I’ve always loved reading fairy tale/medieval times/retellings, and I read Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix about two years ago, so I was excited to finally get around to reading this one! (Yep, I read this on a total whim the other day. It’s been on my Kindle since I read Just Ella. When was that again? Oh yeah. Two years ago. >_<) Well, you can’t say I NEVER read it, now can you?? (Looking at you, mom.)
There were two main things I liked about this book: 1) nothing is as it seems. First, the good guy was the bad guy. Then the bad guy turned out to be the good guy. It was all very confusing, but made for some great plot twists. 2) The romance. I LOVE Margaret Peterson Haddix’s books because of this. If you’re a romantic at heart like me, but can’t seem to find any books that are clean but still have a touch of wholesome romance, this the book for you.
In a lot of fairy tale/medieval times-set books I’ve read, there’s a bit too much violence than I would prefer. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t read books with gruesome pictures OR descriptions, but I’m a girl who’s rather squeamish about blood. I can handle it, really, but if I don’t have to deal with it, great. I get that during these times, things were very unsanitary and bloody and all that, but… Margaret Peterson Haddix did a great job of keeping to the time she was writing in, while ditching the war scenes or plagues and icky stuff I’ve noticed in a lot of books like this one.
So there was one thing I was a little disappointed about… for me, character development is key. If the plot sucked, and the character development was incredible, I’d give the book five stars. (So to speak.) Palace of Mirrors was certainly a page turner, and like I said above, there was a perfect touch of wholesome romance… throughout the book, I got the feeling that something was going on between Cecilia and Harper, particularly because Cecilia kept mentioning how Harper was acting a little bit strange. But otherwise, I really wouldn’t have guessed that Cecilia and Harper would be romantic; they’ve been best friends since they were little, sure, but that doesn’t automatically mean they’re going to be boyfriend/girlfriend. I didn’t know Harper that well. I didn’t really know Cecilia’s relationship with Harper that well. That was kind of a let-down.
BUT, overall, this book was super good! Definitely recommend to this to anyone like me: a romantic at heart, wanting books that are clean but still have a touch of wholesome romance.
4 stars!
Oh, and by the way, the third book in this series (Palace of Lies) just came out on April 7th! Be sure to check out the first book in the series, Just Ella, and get reading!
Sounds like a good book! I really have to check out this series.
You totally should! I love the entire series. I can’t wait to read the new book. 🙂
This sounds like a good book. I’ll have to check out the first book.
Have you gotten my letter yet? I’m back home! Sorry I haven’t been commenting.
Your book club idea sounds fun. I can’t wait to hear more about it.
It is! I think you would like it, especially because there’s not so much romance.
Yes, I did! I got it yesterday. I’m working on my letter, but I won’t send it for a few days because I’ll be sending your birthday gifts with it. 🙂
Thanks! I hope you join!
I wrote a really nice comment but I lost it :(.
Just Ella is on my TBR. I like books with a little romance but I don’t like it to be the main topic.
Cool! I sent you a postcard today so expect that at some point. You are so swet :). You don’t have to get me a present.
Id have to ask my mom. I don’t know if she would say yes. When do we get more info on it?
Yeah you are right. The only part in the One that is kind of iffy is the scene from page 268 to page 278. I think I’ll keep The Heir on my birthday list. Do you know of any good books for my birthday list? I’m really struggling and I need to give it to my mom today or tomorrow.
I loved Margaret Peterson Haddix’s series about time travel, but I’ve never actually read this series. It sounds like a great series, though, especially since I’m always on the lookout for clean books. I also had no idea these books were historical fiction, so I’m looking forward to that.
I’m on the lookout for clean books too! I’m debating wether to continue to read the Selection series.because of some of the content. What do you guys think?
The Selection DOES have a lot of kissing, although nothing happens. It’s really up to you and your standards. Sometimes I wish books were rated like movies – G, PG, PG-13, etc. Lol. 😉
I haven’t read her other series, yet! I need to give them a try.
Well, they’re part medieval times type books, but mostly made up fairy tale set in the medieval times, if that makes sense. I don’t remember if there was even an exact date in the beginning of the book? I don’t think there was.