A review by katiebtatton
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

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.