What do you think?
Rate this book
The Princess in Black #5
La Princesa de Negro y la cita misteriosa / The Princess in Black and the Mysterious Playdate
¡Narices y trompas de elefante! Un monstruo devorador de mascotas interrumpe una perfecta cita de juegos con la princesa Margarita... pero ¿quién es esa nueva guardiana enmascarada?
La princesa Magnolia y la princesa Margarita tienen planes. . . ¡Planes misteriosos, como una cita de juegos entre princesas! ¡Se disfrazan, hacen karaoke, juegan diferentes juegos y preparan deliciosas meriendas! Pero luego, un grito afuera del castillo de la princesa Margarita interrumpe su diversión. ¡Es un monstruo tratando de comerse el gatito de alguien! Esta es una tarea para la Princesa de Negro. Sin embargo, cuando la Princesa de Negrollega a rescatar al gatito, solo encuentra a una enmascarada desconocida y ningún monstruo a la vista . . . ¿Estará viendo bien?
La acción y el humor abundan en esta oda a la amistad y demuestran que cuando los monstruos se entrometen en tus planes, dos héroes son mejores que uno.
La princesa Magnolia y la princesa Margarita tienen planes. . . ¡Planes misteriosos, como una cita de juegos entre princesas! ¡Se disfrazan, hacen karaoke, juegan diferentes juegos y preparan deliciosas meriendas! Pero luego, un grito afuera del castillo de la princesa Margarita interrumpe su diversión. ¡Es un monstruo tratando de comerse el gatito de alguien! Esta es una tarea para la Princesa de Negro. Sin embargo, cuando la Princesa de Negrollega a rescatar al gatito, solo encuentra a una enmascarada desconocida y ningún monstruo a la vista . . . ¿Estará viendo bien?
La acción y el humor abundan en esta oda a la amistad y demuestran que cuando los monstruos se entrometen en tus planes, dos héroes son mejores que uno.
99 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 5, 2017
106 people are currently reading
1256 people want to read
About the author
Shannon Hale
145 books14.1k followersShannon Hale is the New York Times best-selling author of six young adult novels: the Newbery Honor book Princess Academy, multiple award winner Book of a Thousand Days, and the highly acclaimed Books of Bayern series. She has written three books for adults, including the upcoming Midnight in Austenland (Jan. 2012), companion book to Austenland. She co-wrote the hit graphic novel Rapunzel's Revenge and its sequel Calamity Jack with husband Dean Hale. They live near Salt Lake City, Utah with their four small children, and their pet, a small, plastic pig.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 233 reviews
March 26, 2019
Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com
Princess Magnolia is a secret monster fighting princess. When she hears the monster alarm she changes into her superhero outfit and becomes ‘The Princess in Black’. One afternoon after sending another monster back to his world, the princess heads off for a playdate with her friend, Princess Sneezewort.
What Princess Magnolia hadn’t realised was that another monster had crept out of his hole and was now following the Princess. He wanted to eat goats but would settle for anything that looked or smelt slightly like one.
Whilst playing at Princess Sneezeworts castle the two hear screams coming from the park that a monster is there. Princess Sneezewort always wanted to be a hero and knows that she needs a disguise to become one, so she wraps herself in blankets and becomes ‘The Princess in Blankets’ and heads off to fight the monster, but when she arrives he has disappeared but The Princess in Black in there looking for the monster too.
Can the two find the monster, keep their true identities from one another and finish their playdate?
This is the second book that I have read featuring ‘The Princess in Black’, the first ‘The Princess in Black Takes a Holiday‘ I read back in July 2018. The books are written by husband and wife team, Shannon and Dean Hale.
What I like about these stories is how they combine a fairytale-Esq book with a strong, confident, fighting female who is really a Princess and when she’s not fighting monsters can be found doing her royal duties.
The story is enjoyable and the text is large for younger readers. The book is also filled with bright, colourful illustrations too which bring the monster fighting Princess to life. The whole plot was enjoyable and it’s wonderful to show that girls can be feminine and kick-ass.
Princess Magnolia is a secret monster fighting princess. When she hears the monster alarm she changes into her superhero outfit and becomes ‘The Princess in Black’. One afternoon after sending another monster back to his world, the princess heads off for a playdate with her friend, Princess Sneezewort.
What Princess Magnolia hadn’t realised was that another monster had crept out of his hole and was now following the Princess. He wanted to eat goats but would settle for anything that looked or smelt slightly like one.
Whilst playing at Princess Sneezeworts castle the two hear screams coming from the park that a monster is there. Princess Sneezewort always wanted to be a hero and knows that she needs a disguise to become one, so she wraps herself in blankets and becomes ‘The Princess in Blankets’ and heads off to fight the monster, but when she arrives he has disappeared but The Princess in Black in there looking for the monster too.
Can the two find the monster, keep their true identities from one another and finish their playdate?
This is the second book that I have read featuring ‘The Princess in Black’, the first ‘The Princess in Black Takes a Holiday‘ I read back in July 2018. The books are written by husband and wife team, Shannon and Dean Hale.
What I like about these stories is how they combine a fairytale-Esq book with a strong, confident, fighting female who is really a Princess and when she’s not fighting monsters can be found doing her royal duties.
The story is enjoyable and the text is large for younger readers. The book is also filled with bright, colourful illustrations too which bring the monster fighting Princess to life. The whole plot was enjoyable and it’s wonderful to show that girls can be feminine and kick-ass.
October 26, 2017
My younger sisters and I were highly anticipating this book, and I went to the library for the express purpose of picking it up. ;) (I did grab a few other things that caught my eye, of course.) The books in this series just get better and better! It was adorable, and I was extra happy that Princess Sneezewort was more of a main character since she is my favorite. ;) (And oh, was the monster in this one horribly smart!) I especially enjoyed that there was a message of each person being special in their own way. Our favorite illustration was the one of the princesses playing dollhouse. It was pretty cute with a lot of details to enjoy. ;)
December 29, 2024
And another kiddo joins the monster fighting group!!! Exciting! I’m curious if these three ever figure out the true identities of their counterparts.
December 18, 2017
Another secret superhero joins the Princess in Black and the Goat Avenger in this latest installment of the Princess in Black series. Love the way they show the new Princess in Blankets trying out her skills to find a mysterious monster that disappears every time the superheroes arrive to vanquish it. Great fun! Join these princesses for their Playtime Romp, Karaoke Jam, Snack-time Stomp and Unicorn Ram. Callooo!
September 5, 2021
Hero in blankets! Shapeshifting monster! A roundish unicorn! This one is almost a spoof of the others, but it still has plenty of heart. And it both respects and loves its readers.
September 9, 2017
The last two Princess in Black books, though good, didn't quite reach the heights of the first two. This one comes roaring back. High craft. There is more poetry in this book than in many "real" poetic books for children.
May 20, 2018
A man, one of the best Princess in Black yet. There’s friendship! A new superhero in town! A shapeshifting mimic monster! Learning to be a specific type of hero that plays to your strength (ninja vs bruiser (or in dnd parlance, rogue vs tank))! A heroic pig in blankets! Just excellent.
August 21, 2017
I don't think I'll ever tire of the Princess in Black books.
March 6, 2018
A new mysterious monster-defeating-princess appears, a playdate, dancing, and goats!
Well, it was still very fun, but I am not sure if I will continue with this series. I was already happy that (miraculously) one of my libraries had this book in their collection, because I just wasn't up to buying it. But in the end I am just disappointed at this book.
Sure, it was also fun (at times), but the formula is just the same (monster appears, Princess in Black (with one and now two helpers) defeat it and done). Plus I am getting tired that NO ONE gets who the person is in the disguise. That kind of thing is fun once, but in book 5 with yet another avenger to the party? No. Come on, you can easily see who they are, not only because their disguises often just are terrible, but also with how they act. Not to mention the fact their normal/non-avenger sides are conveniently away and never show up at the same time as the superhero. Really? So much obvious hints.
Also, before anyone goes to talk about how this is a children's book and that I am too old to read those. Sorry, but I read enough Children's books + I quite liked most of this series.
I did like the monster in this one. How he could camouflage into objects or stuff and then try to take a nibble out of pets/animals. :P I loved that he followed the princess (because she smelled like goats) to her playdate and then went to create havoc there.
The fight scenes are still fun, especially the attack names: Playtime Romp! Unicorn Ram!
Also I loved the playdate between the girls. They are such good friends!
And of course the illustrations! I still adore those to bits. They are cute, sweet, but also kick-ass.
But yeah, all in all, I am not going to continue. I am stopping at this one so I at least leave with mostly good memories. :)
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Well, it was still very fun, but I am not sure if I will continue with this series. I was already happy that (miraculously) one of my libraries had this book in their collection, because I just wasn't up to buying it. But in the end I am just disappointed at this book.
Sure, it was also fun (at times), but the formula is just the same (monster appears, Princess in Black (with one and now two helpers) defeat it and done). Plus I am getting tired that NO ONE gets who the person is in the disguise. That kind of thing is fun once, but in book 5 with yet another avenger to the party? No. Come on, you can easily see who they are, not only because their disguises often just are terrible, but also with how they act. Not to mention the fact their normal/non-avenger sides are conveniently away and never show up at the same time as the superhero. Really? So much obvious hints.
Also, before anyone goes to talk about how this is a children's book and that I am too old to read those. Sorry, but I read enough Children's books + I quite liked most of this series.
I did like the monster in this one. How he could camouflage into objects or stuff and then try to take a nibble out of pets/animals. :P I loved that he followed the princess (because she smelled like goats) to her playdate and then went to create havoc there.
The fight scenes are still fun, especially the attack names: Playtime Romp! Unicorn Ram!
Also I loved the playdate between the girls. They are such good friends!
And of course the illustrations! I still adore those to bits. They are cute, sweet, but also kick-ass.
But yeah, all in all, I am not going to continue. I am stopping at this one so I at least leave with mostly good memories. :)
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
April 4, 2018
Utterly adorable! This is my first Princess in Black book and it charmed me to pieces. Girl power, action, humor, unicorns, and friendship--what is not to love! Vibrant artwork brings the already vibrant prose to life. This book is a win on every level. Recommended for all people.
June 16, 2024
4.75 ⭐️
Finished it yesterday before i was going to sleep, you could say that i stayed up REALLY late finishing this book, but it was worth it anyway.
Annnnd yes, i have to put the rest of the books as a “read” for no reason at all, back then i didn’t really use good-reads that much and instead make reviews on instagram, buuuut then i delete the app because of…that, and because of…that.
But let’s just not talk about that and talk about the book, because that’s what we’re here for :)
First of all, the Princess in blankets…………🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 i LOVE her in this book (and princess Sneezewort of course, WHY IS THE NAME PRINCESS SNEEZEWORT SOOO FUNNY AS WELL 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣) she’s awesome, funny, sarcastic, cool and basically just an amazing superhero.
Secondly, I really love how now we got a trio in this book, and the ending, THE ENDING 😂😂😂 (I used too many laugh emojis, don’t i?)
And the plot was really interesting, I really liked how we got new superheros in the story, and we get to explore another princess’s kingdom.
the only thing i wish would’ve been more interesting is to make it a little bit more longer, i feel like all I can think about when it comes to short books are montages, like the actual scenes weren’t really there, i really hope if there is a movie adaptation of this series, it might fix the problem.
Even though it was short, it was really fun and interesting to read, i love it.
Finished it yesterday before i was going to sleep, you could say that i stayed up REALLY late finishing this book, but it was worth it anyway.
Annnnd yes, i have to put the rest of the books as a “read” for no reason at all, back then i didn’t really use good-reads that much and instead make reviews on instagram, buuuut then i delete the app because of…that, and because of…that.
But let’s just not talk about that and talk about the book, because that’s what we’re here for :)
First of all, the Princess in blankets…………🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 i LOVE her in this book (and princess Sneezewort of course, WHY IS THE NAME PRINCESS SNEEZEWORT SOOO FUNNY AS WELL 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣) she’s awesome, funny, sarcastic, cool and basically just an amazing superhero.
Secondly, I really love how now we got a trio in this book, and the ending, THE ENDING 😂😂😂 (I used too many laugh emojis, don’t i?)
And the plot was really interesting, I really liked how we got new superheros in the story, and we get to explore another princess’s kingdom.
the only thing i wish would’ve been more interesting is to make it a little bit more longer, i feel like all I can think about when it comes to short books are montages, like the actual scenes weren’t really there, i really hope if there is a movie adaptation of this series, it might fix the problem.
Even though it was short, it was really fun and interesting to read, i love it.
December 26, 2017
If you're a parent raising young children to understand that girls can like ruffles and kicking butt at the same time, this clever and amusing series is an absolute must. A book that can be cute and subvert the patriarchy at the same time? Yes please.
November 2, 2017
I really like these books as a bridge between picture and chapter book. I'm never going to be that hardcore 'you must read at your reading level' sort of parent, but, I do want Kairi to start getting accustomed to chapter books and taking a few days to read a book. I feel we'll still be doing mostly picture books for awhile, but, with a couple of these snuck in.
If you have read any of the other Princess in Black books, this one is similar. It is definitely a book for children, but, it manages to be cute and humorous for kids and not grating for adults.
If you have read any of the other Princess in Black books, this one is similar. It is definitely a book for children, but, it manages to be cute and humorous for kids and not grating for adults.
February 2, 2018
Delightful! Possibly my favorite in the series, and that's saying a lot because they're all funny and charming and just a delight to read. The audiobook narrator does a fabulous job, too. I told my husband about the Princess in Blankets and he said, "So, she's you?" So, yeah, I love her. :D Get this series for your little girls and boys!!!
May 10, 2022
Suggested to me by a fellow librarian, this was my first encounter with the Princess in Black. What a charming series! And a great introduction to chapter books for very young readers. I'll be back, Princess in Black!
January 3, 2018
Scarlett (age 7) :"Really loved this book a lot!"
January 28, 2018
Some sentences didn't make sense but overall a good reading experience.
February 5, 2018
Maybe my favorite Princess in Black so far! ADORABLE! =)
4.5 stars!
4.5 stars!
February 9, 2018
Still as cute as ever and now the Princess in Black has even more companions in her quest to hunt monsters. The monsters are getting smarter too so she needs all the help she can get. :)
January 2, 2019
Read to me by my 7 yr old daughter
October 21, 2020
My 5-year old son is loving this whole series, but this one in particular was quite funny! It has us both giggling as we read-aloud last night.
February 27, 2022
Wonderful series. Hale needs to return to these!
June 1, 2023
Very cute book. I might enjoy this series a little more than my daughter.
Read
December 29, 2017These books are so fun. Such a great series!
May 25, 2018
Cute story about children who want to be brave. My granddaughter really enjoys the Princess and her friends.
September 25, 2023
Children's Chapter Books
w/ illustrations
Princess Magnolia has a mysterious playdate with another princess in disguise!
Read with my daughter.
w/ illustrations
Princess Magnolia has a mysterious playdate with another princess in disguise!
Read with my daughter.
September 12, 2017
The adorable little muffin Princess Sneezewort gets a chance to 1) enjoy a delightful playdate with her friend Princess Magnolia and 2) maybe develop a secret identity of her own??? This series continues to be The Cutest and also The Coolest in terms of breaking down gender stereotypes. (I do wonder, though, when will someone discover The Princess In Black's true identity? I hope that one of her friends will figure it out soon--it feels like the books are heading in that direction--and have to keep it a secret.)
October 10, 2017
I read this book to my girls and they enjoyed it! The story is non-traditional as far as princess stories go, which is refreshing. In this book, the Princess in Black meets up with another princess and together they defeat the shape changing monster. The illustrations are fun, colorful and creative...you never know for sure if the Princess in Black knows the true identity of her new comrade. A fun book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 233 reviews