Princess Ben by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Princess Ben is a wonderful little book, breaking away from the norm of a beautiful female lead while incorporating little bits of many widely know fairy tales and fables (which I found utterly charming). Spared from death by having to stay home sick in bed, Ben (short for Benevolence) soon finds herself the sole heir to the throne, currently being maintained by none other than the ruthless Queen Sophia due to her husband's tragic death. A spoiled little glutton of a girl, Ben is now faced with a demanding life of court rules, endless dancing, and limited amounts of food under the Queen's care. Left broken hearted by the kingdom of Drachensbett's slaughter of her mother, father, and uncle (the king), Ben has to get her priorities straight. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader entertained as well as some interesting characters along the way (not all of them human either). Princess Ben is an enjoyable read that's not too heavy on the intricacies of world building, but nonetheless creates a believable (in terms of fantasy of course) and charming story.