Princess Sonora and the Long Sleep by Gail Carson Levine

I loved how this little book combined traditional fairy tale whimsy with modern and realistic humor. And Christopher and Sonora, who are both very clever, explain to Prince Melvin that he wouldn’t be the prince of his kingdom anymore (since no one else from his kingdom had fallen under this kingdom’s spell), and he is pleased to be dubbed a knight. Not only does Sonora answer the question about the balding sheep, but she and Christopher are married right then and there. But then he hears her start to talk in her sleep, and is so impressed with how smart she is even when she is asleep that he quickly kisses her. Kiss me, prince, and I shall be yours forever.” Prince Christopher can’t go through with it (“What was that on her cheek and in the corner of her mouth? Spit? Bird droppings? Ugh!”). When he finds Sonora in her bedchamber, he sees a sign that reads, “I am Princess Sonora. Specifically, he wants her to answer the question of why his kingdom’s sheep are losing their fur. When Prince Christopher, who is full of questions, hears that there is a princess named Sonora who is full of answers, he must find her. Yes, the princess is too smart for the curse, but fate takes over anyway.Īs the years go by, the story of Sonora and the sleeping castle becomes something of a legend. I thought this part was amusing and original. This plan backfires when her mother discovers the spindle, Sonora hears her mother screaming, runs to see what is the matter, they collide, she is pricked, and the spell takes hold. Secretly, she had hidden a spindle in a special place for just the right time. Luckily Sonora, who is ten times smarter than anyone else, devised a plan long ago to use the spindle prick curse when it was most convenient for her. The chosen one, who is not at all her choice is, well, not at all smart either. That is until the amazement turns to annoyance, hence the popular saying, “Princess Sonora knows, but don’t ask her!” Of course, because this is a Sleeping Beauty tale, she is also cursed to prick her finger and die, and of course, another fairy softens the curse by putting her and everyone around her to sleep for 100 years.Īt the age of fourteen, it is time for Sonora to meet her future prince, Melvin. Once blessed, she learns to speak immediately, and continues to amaze all around her with her brilliance. This book is part of 'The Princess Tales' series, and I enjoyed it so much that I ordered 'The Princess Tales' Volume I and Volume II for my young cousin! Princess Sonora is blessed at her christening with many wonderful traits, but the most important one is that she is ten times smarter than anyone else.

Princess Sonora and the Long Sleep by Gail Carson Levine