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The Princess and the Page
A dark secret lurks in Keira's family. She comes from a long line of Word Weavers who bring their stories to life when they use a magical pen. But Keira's mom is unable to face the truth of the family's history because the Word Weavers have been hunted for generations for their power. And so, she forbids Keira to write. Oblivious to the family's secret ability, and angry at her mom's rule of no fictional writing, Keira discovers her grandma's Word Weaver pen and uses it to write a story for the Girls' World fairy tale contest, believing it will bring her good luck. But when Keira decides to have her fairy tale reflect her family's imperfect life, and has the princess in her story vanquished to a dark tower for eternity, she starts to wonder if anyone ever truly lives happily ever after.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published March 28, 2017
49 people are currently reading
2947 people want to read
About the author
Christina Farley
19 books525 followersAfter teaching and living internationally for ten years in Seoul, South Korea, Christina started writing about her adventures, her school, and life. This inspired her to write the Gilded series. Since then, she hasn't stopped writing and continues to write fantasy and romance for adults, teens, and kids.
Besides writing, Christina loves traveling, running, and eating dark chocolate.
Learn more about her by visiting her at www.christinafarley.com or by chatting with her on Facebook @ChristinaFarley or Instagram @ChristinaLFarley.
Besides writing, Christina loves traveling, running, and eating dark chocolate.
Learn more about her by visiting her at www.christinafarley.com or by chatting with her on Facebook @ChristinaFarley or Instagram @ChristinaLFarley.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
December 21, 2016
An uneven fantasy story full of plot holes, bratty kids, nonsensical parents, unanswered questions, and a weirdly sluggish pace. Skip this one, although a kid with a penchant for fairy tales, writing, and exploring haunted French castles would enjoy this one. No crossover appeal, however, and poor execution.
December 4, 2016
What an amazing, fun read! Kiera is a high-spirited, imaginative, and strong MC with a voice that drew me in from the very first page. Part contemporary fairy tale, part mystery with a healthy dose of adventure, this book is perfect for boys and girls who love fast-paced adventure laced with humor and characters that stick with you long after you've closed the book. I devoured it one sitting.
March 31, 2017
Twelve year old Keira is a Word Weaver...but she doesn't know it. Word Weavers have the power to bring stories to life and when Keira uses her grandmother's magical pen to write a story for a fairy-tale writing contest (something her mother strictly forbids her to do), her not so happily ever after fairy-tale starts to come to life around her. Keira, her BFF Bella, and Keira's mom find themselves in a gorgeous French castle and in the middle of a dangerous fairy-tale adventure.
Christina Farley's The Princess and the Page is a fast-paced, enchanting middle-grade book full of exciting adventure meets fascinating history, a lush setting, likable characters, and sparkly swirly whirly magic...which is definitely the best kind of magic!
Told from Keira's plucky and witty POV, The Princess and the Page will easily draw young readers in and captivate them with its whimsical imagination. Readers will love the idea of Word Weavers and magical pens and appreciate the great power their words and stories hold. Like any great fairy-tale, The Princess and the Page has a princess (of course!) in distress, a wicked villain, a few brave heroines and a sort-of prince charming, fabulous clothes, and a grand setting. With its breathtaking architecture, secret passageways, and delicious secrets, the beautiful castle Keira and her friends find themselves in makes for the picture-perfect setting.
Readers will adore the three main young characters - brave Keira, interior design extraordinaire Bella, and up for anything Chet - and will have a blast exploring the castle with them, uncovering a few mysteries, and maybe even facing a few ghosts! Farley takes her three heroes and readers on a twisty-turny journey that ends, like any respectable fairy-tale should, with a grand and unforgettable ball!
Magic, mystery, and a bit of fun mayhem...this story has it all. Readers won't be able to resist The Princess and the Page's fantabulous cover and won't be able to put it down once they start reading it!
Christina Farley's The Princess and the Page is a fast-paced, enchanting middle-grade book full of exciting adventure meets fascinating history, a lush setting, likable characters, and sparkly swirly whirly magic...which is definitely the best kind of magic!
Told from Keira's plucky and witty POV, The Princess and the Page will easily draw young readers in and captivate them with its whimsical imagination. Readers will love the idea of Word Weavers and magical pens and appreciate the great power their words and stories hold. Like any great fairy-tale, The Princess and the Page has a princess (of course!) in distress, a wicked villain, a few brave heroines and a sort-of prince charming, fabulous clothes, and a grand setting. With its breathtaking architecture, secret passageways, and delicious secrets, the beautiful castle Keira and her friends find themselves in makes for the picture-perfect setting.
Readers will adore the three main young characters - brave Keira, interior design extraordinaire Bella, and up for anything Chet - and will have a blast exploring the castle with them, uncovering a few mysteries, and maybe even facing a few ghosts! Farley takes her three heroes and readers on a twisty-turny journey that ends, like any respectable fairy-tale should, with a grand and unforgettable ball!
Magic, mystery, and a bit of fun mayhem...this story has it all. Readers won't be able to resist The Princess and the Page's fantabulous cover and won't be able to put it down once they start reading it!
October 27, 2020
i really did love this book more than i thought i would, this book really tells us how words are really powerful...trust me in this book they are magical... but the way how Kiera writes the story and fixes it was really amazing, how she had help from chet, and bella. Her mom also told her a secret that helped defeat the enemy in her own story!
this is a really good book read The Princess and the Page, to find out how Kiera came into this mess into the first place!
this is a really good book read The Princess and the Page, to find out how Kiera came into this mess into the first place!
May 4, 2017
Absolutely adorable book for young girls.
https://authorfallonwilloughby.wordpr...
https://authorfallonwilloughby.wordpr...
March 16, 2017
Wow! What a story! I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I picked up this book. I thought it was another blah blah book about princesses and I was going to puke sparkles somewhere, but it wasn't about that at all! I'm very much looking forward to seeing if Ms. Farley would write a sequel to this story. Word Weavers are very special people who have the ability and drive to write stories - the only thing is that their stories become real and if they enter their own fairy tale, the characters can exterminate the author. This story was crazy from beginning to end with ghosts, wolves and witches. Loved this story. Recommended purchase. Grades 5+
April 14, 2017
Magical pens and stories springing to life sound like the perfect middle grade fantasy, so I was excited to read this one. Who wouldn't want the stories they put on the page to take on a life of their own? Unfortunately, The Princess and the Page did not capture my attention the way I thought it would, and I closed the covers with some disappointment.
I thought the prose jarringly clunky and unsophisticated in general, and I considered DNFing because of it. I've talked about before how I think that many modern authors simply do not have great prose (Sorry!), but there's neutral prose and prose that's grating; Farley's leans toward being the latter, and this is one thing I really cannot stand in books. It's also one thing that an editor cannot really fix for you, short of hiring a ghostwriter to redo all your sentences.
However, I continued powering through, only to discover that the book also contains one of my other least favorite things: ridiculous sounding pseudo Middle English. Farley lays it on thick, and the result is cringe-worthy. The medieval character (technically French, but the book is in English so....) runs about spouting gems like this: "Thou art most certainly not what I was expecting, but that is nary a worry...Come hither!" Worse, Farley is not consistent with the grammar. (Seriously, Middle English has actual grammar rules you should look into if you want to emulate it.) So the character says "Dost thou" but "thou can" instead of "thou canst." I simply couldn't take a character who speaks like this seriously. Think of writing medieval dialogue like writing accents in fiction; you want to give readers a taste of it, not write a character who sounds like a hilarious stereotype.
Beyond these issues, I was not a huge fan of the plot. There are aspects of it that are interesting, since Keira has to deal with a story she wrote coming to life. It also has a great setting, a mysterious caste in France, and the glamorous set-up that Keira has won an all expenses paid dream vacation there. However, the novel is meant to be part mystery, as it takes Keira and her friends a while to figure out what's happening in the castle, how the actions are related to the story she wrote, who is responsible for certain actions, etc. The issue is that Farley relies on the trick of artificially withholding information in order to create suspense. For instance, readers are never told how Keira's fairy tale actually goes, so they have to wait for actions to happen in the text and Keira to reveal pages later that real life is mirroring her tale. This also means the story is sometimes choppy because it's not always clear what is going on.
There are things that I like about The Princess and the Page, but since I considered DNFing a couple times due to the prose and the jumpy plotting, I decided to give it two stars. It has a pretty high overall rating on Goodreads, however (books about stories always seem to be a hit), so others might enjoy it even though I did not.
I thought the prose jarringly clunky and unsophisticated in general, and I considered DNFing because of it. I've talked about before how I think that many modern authors simply do not have great prose (Sorry!), but there's neutral prose and prose that's grating; Farley's leans toward being the latter, and this is one thing I really cannot stand in books. It's also one thing that an editor cannot really fix for you, short of hiring a ghostwriter to redo all your sentences.
However, I continued powering through, only to discover that the book also contains one of my other least favorite things: ridiculous sounding pseudo Middle English. Farley lays it on thick, and the result is cringe-worthy. The medieval character (technically French, but the book is in English so....) runs about spouting gems like this: "Thou art most certainly not what I was expecting, but that is nary a worry...Come hither!" Worse, Farley is not consistent with the grammar. (Seriously, Middle English has actual grammar rules you should look into if you want to emulate it.) So the character says "Dost thou" but "thou can" instead of "thou canst." I simply couldn't take a character who speaks like this seriously. Think of writing medieval dialogue like writing accents in fiction; you want to give readers a taste of it, not write a character who sounds like a hilarious stereotype.
Beyond these issues, I was not a huge fan of the plot. There are aspects of it that are interesting, since Keira has to deal with a story she wrote coming to life. It also has a great setting, a mysterious caste in France, and the glamorous set-up that Keira has won an all expenses paid dream vacation there. However, the novel is meant to be part mystery, as it takes Keira and her friends a while to figure out what's happening in the castle, how the actions are related to the story she wrote, who is responsible for certain actions, etc. The issue is that Farley relies on the trick of artificially withholding information in order to create suspense. For instance, readers are never told how Keira's fairy tale actually goes, so they have to wait for actions to happen in the text and Keira to reveal pages later that real life is mirroring her tale. This also means the story is sometimes choppy because it's not always clear what is going on.
There are things that I like about The Princess and the Page, but since I considered DNFing a couple times due to the prose and the jumpy plotting, I decided to give it two stars. It has a pretty high overall rating on Goodreads, however (books about stories always seem to be a hit), so others might enjoy it even though I did not.
February 28, 2017
I read an ARC of this fantasy-adventure, and middle grade students will enjoy following Keira's travels to a French castle where she finds herself involved with the castle's haunted past.
December 15, 2022
Disappointing. I guess I should've checked the author bio; most times those with backgrounds in animation or Disney etc. don't make very good authors-they don't seem to know words as well as I prefer. This is incoherent... the kids keep figuring out the same things over & over, for example. And it's mostly an adventure; it really is *not* about the power of stories. Or the power of family, or even of self... but there is a bit about friendship.
I imagine some of you, my friends, have it on your to-read list. I sincerely advise that you don't bother.
GR is glitching - the date read is Dec 14 2022.
I imagine some of you, my friends, have it on your to-read list. I sincerely advise that you don't bother.
GR is glitching - the date read is Dec 14 2022.
August 23, 2017
This review was originally posted on Lazy Day Literature
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Keira's mother won't allow her to write stories, though deep in her bones, she feels the urge to do exactly that. When her best friend, Bella, talks her into writing a fairytale for a contest she uses the only pen left in the house; a special pen that her mother had thought was stolen. Acting out in anger against her mother's rediculous rules, Keira writes a story with an unhappy ending--and it wins the contest. The prize is a trip for four to the Chateau de Chenonceau in France where Gabrielle d'Estrees lived. But Keira finds it incredibly odd that Gabrielle was the name of her made up character. But that's not the only similarity to Keira's fairytale and she soon finds out that she plays a bigger part in the history of Chateau de Chenonceau than she thought possible.
I love that this story sort of transcends just one genre. It's about a fairytale but it has a very strong mystery aspect to go along with the fantasy and it's also a bit of a ghost story! Plus that beginning had me thinking it was going to be a fast-paced thriller! I really love when children's stories go above and beyond like that.
I found it fascinating that the author drew inspiration from a trip she took to the Chateau de Chenonceau in France and that Gabrielle d'Estrees was a real Duchess that lived there in the 1500's. Farley did a wonderful job at taking that experience and making this setting seem as real as possible. Also, I absolutely love when literature has a bit of history to it and loved learning more about this location and it's historical personas in the author's letter at the end of the book.
The main character, Keira, is relatable with her overbearing, controlling mother and her urge to write. Her best friend, Bella, can be a little snippy at times but their friendship adds to the story. And Chet is the kind of kooky, mischief-maker character that I tend to love. He really helps push the girls beyond their comfort zones (or just joins in on their shenanigans) and keeps everyone on their toes.
The overall idea of the Word Weavers is fantastic! I loved that a magical pen could change so much about the world and history. I could definitely see this idea continued on to other stories. I'd actually love to see Keira try to take on other bits of history (most likely with disastrous consequences!)
This would be the perfect book for young readers who love fairytales, castles, a good mystery, or for any girls on the precipice of still wanting to be a princess and growing up.
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Keira's mother won't allow her to write stories, though deep in her bones, she feels the urge to do exactly that. When her best friend, Bella, talks her into writing a fairytale for a contest she uses the only pen left in the house; a special pen that her mother had thought was stolen. Acting out in anger against her mother's rediculous rules, Keira writes a story with an unhappy ending--and it wins the contest. The prize is a trip for four to the Chateau de Chenonceau in France where Gabrielle d'Estrees lived. But Keira finds it incredibly odd that Gabrielle was the name of her made up character. But that's not the only similarity to Keira's fairytale and she soon finds out that she plays a bigger part in the history of Chateau de Chenonceau than she thought possible.
I love that this story sort of transcends just one genre. It's about a fairytale but it has a very strong mystery aspect to go along with the fantasy and it's also a bit of a ghost story! Plus that beginning had me thinking it was going to be a fast-paced thriller! I really love when children's stories go above and beyond like that.
I found it fascinating that the author drew inspiration from a trip she took to the Chateau de Chenonceau in France and that Gabrielle d'Estrees was a real Duchess that lived there in the 1500's. Farley did a wonderful job at taking that experience and making this setting seem as real as possible. Also, I absolutely love when literature has a bit of history to it and loved learning more about this location and it's historical personas in the author's letter at the end of the book.
The main character, Keira, is relatable with her overbearing, controlling mother and her urge to write. Her best friend, Bella, can be a little snippy at times but their friendship adds to the story. And Chet is the kind of kooky, mischief-maker character that I tend to love. He really helps push the girls beyond their comfort zones (or just joins in on their shenanigans) and keeps everyone on their toes.
The overall idea of the Word Weavers is fantastic! I loved that a magical pen could change so much about the world and history. I could definitely see this idea continued on to other stories. I'd actually love to see Keira try to take on other bits of history (most likely with disastrous consequences!)
This would be the perfect book for young readers who love fairytales, castles, a good mystery, or for any girls on the precipice of still wanting to be a princess and growing up.
June 22, 2017
When Keira finds and uses a special pen that has been in her family for generations, she wins a trip to a beautiful castle in France. But the fairy tale she wrote to win the contest has a very dark side, and even while Keira and her best friend Bella are having a blast living the life of modern day princesses, she becomes increasingly aware that parts of her story are coming true. There are signs that the castle is haunted, and possessions and humans start disappearing. Kiera realizes that her mother has had very good reasons for not allowing her to write or enjoy fiction since her words are far more powerful than she had ever imagined. Although the likelihood of a young girl such as Bella being allowed to be in charge of all the decorations for a ball isn't strong and there are quite a few suspicious characters, readers are sure to enjoy getting lost in the somewhat magical world spun here. I've read similar stories, but this one is still worth reading.
March 13, 2018
Starting with the beautiful, brightly colored cover that features Keira, the main character of The Princess and the Page, it’s clear that author Christina Farley has created a magical adventure.
The Princess and the Page is an engaging story for middle grade readers, but get ready parents, you'll want to find out what happens next too, thanks to Christina Farley's special brand of storytelling. Inspired by a real life royal who lived in the 1500's, The Princess and the Page is a fast-paced contemporary fantasy.
I love the whole idea of the Word Weavers, and Christina Farley is definitely one of them. I hope we get another book featuring Keira and her magical pen, and since Christina Farley has already written one best-selling series, (The Gilded Series) that could be a real possibility.
The Princess and the Page is an engaging story for middle grade readers, but get ready parents, you'll want to find out what happens next too, thanks to Christina Farley's special brand of storytelling. Inspired by a real life royal who lived in the 1500's, The Princess and the Page is a fast-paced contemporary fantasy.
I love the whole idea of the Word Weavers, and Christina Farley is definitely one of them. I hope we get another book featuring Keira and her magical pen, and since Christina Farley has already written one best-selling series, (The Gilded Series) that could be a real possibility.
April 1, 2017
Ahh, what can I say...I adored The Princess and the Page! It's been awhile since I've read a middle-grade book and I think it's safe to say that this is just what I needed!
The pages are filled with constant adventure set in a beautiful French castle! Keira isn't your typical twelve year old. Nope, she's a word-weaver, a person with special abilities to make their stories come to life, literally!
While meandering through this book I was reminded of the movie Clue, with the characters aged down of course.If you're a fan of mystery, action, and plenty of humor then you'll love this story! Not your typical princess book!
My only request is for this to become a series, I'd LOVE another book set in this world!
The pages are filled with constant adventure set in a beautiful French castle! Keira isn't your typical twelve year old. Nope, she's a word-weaver, a person with special abilities to make their stories come to life, literally!
While meandering through this book I was reminded of the movie Clue, with the characters aged down of course.If you're a fan of mystery, action, and plenty of humor then you'll love this story! Not your typical princess book!
My only request is for this to become a series, I'd LOVE another book set in this world!
June 5, 2017
This book was amazing!!
May 29, 2020
I really wanted to like this book and I gave it so many tries and got half way through the book before I decided there were too many other things to read that I could be enjoying. The idea for this book I think was good but there was a disconnect whenever the transition from real to story happened and I just got bored waiting for something to happen and make more sense. Sorry book. Maybe another time?
November 10, 2022
I think this book might actually fall somewhere between a 3 and a 4, like maybe 3 and 3/4. It wasn't a bad story, and I think younger kids will like it, but it was just not what I was expecting.
I feel like it turned more into a mystery type story with the kids being detectives, trying to solve what was going on in the castle. I was hoping for more of a traditional fantasy kind of story with not quite so much physical danger.
I love the idea of being a Word Weaver and having a Magic Pen. But the whole story hinges on the fact that Kiera wrote a fairy tale for a magazine contest and won a trip to a real castle in France. But she wrote a fairy tale with an unhappy ending.
I just kept asking myself, why such a story would win a contest? I mean, nobody wants that! That's not what fairy tales are. Yes, there are some that in their original form may have ended sadly (Ahem, The Little Mermaid) But it was changed, thank God, by people who knew better. In our culture, fairy tales are synonymous with 'happily ever after.'
At the very end of the book, there was a hint of what they author may have had in mind. Keira realized that 'words really are powerful'. That's true, and I got the feeling she was sending a message about the hate speech/bullying that is done on social media these days. That's an important point, but I did not get that while I was reading the book.
I guess I took it more to mean that authors should have more care in what they write. Who hasn't cried over the death of a favorite character and asked the universe why the story had to end that way???? (I'm looking a YOU, J.K. Rowling) A lot of authors just kill off characters for "fun" or dramatic effect and just don't get that some of us are attached to them as we would be to friends. (I'm also looking at YOU George R. R. Martin) So, if this idea has been more the focus of the story I think I would have liked the book better.
I would say, more fairy tale/fantasy stuff, less murder mystery/detective stuff and this book would have been better, IMHO, but if you have any kind of an interest in being a writer, you might find it worth the read.
I feel like it turned more into a mystery type story with the kids being detectives, trying to solve what was going on in the castle. I was hoping for more of a traditional fantasy kind of story with not quite so much physical danger.
I love the idea of being a Word Weaver and having a Magic Pen. But the whole story hinges on the fact that Kiera wrote a fairy tale for a magazine contest and won a trip to a real castle in France. But she wrote a fairy tale with an unhappy ending.
I just kept asking myself, why such a story would win a contest? I mean, nobody wants that! That's not what fairy tales are. Yes, there are some that in their original form may have ended sadly (Ahem, The Little Mermaid) But it was changed, thank God, by people who knew better. In our culture, fairy tales are synonymous with 'happily ever after.'
At the very end of the book, there was a hint of what they author may have had in mind. Keira realized that 'words really are powerful'. That's true, and I got the feeling she was sending a message about the hate speech/bullying that is done on social media these days. That's an important point, but I did not get that while I was reading the book.
I guess I took it more to mean that authors should have more care in what they write. Who hasn't cried over the death of a favorite character and asked the universe why the story had to end that way???? (I'm looking a YOU, J.K. Rowling) A lot of authors just kill off characters for "fun" or dramatic effect and just don't get that some of us are attached to them as we would be to friends. (I'm also looking at YOU George R. R. Martin) So, if this idea has been more the focus of the story I think I would have liked the book better.
I would say, more fairy tale/fantasy stuff, less murder mystery/detective stuff and this book would have been better, IMHO, but if you have any kind of an interest in being a writer, you might find it worth the read.
March 28, 2017
The Princess and the Page is a magical mystery that combines an intriguing glimpse into French history with imaginative sleuthing skills fit for any modern day Nancy Drew.
I don’t normally review children’s or middle grade books on my blog, but when I heard that Christina Farley had one coming out, well, she’s one of my go-to authors. Somehow she always manages to put a twist on history, folklore, and culture to make it captivating for any reader, i.e. her Gilded series, which is AMAZING. I am so glad I was given the opportunity to review this book that is sure to be a favorite of any tenacious young girls and boys with a knack for mysteries and a love of writing.
The Princess and the Page is a blend of history, fairy tale, and fantasy. The castle and historical events are real and the author does a wonderful job discussing the history and her own experience visiting the castle at the back of the book. The way the history swirled into the mystery made me ask questions and dive into the history mentioned. I loved the tragic unhappily ever after aspect of Gabrielle and Henry IV. It was gutting and yet, balanced with Keira’s heroic efforts to change the past.
The concept of Word Weavers is awesome. I love the idea of bringing fantasy to life with words and altering history. It truly shows the power words have from the page first and how they resonate into real life, spreading from reader to reader, and everyone the reader came into contact with. Words have power. They can alter perspectives, change lives, and sometimes destroy them. Keira learns this the hard way, she makes mistakes, and puts people in dire situations with her reckless use of her power. Honestly, I thought this was the best part of the book. Teaching kids that what they say, what they write, and how they use their words in every manner has consequences.
Read more here:
https://youngadultbookmadness.wordpre...
I don’t normally review children’s or middle grade books on my blog, but when I heard that Christina Farley had one coming out, well, she’s one of my go-to authors. Somehow she always manages to put a twist on history, folklore, and culture to make it captivating for any reader, i.e. her Gilded series, which is AMAZING. I am so glad I was given the opportunity to review this book that is sure to be a favorite of any tenacious young girls and boys with a knack for mysteries and a love of writing.
The Princess and the Page is a blend of history, fairy tale, and fantasy. The castle and historical events are real and the author does a wonderful job discussing the history and her own experience visiting the castle at the back of the book. The way the history swirled into the mystery made me ask questions and dive into the history mentioned. I loved the tragic unhappily ever after aspect of Gabrielle and Henry IV. It was gutting and yet, balanced with Keira’s heroic efforts to change the past.
The concept of Word Weavers is awesome. I love the idea of bringing fantasy to life with words and altering history. It truly shows the power words have from the page first and how they resonate into real life, spreading from reader to reader, and everyone the reader came into contact with. Words have power. They can alter perspectives, change lives, and sometimes destroy them. Keira learns this the hard way, she makes mistakes, and puts people in dire situations with her reckless use of her power. Honestly, I thought this was the best part of the book. Teaching kids that what they say, what they write, and how they use their words in every manner has consequences.
Read more here:
https://youngadultbookmadness.wordpre...
January 21, 2018
(more like 3 and half)
*@Kidlitexchange #partner - I received a copy of this book from the Kidlitexchange network in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
Imagine having the power to bring stories to life, literally, but not realizing it until you’re neck deep into trouble. That’s what Keira has to deal with during her fairytale-like getaway with her mom and best friend.
I love how the story is fast paced and every moment Keira and Bella spend inside the castle is a delight because I can follow them and see everything through their eyes. The haunted castle layer adds a nice edge to an already intriguing story. I appreciate the numerous aspects of French culture the author sprinkles throughout the book, especially chocolate croissants because they are a favorite and I am biased.
The only part of the book that bothers me is the fact that all the characters except for Keira herself don’t feel organic. By that I mean they feel like they are brought into the story to fill roles like chess pieces.
I’m ok with blaming that last opinion on my writer brain because without it, this book is a lot of fun to read and you will miss the setting once all is said and done.
*@Kidlitexchange #partner - I received a copy of this book from the Kidlitexchange network in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
Imagine having the power to bring stories to life, literally, but not realizing it until you’re neck deep into trouble. That’s what Keira has to deal with during her fairytale-like getaway with her mom and best friend.
I love how the story is fast paced and every moment Keira and Bella spend inside the castle is a delight because I can follow them and see everything through their eyes. The haunted castle layer adds a nice edge to an already intriguing story. I appreciate the numerous aspects of French culture the author sprinkles throughout the book, especially chocolate croissants because they are a favorite and I am biased.
The only part of the book that bothers me is the fact that all the characters except for Keira herself don’t feel organic. By that I mean they feel like they are brought into the story to fill roles like chess pieces.
I’m ok with blaming that last opinion on my writer brain because without it, this book is a lot of fun to read and you will miss the setting once all is said and done.
May 3, 2017
This is a wonderful book for all ages. I can see that it will inspire many young girls to empower themselves through writing. I recommend reading this book slowly because you are able to fully capture the story, and how it was created. The one things I found wonderful about the book is that Christina Farley continues to incorporate a foreign language within her stories, and including a glossary in the back. This allows readers to learn a bit of the language that the story is set in, and makes the book a learning experience as well as a joy. An amazing aspect I found was that Christina Farley's story was inspired by the life and times of Gabrielle d'Estrees, and incorporates this with her modern-day tale. Every time I picked up the story, I felt like Keira drawn to write. She as well as her author continues to inspire me to write creatively. I'm so glad I was able to read the book, and I can't wait to read more from Christina Farley in the future.
July 30, 2018
I really wanted to like this book more; clever concept, spunky young heroine, moments of sparkly blue magic, setting inspired by historical event and actual location, etc. Lots to like, in other words. But. It just didn't really make much sense, ultimately. The plot was scattered, the characters all made nonsensical connections and decisions (like, her dad can't get a week off work to take a free trip to France? Just...weird stuff like that sprinkled throughout and often with no apparent reason?), and while the climax was predictable, it was bizarrely predictable, because it was the thing that would make the least sense (and so it would "surprise" the reader, I guess?). So, yeah. Womp, womp. Too bad. I would still probably give the author another chance, because I really liked the concept and she clearly has some ability with words. Maybe she'd have better luck with a less convoluted plot.
March 2, 2017
It's an interesting story about a girl who wants to tell all the stories she can. She has an unexplainable desire to write, unfortunately her parents happen to have a rule.... she can't write, no pens or paper are allowed in the house. And if her mother ever see her writing she gets very angry. So Keira doesn't get to write all those amazing stories. Until the day she found a mysterious pen hidden in her parents' things. Now whatever she writes, comes true.....
I quite enjoyed this adventurous tale, it's just perfect with a lot of mystery, fun, magical places, and magical beings, unruly kids, and conniving adults, and of course, a happy ending. I think no book is complete without a happy ending, it's a must as Keira learns the hard way. ;)
I quite enjoyed this adventurous tale, it's just perfect with a lot of mystery, fun, magical places, and magical beings, unruly kids, and conniving adults, and of course, a happy ending. I think no book is complete without a happy ending, it's a must as Keira learns the hard way. ;)
February 24, 2020
Cute but VERY predictable. Main character continually does stupid things that don't make sense, yet she does them anyway - even while saying she knows it is dumb or should not be done. OK, I know that can help move the plot along .... but over and over again it gets annoying! Cute idea ... but .... it was just ok.
August 22, 2017
{My thoughts} – Keira is a different kind of child. She has a longing to write stories but her mother has banned that from their lives. Her mother doesn’t like story writing. She doesn’t like any kind of writing if it isn’t all facts or lists. In the beginning of the book there is a break in and their house is ransacked. The individuals that broke in were looking for Keira’s grandmas magical writing pen. Keira found it before they did and used it to her advantage, however, at the time she didn’t know what it was and how she was using it.
Keira decides to write a fairytale and enter a contest at the prompting of her best friend. She ends up winning the contest and she and her mom and best friend get to spend a week living a fairytale dream. Apparently, she used the magical writing pen to write the fairytale and because of it altered history and merged it somehow with her fairytale. This led to an interesting story that was woven together, both past and present. I do believe that the story was well written and that the plot was well developed. However, I think that most of the adult characters in the story were underdeveloped and to an extent weren’t helpful in pushing the story forward. The main characters Keira, Bella and Chet helped to build the world and carried the story into the level of making it believable and possible.
I think that any child or adult that enjoys fairy tales will enjoy reading this book. I can’t wait to pass this one onto my daughter and see what she has to say about it.
Keira decides to write a fairytale and enter a contest at the prompting of her best friend. She ends up winning the contest and she and her mom and best friend get to spend a week living a fairytale dream. Apparently, she used the magical writing pen to write the fairytale and because of it altered history and merged it somehow with her fairytale. This led to an interesting story that was woven together, both past and present. I do believe that the story was well written and that the plot was well developed. However, I think that most of the adult characters in the story were underdeveloped and to an extent weren’t helpful in pushing the story forward. The main characters Keira, Bella and Chet helped to build the world and carried the story into the level of making it believable and possible.
I think that any child or adult that enjoys fairy tales will enjoy reading this book. I can’t wait to pass this one onto my daughter and see what she has to say about it.
June 7, 2024
This book presents an intriguing premise with its unique concept of Word Weavers, a family who can bring their stories to life through a magical pen. This aspect and the setting of a haunted French castle add an appealing layer of mystique and charm to the narrative.
While the book's premise is intriguing, the execution, in my view, falls short. The narrative starts off at a leisurely pace, gradually building up the plot, but then accelerates abruptly towards the end, resulting in a somewhat underwhelming climax. This hasty pacing leads to some unresolved plot points and unanswered questions, which might disappoint readers seeking a more comprehensive and coherent story.
The evolution of Keira's character and her exploration of her family's hidden powers is initially captivating, but the resolution feels hurried and unsatisfying. The haunted castle setting, while a fascinating element, is not fully utilized and could have been more deeply explored to heighten the overall atmosphere and tension of the story.
Despite these shortcomings, the book is still worth a read with its concept being unique and interesting.
While the book's premise is intriguing, the execution, in my view, falls short. The narrative starts off at a leisurely pace, gradually building up the plot, but then accelerates abruptly towards the end, resulting in a somewhat underwhelming climax. This hasty pacing leads to some unresolved plot points and unanswered questions, which might disappoint readers seeking a more comprehensive and coherent story.
The evolution of Keira's character and her exploration of her family's hidden powers is initially captivating, but the resolution feels hurried and unsatisfying. The haunted castle setting, while a fascinating element, is not fully utilized and could have been more deeply explored to heighten the overall atmosphere and tension of the story.
Despite these shortcomings, the book is still worth a read with its concept being unique and interesting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2018
I really enjoyed Christina Farley Gilded series so when i saw she was releasing a middle grade novel about a magical pen and princess. I knew i had to pick up a copy. This story is meant for younger audience but i am grown adult and i read whatever catches my eye.
I really like how if you have a fan of Nancy drew in your house and they exhausted all of those this a good next step. It the perfect page length for middle school age easily read in a few days but interesting enough that you could easily read it all in one go. I love the concept of word weavers who have the power to bring their stories to life with a magic pen. Our main character ends up writing a fairy tale that not only wins her a trip of a lifetime but also changes history unknowingly.
The story Christina tells about how she was inspired to write this story is a great treat as well. Pull up a chair and get ready to play detective with Keira.
I really like how if you have a fan of Nancy drew in your house and they exhausted all of those this a good next step. It the perfect page length for middle school age easily read in a few days but interesting enough that you could easily read it all in one go. I love the concept of word weavers who have the power to bring their stories to life with a magic pen. Our main character ends up writing a fairy tale that not only wins her a trip of a lifetime but also changes history unknowingly.
The story Christina tells about how she was inspired to write this story is a great treat as well. Pull up a chair and get ready to play detective with Keira.
May 24, 2018
For as long as she can remember, Keira's mother has banned all pens and pencils, anything in the house that you can write with. Except for a pen hidden in her parents closet. Until one night, a mysterious meal arrives, leaving both her parents unconcious on the floor, and leaving her with 2 theives trying to get the pen and it's powers. Hiding from her mother, she writes a story with the pen, and wins the contest, a 1 week stay at a castle far away. She goes there with her mom and her friend Bella, preparing for the trip of a lifetime. But seeing ghosts, moving pictures, suspicious neighbors, a mischevious boy named Chet, climbing the side of a tall castle, getting stuck in a rapid river, people in disguise, that was not part of the bargain. All to soon, Keira finds out she is a Word Weaver, and falls into her story as it comes to life. But Word Weavers aren't supposed to enter their stories. Can Keira rewrite her story before she wrecks the past and the future??
September 25, 2018
The book Princess and the Page by Christina Farley is a fantasy book which is magical and action- packed.This book was mystical because of the author’s choice of words when describing a scene in the book. One example that the book is descriptive is that, in Chapter 2, the author includes this sentence, “Memories from last night throb at the back of my mind as I survey the stark living room,”. This sentence is so descriptive, that I can picture it in my mind. Another reason the book was descriptive was that the author used lots of good word choices. For example, in Chapter 3, the author included this, “Oak trees branch out like a canopy above and the air smells of flowers.” This sentence pictures an image in my mind .Therefore, this shows that Christina Farley’s fictional book, Princess and the Page is definitely a spine-tingling, mystical book, which I would recommend for fifth to sixth graders who enjoy a little bit of magic.
August 25, 2019
Twelve-year-old Keira, forbidden by her mother to write anything creative, discovers her grandma’s magical Word Weaver pen after a break-in to her home. Angry at her mother and not knowing what the pen is (but drawn to it like a bee to honey), Keira writes a fairy tale that ends with “. . . where they would never live happily ever after” for a writing contest. Her entry wins the prize, a trip to France for herself, her mother, and her best friend, Bella, where they will spend one week in a castle and Keira will be treated like a princess. As a series of odd and dangerous events unfolds, she sleuths the castle to find answers. Realizing that she is a Word Weaver whose fairy tale has come to life and that the princess in her story, as well as her mother, friend, and others, are in peril, Keira knows the only way she can save them is by writing a new ending and, possibly, sacrificing her own life.
August 20, 2020
i enjoyed this book, it was a really short read and id definitely recommend to any middle grade students looking for a fun, whimsical book to read.
to summarize this, basically theres a girl and she gets robbed. while this is happening, she discovers a special pen that makes her feel amazing inside whenever she holds it. this is because word weavers are in her bloodline and her mom wants to keep her safe from the danger that the pen brings, so she limits writing utensils and writing fiction stories.
the reason why her mom wants to keep this pen away from her is because when u write something with it, it brings ur story to life. this is exactly what happens when the girl enters a writing contest and wins. she gets to go to a castle and events unfold how she wrote them in her story.
i wont say any more because i dont wanna be that person that spoils books for people, but this book was overall really fun to read and i hope yall enjoy it too!
rating:
➳ 3.5
to summarize this, basically theres a girl and she gets robbed. while this is happening, she discovers a special pen that makes her feel amazing inside whenever she holds it. this is because word weavers are in her bloodline and her mom wants to keep her safe from the danger that the pen brings, so she limits writing utensils and writing fiction stories.
the reason why her mom wants to keep this pen away from her is because when u write something with it, it brings ur story to life. this is exactly what happens when the girl enters a writing contest and wins. she gets to go to a castle and events unfold how she wrote them in her story.
i wont say any more because i dont wanna be that person that spoils books for people, but this book was overall really fun to read and i hope yall enjoy it too!
rating:
➳ 3.5
June 29, 2017
Unfortunately, I was disappointed by this book. I had been hoping from the premise that there would be a lot of story writing and the mixing of stories and reality -- and while technically there was that, for the most part the book read like a simple ghost story in a childish modern-day romp around a castle rather than an exciting story about stories. The only reason I finished the book was for research purposes, rather than really being interested in what happened at the end. The MC wasn't particularly interesting, either, and the other characters weren't developed enough for me to really get attached to them. The adults were also kind of stupid to be honest, and so the whole book had this childish feeling to it that wasn't a good thing.
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