Darling Charming is bored in Damsel-In-Distressing class. She'd much rather be in Hero Training with her brothers. The only thing is, she has secretly been helping her brother Dexter ace the class. If anyone finds out, a scandal would erupt at Ever After High. One of the most prestigious families in town, the Charmings have a reputation to uphold. Darling is destined to be a damsel...but this Rebel may want to decide her own destiny! Why should princes have all the fun? Don't miss the companion activity book, Hero Training!
Suzanne Selfors lives on an island near Seattle where it rains all the time, which is why she tends to write about cloudy, moss-covered, green places. She's married, has two kids, and writes full time. Her favorite writers are Kurt Vonnegut, Charles Dickens, and most especially, Roald Dahl.
This was my least favorite of Selfors' EAH novels, but I appreciate that it's for a different group than the previous two. Duchess' story was about coming to terms with both sides of yourself, Ginger's was about acceptance within a family, and this one is about slowly becoming comfortable with the fact that who you are may not be who society wants you to be. In this respect, Selfors does a wonderful job, as Darling's struggle comes across well, as do her feelings of guilt and isolation. I personally did not find her issues as meaningful, but I can certainly see where a different reader would, and the acknowledgement of the struggle non-girly girls face felt very real. While I might have liked to see Darling go farther, I also respect Selfors' decision to make this one step in the journey rather than wrapping it up neatly.
I really enjoyed this one. I really, really enjoyed this one. Aside from Queen Charming, who I don't really understand, I found this one a lot more consistent. There were fewer of those obvious "you can't be this stupid" holes this time around, and I loved Maid Marian, Darling, and Dexter. Even Daring wasn't such a caricature. I should give this run credit for not slotting everyone into either "rebel" or "royal." The kids are all taking their time, learning about themselves. To take a step like that has the potential to hurt their families, and they're trying to do what's right. So even though I have not liked the other two (Kiss and Spell really didn't sit right with me) they are saying important things. This one just says the things really well.
I think maybe with Queen Charming there was the air of "your parents lived a whole life before you were born, and you don't really know them," but what it came off as was, "parenting=hypocrisy."
Darling and Rosabella Beauty are in their dorm room at EAH. Rosabella is reading a copy of “Beast Weekly” and Darling is waiting… That’s her assignment. It’s what Charming princesses do. A Charming princess is all about tradition tradition tradion! Rosabella says she’d “flip her crown” if she had to take Damsel-In-Distressing. For a brief second, Darling is jealous because Rosabella will be the hero of her story. Rosabella rushes off to get people to sign her petition about letting Beasts eat in cafes.
We’re given a little background about the Charming’s. When Darling was little, her brothers Dare and Dex would do courageous things (like hunting pigs and climbing to the tops of tall mountains. Daring always coming in first) but when Darling did them (and better) King Charming would always scold her and tell her a princess shouldn’t do that because she might hurt herself. Her mother eventually tells her she knows it’s not fair but basically that’s just how it is. She tells her pretty is what pretty does. This confuses Darling who asks her what’s the point of being pretty if she can’t *do* anything.
Her mother tells her it’s all preparing her for her “big day”. One day she’ll be in a lot of danger but not to worry. Her prince will come and save her and it’ll all be worth it. Darling (whose about 5) tells this to Dex and he promises her that he’ll save her. She then tells him and if he needs her she’ll save *him*. From then on Dex and Darling are close.
After Rosabella leaves, Darling slips into her workout clothes, removes her tiara, (locks her door), and starts her daily workout. (Interrupted briefly by a besotted admirer’s bouquet and proposal out the window). After the time is up for her assignment, she steps out on the balcony and just happens to see the Hero’s in Training class taught by Professor Knight (and how silly they look stumbling around in the heavy armor). But at least they get to be active. The lesson seems to be for riding a horse and Darling identifies the two rides as Hunter and one of her brothers. It’s soon made clear when he bumps into the horse that the rider is Dexter. To Darling’s dismay Dexter keeps losing his balance and falling and has to be helped out by Daring.
Darling decides her brother needs her and climbs out the window. We find out that because Darling’s beauty and charm increased the gifts and proposals from suitors grew so drastically that her father locked her away in her bedroom (in a tower) until it was time for her to go to EAH. Only she used it to her advantage and learned how to climb out of the tower and her body became as sinewy as any athletes. Dexter confesses that they have to joust but he can’t even stay on the horse. Darling says at least he gets to joust. She’d trade assignments in a heartbeat.
Dexter says they’re going to have a tournament for Parents Weekend but he’s terrible. Darling tells him to be patient. It’s just the first day. But he says Dare was perfect on the first day. Darling tells him he has to stop comparing himself to Dare but he says its not the worst of it. His glasses won’t fit under the helmet and he thinks he’s allergic to armor (and starts sneezing). Darling tells him its probably just a cold or allergies. She suggest they go have a new helmet made for him that lets him wear his glasses. Dexter says at least their parents won’t be there. They’re going on a Mermaid Cruise, but just as he says it Darling gets a text that they’ve rescheduled and will see them at Parent’s Weekend.
Dexter and Darling pay the Smith shop a visit and meet Betty Bunyan (the daughter of Paul Bunyan). Betty is a rebel and when her father wouldn’t give her an ax, she made one and started the shop. She immediately notices that Darling’s hands are calloused. However, she says she doesn’t have time to make Dexter a new helmet. She can get the dings out but that’s about it. Darling asks her if she’d have said the same if it was Dare (and it’s clear she wouldn’t). She tells her Dex is just trying to prove himself. Betty asks if she is and Darling says yes. So, Betty tells Dex to come back tomorrow morning.
In Damsel in Distressing class, Headmaster Grimm tells them that since he couldn’t get Helen of Troy, he’s gotten Madame Marian to help with their presentation for Parent’s Weekend. Then tells her sternly to consentrate more on her damsel days.
Darling sneaks out one night to ride her horse Gallopad. EAH has a security system that at midnight briars go up so you can’t get out. They come down at dawn. Security catches Darling and she flips her hair (her secret weapon that causes time to slow and slips through the briars into the Enchanted Forest. She ends up falling asleep there. In the morning, she finds a arrow next to her that resembles Maid Marian’s feather earrings.
Dexter finds out he’s sick. So, Darling goes to pick up his armor. Only Betty isn’t there and has left a note that her father went into the hospital for bunion surgery. She’ll be back and work on his helmet in a few weeks. She hasn’t even got the dents out his suit of armor. Darling knows he can’t practice without it so she decides to wear it back to school. On the way back, Darling runs into Daring who thinks she’s Dexter. Before she can escape him, she finds herself at jousting class where she’s paired with Hunter Huntsman.
Darling rushes to Dexter’s room and finds out he has princely pox-which can only be gotten by princes and usually occurs at a young age. Darling tells Dexter about going to get his armor, running into Dare, and then taking his place in class. Mr. Knight said he was the most improved student. Dexter is shocked and angry. This means he’s not the second best anymore. He’s the third. Darling reveals to him that she’s not like Dare. She’s just been training since she got to EAH and still climbs out of the tower. After Dexter falls asleep she vows to find a way to make it up to him.
In Damsel in Distress class, the assignment for today is crying for help. The students get so loud that pays them a visit. But because it’s in the syllabus he lets them off the hook. Darling doesn’t participate and Marian has a word with her after class. She tells her she knows she’s not the princess everyone thinks she is and acknowledges that she’s acting more Rebel.
We learn that when Darling was younger, she’d want to read adventure books (and check out) like Dexter. But they’d only give her pink, glittery, books from the Princess Collection (the librian that is). The librian told adventure stories with princesses just didn’t exist. That night someone leaves the Secrets of Sherwood Forest outside her door by Madame Maid Marian (Dexter).
Darling calls Dexter but Hunter answers and says he’s still sick. So, Darling decides to go to Hero In Training class to undo what she did. She’ll perform worse so the expections for Dexter won’t be so high. Only she wins against her match against Hunter and gets the perfect score. She tries to explain to Dexter that she was trying to help him, but he says it wasn’t about him and Darling knows he’s right. She wanted to be the hero for once.
Hunter comes into the room and announces King Charming is there. He’s early because the headmaster wanted to meet with him to hit him up for some money. He’s surprised to hear that Dexter is doing so well in class. He then kicks Darling and hunter out and Darling ease drops and hears the King ask Dexter to throw the match (which will be against Daring) because it’s his destiny to be in second place. After this Darling apologizes to Dexter and offers to make it right, but he tells her she can no longer wear his armor. Hunter overhears this.
When he asks, what do you mean you’ll never let her wear your armor again, Darling pretends to faint. When he questions her again that if Dexter is sick and he said he said she couldn’t wear his armor… Darling gets out of it by saying that means I would have won against you. Hunter laughs and thinks he must have hit his head to hard in hero training.
In the common room later, Raven asks about Dexter being sick and the conversation turns to jousting. Darling asks Raven if she wants a knight and she says she’d rather have someone the opposite of Daring (no offense). Someone who can think for himself and doesn’t care if she can think for herself. Then she tells Darling to tell Dexter she hope he feels better. Darling gets a text from Marian to meet with her and bring her running shoes.
Marian asks Darling to go on a adventure but she’s reluctant. Marian tells her she knows the code to get in and out. (She stole the code for them to get in and out). In the forest, she introduces her to archery. After the first few tries, Darling catches on and is able to shoot a far distance. Marian asks Darling what she wants and she says she wants to be a hero and save people. Maid Marian cautions her that people aren't considered heroes if their target doesn't need saving. That immediately makes Darling think of Dexter. Setting that thought aside, Maid Marian and Darling go running.
The princess’s do a parade and then it’s time for the tournament. Darling notices that Dexter hasn’t come out of the tent with Hunter and slows down time so she can talk to him. She finds him upset not over throwing the contest but because of his glasses. She tells him to worry. Gallopad will lead him in the right direction. During the match, Darling again slows down time so she can aim Dexter’s lance in the right direction. Daring wins and Darling feels like everything is back to normal.
Everyone compliments Daring. The King tells Dexter he’s proud of him too. The Queen also tells Darling she’s proud of her and gives her a gift. It’s a copy of Secrets of Sherwood Forest. She knows and says she thought her old copy might be a bit worn. It’s one of her favorite books as well. She’s even got it autographed. She and Marian use to be roomates. It’s then Darling notices her mom’s hands are a little bit calloused. My Thoughts I think this is my favorite EAH book. It took me so long to find it, and I'm happy to say it was worth the wait. I think Darling just might be my favorite EAH character. She's beautiful but she doesn't seemed moved by all the attention and fawning over her. She independent and doesn't want to be rescued by a guy but wants to do the rescuing. And I can definitely see in the future she'll be the one to rescue her Prince. She actually made me look at being a Princess in a different way. I never even thought that I'd view the life of a Princess as boring, but those lessons. They were just so mind numbingly ridiculous!
On a deeper level I thought about gender roles Weirdly on this read I thought about my cousin's daughter whose just three and is already being labeled "trams" because she always wants to be the "prince" rather than the princess. And how different times are today.
I thought the King was sexist King for scolding Darling because she wasn't acting like "a traditional princess" every time she did something considered "masculine". So I didn't think much of him. Nor did I think much of him for not supporting Dex's interest and treating him (and actually calling him second best) because his best wasn't what Daring had to offer. I never really liked Daring. He's shallow fluff. He and Apple really do belong together. Sorry Duchess! You can do better! I wanted to like the Queen because it seemed like she had a "Rebel" streak of her own but I couldn't fully get there because from time to time she also scolds Darling. They locked the girl in a tower! I also like Maid Marian and I wished they would have given us a little more about her. I liked how they focused on *her* and Robin Hood was the supporting player that was rarely even mentioned. I was hoping they'd write him out completely and make her the leader of the Merry Men
Rating: 8 1/2 GREAT STORY! The only bad part was that Darling will probably continue to stay hidden behind all those frilly gowns and I want this bad ass Darling to be center-stage. We all know that's who she really is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Much better than Kiss and Spell. I honestly don't really remember Duchess's book, but this might be my favorite of the EAH books by Selfors. Hale's series is still better in my opinion but I am biased by my love for her other books.
El peor libro de la saga, al menos hasta el momento. De hecho, había intentado leerlo pero tuve que dejarlo reposar un momento en la lista de espera, debido al semejante cringe que me estaba dando, por lo que fue una lectura difícil de concretar.
La trama no debería recaer en Darling Charming, sus problemas parecen estúpidos y banales. Las reiteradas aseveraciones sobre su belleza fueron de lo más fastidioso. La exagerada cantidad de proposiciones de matrimonio hechas por extras sin relevancia, en caso de que se nos haya olvidado lo hermosa que es, junto con la ridiculez del planteamiento de cómo Darling de la noche a la mañana es mucho mejor caballero que sus dos hermanos mayores juntos; Estos detalles entorpecieron el ritmo de la historia, fue tan lento que tomó poco más de medio libro hasta que el asunto se tornó interesante.
Demasiado Mary Sue, es imposible conectar con ella. Uno de los defectos más marcados tanto en este libro como en su propio personaje, es lo mucho que se esfuerzan en abordar la perspectiva de empoderamiento femenino, al grado que descuidan otros aspectos. Haciéndola un personaje detestable, con poca empatía y desequilibrada en el aspecto de sus virtudes. Sin mencionar que los temas como; machismo, sexismo, roles de género. Terminan pésimamente introducidos aquí. Todos sabemos que EAH se caracteriza por tener una mayoritaria población femenina, además que los personajes más importantes son femeninos. Las posiciones de poder y liderazgo, son ocupadas por las mujeres. Por lo que el propio concepto de feminismo como nosotros lo comprendemos carece de sentido. Sería más comprensible que se tratara de una lucha de clases.
Tiene aspectos buenos intenta tocar temas interesantes y sabe llevar cierta complejidad de las emociones, sentimientos y las situaciones de los personajes. Lo malo es que nada fue resuelto de formas satisfactoria pues planteó una situación complicada con Dexter y uego pasó de largo. Me gustó que supo hacer conexiones entre lo que ya he sabido de los libros anteriores puso todos los recursos a su disposición para hacer una historia entretenida el fallo recae en el mal enfoque que se le dio. Aunque el mensaje principal es claro, sin embargo, tuvo varias conveniencias que fueron muy evidentes y un final infame de lo más forzado. Por estos motivos, una calificación de estrellas negativas sería lo más apropiado.
I was going to put a quip about the tragedy of being a lesbian raised by misogynists, but Darling and her story is much more than that. It is much more than that.
It's a note about the dystopian society they live in and how sexism permeates this society and every fiber of it's being. It's a story about giving up what you hold dear in order to stay alive and rewriting yourself in order to keep your place in society.
Now, Darling herself doesn't do this, but she's wanted to. At every step, she's supposed to give up what she wants to do and what she's good at for a life of being a perfect princess, controlled by the men around you.
It is the best written book in this series so far and it shows how this society pushes people down in order to keep order. It's a dystopia, plain and simple. But Darling isn't the revolutionary. She bites her tongue and keeps up appearances for the sake of her family.
Five stars. Truly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Ever After High A Semi-Charming Kind of Life 1. Author’s Background The author is Suzanne Selfors. She has made a lot of books and my favorite books are her Ever After High series. She was born in 1963 and most of her books are fantasy. 2. Literary Time Period The time period of this is mixed into the past and and something like today’s time.There are castles and dragons, then there are phones and other things we use. 3. Setting The setting is in a castle with the Charmings living inside. The setting also takes place in the school where they go to. 4. Characters The characters are Darling and her two brothers. Plus some of their friends are mentioned in the book. There are a lot but these are mostly the main people. 5. Theme The theme is fairy tail. There are dragons and people can turn into other things. A girl even has wings because she is the daughter of an evil fairy. 6. Plot Summary Darling Charming is bored in Damsel- In- Distressing class. She’d much rather be in Hero Training with her brothers. The only thing is, she has secretly been helping her brother Dexter ace the class. If anyone finds out, a scandal would erupt at Ever After High. One of the most prestigious families in town, the CHarmings have a reputation to uphold. Darling is destined to be a damsel… but this Rebel may want to decide her own destiny. 7. Literary Devices Darling Charming doesn’t want to be what she is supposed to be and she has a secret that nobody can know but her and Dexter ( her brother) 8. Memorable Quotes Dexter said on page 58 “ Mother would faint if she heard you say that. ” because he knew Darling’s secret.
I had been putting this book off for years until my niece expressed interest that she wanted it when I finished. She's obsessed with comics and can't be arsed to finish a Goosebumps within a month and a half timeline, but whatever. We're pretty sure she has ADD and I try to foist books on her at any opportunity. Anyway, A Semi-Charming Kind of Life focused on the female Charming sibling, Darling, and her utter struggles being too beautiful and inundated with marriage proposals on a daily basis. I had no sympathy for her pretty privilege. She wants to be a knight and secretly trains like a gym rat underneath her ballgowns. I liked her relationship with her clumsy brother, Dexter, and she let him be the hero of his story despite his shortcomings. These books are also packaged so beautifully with a stunning hard cover, filigree on the pages, and general artistry surrounding this series. I wish they still made dolls or continued the Netflix series, but it was nice while it lasted. I can't say this was my favorite book in the collection, yet it's been so long between books that I just know it wasn't ranked first. I gave Rae this book when I finished and she was very grateful. Who knows if she'll even read it but at least it can stop leaving dust on my bookshelf.
Darling is tried of being the damsel. Her brothers get to save the day, and she wants that too. When her brother Dexter second son of King Charming has trouble in jousting Darling comes, and saves the day. She helps her brother. When he gets the princely poxs she continues to help, but how long can she continue this before the truth comes out. Darling goes on this adventure, a rebelane if you call it to be the hero she wants and choices to be.
Oh how Darling Charming longs for adventure, thrills, and action. But, as any well bred princess in training will tell you, her duties are to excel in waiting (to be rescued by a handsome prince), looking beautiful, and yelling (but, only once when she needs rescuing and her prince is near). She envies her brothers, Daring and Dexter, who can train for danger, jousts, and defeating dragons.
Secretly, to appease her own desires, she has been working out, riding her horse, and climbing walls (but, only at night, of course) to hopefully one day use the skills she knows she is destined to display. When nerdy brother, Dexter, who doesn't care a smidgen for his training (but, loves reading!), comes down with Princely Pox, it is up to Darling to save the day! And, she does! She disguises herself as her nonathletic brother displaying championship skills at training that week. Yet, why does she feel as though she has crossed a line that will only bring trouble?
A Semi-Charming Kind of Life is a cleverly written story about fairy tales characters at Ever-After High. Might Darling be a Rebel? Will she be rescued or will she rescue? Only time will tell, and she may just have a secret supporter among her own family members....
This was a fun and adventurous book about Darling Charming, Daring and Dexter Charming's younger sister. I liked the book because it was about a princess who didn't want to wait around for a prince to save her or never do anything fun, I loved the theme of the story. Though this book wasn't 5 stars, I would say I enjoyed it a lot.
This book made me so angry and also so so happy at the same time as I finished it last night. I felt so sorry for Darling Charming because she doesn't want to be a damsel in distress-she wants to be a warrior princess like her favorite characters she secretly reads, like Maid Marian, Athena, and people like that. She's getting bored with her Damsel-in-distress classes and is always helping her brother, Dexter, in Hero-in-Training classes.
One day, Dexter gets sick and Darling decides that she wants to help him...by taking his armor and pretending to be Dexter. The more she did it while Dex was in bed, getting over a princely cold, that's when she realizes two things: since Parent's Weekend is coming up, King and Queen Charming would want to see their sons joust and Darling walking like a princess in the parade, even though that's not what she wanted to do.
It nearly tore her apart that she couldn't be what she wanted to be, or the fact that her parents couldn't accept her for what she really wanna be, but somehow, she tries to keep her secret and her secret yearning of being a knight or a warrior princess secret from her parents by secretly helping Dexter while he's sick.
This book made me so mad for Darling, mostly because her parents want her to be one thing, while she wants to be another thing. It's like they're putting her in a box, and all she wants to do is get out of said box and be who she really wants to be. Damsel in Distress classes are boring AF she longs to hold a sword and read books about princesses fighting and saving themselves. I was close to putting this book as a three-star or even a two-star because of the parents, but I gave it a 4.25 stars because of how good it was, and how Darling kept helping Dexter.
This is such a sweet story and a fun read! I can't remember the last time a book made me literally laugh out loud like this one. There was a wittiness to it, and I enjoyed every second of reading it.
The characters especially the strong and compassionate Darling and her thoughtful and bookish brother, Dexter, are incredibly likeable and sympathetic. The reader really roots for them throughout the whole book. Darling as a protagonist especially really endears herself to a not-so-girly girl reader, and it's exciting to watch her journey in learning to be true to herself and forging her own path.
However, at the core of this book is really the sibling relationship between Darling and her brother, Dexter and the loyalty the siblings have for each other. The story was full of little moments that made their sibling relationship seem so real . They truly supported and looked out for each other and had a really beautiful friendship. I appreciated that Selfors let them be good friends to each other and made their sibling bond a main focus of the story. I especially loved the ending!
This was cute! A Semi-Charming Kind of Life was pretty simple--unless you count some made-up words, vocabulary wasn't big, there were surprises but not quite plot twists, and conflict began pretty late. The ending, however, was surprising, pleasing, and (funny enough) realistic. While I thought things such as, Siblings would never do that! or, The principal would catch you in an instant when it came to most plot points, the last couple of chapters made sense. As a little bonus, the book was full of fun and funny fictional items, actions, and places in the fairy tale world, such as how one might send a "hext message," go to the "Yarns and Noble Bookstore," or eat in the "Castleteria."
Something parents might like to know is that the book's theme is questioning who you are supposed to be and breaking the rules of life. This can be interpreted in a good way--a reader might think, Guys often being engineers doesn't mean girls can't be them, too! Or it can be interpreted in a bad way--a reader might think, Dad and Mom saying I shouldn't smoke doesn't mean I shouldn't! Also, the main character lies, cheats, and disobeys her parents from the get-go. These actions continue through the book, and stealing is later painted as not-that-bad.
On the other hand, another message was that women don't have to be damsels in distress. They don't have to wait for their hero. They can be heroes themselves! Anyone, really, can be a hero!
I'll definitely be reading another book from this series. 3.5/5 stars, rounded down not because of the immorality of the main character but because while it was cute, it wasn't good or great.
This book addressed the sexism inherent in the world of Ever After High of which there is a lot if only because everyone is expected to adhere to fairy tale archetypes. Of course there are the "Rebels" who chose a different path and decide to break out of traditional roles but not enough also want to break gender roles. Darling Charming desperately wants to be a hero when she is fated to be a damsel and in this novel she gets a few days where she puts on armor and pretends to be her brother Dexter in order to experience the jousting class he is terrible at but she secretly longs for. And it turns out she isn't only good but great. Along the way Darling finds two strong female role models in a blacksmith and in her teacher Maid Marian who gave up being a pampered lady to run the forest as one of Robin Hood's Merry Men. I found the book a bit bittersweet. Darling may save the day but she still doesn't have the courage to declare herself not a damsel to the world though she does get a bit of confidence that will perhaps push her there one day.
again, a mini review. anyways, this is the book that i actually have a physical copy of.
i'm pretty sure it was darling charming that was the first feminist book character in my life. or like a book character that was feminist. the first book character that was a feminist. that i've read at least.
darling, dexter, and daring. the three charmings with adjectives as names <3. dexter having a crush on raven queen(daughter of evil queen) is the best thing in the world. the tv show didn't go on long enough for us to see if they got together which makes me sad.
anyways, darling in 'way too wonderland' and 'dragon games' was too good. her being the 'prince(ss) charming' and also, her saving apple white(daughter of snow white) rather than her brother saving apple.
also, darling has powers which always surprises me in the books. i don't think that was a thing in the show.
This story was so much fun! Where Kiss and Spell felt too much like a rehash of the main trilogy's plotline, with a character doomed to be bad choosing to be good, this took a different approach by having one of the "royal" characters choose to be a rebel.
Darling Charming is a well thought out heroine, doing her best to live up to her family's expectations while also battling her desire to be more than the damsel in distress she is destined to be. Her relationship with Dexter and Daring are both realistic and align well with the associated brothers.
The last twist was a surprise, even for me as an adult reader, but would have benefited from a bit more setup. Overall, a great story with fun characters. Not going to rival the main trilogy, but a welcome addition to the world and story.
Yet another cute story in the Ever After High line, this tale focuses on Darling Charming, the daughter of the Charming family. Despite her prim and proper appearance, and the expectations of her royal family, darling wants nothing more than the thrill associated with being a hero. Yet, she finds herself stuck in classes for damsels in distress where the most dangerous thing she can do is die of boredom.
When her brother, Dexter gets sick, and cannot compete in the tournament at school, it seems only right that she fill the spot for him. But what will she do if her family finds out that she doesn’t want to follow the perfect destiny set before her?
The elements of girlhood, rebellion, and finding comfort in like-minded individuals not afraid to go against the norm makes for a great read for a young girl trying to find her way in the world.
I've mentioned before that Darling is my second favourite character, after Apple, and it took me a while to figure out exactly why, but I've got it now.
Darling is alive.
By which I mean, she's so full of life. She tries to make the most of it, tries to enjoy every second of it, and does her best to make it hers. You rarely see that in characters, I think. She feels like an actual person, as if she's standing right in front of you, and as if you can see her acting out her story in real life.
It would have been great if there had been a bit more interaction between her and Raven, but with the TV series in mind and what happens there in the Way Too Wonderland episodes, I wasn't too surprised that that wasn't the case. Still an awesome read, though!
it’s a children’s book, so it wasn’t much of a “wow” for me. however, it helped me start reading again, so it deserves some stars. for a children’s book, it has a realistic ending, not the typical “happily ever after.” it’s nice and gives you space to think about it. it’s kind of a cliffhanger, but not so much that it needs a second book.
a tip to fully understand each character is to watch some of the movies and mini episodes on youtube. even though it is not a must, it will help you understand each character more deeply. and i think that is why i could finish this book and quite enjoy it, since i used to be the biggest fan of ever after high too.
also kind of sad that they decided to cancel it. it was a very well-written story, and i would love for mattel to bring it back.
Although I'm a big fan of the Ever After High dolls, I had low expectations of this book when I checked it out from the library for a younger sibling. After all, I don't normally enjoy spinoff novels.
However, I was pleasantly surprised. The storyline is interesting all on its own, with engaging characters and an amusing setting. But what really sets this story apart are the unforced, supportive relationships the young female protagonist has with adult women throughout the story, a theme that few books try and many don't pull off successfully. Coupled with its overall gently feminist elements, this makes a heartening and fun read that I'd recommend to any young girl.
The book A Semi-Charming Kind of Life by Suzanne Selfors was an amazing book. This book is about a girl named Darling Charming. She is the daughter of the prince in Snow White. Her destiny iss to play a Damsel-In-Distressing, but she wants to be a hero trainer like her brothers Dexter and Daring Charming. Her family does not approve, but she does it anyway only in secret. At some point in this book Darling does become a Damsel-In-Distressing, but she proves herself worthy of being a hero trainer by escaping herself. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading fantasy.
Better than any of the others in the school story series in my opinion. However these books are getting a little old as nothing ever changes. The main story line isn't advancing, the characters aren't changing, they're just making friends. I'm not sure what the purpose of these books are, because the first three books written by Shannon Hale seemed to have a goal. These ones don't. Young girls will probably still like them, but they don't have much going for them to interest older kids.
i think this is my favorite of all the book series (i haven’t read most of them, but i loved this so much). i love Darling as a character and i wish they showed more of her in the EAH webisodes, i also loved her relationship with her brothers !!! especially Dexter. wished they showed more of their relationship in the webisodes :( i also cried a lot with the finale, and it’s not even that sad. but i guess it was the nostalgia and sadness it made me feel. 5/5.
This was a fun read but I didn't feel like I got a lot of back story for Darling. In the other school story's I felt I had a good understanding of the main character but with this one I felt I was missing some of the characters back story. There where some under answered questions that I would have love to get the answers for. Still it was a fun read and was nice to see more from a Rebel.