When Tab Vidler left the orphanage where she had spent her childhood the only job open to her was as a member of the Dung Brigade, a group responsible for keeping the streets of Quentaris free from horse droppings. When she finds herself in the middle of the annual Battle of the Begonias (during which the two ruling families of Quentaris throw potted plants at one another) she climbs the statue of The Perfect Princess to escape. There she meets Azt Marossa, a mysterious man seemingly intent on ensuring that the true story of the Perfect Princess is told.

When Azt offers her the opportunity to earn a significant amount of money and, more importantly, have a bath she leaps at the opportunity. Tab is quickly embroiled in Azt Marossa's devious plans, playing the role of the kidnapped son of the Perfect Princess. But she soon begins to wonder if Azt's intentions are truly honourable or if he is just a con man intent on taking as much money as possible from the two main families of Quentaris.

The Perfect Princess is the third volume of The Quentaris Chronicles. Once again we meet new characters from the Quentaris world but there are also some cameo appearances by characters from the first two books. Tab Vidler is a young orphan who has the unenviable job of sweeping up horse manure – which becomes even less desirable when the horses have eaten too much green hay...

So it is clear that the offer from Azt is seemingly the answer to all of her problems, even if it does require her to deceive people. However, the apparent underhand nature of Azt's plan goes against Tab's nature.

This book is yet another a superb example of what a young adult novel could be. There is a bit of a moral aspect (as Tab does not like deceiving people with the sole intent of separating them from as much money as possible) but the story does not feel as though it is preaching at you.

All in all The Perfect Princess is an ideal young adult novel.