Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

The rise and re-education of an unlikely champion by the author of Ella Enchanted.Blunt and competitive, unpopular Peregrine seeks the approval of her adoptive parents, Lady Klausine and Lord Tove. Raised to believe in Lakti superiority and that the conquered Bamarre are "lucky to be ruled by us," Peregrine discovers she was born a Bamarre. Reluctant to don the symbolic green tassel of servitude—the only visible difference between the otherwise racially indistinguishable two groups, members of which may be either "pale or dark"—15-year-old Peregrine proves her valor in battle but must flee Tove's wrath. Relying on her surly maid (and birth sister), Annet, Peregrine seeks refuge with her peasant birth family yet finds she is equally ill-suited to being a cooperative, courteous Bamarre—except for her love of poetry. When the Lakti deem the Bamarre servants/serfs "beings" but not "people" and impose outrageous restrictions, Peregrine seeks freedom for the Bamarre, even if it means fighting monsters both magical…and human. Peregrine's significant social shortcomings set her apart from the current plethora of martial heroines, and the requisite romance—with a love interest beset by various temporary physical impediments (deafness, blindness)—is wistful but not melodramatic. Levine riffs gently on "Rapunzel" and delivers an arch appraisal of discrimination and bigotry, cloaked in a magical, medieval, vaguely European fairy-tale setting. A captivating and charming adventure sure to please young readers and longtime fans. (Fantasy. 8-14)

ALA Booklist (Wed Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 2017)

The Lakti are a warrior people, a kingdom of conquerors. To them, their Bamarre neighbors are cowards, fit only to be servants. Peregrine is the Lakti daughter of a favored couple, warm Lord Tove, who nurtures deep prejudices against the Bamarre, and cool, watchful Lady Klausine. Perry doesn't question things; she trains in the battle arts and pays little attention to the Bamarre servants. But when she is visited by a fairy, Perry learns that she's not a Lakti but a Bamarre, stolen at birth by her childless mother. Perry can choose to forget what she knows and live her life as a Lakti or embrace her heritage and help her true people escape tyranny. Levine slips seamlessly back into the world of The Two Princesses of Bamarre (2001), and readers will recognize more than a few magical objects. This balances elements of Rapunzel and a smart, timely exploration of the prejudices that exist between people, and fans of Levine will rejoice to watch the journey of another strong, flawed heroine.

Horn Book (Sun Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

In a prequel to The Two Princesses of Bamarre, Peregrine is proud of the Lakti identity: strength, courage, and natural superiority over the Bamarre who serve them. But when the fairy Halina divulges that Perry is actually a Bamarre, she questions everything she knows to be true. Perry's moving transformation brings into sharp focus the part that ignorance plays in racism.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

The rise and re-education of an unlikely champion by the author of Ella Enchanted.Blunt and competitive, unpopular Peregrine seeks the approval of her adoptive parents, Lady Klausine and Lord Tove. Raised to believe in Lakti superiority and that the conquered Bamarre are "lucky to be ruled by us," Peregrine discovers she was born a Bamarre. Reluctant to don the symbolic green tassel of servitude—the only visible difference between the otherwise racially indistinguishable two groups, members of which may be either "pale or dark"—15-year-old Peregrine proves her valor in battle but must flee Tove's wrath. Relying on her surly maid (and birth sister), Annet, Peregrine seeks refuge with her peasant birth family yet finds she is equally ill-suited to being a cooperative, courteous Bamarre—except for her love of poetry. When the Lakti deem the Bamarre servants/serfs "beings" but not "people" and impose outrageous restrictions, Peregrine seeks freedom for the Bamarre, even if it means fighting monsters both magical…and human. Peregrine's significant social shortcomings set her apart from the current plethora of martial heroines, and the requisite romance—with a love interest beset by various temporary physical impediments (deafness, blindness)—is wistful but not melodramatic. Levine riffs gently on "Rapunzel" and delivers an arch appraisal of discrimination and bigotry, cloaked in a magical, medieval, vaguely European fairy-tale setting. A captivating and charming adventure sure to please young readers and longtime fans. (Fantasy. 8-14)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

A prequel to Levine-s The Two Princesses of Bamarre, this story draws on elements of that book, including appearances from the fabled hero Drualt and the magical -seven league- boots, but is set generations earlier. Fifteen-year-old Peregrine, aka Perry, has been raised by stern but loving Lakti parents, trained in the art of war, and served by the conquered people of Bamarre. After being visited by the fairy Halina, Perry discovers that her ancestry is Bamarre, a truth her mother has kept hidden. When Perry-s father learns of her origins, Perry must flee or lose her life. In an attempt to save the Bamarre, she lives disguised among them and must confront her learned biases and rally her people against the authoritarian Lakti government. Perry-s struggle to reconcile her father-s love for her with his deep hatred of the Bamarre resonates, as does her burgeoning and nuanced definition of strength. Her growing awareness of prejudice and ethnocentrism is insightful and believable; readers will easily connect her journey to their own experiences. Ages 8-12. Agent: Ginger Knowlton, Curtis Brown. (May)

School Library Journal (Mon May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2017)

Gr 5-8Action and adventure abound in this fantasy novel about a young woman whose life is upended when she learns the truth about her past. Set in the same world as Levine's The Two Princesses of Bamarre, but generations earlier, this story follows the struggles of 15-year-old Peregrine (Perry), the adopted daughter of the powerful Lord Tove and Lady Klausine. Perry is socially awkward but athletically gifted and craves attention from her stern Lakti parents, members of the ruling class who dole their affection out in small doses. Just before her first trip to the battlefield, Perry is visited by a fairy who tells her that she is not part of the Lakti ruling class but Bamarre born. Bamarre people are oppressed by and made to serve the Lakti, who treat them with disdain and tell stories of their weakness. When Lord Tove discovers the truth about Perry's birth, he imprisons her in a tower. Armed with magical seven league boots, Perry escapes and begins a new life. While living in disguise with her Bamarre birth parents, she resolves to rescue her newfound people from the tyranny of the Lakti, eventually sparking a rebellion. Levine plays with the "Rapunzel" story here, giving Perry magical hair and placing her in a familiar medieval setting. Despite a few moments of awkwardness in the text, the action moves along swiftly and Perry's moral awakening is ultimately satisfying. VERDICT With its relevant commentary on race and prejudice and its strong female lead, this newest addition to Levine's oeuvre will appeal to the author's followers and fantasy fans.Kristy Pasquariello, Wellesley Free Library, MA