Release: March 8th, 2021
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Trunk Up Books
Source: Author
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, Kobo
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A sixteen-year-old princess with depression wonders if anyone else understands how it feels to feel nothing.
When Princess Devina turned fifteen, she struggled to get out of bed each day. Things that used to bring her joy–playing, laughing, dancing, painting–suddenly didn’t. It was as if all her emotions had disappeared, leaving her with a terrible emptiness–and sadness–inside. Her father, the king, vows to help his daughter by issuing a decree for her sixteenth birthday celebration. Anyone in the kingdom who is able to make Devina smile will win her hand in marriage. So begins the middle-grade story The King’s Decree. It is a modern-day spin on the Russian folktale, The Princess Who Never Laughed, masterfully told by author Torina Kingsley.
In the kingdom’s peasant village, lives yet a different teenage girl, Yasmin. She loves her humble surroundings and the people in it. An unlikely encounter with the princess sparks a bond between the girls that runs deeper than friendship.
When tragedy strikes and Devina’s mother passes away, the princess plunges further into despair and depression. She finds herself running to the person who makes her feel whole, who doesn’t judge her, who accepts her.
The King’s Decree is a courageous story about depression and love that shines a light on the importance of acknowledging this prevalent illness and supporting the people we care about who are living with it.
Author Torina Kingsley expertly weaves a tale that relays the heartbreaking struggle that many teens face today, teenage depression.
About the Author:
Torina Kingsley has always dreamed of becoming a published writer. She finds inspiration for her stories from viewing things from a different perspective, including her most recent book The King’s Decree, a chapter book that is a spin on the well-known Russian folktale, The Princess Who Never Laughed.
Kingsley believes that a great story needs to be relatable and completely captivating, that it needs to drop the reader into a whole new world. She hopes that her stories make the young readers to think. For instance, Kingsley has seen that, although very few children’s books reflect characters afflicted with depression and anxiety, it’s something that kids and teens deal with every day, and she wanted to share that in her story. It is also important to Kingsley that characters are diverse characters who can fall in love with anyone, not just those who one might expect. As an author of Hispanic heritage, representing a diverse audience in her books is meaningful to her.
When she isn’t writing thought-provoking and socially conscious young adult stories, Kingsley teaches music and loves working with her students. She lives with her husband and two rescue dogs in the Chicago area where she enjoys reading and spending time with her family.
The King’s Decree Review:
“The King’s Decree” is a charming middle-grade novel that is light-hearted yet highlights some critical issues.
What surprised me about the story is that even though it is a short tale, it conveys some important topics like depression and the loss of a family member. The author spins the story in a beautiful manner where you feel like you are reading a classic fairy tale, yet it feels fresh and new. I also liked the cute short stories that the author plugs in, like Ayla and Beela.
Similarly, the characters are also interesting. Devina and Yasmin have striking personalities but are both amusing in the way. Even though Devina is moody and depressed, I laughed at her behavior, especially when trying to defy Esme. Also, I felt the reason behind her depression was valid and realistic and something that even an adult would have a hard time coping with in real life. On the other hand, Yasmin is a breath of fresh air, who lights up the pages, and I loved her effervescent personality. The way she brings a smile to Devnia’s face is adorable. Moreover, even though the author does not force it, I liked the budding romance between the two characters, even if they only stuck to friendship. The author wonderfully wrote their scenes together, and I wish there were more chapters with the two of them.
My only criticism of the tale is that the ending felt rushed. I would have liked more scenes with Devina and her parents. Apart from that, “The King’s Decree” is worth reading! Overall, it is the perfect book to encourage middle-graders to get into the habit of reading.
