The two different writing styles almost had me giving up, but this graphic novel really hit its stride about 25% of the way into it and I absolutely fell in love with it.
The outline and summary of Princess Ugg may make it sound like just your average rough girl turns pretty princess story, but it really isn't. Naifeh puts his own unique twist on this standard tale and really makes it his own. It is packed with humor that isn't over the top or absurd, adventure, and a great plot.
The entire story surrounding Princess Ugg may not be overly unique or complex, but it has that special take that really makes a reader love the characters. By the end of the story, I was hooked and can't wait to read more. I think what finally 'hooked' me on this story was that it isn't your average graphic novel. It isn't a Marvel graphic novel or a manga; it is just a unique graphic novel that is well-written and beautifully illustrated.
Princess Ugg: Volume 1 introduces readers to the rough and tumble, yet lovable Princess Ulga of the Grimmerians (who are like Vikings but with a thick accent). Princess Ulga's mother passed away, but before she did she asked her daughter to try and find an alternative solution for the war with the Frost Giants. Ulga feels that she can stop the war, but only if she becomes a true princess. To become a true princess, she travels to a prestigious princess school where she hopes to find the answers she seeks.
The graphic novel details Ulga's struggles to fit in with the other girls and to work to stop the upcoming war. It isn't an easy path Ulga has chosen, but it is one that may prove helpful and valuable in the long run. The other princesses mock her, play mean tricks on her, and refuse to allow her to become a part of their prestigious groups.
When I first started reading Princess Ugg, it was a bit difficult. The characters talk with an almost Scottish brogue and there was a talking raven who spoke in a mythology-like tone. The two different writing styles almost had me giving up, but this graphic novel really hit its stride about 25% of the way into it and I absolutely fell in love with it.
The outline and summary of Princess Ugg may make it sound like just your average rough girl turns pretty princess story, but it really isn't. Naifeh puts his own unique twist on this standard tale and really makes it his own. It is packed with humor that isn't over the top or absurd, adventure, and a great plot.
The entire story surrounding Princess Ugg may not be overly unique or complex, but it has that special take that really makes a reader love the characters. By the end of the story, I was hooked and can't wait to read more. I think what finally 'hooked' me on this story was that it isn't your average graphic novel. It isn't a Marvel graphic novel or a manga; it is just a unique graphic novel that is well-written and beautifully illustrated.
October 1, 2014
I picked this up for free as part of National Comic Book day, probably not something I would have gravitated towards on my own and I really knew nothing about it when I picked it up.
The line art and coloring are fantastic, I absolutely love the style here. The actual comic started out slow for me, even though it had action. I think the dialogue style threw me off, and possibly irritated me. I really was not sure what the point was.
Not knowing what I was getting into turned out to be a good thing; this is a story of a very unconventional princess, a cute little warrior who packs a powerful punch (and is quite a bad ass already), that attends a "Princess School" with a group of much more traditional princess types.
As the first issue, this is entirely set up for the story. The second half of the story really picks up and piqued my interest enough that I'm finding myself itching to go snag the next issue. I am really curious to see how this plays out.
The rating is a true 3 because I can honestly say my interest was not held until the dialogue shifted a bit and the actual story arc was revealed.
The line art and coloring are fantastic, I absolutely love the style here. The actual comic started out slow for me, even though it had action. I think the dialogue style threw me off, and possibly irritated me. I really was not sure what the point was.
Not knowing what I was getting into turned out to be a good thing; this is a story of a very unconventional princess, a cute little warrior who packs a powerful punch (and is quite a bad ass already), that attends a "Princess School" with a group of much more traditional princess types.
As the first issue, this is entirely set up for the story. The second half of the story really picks up and piqued my interest enough that I'm finding myself itching to go snag the next issue. I am really curious to see how this plays out.
The rating is a true 3 because I can honestly say my interest was not held until the dialogue shifted a bit and the actual story arc was revealed.
July 21, 2015
I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
This is pretty interesting, I liked that it showed a princess that's not the typical princess, but aside from that there's nothing worth mentioning.
Ülga or "Ugg" is a Grimmerian from the Mountains - which means that whenever she talks or another Grimerian talk, it's a bit hard to understand at first - it's easy enough when you say it aloud. So long story short, I found it quite annoying but I can see the importance of this because Ugg is different in every way.
I really liked the illustrations and I think they captured the story nicely. As for the story, well, at 120 pages you can hardly call it a story. I will not rule out that I won't be continuing with Ülga's story, but if the others are anything like this, I probably won't be.
I would definitely recommend this book for a younger audience at 12-14, I think.
This is pretty interesting, I liked that it showed a princess that's not the typical princess, but aside from that there's nothing worth mentioning.
Ülga or "Ugg" is a Grimmerian from the Mountains - which means that whenever she talks or another Grimerian talk, it's a bit hard to understand at first - it's easy enough when you say it aloud. So long story short, I found it quite annoying but I can see the importance of this because Ugg is different in every way.
I really liked the illustrations and I think they captured the story nicely. As for the story, well, at 120 pages you can hardly call it a story. I will not rule out that I won't be continuing with Ülga's story, but if the others are anything like this, I probably won't be.
I would definitely recommend this book for a younger audience at 12-14, I think.
August 20, 2014
I didn't particularly enjoy this story of a rough and tumble princess from the north learning to navigate the ways of the "lowlanders" by enrolling in what amounts to a finishing school.
The story felt empty to me with flights of fancy (or rather, hyperbole thanks to the bird) interspersed as if to make the story grander than it was.
This is not something I would have bought and maybe if I was 11 I would've appreciated what the story was trying to tell me.
*NetGalley ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review*
The story felt empty to me with flights of fancy (or rather, hyperbole thanks to the bird) interspersed as if to make the story grander than it was.
This is not something I would have bought and maybe if I was 11 I would've appreciated what the story was trying to tell me.
*NetGalley ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review*
September 17, 2014
This book was enjoyable, but I couldn't really get with the whole dialect of Princess Ugg. Her foreign language confused me from the beginning. The artwork was fabulous and the premise was awesome, I just kept getting annoyed with Princess Ugg. Overall it was an okay read for me.
December 29, 2014
Enough good gags to offset the route set-up that I'll probably pick up the next volume to see if it heads anywhere interesting.
April 28, 2016
Princess ugh.
January 17, 2016
I have found my weakness. And it is fantastic finishing school stories.
MORE MORE MORE.
MORE MORE MORE.
April 12, 2020
Barbarian Princess Ulga, at her mother's bequest, has enrolled in the Princess Academy of Atraesca to learn the ways of other royal kingdoms. Unlike her peers in every way will she learn the ways of a 'proper princess' or return to her Grimmerian ways?
While this sort of story has been told before there is an inkling there is more to this tale, but Ted Naifeh is slow in revealing any grander plotline. We follow Princess Ulga's progress (or lack thereof) through the school, her interactions with her stereotypical princess classmates (who cruelly dub her Princess Ugg), with interspersed flashbacks of her mother and earlier life. About half of the book is mainly the typical 'fish-out-of-water' story and you start to wonder where the story is really going, however it picks up with the introduction of her history teacher (who has more than a passing similarity to Varric in Game of Thrones), who gets her to open up and starts to teach her the power of playing politics and diplomacy.
Naifeh's art varies between pedestrian and superior stylised high fantasy for the flashbacks. Ocassionaly the scale of the characters appears off too, as sometimes Ulga looks like a young girl, against older classmates but other times she seems more mature, just with a squat stature.
As an opening to Princess Ugg's story this is fine, but more interesting plotlines need to be explored to invite a return to this world.
While this sort of story has been told before there is an inkling there is more to this tale, but Ted Naifeh is slow in revealing any grander plotline. We follow Princess Ulga's progress (or lack thereof) through the school, her interactions with her stereotypical princess classmates (who cruelly dub her Princess Ugg), with interspersed flashbacks of her mother and earlier life. About half of the book is mainly the typical 'fish-out-of-water' story and you start to wonder where the story is really going, however it picks up with the introduction of her history teacher (who has more than a passing similarity to Varric in Game of Thrones), who gets her to open up and starts to teach her the power of playing politics and diplomacy.
Naifeh's art varies between pedestrian and superior stylised high fantasy for the flashbacks. Ocassionaly the scale of the characters appears off too, as sometimes Ulga looks like a young girl, against older classmates but other times she seems more mature, just with a squat stature.
As an opening to Princess Ugg's story this is fine, but more interesting plotlines need to be explored to invite a return to this world.
January 15, 2020
3.5 stars. This is a very fun story; although it had the potential to be predictable (rural royalty at a finishing school, mean teen girls), it had just the right balance of zany and serious. The main character and her countrymen all speak in a dialect that I read as vaguely Scottish, which took a few pages to get in to, but was easy after that. The pacing was sometimes off-- not quite turned-over-2-pages-at-once, more like author-cut-2-panels-to-save-space sort of feel. Transitions were more jarring than necessary.
Illustrations matched the story perfectly-- color palette fit the mood, characters weren't too cartoon-y.
I have volume 2 checked out already. Recommended.
Illustrations matched the story perfectly-- color palette fit the mood, characters weren't too cartoon-y.
I have volume 2 checked out already. Recommended.
January 24, 2021
I love this series.
The story is about a violent Barbarian warrior princess forced to go to school with a bunch of mean and supposedly superior Disney Princesses. It handles topics like fitting in, bullying, loneliness, but also the value of good teachers and mentors and the power of friendship.
On the surface, Ulga is a violent misfit, but we learn about her tragic story and upbringing as the story progresses.
The mood varies between fun slapstick, violent battles and tragic heartbreak.
The art is stunning, especially since the artwork shifts into realistic style as soon as there is a change in the timeline and we learn more about the past and the origins of Princess Ulga.
The story is about a violent Barbarian warrior princess forced to go to school with a bunch of mean and supposedly superior Disney Princesses. It handles topics like fitting in, bullying, loneliness, but also the value of good teachers and mentors and the power of friendship.
On the surface, Ulga is a violent misfit, but we learn about her tragic story and upbringing as the story progresses.
The mood varies between fun slapstick, violent battles and tragic heartbreak.
The art is stunning, especially since the artwork shifts into realistic style as soon as there is a change in the timeline and we learn more about the past and the origins of Princess Ulga.
January 11, 2024
A by-the-numbers Ted Naifeh story: A tough girl who doesn't want to conform to society must still interact with the normal, cruel, and sexist people around her. While the audience would probably be happy to watch the hero take revenge on the world, she instead realizes that she has some growing to do, and the world she wanted to reject does have some worthy friends. (Don't worry, she'll still take revenge on some people.)
It's hard to recommend this over other Naifeh stories, but it's a fun read.
It's hard to recommend this over other Naifeh stories, but it's a fun read.
January 19, 2026
I like the art and the writing is fine. I'm just not into the concept. If you enjoy someone playing with a bunch of fantasy tropes in a scholastic setting, this is probably going to be a lot of fun. I'm intrigued by the mentor teacher, and where that part of the story might go. But probably not enough to track down further volumes. Maybe I'll hit up the library at some point.
October 20, 2017
This story was the most straight forward of the twisted school comics I had to read for class, as in there was more continuity and less gaps left to be filled in later. Princess Ulga is pretty awesome and the book reminded me of Wicked and Legally Blonde at various points, all in good ways.
August 29, 2019
While some mild fan service (misty bathing scenes, nothing shown but still) annoyed me, the rest of this first book encouraged my interest. Princesses of all shapes, sizes and colors people this story of friendship, enemies, family, and seeking to find a way better than war to settle differences.
July 21, 2022
This is a fish-out-of-water type story but it has all the wonderful little bits of charm that Naifeh likes to throw into his story. I just love the way he tells stories and I absolutely enjoyed the first volume of this series and will read the rest.
February 6, 2024
Loved the art style and the story was really cute. Just cute fantasy that was a good time. The group of princesses at the school gave Shrek 3 vibes with the princess clique. Definitely would pick up the other books
May 21, 2017
It was okay, but I don't think I'll be picking up anymore of the volumes.
June 3, 2017
She's like a little Red Sonja. I kinda love her. So far, family friendly. Will probably read again with daughter.
July 27, 2017
cute story.
June 19, 2018
I got nothing but Norse things to say about this one. (☞ ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)☞
October 23, 2018
A berzerker princess attends princess school with mixed results. I really liked the artwork and the design of her axe.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews