Published: July 1, 2001 by: Turtleback
Pages: 283
Rating: 2/5 stars
Mia Thermopolis is an awkward, nerdy freshman whose world is about to be turned upside down. It started with her mother revealing that she's dating Mia's algebra teacher. Then her long-absent father shows up revealing that he is the crown prince of Genovia, and that Mia will soon have to take over the throne. Documenting it all in her diary, Mia experiences the trials and tribulations of training to be a princess, all while just hoping to pass algebra.
I was very excited to start this book. I am such a huge fan of the Princess Diaries movie and I was expecting to go into this and fall in love. I wanted to become hooked onto the series and have nice, fluffy books to always go back to. Unfortunately, this book did not live up to my expectations, and I will remain adamant that the movie was better.
I was very disappointed with how Queen Clarisse was depicted in the novel. I kept wanting to envision graceful Julie Andrews, but instead this queen was quite tacky and rude. Now I understand the book came first so the movie did tweak many things, but the characters in the movie just seemed a lot more likable to me.
There were a lot of plot points in here that didn't match with the movie, which is unfortunate because a lot of my favourite scenes I was hoping to read about were nonexistent! I feel like Michael took such a backseat in this novel, as well as there was no heartwarming moment between Mia and Michael at the ball when her foot "pops."
I know it's bad to keep comparing the novel to the movie as they are completely separate entities, but I think most of my dislike for the book does come from the fact that the film is so light-hearted and fun and I just didn't get that in this book. I mean, I got through it quite quickly as it was a very easy read which is a plus, but it lacked anything to make me fall in love. I cannot believe I'm saying this, but I am #teamfilm on this one.
Have you read The Princess Diaries? What did you think?
Oh darn, I love the movies and I just recently bought the first book for the same reasons! I'll just go back to watching Chris Pine in the second movie Lol.
ReplyDeleteI was always a fan of Michael in the first movie. They deserved to be together!
DeleteYeah, I liked him a lot.
DeleteI usually don't like books or movies where the protagonist is in love with someone in the first one, and then in the second they're like- never mind I'll go for the newest single person. But I liked both movies of the Princess Diaries, despite her no longer being with Michael.
There's actually a joke in one of the books where Lily's like (to paraphrase): 'They made a movie about your life - they made your grandma *nice*!' Lol XD
ReplyDeleteOmg really?! I love that lol.
DeleteI read the books (many of them anyway) before watching the movie, so I was able to appreciate both A LOT. Also, I read these in my pre-teen years, which might have been the reason why I loved them SO MUCH haha. Fun fact: I actually dislike the second movie, because it exists totally outside the novels. I was always team Michael (come one, their names alliterate, they were MEANT TO BE), so seeing Mia end up with a guy who was not even in the books was weird haha. Will you be continuing the series?
ReplyDeleteVeronika @ The Regal Critiques
I knew you loved these books so I was curious to hear your thoughts! Yeah, I’m not big on the second movie either, the first one was always my favourite. I hated how they excluded Michael. I don’t think I will be continuing with the series simply because there’s a lot of books and tbh I’m not all that invested in it, but never say never!
DeleteI haven't read The Princess Diaries but I liked watching the movie. Sounds like I am not missing much and the movie is better!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely agree!
DeleteI haven't read this book, but I remember it being very popular when I was younger (in middle school, maybe?). I'm sorry that this story did not live up to the film! I'll have to watch it this summer.
ReplyDeleteclaire @ clairefy
It’s the perfect summer film! Yeah I think a lot of people just getting into YA turn to this series, but it just didn’t work for me.
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