Princess Juniper of the Anju (read for fun)

I picked this up at a public library book sale because it sounded like fun. A good little adventure. Seeking help from your mother's tribe to fight off an invasion of your father's kingdom, and undergoing formal trials to acquire that help, that does sound like an adventure, doesn't it? On one hand, it deals with heavy stuff. On the other hand, the actual content is pretty tame. What I mean to say is, the premise of this book is violent but the events are not. They're rated PG, at highest. 

I'm having difficulty being concise about this book because of how well the author takes adult-level issues and makes them acceptable and/or palatable for children. Ammi-joan Paquette does a great job on that. 

An invasion of one's homeland is a serious issue, and it is treated seriously in this book. Juniper has to make a decision about what she should do, as a princess of Torr, as the queen of Queen's Basin, and what she can do realistically. She has to be diplomatic with people she doesn't like and also with strangers. She has to work through anxiety and uncertainty. These are all adult-level things. 

Yet, the book is not grim. It is not violent.  It has a steady stream of optimism. Be confident. Take things one step at a time. Focus on what you can take care of now, and don't worry about all the other things in the future just yet. Make friends, not enemies; if you can, find common ground with enemies so they might become friends. These are all great messages for children, and they come in a gentle but firm fashion. 

Also, I want to mention the world-building, landscapes and culture, that sort of thing. The author does a great job with this as well. The layout of Queen's Basin, the path to the Anju community, and then the Anju community itself are all gorgeously described. These are the three major areas where the book takes place, and they are expanded to the extent that they feel like real places; like fully realized environments. The culture of the Anju is built up magnificently as well. It is developed over the course of the book, bit by bit, and becomes an essential plot-point. 

Trickster Eric Novels gives "Princess Juniper of the Anju" an A+

Click here for my previous book review: No Game No Life - Practical War Game (read for fun)

Click here for my previous book review:  The Irregular at the Magic High School - light novel volume 1

Brian Wilkerson is an independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor's degrees in English Literature and History (Classical Mediterranean Period concentration).

His fantasy series, Journey to Chaos, is currently available on Amazon as an ebook or paperback.