Book Review: Princess Academy

Ok for some stupid reason it is not letting me put the words next to the picture so I guess this will have to do. . .

By: Shannon Hale

Pages: 336

Published: 2005

Summary: High on the slopes of Mount Eskel, Miri's family has lived forever, pounding a meager living from the stone of the mountain itself. Miri dreams of working alongside the others in the quarry, but she has never been allowed to work there -- perhaps, she thinks, she is too small.

Then word comes from the lowlands: the king's priests have divined that the prince's-bride-to-be -- the next princess -- will come from mount Eskel. The prince himself will travel to the village to choose his bride, but first all eligible girls must attend a makeshift academy to prepare the girls for the royal lowlander himself.

At the school, Miri finds herself confronting both bitter competition among the girls and her own conflicted desires to be chosen. Yet when danger comes to the academy, it is Miri, named for a tiny mountain flower, who must find a way to save her classmates -- and the chance the chance for the future that each of them is eager to secure as there own.

Rating: 4

Review:

I originally read this book in 5th grade but just found out there is a sequel like a month ago so I wanted to re-read this book first.

The Storyline: It was cute and adorable and I totally loved it. I thought it was totally creative. Usually, in most books, it is the main character who would be chosen by the Prince. I am glad it wasn't Miri chosen because I really liked her with a Peder and it was obvious they liked each other.  It was a light refreshing story. 

The Writing Style: It is beautifully written and very lush. The author describes the little details that add character to the story. I also loved the short poems at the beginning of every chapter they all went along with the book in some way or another and they were really pretty.

The Girls: So most of the characters in this book are girls because they all go to the Princess Academy, so you don't hear much about the boys in the village. At first you believe what the others girls think of Britta, but after you read the whole thing if you haven't changed your mind about her something is seriously wrong. I ended up loving her, she became one of my favourite characters. Miri seems weak but she is smart and tough and brave.

The Boys: Well like I said before there really aren't very many boys. There is Peder, Miri's father, and Prince Steffan. I personally loved Peder, even though he wasn't the prince he was just a simple guy in the village, but he is so nice and sweet.

Pace of the Book: It described lots of details but not too many. It did not cover every day or every week, which I was grateful for because otherwise it would have been book. It was very well paced and coved everything important.

Other Stuff: This book didn't quite make it in my favourites so I gave it a four. I really enjoyed it and would defiantly recommend it. Well now I have to get the next book in the series, Palace of Stone. Hope to be able to get that and read it with soon, but I am just so busy with school.

Hope everyone had a good weekend, and for anyone who lives here in America enjoy Veterans day off *p.s. you are lucky if you don't have school because I for some reason do*
-Jane