The story of The Purple Haze by Andrew Einspruch is set in a fantastical realm constructed of subtle lighthearted puns, vivid imagery, animals that talk and function alongside humans, and a suspense-filled plot. Its fairytale-like tone lured me in not knowing what to expect. I was more than pleasantly surprised. I couldn’t put the book down and now am a fan who plans to read the rest of the series.
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The story centers on the Royal family of Brouge and, in particular, the twin princesses Eloise and Joanna. Eloise is the heir to the throne, and a rivalry exists between the two. Following the Thorning Ceremony, a root of bitterness sets in and Joanna makes it clear she is unhappy. She leaves with her uncle to visit his kingdom and no one thinks anything of it until a seer brings about a dire prediction regarding Princess Joanna’s wellbeing. Princess Eloise is the logical choice to navigate protocols, find her sister, and bring her home. The quest quickly turns into a rescue mission filled with unlikely allies, dangers, and of course complications.
The only thing I didn’t love about the book is that it ended too soon. I want to know what happens next. I give this book a solid 5-star rating and plan to read the next book in the series, The Star of Whatever, in the near future. It offers strong female protagonists, plenty of humor woven into the plot and dialog, and a plot that keeps the pages turning. It’s a perfect choice for fantasy readers looking for a captivating page-turner that’s also light and funny. If you enjoy stories like The Princess Bride, this is a book for you.
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