The Princesses Read: Jasmine

Before we begin, here’s a little rehash of what The Princesses Read series is:

Each Saturday, I will be showcasing a lovely Disney Princess (or when they run out, some other Disney leading ladies and more) and showcasing what they might be picking up if they were reading YA today. It will be based off their likes, interests, personalities, and their storyline. At the end, I will also feature a book that the Princess would NOT be picking up and a section of books that are based off either the plot or original princess fairytale. Check out more info here on my original post! We’ve done Tiana and Belle so far!

After a set of very confusing clues, most people left my last post in a cloud of confusion on who was actually showing up this week for The Princesses Read – me included. o.o There were people that guessed Snow White, Alice, and Mulan – and all of them were very credible guesses. However, in my head, I was like, oh, a beautiful white flower that looks like Jasmine, we shall do that! XD And then when I mentioned thieves, it all went downhill after that.

ANYWAY, our Princess this week is…

Jasmine!

To be honest, the most recent time that I watched Aladdin, it had to be two years ago, and apparently, I totally failed watching it because I seriously asked, wait, was Jafar in this movie right after I finished it? v.v All I could remember was him in the Aladdin TV show, and that show was everythingggggggg to me. I would watch it then instantly rewatch it again, and as a little kid, I would even reenact different parts of it. So, Jasmine has always had a soft spot in my kid Princess heart, and the only reason she’s probably not higher on the scale is because I clearly can’t remember this brilliant movie that way. XD

So, if Jasmine was around today instead of a whole new world, what YA books would she pick up?

The Wishing Heart by JC Welker

Okay, you’re probably like, oh, Mandy, a jinni book? That’s so painfully obvious. But that actually wasn’t the main reason I first thought about this book – honestly although it was quite ironic. Clearly, Jasmine loves a good thief – well, only charming ones who pretend to be princes first – but I think Jasmine would have totally loved Rebel, one of our main heroines. She is strong, witty, and oh so charming. And she is thief with a heart of gold, promising to help the jinni in our story out of her confinement. Jasmine would have totally loved Rebel and fangirled over the adorable romance, bringing back thoughts of her own favorite thief.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Oh, look, a giant band of thieves. Aladdin probably got Jasmine into this series, but going, look! Epic thieves! They’re not so bad after all! And Jasmine was like, omigosh, Aladdin, no. But then she stuck around for the epic fierce ladies – Inej and Nina – and totally was so into it. Because just like Nina and Inej, Jasmine is totally strong and fierce. So of course this would become her new favorite series – even if it would totally inflate Aladdin’s ego. Although I can’t figure out who her favorite ship would be – any guesses?

Air and Ash by Alex Liddell

I feel like Jasmine could relate to Nile quite a bit. Nile is given the freedom to go off on her own and be one of the crew on a war ship. However, when she is brought back to her country, she is confined to the palace, forced to marry a man she does not wish to marry. It would definitely sound very similar to what Jasmine experienced in her own life and how she wished to break free. Watching Nile breaking free herself and going off on her own would definitely remind Jasmine of a painful time in her life but also a very important one. I think she would totally root for her even more.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Okay, super odd choice I know, because clearly this should be appearing in Cinderella’s week. However, seeing Jasmine meeting Aladdin in the marketplace in disguise reminds me SO much of Cinder meeting Prince Kai in disguise for the first time in this book. Seriously, I’m totally picturing Kai as Jasmine right now and Aladdin as Cinder. XD It was the start of everything – this chance meeting in the marketplace – for the movie and the book. Also, I’m sorry for that image, because it’s rather unshakeable apparently. Also, you know, Cinder is a pretty fierce heroine, so Jasmine would totally love that.

Credits to Feiwel and Friends

Winter by Marissa Meyer

Okay, yeah, I don’t know how two Meyer books ended up on this post. It’s totally not because I’m currently in a downward TLC spiral and I’m now accidentally re-reading the entire series. Oops? But I was trying to think of books that had cool pet friends just like Jasmine has Rajah, her beautiful…tiger. Yes, I said tiger. o.o Dangerous but she looks so fluffy! AND ADORABLE. Ugh, I’m so jealous, Jasmine. Anyway, Princess Winter does have a wolf friend (lol actually multiple, am I right, Wolf?), and I think Jasmine would totally be excited she wasn’t the only one with an impractical pet. Plus, she would totally get Winter’s struggle about being caged in a palace all day.

A Book Jasmine Would NOT Pick Up

One of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus

I think Jasmine has a thing about lying now – totally looking at you, Aladdin. The man did have some struggles with the truth. And no matter how adorable he was, it was NOT good. So, I think Jasmine would probably stay away from a book where literally EVERYONE was lying about something at one point or another. Yeah, just saying. 😉

Credits to Delacorte Press for the picture.

 

Want to read more about Jasmine? Here are a few YA Retellings:

There is really only 1 YA retelling of Jasmine’s story specifically – A Whole New World by Liz Braswell – but if you were looking for more stories about Arabian Nights/One Thousand and One Nights, you might want to check out A Thousand Nights, The Forbidden Wish, and The Wrath and the Dawn. The Wrath and the Dawn duology actually does mention Aladdin’s story and the magic carpet – and it is the only one I’ve read. It really was a great story, and Jasmine would be so in love with Shazi.

Now for next week:

No hints! That’s right – no more disastrous hints…well, for the moment at least. What I would like to do is not make you guess but instead make YOU choose. That’s right – next week is reader’s – or really bloggers’ choice! I want you to decide which princess you want to read about and say in the comments below! Whoever has the highest tally throughout the week will be next week’s chosen princess! We’ve done Tiana, Belle, and Jasmine so far!

What do you think? What other books would Jasmine be reading? Is she your favorite princess? Let’s discuss this as well in the comments below!