Princess in the Spotlight by Meg Cabot Narrator: Anne Hathaway
Series: The Princess Diaries #2
Published by Listening Library (Audio)
Published on November 13th 2007
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Just when Mia thought she had the whole princess thing under control, things get out of hand, fast. First there’s an unexpected announcement from her mother. Then Grandmère arranges a national primetime interview for the brand-new crown princess of Genovia. On top of that, intriguing, exasperating letters from a secret admirer begin to arrive.
Before she even has the chance to wonder who those letters are from, Mia is swept up in a whirlwind of royal intrigue the likes of which hasn’t been seen since volume I of The Princess Diaries.
I found the first Princess Diaries book pretty difficult to review. I think the diary aspect, although somewhat original and gimmicky at the time, really makes it hard to comment on the plot of the book. A lot of the book is introspection, so thankfully Mia’s a really likeable character.
The bonus for me here, and I think it’s why I rated it higher than it probably deserves, is Anne Hathaway’s mind-blowing performance of narrator. Her Mia is so sweet and innocent and somewhat naïve, her Grandmere sounds like an old French woman who’s been smoking and drinking her entire life, even her impression of Mia’s father is decidedly masculine. I love Hathaway’s performance and it’s the only reason I want to continue on with this series, so long as I can get it in audiobook.
As for the plot, there’s not much to say. Mia’s mother falls pregnant and plans to marry her algebra teacher while Grandmere interferes and makes Mia’s already difficult life more difficult by pushing and pushing her to do things she doesn’t want to do, like give a big interview on national TV. So you see, the plot doesn’t sound very riveting, but it’s Hathaway’s performance of a very likeable Mia that makes me enjoy listening to thee audiobooks so much. And it’s so funny because I remember really disliking Mia early on in the first book, and yet now I think the strength of the novel rides on how much the reader likes her.
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About Nemo
A lover of kittens and all things sparkly, Nemo has a degree in English Literature and specialises in reviewing contemporary, paranormal, mystery/thriller, historical, sci-fi and fantasy Young Adult fiction. She is especially drawn to novels about princesses, strong female friendships, magical powers, and assassins.
