The Princess Diaries, Volume VIII: Princess on the Brink

Really great series for younger children. It goes through topics in an age-appropriate way and follows Mia as she is growing up.

I've been adicted to these books ever since I opened the princess diares 1. This book is a step up from the rest showing Mia going through real problems. She truly becomes an adult in this book. The ending is extremly good because it doesn't really end. Becuase I'm so adicted to these books, I was overjoyed when I knew Meg wasn't done just yet. I'm was really happy reading this book and I'll be the first in line for the next.

In the latest installment, Princess on the Brink, we skip ahead to the beginning of Mia's junior year where things are looking up for her... that is, until they come crashing down. Not only does Mia have to deal with student body government again and suffer through another one of Mrs. Martinez's "biased" English classes, but she's got to contend with even harder math and science classes, and to make it even worse -- Michael's leaving for Japan! Top this off with Mia finally coming to a decision on the S-E-X issue (with rather disastrous results), JP showing us more than ever where his true intentions lie, and a Grandmere who is even more demanding and entertaining than ever -- and you have one unforgettable addition to your Princess Diaries collection. I really, truly enjoyed reading Princess on the Brink, but I've noticed that a lot of people are voicing their disappointment with its cliffhanger ending and Mia's unresolved problems with Michael. However, it is precisely those things that make this one of the best and most memorable Princess Diaries books to date. Meg Cabot breaks away from her typical "Mia has a problem, Mia frets, Mia's problem is resolved by the end of the book" formula. In this volume, Mia doesn't have the perfect plan to fix everything; she doesn't have all the answers. In fact, a lot of her actions in the book are immature, unhinged, and even foolish -- revealing her to be your average 16 year-old girl muddling through life. It just goes to show now more than ever that being a princess will not fix everything for you. I found it a refreshing change for Meg Cabot to present obstacles that were not magically overcome by the end of the book. It shows that not all of life's problems can be neatly wrapped up by the last page, and it makes me look forward to the next volume even more. I just wish that it weren't so far away!

Junior year seems to be very promising for Mia --- no more student body president and she still has her one true love, Michael. But what she doesn't know is how much of a disaster junior year can really be. Mia's studies always have been somewhat of an issue for her. She can write very well, so why has the administration placed her in Intro to Creative Writing? To add insult to injury, Mia's teacher is constantly on her back about simple things, making her feel less than the writer she knows she truly is. And she also has to take Precalculus and Chemistry. But at least her friend Kenny (who just happens to like her) is in the same Chemistry class and can help her pass again this year. Lilly's boyfriend J.P. is also a classmate, but that might not be necessarily a good thing; she just doesn't know it yet. As if things can't get any worse, Mia's best friend Lilly has decided to nominate Mia once more for student body president. Who asked her? And her new strategy leaves something to be desired. She has made Mia seem like a complete save-the-world-or-you're-going-to-regret-voting-for-me nominee. Go figure. Why doesn't Lilly just run herself? Alas, Mia can take it --- as long as she has Lilly's brother Michael, the only boy she ever truly has been in love with. Nothing can tear them apart. When Michael tells her the news of his invention being picked up by a company in Japan, Mia is ecstatic. But what she doesn't like is the fact that he'll be going over there for more than a year to oversee production. What about her? And who cares if he's doing it for their future? What started out as a picture-perfect school year has turned into the junior year from Hades, and Mia can't handle it. Not to mention her princess lessons, whining grandmother and uneventful days after she flies off the handle and breaks up with Michael. Who said life for a princess was easy? Things get just a tad worse when J.P. breaks up with Lilly, and Mia accidentally kisses him...in front of Michael. Is there no end to the drama? Someone throw her a lifeline, and quick! She definitely needs one. Meg Cabot does it again with her newest Princess Diaries book. Witty, delightfully funny and real-life experiences continually draw you into the world of Princess Mia Thermopolis. Instead of giving you an unrealistic picture in which everything is perfect, Cabot does the opposite, introducing you to an ordinary teenager. Who cares that she's a princess? They have regular issues too, right? Stay tuned for more of Mia's adventures in the next installment. You won't be disappointed. --- Reviewed by Belinda Williams.

I finished this book earlier today and let me tell you, I was positively FLOORED by the ending! (I'm not revealing anything...you have to buy a copy and read it for yourself!) I can't WAIT until January 2008 for the next book! It's too LONG! But I guess I'll have to wait, since Meg says on her messageboard that book IX opens the day after book VIII (which means no continuing the tradition of "half books"). At any rate, I give BIG kudos to Meg for making such a page-turning book (along with the seventh book) and thank her for FINALLY leaving us with a big cliffhanger! (Yes, THANK...this is the first time I've actually been IMPATIENT to get to the next book!)

Following on a couple of months after the end of 'Seventh Heaven' (or 'Party Princess' depending on which version you have), this chronicles Mia's hilarious story for the 8th (!!) book. Lilly wants Mia to run for Student Council President... AGAIN. Mia discovers a secret about her dad (which, to be honest, we all saw it coming...), Mia comes to a big decision about where her and Michael's relationship is going, but not before Michael announces he's going away... FOR A YEAR OR MORE!!! This, as always, gave me loads of laughs. It's maybe a little more grown-up than the previous Princess Diaries books, but that's not a bad thing!! I bought this on a Sunday and (after quickly finishing book 7) I had read the whole thing in less than 1 day. This has quickly become probably my favourite Princess Diaries book yet. It has enough humour AND drama to keep me interested, and the plot goes a bit further than the other books. What I mean by that is, some of the previous books tend to start with a new 'problem' for Mia and then by the end of the book it gets sorted out in one way or another. But some of the issues in the 8th book will have to get carried on to book 9 and maybe even book 10. So by the time I'd finished book 8 I was really impatient to read book 9! If you liked the earlier books in the series you'll definatley want to check this one out. I started reading the Princess Diaries series when I was 10 or 11, and I'm now 15! I know I won't want to go on reading nothing waiting around for book number 9 to come out, so if you're like me and want to read something else inbetween books 8 and 9, here's what I'd recommend: by Louise Rennison: 'Confessions of Georgia Nicholson' series (this series has 7 books to it so far) by Sue Limb: 'Girl' series (I think this has either 4 or 5 books out so far) by Meg Cabot: 'Mediator' series (all the books from this series have been released - 6 in total.) 'Teen Idol' (single book, not part of a series) 'Avalon High' (single book, not part of a series)