It’s Thursday again which means we’re off travelling through the tropes of fantasy with Nathan from the Fantasy Review Barn.  This week we’re taking a look at Princesses:

PRINCESSES come in two main kinds:

1. Wimps.

2 Spirited and wilful. Spirited Princesses often disguise themselves as boys and invariably marry commoners of sterling worth.

My contributions this week below – and don’t forget to check out the other participants – there are usually some pretty good books floating around this event that you might just want to add to your tbr – another one couldn’t hurt – you know you want to!

Princess Miana – King of Thorns by Mark Lawrence.  Married to Jorg at the tender age of 13 – don’t let her age deceive you.  This young lady is no shrinking violet.  She has been raised a Princess and she certainly acts like it!   She can give Jorg a run for his money.

Princess Aisha – Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff.  Sister to the Shogun – her initial introduction to the story makes her look like a spoiled and pampered princess with long lacquered fingernails, fancy clothes and ladies in waiting.  In truth she is far from this initial impression and for me I would have appreciated the role being developed more.  Stormdancer – Japanese steampunk and griffins – oh yes!   Plus – look at the gorgeous cover!

Princess Eowyn – this is a slight cheat as I’m not totally sure that Eowyn was a princess.  Anyway, it’s LoTR so it has to have an obligatory mention.  Eowyn is the niece of King Theoden.  She dressed as a man in order to ride with the Riders of Rohan and take part in the battle of Pelennor Fields.  She played rather a crucial role as it happens. Suffering the slimy interest of Grima Wormtongue and brought low by the unrequited love of Aragorn – hey lady, take a ticket and join the queue!

Princess Clarice –  The House of the Four Winds by Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory.  Clarice dresses as a young man in order to experience travels on her quest to become a master swords woman!  Having 11 other sisters requires that all these princesses can hold their own.  They’re sent into the wild world to learn a trade.  High seas adventures with pirates and sea monsters.  Much fun.

Princess Daenerys Targaryen – Game of Thrones by GRRM – no introduction really needed here methinks.  And, she has three dragons!!!!

That’s it for this week – stopping at five – but I would like to give mentions to Princess Buttercup – can’t miss an opp to throw in the Princess Bride and also Sarah Pinborough’s fairytale retellings Poison/Charm/Beauty – twisted retellings I might add.  Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty like you’ve never seen them before!