It took me a decade, but I've finally come to appreciate 'The Princess in Black', one of the many, many hits by Shannon Hale, and another children's princessey, cartoony, comedic, feminist romp of hers (comics, picture books, chapter books, novels, you name it), and another with her husband Dean (and with LeUyen Pham).
As for the feminism of 'The Princess in Black', I wouldn't call it an absolute feminist mistresspiece - it is a bit too simple, with one-dimensional antagonists, including literal monsters referred to as "it", and Princess Magnolia is conventionally pretty, and doesn't seem to have any female friends yet.
But for what it is, it is a fun and humorous little chapter book for kids, especially for beginner readers. It can be devoured in under ten minutes.
There is action and comedy, and the message of how heroes can inspire people to become heroes themselves, to go with its other message:
Of course princesses do wear black!
Even if it is part of a secret identity, but still!
Plus, the idea of a superhero/Zorro/Scarlet Pimpernel-type princess sounds awesome to me, as a fan of both superheroines and princesses. There can be different types of princesses, that subvert gendered stereotypes and expectations, and they can be competent, brilliant action heroes!
Another subversive and hilarious sidenote that I'm not sure was intentional or not: Princess Magnolia has a pet unicorn called Frimplepants, but when she secretly becomes the Princess in Black to fight monsters, Frimplepants becomes an ordinary pony called Blacky, who is her noble steed (and is nonetheless tough and funny). Apparently the unicorn identity is everyday mundane (at least for royalty) compared to a pony! A pony who wears a mask and helps the Princess in Black stop monsters from eating goats, but still!
I don't think I've ever seen a black unicorn anywhere before, either way, so there's that.
Indeed, the Princess in Black is a GOAT.
Aaaaaaaaaand before I show myself out, I'll say that I recommend 'The Princess in Black' to younger readers, and princess and superhero fans of all ages. It's a neat premise with a neat execution. I don't think I will be reading the sequels - from what I've read online, they seem to be pretty much the same, following the same formula - but I'll treasure it in my book collection for years to come.
It's like 'The Fairytale Hairdresser' series, and a dragon's hoard of other feminist princess fiction that would take me forever to list (including ones by Shannon Hale).
Final Score: 3.5/5
P.S. Are Princess Magnolia's parents ever even mentioned in this series? Where are they? Is Magnolia actually a queen? Does she rule over her kingdom on her own? When she's clearly a child? What does she do when she's not the Princess in Black, besides have hot chocolate and scones with guests, and perhaps host tea parties, and other types of parties?
P.P.S. I'm surprised 'The Princess in Black' hasn't been made into an animated TV series yet. It was made for it.
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