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user613's review
4.0
This was a cute, sweet, clean, fun read. There were great characters and relationships, and, of course, a bossy, know it all cat that ruined everything perfectly.
Etta was a great role model. She made mistakes, but knew how to admit to them. She also knew when to stop letting a bossy cat control her and took control of her own life eventually. And, she was loyal, putting herself in danger to help friends.
The fake love interest was also pretty well set up. The cat had a whole plan to get Etta married to the prince. Also, Etta met him one day, though she didn't know he was the prince, and spent weeks obsessing over him. Then, she bumped into him again, and he lied about who he was and they spent many afternoons together while he taught her to hunt. They also stole some kisses.
He was looking for a bride. The cat tried to make Etta out to be a baronness and wanted them to get married.
In one scene, the last time Etta blindly followed the cat (I liked how Etta realized the cat was getting her in trouble and listened to her own instincts), Etta was bathing in the river. The cat stole her clothes just as the prince and his father come to rescue her. This was meant to be the start of the prince and Etta's romance.
Etta and Beau went to the castle where Kerrick and Beau fight over her for a few days.
But then, instead of what could've happened, Etta living happily ever after with the prince of her dreams, thanks to her horrid cat, Etta realized keeping up this charade couldn't last. And she ran away. With Beau.
The whole time, Etta was growing closer to Beau, the real love interest. So, when she finally did decide the prince was nothing and she really loved Beau, it made sense. It felt real, unlike any love she would've had with the prince, which would've been based on the fact that he was a handsome, rich man and nothing more. I thought this added a lot of depth to the story.
This is a book that I think any teen who enjoys fairytale retellings would enjoy reading.
Content warnings:
Violence:
Romance:
Romance was a pretty major theme in this book (though it was all kept innocent). Most of the book Etta obsessed over the very handsome Kerrick. There was some flirting, hugs and kisses between them. None described.
The next half of the book Etta obsessed over wanting to kiss Beau (though, she spent less time on him because they were busy fighting an ogre at the same time).
Beau and Etta also shared one or two descriptive kisses, and some others that weren't described.
The first half of the book Etta dressed in trousers to hunt, and started walking around in them. It was very improper and men were mentioned looking at her.
There was the scene where Etta was bathing in the river and the cat stole her clothes. The king and prince and a bunch of soldiers came to rescue her. The men all left and Beau gave her the king's robe, walking backwards to hand her, and she dashed out from behind a rock to take it from him. Nothing more happened. The next outfit she was given was a tight gown with an open neck that she felt uncomfortable in.
Other:
Magic. An ogre that looked like a man. He enchanted a whole village of people. A talking cat wanted Etta to marry the prince. And, a bunch of other magical creatures mentioned in passing such as brownies and dwarves.
Etta was a great role model. She made mistakes, but knew how to admit to them. She also knew when to stop letting a bossy cat control her and took control of her own life eventually. And, she was loyal, putting herself in danger to help friends.
Spoiler
I also found it nice that the prince, Etta's obvious love interest (or, should I say, the one the cat thought would be her love interest), became a friend, and the man she fell for was the man who loved her the whole time.The fake love interest was also pretty well set up. The cat had a whole plan to get Etta married to the prince. Also, Etta met him one day, though she didn't know he was the prince, and spent weeks obsessing over him. Then, she bumped into him again, and he lied about who he was and they spent many afternoons together while he taught her to hunt. They also stole some kisses.
He was looking for a bride. The cat tried to make Etta out to be a baronness and wanted them to get married.
In one scene, the last time Etta blindly followed the cat (I liked how Etta realized the cat was getting her in trouble and listened to her own instincts), Etta was bathing in the river. The cat stole her clothes just as the prince and his father come to rescue her. This was meant to be the start of the prince and Etta's romance.
Etta and Beau went to the castle where Kerrick and Beau fight over her for a few days.
But then, instead of what could've happened, Etta living happily ever after with the prince of her dreams, thanks to her horrid cat, Etta realized keeping up this charade couldn't last. And she ran away. With Beau.
The whole time, Etta was growing closer to Beau, the real love interest. So, when she finally did decide the prince was nothing and she really loved Beau, it made sense. It felt real, unlike any love she would've had with the prince, which would've been based on the fact that he was a handsome, rich man and nothing more. I thought this added a lot of depth to the story.
This is a book that I think any teen who enjoys fairytale retellings would enjoy reading.
Content warnings:
Violence:
Spoiler
Mentions of death. Killing and trapping animals. A violent ogre imprisoned Etta and Beau and a whole castle of magical creatures. The ogre drained the magical creatures to make his spells more powerful. Etta escaped and the ogre beat Beau (we only see the bruises), chained him by his hands and left him hanging overnight. He also got angry and violent a lot.Romance:
Spoiler
Romance was a pretty major theme in this book (though it was all kept innocent). Most of the book Etta obsessed over the very handsome Kerrick. There was some flirting, hugs and kisses between them. None described.
The next half of the book Etta obsessed over wanting to kiss Beau (though, she spent less time on him because they were busy fighting an ogre at the same time).
Beau and Etta also shared one or two descriptive kisses, and some others that weren't described.
The first half of the book Etta dressed in trousers to hunt, and started walking around in them. It was very improper and men were mentioned looking at her.
There was the scene where Etta was bathing in the river and the cat stole her clothes. The king and prince and a bunch of soldiers came to rescue her. The men all left and Beau gave her the king's robe, walking backwards to hand her, and she dashed out from behind a rock to take it from him. Nothing more happened. The next outfit she was given was a tight gown with an open neck that she felt uncomfortable in.
Other:
Spoiler
Magic. An ogre that looked like a man. He enchanted a whole village of people. A talking cat wanted Etta to marry the prince. And, a bunch of other magical creatures mentioned in passing such as brownies and dwarves.
kimthebookishbaker's review
4.0
I wont lie, Puss in Boots is not a fairy tale I see many retellings of (besides Shrek), nor is it one I would think of doing a retelling for. However, I greatly enjoyed this retelling. The story was original enough to be interesting, but it was a fun twist to have Puss. It also has that happy fairy tale ending you want and expect in a book of this type. I will definitely be looking forward to more of Shari Tapscott's books!
blueshadow's review against another edition
4.0
Cute and clever retelling of Puss in Boots. Overall, very enjoyable. 3.5 stars, rounded up
I didn't like the obligatory YA love triangle, and the pacing was erratic - the plot would move along nicely for awhile, then it would get stuck and drag along for awhile, then back to moving again. I liked the way the fairy tale elements were handled in the story - the author managed to make most of the events from the fairy tale fit into the story as if they belonged.
I didn't like the obligatory YA love triangle, and the pacing was erratic - the plot would move along nicely for awhile, then it would get stuck and drag along for awhile, then back to moving again. I liked the way the fairy tale elements were handled in the story - the author managed to make most of the events from the fairy tale fit into the story as if they belonged.
brii_brii's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
_ems28's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
mariazen's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
lilytholfsen's review against another edition
4.0
An intriguing book, and a fun take on one of my favorite fairy tales. The "love triangle" was done in a way that was not problematic, and (mild spoiler) .
Overall, I really enjoyed the book. Could not give it five stars because it lacked a certain amount of depth that I look for in fairy tale retellings, as well as because all of the characters seemed to be straight and white.
Spoiler
Beau didn't stop being friends with Etta when she told him she wanted to be nothing more than friendsOverall, I really enjoyed the book. Could not give it five stars because it lacked a certain amount of depth that I look for in fairy tale retellings, as well as because all of the characters seemed to be straight and white.
rebekkahj's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed the book. Her writing really ropes you in and she doesn’t overdue it with the details. The only thing I didn’t like was how everyone was interested in her.
lilli_nez's review
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
emlickliter's review against another edition
5.0
This Puss in Boots was a great ride! The retelling honored the spirit of the tale without feeling stale. I look forward to more retellings from Ms. Tapscott!