I love this author, so this book did not disappoint. I love the fantasy aspect as well as the representation that's found within this book. I found it completely relatable and know that kids will love this book too.

Mihi's dream of becoming a princess takes an unexpected turn in this enchanting story. Despite her former best friend's doubts about her fitting the 'princess' image, Mihi gets the chance to prove herself when she and two new friends discover a magical portal to a fairy tale world. However, their quest for happy endings soon confronts the darker aspects of fairy tales, forcing Mihi to ponder the true cost of being a princess. Is achieving her dream worth sacrificing friends, family, home, and autonomy?

This smart tale delves into themes of growing up and discovering what's truly important. The subtle references to Mihi's appearance and culture are insightful, though I would have enjoyed more detailed descriptions of all characters, not just for appearances' sake, but to explore how racial perceptions shape views in fairy tales. The story poignantly highlights how traditional fairy tale imagery can clash with diverse realities.

I admired how this book casts fairy tales in a new light, depicting them as both pillars of cultural tradition and areas needing change. The narrative is engaging, filled with action and inventiveness, particularly in elements like the Healing Orchard and cake decorating. Tae Keller continues to impress, and this book is a delightful read. I'm excited to share it with my students for discussions about recognizing cultural differences without diminishing others.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for this DRC.
Please let every little girl be a Princess and a Hero! Mihi, Savannah and Reese enter a fairy tale world. They are so excited but quickly realize it is not as fun as pretending. They have to make tough decisions on their own that helps them grow and become more determined.
#MihiEverAfter #NetGalley

This was a cute, quick light fantasy that I can absolutely see myself handing to young readers who enjoy fairy tales.

“Fairy tales aren’t all roses. They’re full of thorns too.”
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Mihi loves playing make believe with fairy tales, but her friend is over it and leaves Mihi to play princess alone. She then finds new friends Savannah and Reese and immediately enter a fairy tale world full of magic and excitement. What Mihi once believed only to be part of her imagination comes true. In this magical world the girls are able to learn how to be a princess.why would they ever return to normalcy in the real world?
👑
This was an adorable early chapter book that empowers females be the lead in their own story. I love that it’s going to be a series because it’s going to connect with so many young readers.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

This book isn’t just a middle grade novel about fairy tales & princesses; it’s an empowering tale of being brave enough to write your own life story!

Mihi Ever After is such a cute middle grade book. I love that it’s about friendship and it’s a little darker than most fairytales.

A cute idea with a realistic twist. Mihi discovers that being a fairy tale princess may not be all she’s expecting it to be. I did enjoy the story but found Mihi a little whiny. She did grow out of it a little by the end of the story. I interested to see where the sequel will lead. Hopefully, all the characters have learned something from their first adventure.

I had high hopes for this but wasn't feeling it much by the end. I appreciate how the author tried to put a fresh spin and feminist twist to classic fairytales (loved the references), but keyword: tried.

Great themes and representation, but I just wasn't completely invested and nothing in particular wowed me. Similar to Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone by the author, it's somehow lacking that magic touch.

I was torn between 3 stars and 3.5 stars, but then I asked myself if I would rush to read to sequel and my answer is no. Overall, it's an entertaining but forgettable adventure-fantasy book that maybe younger audiences might enjoy better.

Note: I recommend reading a physical copy so that you can fully take in the beautiful grayscale illustrations. I decided to hold out for a physical copy at my library for this reason.

I love Tae Keller which may be part of why I didn't love this book. I was expecting her usual nuance and precise writing and this book was just kind of average. I think the message is nice and I love the diversity - especially having a "chubby" Asian American protagonist - but sometimes the writing was a little heavy handed and a little didactic. I think even younger middle grade readers are able to understand more than we give them credit for, and I don't know that we need to be quite so on the nose. That being said, I fell in love with Mini and saw a lot of myself in her. This is a fun fractured fairy tale novel that opens a series with an exciting start.

Mihi Ever After has immense potential, but falls slightly short. It isn't a bad book, by any means, but could use some editing. The main character reads as a bit younger and the story tends to stall in some places . Otherwise, however, it is a delightful tale with a lot of potential.

This one just didn't speak to me. The main character often acted younger than she is supposed to be. I think that's the main thing that threw me off. Oh, and you know, the bears at the cabin knocking the ten year olds out with the porridge equivalent of chloroform.... Idk. Seemed a little too dark for the age group it was targeting.

Are you interested in:
A middle grade novel that leans slightly towards the age group that still enjoys chapter books?
Hearing a different spin about what makes a princess while leaning on the fairytales that we all know well?

CUTE is the word that best describes this story. Mihi finds new friends after her former bestie tells her that she doesn’t fit the idea of a princess. The world she and her new friends encounter thereafter is nicely whimsical yet not fully encompassing of each of their needs. It should be interesting to catch up with these lingering points as the series progresses.

Tae Keller writes what is arguably the most beautiful prose on the current middle-grade market, and she brings all of her usual lyricism to her new middle-grade series. The writing style alone makes the story of Mihi and her friends--all of whom love princess stories and jump at the chance to become real princesses in a fairytale kingdom, even though none of them fits the "ideal" of what a princess should be, delightful. The story turns some fairy-tale tropes on their heads and challenges the presumption that certain types of stories (or character traits) are only for certain people. A worthy addition to the canon of middle-grade princess stories. Recommend to fans of Jessica Day George and E.D. Baker.

I really liked this book by Tae Keller. It was a very interesting take on a twisted fairy tale and honestly not one I have seen before which is saying alot as the market is currently flooded with them. It was easy to get attached to the characters and I could see girls this age banding together quickly, esp when they are all "outsiders". I was impressed with the character growth in all of them and felt the friendship was not forced and while actions were forgiven they were not forgotten which felt more realistic. I am excited to see where Keller takes the story from here.

Mihi Ever After is a portal fantasy of 3 friends entering a fairy tale world, in search of becoming princesses… but all is not how it seems….
Engaging, suspenseful, satisfying.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book.

I was head over heels for Tae Keller’s last book, Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone, and couldn’t wait for this one. Unfortunately, this one wasn’t for me. It
moved slowly and never grabbed me. Though I’m sure there are kids who will enjoy the fairy tale element, I struggled when thinking who
I would recommend this too.

Mihi has always dreamed of being a princess, but according to her (former) best friend, she doesn't really look like a princess. She gets a chance to prove herself when she and a two new friends stumble upon a magic portal into fairy tale land and get the opportunity to create their own happily ever afters. Things aren't all as they appear, however, and soon the three girls find themselves fighting against the dark sides of fairy tales. Mihi has to decide what she's willing to give up to become a real princess. She thought she'd do anything, but is it worth friends, family, home, and free choice?

This clever story is primarily focused on growing up and learning what really matters, but it touches on a few other meaningful themes. I loved the subtle way that Mihi's appearance and culture are mentioned. I wouldn't have minded a few more details on what each character looked like, not just the three main characters—not to focus on appearance but to notice it and the ways that racial profiles can influence people's opinions. Yet the small notes that Mihi didn't look like the "princess type" really hit home as a comment on what we expect of our fairy tales. I also really appreciated the way that this book turned fairy tales to a new light, showing them as both instruments of cultural stability and places where we need to see change. Overall, I really enjoyed this book as a quick read. It has so much action and creativity. I particularly appreciated the Healing Orchard and the cake decorating. Tae Keller hasn't disappointed me so far, and I'll be delighted to share this book with my students to open discussions about what it means to notice cultural differences without making people feel lesser.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I'm happy to know about this title. It's great for readers of the The Sister's Grimm and Whatever After series. But I didn't think there was enough character development to be on list.