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The Princess in Black #2
The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party
Inconvenient monster alarms, a sparkly array of princess guests, and spot-on slapstick pacing make for a party readers will celebrate.
Today is Princess Magnolia’s birthday party, and she wants everything to be perfect. But just as her guests are arriving . . . Brring! Brring! The monster alarm! Princess Magnolia runs to the broom closet, ditches her frilly clothes, and becomes the Princess in Black! She rushes to the goat pasture, defeats the monster, and returns to the castle before her guests discover her secret. But every time Princess Magnolia is about to open her presents, the monster alarm rings again. And every time she rushes back—an inside-out dress here, a missing shoe there—it gets harder to keep the other princesses from being suspicious. Don’t those monsters understand that now is not a good time for an attack?
Today is Princess Magnolia’s birthday party, and she wants everything to be perfect. But just as her guests are arriving . . . Brring! Brring! The monster alarm! Princess Magnolia runs to the broom closet, ditches her frilly clothes, and becomes the Princess in Black! She rushes to the goat pasture, defeats the monster, and returns to the castle before her guests discover her secret. But every time Princess Magnolia is about to open her presents, the monster alarm rings again. And every time she rushes back—an inside-out dress here, a missing shoe there—it gets harder to keep the other princesses from being suspicious. Don’t those monsters understand that now is not a good time for an attack?
96 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2015
213 people are currently reading
1884 people want to read
About the author
Shannon Hale
145 books14.1k followersShannon Hale is the New York Times best-selling author of six young adult novels: the Newbery Honor book Princess Academy, multiple award winner Book of a Thousand Days, and the highly acclaimed Books of Bayern series. She has written three books for adults, including the upcoming Midnight in Austenland (Jan. 2012), companion book to Austenland. She co-wrote the hit graphic novel Rapunzel's Revenge and its sequel Calamity Jack with husband Dean Hale. They live near Salt Lake City, Utah with their four small children, and their pet, a small, plastic pig.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 557 reviews
October 24, 2015
Page 8 -- WHAT?! WHAT IS THIS?! Oh, no, no, no, please, please, please do not tell me you have the Pan-Plains-ish-Amerindian princess in fringed freaking buckskin and riding a deer.
Page 27 -- She still looks a little hippie-interpretation-of-Plains-cultures, but maybe this won't get worse?
Page 29 -- She's eating a sandwich. Maybe we're in the clear?
Page 55 -- Y'know, I think this is trying to be culturally diverse, but I don't know if it's succeeding. It looks a little culturally weird for other nations, too.
Page 57 -- So, Native Princess Zinnia named her stag Santa Bear. Really? I can't even.
Page 83 -- I'm sorry, but Princess Z looks a little Land-o'-Lakes-y light.
Page 89 -- I know this is trying very hard to bring everybody together and that it's fiction and princess fiction and not supposed to be taken super-seriously, ****BUT**** the main character is white, and the minor characters of princesses of color seem to rely on stereotypes. Do we have to relegate little kids of color to see themselves in stereotypes? I'm just not very okay with this.
I love -- repeat LOVE -- the first volume of this series, but I couldn't read this one with an uncritical eye, and I'm having some serious apprehensions about recommending this to kids.
Page 27 -- She still looks a little hippie-interpretation-of-Plains-cultures, but maybe this won't get worse?
Page 29 -- She's eating a sandwich. Maybe we're in the clear?
Page 55 -- Y'know, I think this is trying to be culturally diverse, but I don't know if it's succeeding. It looks a little culturally weird for other nations, too.
Page 57 -- So, Native Princess Zinnia named her stag Santa Bear. Really? I can't even.
Page 83 -- I'm sorry, but Princess Z looks a little Land-o'-Lakes-y light.
Page 89 -- I know this is trying very hard to bring everybody together and that it's fiction and princess fiction and not supposed to be taken super-seriously, ****BUT**** the main character is white, and the minor characters of princesses of color seem to rely on stereotypes. Do we have to relegate little kids of color to see themselves in stereotypes? I'm just not very okay with this.
I love -- repeat LOVE -- the first volume of this series, but I couldn't read this one with an uncritical eye, and I'm having some serious apprehensions about recommending this to kids.
December 29, 2015
This is the perfect series to help budding readers transition out of picture books into early chapter books. bright illustrations, fin characters, and interesting vocabulary make this a great book for any young reader.
February 22, 2022
Mmmm, there's something quite curious about princess Sneezwort, very curious... I wonder...
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June 15, 2024I'm going to leave this one unrated.
This was published in 2015 and there are a few moments where that truly shows. I'm not sure how adults can read this in 2024 and not see this. I understand that this is a beloved series, but there are a more than few things that made me cringe while reading this book. I enjoyed the first book, but I'm not really sure how things went wrong with this particular installment.
This was published in 2015 and there are a few moments where that truly shows. I'm not sure how adults can read this in 2024 and not see this. I understand that this is a beloved series, but there are a more than few things that made me cringe while reading this book. I enjoyed the first book, but I'm not really sure how things went wrong with this particular installment.
August 9, 2015
***This review has also been posted on The Social Potato
I would like to start this review by saying that if you don’t think princesses can wear black, we cannot be friends.
Shannon Hale is one of my favorite authors ever so I was really excited to dive into this book. I wanted to see how this chapter book would compare to all the other novels I had read by Shannon.
In a very short summary, this book was cute, but it was also so great. I feel like this is what all the young kids these days should be reading. About a young princess, who is clearly badass and not afraid to fight the monsters.
My only complain would be that the young princess had to hide her badassery from all of her other princesses. At one point, I was so sure that one of them would become her sidekicks and when that didn’t happen, I was a little sad. Never the less, Magnolia was an awesome princess and I hope we get to see another story that features her and her adventures.
This is such a fun chapter book and if you’re probably not going to read it yourselves, it would always be a great book to gift to kids. ;)
Note that I received an ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I would like to start this review by saying that if you don’t think princesses can wear black, we cannot be friends.
Shannon Hale is one of my favorite authors ever so I was really excited to dive into this book. I wanted to see how this chapter book would compare to all the other novels I had read by Shannon.
In a very short summary, this book was cute, but it was also so great. I feel like this is what all the young kids these days should be reading. About a young princess, who is clearly badass and not afraid to fight the monsters.
My only complain would be that the young princess had to hide her badassery from all of her other princesses. At one point, I was so sure that one of them would become her sidekicks and when that didn’t happen, I was a little sad. Never the less, Magnolia was an awesome princess and I hope we get to see another story that features her and her adventures.
This is such a fun chapter book and if you’re probably not going to read it yourselves, it would always be a great book to gift to kids. ;)
Note that I received an ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
August 30, 2016
Some people can't stand the whole princess thing, others haven't lost it even though they've grown up; I never thought of myself as being afflicted with the desire, but then I really enjoyed a series of books called Castles Ever After which might as well have been commissioned by some sort of Secret Adult Princess Division of Disney. Both the daughters came down with a case when they started preschool, one traditionally (so much Belle merch) the other with an edge (Zombie Princess), and both gave it up in favor of other, more literally kick-ass heroines. These books are perfect for that phase: the swashbuckling and monster-fighting will appeal to nearly all kids, the princesses are a diverse lot, there's a disability addressed as no big deal, and they are funny enough for adults to read repeatedly as they will no doubt be forced to do.
Write on, Shannon Hale, long may you reign as Queen of the Kickass Princess!
Library copy
Write on, Shannon Hale, long may you reign as Queen of the Kickass Princess!
Library copy
April 18, 2017
Quick read before bed tonight. Just like with the first THE PRINCESS IN BLACK book, I thought this was a really cute read, appropriate for ages 5+ I think. While it looks like and is presented as a chapter book, it's more like a picture book in my opinion. It almost went by too fast. Also, I didn't like that it repeated some of the stuff that happened in the first book. I know that this is a series for small children but I think it deserved a little more substance. Kids notice. That being said, I know this may sound like a negative review but it's not. I still recommend trying it out on your princess fans. Ultimately, the illustrations are what bring the story to life and the Princess in Black herself is pretty fierce.
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November 26, 2024Afun story with suspense + easy sentences with various simple patterns and high-frequency words. Perfect for high-beginner multilingual learners in elementary grades
February 21, 2023
Remi’s review:
This was a 10/10! I loved all the princesses and all the monsters she had to fight. I LOVED the pink monster! It was so nice to give her a present! Isn’t that nice mom? I didn’t have a bad part, I loved it all!!! 🥹❤️
This was a 10/10! I loved all the princesses and all the monsters she had to fight. I LOVED the pink monster! It was so nice to give her a present! Isn’t that nice mom? I didn’t have a bad part, I loved it all!!! 🥹❤️
September 29, 2019
Princess Magnolia, the eponymous Princess in Black, returns in this second chapter-book devoted to her adventures. Opening as she prepares for her birthday party, to which twelve sparkly fellow princesses have been invited, the story follows her as she is continually called away to fight monsters. As she slips in and out of the castle, and in and out of her alter-ego, Princess Magnolia grows ever more flustered. Will she ever get to open her presents, or will the monsters escaping from Monster Land ruin her party...?
Like it predecessor, The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party pairs a humorous and entertaining tale with colorful artwork that will keep young readers engaged. The story is a little repetitive, compared to the first book, but that's a natural result of its structure, as the princess is forced to continually rush out to battle monsters, when all she wants to do is open her presents. I thought that there was more of a sense of Princess Magnolia enjoying both of her roles here, whereas in the first book it felt almost that her public persona was a chore, compared to her secret (and more exciting) life as a monster-battling hero. Here there is more balance, and both roles are seen as positive, making the secretive nature of The Princess in Black's activities less problematic. On another note, while I appreciated the inclusion of a diverse range of princesses, in Princess Magnolia's party guests, I do wonder if their depiction will raise any red flags with those particularly attuned to issues of representation and stereotype. It's clear that illustrator LeUyen Pham was trying to emphasize the geographic and cultural diversity of the princesses, but I imagine that there will be those who see her depiction of some of them as objectionable. For my part, I think their depiction is in keeping with that of Princess Magnolia herself - everyone is very much meant to be a generic 'type,' whether that be a faux-medieval European princess, or an early, pre-modernized Native American one.
With the caveat that those particularly sensitive to these issues might want to proceed with caution, I'd recommend The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party to those readers who have read and enjoyed the first book in this series, as well as to those looking for 'princessy' tale with a slightly different, more girl-positive bent.
Like it predecessor, The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party pairs a humorous and entertaining tale with colorful artwork that will keep young readers engaged. The story is a little repetitive, compared to the first book, but that's a natural result of its structure, as the princess is forced to continually rush out to battle monsters, when all she wants to do is open her presents. I thought that there was more of a sense of Princess Magnolia enjoying both of her roles here, whereas in the first book it felt almost that her public persona was a chore, compared to her secret (and more exciting) life as a monster-battling hero. Here there is more balance, and both roles are seen as positive, making the secretive nature of The Princess in Black's activities less problematic. On another note, while I appreciated the inclusion of a diverse range of princesses, in Princess Magnolia's party guests, I do wonder if their depiction will raise any red flags with those particularly attuned to issues of representation and stereotype. It's clear that illustrator LeUyen Pham was trying to emphasize the geographic and cultural diversity of the princesses, but I imagine that there will be those who see her depiction of some of them as objectionable. For my part, I think their depiction is in keeping with that of Princess Magnolia herself - everyone is very much meant to be a generic 'type,' whether that be a faux-medieval European princess, or an early, pre-modernized Native American one.
With the caveat that those particularly sensitive to these issues might want to proceed with caution, I'd recommend The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party to those readers who have read and enjoyed the first book in this series, as well as to those looking for 'princessy' tale with a slightly different, more girl-positive bent.
March 4, 2019
It was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good. It was about a birthday party for Princess
Magnolia!#2.
Magnolia!#2.
June 30, 2017
My little girl isn't the typical princess loving type. She is more into pirates, knights, dragons and swords than anything. I feel like these books were made for her. She loves the fact that the princess, has a secret identity and can go and fight off monsters. Very cute.
December 9, 2024
5⭐️ from my 8 year old daughter!
March 19, 2020
I’m reading this series with my 4 year old daughter. She LOVES them. They have the perfect amount of pictures, to keep her entertained in the adventure.
September 4, 2015
This is yet another fabulous adventure in the life of Princess Magnolia - a sparkly, beautiful princess with a secret life as a ninja superhero monster fighter. I just love that. On the day of her birthday party to which she had invited 12 other sparkly princesses as her guests, the monster alarm goes off repeatedly and she has to slip in and out of disguise as the Princess In Black, sneaking away from her party guests to save the goats from being eaten by monsters. Along with her faithful steed, Frimplepants the unicorn, who transforms to Blacky, the Princess In Black's faithful pony, she struggles to fight monsters without having her party guests figure out her secret. She distracts her guests with fun games and races in order to do so. The illustrations are cute and the story is totally awesome! This book is excellent for beginner readers and is totally fun for all readers to enjoy. I received this book free to review from Netgalley.
March 3, 2016
I LOVED The Princess in Black and have given it to so many children in my life already, so I was excited to delve into the first sequel. In this installment, Princess Magnolia is about to celebrate her birthday with a fun party. With twelve other princesses from various realms showing up soon, she gets a ring from the monster alarm. And then gets it again. And again. How can Princess Magnolia balance her work with fun, all while keeping the other princesses from figuring out her secret? An adorable sequel to The Princess in Black, showing just how hard superheroes need to work. I loved the fact that the other princesses were of various cultural and ethnic backgrounds; the illustrations were perfect, with a vintage feel that never felt dated. My only qualm with this one was that . Overall, very fun, and continues the theme of princesses being badass.
November 22, 2015
Age: 2nd-3rd grade
Transitional Reader
It's Princess Magnolia's birthday and all her princess friends are coming over to celebrate. As Princess Magnolia's monster alert ring keeps beeping, she must distract her guests with party games while she races off to protect the goats and fight off the monsters. One princess in particular attempts to solve Princess Magnolia's numerous disappearances but her character is flat and her investigation is dropped for a quick ending.
Regardless, kids that love superheroes but also love the color pink, princesses, and frilly accoutrama will enjoy this unique offering from the ever successful Shannon Hale.
Transitional Reader
It's Princess Magnolia's birthday and all her princess friends are coming over to celebrate. As Princess Magnolia's monster alert ring keeps beeping, she must distract her guests with party games while she races off to protect the goats and fight off the monsters. One princess in particular attempts to solve Princess Magnolia's numerous disappearances but her character is flat and her investigation is dropped for a quick ending.
Regardless, kids that love superheroes but also love the color pink, princesses, and frilly accoutrama will enjoy this unique offering from the ever successful Shannon Hale.
July 27, 2016
It's a cute series.... I just love how her ring glows to let her know the monsters are coming. Its the princess in black job to protect the village animals. She has to try to keep her guest entertain why she go fight monsters. It's hard because she have to keep her identity a secret. I know its under age for Jada but she really like the series and it gives us something to discuss.
January 2, 2016
I'm a big fan of Princess in Black. I really liked the first one and this sequel didn't disappoint me. I love, love the super-talented illustrator Le Uyen Pham. I love her faces, and her illustrations add a lot to the text.
June 14, 2015
It is tough being a princess when you have to fight monsters and entertain guests for your birthday. I want more goat herder and Princess Sneezewort.
November 28, 2025
Princess Magnolia has a secret identity as the Princess in Black. At home, she wears frilly pink dresses and glass slippers, but then she changes into her monster-fighting black outfit and charges to the rescue when monsters attack the land. The monsters sneak out of the underground monster land to try to eat the goats, but the Princess in Black has the ninja skills to beat them back!
In this second book of the series, it is Princess Magnolia's birthday, and all her princess friends have come for a party. But whenever they try to open the presents, Princess Magnolia has to run off and fight some monsters. She distracts the other princesses with games of hide and seek, races, and a garden maze, but eventually they realize that she is missing and begin to wonder. Princess Magnolia has to think quickly to keep her secret identity a secret!
This chapter book is so adorable! I love the fairy tale setting and the pretty illustrations. Who says you can't be cute and strong at the same time?
Princess Magnolia is sweet and brave. She's quite resourceful when it comes to balancing her fancy castle life with her monster-fighting responsibilities.
This book is perfect for young readers just starting to read on their own. The chapters are short and the illustrations bring the story to life and bring some comedy into the plot.
This book has been marked as "Nothing Found" on Screen It First, indicating that there is no objectionable content in the book. https://screenitfirst.com/book/the-pr...
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review.
In this second book of the series, it is Princess Magnolia's birthday, and all her princess friends have come for a party. But whenever they try to open the presents, Princess Magnolia has to run off and fight some monsters. She distracts the other princesses with games of hide and seek, races, and a garden maze, but eventually they realize that she is missing and begin to wonder. Princess Magnolia has to think quickly to keep her secret identity a secret!
This chapter book is so adorable! I love the fairy tale setting and the pretty illustrations. Who says you can't be cute and strong at the same time?
Princess Magnolia is sweet and brave. She's quite resourceful when it comes to balancing her fancy castle life with her monster-fighting responsibilities.
This book is perfect for young readers just starting to read on their own. The chapters are short and the illustrations bring the story to life and bring some comedy into the plot.
This book has been marked as "Nothing Found" on Screen It First, indicating that there is no objectionable content in the book. https://screenitfirst.com/book/the-pr...
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review.
December 17, 2017
Princess Magnolia loves being "the Princess in Black", however, today is her birthday so she really wants to just spend time at her party with her friends. One monster attack? Okay, she can deal with that and still have plenty of party time, but when the monsters keep coming she's worried she won't get to enjoy the party or worse someone could figure out who she is!
I liked it, and if I were the target age, I would have loved it! I do wish that . A fun spy adventure with lots of monster defeating; told with plenty of pictures for more reluctant readers.
No content issues, monsters are "beat up" but aren't even bruised when defeated and sent back to Monster Land and no goats are consumed.
April 24, 2021
Evelyn thought this book was cute and fun. I thought the story was cute - not as good as the first, but still fun. I was less than pleased with some the illustrations of the difference princesses that come to the party. They felt a little a little too stereotypical. Evelyn didn’t pick up on any of those things, but I decided to have a little conversation about it with her. We will continue to read these books.
June 24, 2025
This one was a bit weaker. Not as cute/funny. Basically a bunch of guest are coming to see the princess and she has to sneak off again and again to stop monsters. I'm not the biggest fan of Princess Sneezewort tbh. But Goat boy is funny!
My daughter's thoughts: "I want a PonY" So she gives this a 5 out of 5. I'll go with a 3 out of 5.
My daughter's thoughts: "I want a PonY" So she gives this a 5 out of 5. I'll go with a 3 out of 5.
June 9, 2021
I have read one of these every night for a month. Someone please send help. But seriously, they have become like meditation at this point? (Do you hear me, brain?!)
Would love recommendations for other fun, fantasy, short chapter books with illustrations like this, please and thank you, Universe.
Would love recommendations for other fun, fantasy, short chapter books with illustrations like this, please and thank you, Universe.
December 21, 2022
Princess Magnolia is trying to have a birthday party but those darned monsters keep interrupting!
My favorite part was the pink monster at the end trying to figure out what to do about the birthday party.
My favorite part was the pink monster at the end trying to figure out what to do about the birthday party.
June 9, 2018
בת השש אהבה מאוד וגם אני . לא ברמה שאקרא בלעדיה ;) אבל חביב מאוד
November 16, 2018
Claire really likes these right now. I think she could read them herself with a bit of effort, but fine reading them to her now. Good humor.
March 10, 2019
Feeling very devoted to the Princess in Black. Fly, Blacky, Fly!
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May 20, 2022I love kids books, and I can’t wait to sell this at work :))
Displaying 1 - 30 of 557 reviews