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The Princess Companion: A Retelling of The Princess and the Pea (The Four Kingdoms Book 1) Kindle Edition

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 2,042 ratings

Danger and romance await a woodcutter's daughter in a royal palace.

One dark and stormy night, lost and alone, Alyssa finds herself knocking on the door of a castle. After a lifetime spent in the deep forest, Alyssa has no idea what to expect on the other side.

What she finds is two unruly young princesses and one very handsome prince. When Alyssa accepts the job of Princess Companion she knows her life will change. What she doesn't know is that the royal family is about to be swept up in unexpected danger and intrigue, and that she just might be the only thing standing between her kingdom and destruction.

This retelling of the classic fairy tale, The Princess and the Pea, reimagines the risks and rewards that come when one royal family goes searching for a true princess.

If you enjoy clean romance, adventure and intrigue, then try the books in The Four Kingdoms series now! Each of these young adult fairy tale retellings can be read as a standalone story. However, for greatest enjoyment, they should be read in order.

The Four Kingdoms Reading Order:

  • The Princess Companion: A Retelling of The Princess and the Pea (Book One)
  • The Princess Fugitive: A Reimagining of Little Red Riding Hood (Book Two)
  • The Coronation Ball: A Four Kingdoms Cinderella Novelette
  • Happily Ever Afters: A Reimagining of Snow White and Rose Red (Novella)
  • The Princess Pact: A Twist on Rumpelstiltskin (Book Three)
  • A Midwinter's Wedding: A Retelling of The Frog Prince (Novella)
  • The Princess Game: A Reimagining of Sleeping Beauty (Book Four)
  • The Princess Search: A Retelling of The Ugly Duckling (Book Five)

*This is a second edition published using US English*

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Melanie Cellier is the author of the Four Kingdoms series, the Beyond the Four Kingdoms series, as well as many other fairy-tale retellings.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01A3US7V0
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Luminant Publications (January 2, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 2, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 6068 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 350 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 2,042 ratings

About the author

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Melanie Cellier
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Melanie Cellier grew up on a staple diet of books, books and more books. And although she got older, she never stopped loving children’s and young adult novels.

She always wanted to write one herself, but it took three careers and three different continents before she actually managed it.

She now feels incredibly fortunate to spend her time writing from her home in Adelaide, Australia where she keeps an eye out for koalas in her backyard. Her staple diet hasn’t changed much, although she’s added choc mint Rooibos tea and Chicken Crimpies to the list.

She writes young adult fantasy including her Spoken Mage series, and her Four Kingdoms and Beyond the Four Kingdoms series which are made up of linked stand-alone fairy tale retellings.

Visit Melanie at her website: http://www.melaniecellier.com or follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Melanie-Cellier-689002674569364/ for all the latest news on her books.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
2,042 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the storyline brilliant and unique. They describe the book as enjoyable, lighthearted, and a feel-good read. The characters are well-developed and have interesting personalities. The writing style is described as well-written and simple. Readers appreciate the humor and intelligence of the characters. The book is described as clean and refreshing, with a sweet friendship theme.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

164 customers mention "Storyline"156 positive8 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline. They find the characters engaging, and the plot unique and believable. The heroine has a flair for storytelling, and the themes are educational for young readers. They describe the book as a lighthearted fairy tale with an amazing love story.

"...Mischievous little princesses, evil plots between enemies, misunderstandings between members the royal family, who has a crush on who among the..." Read more

"...It certainly kept me engaged; once I started reading, I just couldn't stop until I'd finished the book. It was nicely edited too...." Read more

"...The book isn't perfect, but it is well written and interesting...." Read more

"This book was awesome! It has action, romance, and characters that you are truly rooting for. I will read the whole set!" Read more

118 customers mention "Readability"118 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find the heroine likable and the story engaging. The book is a feel-good read that keeps readers hooked until the next installment. Readers look forward to reading more from the author.

"...between our MC's. Would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a feel good read...." Read more

"...It provided me with hours of reading enjoyment. I found the book to be well-written and the story seemed to flow well...." Read more

"...The prince could have used a bit more depth, but he was likeable enough...." Read more

"This book was awesome! It has action, romance, and characters that you are truly rooting for. I will read the whole set!" Read more

73 customers mention "Character development"73 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the well-developed characters and multidimensional personalities of the main character. They find her smart, kind, and tough. The story is described as engaging and sweet, with unexpected twists and turns.

"...and a job. And of course all these wonderful characters have specific relationships to each other that grow and change over the course of the..." Read more

"...character is responsible for had distinct personalities and show character growth. Alyssa was likeable, if perhaps a bit too perfect...." Read more

"This book was awesome! It has action, romance, and characters that you are truly rooting for. I will read the whole set!" Read more

"...There was good, consistent character development for all the main players and their relationships; I loved Alyssa, and her chemistry with Max was..." Read more

45 customers mention "Writing style"42 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the writing style. They find it well-written, simple, and engaging. The language is appropriate for young readers, with some educational themes. Readers appreciate the unique writing style and no grammar or spelling errors. Overall, it's a long read that they can't put down and binge read in two days.

"...I found the book to be well-written and the story seemed to flow well...." Read more

"...The book isn't perfect, but it is well written and interesting...." Read more

"...A princess and the pea retelling! It was a fun, easy read that was thorough enough and long enough I forgot it was a retelling while staying true..." Read more

"I enjoyed this book. It was a nice, light read...." Read more

15 customers mention "Humor"15 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's witty and clever humor. They find it well-written and fun, with a sense of humor sprinkled throughout. The characters are endearing and the writing is superb. The author has a fresh voice and no foul language is used.

"...No foul language, no war, no torture, no deaths ... just enemies trying to take over a kingdom...." Read more

"...Definitely laughed at some parts. Alyssa is tough in character even if she bruises easily. Max is protective and charming...." Read more

"I started liking the book from the dedication. Melanie definitely loves words and it shows in her work...." Read more

"...A very clever and well-written first book. Look forward to seeing what comes next from Cellier!" Read more

15 customers mention "Intelligence"15 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the intelligent and resourceful heroine. They find the book prepares her for the future while instilling a moral compass and open-mindedness. The book offers interesting insights into the afterlife of Cinderella and the Prince.

"...She was resourceful,intelligent, and kind. The prince could have used a bit more depth, but he was likeable enough...." Read more

"...She was resourceful and didn’t depend on anyone to fix everything. I admire her bravery that isn’t limited by her low pain tolerance...." Read more

"...I really, really appreciate the way that Cellier prepares Alyssa for her future...." Read more

"...At the same time, she has instilled a well-set moral compass within her main character, Alyssa, one of which is even more rare to find in modern-day..." Read more

12 customers mention "Cleanliness"12 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's cleanliness.

"...The plot is very intriguing, and it is super clean! Melanie Cellier also implements Christian characteristics into the stories. Definitely recommend!" Read more

"...I smiled throughout the whole thing! It was a VERY CLEAN and innocent romance. There weren't any gay couples, sex scenes, or anything distasteful...." Read more

"...They are clean, sweet romances, with great friendships represented as well. There is always suspense, but I know there will be a happy ending!..." Read more

"...I loved how it was clean!!!..." Read more

12 customers mention "Friendship"12 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's friendship themes. They appreciate the strong characters and realistic relationships without sacrificing kindness or compassion. The book features growing love based on friendship and family relationships, with a compassionate heroine. Readers find the people in the book to be kind and open-minded, demonstrating humanity and the usefulness of education.

"...But you still have all the bravery, honor, self sacrifice and friendships that we look for in a good story...." Read more

"...She was resourceful,intelligent, and kind. The prince could have used a bit more depth, but he was likeable enough...." Read more

"...They are clean, sweet romances, with great friendships represented as well. There is always suspense, but I know there will be a happy ending!..." Read more

"...story of the princess and the pea, teaching us to be virtuous and kind people no matter our ranking." Read more

I’m so in love with that book!!
5 out of 5 stars
I’m so in love with that book!!
OMG!!! I love it!!! This book is one of the greatest retelling tale I’ve ever read in my life. 200/100. I recommend it to anyone who loves fairy tales or specially retelling tales
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2024
    I think the best part is the people. Every character adds to the rich colors of the story. Of course we love getting into the personalities of the royal family, and the "PRINCESS" and the other visiting princesses. But everyone you meet, from the seamstress to the stable boy have something unique about them that is a crucial part of the story . Nobody is just a name and a job.
    And of course all these wonderful characters have specific relationships to each other that grow and change over the course of the book. Mischievous little princesses, evil plots between enemies, misunderstandings between members the royal family, who has a crush on who among the staff and the slow building romance ( clean ) between our MC's.
    Would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a feel good read. No foul language, no war, no torture, no deaths ... just enemies trying to take over a kingdom. But you still have all the bravery, honor, self sacrifice and friendships that we look for in a good story. As an adult reader, I loved all the nuances and tiny clues that my students may not notice. But I am glad to say that I could recommend this to them anyway !
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2016
    This book is a clever retelling of the princess and the pea fairy tail. It provided me with hours of reading enjoyment. I found the book to be well-written and the story seemed to flow well. It certainly kept me engaged; once I started reading, I just couldn't stop until I'd finished the book. It was nicely edited too. It's not a complex story, filled with dozens of characters whose names you'll struggle to remember. It's just a nice, relaxing, book that's fun to read and which kept my attention the entire time I was reading.

    In this book, Queen Eleanor has come to believe that her prince (now King) made an awful mistake when he married her and that the kingdom has been hurt as a result. She wants to make sure that her son doesn't make the same mistake. So, she consults her fairy godmother, who gives her a magical pea to put under the mattress of visiting princesses. The one who feels the pea is supposed to be her son's true princess and it is told that their marriage will bring happiness and prosperity for them and also to the entire kingdom. Queen Eleanor puts the pea underneath the mattress in the guest room for visiting princesses.... Along comes Alyssa, a woodsman's daughter. She gets separated from her traveling group and, cold and wet from the rain, stops at the royal residence to ask for shelter for the night. Due to a misunderstanding, she is placed in the guest room for visiting princesses. She spends a very uncomfortable night due to the pea, which she believes to be a broken bed spring. But, she's too polite to mention the bad mattress...

    Alyssa accepts a positron as companion to the Queen's twin daughters. She then watches as a string of princesses visit, all potential future wives for the Queen's son, Prince Maximillian (Max). She cannot help her growing feelings towards the Prince...feelings which it slowly becomes apparent that he shares. So, will Alyssa and Max get their happy ending? I'm sure you have your suspicions, but you'll have to read the book to find out because I don't want to spoil it for anyone.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2016
    I appreciate books in which care is taken to make even minor characters believable. Even the young girls the main character is responsible for had distinct personalities and show character growth.

    Alyssa was likeable, if perhaps a bit too perfect. She was resourceful,intelligent, and kind.
    The prince could have used a bit more depth, but he was likeable enough. I was disappointed that he didn't stand up for himself and Alyssa even at the end of the story.

    There were a few minor things I felt could have been included. For example, there was no description of the fairy godmother, or explanation regarding why a girl who appeared to have grown up under fairly comfortable circumstances needed to leave home to work. Also, at times I felt as if the author expected the reader to remember characters that had barely been mentioned previously.

    The tie-in to another fairy tale was very well-done, and the problems of the married couple in the story added a lot to the book.

    The book isn't perfect, but it is well written and interesting. I didn't find myself losing interest and would be happy to read more stories by this author.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2024
    This book was awesome! It has action, romance, and characters that you are truly rooting for. I will read the whole set!
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2024
    This book is one of my favorites, after I read it for the first time a few years ago. Now I have re-read it multiple times. The plot is very intriguing, and it is super clean! Melanie Cellier also implements Christian characteristics into the stories. Definitely recommend!
    2 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Super Eng Chick
    5.0 out of 5 stars I'm addicted
    Reviewed in Canada on September 23, 2023
    I discovered Melanie Cellier when I was looking for fairytale retellings included in my Audible membership. The first one I listened to was Snow's story in the Beyond the Four Kingdoms series and then I had to listen to the entire series. Now I'm here at the start, listening to the original Four Kingdoms stories. Sometimes, if I have a chance to actually read, I get through a few chapters on Kindle Unlimited as well.

    Of all the relationships in these stories, I think this one is my favourite. I like how long it takes to develop and when there FINALLY is a first kiss, it's so heart-breakingly bittersweet. I love how these stories are wholesome and how the characters are so well fleshed-out and not two dimensional. And although they are "retellings" they are highly original and engaging. And though they could all probably be read as stand-alones, it's a much richer experience if you're able to read them all in order.

    The narrator has really grown on me as well. I guess I didn't think she was a great fit for Snow's character (also, the editing on that audiobook was terrible, with lots of extraneous noises) but after listening to her narrate so many other books, I've decided I quite like her. Her pacing is spot on and she definitely keeps me engaged in the story.
  • Candide Weekes
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great discovery ! I highly recommend !
    Reviewed in France on September 23, 2024
    This book was a great discovery for me !
    I enjoy clean romance and this book was perfect !
    I will buy and read the whole series !
    I didn't know the author, but she will be added to my favourite authors !
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 7, 2020
    The heroine is upfront about her humble origins from the start and still has a believable and fascinating royal adventure. More please!
  • Sharon
    5.0 out of 5 stars A fairytale world to fall in love with
    Reviewed in Germany on July 18, 2020
    First thing to say after reading the book: I LOVED it. I found myself MAKING more reading time, as couldn’t put it down. Quite early on in the book I fell in love with the characters and the story. The Princess Companion is the first in a series of retellings, standalones but all taking place in the realm of the four kingdoms. The first book covers the story of the princess and the pea, taking recognizable elements, but also a lot of original and additional details and setting, shifting the focus.

    To avoid spoilers, even though it is a retelling and those often have quite some predictive elements, I do can say I really enjoyed all the roles and how they were worked out, which different personalities and some mysteries. The fact we read the story mostly through Alyssa is that the mysteries aren’t solved right away.
  • Toots Sullivan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful
    Reviewed in Australia on October 27, 2017
    A wonderful story of love, hope and godmothers, intrigue, politics and friendship. I couldn't put it down till I finished, this retelling it
    is so imaginative, full of colour, good character portrayal, great humour, I could go on and on. I recommend it to be read and enjoyed.

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