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Summary: A writer with a gift
Review: Shannon Hale has the gift of writing. The Goose Girl is the best book I have read in a long time. Readers will not be disappointed in this book. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to read a book that will stay with them for a long long time. Don't wait...read it today!
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Summary: Fabulous
Review: The Goose Girl, by Shannon Hale is a fabulous book. Everything is described so well that you feel as if you were in the book. I love the way that in the beginning, the main character, Ani, never does anything right, but she grows throughout the story, and in the end she is brave and self assured, ready to lead a kingdom.
Ani is a princess who can talk to horses, birds, and the wind. she is on her way to the neighboring country, and her future husband, the Prince. But when her lady-in-waiting and most of her guard turn mutinous, she has to flee for her life. Ani has to go into hiding as a goose girl to keep from being found. However, when the lady-in-waiting, (who has taken Ani's place in the castle) tries to start a war between the two contries, Ani has to reclaim her title or have the blood of her nation on her hands.
I highly suggest this book. It has a little bit of everything, a little magic, a little adventure, a love story, everything. It is fabulous.
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Summary: Quest Story for a Girl's Growing Up
Review: The princess went through a journey of ordeals. She was timid, obedient, weak, tender, and naive. She was born to be an outsider, or in others' eyes, a loser.
However, through the journey, escape, struggles, etc. she grew up, changed, learned, became an independent self, established her identity, and finally grew out of being an unnecessary shadow in a splended night gown in the fancy court.
The book is truly worth-reading. I couldn't put it down until my eyes sored.
Through the passages and pages, her face slowly, gradually, cleared. There was never a description of her face; however, you can feel that before her changes, she was a totally blank face. Later, as she changed, you began to see her hair and her beauty.
I really enjoy the book, after loving to read fairy tales for some time and then getting sick of all those childish repetitions. This book breaks through the patterns and stereotypes of the flat fairy tales and founds a brand new world beyond.
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Summary: A Fairytale for older girls
Review: This book was very fun to read. It was longer so there was more story! This is one princess story that was very different from the rest. It's more interesting that way. I first wanted to read this book because I've met the author. When I finally did read it I wasn't a bit disappointed. This book was about a princess trying to fit in, and live up to the leadership role of her mother. When she is unsuccessful at that she turns to talking to animals. People think she is weird but she finally fits in, even if it's not who she expected she would fit in with. This was a great book it had some romance in it to.
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Summary: Simply Sublime
Review: This has made its way onto my top 10 list of favorite books.(First - for book constructions snobs, this book is beautiful. The binding, the cover, the size, the type face, it's all wonderful. A must have in hard cover.) When I started reading I was quickly absorbed and fascinated by Hale's writing style. It is rich and lush - like reading poetry - only very easy to read and full of clear meaning. Hale's ability to put timeless ideas into words that completely connect with you as a reader is her gift. After my initial love affair with the writing style - it quickly became texture and I was completely swept into the story. This book is brilliant on many fronts. I hate to be cliché, but once I got into it, the story was so engaging I couldn't put the book down. I laughed, I cheered, I fumed, I even (*cough*) got a little misty eyed in parts, and after the satisfying conclusion I can't wait for more from Hale. It is a terrific, uplifting story that holds appeal for all ages and genders. It is one of those stories that creeps into your thoughts and dreams when you aren't reading it. Hale understands and captures those essential elements that make a story stick with you and matter. The story is strong with timeless themes like societal equality, compassion, romance, redemption, overcoming difficult odds, justice, war and peace, personal strength and power, shame and honor, integrity and betrayal. It isn't your standard "fantasy" story with magic and the like. It has some mild elements of that (it is based on a Grimm Brother's fairy tale) and would appeal to any fan of that, but it's also very accessible to those unfamiliar with or uninterested in the fantasy genre. Bottom line: it is a wonderful story, told extremely well.
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Summary: An amazing retelling
Review: This is one of the top ten best young adult fairy tale retellings I have read, and I thought it was excellent. Other versions of the Goose Girl fairytale have disappointed me, but Shannon Hale's book succeeded. Princess Anidori, Ani, is the Crown princess to the throne of Kildenree until her mother (the queen) announces that her younger brother will claim the throne and she will be married to the prince of Bayern, a country bordering Kildenree. Ani, weak and indecisive, is on her way to the country when half her honor guard massacres all those loyal to her and try to kill her in an attempt to make Selia, her lady-in-waiting, the queen.
Ani runs, and through the kindness of a few good people, survives and ends up as a goose girl in Bayern. She must find a way to reclaim her name, though, and soon--for the prince's marraige to Selia/Anidori is fast approaching and war is on the verge of breaking loose.
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Summary: The best book ever!
Review: This was one of the best books i have ever read! A girl named Ani is crown princess of Kilendree, but after her father dies, her mother decides that her brother should be the next in line. Ani is betrothed to a foreign prince, and she must travel to him with her trusted friend, Selia, and a few guards. Selia and half of the gaurds betray her, and kill the other guards except one. Selia rides into the city and pretends to be Ani. Ani becomes a goose girl. Will Ani get her crown and rightfull place back? Read this book (or buy it) to find out!
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