Young Sophie knows she isn't special like her beautiful and smart friends. When a lady requests her specific presence in Russia, Sophie is shocked. She is even more shocked when she arrives in Russia with her friends, and they are greeted by a princess, a princess who has a big interest in Sophie. Thus begins Sophie's journey of danger, excitement, and self-discovery.

Told in a fairy-tale like manner, THE WOLF PRINCESS combines magic, wonder, and mystery. It is primarily set in the depth of Russia with descriptions of the atmosphere and weather that set the stage perfectly for the adventure Sophie and her friends, Marianne and Delphine, take. One of the things I enjoy most in a story is the weaving of both normal, everyday problems and extraordinary issues that most could never or have never dealt with, a weaving that brings the reader further into the mystical or beyond average elements of the story through general concerns most people can relate to. Cathryn Constable does a fabulous job of that in THE WOLF PRINCESS. Sophie is young and very insecure of herself. While this at first did not have me liking her very much (I'm more drawn to outspoken, bold main characters), she has a certain quirkiness that I find a surprising warmth in. Her development is the focus of the story, beyond the mystery of the Russian princess that keeps you on your toes.

THE WOLF PRINCESS holds that charm in the characters, both in Sophie's quirkiness and the dynamic friendships of Delphine and Marianne, that I highly enjoy, but I did find a little struggle in having patience with their character growth. Sophie's character is a pushover for a good portion of the story that stems from her insecurity that, though is highly regular for a young person, can be more of a drag. It did not stop me from liking the story, but it did halt loving it. I also would like seeing more magic in this story. It does have a magic feel in it that wraps the reader up, but there is little actual magic. It would be interesting how more of that would change the story.

Overall, THE WOLF PRINCESS is a solid read, one I think middle grade and younger young adult readers can really dive into, or anyone who needs reminded that adventure can happen even to the most unlikely suspects.