Katie's Book Blog!!

The Hero's Guide To Saving Your Kingdom is the perfect book for all fairy tale fans. Christopher Healy's debut novel is a fresh take on the Princes Charming. It's a hilarious adventure-filled book that readers will adore.Not all of the Princes Charming are quite so charming. Really out of the four Prince Frederic is the only one that really fits the name. Being charming is Frederic's only real skill. He's terrified of practically everything but he can talk his way out of almost any bind. Prince Gustav is the least charming of the four. In fact, he's sometimes downright rude. He's rather nasty at times but he does have a softer side. He's also rather hotheaded and he doesn't really think things through. Luckily he's nearly indestructible. Prince Liam is the only real hero of the bunch. He's spent his whole life saving people. The only problem is that no one knows about it. This time he wants recognition for his heroic deeds. And last but not least there is Prince Duncan. Duncan is an odd sort and because of this he has no friends. He jumps at the chance to join the Princes Charming on their adventure and he hopes to bring along some of his seemingly endless supply of good luck. There four get into quite a bit of trouble and it makes for some serious laughs. And they are all so great although Prince Duncan is definitely my favorite of the four.The story is full of adventure. Prince Frederic sets out to find his missing fiancee and along the way he stumbles upon a plot that could ruin not only his kingdom but the kingdoms of the other Princes Charming as well. Along the way they manage to encounter thieves, bandits, pirates, trolls, giants, dragons, and one very evil witch. And let's just say that they don't always make it out of the encounters looking so charming. The princes' tactics are all quite hilarious and the messes they get into will have readers laughing throughout the book.The princesses are all a bit of a mystery to me but there will be a sequel and hopefully there will be more about them in that book. There's a lot of potential for the princesses and I would love to read more about them. Ella is the only one really prominently featured in this book and she is one fierce girl (who is also just plain brilliant.) She is one girl who doesn't need a prince to come save her. Briar Rose, Snow White, and Rapunzel are also in the book but have much smaller roles. There is also Prince Liam's sister, Lila, who has a pretty big role and she has a lot of potential as well. There girls all seem like they could be great heroines. (Except maybe Briar Rose. She seems better suited to villainy and you'll see why when you read the book.)Overall, The Hero's Guide To Saving Your Kingdom is a fabulous fairy tale retelling. This one has definitely earned a spot on my favorites shelf.