Reader Comments about SCRAPPED PRINCESS

Ichiro Sakaki
illustrated by Yukinobu Azumi
TOKYOPOP
ISBN: 1595329846
328 pages
(October 2006)

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Ania from Sherman Oaks, CA

When is a manga not a manga? When it is a TOKYOPOP POP Fiction. This new line from the manga publisher promises to publish stories from around the world that are relevant to teens’ lives. Each future title aims to speak to the teens that reel from the reality and adversity of their lives and finally overcome and succeed.

SCRAPPED PRINCESS contains all the elements of great manga, including a profound secret, perky protagonist, brooding warrior, goons, dead parents, and a fight for survival. Magical spells and luck despite bad decisions also play a role. The missing manga elements are hopscotching across the page and no illustrations with dialogue bubbles. Although there are nine full-page drawings in typical manga style, they do little to enhance the story except to remind the reader of what is missing, namely the “kapow” and “oofs” of dynamic manga art and character expression.

Still, this is a mighty good read and newcomers to the story will enjoy the rollercoaster ride. There is nothing to dislike about the characters and their emotions, all of which strike true. In typical serial fashion the reader is left with wanting to hold on to the story and ride (read) along to the end.

Bette from La Junta, Colorado

The action in SCRAPPED PRINCESS is nonstop from start to finish, with several spectacular fights using incredible weapons, including sorcery spells custom-made by the inexperienced sorceress-older sister Raquel Casull. Brother Shannon is awesome as the fiery defender of his younger stepsister Pacifica, aka the Scrapped Princess. A great prophecy has ordained that the female of the king's newborn twins must die or there will be disaster in the kingdom when she reaches sixteen. Rather than have her child killed, the queen arranges for the Casulls, a famous warrior family, to raise the princess as their own child. Family loyalty is the primary virtue extolled here, and there is no shortage of sibling horseplay. As Shannon fights off assassins, from mercenaries to the royal army, we meet Chris, aka Tactician Christopher Armalite of the Royal Special Forces Battalion Five. Judging by the prologue, Chris is destined to change from dangerous enemy to valued companion.

Bridget from Port Charlotte, FL

As the reader begins the story, the grim prophecy of the Scrapped Princess is announced through the five dying priests of the Linevan Kingdom. What follows is the remarkable journey of (Princess) Pacifica Casull and her devoted family trying to keep her safe from anyone out to destroy her --- a feat her parents have already paid the price for. It is now up to Pacifica's older siblings, Shannon and Raquel, to face the many challenges that await them in order to protect their little sister. Both siblings have been properly trained to perform exacting militant maneuvers by their parents, and up to now have served them well in protecting all of them. In the past sixteen years, the people thought the scrapped princess was already sacrificed and that rumors soared about it not being so, that her being alive was a myth. But there are those who know the truth, and even Pacifica herself questions the validity of the story and her own fate. She also feels a tremendous amount of guilt for having to put her siblings through such an ordeal --- an ordeal they are more than willing to befall for the love of their sister, even if she is not of their bloodline. There are many foes who try to outwit the Casull Clan, and all are met with chided defeat, although all are spared their lives.

E.A. from Nova, Ohio

I thought SCRAPPED PRINCESS was HILARIOUS! Everything from Desert Eagle the killer chicken to Pacifica complaining about her apathetic brother had me laughing out loud. There were the sad moments that almost commanded that you read it quietly and in a quiet place, like the funeral of Yuma or when Sinner finally realized that his daughter was dead. I like how Raquel is serious about what she's doing, but her sense of humor is so awesome that she only lets it show when she has to. I loved it when she blew a hole in the wall, but stopped long enough to say thank-you for the tea and how she seemed to be toying with Big Shot. I like how Shannon is all bad-boy. He acts like he doesn't care, but he really does. He'd fight tooth and nail for his family --- even if they're not blood. Pacifica was funny. I can't believe what she would go through for an omelet! I also admire her own desire to protect her family. She would rather let someone kill her than live with the fact that she might kill them all. I absolutely LOVED Chris. He was so cocky and calm while he was fighting. It was like he was mocking Shannon. Carol was only there for a few pages, but I liked her instantly. Yuma can be summed up in one word: pervert. Who leaves a will like that for their kids?!?! I'm not sure if I like the Duke or not, but it's cool how even his maids know how to fight. Finebell is cool. I want to know why that chicken likes her so much.

Jessie from Linden, VA

Can a 16-year-old girl bring about the end of the world? According to Grendel Prophecy 5111, that is precisely what will happen should the Linevan queen give birth to a daughter. Of the twin boy and girl Queen Elmyr has, though, there is no record of the female, as she was sent off to be killed by order of the Kingdom --- and so as the years went on, the child fated to harbor in the apocalypse became the legend of the Scrapped Princess --- but the girl was still alive. The infant had been secretly smuggled out of Linevan to the neighboring city of Manurhin to be taken in by the Casull family. Fifteen years later, Pacifica has no knowledge of her origin before being adopted, but when her adoptive father, Yuma, is killed, she and her siblings learn everything from letters he left for them. Shannon (skilled in swordsmanship) and Raquel (gifted with a strong capacity for magic) must now protect their younger sister; Pacifica's identity and existence has been discovered, and there are assassins that will stop at nothing to bring about her death. The three must go on the run to escape those out to kill her, all the while struggling to come to terms with the life-changing revelations and responsibilities left to them by their parents. What if the prophecy is true?

Ichiro Sakaki's SCRAPPED PRINCESS: A TALE OF DESTINY is the first of thirteen volumes in what looks to be a promising series. The themes of courage, sacrifice and the true meaning of family enhance the action of the story, while humor works to lighten the mood. The three protagonists are highly likable, and the villains are very unique and fascinating. For a translation, the writing leaves little to be desired, and the few illustrations are a treat for readers. Overall, this little book is a pleasant surprise, and one that you'll be hard-pressed to put down.

Jesus from Cohutta, Georgia

I honestly found this book very difficult to put down. It was full of action, mystery and intrigue. If you're a guy like me and is skeptical of the book at first because of the title, you'd be mistaken. It's a great read for anybody, regardless of what your first impressions may be. I highly suggest you go pick it up.

Megan from Norwood, NJ

SCRAPPED PRINCESS is the story of Pacifica Casull, a princess doomed to die via a mysterious prophecy that she would bring destruction unto the world on her sixteenth birthday. Shortly after her birth, Pacifica is taken away to live with foster parents to escape her destiny. When her foster father is murdered and Pacifica learns of her true identity, she and her siblings are plunged into a whirlwind of secrets, conspiracies and assassins. Pacifica has a large bounty on her head with entire kingdoms seeking her demise. SCRAPPED PRINCESS is an exciting and adventurous tale written in beautiful language. It hints at the morbid with dark undertones and is an engaging story with even a little humor too. This book was wonderful.

Megan from Vienna, VA

SCRAPPED PRINCESS by Ichiro Sakaki is a very well-written book. Anyone who liked the manga will enjoy the novel version. In this book, Sakaki elaborates on his original story, making this an excellent first installment. The characters are all well developed, each with their own distinct personality. The plot is engaging, with a great hook at the beginning, a captivating main body and a well-planned ending that sets up for the next book very well. The pace is well kept, with a fairly well-balanced mix of action and dialogue. Selected pictures from the manga are a very nice touch and complement the story well. The storyline is unusual and fascinating, and makes for a great novel. I would recommend this book to all readers, even if you haven’t read the manga version. I found it to be a truly good-quality book, and I am sure other readers will as well.

Priscilla from Clackamas, OR

Rachel from South Setauket, NY

At first, SCRAPPED PRINCESS by Ichiro Sakaki sounded kind of superficial. My first impression of the princess, besides the first wave of pity after the first chapter, was that she was so arrogant. Even living a commoner's life, it seemed she was born with the ability to boss people around. Of course, that impression quickly changed.

SCRAPPED PRINCESS is fast paced and humorous. For example, when Pacifica, the princess, wakes up and talks about battling Desert Eagle, I was both puzzled and surprised. It turns out Desert Eagle is a warrior chicken who was overly protective of her eggs. Pacifica accepts her defeat against the chicken (again), but vows to try again. This type of bravery highlights the differences between Pacifica's life and what her life could have been.

SCRAPPED PRINCESS is multi-layered in that if forces the reader to think. For example, it is not only from the point of view of Pacifica, but also includes scenes from her siblings, Raquel and Shannon. This exemplifies the conflict between Shannon's feelings and his actions. After all, who is he to decide the world should succumb because he loved his sister? The end of the book only settles on a vague resolution (of course, there are 12 more books to go), and I sincerely hope the sequel is released soon.

Sarah from Huntingdon, PA 

If you know that your very existence will bring about the end of the world, will you still fight to live? Should your siblings fight for you as well, knowing that they, too, will die? These questions haunt Pacifica, Shannon and Raquel Cassul.

In the year 5111 in the Kingdom of Linevan, a prophecy is delivered. Of the boy and girl twins who are delivered to the royal queen, the boy will live to rule the kingdom. The girl must die, for if she lives to be 16 she will destroy the known world. As Pacifica Cassul’s 16th birthday approaches, and speculation about the “scrapped” princess’s existence increases, attention turns to this mysteriously adopted Cassul daughter. A family tragedy leads to the truth: Pacifica is the Scrapped Princess, and the only people who can save her are Shannon (on the sword) and Raquel (with magical spells).

This initial offering by TOKYOPOP sets the stage for the epic adventures of the Cassul children. Originally written in 1999 in Japanese, this story was developed into a 24-segment anime. As a novel in English, this fantasy works. Fans of anime and action will “see” the story come alive. Fairy tale fans will compare and contrast it with Sleeping Beauty. No matter how you like your stories, this one will hold your attention.

Sherry from Kissimmee, FL

SCRAPPED PRINCESS was a satisfying read, with many unexpected twists and turns.  The most compelling part is the prologue --- the fate of the baby coupled with the evil that seems to await her if she isn't hidden and protected, the choice of the adoptive parents to sacrifice everything to do so, and even the curiosity of learning her new name. Chapter one wasn't as lively as the prologue due to a lengthy and confusing section depicting the city of Manurhin and the Duke. Then Pacifica's fight with the chicken had little description, so that it was farther into the book when the reader learns the size and qualities of this particular chicken. But that was the only MINOR ungratifying part. The remainder of the storyline is funny, with down-to-earth characters who happen to have great powers thrown into a situation that suddenly requires them to face who their now-deceased parents really were, and to continue the quest to save and protect the princess.

I brought this book to my English class (combined 8-12), and “lost” the book for almost a week because they fought over it. Each would read the prologue and pronounce it “weird”...this must be the highest praise word a teenager uses to recommend a book, because the scramble of "I'm next...let me see...etc." was a response a teacher rarely sees. 

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