Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing for this ARC,

This is not my first time reading this story. Having started watching the drama series, I then found a fan translation to keep myself immersed in the story. So when I saw an official translation was available, I jumped for a chance to read it again.

Honestly, not much is super different between the translations as both managed to capture the soul of Xiaofeng, as well as the other characters in the prospective chapters. This is also easily devourable, despite the fact that Goodbye, My Princess is a tragedy. It's in the title after all -- but each time I've returned to this world, I'm still hoping for a much better ending for our characters.

Goodbye, My Princes starts with an author's note that explains a lot of the background of the historical period it takes place in. I, however, am a big fan of historical Chinese dramas and already knew what I was getting into. Personally, I prefer the more tragic stories if they have to involve palace politics as it is a dog eats dog world there. There is no love that can exist for those in the palace. Unfortunately for Xiaofeng, she is in over her head and her innocence is a flimsy shield.

We start the narrative three years after Xiaofeng was married to Li Chengyi, the Crown Prince. Immediately, Fei Wo Si Cun decided to inform the reader that not only does Xiaofeng has a gap in her memories, but she is trapped in a loveless marriage. The Crown Prince's temper is unpredictable and he rarely comes to visit her except to start a fight. Xiaofeng is also a foreigner who comes from a land with a different kind of politics, but also a much different childhood.

Her innocence and naivete protects her from the worst as everyone knows she is a pawn rather than a player in the machine. Which leads to an interesting dynamic where the audience stays aware of the politics more so than our main character does. Snippets come to her through her attendants, but her nature leads her to ignore most of the problems. This dynamic makes the politics a lot more accessible for a western audience who may not be aware of the intricate nature of the courts in China.

Nonetheless, Xiaofeng in the end is a victim of circumstance who is constantly tossed back and forth between men who want to use her for their own personal gain. The reader wants Xiaofeng to escape to live the life she has always wanted. More so after the truth is revealed in regards to her home country. Li Chengyi, however, does what he needs to in order to secure the throne, and he is ruthless in his method of doing so. So when he does fall for Xiaofeng, it is known that nothing good can come from it. In fact, it's established beforehand that love of any sort will lead to your loved one's demise. To love is to wear your heart on your sleeve, which makes you the perfect scapegoat to further another's agenda.

I feel Goodbye, My Princess really shines in the extra chapters where we get to see the perspectives of those involved with our leads. The language's poetry comes through, but also Fei Wo Si Cun is able to peel back the curtain a little so we can understand more of what led to the tragedy in the end. There's just something about Xiaofeng that makes my heart ache for what she went through and what she did to finally control her life. For in a world of dangerous men, you need to be brutal to make it far and Xiaofeng learns this lesson a little too late.