Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0385730950, Hardcover)
What’s it really like to be a prince? To his horror, British schoolboy Alex Varenhoff finds out when the monarchy is restored in the tiny country of Rovenia.
“To see, to do, to prevail.” The motto of Rovenia stands for bravery and honor. But none of this matters to Alex Varenhoff. Though he was always aware of his tie to the ancient monarchy, Rovenia tossed out the Varenhoff dynasty long ago, when the Communists took over. But Rovenia now finds itself in need of the leadership of a king.
Alex must leave home in England and assume his role in Rovenia as . . . prince? He’s thrust into a life he was never raised for. Alex hates pomp and circumstance, and the hordes of screaming girls that wait everywhere. And this new life is dangerous, for there are Rovenians who oppose the monarchy. Becoming a true prince presents Alex with a heartbreaking challenge far beyond anything he ever expected, one of the greatest challenges that any Varenhoff has ever had to face.
(retirado da Amazon Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:58:11 -0400)
It was a really gripping read because while sometimes Alex is a spoilt brat, he is treated like a child, and then berated for not responding like an adult, when the lack of choices and lack of warning he is given mean it is very difficult for him to do otherwise. He suddenly has no control of his own life, is told his thoughts, wishes and opinions do not matter, and has to deal with the press, paparazzi and hordes of screaming fangirls. Not to mention members of the country who don't want the return to monarchy.
There was an uncomfortable interlude where he was sort-of seduced by a pretty, older princess which I skimmed, but otherwise it was a surprisingly interesting story. (