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Title:  real/fake Princess #2

Author:  I-Huan

Publisher:  Dr Master

ISBN:  1597960802

May Contain Spoilers

Zhi Li is back, and finding new ways to get into mischief!  Stealing Zhong Lu’s war horse, she sets off to see Hui Tang.  Zhong Lu arrives just in time to rescue her from a group of thugs.  After he learns that she sold his horse for a mere pittance, he wishes he hadn’t bothered.  When they arrive at Hui Tang’s home, he wonders why he feels jealous of the other man.  Could he be falling for the irresponsible Zhi Li?

Despite the implausibility of Zhi Li stealing a  horse when she can hardly ride (and I-Huan draws a really ugly horse), this installment of real/fake Princess wasn’t half bad.   Zhi Li is still resistant to the idea of being the Emperor’s long lost sister, and just wants to go back home to be with the love of her life, Hui Tang.  Zhong Lu has been convinced that she is the real princess, and he’s itching to have her acknowledged so he can trade in his title of seeker for that of warrior. 

When the emissary arrives to review the evidence that Zhi Li is the missing princess Yi Fu, he reveals that Zhong Lu isn’t really supposed to have success at his task.  Isn’t he forbidden from leaving the capital?  How can he conduct his search if he’s not allowed to scour the countryside for the missing princess.  Doesn’t the Emperor have to pay a yearly tribute based on the number of royals?  Why would he want to increase that number?  He’s basically the laughing stock of the royal court.  Now that Zhong Lu’s position at court has been revealed, I wonder what he did to deserve the Emperor’s wrath. 

Though she thinks she loves Hui Tang with all of her heart, Zhi Li is increasingly confused by her feelings for Zhong Lu.  He makes her heart race and she has trouble breathing whenever he’s near.  Though it sounds like an allergy to me, this must mean that she’s falling in love with her stern protector!  She’s shattered when she hears a rumor that Zhong Lu  and the beautiful Lady Dai Xuan are to be married.  Why is she so upset?  She only loves Hui Tang, doesn’t she?  I love these romantic triangles!  The confusion! The angst!  Will she realize soon that she loves Hui Tang like a brother?  I hope so…

The production quality of this book was on the sad side.  There were numerous typos, and one panel, during a rather dramatic scene, that had nothing but empty word balloons!  Oh, the pain!  I was pulling my hair out over that one!  My biggest complaint with Dr Master is that the editing is terrible.  Every book I’ve read has had an embarrassing amount of jarring typographical errors, or the translations are so awkward it’s painful.  I keep hoping they will improve the quality of their books, because it’s the one thing that holds me back from reading more of their titles.

Grade: B-

Rated for All Ages