More Young Adult Reading

The Princess and the Hound
By: Mette Ivie Harrison

Write up:

He is a prince, heir to a kingdom threatened on all sides, possessor of the animal magic, which is forbidden by death in the land he'll rule.

She is a princess from a rival kingdom, the daughter her father never wanted, isolated from true human friendship but inseparable from her hound.

Though they think they have little in common, each possesses a secret that must be hidden at all costs. Proud, stubborn, bound to marry for the good of their kingdoms, this prince and princess will steal your heart, but will they fall in love?

This was an interesting little book. The first thing to note about it is that the cover and title is a bit misleading. Though it is called the Princess and the Hound, the main character is not the Princess nor are the Princess or the hound the main focus of the book. So there is a little truth in advertising problem here. The story is actually narrated by Prince George of Kendel. And the Princess and the Hound, while they play an important role, are not the main focus. Once you get past that point, you can appreciate the book. But thinking on it, if the book was told from their point of view...the main mystery of the book would have been spoiled.

Prince George is kind of a troubled boy. He has grown up in a world that persecutes people with animal magic, the ability to speak to animals and in some cases manipulate animals and their forms, and he has the reviled animal magic. From a young age he is taught by the Queen, who also has this magic, to hide it. He sees what happens to people caught or suspected of animal magic (burned to death) and it is enough to make him listen. But she also teaches him how to use this magic. His mother is his life, as his father is more concerned with his duty than fatherhood, so he is lost when his mother dies as a result of her magic. He is very young and scared, and realizes even more then he has to hide his magic, even from his father, and pulls himself further and further away from people. He not only hides his magic and keeps that a secret, but in doing so...he hides himself from the world. So not only does he have a big secret that makes him feel he can't trust anyone, he also is a Prince...which makes him even more isolated and unable to make real friends. He grows up to be a lonely, cold boy, always living in fear of being discovered or doing the wrong thing. He lives in self isolation from everything and everyone, and expects to be that way the rest of his life. It is the only way he thinks he can be safe. The time comes when he is told he has to marry the Princess of Sarrey to strengthen the two Kingdom's alliance and keep the peace. He is not expecting much from the union, and only hopes that he can tolerate her. He doesn't expect love. But when he travels to Sarrey and finally meet the Princess, he finds himself strangely drawn to her...and her constant companion, a large black hound. From the moment they meet, he find the interactions between the Princess and her hound out of the ordinary and fascinating, and he sets out to learn more about them. In the process he finds himself, for the first time in his life, opening up to someone and showing them who he really is. The Princess and the Hound end up playing an important role in getting him to finally break out of his shell and stand up for something.

I found certain aspects of this book very good. I related to George quite a lot. He is a lonely, scared kid that is always on his toes because he is hiding such a big secret from everyone in his life. He is so afraid of not only death if found out, but more so from the rejection that will come from others when they find out about his magic. His response is typical, rather than be hurt...he just pulls away from everyone and kind of lives in his own little island. I think lots of people can relate to that. Everyone had a period in their life when they felt they were alone in he world; that they were too different, or weird, or too something for anyone to ever fully accept them or love them. So the author did a good job capturing those feelings and making you feel for George. I also loved the world that was created. At first the book reminded me of Shannon Hale's Goose Girl: the princess that can talk to animals but has to hide it because of people's fear; the arrnaged marriage in another Kingdom. Both had the fairy tale atmosphere to it...but this book was a bit darker I found. You get a good sense of the fear and hate that is thrown at people with animal magic. The author does a good job in setting up the mythology and building upon the fear and consequences for people with animal magic who are discovered. I also enjoyed the mystery that is built around the Princess and the Hound. The suspense was sustained and built very well, and when the secret was finally revealed it was satisfying and well done I thought.

Now the only things I had issue with was One: I would have liked a bit more insight into how the animal magic worked. I got some of the basics, but sometimes it was confusing understanding all of it. But then this is a hazard with fantasy book and magic. Two, was that I felt like the romance portion was not as well done as it could have been. I connected and related to the characters separately, but I was not completely sold on the romance. It is like they had no real chemistry together. That portion did not grab me as much emotionally as other part did, so I did not buy into the relationship much. Don't know..felt kind of forced and tacked on. But as a whole I enjoyed the book a good bit.

I'd give it a solid B.