Blog Tour - Favourite Panel & Review: The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

 

Hi everyone! Today on the blog I have an amazing graphic novel to introduce to you! Author/illustrator Jen Wang's The Prince and the Dressmaker was adorable read and it's coming out next month~ Thank you to First Second Books for the opportunity to participate! Keep reading to sneak a peek at my favourite panel(s) and see my thoughts on the story :)

The Prince and the Dressmaker
by Jen Wang

February 13, 2018

288 pages

Goodreads     Indigo

Goodreads Summary:

Paris, at the dawn of the modern age:

Prince Sebastian is looking for a bride―or rather, his parents are looking for one for him. Sebastian is too busy hiding his secret life from everyone. At night he puts on daring dresses and takes Paris by storm as the fabulous Lady Crystallia―the hottest fashion icon in the world capital of fashion!

Sebastian’s secret weapon (and best friend) is the brilliant dressmaker Frances―one of only two people who know the truth: sometimes this boy wears dresses. But Frances dreams of greatness, and being someone’s secret weapon means being a secret. Forever. How long can Frances defer her dreams to protect a friend? Jen Wang weaves an exuberantly romantic tale of identity, young love, art, and family. A fairy tale for any age, The Prince and the Dressmaker will steal your heart.

 

My Favourite Panel

 

 

I really like the tentative feel to the above panels. For me they represent the beginning of the Prince and the Dressmaker relationship between the two. Frances is trying to create a design that'd fit Prince Sebastian's ideal while his curiosity has him peeking over her shoulder. It's incredibly realistic as Sebastian blushes from embarrassment when Frances notices him looking. I adore the shy look and blank stare~ No words needed.

About the Author
Jen Wang is a cartoonist and illustrator currently living in Los Angeles. Her works have appeared in the Adventure Time comics and LA Magazine. She recently illustrated Tom Angleberger's Fake Mustache. Her graphic novels Koko Be Good and In Real Life (with author Cory Doctorow) were published by First Second.

 

Website     Authors Goodreads

 

Review

The Prince and the Dressmaker is my first foray into graphic novels and I'm very happy to say I liked it a lot! The charming drawings lend way to a heartwarming tale with admirable characters and stunning dresses.

The Prince and the Dressmaker is a quick story that gave me all the warm fuzzy feels. It's about two people on the path to discovering themselves. They help each other become who they're meant to be.

Frances is a simple girl dreaming of making it big some day. Her world becomes much more colourful when she becomes the Prince's personal seamstress. At Prince Sebastian's request, she creates design after design for him with each dress catching the eye of the world. However, when Frances garners the attention of someone she's longed to meet she had to choose between staying by Sebastian's side or following her lifelong dream. Any decision she made, she stayed true to herself in one way or another.

The Prince and the Dressmaker is also a serious story that tells of acceptance and feeling right in one's own skin. Prince Sebastian loves wearing dresses yet he greatly fears the consequences of his interest. Only when he puts on Frances's dresses did he feel unafraid and like himself. Lady Crystallia is an important part of Sebastian even if others did not understand.

The Prince and the Dressmaker made an impression on me. After trying it I can say for sure I'll be paying more attention to graphic novel releases. I want to venture more into this category of books!

 

*I received an ecopy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinion are my own and not affected in any way.

 

 Be sure to check out all the other tour stops HERE!