The Princess Search an Ugly Duckling Retelling by Melanie Cellier

For a few years I was hesitant to read books by Melanie Cellier because she had written so many. An author of both numerous fairy tale retellings I knew that tackling her series would take a long time to finish. But eventually I told myself that I had to at least give it try and so I read The Princess Companion: A Retelling of the Princess and the Pea. It wasn't my favorite, but it was interesting enough for me to try its sequel The Princess Fugitive: A Reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood. Princess Ava's story was much more enjoyable and is what led me to finish The Four Kingdoms series. And I am excited to see the journey continue in the follow up series where three princesses travel to the new lands and keep the story going. But before I can get to that I must review The Princess Search: A retelling of the Ugly Duckling and the final book in the Four Kingdoms series and my personal favorite. 

Similar to the Princess Companion the leading lady of this book is a commoner who eventually becomes a princess through falling in love with the crown prince of her country. Evie is a seamstress with unknown origins who grew up bullied by others and searching for a place to belong. At the beginning of the book, she has settled in the kingdom of Lanover and makes clothes for its royal family. One day she is asked by Princess Celine and her two oldest brothers Frederic and Cassian to accompany with them on a tour of their kingdom. Although knowing that she will be confronted by the shadows of her past Evie agrees to go. Throughout the journey Evie will be reunited with friends and foes alike all while trying to hide her budding feelings for Prince Frederick. However, danger lurks at every corner with a new rebellion brewing. When the tour is over will Evie find true love and a place to finally call home? Or will the rebellion destroy them all?

If someone were to ask me what my favorite book is in the Four Kingdoms series is, I would have originally said The Princess Fugitive. But now I must say that The Princess Search has topped it.

Evie is not an outcast because of how she looks, but because of her past. She doesn't know who her parents were and has lived in many different parts of the kingdom. She has been mistreated by her many adoptive families who she must now face once again. She is very hesitant to confide in her new royal friends certain that they will shun her to once they learn about her past as an outcast. However, as the journey progresses, she learns to trust them and feel more confident about herself. 

I admit that after reading the previous book The Princess Game I didn't have a very high opinion of Prince Frederic. He seemed too stiff and formal to be a love interest that I could root for. But he proved me wrong. He was the perfect match for Evie in every way due to the support he gives her and complete trust he has in her. If someone were to ask me which couple in the Four Kingdoms series was my favorite, it would be a hard decision between them and Ava and Hans from The Princess Fugitive.

The two leads weren't the only great characters in this book. Similar to how I had felt about Frederic I originally had mixed feelings about seeing more of Princess Celine. Previously I found her kind of annoying and hard to relate too. But just like her brother, I quickly began rethinking my opinion of her. She was a supportive friend to Evie, and I couldn't help but smile at her plan to find Frederic and Cassian brides. Her antics were endearing, and I can't wait to see more of her in the future.

One problem I did have with this story is that there were some minor characters who I wanted to see more of. In particular Prince Cassian who didn't get a lot of time to shine. I understand that the book isn't his story, but that didn't stop me from wanting to see more of him. He felt more like an afterthought despite being there for the entire journey. I know it's unlikely, but I but hope he and his twin sister Clarisse will get books of their own telling their own side of their stories. The secondary villain was also a disappointment too. He is supposed to be the mastermind behind the whole rebellion and at first seemed to be a mysterious character who would have a bigger role. But when you finally learn his identity it's a huge let down. I know he's not as important as the main antagonist, but I couldn't help but feel annoyed at his lack of presence and unsatisfying motivations. 

Despite my complaints, this was a fantastic end to the first Four Kingdoms series. I look forward to seeing more of worldbuilding and new characters in the follow up series Beyond the Four Kingdoms. I rate this book five out of five stars. Until next time.