The Royal Treatment

April 1, 2011
This breezy sequel to Princess for Hire (2010) continues a middle-school girl's dream come true: She's magically transformed into various princesses and lives their lives for them while the real princesses take a vacation. Thirteen-year-old Desi wants to keep that glamorous and well-paying job, but she finds dealing with her magical employers almost as difficult as the work. She realizes that she herself has some magical ability and that it isn't all supplied by the agency. She also hopes to meet wonderful Prince Karl again, although she knows the agency can fire her if she becomes personally involved with a royal. Meanwhile, Desi has been cast as Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream in the joint middle-/high-school play, and she's learning that she has real talent. She'll need it on her next major assignment, when her princess becomes involved a major, highly publicized scandal, then refuses to return to her real life. Will Desi be stranded impersonating a rich and glamorous celebrity for the rest of her life? And what about that adorable Prince Karl? Leavitt keeps the story dancing along with breathless, wish-fulfillment glee. Desi's character stands out with her unsinkable confidence, but adult characters often act more like middle schoolers than the kids do. It's a lively if lightweight romp that will please many young girls with glamorous dreams. (Fantasy. 8-12)

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

July 1, 2011
Desi (Princess for Hire) has been promoted to a Level Two princess substitute for the elite Faade agency. Besides sub jobs, she's playing Titania in a school production of A Midsummer Night's Dream (alongside cute Reed) and figuring out what triggers her magic. While her adventures are unsurprising, lively Desi navigates them with a sense of humor and a strong moral compass.

(Copyright 2011 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)