The Chosen Prince
4.5/5
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Currently unavailable
About this ebook
From master storyteller Diane Stanley comes a spellbinding tale, based on Shakespeare's The Tempest, of two princes—one chosen, one lost—and a mysterious girl on a magical island, all caught in a great web of destiny.
On the day of his birth, Prince Alexos is revealed to be the long-awaited champion of Athene. He grows up lonely, conscious of all that is expected of him. But Alexos discovers that being a champion isn't about fame and glory—it's about sacrifice and courage.
Alexos follows the course of his destiny through war and loss and a deadly confrontation with his enemy to its end: shipwreck on a magical, fog-shrouded island. There he meets the unforgettable Aria, and faces the greatest challenge of his life.
Diane Stanley
Diane Stanely is the author and illustrator of beloved books for young readers, including The Silver Bowl, named a best book of the year by Kirkus Reviews and an ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice; The Cup and the Crown; The Princess of Cortova; Saving Sky, winner of the Arab American Book Award; Bella at Midnight, a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year and an ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice; The Mysterious Case of the Allbright Academy; The Mysterious Matter of I. M. Fine; The Chosen Prince; and Joplin, Wishing. Ms. Stanley has written and illustrated numerous picture books, including three creatively reimagined fairy tales, The Giant and the Beanstalk, Goldie and the Three Bears, and Rumpelstiltskin’s Daughter, and an award-winning series of picture book biographies. She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico. You can visit her online at www.dianestanley.com.
Read more from Diane Stanley
Bella at Midnight Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Joplin, Wishing Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Mysterious Case of the Allbright Academy Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Saving Sky Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Mysterious Matter of I. M. Fine Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Second Sleep Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
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Reviews for The Chosen Prince
3 ratings2 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Anyone who has given this book a poor rating didn't really get into the themes of this heart-wrenching tale. I received this book from a friend online who agreed to review it via Netgalley, but didn't quite connect with the story. That said, I have no connection to the author, publisher, or anyone involved in its production.The bad: It was told in a formal and somewhat distant tone. (Omniscient present tense.) I've never read a book from that perspective and the way it was narrated periodically pulled me out of the story. I can see where it might be off-putting to potential readers. I'll admit to questioning if I should continue on. There was even a point 1/4 to 1/3 of the way through the book where I debated putting it down because of a tear-inducing plot twist...but when a book actually draws tears, I know I'm invested in the characters. The good: So often we read about people who are just struggling to get by with whatever morals they happen to possess. It's rare we read about someone who is truly and honestly trying to be good in every way possible. I suppose that's what won me. Alexos is very human, like each of us, but he realistically suppresses all dark urges to lash out in favor of doing what's right. His struggle is near-tangible. He is exactly the kind of role model middle grade readers should be following, especially in the day of self-interest and self-preservation. Another fault of our society is a resort to violence in place of mercy and tolerance. Both extremes were brought to the forefront through story conflicts. What was perfectly illustrated was the difference a little more kindness and understanding makes on those who are perceived even as enemies. I found myself softening through the story and questioning if I ever behaved too rashly with others. So there you have it. The merits shine through. There is a happy ending, but only after significant struggles and heart ache. Is the story perfect? By no means--but as an avid reader, I submit that there is no such thing as a perfect story. I love this one for its heart and courage to perpetuate strong morals. If you have a gripe with that, I don't know what to tell you. Go take a happy pill. Content warning: unkindness and a war backdrop.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The auguries at Prince Alexos' birth pointed to an interesting collection of traits: strength and weakness, wisdom and foolishness, virtue . . . and greatness. Is Alexos the chosen prince, prophesied long ago to heal a kingdom split apart by pointless war? When tragedy strikes, it seems as if Alexos cannot be the chosen one, after all -- but perhaps the goddess Athene still has other plans.I wanted to like this book -- and I did, to some extent. I think the main barrier to my mind was the writing style. The author chose to use third-person present tense, and that unusual choice meant that the writing never got out of the way of the story; I was always aware of it, never fully immersed. I found the main characters satisfyingly complex, though some of the secondary characters (the king, for instance) were hardly more than stock characters. The plot moved along smoothly and I never felt that it was dragging, and the book deals with interesting themes of morality, destiny, and freedom. If you can get past the narrative perspective, I think this is a worthwhile read, particularly to readers who enjoy books set in the ancient world with overtones of mythology.