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debbiebarr's review against another edition
5.0
Re-read July 2012. It's been several years since I've read Princess Academy, but it's just as wonderful now as it was the first time. Shannon is a master at blending gorgeous prose with action and emotion. A beautiful story full of layers and depth, always worth revisiting.
jgintrovertedreader's review against another edition
4.0
Miri is a small teenage girl from the mountains. She feels inadequate in her village because she isn't allowed to help in the quarry, the lifeblood of trade. She tries her best to help every way she can, but she just knows that everyone must think she's a burden.
One day, with the spring traders, a delegate from the faraway court arrives. He announces that the priests have divined that the prince will find his princess in their village. All girls between the ages of 12 and 18 must go down the mountain to where a Princess Academy has been set up to teach them all that they must know to be fit to be a princess.
This wasn't my favorite of Shannon Hale's books (That would be Goose Girl, followed closely by Book of a Thousand Days), but I still liked it. I felt that it had a good message for young girls about learning what you can, speaking up for yourself and others, helping others, and being happy with your own talents instead of focusing on what you can't do. It did all this without being preachy in the least.
I liked the girls. Miri was by far the most well-developed, but they all had their little (or big) dreams. They are of course changed by their lessons but they still remain true to who they were before. Miri was a plucky little thing and I admired her courage.
I suspected how everything would end up from really early on, but I still enjoyed the journey to get there.
I highly recommend this for tween girls.
One day, with the spring traders, a delegate from the faraway court arrives. He announces that the priests have divined that the prince will find his princess in their village. All girls between the ages of 12 and 18 must go down the mountain to where a Princess Academy has been set up to teach them all that they must know to be fit to be a princess.
This wasn't my favorite of Shannon Hale's books (That would be Goose Girl, followed closely by Book of a Thousand Days), but I still liked it. I felt that it had a good message for young girls about learning what you can, speaking up for yourself and others, helping others, and being happy with your own talents instead of focusing on what you can't do. It did all this without being preachy in the least.
I liked the girls. Miri was by far the most well-developed, but they all had their little (or big) dreams. They are of course changed by their lessons but they still remain true to who they were before. Miri was a plucky little thing and I admired her courage.
I suspected how everything would end up from really early on, but I still enjoyed the journey to get there.
I highly recommend this for tween girls.
the_jesus_fandom's review against another edition
4.0
The magic was really cool, and I was glad there wasn't one of those messages where one type of girl was seen as "less" than the others. It had great messages about friendship. The excitement with nears the end was really unexpected, but it was fun.
Spoiler
the robbersbumblehui's review against another edition
4.0
Slow start and a little young for a near 30 year old but I enjoyed it! A great book for young girls.
sturmykins's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I ended up reading it all in one setting. The quarry speech was one of the best parts of the book.
cburgbennett's review against another edition
4.0
2nd time reading. I first read this over ten years ago and really enjoyed it. Still enjoyable this time! I love Shannon Hale's books!
spevensie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
beccadavies's review against another edition
5.0
When I first saw the title of this book I did a little inward groan. "Princess Academy?!" Seriously?! Thoughts immediatly went to other strange titles such as Vampire Academy and I dismissed the book as being silly and unworthy of my time.
However, one of the other librarians I know reccommended it so I gave it a go. And I will put my hands up in the air and admit- I was WRONG!
This book is everything I love about children's literature. It has a very strong female lead, someone little girls can admire and aspire to. It has some aspects of the fantastical in a fairy-tale setting and most of all, it teaches that obtaining knowledge and seeking answers to everyday questions will always win the day.
A great read for little girls ages 7 to 99!
However, one of the other librarians I know reccommended it so I gave it a go. And I will put my hands up in the air and admit- I was WRONG!
This book is everything I love about children's literature. It has a very strong female lead, someone little girls can admire and aspire to. It has some aspects of the fantastical in a fairy-tale setting and most of all, it teaches that obtaining knowledge and seeking answers to everyday questions will always win the day.
A great read for little girls ages 7 to 99!
meme_too2's review against another edition
4.0
This was a nice book; different from what I expected. It wasn't so much having a heroine to root for; but the heroine knew how to pool together the strength of those around her to succeed. We should all have that gift.