Reviews

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

the_reading_italian's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

I loved this book. This is probably my favorite retelling of this particular fairytale, and I really want to read the rest of the series. The friendships, the personality, the love. It was just a book that genuinely made me happy, and I appreciate that. 

ladyhunbun's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

readingmissfroggy's review against another edition

4.0

Had a bit of a hard time getting into the book but once I got into it, it was great! Interesting world and I loved to see the elements from the original fairy tale inside of the story!
Watch my full review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltGqLpXkZ4s

tms792's review against another edition

5.0

Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, also known as Ani, is the Crown Princess of Kildenree. She was born with a word on her tongue. She always knew that she had the gift to converse with birds, but always wondered if she possessed another gift. Maybe she even had the fabled gift of wind or fire speaking. Before she can find the answer to this question her father dies after falling off a horse. She thinks she will secede her father, but is shocked to hear that her mother has pushed her aside and made her brother the new king. If that is not bad enough, Ani finds that her mother has arranged her marriage to the Prince of Bayern (the neighboring kingdom). Ani has no choice but to go, so she packs her bags and sets off with a group of soldiers for protection and her lady-in-waiting Selia. With only weeks left to their journey one of the soldiers Ungolad, along with Selia stage a mutiny. The reason being that Selia feels that she is much better suited to be a princess than Ani. With all the fighting and mayhem occurring, Ani is able to escape. She heads to Bayern on her own, always in constant fear of being found. She goes to the king of Bayern, originally in hopes of telling him her true identity, but finds out Selia has taken her identity. Ani thinks better of it and asks for a job. She is assigned the job of tending to the king's geese, hence the name the Goose Girl. She loves her job, and is quickly able to figure out the geese's language and comes to understand the geese. Ani also befriends many of the other workers who maintain the king's animals. The whole time she works, Ani plots a way to regain her identity as a princess. Meanwhile, she befriends a castle guard, develops amazing friendships, and discovers the answer to a life-long question.

Wow! This book was absolutely amazing. It is now one of my favorite books. It has just the right amount of adventure, and romance in it for me. I would recommend this to any type of reader, whether they are an avid reader, or someone who cringes at the sight of books! It has a delightful plot line, and was a stunning first novel of Shannon Hale's. Now I know I am a tad late on reading this, and obviously Shannon Hale now has many other books out, but I think this one is my favorite. At first I didn't realize what all the hype was about Shannon Hale, but then I read Princess Academy and I loved it. After reading the Goose Girl, I think I have a new favorite author. I cannot wait to read more of her books, and anxiously await new books to be written!

lisasreadinggoaway's review against another edition

3.0

A really sweet and easy read. There are more books set in the same world but I’m not really that interested in reading them.

billhains's review against another edition

lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I love this book. Such a nostalgic read and lovable characters

dayoldtea's review against another edition

5.0

This is one of my all-time favorite novels, ever. Beautifully crafted and a strong read.

peytonm's review against another edition

4.0

I just reread this story because I just bought the final two books in the series and wanted to refresh my memory. STILL LOVE IT. Isi is so sweet and she's ~magical~. I adore how Hale writes her magic, like people being born with a word on their tongues. Geric is a sweetie too. Wonderful stuff and I can't wait to read the next in the series.

marpar12's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I read this as I searched for a book I read in junior high. This wasn’t it, but it was so good. I love retellings of princess tales, and this did such a good job of it. Ani experiences such interesting character development, and the twist with her betrothed was so unexpected! The movement of the story is good, and the book is simple. 

cinderelles's review against another edition

I liked it but Ani's two names confused me.