The Wolf Princess

by Cathryn Constable

Overview

A captivating, atmospheric mystery set in the crystalline winterland of Russia.

Abandoned in a blinding blizzard in the wintry wilds of Russia, Sophie Smith fears for her life. But just like in a fairy tale, a princess comes to her rescue: the beautiful, exotic Anna Volkonskaya. Over a river of ice in a horse-drawn sleigh, she brings Sophie and her friends to a magnificent, if weathered, winter palace. At first, Sophie is enchanted by Princess Anna's stories of long-ago royalty, of white wolves and gray diamonds. But when the princess takes a particular interest in her, Sophie grows concerned. What is her place in the sinister mystery that surrounds her? Even as the wind and wolves howl outside, is she more in danger now, a prisoner of the palace, than she ever was lost in the snow?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780545528405
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	09/24/2013
Sold by:	Scholastic, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	320
Lexile:	650L (what's this?)
File size:	7 MB
Age Range:	10 - 14 Years

About the Author

Cathryn Constable is a journalist whose articles have appeared in Tatler and the Sunday Times, among other publications. Her debut novel was The Wolf Princess. She is married, with three children, and lives in London, England.

Read an Excerpt

From THE WOLF PRINCESSSophie felt a rush of excitement. For once, something extraordinary was happening to her: She had been invited to stay with a Russian princess!Princess Anna Feodorovna Volkonskaya played with the gray diamond rings, then slipped one off and slid it onto Sophie's middle finger."I can't!" Sophie said. "I can't possibly accept anything so valuable!" She felt panicky. What would her friends think? They knew she had nothing of value to her name. They might think...oh, it would be horrid...that she had stolen the ring. No. Better not to take such things."It was a gift to me. And now I am giving it to you. Is this not what friends do?" The princess's gray eyes looked cold. "You would make me feel unhappy if you don't accept it.""But--""One day you will give me something in return," the princess said. She sounded very certain.

Editorial Reviews

11/01/2013
Gr 5–8—Next to fashionable Delphine and bookish Marianne, English orphan Sophie is easy to overlook. Her clothes are worn and drab, her guardian doesn't want to deal with her, and her school's headmistress is constantly on her case. But on a school trip to St. Petersburg, the girls find themselves abruptly abandoned in a snowy wonderland. Soon, they meet a beautiful and mysterious princess who seems especially taken with Sophie. Swept away to her icy palace, the three are pampered and entertained until they begin to suspect that the princess has ulterior motives. The breathtaking, wintry setting brings this old-fashioned fairy tale to life. Readers can practically hear the howling winds, the cry of the wolves, and the silent beauty of moonlit snowfall. The story moves slowly at times, but patient readers will enjoy the Russian history and wonder what Princess Anna is hiding. Savvy readers will likely guess Sophie's true identity long before Sophie does, but the predictable plot doesn't detract from the story. The Wolf Princess will appeal most to strong female readers looking to curl up with a dark tale on a cold, wintry night.—Leigh Collazo, Ed Willkie Middle School, Fort Worth, TX

School Library Journal

09/30/2013
Constable's fantasy debut depicts a fiercely romantic Russia, "a world made out of winter." Sophie Smith is a bored student and neglected orphan who attends the New Bloomsbury College for Young Ladies in England. Perpetually self-conscious about her impoverished roots and low social standing, Sophie is baffled when a wealthy and mysterious visitor from St. Petersburg is drawn to her, whisking Sophie (and her two friends) away on a trip to Russia—ostensibly to draw new students to enroll at New Bloomsbury. But the girls are abandoned at a hut in the Russian countryside and saved by Princess Anna Feodorovna Volkonskaya, who invites them to her winter palace where there are far more questions than answers. Why aren't they allowed to speak to the servants? What are the princess's motives for lavishing Sophie with attention? And, most importantly, are they guests or hostages? Constable's lyrical storytelling creates a hypnotic realm of ice, and from this mythical setting emerges a message about rising above one's circumstances and discovering a sense of belonging. Ages 10–14. Agent: Hilary Delamere, the Agency (U.K.). (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

Praise for The Wolf Princess :

"A very special debut with a spellbinding fairytale ambiance. Contemporary but deliciously nostalgic..." -- The Bookseller UK

"Constable's passion for Russia comes across vividly; she knows you have only to give reality a slight push to make it marvelous. A classic winter's tale." -- The Financial Times

"Adventure, mystery, a touch of romance; elements of fairy tale, good triumphing over bad; best friends; a gorgeous horse -- and wolves to boot. Timeless." -- Books for Keeps

“Lyrical storytelling.”—Publishers Weekly
 
“Breathtaking…Readers can practically hear the howling winds, the cry of the wolves, and the silent beauty of moonlit snowfall.”—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

2013-09-01
An uneasy mix of school story, adventure and fairy-tale tropes, this British import hits all the expected notes--orphaned heroine, exotic setting, hidden treasure, unknown heritage and exciting events--but never quite manages to produce an engaging composition. Heroine Sophie Smith is only slightly more fleshed-out than her friends, Delphine (part French, very stylish) and Marianne (the smart one who, of course, is not stylish and wears glasses). Orphaned at a young age, Sophie spends the majority of her time at boarding school. With only vague memories of her father, Sophie treasures the necklace he left her and hears his voice in her dreams. When the chance to visit Russia, a country that has always fascinated her, on a school trip arises unexpectedly, Sophie jumps on it. Diverted from the school's itinerary, the three girls wind up in an isolated, dilapidated castle complete with hidden passages, loyal retainers and a real, live princess. Readers will realize much sooner than Sophie that all is not what it seems and will surely wonder at the naïveté of contemporary kids who willingly go off with a complete stranger. The uneven plot drags before taking a sharp turn into melodramatic violence. Unfortunately for readers who persevere, the ending is ultimately both unbelievable and essentially unresolved. Considerably less than the sum of its parts, this mash-up won't satisfy fans of fantasy or realistic fiction. (Adventure. 9-12)

Kirkus Reviews