This post may contain affiliate links that allow me to make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Genre: ✨ Non-Magical Fantasy | Age: 👧🏼 Middle Grade (8+) | Buy: Amazon or Bookshop.org | ⭐ See star rating

---

Princess Juniper asks for her own country for her thirteenth nameday and is surprised when her father gives her one! She gathers up a group of children to take with her to get started.

👧🏼 Realistic Struggles for Her Age

Princess Juniper is spunky and brave, but still a realistic thirteen-year-old. Thirteen is considered an adult in this world, so it’s not too much of a stretch for her to ask for her own country.

The way she builds her kingdom is a lot of fun. She finds an adviser early on, and they work together to find kids who can fulfill all the different roles they have thought of.

I loved how Juniper took what she learned watching her father to plan her kingdom and asked for help in the areas she needed it. She also went through a bit of a “sour patch” in response to the stress of starting her kingdom.

I could feel her pain, though, as much of the conflict was caused by her lazy and manipulative cousin.

Juniper learned some really great lessons by the end, and I really appreciated how everything turned out.

🏞 Beautiful World-Building

Entering into the space that would be Princess Juniper’s new kingdom was my favorite part of this story.

The descriptions were beautiful. The layout of the land was interesting. The little homes were adorable. And the great tree at the center was just delightful.

This was one of those fantasy worlds that I would love to explore. And it was fun to do so in my imagination.

❓Questions without Answers

Princess Juniper faced so many obstacles in setting up her kingdom!

Some of the situations were easily handled and everyone could move on. But some questions about other things that happened were never actually answered.

This, of course, is to make you read the next book, and it seems like a pretty good reason to me! Continuing the series is not high on my priority list, but I do hope to get to it someday.

🦉Who Would Like This Book

You will probably like this book if you like:

• royal or princess stories
• a clever plot
• preteens who act their age but aren’t annoying
• beautiful fantasy settings.

I hope you enjoy this one!

📚 Follow on Goodreads.
📌 Follow on Pinterest.
📷 Follow on Instagram.
✒ Follow on Substack Notes.
💜 Share this post with a friend. 💜
🤖 Always written and edited without the use of AI.

Get the extra paid perks in The Cottage Membership. Find out how to join by subscribing:

Shop this post