Iron Hearted Violet

With her pug nose, mismatched eyes, and untamable hair, Princess Violet is not beautiful, but she is much beloved by her doting parents, friend Demetrius, and the Andulan people. Intelligent, imaginative, and often reckless, she is "a girl of her own ideas," mesmerizing audiences with her storytelling and shirking her studies to explore the castle. When she and Demetrius happen upon a mysterious book in a hidden-away room, they begin to unearth a forbidden tale about the Nybbas, an evil god that tried to take over all the worlds in the multiverse eons ago and was defeated and imprisoned by the other 12 gods. Fascinated, Violet yearns to know more. When tragedy strikes and she is left feeling isolated, she turns to the Nybbas, embracing its insidiously whispered promises of beauty and inadvertently unleashing its power. It will take much self-realization, sacrifice, and stoutheartedness to set things right. Fortunately, Violet is helped by steadfast Demetrius and an ancient dragon-the last of its kind. Filled with themes about the power of story, the book is appropriately narrated by Cassian, the cowardly court storyteller. The action unfolds at a leisurely pace, with complex subplots and mysteries gradually revealed. Violet's realm is richly imagined; mirror-related imagery is effectively employed throughout, encouraging readers to reflect upon the importance of exterior appearances and the many ways that truth can be refracted. Black-and-white sketches depict dramatic moments. This satisfying fantasy combines adventure with food for thought.

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Barnhill (The Mostly True Story of Jack) creates a splendid fantasy around a story's power to change the world. Princess Violet deeply loves reading and telling tales of all sorts, even ones about beautiful and graceful princesses-which she is not. She is fascinated when a strange book and magical painting discovered in a hidden room of the castle reveal the forbidden story of a banished god, the Nybbas. Left to her own devices, 13-year-old Violet doesn't realize the danger: the book is true, she has become part of its unfinished story, and the big question is whether Violet will be the villain or the heroine. Layered and complex, Barnhill's story brings a modern feel to age-old fairy tale tropes while recognizing that an offhand remark can cause deep and lasting damage. Messages about self-esteem, acceptance, and the power of the heart may feel heavy to seasoned readers, but those same positive themes, the trim chapter lengths, and Barnhill's nimble prose make this a winning choice for before-bedtime readalouds. 

Copyright 2012 Publisher’s Weekly, LLC Used with permission.