results in Rose awakening in an empty com-
moner’s cottage, only accompanied by her
trustworthy stable boy Joseph, who does
not know much more about the situation
than she does. With the support of Joseph
and her loyal steed Wisher, Rose, now an
incognito princess, traverses various ter-
rains, from the mountains to the desert to
beneath the oceans, in a race to collect the
components of her prophesied golden coro-
nation gown. Alongside traditional fairy
tale characters, settings, and missions,
Rose’s emotional connection to her mother,
the Queen, and her newfound friends-slash-
travel companions feels genuine. Daniel
Frazier adds simple b&w chapter heading
illustrations, and storybook prose favorably
features stories within a story. A reliance on
tropes chafes, but characters including a
frightened troll, mermaid raconteurs, and
unpredictable goats keep the pages turning
in the Fraziers’ energetic debut. Ages 8–12.® REVIEWS
79cBOOKLIFE, MARCH 8, 2021