The Princes Read: Prince Eric

Well, I sort of failed with the every other week thing for a hot second, but I’m back with it! Hopefully we’re back in action for good now. I had a hard time trying to figure out who I wanted to do next, but this particular guy kept calling out to me and we’ll be doing…

Prince Eric!

Besides being a swoony hunk, Prince Eric is an intriguing character. It’s been a hot minute since I’ve seen The Little Mermaid, but I distinctly remember Prince Eric being all about the sea and boats and having awkwardly large stone statues that fall down into Ariel’s Hoarder’s Paradise. So he’s a boat man, and he likes to explore. He’s a bit stubborn, but he’s committed to his passion. He certainly doesn’t want to be forced into a marriage, but is determined to find his true love out in the world since he’s kind of a hopeless romantic.

Once the dude is in deep with a relationship, he will do anything for his girl. He is very thankful, he loves a strong woman that can save him, he’s super into beautiful voices apparently, he’s a bit shy around gals since he has to have a crab tell him to kiss the girl, and he’s a pretty good fantasy hero. I mean, he does have his issues – who falls in love with a girl based on a beautiful voice? But he’s a solid little hero man prince that may have his cliches and swoopy hair.

What would be on Eric’s Under the Sea Bookshelf?

Daughter of the Pirate King series by Tricia Levenseller

 

I don’t think there is a bigger adventure on the high seas than being a pirate? I feel like Eric would be super into this story that is based on the water, full of adventure and exploration, and has a MC with fiery red hair just like his mermaid love (p.s. she has some other similarities to Ariel that I can’t say without spoilers). I feel like he would totally want to be a pirate after this. Plus, look at the cover of Daughter of the Siren Queen. Ariel and Eric first met after Eric’s ship ran into some issues and Ariel raced in the water to save him.

These Vicious Masks series by Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas

 

Okay, it might just be me, but I totally see Eric as a brooding Victorian hero?? Like, he has the shirt that works and the swoopy hair and the passion/hopeless romantic vibe to him that totally gives me the hopelessly tragic Victorian bad boy/hero. There’s certainly one in These Vicious Masks and they totally make fun of him all the time for it. I think Eric would love all the explorations and adventure they get into, and totally fall a bit in love with Evelyn and her passion and strength.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

 

Since Eric loves him some water, of course, I think he’s going to be checking out Percy and being insanely jealous of him and his ability to control the water. I mean, once he realizes that he is the son-in-law of Triton who has some major connections to Poseidon, he’s going to basically fit Percy without the cool water powers. Maybe this book would give him some hints on how to hang out with his god-like father-in-law and just give him some epic water dream adventures.

The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo

Beautiful writing plus a short story about the little mermaid…or maybe was it Ursula? IDK, but I think he would certainly love reading these stories since he is into beautiful things that are lyrical – just like Bardugo’s writing and Ariel’s voice.

What is a book that Eric would NOT pick up?

The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert

What is the opposite of the water? The woods. I feel like Eric would feel too trapped and constricted by all of the land and trees. He loves the water and the freedom that it brings. I mean, who else puts their castle right on the side of the ocean when flooding and giant waves could eat it whole?? So, I definitely think he would pass on anything that had too much woods for him.

What do you think? What other books do you think he would love or hate? Was Eric your favorite prince? Did I totally screw him up because I haven’t seen this movie in forever? Let’s discuss in the comments below!