Pages: 239 pages
Book Publisher: Disney Hyperion Books
Published: 2010
For readers: Middle grade level (ages 9-12)
Blog Star Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Summary: (taken from book jacket)
When Desi Bascomb gets discovered by the elite Facade Agency-royalty surrogates extraordinaire-her life goes from glamour-starved to spectacular in a blink. As for her new agent, Meredith, explains, Desi has a rare magical ability: when she applies the ancient formula "Royal Rouge", she can temporarily transform into the exact look-alike of any princess who needs her subbing services. Dream come true, right?
Well, Desi soon learns that subbing involves a lot more than wearing a tiara and waving at cameras. Like, what do you do when a bullying older sister puts you on a nasty crash diet? Or when the tribal villagers gather to watch you perform a ceremonial dance you don't know? Or when a princess's conflicted sweetheart shows up to break things off-and you know she would want you to change his mind?
In this hilarious series debut, one girl's dream of glamour transforms into something bigger: the desire to make a positive impact. And an impact Desi makes, one royal fiasco at a time.
Review:
Well, first off, I have to say this is no glass-slippers-and-fairy-godmothers happily-ever-after kind of story. Far from it- instead, the princesses go through problems, lots of hard work, and need days off. Who ever would have imagined a lonely, shy princess who gets bullied by her older sister and has incredible French horn talent? Or a workaholic princess agent with green hair and a scandalous past? It's not just princess puff. And well, that rocks. :)
This novel has two distinct storylines: the lives of the princesses that Desi subs for and are trying to help, and her own "glamour-starved" life back at home. At home, she wishes for glamour and the power to make an impact, and to not be vapor. And ta-da, she gets it. Traveling across the world in a bubble, princess manuals that remind you of cell phones, royal rouge that transforms her appearance.. then getting to live the life of a princess. How magical. Her three subbing jobs in this novel take her to the Middle East, the depths of the Amazon, and the Alps in Switzerland.
I loved the author's sense of humor. There were really funny parts that had me giggling (telling you would spoil it, so read the book yourself :). Also, there's a lot of change in scenery: the Alps mountains, Al Hayrah, the Amazon jungle, Paris agency, Las Vegas convention, Court of Royal Appeals, the fair in Desi's hometown of Sproutsville, glass towers reminiscent of Rapunzel's days.. Desi's personality is likable and kind of clumsy, and the book is written in her energetic voice. I think any girl who's ever felt left out or who has a secret crush who barely knows them would be able to relate to Desi.
Overall, a fast and sweet read. Click HERE for the author's website. Click HERE for the Princess for Hire website.
3.5/5 Stars (Nice)
