Bookshelves of Lesser Doom

The False Princess, by Eilis O’Neal

Pros:

• Straightforward fantasy that I would have totally, totally loved as a tween. (And that I really enjoyed now, as an adult.)
• Nice upending of the long-lost princess trope, with plotting that ends up being more complex than it first appears.
• Sinda is likable, thoughtful and bright, easy to relate to and, as she grows into herself, no pushover.
• O’Neal explores the grief and anger that Sinda would understandably feel, but without ever letting that slow down the pace or bog down the storyline with any long-term Woe Is Me stuff.

Cons:

• If you just glance at the cover, it’s fine. But the closer you look, the more unsatisfying it gets: The girl’s neck is, like, Alice in Wonderland long, and the picture in the locket on the cover is distractingly Photoshopped in.
• Story-wise, though: Except for a few moments at the beginning that were very Here Are A Few Points That Will Be Very Important Later, all good.