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Wide-Awake Princess #3
The Bravest Princess
Sleeping Beauty's younger, non-magical sister, Annie, still can't rest while trouble in the kingdom threatens her good friend, Snow White. Snow White's evil stepmother has disappeared, and her father wants her married off right away--but who should she choose? How can she tell which prince is best? It's Annie and her good friend Liam to the rescue! A hilarious and and fantastical romp through a fairy tale landscape from beloved author E. D. Baker.
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 2014
170 people are currently reading
1860 people want to read
About the author
E.D. Baker
48 books1,591 followersE.D. Baker made her international debut in 2002 with The Frog Princess, which was a Texas Lone Star Reading List Book, A Book Sense Children's Pick, a Florida's Sunshine State Readers List pick & a 2006 Sasquatch Book Award nominee. The Frog Princess inspired the Disney's Princess and the Frog!
E. D. Baker was born in Buffalo, New York and spent most of the next eighteen years in the Town of Tonawanda with her older brother and her parents. She married her husband while in college, and had two children a few years after graduating from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. When her son was four, the family moved to the state of Maryland. With two young children at home, E.D. worked part time in her husband’s business and took writing classes at the local community college. She continued taking writing classes after the birth of her second daughter, but when she and her husband divorced, she went back to school and entered the SIMAT (School Immersion Masters in the Art of Teaching) program at Johns Hopkins University. After graduating, she taught fifth grade until her parents’ health began to fail. Her son had already graduated from college when E.D. and her daughters moved north to be closer to her parents. Having gained a new perspective on what is important in life, E.D. decided that it was time to believe in herself and devoted her time to writing. Her first book, The Frog Princess, was published in 2002. E.D. has written 25 books to date and has no plans to quite writing anytime soon.
Currently E. D. Baker lives on a small farm in Maryland where she and her family breed Appaloosa horses. They also have dogs, cats and goats.
If you have a question or a comment for E. D. Baker regarding her books, you can e-mail her at edbakerbooks@gmail.com and she will try very hard to reply to your e-mails. (Just keep in mind it may take a while before she responds, because she is working on a new book for you to enjoy!) For updates, announcements on upcoming books and daily posts by E.D. Baker be sure to follow her on Facebook.
E. D. Baker was born in Buffalo, New York and spent most of the next eighteen years in the Town of Tonawanda with her older brother and her parents. She married her husband while in college, and had two children a few years after graduating from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. When her son was four, the family moved to the state of Maryland. With two young children at home, E.D. worked part time in her husband’s business and took writing classes at the local community college. She continued taking writing classes after the birth of her second daughter, but when she and her husband divorced, she went back to school and entered the SIMAT (School Immersion Masters in the Art of Teaching) program at Johns Hopkins University. After graduating, she taught fifth grade until her parents’ health began to fail. Her son had already graduated from college when E.D. and her daughters moved north to be closer to her parents. Having gained a new perspective on what is important in life, E.D. decided that it was time to believe in herself and devoted her time to writing. Her first book, The Frog Princess, was published in 2002. E.D. has written 25 books to date and has no plans to quite writing anytime soon.
Currently E. D. Baker lives on a small farm in Maryland where she and her family breed Appaloosa horses. They also have dogs, cats and goats.
If you have a question or a comment for E. D. Baker regarding her books, you can e-mail her at edbakerbooks@gmail.com and she will try very hard to reply to your e-mails. (Just keep in mind it may take a while before she responds, because she is working on a new book for you to enjoy!) For updates, announcements on upcoming books and daily posts by E.D. Baker be sure to follow her on Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews
July 3, 2014
When I was younger, I read Wide Awake Princess and loved it. Now that time has passed, I still can't give these books a low rating when it comes to it and not just because of my childhood connection.
At the beginning of the book, Princess Annie went through exciting near death experiences. I had a good idea how it was going to end but that didn't make me want to put the book down. As she went through yet another of her quests, I found myself fond of EVERYTHING the author put in there. The romance was soft but strong to me and I liked how there was no instant love, love triangles, or anything of the sorts. It was just a romance that's easy to follow and great for a nice read. I loved the plot and the ending and the beginning and the... Still everything! It'll keep children on the edges of their seats to try and see how Annie, the relatable heroine, escapes. Escapes what? Water filling tanks. Traps. Quicksand blocked paths. The eyes of enemies. Needless to say, I await the the fourth book with mirth
February 24, 2015
This was something I picked up at my library and it perfectly suited the listless wintery-blues mood I was in. Fun, hilarious, adventureous and with a little romance too, even though it is a children's book. The author is brilliant at recreating and adding her own personal twists to the classic fairy tales! Loved it!
With Annie's sister, Sleeping Beauty soon to be married, Annie and her fiance' Liam head to Snow White's kingdom to help her choose a prince to marry. The best part of the book were the prince contests where Annie is trying to help her friend Snow White to choose a prince to marry. When Annie has the prince's followed on their tasks of bravery and compassion, the guards come back to tell the real story of what happened. So fun it had me laughing in stitches!
There was quite a bit of magic, though not too dark, and she kept it mostly upbeat despite all the danger the characters were in throughout. There were so many funny lines and scenes to keep it from being too scary for a kids book. The scariest bits were the flock of crows that followed them everywhere and caused terrible trouble and even came after and scratched Annie terribly. They were a little creepy, but only a little...
An interesting twist was the fact that Annie can diminish the powers of those around her. So the beauty of her own sister and anyone trying to cover up with magic dissapears. In one respect I liked this, as it teaches Annie to see through outer beauty to the person beneath. But I didn't care for the meanness of Annie's sister and friends who treat her rudely and try to keep Annie as far away from them as possible (so they can still look lovely and not have their magical beauty fade). Still there are some good lessons there I thought the author shared well enough.
Not something I would reccomend to everyone, but for a light-hearted fun read if you don't mind a bit of magic in your fairytales, then you'll really enjoy it. The only problem I had personally with it was for a children's read I thought there was a great deal too much kissing (but at least the characters were engaged!).
With Annie's sister, Sleeping Beauty soon to be married, Annie and her fiance' Liam head to Snow White's kingdom to help her choose a prince to marry. The best part of the book were the prince contests where Annie is trying to help her friend Snow White to choose a prince to marry. When Annie has the prince's followed on their tasks of bravery and compassion, the guards come back to tell the real story of what happened. So fun it had me laughing in stitches!
There was quite a bit of magic, though not too dark, and she kept it mostly upbeat despite all the danger the characters were in throughout. There were so many funny lines and scenes to keep it from being too scary for a kids book. The scariest bits were the flock of crows that followed them everywhere and caused terrible trouble and even came after and scratched Annie terribly. They were a little creepy, but only a little...
An interesting twist was the fact that Annie can diminish the powers of those around her. So the beauty of her own sister and anyone trying to cover up with magic dissapears. In one respect I liked this, as it teaches Annie to see through outer beauty to the person beneath. But I didn't care for the meanness of Annie's sister and friends who treat her rudely and try to keep Annie as far away from them as possible (so they can still look lovely and not have their magical beauty fade). Still there are some good lessons there I thought the author shared well enough.
Not something I would reccomend to everyone, but for a light-hearted fun read if you don't mind a bit of magic in your fairytales, then you'll really enjoy it. The only problem I had personally with it was for a children's read I thought there was a great deal too much kissing (but at least the characters were engaged!).
April 16, 2014
Whoopsie, I forgot to do a review for this when I read it. It was pretty good, but not as good as the first two. They didn't travel around, and they weren't getting to know each other. So maybe that made it less entertaining that the first.
February 12, 2023
This is a true series. Each book could conceivably stand alone, and a reader could stop at any time, but they are best started from the first.
Every book so far has a slightly different focus. For example, the second had a lot of integral references to traditional folk tales, but this basically only nods to them.
There's a lot of character development, as Annie has to both be self-confident enough to insist that Liam cannot protect her & that her talents are necessary to conducting rescues, and be humble enough to accept help and even rescue from him and other adult men.
Also there's the more complex characterization as the reader is guided to realize that not everything a person says is what they really mean. A young man speaking tough to friends may actually be more tender at heart, and may actually be a terrific choice for a life partner.
And for those more nuanced characterizations, I'm rounding up to four stars.
Otherwise, it's a funny, fast-paced entry in the series that I really enjoyed despite a few flaws that I don't feel the need to point out to you. If you want to read this, you will, because you've liked the first two books. (And do read them in order, to avoid spoilers.)
Every book so far has a slightly different focus. For example, the second had a lot of integral references to traditional folk tales, but this basically only nods to them.
There's a lot of character development, as Annie has to both be self-confident enough to insist that Liam cannot protect her & that her talents are necessary to conducting rescues, and be humble enough to accept help and even rescue from him and other adult men.
Also there's the more complex characterization as the reader is guided to realize that not everything a person says is what they really mean. A young man speaking tough to friends may actually be more tender at heart, and may actually be a terrific choice for a life partner.
And for those more nuanced characterizations, I'm rounding up to four stars.
Otherwise, it's a funny, fast-paced entry in the series that I really enjoyed despite a few flaws that I don't feel the need to point out to you. If you want to read this, you will, because you've liked the first two books. (And do read them in order, to avoid spoilers.)
August 21, 2020
E.D. Baker was a staple of my middle grade years, and it was fun to finally pick up one of her books once again. This series is a fun middle grade series of mixed up fairy tale retellings that all center around Sleeping Beauty's sister, who happens to be immune to magic. It was still a fun read even for an adult, and middle grade readers will adore this series.
February 21, 2018
The Bravest Princess by E. D. Baker is about a girl who is immune to magic, and her adventures to save kingdoms. This girl’s name is Annie. When Annie finishes turning her sister’s true love from a bear back to his normal prince self, things just get crazier. At Annie’s sister, Gwendolyn’s wedding, someone tries to kill Annie. Annie and her love, prince Liam, go to their friend, Snow White’s kingdom to help her find a prince to marry. As they give a group of princes challenges and trials to see who gets Snow White’s attention, someone is still attempting to kill Annie. As Annie continues to help Snow White, she gets more and more clues on who is trying to kill her. This book is an amazing story of adventure and romance.
This book is worth spending your time to read, because it will broaden your imagination. It is so fun and hard to set down. It is so adventurous, for example, “You’ve got to be joking! First someone traps us in the dark and tries to drown us, then they send a monster after us?” The book was never slow or unnecessary. It was always interesting and there was never a part that I didn’t like. The author does a great job describing all the settings and characters. Everything is described wonderfully. I can connect with the book, because I have an older sister. The author does a wonderful job with all the words. All the characters say the perfect thing at the perfect time. The book makes me feel excited, and I always want to read it. My nose is in the book! I can hardly set it down!!!
Never giving up can have a positive result. This book is called, “The Bravest Princess”. Being brave is having courage. Being brave is never giving up. Annie is so brave throughout the whole book. No matter how many times someone tries to kill her, she always keeps going. She never gives up. This book is wonderful and has a wonderful theme.
This book is worth spending your time to read, because it will broaden your imagination. It is so fun and hard to set down. It is so adventurous, for example, “You’ve got to be joking! First someone traps us in the dark and tries to drown us, then they send a monster after us?” The book was never slow or unnecessary. It was always interesting and there was never a part that I didn’t like. The author does a great job describing all the settings and characters. Everything is described wonderfully. I can connect with the book, because I have an older sister. The author does a wonderful job with all the words. All the characters say the perfect thing at the perfect time. The book makes me feel excited, and I always want to read it. My nose is in the book! I can hardly set it down!!!
Never giving up can have a positive result. This book is called, “The Bravest Princess”. Being brave is having courage. Being brave is never giving up. Annie is so brave throughout the whole book. No matter how many times someone tries to kill her, she always keeps going. She never gives up. This book is wonderful and has a wonderful theme.
February 19, 2024
This was also good, though it was a bit disappointing to know the reason why the witch was committing terror in Annie and also wish that Annie could have resolved the conflict with snow white rather than not dealing with it at all ..
February 20, 2015
The Bravest Princess is quite a different book than the first two, I thought. The first two were a great conglomeration of fairy tales with situational and often dry humor that made them really funny. This one had less of both. It had a few nods to some fairy tales, but most of it was using the fairy tale characters that had already been introduced in the first two books. That’s fine, but the book felt lacking because of it. The humor felt forced in places (especially Liam’s responses to the princes during Snow White’s trials) and I wasn’t as engaged in the plot. The final revelation of the villains felt a little abrupt, too.
I will say, though, that the crows were scary. When they attacked Annie in her room, I got shivers. Ugh. It was really downplayed because of the audience, but let’s face it, getting attacked The Birds-style is terrifying.
Despite the relative weakness of the plot, the characters were still endearing, and Annie especially got a lot of development due to the fact that she couldn’t rely on her magic-repelling skills to help her out. I’m sad that we didn’t get to see more of Gwendolyn and her interaction with Annie, and there wasn’t much resolution in regards to Annie’s standing with the magically-blessed people around her, but there is at least a hint that things will get better.
Overall, The Bravest Princess was a little disappointing to me. I didn’t find it nearly as fun as the first two books and the humor and plot felt forced in places. I did like Annie’s development, though, even though she didn’t get much in regards to her outcast-like status, and she and Liam are cute. Also, the crows were scary.
I will say, though, that the crows were scary. When they attacked Annie in her room, I got shivers. Ugh. It was really downplayed because of the audience, but let’s face it, getting attacked The Birds-style is terrifying.
Despite the relative weakness of the plot, the characters were still endearing, and Annie especially got a lot of development due to the fact that she couldn’t rely on her magic-repelling skills to help her out. I’m sad that we didn’t get to see more of Gwendolyn and her interaction with Annie, and there wasn’t much resolution in regards to Annie’s standing with the magically-blessed people around her, but there is at least a hint that things will get better.
Overall, The Bravest Princess was a little disappointing to me. I didn’t find it nearly as fun as the first two books and the humor and plot felt forced in places. I did like Annie’s development, though, even though she didn’t get much in regards to her outcast-like status, and she and Liam are cute. Also, the crows were scary.
March 24, 2020
Gwennie is getting her happy ever after, but things just got worse for Annie-the ceremony hasn't even ended and someone is trying to kill her-by not using magic.
Normally when a witch is angry at Annie, it's no problem since she is immune to all magic. But this invisible nemesis is smarter than the most, and her friends have a tough time keeping her safe as they travel to Snow White's castle, where Annie is supposed to help her in her tough decision.
Annie also is struggling with the feeling she is truly not 'brave', as she sees bravery, during all of the strain of trying to find not one, but three witches all with her name on their bad list.
I like the in-depth character annylizations in these stories, and the realistic touches to the characters-none are perfect, I feel like I have made friends and enemies myself!
Normally when a witch is angry at Annie, it's no problem since she is immune to all magic. But this invisible nemesis is smarter than the most, and her friends have a tough time keeping her safe as they travel to Snow White's castle, where Annie is supposed to help her in her tough decision.
Annie also is struggling with the feeling she is truly not 'brave', as she sees bravery, during all of the strain of trying to find not one, but three witches all with her name on their bad list.
I like the in-depth character annylizations in these stories, and the realistic touches to the characters-none are perfect, I feel like I have made friends and enemies myself!
December 21, 2014
The Bravest Princess was cute but wasn't very coherent. While I definitely enjoyed it I was really glad when we faced up to the real bad guys. In the end it was all happily ever after, which suits this series down to a T.
Want to read
February 15, 2024i can’t believe goodreads randomly reccomended this to me, i read this series as a kid because the books were in my elementary classroom and i was in love with them, i’ve never read this one though for some reason because it wasn’t in my classroom but i’ve read the 1, 2, and 4th one i want to read this soon so bad and also i haven’t read the 5th/anything after that? i’m gonna read the rest of this series if it’s the last thing i do
April 3, 2025
This book is really good. Snow White, from the last book, is holding a contest to find the prince that is right for her. But Prince Maitland,the only prince that tells the truth about the thing that he has done, and saved Annies life multiple times, said in the last book that he only wanted her throne! He managed to win Snow White over eventually. But there are crows are following Annie, the work of the evil witch Terrobella. She gets turned into slug slime and washed away. Great plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2017
The best story of the series so far. I can still feel the tension, although I kinda hate Snow-White and Anne's sister here. How they are so ignorant and such at some point. Nevertheless, I quite enjoy this book <3
November 12, 2023
this series is very nostalgic to me but i hate how the book just helps promote beauty standards?? saying that magic makes people look more attractive? that certain body parts are ugly and less desirable? it’s so toxic and disgusting, and as a book marketed to young IMPRESSIONABLE girls, this is a breeding ground for insecurities. i can’t believe so many things in this was able to be printed.
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February 14, 2020fun
February 22, 2022
The Bravest Princess was an exciting, magical, and adventurous book. I love how much detail is put into the book. from the art on the cover, to the descriptions of the story. This book is about a girl, Annie, who's siter is sleeping beauty. She can't be affected by magic, so she is brave enough to find off evil.
The amazing tale has 3 books, the first is The Wide-Awake Princess, the second is Unlocking the spell (Wide-Awake Princess, #2), last but not least The Bravest Princess. I have read all three, but my favorite one was The Bravest Princess. I love how Annie has girl power and doesn't give up on helping her friends. Liam, her dashing boyfriend, never gives up on her, always there for her and always believing in her, in this book though he does become a bit overprotective. Overall, this book is what I would call, a magical, mysterious, and daring adventure full of love.
The amazing tale has 3 books, the first is The Wide-Awake Princess, the second is Unlocking the spell (Wide-Awake Princess, #2), last but not least The Bravest Princess. I have read all three, but my favorite one was The Bravest Princess. I love how Annie has girl power and doesn't give up on helping her friends. Liam, her dashing boyfriend, never gives up on her, always there for her and always believing in her, in this book though he does become a bit overprotective. Overall, this book is what I would call, a magical, mysterious, and daring adventure full of love.
April 21, 2015
This is the third book in the “A Tale Of The Wide Awake Princess” series. I found this third book to be a bit too repetitive for my tastes. Baker, for some reason, felt the need to remind you of everything you had already read in the first two books. It really made the first half of the book drag along. Every other chapter, you were having to be reminded of adventures you had already read about. I can understand, to a certain degree, the reasons for this. My sister picked up the third book first and read the series out of order while never actually missing anything that had come previously. It was convenient for her. Getting all the back history helped in her case. But unfortunately, for readers who chose to read the books in order, like me, the fact that you were constantly reminded of things that had happened in previous books was off-putting. I kept skimming over those parts, but in general, all the back story really made the first half of the book boring.
Also, I'm not sure what I expected, but I found the plot line of this third book to be dull and repetitive as well. Already, the first two books had followed Annie and Liam as they spend weeks/months on the road traveling and finding themselves in one adventure after another. But by this third book, I was so sick of that storyline. Each book contains the story of Annie going off to rescue or help one person after another. It was tiresome by book three. Also, in this third book, there was the repeat of a contest among royals in order to win a prince (book one) or Princess' (book three) hand in marriage. The fact that this was the only tactic used by the author annoyed me. Wasn't there some more creative and less repetitive way of finding a persons soul-mate among royalty?
It wasn't until the second half of the book that I really started to become interested in the story. I was pretty disappointed with this third book. Overall, the theme of it having a fairytale woven in (like the previous books) was almost non-existant. It was a continued story of what happens to Snow White, but most of it was just more traveling and more of Annie and Liam's Story (which basically consisted of Liam telling Annie what to do and then her ignoring his instructions and doing whatever she wanted).
I wished I could have enjoyed this book as much as I did the first one. I admit, book two was a little boring also. Unfortunately, I think this series would have benefited from being downsized. I honestly didn't care what happened to Beldegard (the bear man) and Gwendalyn. I wished that Beldegard had just turned human again and the curse been lifted from him when he kissed Gwendalyn in book one. Then, the author could have skipped book two altogether and combined the second and third book's into one story. Nothing would have felt as repetitive and it definitely would have taken care of the boring factor too.
I like this series, but as I go along, I'm becoming less and less interested in it. It's a real shame too because book one had such potential. I was really disappointed with this third book in the series. Fingers crossed that if there is a fourth book, that the plot line takes some new, unexpected turns, surprises me, and has a happily ever after for Annie and Liam.
Also, I'm not sure what I expected, but I found the plot line of this third book to be dull and repetitive as well. Already, the first two books had followed Annie and Liam as they spend weeks/months on the road traveling and finding themselves in one adventure after another. But by this third book, I was so sick of that storyline. Each book contains the story of Annie going off to rescue or help one person after another. It was tiresome by book three. Also, in this third book, there was the repeat of a contest among royals in order to win a prince (book one) or Princess' (book three) hand in marriage. The fact that this was the only tactic used by the author annoyed me. Wasn't there some more creative and less repetitive way of finding a persons soul-mate among royalty?
It wasn't until the second half of the book that I really started to become interested in the story. I was pretty disappointed with this third book. Overall, the theme of it having a fairytale woven in (like the previous books) was almost non-existant. It was a continued story of what happens to Snow White, but most of it was just more traveling and more of Annie and Liam's Story (which basically consisted of Liam telling Annie what to do and then her ignoring his instructions and doing whatever she wanted).
I wished I could have enjoyed this book as much as I did the first one. I admit, book two was a little boring also. Unfortunately, I think this series would have benefited from being downsized. I honestly didn't care what happened to Beldegard (the bear man) and Gwendalyn. I wished that Beldegard had just turned human again and the curse been lifted from him when he kissed Gwendalyn in book one. Then, the author could have skipped book two altogether and combined the second and third book's into one story. Nothing would have felt as repetitive and it definitely would have taken care of the boring factor too.
I like this series, but as I go along, I'm becoming less and less interested in it. It's a real shame too because book one had such potential. I was really disappointed with this third book in the series. Fingers crossed that if there is a fourth book, that the plot line takes some new, unexpected turns, surprises me, and has a happily ever after for Annie and Liam.
March 28, 2014
As seen on RoseBlackthorned Reviews
Review:
I received this book as an ARC from netgalley.com a few days before the publishing date and I was really excited because I loved the first book of the series. I never read the 2nd book because I didn't know it was a series but I remember how much I loved and raved about the first book. I can still remember the beautiful tale that E.D.Baker spun (ha spun ha! You will understand it if you read the first book! <3) when Annie basically had to save her entire kingdom from a curse.
Once again, I was NOT disappointed. Indeed, E.D.Baker never fails to write the best children's books ever.
In the 3rd volume of the Wide-Awake Princess series, we follow Annie's point of view again. This time, we meet her friend Snow White who needs her help so she sets off with the all wonderful Prince Liam (fangirls!!!) and several others to see Snow White and handle some other stuff (ahem put a witch in a tower). Along the way, she finds out that someone else is following her ahemevilahem. Now, Snow White's problem is that her father wants her to marry someone right away. Basically Snow White and Annie set up challenges for the suitors who show up. Along the way my OTP - AnnieXLiam become closer. However of course evil forces threaten to destroy everything.
Thank you Bloomsbury for allowing me to read an ARC. I really enjoyed it! Once again E.D.Baker has written a beautiful and inspiring book which had me reminiscing over the times when I would just sit in my bed for hours and read fairy tales all day long. I haven't had that much fun reading a book in a long time!
Do go and read this book! I guarantee you won't be disappointed! May you feel as much joy as I do reading this book!
Rating:
4.5 Stars Out of 5 Stars
Review:
I received this book as an ARC from netgalley.com a few days before the publishing date and I was really excited because I loved the first book of the series. I never read the 2nd book because I didn't know it was a series but I remember how much I loved and raved about the first book. I can still remember the beautiful tale that E.D.Baker spun (ha spun ha! You will understand it if you read the first book! <3) when Annie basically had to save her entire kingdom from a curse.
Once again, I was NOT disappointed. Indeed, E.D.Baker never fails to write the best children's books ever.
In the 3rd volume of the Wide-Awake Princess series, we follow Annie's point of view again. This time, we meet her friend Snow White who needs her help so she sets off with the all wonderful Prince Liam (fangirls!!!) and several others to see Snow White and handle some other stuff (ahem put a witch in a tower). Along the way, she finds out that someone else is following her ahemevilahem. Now, Snow White's problem is that her father wants her to marry someone right away. Basically Snow White and Annie set up challenges for the suitors who show up. Along the way my OTP - AnnieXLiam become closer. However of course evil forces threaten to destroy everything.
Thank you Bloomsbury for allowing me to read an ARC. I really enjoyed it! Once again E.D.Baker has written a beautiful and inspiring book which had me reminiscing over the times when I would just sit in my bed for hours and read fairy tales all day long. I haven't had that much fun reading a book in a long time!
Do go and read this book! I guarantee you won't be disappointed! May you feel as much joy as I do reading this book!
Rating:
4.5 Stars Out of 5 Stars
January 2, 2015
Princess Annie and Prince Liam survive Gwennie's wedding only to take off on another quest. This time they need to relocate a troublesome witch and then answer Snow White's plea for help. But getting to Snow White turns out to be the hardest part, disasters and crows haunt the path and it soon becomes clear that a powerful witch has it in for Annie. They eventually make it to Snow White's and find that her father is eager to marry her off in hopes that that will thwart any plans of her evil stepmother (who has escaped). Annie helps Snow come up with a series of tests for the eight princes vying for her hand while in the meantime hunting for the witches out for all of them.
Unlike previous books in this series, this one has relatively few fairy tale references (though there is a nursery rhyme that comes into play). It's a pretty straight forward plot of trying to figure out where the witches are before they can do anything worse than they've already done and help Snow figure out who to marry. Some will probably like the more original tale, but others will likely miss the drop ins from fairy tale characters (though ones from past books do show up). This is also a little bit more intense than past books in the series since the witch after Annie has figured out some ways around her magical immunity, making this the most dangerous quest for her so far. Still, overall a fun fantasy/princess adventure for the middle grade crowd.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content beyond a kiss. Annie narrowly avoids a fall, burning, and drowning. Crows attack several people. Malicious magic is attempted but doesn't work out well.
Unlike previous books in this series, this one has relatively few fairy tale references (though there is a nursery rhyme that comes into play). It's a pretty straight forward plot of trying to figure out where the witches are before they can do anything worse than they've already done and help Snow figure out who to marry. Some will probably like the more original tale, but others will likely miss the drop ins from fairy tale characters (though ones from past books do show up). This is also a little bit more intense than past books in the series since the witch after Annie has figured out some ways around her magical immunity, making this the most dangerous quest for her so far. Still, overall a fun fantasy/princess adventure for the middle grade crowd.
Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content beyond a kiss. Annie narrowly avoids a fall, burning, and drowning. Crows attack several people. Malicious magic is attempted but doesn't work out well.
April 14, 2014
I've been a fan of E.D. Baker's books since I read the Frog Princess (and all of the following books) many years ago. They are cute and simple, and absolutely perfect for fans of fractured fairy tales. If you've been keeping up, you'll know that The Bravest Princess is the third book in the Wide-Awake Princess series.
Princess Annie is special. She is completely untouched by magic, and can alter magic with her touch. Pretty impressive if you live in a fully magical world. This time around she has to help Snow White while protecting herself from an evil witch that is determined to cause her harm.
While this probably isn't my favorite of the series so far, it was still fun to read. I enjoy reading about Annie's adventures. Adding in the banter between Annie and Liam is always a bonus, too. Unfortunately, this time around I didn't feel the magic between Liam and Annie. I wish there was more to the plot that included them together. It always felt like they were working together to reach the same solution, but doing it from across the room.
But don't fret. There is still plenty of the endearing elements that you expect from E.D. Baker's books in The Bravest Princess. The smoochy smoochy factor is low, but warm fuzzies are abundant. You'll enjoy reading through the plot and picking out elements from favorite fairy tales. You'll also appreciate the surprise twist at the end. Geared toward younger readers, this is definitely a series perfect for 4th-6th grade girls.
Princess Annie is special. She is completely untouched by magic, and can alter magic with her touch. Pretty impressive if you live in a fully magical world. This time around she has to help Snow White while protecting herself from an evil witch that is determined to cause her harm.
While this probably isn't my favorite of the series so far, it was still fun to read. I enjoy reading about Annie's adventures. Adding in the banter between Annie and Liam is always a bonus, too. Unfortunately, this time around I didn't feel the magic between Liam and Annie. I wish there was more to the plot that included them together. It always felt like they were working together to reach the same solution, but doing it from across the room.
But don't fret. There is still plenty of the endearing elements that you expect from E.D. Baker's books in The Bravest Princess. The smoochy smoochy factor is low, but warm fuzzies are abundant. You'll enjoy reading through the plot and picking out elements from favorite fairy tales. You'll also appreciate the surprise twist at the end. Geared toward younger readers, this is definitely a series perfect for 4th-6th grade girls.
June 30, 2017
*I* liked it, my children, not as much. My 3 year old loves to pick out chapter books for me to read aloud to them and picked this one up at the library...because...princess! The library marked it a 5th-grade reading level but I think the audience would be more toward 13-14-year-old girls. Princess Annabelle is a strong female lead. The characters weren't as dimensional as some of the middle-grade level books that I've read though. The world was nice though and felt real. There was a lot of kissing though which some parents might not like their young to middle-grade daughters to read about. Overall it was a sweet book though.
I will admit, this is the first that we read in the series. I don't like jumping into a series part way through but this one was ok to do that with. There was a touch of back story that helped us jump in without so much that we would have been trudging through. I feel that the stakes could have been raised even a bit more but there were some scenes that really stood out in that way. I hope to read more books in this series, I just think my children (2 of which read on a 5th grade+ level on their own) would prefer to wait a few more years to get into the stories.
I will admit, this is the first that we read in the series. I don't like jumping into a series part way through but this one was ok to do that with. There was a touch of back story that helped us jump in without so much that we would have been trudging through. I feel that the stakes could have been raised even a bit more but there were some scenes that really stood out in that way. I hope to read more books in this series, I just think my children (2 of which read on a 5th grade+ level on their own) would prefer to wait a few more years to get into the stories.
December 11, 2014
In the latest installment of A Tale of the Wide-Awake Princess series, Princess Annie finds herself under attack by forces of nature that are only indirectly being controlled by magic, and all her usual defenses are not always effective. This added layer of danger forces Annie to admit and confront her own fears. This fractured fairy tale does a great job of incorporating well-loved characters like Sleeping Beauty and Snow White, however, it falls short in really empowering young female readers. The main character’s fiancé, Liam, is annoying in that he does not trust Annie to take care of herself. While it is admirable that Annie often defies those stereotypical gender roles, while admitting weaknesses, it’s irritating that so many of the character surrounding her fail to recognize her strengths and use them to their advantage. It would make a modern girl question why Annie would want to surround herself with people who don’t trust her and treat her like a helpless “girl”.
This series is a good choice for readers who enjoy fantasy and the fractured fairy-tale style of writing.
This book was provided by the publisher for review to SWON Libraries
This series is a good choice for readers who enjoy fantasy and the fractured fairy-tale style of writing.
This book was provided by the publisher for review to SWON Libraries
April 26, 2014
Princess Annabelle, Sleepy Beauty's younger sister, helps her sister with her wedding and then sets off to help her friend Snow White. Annie's fairy tale princess twist is that she was 'cursed' by being immune to magic; those who are under a spell are rendered nonmagical when coming into contact with her. Plagued by crows clearly sent by a witch, Annie teams up with her prince boyfriend Liam to figure out what's going on.
Fans of princess stories without a bunch of silliness will enjoy the Wide-Awake Princess series. Recommended for grades 4 and 5. The story includes some minor kissing but nothing that raised my concerns for elementary school readers.
Fans of princess stories without a bunch of silliness will enjoy the Wide-Awake Princess series. Recommended for grades 4 and 5. The story includes some minor kissing but nothing that raised my concerns for elementary school readers.
March 30, 2015
Eh, I wasn't too impressed with this installment of the Wide-Awake Princess. Really cheesy, lots of kissing (for a middle school book), and the reason the witch was after her was kind of flimsy. I am intrigued by a new character introduced, Lilah. I'm thinking she's going to play a bigger part in the next book... yay!
October 21, 2016
Princesses really can be brave! They don't always have to sit around and wait on their princes, instead they can be the hero of their story just like Annie. Read how E.D. Baker proves to us girl-power!
November 22, 2015
Love it! Even better than the second.
August 19, 2020
Probably my favorite of the series! Idk...<3
March 19, 2019
This is the third installment of the Wide-Awake Princess Series. A book series that until yesterday I though was just one book. In this book it is vitally important to read the other two before you start. This book doesn’t introduce a wide variety of new character’s but instead uses old characters and had them go through a new challenge.
In this book we see that Annie is being threatened by crows who are controlled by someone else, but this cannot stop her as she needs to help her friend Snow White decide which prince she is going to marry. In this manner we have two storylines happening at once, the story of Snow White and the Princes and the story of Annie and whoever sent the crows. This makes for an enjoyable read.
I would say that Liam’s insistence on protecting Annie sometimes moves into stupidity. He has already gone on two adventures with this girl, he should be able to know what she is competent at. It is one thing to not want someone to be in danger, it is another to discount strengths and talents that you know exist to keep someone from helping. Anyway, it was a decent book. Although you know who Snow White will end up with at the beginning of the book it is still fun to watch the Princes try to earn her favor.
In this book we see that Annie is being threatened by crows who are controlled by someone else, but this cannot stop her as she needs to help her friend Snow White decide which prince she is going to marry. In this manner we have two storylines happening at once, the story of Snow White and the Princes and the story of Annie and whoever sent the crows. This makes for an enjoyable read.
I would say that Liam’s insistence on protecting Annie sometimes moves into stupidity. He has already gone on two adventures with this girl, he should be able to know what she is competent at. It is one thing to not want someone to be in danger, it is another to discount strengths and talents that you know exist to keep someone from helping. Anyway, it was a decent book. Although you know who Snow White will end up with at the beginning of the book it is still fun to watch the Princes try to earn her favor.
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February 22, 2022Woohoo!!! *dances all the way to school* Yasssssssss
Not a lot of drama but A LOT OF SPOILERS SO SHOO
Yeah I covered the whole review lol bye now imma go read the next book and then the last one i think :((((
Not a lot of drama but A LOT OF SPOILERS SO SHOO
Yeah I covered the whole review lol bye now imma go read the next book and then the last one i think :((((
November 10, 2025
As always, this was a really cute read.
Honestly, I hate Annie's family. Like.... how were they okay with treating Annie this way... like it a burden to have her sit with them, walk with her sister down an aisle, just because they "need to look pretty" during this wedding. And then not even noticing that she was gone. Like... she has done EVERYTHING for her sister, for her family, for this kingdom, none of which would even be awake if she hadn't gone off to help them. Ugh they're just so ungrateful... and she takes it.
Girl needs a better backbone where her family is involved.
Everything else was great. I liked how inventive this evil witch was. I like that Annie had to deal with stuff that wasn't just magic, but real world danger this time. I loved her and Liam, even if he was a little overbearing.
I also liked Snow White and her prince, though some of the princes' deserved some comeuppance.
I can't wait to see what happens in the next one!
Honestly, I hate Annie's family. Like.... how were they okay with treating Annie this way... like it a burden to have her sit with them, walk with her sister down an aisle, just because they "need to look pretty" during this wedding. And then not even noticing that she was gone. Like... she has done EVERYTHING for her sister, for her family, for this kingdom, none of which would even be awake if she hadn't gone off to help them. Ugh they're just so ungrateful... and she takes it.
Girl needs a better backbone where her family is involved.
Everything else was great. I liked how inventive this evil witch was. I like that Annie had to deal with stuff that wasn't just magic, but real world danger this time. I loved her and Liam, even if he was a little overbearing.
I also liked Snow White and her prince, though some of the princes' deserved some comeuppance.
I can't wait to see what happens in the next one!
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