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madmaxxie's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. I loved this book as a kid, and I'm really glad to discover it's still almost as good as I remembered. A great story with a very deceptive title (put the word "Princess" in something and everyone assumes it's a "girly" book. It's not.)
I remember hearing an interview with Shannon Hale where she talked about the importance of letting boys read books like this and I couldn't agree more. Please don't discourage anyone from reading this just because "oh, it's about princesses!" It's not. It's about friendship, community, and overcoming obstacles.
I remember hearing an interview with Shannon Hale where she talked about the importance of letting boys read books like this and I couldn't agree more. Please don't discourage anyone from reading this just because "oh, it's about princesses!" It's not. It's about friendship, community, and overcoming obstacles.
amelie_halkias3's review against another edition
3.0
This was a good book, not exactly what I thought it'd be. I wanted more of the characters, more to understand what makes them who they are to differentiate from other girls. I had a hard time differentiating all the academy girls outside of Miri. They all seemed the same and same edge. However, as much as I took me a while to understand the flow of language and writing, I loved the stones! I loved the details though at points it seemed like much. It was a soft book, and I just wanted more of Peder above all else lol!
kerrycat's review against another edition
4.0
Four stars for the story itself - but wow, the audio is weird, as so many productions with multiple performers are. Just. Weird.
torihoo's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good the second time around, but I still love Shannon Hale's writing.
smlplatz's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lesserjoke's review against another edition
4.0
Situated right on the boundary between middle-grade and young adult fiction, this little book is pretty delightful. It's more grounded -- and more feminist -- than the fairy tale it at first resembles, and is filled with strong female friendships and the struggles of marginalized existence for an annexed minority culture. These themes aren't developed quite as deeply as I would prefer, and the narrative is a bit exposition-heavy at the start, but the story would likely be great for young teen or preteen readers in the Tamora Pierce demographic.
user613's review against another edition
5.0
This story has everything that a clean fantasy needs.
There’s the friendships and teamwork. These were one of my favorite parts of the book. I loved watching Miri and her friends work through challenges together as a team, putting aside their many arguments, and deeply caring for each other.
Then, there’s Miri, the perfect leader and heroine. Brave. Thoughtful. Daring. She drives the entire book. She’s the one to bring the girls together and help them form a team. She tests the limits to see what’s possible, never leaving anyone behind, and reminding everyone time and again why they want to work together.
There’s the world. The perfect blend of fantasy and real-life. The village. The families. The linder and quarry. It’s world rich with history, tradition, and stories. And the way it’s all woven into the novel feels like a natural extension of the story.
And there’s so much more besides.
The excitement and adventure. The secret world of quarry speech that brings Miri and her friends together. The slow buildup of everything. The fairy-tale feel that the story had. The twist at the end.
The little additions to Miri’s world. These small details added so much to the story and helped Miri and her world feel all the more real.
And, the way everything just came together in a heartwarming, completely satisfying, ending.
This is a fun, clean read that I recommend for tweens, teens and even adults.
What to read next:
[b:The Girl Who Could Fly|2090640|The Girl Who Could Fly (Piper McCloud, #1)|Victoria Forester|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1400516770l/2090640._SY75_.jpg|2095997]
[b:The Door to the Lost|36899920|The Door to the Lost|Jaleigh Johnson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1513115102l/36899920._SY75_.jpg|58660707]
[b:The Rose Legacy|36314263|The Rose Legacy (The Rose Legacy, #1)|Jessica Day George|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1506534998l/36314263._SY75_.jpg|57987060],
Content:
Romance: clean
There is some tension between Miri and Peder, kept very clean. Miri feels awkward around him.
There’s dancing with boys.
Violence: non-graphic peril
Esa, Miri’s friend, can’t use her arm.
Quarry accidents are mentioned. Miri’s mom died in one. Miri is locked in a closet as a punishment and forgotten about, and a rat gets caught in her hair.
Bandits hold the girls hostage and threaten to kill them. Peder helps Miri goad a bandit to walk over a cliff. She nearly falls off after him.
Religion: creator god
The priests of the creator god are mentioned quite a few times over the book. These priests read omens and divine that the home of the future princess is Miri’s home. The villagers go to the chapel on rest day and the building is often used as a social gather place.
Twice the story of the creator god first speaking to people is mentioned in passing.
There’s the friendships and teamwork. These were one of my favorite parts of the book. I loved watching Miri and her friends work through challenges together as a team, putting aside their many arguments, and deeply caring for each other.
Then, there’s Miri, the perfect leader and heroine. Brave. Thoughtful. Daring. She drives the entire book. She’s the one to bring the girls together and help them form a team. She tests the limits to see what’s possible, never leaving anyone behind, and reminding everyone time and again why they want to work together.
There’s the world. The perfect blend of fantasy and real-life. The village. The families. The linder and quarry. It’s world rich with history, tradition, and stories. And the way it’s all woven into the novel feels like a natural extension of the story.
And there’s so much more besides.
The excitement and adventure. The secret world of quarry speech that brings Miri and her friends together. The slow buildup of everything. The fairy-tale feel that the story had. The twist at the end.
The little additions to Miri’s world.
Spoiler
Miri and her friends using Diplomacy on their teacher to negotiate better terms for themselves. Miri helping the villagers stop the traders from cheating them. Miri’s mixed feelings about marrying the prince, and her tension with Peder.And, the way everything just came together in a heartwarming, completely satisfying, ending.
This is a fun, clean read that I recommend for tweens, teens and even adults.
What to read next:
[b:The Girl Who Could Fly|2090640|The Girl Who Could Fly (Piper McCloud, #1)|Victoria Forester|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1400516770l/2090640._SY75_.jpg|2095997]
[b:The Door to the Lost|36899920|The Door to the Lost|Jaleigh Johnson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1513115102l/36899920._SY75_.jpg|58660707]
[b:The Rose Legacy|36314263|The Rose Legacy (The Rose Legacy, #1)|Jessica Day George|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1506534998l/36314263._SY75_.jpg|57987060],
Content:
Romance: clean
There is some tension between Miri and Peder, kept very clean. Miri feels awkward around him.
Spoiler
Peder kisses her on the cheek. They walk back to the village holding hands once, even though it means something.There’s dancing with boys.
Violence: non-graphic peril
Spoiler
Esa, Miri’s friend, can’t use her arm.
Quarry accidents are mentioned. Miri’s mom died in one. Miri is locked in a closet as a punishment and forgotten about, and a rat gets caught in her hair.
Bandits hold the girls hostage and threaten to kill them. Peder helps Miri goad a bandit to walk over a cliff. She nearly falls off after him.
Religion: creator god
The priests of the creator god are mentioned quite a few times over the book. These priests read omens and divine that the home of the future princess is Miri’s home. The villagers go to the chapel on rest day and the building is often used as a social gather place.
Twice the story of the creator god first speaking to people is mentioned in passing.
coco_lolo's review against another edition
3.0
I decided to read Princess Academy because I was bored to death. I didn't think I would like it, but I was wrong; Shannon Hale created a world where I felt like I could be in Miri's position, torn between choosing the world I've known and the world I wish to know. It was a really good book that I got caught up in until pretty much the end. It did take a while for me to get into it though.
bubba499's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
colorwired's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No