Misfits

August 1, 2018
An unconventional princess-in-training questions the status quo--and throws the kingdom for a loop. When 12-year-old Princess Devin's invitation to attend the Royal Academy arrives, she has reservations about her royal future, but Fairy Godmother Olivina assures her that her gifted way with animals, scorned by her mother, is not only acceptable, but will be nurtured. Still, there doesn't seem to be much flexibility. Princesses are to be beautiful, to dance well, and to seek a good match with a prince. Most of all, princesses are never to take the lead in dangerous situations; they must wait to be rescued. But when harpies attack the school's opening ball, the princes need help. Devin teams up with rakish Prince Heath to save the day. Nonconformity has its price, and Devin receives her first strike. After three, not only is she kicked out of school, but she's altogether banished from Enchantasia. Olivina further isolates Devin from her classmates by warning them against fraternization. Though it expands on the world introduced in the Fairy Tale Reform School series, the Royal Academy unfortunately comes across as little more than a watered-down Hogwarts. While discussion of gender roles is thoughtful, racial and cultural diversity are limited; Devin and Heath present white. Characters are flat, the plot is predictable, and the fairy godmother as villain is a tired twist.A disappointing spinoff to an inventive series. (Fantasy. 10-13)

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October 15, 2018
Grades 3-6 Though she's royalty by birth, Devinaria of Cobblestone Creek isn't particularly interested in learning how to be a princess. She'd much rather spend her time chatting with the animals that live around her home. But when her invitation to the Royal Academy arrives, Devin has no choice?her mother sends her off at once to learn with the other young royals-to-be of Enchantasia. The school's headmistress, Olivina, has been fairy godmother to the likes of Snow White and Cinderella, which is pretty impressive, but Devin notices something weird about her: she's superstrict, paranoid about danger, and focused on Devin in particular. As Devin makes friends, others begin to share her suspicions; but is it really wise to go up against a fairy godmother? Calonita, author of the Fairy Tale Reform School series, twists familiar stories around once again in this series starter, which places a plucky heroine in the ever-popular boarding school setting. A cliff-hanger ending will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)