The Thirteenth Princess | Diane Zahler

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Zita is no ordinary kitchen worker - she is actually the thirteenth princess. When her mother died during childbirth, the king ordered her to the servants' quarter and a life of servitude. At the tender age of 7, she learns the truth about her past and begins a lifetime of secretive communications with her royal sisters. When a mysterious illness threatens the 12 princesses, Zita comes to their aid with the assistance of her best friend, his brother and the kingdom's lone witch. 

I love this book with a passion and fervor that maybe only a book read during a cold could provide. I've spent the past four hours curled up under a pashmina, utterly charmed by this fairy tale. I was a little hesitant to read this so early in my Cybils work, since the cover has more sparkles on it than a Blingee. Seriously, this is one of the poorest covers I've come across this year. It doesn't do the middle grade market any justice by going for a cartoony effect and it doesn't match Zahler's writing style at all. The story is a true underdog princess story, in the fashion of The Ordinary Princess, and deserves a marketing package in that certain understated style. The inside illustrations for the title page, depicting the 12 princesses late night dance sessions, are far more compelling than this initial visual.

Zita is a well-written character, dealing with the separation from her family, her father's anger, her growing feelings for Breckin (dibs on baby name rights should my child come out freckled) and the slow dissolution of her sisters' health with a no-nonsense attitude. She's not perfect, or perfectly unperfect either. She bends over backwards for her jerk of a dad and is constantly taking risks for those she loves. It's really hard not to love her in return. 

I'm going to make a bold statement and give this one a spot on my working shortlist, alongside The Search for WondLa. Secret Fact #135: I adore underdog princess stories.
Posted on Wednesday, Oct 20, 2010