Of Princes and Promises by Sandhya Menon - OPTIONAL

Of Princes and Promises (Rosetta Academy #2) by Sandhya Menon, 310 pages. Simon, 2021. $20

Language: R (40+ swears, 7 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: G

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

After comforting Caterina at the winter dance, socially awkward Rahul really thought he had a chance with her.  Caterina, as snobbish as ever, even after humiliation, doesn’t see it happening. However, she needs a date for the very important Hindman Gala, so she takes Rahul under her wing. He is, of course, willing. It isn’t until they are fitting Rahul for his glam threads and the boutique owner gives Rahul a special (VERY special) hair gel that Rahul - or, please call me RC - emerges as a much closer to a prince. But are Rahul and Caterina relying too much on the RC character - could Rahul be losing his sense of self? Who does Caterina really want to spend her time with - the suave RC, or the endearing Rahul?

This one is much more loosely based on the Frog Prince tale than Menon’s first Rosetta Academy was to its fairy tale. The secondary story about Caterina and Mia, a new girl who enters her life and seems to glide past all of Caterina’s defenses is distracting. Not as strong as the first.

Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS