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jamiehandy's review against another edition
4.0
It is a retelling of a Grim Fairy Tale of which I was not familiar. About 45 pages into it, I had to go read the original tale. . . I just couldn't see where the story was going. I think the author must also assume most readers would be familiar with the story.
avonleagal's review against another edition
3.0
probably is a really good book but my brain decided not to comprehend it
saranies's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable retelling of a fairy tale, giving a magically plausible reason why a princess would just roll over and pretend to be a servant.
jennaras's review against another edition
5.0
This was a re-re-re-reread for me. It is written so well despite being for 10 year olds ?????? Just need to check in every few years and make sure it’s as good as I remember. Good news!!! It is!!!!!!!!!! My childhood/current dream to make it into an animated movie is not seeming that unrealistic because Disney has the rights and is just SITTING ON THEM ??? Also the FRANCHISE POTENTIAL like it practically sells itself ????????
Also the romance is so cute and not toxic and the character development is really nice. Shannon Hale is bending over backwards to give us perfectly structured books for literal children and no one bats an eye
Also the romance is so cute and not toxic and the character development is really nice. Shannon Hale is bending over backwards to give us perfectly structured books for literal children and no one bats an eye
anika7's review against another edition
4.0
The Goose Girl, by Shannon Hale, was a fantasy novel, with a gripping plot line. The main character, or the protagonist, Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, gets sent out of her homeland, Kildenree, to Bayren, a neighboring country, to be married off to the prince. When Ani reaches there, her maid, who looks like her, disguises as the bride in her place, and Ani is forced to become a goose girl and pretends to be a forest-born girl named Isi, after her grandmother. The antagonist, Selia, or her maid, tries to kill her, and Ani escapes every time. Ani always tries to get back her name, but fails until she unites with her friends, and uses her special talents to help her. Later in the story, Ani realizes the true meaning of friendship, mother's love, kindness, and bravery.
My favorite aspect about the book was when Ani learns to talk to the wind. This is when she screams Falada, her dead horse's name, to the wind, and the wind replies with her name, Princess. With each swoosh, she listens and learns what the wind is saying. This is probably my favorite, because it gives her a new hope in her journey, and is a big part of the special power that helps her later on in the book.
You should read this book if you like fantasy, princesses, and a complex plot line. Also, if you liked any of the Grimm Fairy Tales, you might like this book.
My favorite aspect about the book was when Ani learns to talk to the wind. This is when she screams Falada, her dead horse's name, to the wind, and the wind replies with her name, Princess. With each swoosh, she listens and learns what the wind is saying. This is probably my favorite, because it gives her a new hope in her journey, and is a big part of the special power that helps her later on in the book.
You should read this book if you like fantasy, princesses, and a complex plot line. Also, if you liked any of the Grimm Fairy Tales, you might like this book.
christiana's review against another edition
3.0
I understand that in order for things to be the way they play out, it has to get a little sucky for our Ani. However, it was really hard for me to keep going at parts because it was just so sad and seemingly a bit hopeless. I'm glad I stuck with it, but most books can suck me in if they have 300 some pages to play with.
Bottom line: I liked it. I just didn't love it.
Bottom line: I liked it. I just didn't love it.
katiebtatton's review against another edition
5.0
I liked this book immensely. Ani, princess of Kildenree, is taught by her aunt to hear bird speak. Timid and uncomfortable around people, Ani never quite fits in with the rest of the family and struggles to find her place in the world. On her journey to a neighboring kingdom to marry a prince, her lady-in-waiting stages a revolt and assumes her place as princess. Ani runs away to save her life and eventually finds a place as a goose girl for the king. It is during her time in the fields and with the other lower-class youth that become her truest friends that Ani realizes her potential and utilizes the magic within herself to gain the confidence to tell the truth and save both kingdoms.
Shannon Hale's books seem to be so-so or excellent, and this one is excellent.
Shannon Hale's books seem to be so-so or excellent, and this one is excellent.
emmy13's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0