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Two Princesses of Bamarre, The

Two Princesses of Bamarre, The

List Price: $6.99
Your Price: $6.29
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A WONDERFUL BOOK
Review: I really loved this book. I'm really glad I got it in hardback because I'll read it over and over. I very strongly suggest that you read this book!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: "an extrordanary adventure"
Review: The Two Princesses of Bamarre is the most intreaging book you will have ever read. When I started reading I couldn't stop. The adventures never end. It is a combination of adventure, fairy tales, and magic. Don't lose a chance to read it and miss all the fun in it. I recomend it to everyone and also recomend all of Gail Carson Levine's other books.(^o^)BB*

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Even better than Ella Enchanted
Review: The Two Princesses of Bamarre is about two completely different princesses. The older one, Meryl, is courageous, brave and valiant, always wanting to fight dangerous creatures, such as: Vollys the dragon, specters, monsters, and even ogres! The other one, Addie, is the opposite. She is afraid of everything, starting with spiders, and will not let Meryl leave her side until she is happily wed. One day, the most terrible thing happens. Meryl was sick with the Gray Death, the most feared illness of them all. Many hundreds die of it every year. Addie, inspired by Drualt, her hero, realizes that she must go find the cure, to save her beloved sister and lots of others. Along with the help of her friend Rhys, the young sorcerer and many gifts from Bella and her late mother, she sets out on her quest. She comes across ogres, dragons, specters and many other dangers. Will Addie be able to save her sister? Will she survive? What will become of Rhys? What will become of Meryl? You'll have to read the book to find out! I recommend this book to children ages 9 and up. I rate it five stars because it's the best book in the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of the best books I've ever read.
Review: This is a wonderful book. Somebody said that the romances were unrealistic, but I don't think so. Addie was friends with Rhys, and you have to be friends with your spouce. So what's so unrealistic? I read this book to my dad and he also thought it was good. It is about an unlikely herorine named Addie. She goes on a quest to find the cure for the gray death to save her sister, Meryl. A wonderful book!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This book is no doubt the best work of Gail Levine!
Review: Gail Levine wrote this beautifully. I t is about two sisters who are also princess' in the land of Bammare (hence the name.) Princess Meryl is adventurous, a feminine Superman. Her goal is to vanquish many of the monsters of Bamarre, and find a cure for the dreaded Grey Death, which kills all that catch it, first suffering the weak satge, then the 9 day deep sleep. Finally, the three day fever, followed by, the most dreaded, death. This plays an enormous role in this story. Then there is Princess Addie, who is shy, timid, and unsure of herself. She relies on Meryl to be her protecter. But indeed, it is strong Meryl who catches the dreaded Grey Death. While she fights it, Addie can only think of one way her beloved sister can survive- if Addie finds the cure of the Grey Death. And so she sets out, with only a few cleverly created magic items, to find herself in a dangerous world, filled with cannibal-like flying monsters, dragons, and ogres. And once this book is over... she has ...found a brave, stronger version f herself, and had an adventure. My personal favorite part was when she got caught by the dragon Vollys, who was a wonderfully created character, a dragon who befriends her prey, being entertained for up to months before feeding on her guests, only to regret her doings, and mourn for her lost companions forever. And the end really hits you, and makes you want to cry. It is not a sad ending, but not a very happy ending. That is my only down point. But, I still see this book as one of my most cherished [story]. You won't be disapointed!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Entertaining, but somewhat lacking
Review: Although characterized by the same lively prose that made Ella Enchanted such a delight, Gail Carson Levine's newest, The Two Princesses of Bamarre is unfortunately seriously flawed. It remains a quick, readable fantasy, but often fails to hold up under scrutiny.

The basic premise of the book is a flip flop of the traditional heroine found in fantasy novels-- you know, the one who is invariably impetuous, brave, handy with a sword, and ready to cut down any monsters that stand in her path. Addie is altogether different (she's even good at embroidery), but although it is nice to have a less courageous heroine, she never comes alive for me as a real person. Her sister Meryl, who does fit the stereotypical heroine, is even less convincing. Quite honestly, my favorite character in the novel is the dragon, who with her moral ambiguity-- first roasting her prisoners out of boredom and then regretting their deaths and remembering them fondly forever afterwards-- is actually the most realistic and well-rounded character.

The characters, however, are not the major problem. The most severe failing of The Two Princesses of Bamarre, particularly as it is written as an epic high fantasy with dragons and fairies and sorcerers, is its continual failure to ask *why* things are the way they are. Why do specters persist in misleading humans? Haven't they got anything better to do? Why do they have to prophesy when commanded? Why did the fairies stop interacting with humans, particularly given their need in the plague? Why does the Gray Death choose the victims it does? Does it consciously choose? How is it spread? Why is the king such a coward? (He is characterized throughout only by his cowardliness, which misses a great opportunity for an interesting three dimensional character.) Little questions that I didn't think about until I finished the book and realized that nothing is explained; everything just *is.* Patricia C. Wrede uses many of the same steretypical elements in her Enchanted Forest Chronicles (dragons, princesses, sorcerers) more successfully because of her ironic tone: she mocks fantasy conventions where Levine tries to follow them without really expanding or explaining very much. A pity, since she did such a good job in lending plausibility to the story of Cinderella.

The Two Princesses of Bamarre also suffers from a sudden and rather incongruous ending, two seriously unconvincing romances, and some fairly unsubtle messages about the various forms of heroism. However, to make up somewhat for its shortcomings, the plot moves quickly, and the lore about the sorcerers is particularly creative. There's also a bit of humor as Addie contemplates the difficulties that might be had in attempting to extract an invisible splinter obtained from an invisible table and the dangers of traveling with seven league boots (dangerous road blocks, for one). But it all still remains a little shallow, a little generic.

Probably a good coming-of-age choice for younger fantasy readers who may not be bothered by the lack of plausibility, but better choices for those who like their high fantasy well doused with wit include Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain, Vivian Vande Velde's A Hidden Magic, and Patricia Wrede's Enchanted Forest Chronicles.

Ailanna

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: I loved this book! I liked it even better than Ella Enchanted, and I couldn't put it down.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This book is just as good as Ella Enchanted, if not better!
Review: When I first heard about Gail Carson Levine's new book, I was bouncing off the walls. You have to understand that Ella Enchanted is my favourite book of all time! When I first bought it I was skeptical about whether or not it would live up to Ella Enchanted's or my standards. And yes it does and it surpasses them. I absolutely loved the plot. I am a lot like Meryl or Ella, from Ella Enchnted, in characteristics. So I absolutely loved getting to know Addie and her fears and triumphs. I just bought this book yesterday morning and I finished last night. It is the best! The plot kept me hooked the whole way through and the ending was a total surprise which I loved. Thanks for writing such a fantastic book Gail, keep up the good work. This book is so good it should win the Newberry Medal! And I hope it does. If you haven't read this book already you should definetly read it right now!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: As Enchanting as Ella!
Review: THE TWO PRINCESSES OF BAMARRE was an extraordinary book. Levine's previous two novels have been enjoyable, but not as gripping as Ella, or this one. It is an intricately woven tale of magic, courage and adventures. The classic tale of the weak finding courage, but with a new insentive and a wonderful adventure ahead of her. This humorous, witty tale brought as much enjoyment to me, as Ella Enchanted. 'Dave in the Night" and "The Wish" were very good, but Ella and "The Two Princesses of Bamarre" are by far, Levine's two masterpieces. I cannot wait until her next magical tale comes out.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A six-star book!
Review: This book is spectacularly perfect! It is an amazing story with a beautiful ending! It is surprising, yet not too much so! The poetry was amazing, and the book was just too wonderful! I could read it again and again! It is officially my favorite book, and with my love of my former favorite book, that's quite hard! Gail Carson Levine has done an amazing job again! A book of courage, beauty, and changes, I wish I could jump in and live in it, experience every second, even the bad ones.


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