Princess Anidori is not very comfortable around people - she would much rather be out with her horse, Falada, or talking to the birds that live around the palace. She knows she will never be the queen her mother is, but it still comes as a surprise when her mother names Ani's younger brother as heir instead and sends Ani across the Forest to marry the prince of Bayern. All is well until Ani's maidservant gains the support of the guards and declares herself princess, and Ani is forced to disguise herself as a goose girl until she can expose the imposter. As a goose girl, Ani learns more than she ever had from her tutors in the palace. She makes friends, grows in confidence, develops new powers and even falls in love (this is a fairy tale retelling, after all). But can she find the courage to stand up to the fake princess once and for all?
There aren't many books that I fall in love with after reading them only once, so you know that this one is special. First, this is a very faithful retelling of the fairy tale. I love how Hale has incorporated the details of the original story to fit the novel, but this is much more than a straight retelling. I love how the different countries have their own distinct cultures and accents, and how Ani has to adapt to fit in. Hale's characters are all distinct and well-developed, and you can clearly see how they grow over the course of the novel - especially Ani.
Finally, I want to mention the writing, because it's GORGEOUS. If you're not sure about the story, read it for the way it's written. Hale has a very lyrical style that reminds me of Robin McKinley, and I suspect that this would be a very good story to read aloud.
If you enjoy this book, be sure to check out the three companion novels (which are just as good), Enna Burning, River Secrets and Forest Born.
| Categories: Reviews, Staff Pick |
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She was born with her eyes closed and a word on her tongue, a word she could not taste. Her name was Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, Crown Princess of Kildenree, and she spent the first ...
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Enna's life was not meant to be simple. When her brother, Leifer, brings home a mysterious piece of vellum that teaches him how to set fires — without a spark, without flint — Enna cannot...
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Razo--short, funny and not a great soldier--is sure it's out of pity that his captain asks him to join an elite mission--escorting the ambassador into Tira, Bayern's great enemy. But w...
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Rin is sure that something is wrong with her...something really bad. Something that is keeping her from feeling at home in the Forest homestead where she's lived all her life. Something t...
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