A review by ettagrace
The Hostage Prince by Jane Yolen, Adam Stemple
4.0
This was a fun fast-paced fantasy book that takes an interesting look at the dynamic between the Seelie and Unseelie courts - and the unfortunate characters caught up in the middle of it all. The writing is entertaining to read, though the one complaint I have is that the impact of the climax is spoiled by the book's own synopsis. Since it tells the reader straight-out that their runaway starts a war, there's no surprise when that's revealed to the characters, and the build up is a little frustrating because you already know what's going to happen but can't stop the characters from being manipulated. If that was a plot twist, it would be a 5-star book for sure.
That being said, I really liked Snail's character. She's allowed to mess up often enough that she doesn't seem too-good-for-her-own-good, and she has enough triumphs to feel like a proper underdog. Prince Aspen is likable, if whiny and inept, and by the end of the book, he's starting to check himself more often and start appreciating Snail, so I'm curious to see where his character arc takes him in book 2 and the rest of the series. I have hope for the boy yet. I'm eager to see what happens in The Last Changeling!
That being said, I really liked Snail's character. She's allowed to mess up often enough that she doesn't seem too-good-for-her-own-good, and she has enough triumphs to feel like a proper underdog. Prince Aspen is likable, if whiny and inept, and by the end of the book, he's starting to check himself more often and start appreciating Snail, so I'm curious to see where his character arc takes him in book 2 and the rest of the series. I have hope for the boy yet. I'm eager to see what happens in The Last Changeling!