The Princess Pact by Melanie Cellier | Parent Guide & Review

Synopsis of The Princess Pact

Princess Marie doesn’t like all the rules and protocols that go along with being a princess. Darkness sweeping across the land beings to light a lie and a pact that changes everything. Leaving convention behind, Marie flees the castle and joins Rafe, a handsome wanderer, on a quest to save the kingdom. Except he doesn’t know that Marie is on her own mission to discover her true identity. Torn between two worlds, Marie has to discover her true identity before choosing a side in a rebellion. The story of Rumpelstiltskin gets an overhaul in The Princess Pact where the future depends on discovering more than one identity.

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First Impressions

I thought it was a really cool story idea and was interested to see how the author was going to pull it off, but I wasn’t impressed with it. I expected a Rumpelstiltskin similar to the one on the television show Once Upon A Time and my expectations fell flat. This book was okay but the only reason I finished it was to move on in the series. Keep reading for more of my thoughts.

The Princess Pact Parent Guide

Overall: PG
Violence: PG a couple of intense sword fights
Language: None
Adult Content: PG kisses but nothing more
Reading Level: Grades 7-12

Touchy Topics in The Princess Pact

• Adoption: The main character is adopted but their parents didn’t tell them until later. This undermines their relationship with their parents. Ultimately the character comes to realize that they 
• Lying: Multiple characters lie or keep the full truth from other characters. In the end, all the lies are brought into the open. It does create an environment of distrust though.
• Running away from problems: The main character runs away from her problems instead of fixing them. Eventually, she learns that it isn’t a healthy way to deal with life.
• Not fitting in: Marie has always felt like an outsider after comparing herself to other princesses. In the end, she learns that being unique is much better than being the same.
• Forgiveness: Due to all the lies multiple characters have to forgive others for their deceptions but it is a hard process. 

Quotes

“Being beautiful to everyone didn’t matter. She just wanted to be beautiful to the right person.” 

―  Melanie Cellier,   The Princess Pact: A Twist on Rumpelstiltskin 

“I was just thinking that the rumors of the Northhelmian princess are true.”
She raised one eyebrow. “What what do they say?”
“They say that she doesn’t look much like a princess, but she certainly carries herself like one.”

Melanie Cellier, The Princess Pact: A Twist on Rumpelstiltskin

My Thoughts about The Princess Pact

It’s an interesting story idea with the princess figuring out her identity and how to forgive her family. However, I wasn’t a huge fan of the execution. This story really dragged and lacked the action needed to hold my attention. There were so many times that I almost put down the book but kept reading because I didn’t want to have any missing pieces when starting the next book. I also didn’t like this version of Rumpelstiltskin. He felt like more of a luke-warm villain instead of someone to truly fear. Plus it doesn’t help that he isn’t around the majority of the book. I’m also not a fan of Rafe and Marie’s relationship built on lies. Yes people can grow close through frightening experiences but the author missed the mark on this one. 

I don’t recommend this book in the series because the story could have been told better. It needed a better villain and conflict. However, this book is a good stepping stone to the next story in the series.

What to Read Next?

Well if you have made it this far in the series you have to read the next book The Princess Game: A Reimagining of Sleeping Beauty. I promise it is way better than this one. Other books you should read if you enjoyed The Princess Pact can be found in this post. Also, check out books by Cameron Dokey and Melanie Dickerson. Both of them write traditional retellings of fairytales. For more modern retellings check out this book by Alex Flinn.

Happy Reading!
Emily