{Review} THE PRINCE AND THE DRESSMAKER by Jen Wang

THE PRINCE AND THE DRESSMAKER by Jen Wang is out TODAY and I couldn't be more excited! I read a really early copy last year and interviewed the author/illustrator back in September during Magic, Myth, & Mischief because I couldn't contain my excitement.

How can you be yourself in a world where expectations rest squarely on your shoulders? When you're Prince of the Realm, you don't get to live your own life. You must think about your kingdom and what they need as well as yourself. But tampering the magic that makes you you is also destructive. Prince Sebastian knows he'll be mocked and ridiculed if he gives in to his love of dresses and the way he feels himself in them, but he isn't daring enough to go out in public until he finds the answer to his conundrum in a talented dressmaker named Frances. Together, they take the kingdom by storm and create a new fashion icon, but they're in hiding and secrets always have a way of bubbling over...

The graphic novel has the feel of a fairy tale while being its own original story. It's about a prince who loves to wear dresses, even though he has to do secretly, and the dressmaker who keeps his secret. The two become fast friends, and the story has so many awesome feels, and I JUST CAN'T. Plus, spoilers!!!

It's actually really hard to talk about this one, especially since some of the bits that resonate most come at the end, but this is such a moving story.

I just re-read THE PRINCE AND THE DRESSMAKER this week and it still gave me as many feels this time around. I know this is a a short, not super-informative review, but again, THE SPOILERS!!! I highly recommend going into this one blind; you'll fall in love with the characters and be rooting for them to embrace their dreams and somehow make it work!

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C O N T E N T R A T I N G S

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) for details

Romance: G ( Kissing )

Language: --
Violence: --

Other:  --

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C O V E R   D E S I G N:

I really like how you have all the major players on this cover. 

It shows the relationship between Prince Sebastian and his dressmaker Frances as well as gives you a sneak peek at Lady Crystallia!

I also really adore the title treatment, from the "regalness" of the PRINCE to the thread-like  texture of the DRESSMAKER!

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O F F I C I A L   I N F O:

THE PRINCE AND THE DRESSMAKER
Author: Jen Wang

Release Date: February 13, 2018

Publisher: First Second Books / Macmillan

 

SUMMARY:

Paris, at the dawn of the modern age: 

Prince Sebastian is looking for a bride―or rather, his parents are looking for one for him. Sebastian is too busy hiding his secret life from everyone. At night he puts on daring dresses and takes Paris by storm as the fabulous Lady Crystallia―the hottest fashion icon in the world capital of fashion! 

Sebastian’s secret weapon (and best friend) is the brilliant dressmaker Frances―one of only two people who know the truth: sometimes this boy wears dresses. But Frances dreams of greatness, and being someone’s secret weapon means being a secret. Forever. How long can Frances defer her dreams to protect a friend? Jen Wang weaves an exuberantly romantic tale of identity, young love, art, and family. A fairy tale for any age, THE PRINCE AND THE DRESSMAKER will steal your heart.