The Princess Search

A Retelling of The Ugly Duckling (Four Kingdoms Series, Book 5)

By: Melanie Cellier

Narrated by: Esther Wane

An outcast. A prince. And a deadly rebellion....

After a lifetime of rejection, seamstress Evie can't trust Frederic, the crown prince of Lanover - not his words of friendship or the way the warmth in his eyes seems to ask for even more. But when they end up on a tour of his kingdom - one filled with increasing danger - Evie's mistrust might doom them all.

In this spin on the classic fairy tale, an ugly duckling must discover her true worth in order to save her kingdom and maybe even find true love.

©2018 Melanie Cellier (P)2020 Tantor

Great!

I love this collection of fairy tale retellings and this last book definitely did not disappoint. I loved the characters and the descriptions of the different parts of the Lanover kingdom. The narrator was enjoyable to listen to. I can't wait for the next series!

Good series

I have been caught up in this series all week. I listened to all 5 books, and will start the next box series as well. I love fairy tale retellings and listening to books with accents different than my own so I enjoyed the narration, however the narrator tends to swallow very loudly during pauses, I think this is a personal annoyance that maybe only I notice. Occasionally I have to skip back bc her voice becomes background noise, but otherwise, great stories!

Beautiful stories

Fun and lighthearted, yet still powerful and full of passion and hope. Just what I needed right now.

My absolute favorite!

This is my favorite book in the entire series (and possibly of all time.) There is the perfect amount of romance, humor & action, and the characters are all so lovable! Celine is such a star, and it makes sense why she’s popular enough to basically be mentioned in every book going forward, she truly is a gem. Cassian is the perfect right hand man, and I judge books not only on the swoon-worthy princes, but also on how well their wingman is written. The only thing that could make this book better was if it was longer!!

Book Review: The Princess Search by Melanie Cellier

The Princess Search is a brilliant blend of romance, intrigue, and self-discovery, set against the rich tapestry of a fairy-tale world. Melanie Cellier once again proves herself a master of weaving heartfelt narratives with powerful character development in this fourth installment of The Four Kingdoms spin-off series, The Elven Alliance.

The story follows Evie, a commoner with a gift for tailoring and a painful past, who is unexpectedly swept into royal politics when she is chosen to accompany Prince Dominic on a royal tour. What begins as a political mission soon turns into a thrilling journey filled with unexpected danger, courtly secrets, and a slow-burning romance that is equal parts tender and gripping.

Evie is a standout heroine—clever, compassionate, and determined. She is not a warrior or a typical royal, yet her resilience and honesty make her a force to be reckoned with. Watching her grow into her confidence and find a place of belonging—both within herself and in the world around her—is one of the book’s most rewarding aspects. Her relationship with Dominic unfolds with delightful tension and emotional depth, offering readers a slow-burn love story that is both swoon-worthy and genuinely earned.

Cellier’s world-building continues to shine, expanding the universe of the Four Kingdoms with lush descriptions and immersive cultures. There’s a wonderful balance between courtly etiquette, political intrigue, and the quiet magic of human connection. While the story stands well on its own, fans of the series will appreciate the cameos from familiar characters and the continued exploration of themes like justice, compassion, and courage.

The Princess Search is more than just a fairy tale—it’s a story about healing, trust, and the strength it takes to choose hope in the face of fear. It’s a must-read for fans of clean fantasy romance, empowering female leads, and uplifting adventures with a heart.

Rating: 5/5 stars
Enchanting, emotional, and endlessly satisfying—a fairy-tale journey you won’t want to end.