Early Book Review: Power of a Princess (More than a Princess) by E.D. Baker

Power of a Princess is the second book in the More than a Princess series by E.D. Baker. I do recommend reading the series in order, but newcomers could probably catch up fairly quickly. It is currently scheduled for release on November 19 2019. 

Aislin is more than just a princess. Born to a fairy king and pedrasi queen, she's strong, smart, and brave, with magical gifts she's only beginning to discover. Aislin has spent her whole life keeping her family's gifts hidden from the non-magic folk who surround her kingdom, and is shocked to find out the humans knew about these enchantments all along. But when the fairies decide to move back onto human territory, it soon becomes clear that some will not be happy about this change. As she sets out to restore the balance, Aislin chooses a surprising group of young women to join her – girls she knows are brave and loyal, but who don't have the qualities of typical guards or princess confidantes. Things only get more complicated when an old foe appears, surely up to no good. The princess knows she has the power and ingenuity to stand up for herself and her kingdom, especially with her friends by her side – will that be enough to set things right?

Power of a Princess is a nice addition to Baker's fairy related books. Aislin is still a princess that uses intelligence and kindness to solve most problems, with magic and some fighting tossed in. I liked her independence and spunk, and her constant efforts to be fair and kind. The core group of her friends and family were similar, and fairly well fleshed out. Although I felt like that push for kindness as a solution for most everything got to be a little heavy handed. The story was good, with some action and adventure that was well written. However, I just did not get engaged in this story, I felt like it was lacking some of the personal connection that I could find with pervious books from Baker. I think fans will want to pick this one up, but the series has lost some of the shine for me. I am not sure if I will continue on with this series.

Power of a Princess is a sweet continuation of the series, but I did not love it the way I was hoping to. 

Book Review: The Frog Princess Returns (Tales of the Frog Princess) by E.D. Baker

The Frog Princess Returns by E.D. Baker is a return to the Frog Princess series, in fact it is the ninth book for those keeping track.Two weeks after Emma's birthday, Prince Eadric—having been turned from a frog into a human again—is still in Greater Greensward. One day, a beautiful princess named Adara arrives at the castle in Greater Greensward for a visit, claiming to be Emma's distant cousin. But Adara has other motives that threaten Emma and Eadric's blossoming romance. Meanwhile, something is very wrong in Greater Greensward. Crops are dying, streams are drying up, and large sections of trees in the enchanted forest are withering—all because the Fairy Queen has disappeared. Without her, there is no peace in the magical kingdom, and dangerous foes threaten to take advantage of her absence. Only brave, tenacious Emma with her knowledge of the land can restore order but first she must set out on a journey unlike any before.

The Frog Princess Returns is an entertaining return to the world of the Frog Princess. Emma and Eadric are dealing with a princess attempting to win Eadric's attention and a crisis in the fairy population. The queen is missing, and in the attempts to choose a new leader there is chaos and deceit. The group needs to get the bottom of the fairy problems, which is much more complex than they were quite prepared for. I loved watching Emma and Eadric work together and talk things out together.  The journey they took was well done, with plenty of new dangers and characters, letting new readers and faithful fans enjoy the read equally. There are plenty of references to the previous books so returning readers can remember past adventures, but newcomers or those that have missed a book or two in the series will not be left behind. It was an enjoyable read that was more complex than I expected, and I love that kind of surprise. It was a joy to read.

The Frog Princess Returns is a fun continuation of the series, with a fun combination of adventure and character growth. Fans of the series, and the author, will want to pick this one up.

Book Review: Fairly Human by Holly Jacobs

Fairly Human by Holly Jacobs is the fourth book in the Fairy Godmothers series. I thought I had read the previous book when I requested the book, but looking back I apparently did not. I still enjoyed the book, but had less understanding of the backstory and character dynamics that played a large role in this book. It could be read alone, but I do think that readers that have read the other books will enjoy this installment more than a new reader.

Myrtle, Fern, and Blossom have finally stepped over the line. The Fairy Council has sentenced them to live as humans for the next six months and the Council strips away their facades. Rather than the older-lady personas they've grown used to, they revert back to their true forms--super hot women guaranteed to make any man stand up and take notice. The fairies find themselves on independent paths that collide with three different men who teach Myrtle, Fern and Blossom about a magic that has nothing to do with fairies and everything to do with love. Now Myrtle, Fern and Blossom must decide whether to return to Fairyland or throw aside their previous lives and build new ones with the men they love.

Fairly Human was a little disappointing to start with, mainly because I somehow missed the earlier books in the series, even though I thought I had read them. This means that it took me awhile to get into the story and figure out just who was who, and the particulars of each personality. Once I got passed that hurdle I really enjoyed the discovery of true love for each fairy godmother. The fighting, coming into their own, and unfolding love stories were fun and entertaining to read. I was distracted by the good of those storylines every time the narration switch from one of our ladies to deal with Bernie and his plans. It just took me out of the three well told and occasionally highly entertaining tales to something that felt unnecessary. My other issue was the wrap up. All of a sudden everyone just shrugs and figures it all out, a little too easy and convenient with a few lingering questions about just how the trio are going to deal with the future.

Fairly Human is a book that fans of the series will definitely want to read, because i hope it ties up some loose ends and bring the rest of the story together. It was entertaining, and very fun at times, but not something that is going to stick with me or inspire me to read the previous books.