Review: Goodbye, My Princess

Although I am no stranger to ARCs or book reviews, Goodbye, My Princess by Fei Wo Si Cun is the first ARC that I completed for my new account on NetGalley. I had no idea what to expect from this one. It is an English translation of a Chinese story, so I was hoping for some fun Chinese mythology revolving around immortals and spirits in the vein of Ashes of Love or Love Between Fairy and Devil. This book contained very little of that lore, and the characters are quite human. There was one supernatural element, but it was more dark and depressing than fantastical. For those of you who enjoy Chinese dramas, it looks like there was a 2019 TV series inspired by the book. Overall, this book is a cautionary tale about trust and sacrifice.

The first thing that threw me off about this book is that it is published by Simon & Schuster's Children's Publishing, which led me to believe that it would be a quick and easy read. It is neither of those things. Although there are no explicit scenes, I do not think this book is appropriate for children due to the complexity and maturity of the content, which includes elements like forced abortion, innuendo, and assassination attempts. I even hesitate to say it's appropriate for a high school audience. Goodbye, My Princess is quite long and difficult to get through. Most of its chapters stretch over 50 pages, which makes it hard to find a stopping point or catch up across multiple devices. Although the translation is accurate, the story is told out of order, and it is not always clear what point in time is being narrated, which left me scratching my head trying to put the pieces together.

Qu Xiaofeng is a princess trapped in a loveless marriage alliance with a prince named Li Chengyin. The book does not follow the current fantasy trope of postmarital love and instead leans toward infidelity. The book references Chengyin's concubines and two potential love interests for Xiaofeng outside of her marriage, but neither of those relationships go in a romantic direction. The most interesting character in the book is A'du, Xiaofeng's mute bodyguard and best friend who would give up her life for the princess in a heartbeat. Xiaofeng is every bit as protective of A'du as A'du is of her. Their relationship was the strongest and most interesting in the book even though it was not based on romance.

Although this book is not poorly written, I had a hard time following it. There were so many isolated events that I kept scratching my head trying to determine the main plot. Maybe someone smarter than me would have an easier time enjoying it, or maybe it helps to watch the drama series it inspired before diving into the book. The main character is missing some of her memories, which contributes to some of the confusion and causes it to read a little like the movie Memento, which was also told out of order. Once I figured that out, it became easier to follow, but I still found it hard to grasp the main theme. It appears to be a dramatization of a toxic relationship between a prince and a princess along the lines of Frozen.

Goodbye, My Princess by Fei Wo Si Cun is a complex and challenging read that defies expectations. Despite its publication under a children's imprint, this book tackles mature themes and features a non-linear narrative that demands close attention. While the story's exploration of toxic relationships and the bond between Qu Xiaofeng and her bodyguard A'du are compelling, the book's convoluted structure and isolated events may deter some readers. Ultimately, Goodbye, My Princess is a book that requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to piece together its fragmented narrative.