Princess Mia

By: Meg Cabot

Narrated by: Clea Lewis

Length: 6 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling author Meg Cabot's charming and witty Princess Diaries series is a megahit with young listeners.

Being the crown princess of Genovia has never been easy for Mia. And if ruling a tiny country wasn't enough, she also has to deal with a broken heart after her true love Michael breaks up with her. So her parents send her to a therapist to at least get her out of bed. And just when she thinks things couldn't get any worse, she discovers a long buried secret that could affect her family forever.

©2008 Meg Cabot (P)2008 Recorded Books

Good story Great Narrator

Would you listen to Princess Mia again? Why?

Yes because its a really good story and i like how the Narrator does some parts

What was one of the most memorable moments of Princess Mia?

When Mia's boyfriend asks her to the prom with a ring.

Have you listened to any of Clea Lewis’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes and this one is as good as they always are

Any additional comments?

This series is a really good read and listen even though the movie was so far off.

Made me remember how I felt as a teenager

The sad, depressed Mia's emotions jumped right out and reminded me of my teenage years. So glad those years are in the past!

Surprising Growth

As a 55yo, former middle school teacher, that has always enjoyed YA fiction, listening to this series started out as fun escapism and has grown into true enjoyment of celebrating the adolescent experience. The great Meg Cabot has beautifully brought to life the development of a protagonist with depth and honesty. Sharing the trajectory of Mia’s life through her high school years rings true. This particular book addresses teen depression and the difficulties of maneuvering relationships with family, friends, and boys, resulting in personal growth. It is inspiring in its authenticity and presentation of feminine strength. Thank you.

Outstanding book in a strong series

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would unquestionably recommend this to anyone who enjoys entertaining reading (some don't, apparently--- go figure). Mia's struggle with depression (and her struggle with the diagnosis of depression) is real without being heavy-handed, and alternates between witty, charming, and (literally) laugh-out-loud funny, and even though I'm roughly three times the viewpoint character's age, completely identifiable. It takes me a moment to think of authors who can handle first-person as deftly as Cabot. Proust? McKinley?

What did you like best about this story?

Cabot's sense of humor can liven the dreariest day, and her consciousness of the social Umwelt of the crested North American teenager can lead to startling moments of eye-opening awareness. That's why I love her books in audio format--- I can look up and see the characters she describes all around me without interrupting the story.

Which character – as performed by Clea Lewis – was your favorite?

Clea Lewis is a more-than-competent narrator, but where she shines is in the delicious b*tchiness of the characters of Lilly Moscovitz and Her Imperious Highness, Grand-mere.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. Cabot's work is nourishing and delicious, craving-inducing even, but she doesn't take much digestion, if you'll forgive the stretched metaphor.

so funny

I lauaghed and snickered and empathized. Cabot made that teenager believable in extraordinary circumstances and Lewis delivered a very good performance.

Couldn’t get past the narrator

The voices were so juvenile I couldn’t listen any more. Made it through two chapters. I loved the movies but not this. Maybe the book is okay.

Bad narrator

I’ve read other books in the series and loved them, so I thought I’d enjoy this, too. The narrator’s voice was so annoying, I couldn’t even finish the first chapter.

Not appropriate for certain ages or settings

What disappointed you about Princess Mia?

The language that was used in a book for children, even though they are older children. The content was rather shallow.

What could Meg Cabot have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Kept it cleaner and more appropriate for middle school girls.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment