The Chosen Prince

From master storyteller Diane Stanley comes a spellbinding tale, based on Shakespeare's The Tempest, of two princes—one chosen, one lost—and a mysterious girl on a magical island, all caught in a great web of destiny.

On the day of his birth, Prince Alexos is revealed to be the long-awaited champion of Athene. He grows up lonely, conscious of all that is expected of him. But Alexos discovers that being a champion isn't about fame and glory—it's about sacrifice and courage.

Alexos follows the course of his destiny through war and loss and a deadly confrontation with his enemy to its end: shipwreck on a magical, fog-shrouded island. There he meets the unforgettable Aria, and faces the greatest challenge of his life.

• A Shakespeare Retelling: Based on the timeless magic of The Tempest, this tale reimagines the story of a mysterious island for a new generation.
• The Chosen One: Prince Alexos was born to be a champion. But he soon learns that his destiny is one of lonely sacrifice, not glory.
• A Mysterious Heroine: Shipwrecked and alone, Alexos’s fate is changed forever when he meets the unforgettable Aria on a fog-shrouded, magical island.
• Epic Middle Grade Fantasy: Perfect for young readers who love epic adventures filled with destiny, courage, and a touch of magic.

On the day of his birth, Prince Alexos is revealed to be the long-awaited champion of Athene. It will be his task to restore the kingdom to the favor of the gods—but no one knows exactly how.

Alexos grows up lonely in his greatness, conscious of all that is expected of him. But it soon becomes clear that being the chosen one is not about fame and glory. It's all about sacrifice and courage, and he is being tested.

Alexos follows the course of his destiny through war and loss on the borderlands and a deadly confrontation with his enemy to its ultimate end: shipwreck on a magical, fog-shrouded island. There he meets the unforgettable Aria, the girl he's loved for years but has seen only in his dreams, and faces the greatest challenge of his life.

Master storyteller Diane Stanley weaves an epic tale of warring kingdoms, shock-ing betrayal, and forgiveness inspired by Shakespeare's The Tempest and set in a mythical ancient Greece.

Praise for The Silver Bowl - Booklist

Veteran Stanley concocts a delicious blend of familiar fairy-tale motifs and intriguing, well-rounded characters to create an engaging fantasy. A most worthy and enjoyable entry in the ‘feisty female’ fantasy genre.” - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Adventure, magic, subtle romance, betrayal, and monstrous curses take this book far beyond the typical scullery-maid-makes-good tale. Stanley blends historical fiction and fantasy seamlessly, and her clear, rich language envelops and transports readers. The protagonist’s no-nonsense attitude is balanced by her big heart and a sweet, sharp sense of humor, making her a heroine readers will relate to and cheer for to the satisfying end.” - School Library Journal (starred review)

Alexos is a strong character, capable of accepting and adapting to change, even as he struggles with heartbreak and almost insurmountable odds. The language is lyrical and accessible, and the end is satisfying in the extreme. - School Library Journal (starred review)

Twelve-year-old Alexos, crown prince of the kingdom of Arcos, was recognized at birth as the champion for whom everyone has waited generations, the one promised by the goddess Athene to end generations of pestilence and war. He is also a burdened, friendless outcast, unloved by his cold father, and takes his only real joy from time spent with his younger brother, Teo. But when the dreaded, polio-like “summer sickness” leaves him semi-paralyzed and he overhears his father’s plan to leave the kingdom to Teo, Alexos commits an unthinkable act and must live with the consequences. Percy Jackson fans will not be put off: Stanley uses short sentences, an immediate present tense, and basic vocabulary, and the plot races along. Alexos is a touchingly relatable character, and his relationships make the plot meaningful, as he learns to balance princely dignity with having friends and finds an alternate father figure in his doctor, Suliman. Eventually the two brothers are reunited on a mysterious island, where together they sort out all the hows and whys, which will satisfy readers who like their plot lines neatly tied up. - Horn Book Magazine

Percy Jackson fans will not be put off: Stanley uses short sentences, an immediate present tense, and basic vocabulary, and the plot races along. Alexos is a touchingly relatable character, and his relationships make the plot meaningful. - Horn Book Magazine

The first part of this middle-grade fantasy offers a remarkable coming of age story, with a poignant mixture of heartbreak and resiliency. - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Stanley succeeds in creating a believable world large enough to accommodate not only menace and evil but also loyalty, enduring friendship, and love. The central characters—Molly and her friend, the stable boy Tobias—come wonderfully alive as their story unfolds and their mettle and character are tested....Stanley has done a particularly good job of investing her story with plausibility and creating dialogue and a narrative voice that are spot-on in both tone and suitability.” - Booklist (starred review)

Praise for The Princess of Cortova - Booklist

“Stanley has done an uncommonly good job of integrating material from the previous companion novels to ensure a stand-alone adventure. From opening to endgame, the story proceeds at an ever-increasing pace, infused with suspense, unexpected moves, and strategic surprises. Once again Stanley demonstrates her mastery of character, dialogue, and setting, and her fantastical world operates with both the logic necessary for plausibility and the imagination necessary for a successful fantasy. The result is an unforgettable entertainment.” - Booklist (starred review)

“A story full of political intrigue, deep friendships, and undeclared loves that begins with the princess enjoying the solitary quiet of a morning and builds to a tumultuous, violent, and triumphant ending. This trilogy should be a staple in school and public libraries.” - School Library Journal

“Stanley’s storytelling infuses each character and hardship with distinct purposes that coalesce and become clear to readers by book’s end for a tidy finale that leaves no unanswered questions.” - Publishers Weekly

Alexos is a strong character, capable of accepting and adapting to change, even as he struggles with heartbreak and almost insurmountable odds. The language is lyrical and accessible, and the end is satisfying in the extreme. - School Library Journal (starred review)