A really sweet, fun adventure. Three young girls, who have been told they don't fit the princess mold, head off to a magical land where fairy tales are real. They're in search of their chance to become real princesses.

The audio narrator was decent, but I don't think she was the right choice for this book. Her pronunciations of Korean words put the emphasis in the wrong places, making it sound awkward. Publishers should hire voice actors of the same nationality and race as the book's main characters.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* this was surprising darker than i thought it would be lol in a good way though. really looking forward to the next book!

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.

For the most part, I enjoyed the narration of this book. Some of the voices were a little high and hard to listen to but this is always a possibility when trying to voice children.

The story was interesting. It was like The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe meets Disney which created a fun take on princess stories. I like that Mihi eventually realizes that her dream of becoming a princess in not worth the risks to herself and her friends.

I loved this! I thought it was going to be similar to the Whatever After series, and it kind of was, but it was also REALLY different, which I loved! I loved the friendship and the moral lessons, the idea that fairy tales aren’t always what they’re cracked up to be, and the fact that she brought to the forefront how lacking in diversity fairy tales tend to be, which in turn makes non-white little kids think they “aren’t princess material.” I’m definitely excited for the next one!

Everything about this book - from the story to the book cover - is simply adorable!

I know I said recently (yesterday, in fact) that "I hate when adult narrators attempt a childlike voice, because it never sounds like anything other than an adult pretending badly." Yes, that's a direct quote, and yes, I take it back. Triya Leong needs to be at the top of everyone's narration hire list. I firmly believed until looking her up after finishing the audiobook that she is in her teens, because she nails a younger voice. A realistic young-sounding narrator who does silly voices makes such a world of difference for the story.

Not that the story itself needs help. Mihi is an utterly lovable adventurous main character who dreams big. She makes instant friends with two other girls at school, and they immediately set off into a magical world. The trio meets characters from familiar stories and faces a host of fairytale trappings: singing, a dangerous forest, talking animals, and more. Older feminine princesses are contrasted with newer independent heroines, and neither preference is condemned. Woven throughout their adventure is a journey of identity and navigating others' expectations, with a message of affirmation and empowerment. The girls push back against a narrative that says they aren't the "princess type" or that they are limited to existing princesses that look like them. It's beautiful!

*spoiler* It's a little thing, but I love that Mihi is able to recognize the importance of putting her friends first without pretending that her princess dream doesn't matter to her anymore. Heartfelt desires don't just disappear because you make the right choice, like so many stories prefer to tidily conclude.

This is a good option for middle-graders who were obsessed with the princesses in their early years, or as a read-out-loud option for the early primary levels.

Mihi and her friends find that being a princess is not all they thought it would be. There is more than the prescribed princess pathway to achieve a happily ever after. Friendship, bravery to do what is right, and just being themselves are underrated in the princess realm. There are fantasy, adventure, and sleuthing elements throughout, with the ending tied up neatly in a bow and ready for a sequel.

I loved this middle grade fantasy. Mihi and her group of friends fall into the adventure of a lifetime. Or is it? They end up into a fairytale world that wants to get rid of them. These young friends reminded me of myself. I loved them and their story. I would recommend this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners for accepting my request to audibly read and review Mihi Ever After.

Author: Tae Keller
Published: 11/08/2022
Narrator: Triya Leong
Genre: Children's Fiction

From the here and now, through the portal, and back -- adorable. Young kids struggling with the balance of friendships and self confidences enter a portal where various fairy tales are alive and somewhat different than we have been led to believe.

The narration was really enjoyable.

There are lessons learned in their travels and lessons that can be taught reading.

Absolutely giftable.

This female-centered lower middle grade adventurous fantasy is full of lessons about being yourself, writing your own life story, and finding your power. The differences in how the characters view the world add to the story. This book starts out in a school library but spends most of its time in the realm of fairy tales and magic. Mihi and her friends overcome obstacles and traverse a strange land. I recommend this book by Newbery award winning author Tae Keller.

Triya Leong’s voice is perfect in the audiobook version of this middle grade fantasy adventure. Her youthful timbre and cadence make the story flow smoothly. Leong’s distinctive voices make it easy to keep track of the characters. Her expression and pacing are spot on!

Tae Keller’s first entry in a new series features Mihi Whan Park who is a huge fan of princesses. Yet, people keep telling her she’s not the princess type. When she and two girls who just might turn out to be friends fall into a fairy tale realm, will they become princesses? Keller’s inclusive writing will be a real empathy builder and fits perfectly in a middle school library’s diverse book collection. Students of Asian descent who love princesses will be happy to see themselves in this book. Not everything is as it seems.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this audio arc in exchange for an honest review.

Have you ever wished you were someone you aren't or looked different? Well MIHI does and ends up in a fairy tale land, literally. Does she end up in her own fairytale or eaten by the 3 bears? You will need to read this book and find out what happens and what Fairy tale land is really like. This was a good book to remind us to embrace who we are and what we look like as if we were all alike then the world would be a boring place.

A middle grade fantasy about a Korean American girl, Mihi, who feels like she is a princess with her parents being a king and queen of a faraway land. I loved this one and it really touched my heart, especially the portrayal of experiences of Asian Americans have experienced as well as the lack of representation seen in movies and TV shows and fairytales which makes them as well as others feel that Asian Americans look too different to be "princess types."

I loved the magic/ fairytales turn this book took. It was really fun and interesting to imagine the world as well as the characters. It was also interesting reading about princess-hood and the competition between the trio about who will become the princess. It showed a lot of the trials in the growing friendship between the three and Mihi's journey between figuring out what is more important to her: her friends or becoming a princess, and the journey to get back home safely with her friends.

I would highly recommend this book to young readers!