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Hamster Princess #1
Harriet the Invincible
Sleeping Beauty gets a feisty, furry twist in this hilarious new comic series from the creator of Dragonbreath
Harriet Hamsterbone is not your typical princess. She may be quite stunning in the rodent realm (you'll have to trust her on this one), but she is not so great at trailing around the palace looking ethereal or sighing a lot. She finds the royal life rather . . . dull. One day, though, Harriet's parents tell her of the curse that a rat placed on her at birth, dooming her to prick her finger on a hamster wheel when she's twelve and fall into a deep sleep. For Harriet, this is most wonderful It means she's invincible until she's twelve! After all, no good curse goes to waste. And so begins a grand life of adventure with her trusty riding quail, Mumfrey...until her twelfth birthday arrives and the curse manifests in a most unexpected way.
Perfect for fans of Babymouse and Chris Colfer's Land of Stories , this laugh-out-loud new comic hybrid series will turn everything you thought you knew about princesses on its head.
Harriet Hamsterbone is not your typical princess. She may be quite stunning in the rodent realm (you'll have to trust her on this one), but she is not so great at trailing around the palace looking ethereal or sighing a lot. She finds the royal life rather . . . dull. One day, though, Harriet's parents tell her of the curse that a rat placed on her at birth, dooming her to prick her finger on a hamster wheel when she's twelve and fall into a deep sleep. For Harriet, this is most wonderful It means she's invincible until she's twelve! After all, no good curse goes to waste. And so begins a grand life of adventure with her trusty riding quail, Mumfrey...until her twelfth birthday arrives and the curse manifests in a most unexpected way.
Perfect for fans of Babymouse and Chris Colfer's Land of Stories , this laugh-out-loud new comic hybrid series will turn everything you thought you knew about princesses on its head.
250 pages, Hardcover
First published August 18, 2015
172 people are currently reading
2479 people want to read
About the author
Ursula Vernon
75 books1,489 followersUrsula Vernon, aka T. Kingfisher, is an author and illustrator. She has written over fifteen books for children, at least a dozen novels for adults, an epic webcomic called “Digger” and various short stories and other odds and ends.
Ursula grew up in Oregon and Arizona, studied anthropology at Macalester College in Minnesota, and stayed there for ten years, until she finally learned to drive in deep snow and was obligated to leave the state.
Having moved across the country several times, she eventually settled in Pittsboro, North Carolina, where she works full-time as an artist and creator of oddities. She lives with her husband and his chickens.
Her work has been nominated for the Eisner, World Fantasy, and longlisted for the British Science Fiction Awards. It has garnered a number of Webcomics Choice Awards, the Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story, the Mythopoeic Award for Children’s Literature, the Nebula for Best Short Story, the Sequoyah Award, and many others.
Ursula grew up in Oregon and Arizona, studied anthropology at Macalester College in Minnesota, and stayed there for ten years, until she finally learned to drive in deep snow and was obligated to leave the state.
Having moved across the country several times, she eventually settled in Pittsboro, North Carolina, where she works full-time as an artist and creator of oddities. She lives with her husband and his chickens.
Her work has been nominated for the Eisner, World Fantasy, and longlisted for the British Science Fiction Awards. It has garnered a number of Webcomics Choice Awards, the Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story, the Mythopoeic Award for Children’s Literature, the Nebula for Best Short Story, the Sequoyah Award, and many others.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 678 reviews
June 12, 2016
Well, that was fun. The assorted adventures of a hamster princess who figures out that if the christening curse is supposed to work on her 12th birthday, it must needs also keep her alive until then. Therefore...
I first encountered Ursula Vernon through her brilliant adult short story "Toad Words". (Late off the mark, true, for anyone who knew her from her long-running webcomic Digger.) This is Vernon in her kids'-book mode. Anyone who grew up on the "Fractured Fairy Tales" in Rocky and Bullwinkle needs no intro to the shtick, but this still managed to surprise a couple of laughs out of me along the way.
...Which actually makes me wonder if modern kids ever do manage to encounter the original fairy tales.
Good for the new chapter-book (*) reader in one's family, or to read aloud to younger kids (with the delightful pictures, of course. Whatever happened to illustrations in books...?)
Ta, L.
* -- Chapter-book, it turns out, is a technical terms among children's librarians, meaning the sort of more text-dense book a young reader first graduates to from picture books, sometime in grade school. The Ranger's Apprentice series fell into this mode. After that, if one doesn't jump the queue, one goes on to YA; after that, the world.
I first encountered Ursula Vernon through her brilliant adult short story "Toad Words". (Late off the mark, true, for anyone who knew her from her long-running webcomic Digger.) This is Vernon in her kids'-book mode. Anyone who grew up on the "Fractured Fairy Tales" in Rocky and Bullwinkle needs no intro to the shtick, but this still managed to surprise a couple of laughs out of me along the way.
...Which actually makes me wonder if modern kids ever do manage to encounter the original fairy tales.
Good for the new chapter-book (*) reader in one's family, or to read aloud to younger kids (with the delightful pictures, of course. Whatever happened to illustrations in books...?)
Ta, L.
* -- Chapter-book, it turns out, is a technical terms among children's librarians, meaning the sort of more text-dense book a young reader first graduates to from picture books, sometime in grade school. The Ranger's Apprentice series fell into this mode. After that, if one doesn't jump the queue, one goes on to YA; after that, the world.
January 8, 2016
So this would have been my FAVOURITE thing as a kid. It's basically everything I would have ever wanted:
1. Fairy tale retelling
2. Fairy tale retelling with reversed traditional gender roles
3. Fairy tale retelling of fairy tales that are less common (The Princess on the Glass hill)
4. Fairy tale retelling with reversed expectations for villains (Crones baking cookies, ogres reverting to vegetarianism, etc.)
Any one of those things would have sold me, but all four? IT IS MAGICAL.
1. Fairy tale retelling
2. Fairy tale retelling with reversed traditional gender roles
3. Fairy tale retelling of fairy tales that are less common (The Princess on the Glass hill)
4. Fairy tale retelling with reversed expectations for villains (Crones baking cookies, ogres reverting to vegetarianism, etc.)
Any one of those things would have sold me, but all four? IT IS MAGICAL.
December 15, 2025
Reread 2025:
Ahoy there mateys! I originally read book 1 in paper format back in 2021. I loved the story and illustrations. This year I saw they were available in audiobook format read by Eva Kaminsky. I wondered how they would fare in that format given that they were graphic novels. They are short and I quickly binged the 6 book series. I don't do well with graphic novels. I really enjoyed listening to series even if the details faded too fast. I don't own them but would like to. I think listening to the audio while looking at the pictures would be fun. I keep meaning to experiment with this idea but never seem to get around to it. I really do like Harriet and her trusty riding quail, Mumfrey. It showcases twists on fairy tale tropes and has Vernon's signature humor. I would have adored this as a kid. I get why kids love this series but us middle-aged adults do too. Arrrrr!
***********
Ahoy there me mateys! I learned about Ursula Vernon through her work under the pseudonym T. Kingfisher. I was surprised to find that she has a lot of work written for children published under her "real" name. As she says,
I was in a somber mood and wanted something to cheer me up. I loved castle hangnail so I thought I would try another of the author's books for young readers. This was book one of the Hamster Princess series. It is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty with animals rather than people. It is also illustrated by the author. It is adorable and fun!
Harriet is awesome. She is a princess who wants more out of life then her normal boring existence. Harriet is smart, clever, and likes math and fractions. As an example, when Harriet finds out about the curse at age 10, she isn't sad. Instead she determines that she be Invincible! Until she turns 12 anyways. Her pet riding quail, Mumprey, is so loyal and lovely. The tropes are here but twisted in such lovely ways. It is funny, sweet, and unexpected. This lovely book certainly cheered me up.
The only major problem was that I read this on my phone and the illustrations were hard to read. They tell part of the story so ye don't want to skip them. I managed to read all but one but would recommend reading this in book form to get the full impact.
I loved this as an adult but wish I had it as a kid. I loved this enough that I will likely pick up more of the series in the future. Arrr!
Ahoy there mateys! I originally read book 1 in paper format back in 2021. I loved the story and illustrations. This year I saw they were available in audiobook format read by Eva Kaminsky. I wondered how they would fare in that format given that they were graphic novels. They are short and I quickly binged the 6 book series. I don't do well with graphic novels. I really enjoyed listening to series even if the details faded too fast. I don't own them but would like to. I think listening to the audio while looking at the pictures would be fun. I keep meaning to experiment with this idea but never seem to get around to it. I really do like Harriet and her trusty riding quail, Mumfrey. It showcases twists on fairy tale tropes and has Vernon's signature humor. I would have adored this as a kid. I get why kids love this series but us middle-aged adults do too. Arrrrr!
***********
Ahoy there me mateys! I learned about Ursula Vernon through her work under the pseudonym T. Kingfisher. I was surprised to find that she has a lot of work written for children published under her "real" name. As she says,
In order to never again have that horrific experience where I find myself running in slow motion across a library crying “Noooooooooo…!” as the well-meaning librarian hands a seven-year-old boy a copy of The One Book With The Torture Scene, I write for adults these days under the pen-name T. Kingfisher. It’s just easier for everybody, particularly for my nerves.
This does mean that some short stories previously published as Ursula Vernon will pop up in T. Kingfisher anthologies. It’s cool. I’m not plagiarizing me, I swear.
I was in a somber mood and wanted something to cheer me up. I loved castle hangnail so I thought I would try another of the author's books for young readers. This was book one of the Hamster Princess series. It is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty with animals rather than people. It is also illustrated by the author. It is adorable and fun!
Harriet is awesome. She is a princess who wants more out of life then her normal boring existence. Harriet is smart, clever, and likes math and fractions. As an example, when Harriet finds out about the curse at age 10, she isn't sad. Instead she determines that she be Invincible! Until she turns 12 anyways. Her pet riding quail, Mumprey, is so loyal and lovely. The tropes are here but twisted in such lovely ways. It is funny, sweet, and unexpected. This lovely book certainly cheered me up.
The only major problem was that I read this on my phone and the illustrations were hard to read. They tell part of the story so ye don't want to skip them. I managed to read all but one but would recommend reading this in book form to get the full impact.
I loved this as an adult but wish I had it as a kid. I loved this enough that I will likely pick up more of the series in the future. Arrr!
September 20, 2019
I wasn't sure what to expect from this one. The synopsis says it's perfect for fans of Babymouse, but I'm definitely not one of those. Still, I came across one of Vernon's stories in an anthology and thought it was hilarious, so I decided to give this book a try. Harriet the Invincible is actually a highly enjoyable illustrated chapter book. I even want to keep going with the series (which doesn't always happen)!
Based on the story of Sleeping Beauty, Harriet the Invincible begins with a curse. On her twelfth birthday, Harriet will injure herself on a hamster wheel and fall into a deep sleep. Wanting to get ahead of the curse, her parents search out princes they can have on standby for when the curse hits. Harriet is rather unimpressed with the idea. After discovering that the curse will happen no matter what--and that she is therefore invincible--she goes questing and has lots of adventures, getting in all the fun she can before the curse hits.
But Harriet is not an ordinary princess, and when it's time to be cursed, she fights back... and accidentally puts everyone else in the kingdom to sleep! Despite her misgivings, she goes in search of a prince to help wake up her parents and subjects, with her riding quail, Mumfrey, as her loyal companion.
This is a really cute take on a fairy tale. It has a feminist bent, and Harriet is no shrinking violet of a princess. She's strong and smart and capable. The supporting characters are just as good, from the evil fairy Ratshade to the reluctant prince Wilbur.
The illustrations are simple, but necessary, as they often take the place of the text (you can't just skim over them, or you'll miss important bits of the story). Mumfrey is particularly fun to look at... but, then again, he's just a fun thing to think about. He's a riding quail, complete with saddle. What's not to love?
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised. Vernon tells a good story here, turning the Sleeping Beauty tale on its ear and giving us a much more proactive princess than the passive sleeper we see in the original. I'd recommend this one to middle graders and up (it's smart and funny enough to entertain older readers, as well) and to anyone who likes fairy tale retellings with a bit of a twist.
Quotable moment:
Based on the story of Sleeping Beauty, Harriet the Invincible begins with a curse. On her twelfth birthday, Harriet will injure herself on a hamster wheel and fall into a deep sleep. Wanting to get ahead of the curse, her parents search out princes they can have on standby for when the curse hits. Harriet is rather unimpressed with the idea. After discovering that the curse will happen no matter what--and that she is therefore invincible--she goes questing and has lots of adventures, getting in all the fun she can before the curse hits.
But Harriet is not an ordinary princess, and when it's time to be cursed, she fights back... and accidentally puts everyone else in the kingdom to sleep! Despite her misgivings, she goes in search of a prince to help wake up her parents and subjects, with her riding quail, Mumfrey, as her loyal companion.
This is a really cute take on a fairy tale. It has a feminist bent, and Harriet is no shrinking violet of a princess. She's strong and smart and capable. The supporting characters are just as good, from the evil fairy Ratshade to the reluctant prince Wilbur.
The illustrations are simple, but necessary, as they often take the place of the text (you can't just skim over them, or you'll miss important bits of the story). Mumfrey is particularly fun to look at... but, then again, he's just a fun thing to think about. He's a riding quail, complete with saddle. What's not to love?
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised. Vernon tells a good story here, turning the Sleeping Beauty tale on its ear and giving us a much more proactive princess than the passive sleeper we see in the original. I'd recommend this one to middle graders and up (it's smart and funny enough to entertain older readers, as well) and to anyone who likes fairy tale retellings with a bit of a twist.
Quotable moment:
Harriet gripped her sword more tightly and took a step forward.
Ratshade sneered at her. "Still playing with swords? You should learn how to act like a princess!" She twitched her claws, and the sword shot out of Harriet's hands and buried itself in the wall next to Wilbur's head. Wilbur yelped and jumped sideways.
"I am acting like a princess!" yelled Harriet. "I'm a princess, and therefore any way that I act--oh, never mind!" She lunged for the sword.
January 8, 2016
A quick, light-hearted, and fun fairy-tale twist, with delightful illustrations. I'll be passing this one along to my 10-year-old son for him to read next.
April 16, 2024
This was a cute fairytale retelling that I read to my son during his spring break. I’ve read so many fairytale retellings that are usually dark and for the more MA crowd so this was a breathe of fresh air.
It was funny and witty and it had comic book pages to spice it up a bit and then actual chapters. A perfect book for beginning readers ages 6-9. It’s a fun reads for the boys and girls and the story is similar to our sleeping beauty. I loved this and I would read this series again.
I would however read it in digital form just because I enjoy the ability to highlight and let everyone see what parts we enjoyed.
Happy reading everyone!!
It was funny and witty and it had comic book pages to spice it up a bit and then actual chapters. A perfect book for beginning readers ages 6-9. It’s a fun reads for the boys and girls and the story is similar to our sleeping beauty. I loved this and I would read this series again.
I would however read it in digital form just because I enjoy the ability to highlight and let everyone see what parts we enjoyed.
Happy reading everyone!!
December 30, 2017
This is a princess story I like! Harriet Hamsterbone is cursed by the evil Fairy Ratshade to prick herself on a hamster wheel on her twelfth birthday and fall into a deep sleep. Once Harriet finds out about the curse when she’s ten years old, she realizes she can’t be hurt till then. So, Harriet takes to adventuring, jousting and ridding the world of monsters.
Harriet is wonderful, determined and doesn’t suffer fools. But while she’s gaining all sorts of great experience and learning to solve problems herself, and having a great time with her quail Mumfrey, her mother still insists that Harriet must behave like a real princess (which would be swoony, ornamental and completely helpless and useless.) Nope!! Not Harriet!
Lots of fun and frequently funny, Ursula Vernon’s story subverts the misogyny of the Sleeping Beauty story. Harriet is a terrific hero. I have to know what other adventures Harriet Hamsterbone has now!
Harriet is wonderful, determined and doesn’t suffer fools. But while she’s gaining all sorts of great experience and learning to solve problems herself, and having a great time with her quail Mumfrey, her mother still insists that Harriet must behave like a real princess (which would be swoony, ornamental and completely helpless and useless.) Nope!! Not Harriet!
Lots of fun and frequently funny, Ursula Vernon’s story subverts the misogyny of the Sleeping Beauty story. Harriet is a terrific hero. I have to know what other adventures Harriet Hamsterbone has now!
January 2, 2023
Can we talk about Harriet Hamsterbone, because I am in love with her.
Harriet the Invincible is the first book in the Hamster Princess series, which could only have been written by Ursula Vernon and is in fact her newest series. I love it already. I cannot say how much I love it. I have owned this book for two hours and I want it to make its home with me forever.
So Harriet is a princess (obviously) and since her father failed to invite the evil fairy to her christening (which is lampshaded) (of course it is, it's Ursula Vernon), she's been cursed to fall into a deep sleep at the age of twelve. Her parents tell her this at ten, and also tell her that the curse cannot be averted, no matter what happens. The lesson Harriet takes away from this is that she's invincible.
This was not what her parents planned.
So Harriet spends a couple years cliff-diving, dragon-slaying, jousting, and beating up Ogrecats, essentially having the time of her life. Alas, her twelfth birthday has to come around sooner or later-- and that's when the real plot starts.
I love this book, guys. I love Harriet. I love Wilbur the paperboy (it's important that he's a paperboy). I love Harriet's mother and her father's obsession with the vines ruining the castle foundation. I love the Crone of the Blighted Waste. I love the little jokes scattered throughout. I LOVE ALL OF IT. I LOVE IT. GO BUY IT YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT.
Can book two be out now?
Harriet the Invincible is the first book in the Hamster Princess series, which could only have been written by Ursula Vernon and is in fact her newest series. I love it already. I cannot say how much I love it. I have owned this book for two hours and I want it to make its home with me forever.
So Harriet is a princess (obviously) and since her father failed to invite the evil fairy to her christening (which is lampshaded) (of course it is, it's Ursula Vernon), she's been cursed to fall into a deep sleep at the age of twelve. Her parents tell her this at ten, and also tell her that the curse cannot be averted, no matter what happens. The lesson Harriet takes away from this is that she's invincible.
This was not what her parents planned.
So Harriet spends a couple years cliff-diving, dragon-slaying, jousting, and beating up Ogrecats, essentially having the time of her life. Alas, her twelfth birthday has to come around sooner or later-- and that's when the real plot starts.
I love this book, guys. I love Harriet. I love Wilbur the paperboy (it's important that he's a paperboy). I love Harriet's mother and her father's obsession with the vines ruining the castle foundation. I love the Crone of the Blighted Waste. I love the little jokes scattered throughout. I LOVE ALL OF IT. I LOVE IT. GO BUY IT YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT.
Can book two be out now?
September 13, 2016
Harriet Hamsterbone is possibly the best fictional princess ever created. Vernon's writing is gold, and her cartooning is absolutely perfect here. I wish I'd read this aloud with our 8yo son, because acting out all the characters (and the narrator, who has much personality) would have been so fun. Instead, I shoved it into his hands right after I finished it and demanded he read it IMMEDIATELY. When he was done, we did the same thing to his father.
What's it about? Cursed as a baby, Harriet is fated to prick herself on a hamster wheel at age 12 and fall into a sleep from which she will never awaken. Except for the loopholes some fairy god-mice tacked on after the fact. And as Harriet realizes at age 10, the logic of the curse means she's invincible until her 12th birthday. So what's an invincible hamster princess to do? Cliff-diving, dragon-slaying, and pro jousting, of course! With her riding quail Mumfrey, she adventures across the land for two years, indulging in both her love for beating things up and her passion for fractions. ("Dear Mom and Dad, I've searched 12/32nds of the Swamp of Sorrow...") When the fateful day arrives, Harriet manages to throw a gear in the evil fairy's plan, but the results aren't what she'd hoped. Now she must set forth on a quest to save her parents.
Yes, yes, and yes. That's what I have to say about this. I'm putting it on my favorite fiction shelf, not even just my favorite kidlit shelf. It's that good.
What's it about? Cursed as a baby, Harriet is fated to prick herself on a hamster wheel at age 12 and fall into a sleep from which she will never awaken. Except for the loopholes some fairy god-mice tacked on after the fact. And as Harriet realizes at age 10, the logic of the curse means she's invincible until her 12th birthday. So what's an invincible hamster princess to do? Cliff-diving, dragon-slaying, and pro jousting, of course! With her riding quail Mumfrey, she adventures across the land for two years, indulging in both her love for beating things up and her passion for fractions. ("Dear Mom and Dad, I've searched 12/32nds of the Swamp of Sorrow...") When the fateful day arrives, Harriet manages to throw a gear in the evil fairy's plan, but the results aren't what she'd hoped. Now she must set forth on a quest to save her parents.
Yes, yes, and yes. That's what I have to say about this. I'm putting it on my favorite fiction shelf, not even just my favorite kidlit shelf. It's that good.
November 25, 2017
This was hillarious and original and I loved it! The world needs more stories about princesses who arent very princesslike but then are because they show that princesses can be kickass as well!!
April 6, 2021
Curses are awesome!
August 29, 2019
Любов до Harriet the Invincible спіткала мене на третій сторінці. Оцій.
Маленька саркастична принцеса, яка прагне не принцесовості, а пригод – що може буде милішим? По-перше, принцеса виявиться хом’ячкою, а це +120 до мімімішності. По-друге, Урсула Вернон знаходить в цілковито традиційному сюжеті маленьку майже юридичну лакуну. Якщо принцеса мусить заснути вічним сном – і ніяк інакше, чи не робить це її невразливою і нездоланною до того дня, коли мусить реалізуватися прокляття? Робить, робить! – відповідають нам авторка та її героїня. Отже до дванадцятого дня народження принцесу Гаррієт не може вбити ніщо й ніхто. Тому вона сідає на бойову перепілку Мамфрі і пускається берега: пірнає зі скель, як то заведено в порядних лемінгових родинах, вбиває Велет-Котів, вистежує драконів, перетворюється на Ту Саму Сумнозвісну Принцесу Гаррієт Котру Ніхто Цілувати Не Захоче й невпинно шукає спосіб перебороти прокляття в перерві між іншими пригодами. Що характерно – знаходить. Але з цього все тільки починається.
Урсула Вернон схопила оберемок розповсюджених казок, зліпила їх разом і спекла з цього дещо дуже дивне, але неймовірно симпатичне. Стандартна оповідка про Сплячу Красуню зі спецефектами розширює межі, визначає химерний, але по-своєму логічний, світ і ставить перед читачами цікаві питання. Якою є роль принцеси – і в королівстві, і в казковому наративі? Що робить героя героєм, а героїню героїнею? Чи має принцеса бути меланхолійною няшечкою в сукенці? А просто приємною людиною, перепрошую, твариною? Маленька Гаррієт – заноза в дупі і особа доволі неприємна – ще б пак, з таким дитинством! Але протягом двохсот з гаком сторінок письменниця пояснює, що пригоди – це ще не все, що добро навіть з іклами та пазурами має пам’ятати, чим воно відрізняється від зла, що несправедливість – вона поруч і від ментального зусилля в повітрі не розчиняється. Окрім цих майже філософських питань, Урсула Вернон ще ураганом несеться крізь гендерні стереотипи та торкається соціальних проблем. Скажімо, тут теж є свій принц-невдаха. Але він такий не тому, що незграба від народження чи злі феміністки не дозволяють писати героїчних принців в дитячих книжках – тут все просто: “У нас бідне королівство. Ми ніколи не могли собі дозволити верхову перепілку”.
Довша версія відгуку з додатковими картинками є в блозі.
Маленька саркастична принцеса, яка прагне не принцесовості, а пригод – що може буде милішим? По-перше, принцеса виявиться хом’ячкою, а це +120 до мімімішності. По-друге, Урсула Вернон знаходить в цілковито традиційному сюжеті маленьку майже юридичну лакуну. Якщо принцеса мусить заснути вічним сном – і ніяк інакше, чи не робить це її невразливою і нездоланною до того дня, коли мусить реалізуватися прокляття? Робить, робить! – відповідають нам авторка та її героїня. Отже до дванадцятого дня народження принцесу Гаррієт не може вбити ніщо й ніхто. Тому вона сідає на бойову перепілку Мамфрі і пускається берега: пірнає зі скель, як то заведено в порядних лемінгових родинах, вбиває Велет-Котів, вистежує драконів, перетворюється на Ту Саму Сумнозвісну Принцесу Гаррієт Котру Ніхто Цілувати Не Захоче й невпинно шукає спосіб перебороти прокляття в перерві між іншими пригодами. Що характерно – знаходить. Але з цього все тільки починається.
Урсула Вернон схопила оберемок розповсюджених казок, зліпила їх разом і спекла з цього дещо дуже дивне, але неймовірно симпатичне. Стандартна оповідка про Сплячу Красуню зі спецефектами розширює межі, визначає химерний, але по-своєму логічний, світ і ставить перед читачами цікаві питання. Якою є роль принцеси – і в королівстві, і в казковому наративі? Що робить героя героєм, а героїню героїнею? Чи має принцеса бути меланхолійною няшечкою в сукенці? А просто приємною людиною, перепрошую, твариною? Маленька Гаррієт – заноза в дупі і особа доволі неприємна – ще б пак, з таким дитинством! Але протягом двохсот з гаком сторінок письменниця пояснює, що пригоди – це ще не все, що добро навіть з іклами та пазурами має пам’ятати, чим воно відрізняється від зла, що несправедливість – вона поруч і від ментального зусилля в повітрі не розчиняється. Окрім цих майже філософських питань, Урсула Вернон ще ураганом несеться крізь гендерні стереотипи та торкається соціальних проблем. Скажімо, тут теж є свій принц-невдаха. Але він такий не тому, що незграба від народження чи злі феміністки не дозволяють писати героїчних принців в дитячих книжках – тут все просто: “У нас бідне королівство. Ми ніколи не могли собі дозволити верхову перепілку”.
Довша версія відгуку з додатковими картинками є в блозі.
April 5, 2019
This is a brilliant little sleeping beauty retelling with a quick glass mountain retelling wedged in the middle. Harriet is not your typical princess, she finds out she was cursed to fall into a sleep on her 12th birthday after a scratch from a hamster wheel... however this also leads to her discovery that the curse is so strongly pre-determined it HAS to occur, which means she's completely invincible! As such, Harriet sets off (riding her quail mount) and has amazing adventures. She returns for her birthday, now a brave adventurer, stands up to the evil fairy who cursed her and makes the curse backfire, whoops. Now only Harriet can save the entire kingdom from a curse.
Vernon is quickly becoming a favorite, although these books are meant for young readers with a heavily illustrated mix of chapters and comic panels, they're smart and insightful. This was a delight to read.
Vernon is quickly becoming a favorite, although these books are meant for young readers with a heavily illustrated mix of chapters and comic panels, they're smart and insightful. This was a delight to read.
October 1, 2015
AMAZING. I love all of Ursula Vernon's stuff, but this retelling of Sleeping Beauty is so great! It's snarky and heartfelt and has A MAINSPLAINING HAMSTER PRINCE who is rejected as a love interest. Actually, there's no "love interest" because the main character is 12 and she doesn't want a betrothed. I can't wait to read the next one!
September 12, 2015
Clever, subversive, and very, very funny. I absolutely loved this! I'm planning to read it to my older son, who (I confidently expect) will absolutely love it (he's a huge fan of her Dragonbreath books!), but honestly, I'll be buying the second book in this series primarily for myself! SO much fun!
October 10, 2020
Creo que me he pasado un poco de frenada con la edad (se lo leí a mi hija de 6 años y lo del tofu con sabor a persona es un poco... problemático, según a quién preguntes), pero la verdad es que nos hemos divertido un montón y es genial que podamos disfrutar ambos del talentazo de Ursula Vernon.
Es una vuelta de tuerca a La Bella Durmiente, con roles y géneros cambiados, con una protagonista que es todo amor desde el primer momento.
Muchas aventuras, muchas ganas de cambiar lo establecido y sirve muy bien para eso, para romper moldes, para disfrutar de una historia clásica con otra vuelta de tuerca. Seguiremos con la serie.
Es una vuelta de tuerca a La Bella Durmiente, con roles y géneros cambiados, con una protagonista que es todo amor desde el primer momento.
Muchas aventuras, muchas ganas de cambiar lo establecido y sirve muy bien para eso, para romper moldes, para disfrutar de una historia clásica con otra vuelta de tuerca. Seguiremos con la serie.
February 9, 2019
Princess Harriet Hamsterbone has just found out a terrible secret. It seems like on her 12th birthday, she’ll be forced to prick her finger on a hamster wheel and…well, you know the story. Princess Harriet is our Sleeping Beauty and after her parents didn’t invite the evil fairy Ratshade to her christening, this curse ended up happening. The other three fairies also provide blessings to counteract it, practical things like making sure that the Princess doesn’t have to eat, drink or use the washroom while she’s in a sleep like death. Nevertheless, just like the original tale, the only way to save the princess is through the kiss of a prince.
Unlike the original tale, Princess Harriet’s parents end up telling her about the curse when she’s ten. Instead of wallowing in self-pity or doing other princess things like looking pale and melancholy while walking, Princess Harriet is ecstatic. Why? Because until the curse happens, our fraction loving princess is practically invincible. So off she goes adventuring until the day of her pricking. It doesn’t go according to plan and there’s more to the story after this, but I won’t spoil it for you.
All I can say is that everyone should read this book. The drawings are lovely, the story had me laughing with its wit and humour and it did something that no other book has done before. It actually made me wish I had a kid so I could read this to them. My mom would be shooketh if she heard that.
I also liked that Princess Harriett isn’t like the other princesses, but instead of focusing on this point and making it seem like all of the other princesses are horrible creatures compared to our special MC. We’re constantly told that if a princess decides to do something different then she’s still a princess regardless.
When Princess Harriet’s mother says, “It’s too dangerous, dear. And slaying dragons isn’t very princessly.”
The princess retorts with, “But I’m a princess! If I do it, it’s got to be something princesses do! Who makes these rules!?”
I really liked this message. A princess can wear frilly clothing and enjoy dinner parties and a princess can slay dragons while doing fractions. Both are still princesses at the end of the day and there’s no right or wrong way to view them.
Obviously, Harriet is going to be different but she never really bashes other princesses or views herself better. She’s different, she embraces these differences, but also acknowledges that there’s merit in having other qualities.
It was a joy to read! The entire book had me smiling from beginning to end. I can’t wait to read the other books in this series and check out more books from Ursula Vernon.
Unlike the original tale, Princess Harriet’s parents end up telling her about the curse when she’s ten. Instead of wallowing in self-pity or doing other princess things like looking pale and melancholy while walking, Princess Harriet is ecstatic. Why? Because until the curse happens, our fraction loving princess is practically invincible. So off she goes adventuring until the day of her pricking. It doesn’t go according to plan and there’s more to the story after this, but I won’t spoil it for you.
All I can say is that everyone should read this book. The drawings are lovely, the story had me laughing with its wit and humour and it did something that no other book has done before. It actually made me wish I had a kid so I could read this to them. My mom would be shooketh if she heard that.
I also liked that Princess Harriett isn’t like the other princesses, but instead of focusing on this point and making it seem like all of the other princesses are horrible creatures compared to our special MC. We’re constantly told that if a princess decides to do something different then she’s still a princess regardless.
When Princess Harriet’s mother says, “It’s too dangerous, dear. And slaying dragons isn’t very princessly.”
The princess retorts with, “But I’m a princess! If I do it, it’s got to be something princesses do! Who makes these rules!?”
I really liked this message. A princess can wear frilly clothing and enjoy dinner parties and a princess can slay dragons while doing fractions. Both are still princesses at the end of the day and there’s no right or wrong way to view them.
Obviously, Harriet is going to be different but she never really bashes other princesses or views herself better. She’s different, she embraces these differences, but also acknowledges that there’s merit in having other qualities.
It was a joy to read! The entire book had me smiling from beginning to end. I can’t wait to read the other books in this series and check out more books from Ursula Vernon.
October 20, 2019
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I picked up Harriet the Invincible when a friend of mine recommended it to me because it was a graphic novel series that she particularly loved. And of course, I ended up loving this book. It was so hilarious and so...well, so...unusual. Here is a "hamster" princess who is cursed by the wicked fairy on the day of her christening because she wasn't invited to the occasion and instead of feeling sorry for herself for being the one who was cursed, she revels in the action. She knows the curse has to be fulfilled no matter what so she spends her time doing things that could have harmed any normal person, or animal, in this case, but doesn't because she is well, she is cursed! Honestly, this is one of the most unusual princesses alive. And it makes you wonder what is wrong with us humans for being cry babies when we are cursed. (winks)
Anyway, I really liked this book and I am very excited to read the remaining parts in the series. I think it has a lot to do with the way Ursula Vernon wrote the book. I mean, it is more of a parody of the actual story of the Sleeping Beauty than the story of a hamster princess. It is, in all honesty, an amazing story. I loved the writing style of the author and the illustrations were also very great! I wish I had come across this book sooner and by God, what a wonder it would have been had this series been published when I was a kid!
I picked up Harriet the Invincible when a friend of mine recommended it to me because it was a graphic novel series that she particularly loved. And of course, I ended up loving this book. It was so hilarious and so...well, so...unusual. Here is a "hamster" princess who is cursed by the wicked fairy on the day of her christening because she wasn't invited to the occasion and instead of feeling sorry for herself for being the one who was cursed, she revels in the action. She knows the curse has to be fulfilled no matter what so she spends her time doing things that could have harmed any normal person, or animal, in this case, but doesn't because she is well, she is cursed! Honestly, this is one of the most unusual princesses alive. And it makes you wonder what is wrong with us humans for being cry babies when we are cursed. (winks)
Anyway, I really liked this book and I am very excited to read the remaining parts in the series. I think it has a lot to do with the way Ursula Vernon wrote the book. I mean, it is more of a parody of the actual story of the Sleeping Beauty than the story of a hamster princess. It is, in all honesty, an amazing story. I loved the writing style of the author and the illustrations were also very great! I wish I had come across this book sooner and by God, what a wonder it would have been had this series been published when I was a kid!
January 29, 2016
WHAT A GREAT BOOK! I will be honest, when I saw the glitter encrusted cover, I thought that this could not be a book for me. I mean, it has the words PRINCESS and HAMSTER in the title. Plus, there is GLITTER! Oh, I am so wrong. I tell my students all the time that the old adage of "Don't judge a book by the cover" is wrong and that we often judge books. I tell them that we can make that judgement but we mustn't let that ultimately stop us from reading the book. So, with a deep breath, I cracked open the cover and I was hooked right away. This retelling of Sleeping Beauty is hilarious. Harriet isn't a damsel character at all. She fights monsters and loves fractions. Harriet is an amazing character. I know this will be a huge hit next year with the Texas Bluebonnet Readers in my library. I can't wait to read the next one in the series.
March 2, 2016
I don't usually go for sparkly pink and purple juvenile novels, but when I realized that this was a Sleeping Beauty retelling about a princess who exploited her pre-curse invulnerability by cliff diving and monster-fighting, I decided to give it a try. THIS IS MAGNIFICENT. I wish this had been around for me to read when I was in middle school and going through my fairy tale retelling phase, because this is everything one could want: clever and original retelling, cheeky humor, female character willing to be herself, goofy antics, unexpected twists, and lots of theatrics. This even has comic book style illustrations throughout. What a winner. Everyone needs to read about Hamster Princess.
May 26, 2019
2nd read: I wrote down some vocabulary for my mum, and, well. It's just as fun as the first time. And I'm super impressed by Ursula Vernon's writing style.
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This is AWESOME. This has all usual sass from Ursula Vernon and we get absolutely no respite from it. It's non-stop awesome snark. This tome is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty, with a twist. The twist isn't that the princess is a hamster, it's much better than that. A perfect read for a day where my fevered brain is vetoing anything remotely grown-up.
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This is AWESOME. This has all usual sass from Ursula Vernon and we get absolutely no respite from it. It's non-stop awesome snark. This tome is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty, with a twist. The twist isn't that the princess is a hamster, it's much better than that. A perfect read for a day where my fevered brain is vetoing anything remotely grown-up.
October 1, 2016
Girl power meets Sleeping Beauty in this middle grade graphic novel about a hamster princess with an attitude. Princess Harriet Hamsterbone is cursed as a baby to prick her finger on a hamster wheel when she's twelve. This feisty princess quickly figures out she's invincible until she's twelve and breaks all the princess rules and goes adventuring. A laugh out loud funny tale that defies fairy tale stereotypes and leaves the reader wanting more.
November 22, 2015
This is awesome! A retelling of Sleeping Beauty in which the Harriet, a hamster princess embraces her curse since it means she will be invincible until age 12. Will she be able to fight the curse? Will a prince need to kiss her? (Ew. . .)
Male or female, fans of graphic novels or tough princesses will enjoy this one. No need to have read the original Sleeping Beauty to understand or appreciate this one.
Male or female, fans of graphic novels or tough princesses will enjoy this one. No need to have read the original Sleeping Beauty to understand or appreciate this one.
March 23, 2022
What a fun start to this series! I picked this up since I've read most of this author's adult books (published under her pseudonym T. Kingfisher), and I wanted to see what her kid's books were like. Super fun, kind of hilarious, and definitely something that parents and kids can read together because it's not the kind of silly saccharine book that makes adults roll their eyes.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
June 16, 2016
3.5 out of 5
Harriet the Invincible is a smart, funny and light-hearted feminist take on fairy tale stereotypes through an original and highly entertaining retelling of Sleeping Beauty. Don't get fooled by all that pinkness and glitter on the cover :)
Also, the format of this book (a chapter book with integrated graphic novel-like illustrations) is extremely effective!
Harriet the Invincible is a smart, funny and light-hearted feminist take on fairy tale stereotypes through an original and highly entertaining retelling of Sleeping Beauty. Don't get fooled by all that pinkness and glitter on the cover :)
Also, the format of this book (a chapter book with integrated graphic novel-like illustrations) is extremely effective!
August 16, 2016
Hilarious! Amazing! Tongue in cheek! I want more of Hamster Princess Harriet! Seriously, what a great book for upper elementary. Feminist and funny, it is the anti princess story with an ass kicking princess, who yes, happens to be a hamster. :)
October 1, 2015
Such a delightful, cute, and funny book! This is Babymouse meets Whatever After and I'm going to booktalk this one all over the place this school year. :)
October 22, 2015
Brilliantly funny, clever and referential twist on the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale - with great illustrations, a badass main character and HAMSTERS. What joy.
March 8, 2016
What a delightful book.
abandoned
January 20, 2017I found it difficult to switch between graphic novel format and text narrative. Then again, I'm not nine.
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