How to Rescue a Dead Princess

Jeff Strand
Mundania Press (2006)
ISBN 1594264538
Reviewed by Ellen Hogan for Reader Views (1/07)

This is the story of a squire named Randall, who along with Sir William, was to escort Princess Janice on a diplomatic journey of the utmost importance. However, on the way Princess Janice gets killed and Sir William gets incapacitated.  So, it is up to Randall to find a way to bring Princess Janice back to life and get his friend Sir William hail and hearty.  In the Realm of Mystery, Randall meets Grysh who tells him if he gets the Necklace of Power she will be able to return Janice back to life. But besides the necklace she will need the breath of a sleeping maiden, the toenail of Jestina the Ogre and the eyebrow of the legendary berserker Shreddriff.

Off goes Randall in search of the necessary items to help his friends. Along the way he meets a bug who helps him in his quest. Then he is taken in by four men who are trying to kill the King. Rick, Maverick, Frederick and Roderick of the two daggers decide that Randall can help them by getting close to the King and gaining his confidence. Randall wants no part of their dastardly deed.  Randall does meet the King and relays that the Princess and Sir William are lost in the Forest of Death. After some misunderstandings Randall was on his way once more to help his friends.

Randall meets Jack and after his debacle with the beanstalk went along with him. They meet a maiden Yvonne at a brothel and take her with them too.  So, they now have the maiden's breath. Through the rest of the story Randall, Yvonne, Jack and Bug travel to get the other things needed to save Randall's friends.

The characters were very likeable and quirky. You could not wait to see what they were going to get into next because there was a disaster just waiting to happen to them.  Through it all though, everything would come right in the end.  “How to Rescue a Dead Princess” was humorous and cute and a very lighthearted read. I enjoyed it very much. Would I recommend it? Yes, it was quick and very entertaining.

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