[Loerwyn]

I've set this up to discuss the Princess series by Jim C. Hines, which starts with The Stepsister Scheme.
Before I start my views, I'd just like to ask that people spoiler tag things so that it's not ruined for those who aren't as far in the series or for those who haven't started yet. If you're unsure how, just ask :)

So, I've just finished The Stepsister Scheme and I'm absolutely buzzing about it. I do have a few minor complaints, however, but it's still one of the best (if not the very best) books I've read this year, possibly in the past year or so. It's rare for me to read a book as quickly as this (2-3 days at most, I think), and even rarer for me to actually lie on my bed in the middle of the afternoon to read, which I feel is a testament to just how good the book is. When The Mermaid's Madness arrives, I think I'm just going to turn my PC off, get a cup of tea and read it all day :D
I feel it's only fair to spoiler tag most of my thoughts, so sorry for those who haven't read it. I'll give a brief 'thought' so you can skip the spoilers if you're so inclined.
Basically, this book is brilliant. I wouldn't give it to someone who's, say, between 11 and 13 because some of the themes are a little... Young Adult, I think is a good term. It's not a long read, nor is it a hard read. But it's fun, engaging and the action barely stops once it gets going.

What I loved
Talia! She's an amazing character, and I felt Jim did a really good job with creating her. I was honestly surprised when it turned out that she was interested in Snow, and the brief scene where she kisses her (to wake her from a sleeping spell) was lovely. I still have that slightly fuzzy feeling from it :D
It wrangled my emotions a little, too. I was laughing out loud at some of the comical bits, whilst the others made me smile. But when Talia revealed that her curse had been broken by the pain of childbirth, her impregnation being the result of 'her Prince' raping her whilst she was asleep - Talia's Sleeping Beauty, of course - a lot of things clicked into place. It explained why she doesn't want to sleep, why she dislikes men and why her attitude is like it is. Another time I really cared for her is when Rose/Stacia removed Talia's powers, and she suddenly became vulnerable and weak. I felt that was fairly powerful.
I really liked her character though, and early on I was thinking "She's my kinda gal". Her personality contrasts those of Danielle and Snow, but at the same time she compliments them.

What I didn't like
The blurb ruined way too much. The Pigeon event could have been funnier if not mentioned, Danielle's pregnancy could have been a shock if it wasn't mentioned and I felt the inclusion of "... and taken to the realm of the Fairies" just removed a lot of the point of the book.
Another minor niggle is actually Snow's bosom. Sounds very odd, but hear me out. Jim constantly refers to it and I got a little bored. Yes, she's got an ample chest, but we don't need to be reminded every two pages. I think the cover artist (Scott Fischer, I believe) didn't get this across enough. It sounds very 'pervy', but Snow's chest did not come across in the cover - But it's, shall we say, a fairly major part of her character.
There were a few bits where I got completely lost as to what was going on (such as when did Talia mount her flying horse thing? She just appeared on one before they set off for the Duchess' tower/cave), but for the most part I knew what was happening. The fight with Talia, Danielle and Brahkop got a little busy and confusing, but luckily I managed to get a good idea of what happened.


I do have a question though, for those who've read The Stepsister Scheme, because my memory completely fails me on this point.
The curse that caused Snow to be asleep in the glass coffin for a month; was it just a kiss that was needed or was it a "love infused kiss"? I can't remember if the love has to be mutual (which would imply that Snow harbors feelings for Talia), or if just the kisser has to be in love

[algernoninc]

I've read the book, and I enjoyed it greatly but without taking it seriously or trying to find hidden meanings or profound messages in it. I would even say for me Goblin Quest is the better book.

[KatG]

I love his Goblin trilogy more and that has more satire in it, but The Stepsister Scheme has some great bits to it, and yes, Talia is its shining gem. (Red Hood's Revenge, due out this summer, is going to be very Talia-centric.) He's playing with folklore in a highly effective way, I think, and does what he does best, which is create engaging characters. My favorite part was actually what he did with the seven dwarfs.

Even his bad guys are complex and interesting. A lot of his male Goblin fans were a bit reluctant to try a series about princesses, but then did, and are now enthusiasts. It's definitely not Disney, and there are dark themes, but it's not a bleak series either. Hines is building up a reputation as one of the big names in comic fantasy.

To answer your question:

The kisser has to be truly in love with the kissed for the kiss to work to break the spell, and Talia loves Snow. The kissed doesn't have to be in love back.

[Loerwyn]

Aww, that answer's a bit of a shame, Kat. But still, I'm hoping that:
Snow somehow finds out and happiness happens, it could have a positive impact on Talia's character (as long as she stayed fairly grumpy and so forth, but lightened up a little more from time to time). Part of me, if it doesn't happen, will actually be a little disappointed if it doesn't, because Jim has the possibility for something amazingly beautiful with them.

I've not read the Goblin series (The Stepsister Scheme's my first Hines book) but I'm hoping it's rereleased over here by the time the fourth Princess book is out, because from what I've ascertained the Goblin series is fairly expensive - At least for their size.

*grumbles at Amazon for not dispatching The Mermaid's Madness yet*

[KatG]

Yeah, except that Snow isn't gay. I've gone along with a certain amount of shady orientation switching in my time -- I put up with Joss Whedon making completely heterosexual Willow suddenly gay on Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the magic did it!,) because it was a beautiful storyline and taught my kid about gay rights -- but homosexuality is not really like a light switch that you can flip on and off. And Hines, who is very much pro-women's rights, respects that, I think. So I don't think Talia is going to find happiness with man-loving Snow, though Snow loves her and is not unaware of her feelings. At least, I actually hope not, because I don't think it's a good idea. But there are going to be four books altogether, so you'll be able to see what he does.

The Goblin books are regular mass market paperbacks over our side of the pond. Maybe you can get a cheaper import? I'm surprised they're hard to get in Britain; they are beloved in Germany.

[Seegee]

Going on Dwagginz recommendation I got The Stepsister Scheme. It does look interesting. I couldn't get past the first Goblin book, though. It was really hard going, a cliched, one joke book. I hope Hines' has grown as a writer since then. Goblin Hero was his first book.

[Loerwyn]

Yeah, except that Snow isn't gay. I've gone along with a certain amount of shady orientation switching in my time -- I put up with Joss Whedon making completely heterosexual Willow suddenly gay on Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the magic did it!,) because it was a beautiful storyline and taught my kid about gay rights -- but homosexuality is not really like a light switch that you can flip on and off. And Hines, who is very much pro-women's rights, respects that, I think. So I don't think Talia is going to find happiness with man-loving Snow, though Snow loves her and is not unaware of her feelings. At least, I actually hope not, because I don't think it's a good idea. But there are going to be four books altogether, so you'll be able to see what he does.

I never meant she should be, well, gay/lesbian. She could have feelings for Talia whilst preferring men, if that makes sense? Well, we'll see what happens in book 3 and 4 (and 2 for me). I still get a funny feeling when I think of Talia though! I don't think any character has "affected" me this much, which is odd.

The Goblin books are regular mass market paperbacks over our side of the pond. Maybe you can get a cheaper import? I'm surprised they're hard to get in Britain; they are beloved in Germany.
I might have to. The Mermaid's Madness was hard enough to get (Amazon, one book in stock! Book Depository also had it, I think), so it looks like importing is my only option for now.
I think my copy of The Stepsister Scheme must be an import because there's no UK pricing on it, so it could be that Amazon imported a batch of them from DAW.

[Alex]

his goblin series is nothing short of brilliant. I was actually laughing out loud on the subway several times earning me some strange looks from my fellow passengers=)

[Loerwyn]

Yay! The Mermaid's Madness dispatched this afternoon. Beaming with joy :D

[redhead]

I read Hines Stepsister Scheme when it came out, and wasn't all that impressed. I had a tough time taking it seriously. It's too bad, the book had a lot of things I gravitate towards: physical humor, action, and dark situations. Perhaps I didn't care for how Hines put it all together?

Dwaggins, I agree whole heartedly about the things that you didn't like. The action/fight scenes at the end of the book could have been clearer, among other annoyances.

Kat, I completely agree with you about your favorite part. I thought that was brilliant, why wasn't it a bigger part of the story?