Jabberwocky Princess is a fantastical fairy tale that I’m surprised Disney hasn’t taken for a movie yet. The world’s most famous monster-hunter disappeared mysteriously, but he left much of his knowledge to his daughter, Kainda. Looked down upon as a kitchen maid, she really doesn’t fit in anywhere except when she visits her best friend, a knight who plays a surprising role that I didn’t wholly expect at first.

The story alternates between Kainda and Princess Opal’s POV. Opal seems to be a bit of a stereotype, especially compared to Kainda. Opal is the princess being forced to marry the champion knight that finally rids the kingdom of the beast that is plaguing its land. But of course, she wants nothing to with it. She wants a love match and actually puts herself and her friends in some danger when she throws a bit of a fit and leaves the protection sent to ride with her.

There’s a prince sent with the knights, hoping to win Opal’s hand. Not because he loves her, but because he’s tired of his father harping on him to do something with his life. At first, the characters describe him as a bit of a philanderer and extremely arrogant. However, the first time we see him on the page, he comes across as anything but that. The author tries to explain why, but it fell a little flat.

I was very excited to see two happily ever afters, and not the ones I expected at first. It would have been a better story if there was a little more growth in the characters. They never really became more than what they started as. I also wish there had been a few clues as to who the big bad guy really was; little things sprinkled along the way that would have all made sense at the end. Instead, it was sort of dumped on you in a typical evil villain soliloquy.

I think a younger YA audience would really enjoy this a lot. As an adult with an older teenager, I think Jabberwocky Princess was an entertaining read, but not dynamic enough to really stand out.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book*