Review of Rogue Princess by B. D. Burch
The moment I caught wind of Rogue Princess, I was immediately captivated. A gender-swapped Cinderella retelling with a dash of sci-fi? Count me in! As a self-proclaimed lover of all things fairy tale, the promise of a narrative that echoed the spirit of The Lunar Chronicles had my excitement bubbling over. I dove in with high expectations, ready to be swept away. However, my journey through the pages of this book was a rollercoaster ride that left me a little dazed.
At the heart of Rogue Princess are our two leads, Delia and Aidan. Delia, a reluctant royal caught in the throes of an arranged marriage, and Aidan, a charming character whose true nature is anything but simple. Their banter, especially in the beginning, was reminiscent of Disney’s Aladdin and Jasmine—playful and energetic, and yet, somewhat fleeting in its romantic promise. I found myself chuckling at Delia’s sister, Shania, whose teasing and supportive nature shone brightly in an otherwise chaotic world. She was a standout character whose charm reminded me of the warmth that great fairy tale sidekicks bring.
But alas, the pacing of the story left a lot to be desired. At times, I felt whiplashed—one moment, characters were racing for their lives, and the next, they seemed to be lounging without a care. This erratic rhythm made it challenging to stay invested. And don’t get me started on the romance! It was pitched as an enemies-to-lovers arc, but it came across more like “barely acquainted to slightly interested.” I found myself exasperated, wishing for more conflict and tension. You can’t just throw passion in like confetti and expect it to stick!
Then, just when I thought I’d be closing the book with disappointment, a plot twist toward the end turned my frustration on its head. Aidan’s true identity—an AI created by a resistance group—was a shocking reveal that spun earlier events into a different light. It was a fantastic twist, one that could have made for a richer narrative if given a bit more exploration. Yet, the resolution felt rushed, as if the author had a deadline looming over them.
Burch’s writing style is approachable and engaging, but the world-building suffered from insufficient depth. I craved to know more about the various planets and the lives of the characters beyond the main storyline. The political tensions felt just barely touched upon, as though they were mere backdrop rather than pivotal elements of the plot. Side characters remained largely one-dimensional, which diminished my emotional investment in their fates.
Ultimately, my experience with Rogue Princess was mixed. While I enjoyed the occasional spark of humor and the surprising twist that emerged, the execution left me wanting. After much contemplation, I settled on a two-star rating. If you’re a fan of fairy tale retellings or looking for a light sci-fi read that isn’t too heavy on world-building, you might find something to enjoy here. Just don’t walk in fully expecting a modern classic; sometimes, fairy tales need a bit more magic to truly captivate.