Saturday 12 May 2012

The Last Princess by Galaxy Craze

The Last PrincessThe Last Princess by Galaxy Craze


Add it: Goodreads
Source: ARC for review
Publisher: Little, Brown BFYR
Format: Hardcover, 295 pages
Release Date: May 1, 2012

Happily ever after is a thing of the past. 
A series of natural disasters has decimated the earth. Cut off from the rest of the world, England is a dark place. The sun rarely shines, food is scarce, and groups of criminals roam the woods, searching for prey. The people are growing restless. 
When a ruthless revolutionary sets out to overthrow the crown, he makes the royal family his first target. Blood is shed in Buckingham Palace, and only sixteen-year-old Princess Eliza manages to escape. 
Determined to kill the man who destroyed her family, Eliza joins the enemy forces in disguise. She has nothing left to live for but revenge, until she meets someone who helps her remember how to hope—and to love—once more. Now she must risk everything to ensure that she not become... The Last Princess.

This book definitely starts off with a bang. Two pages in and you can already see the very dramatic beginning of a revolutionary political movement as the Queen of England lies dead on the grass from a poisoned fruit. From there, the excitement doesn't lower too much. This book is a constant adventure filled with action, betrayal and even a little romance.

I'll start with the negative. Although this book isn't too short (almost 300 pages) there is a lot to cover. It takes place in a fairly short time period but still. Eliza makes the transition from precious princess to disguised spy and in the course of the book, a lot of huge things linked with political, country-wide wars occur. Although it was nice to have such a quick, fast-paced read, I wish there would have been more time spent building up to certain events.

The rebels that threaten to destroy the royal family are not entirely without reason. Really, there was a point near the beginning of the novel when Eliza's family is having a BALL and yet you also read descriptions of the poverty and famine outside the castle gates. Yeah... getting a new leader? It's not sounding like too bad of an idea. The political side of this novel fascinated me. It wasn't all black and white and there were times I wasn't sure who to be rooting for. Galaxy Craze doesn't shy away from the harshness of the situation and you can really feel the desperation (or at least I could) of the citizens.

Eliza herself is likeable enough. I was able to justify her transition from a sheltered princess to a bold warrior largely because of the impossible situation she was in. People do extraordinary things when they need to after all. I think my favourite part of Eliza was the genuine desire she seemed to have to make her country a better place. She wasn't blind to the fact that her father had made bad decisions and she didn't try to justify them to anyone. I wanted her to succeed.

Exciting and fast-paced, The Last Princess definitely makes an enjoyable read if you're willing to look over some seemingly unbelievable events.

(Oh, and I'm just going to pretend this is a standalone. WHY IS IT NOT A STANDALONE?)


Cover Comments: Can we have a round of applause for the people behind this cover? Seriously, it's gorgeous. The England landscape in the background with that murky quality and then the bright, eye-catching sky. It's just lovely.

3.5/5

12 comments:

  1. This book has me somewhat interested. First of all, the author goes by the name Galaxy Craze which is awesome! I might give it a try and keep a watch out for the unbelievable events. Great review :)

    Crystal @ Elegantly Bound Books

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  2. Ooh, unbelievable events aside, this sounds like a great book! I love the sound of sheltered-princess turning into a badass warrior and that the political side is explored. Awesome review, Sonia. I LOVE the cover too! *claps* ♥

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  3. Hmm...me likes dystopians, me likes the sound of this!
    Great review :)

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  4. I still have to read & review this one, but I've been holding back a bit because a lot of people seem to be not very impressed with it. I'm glad you liked it for the most part, and it sounds very politically charged and nuanced, which I'm quite a big fan of. Great review. =)

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  5. Glad to see this book doesn't sugarcoat anything! Not sure how I feel about the unbelievable events, buuuut glad you enjoyed this one overall. I am definitely intrigued. Fab review! :)

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  6. Oh Sonia, how I've missed you. FAB REVIEW. Seriously. Love. Not sure about the book, but I think that might change later once I catch up on the bookie news. I have to ask. What books have a missed out on in the past few months that I have to read? I need to start somewhere and you are the girl to see :)

    P.s. I'm kinda sorta back. I have to organize some things first, but other than that I'll be blogging again real soon :)

    ♥ Trish

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  7. I love the cover - it's gorgeous!! I'm glad you enjoyed the book, even though some dodgy things happened... I hope I'll be able to enjoy TLP, despite this! The world sounds really fascinating and I can't wait to see her turn into a badass warrior ;) Great review!!

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  8. Oooh I have been super excited for this! Being the lover of dystopian that I am, this fit the bill perfectly. So I'm happy to hear that even though there were a few so-so- things, you still really enjoyed this. I'm especially intrigued by the political side you mention, I love when things blur the lines and there isn't always a clear definition of good and evil. Fantastic review, Sonia!

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  9. Oh my goodness, first LET ME STARE AT THAT COVER for a few minutes. Holy wow, it's so pretty!! And second, why is this book not on my Goodreads TBR pile?? I need to add that ASAP because I always wanted to be a princess when I was a kid, and monarchies are always up my alley! x) It may be short and compacted, but sometimes short is cooler for keeping a fast pace so I don't think I'll mind too much! :) And I'm absolutely in LOVE with the idea of a girl transitioning from princess to warrior in such a short time -- it sounds so fun!!

    AMAZING review, Sonia! Wish-it-was-a-standalone-or-not, I'm really intrigued about this book now! :) <3

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  10. Wow Sonia! Your review is perfec! You put in enough thoughts to cause me to want to read this story. I like how this book sounds like it will deal with injust political systems. I will definately read it sometime!
    Have a wonderful day!
    Rachel

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  11. THERE'S GOING TO BE MORE? Well, no thank you, OBVS. But I'm so glad YOU enjoyed it. After all, every book needs love. :)

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  12. Wait... the author's name is Galaxy Craze? :O
    I mean, I'm sure it's not in real life, but still... this is awesome. I'm sorry it wasn't *quite* as fab as you hoped, but the political side sounds amazeballs! FAB review, like ALWAYS! ♥

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