pandacat42's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as the first book. Thought everything seemed too manipulated so that Miri saves the day with everything. She always seems to come up with the right ideas at the right time.
hgranger's review against another edition
3.0
Good book, but not as magical as Princess Academy. The story was good but conflicts seemed too easily resolved, especially the romantic conflict.
(Spoiler alert: 1. How convenient that she didn't really have to make a choice in the end and 2. Really, Peder was just that clueless that he "didn't know to ask"?)
All in all, this read like a YA read where PA felt like it spoke to adults as well.
(Spoiler alert: 1. How convenient that she didn't really have to make a choice in the end and 2. Really, Peder was just that clueless that he "didn't know to ask"?)
All in all, this read like a YA read where PA felt like it spoke to adults as well.
crystal_reading's review against another edition
5.0
Miri once again shows her strength as a young girl looking for her place in the world. She feels called to go beyond her small mountain village to learn more even while knowing it will be hard to be away from her family. She is excited about visiting a bustling city and meeting people, but doesn't realize that she is stepping into a palace filled with intrigue and danger. Miri discovers that there is a revolution brewing and she is faced with many complex choices. I appreciated Miri's courage and the honest questioning she engages in as she tries to understand what it is she wants in life and where her loyalties lie.
Palace of Stone builds on the original Princess Academy so is ideally read in sequence, but it would be completely accessible and enjoyable on its own. I highly recommend this book for those interested in fantasy and books about friendship.
Original review http://readingtl.blogspot.com/2012/08/palace-of-stone-by-shannon-hale.html
Palace of Stone builds on the original Princess Academy so is ideally read in sequence, but it would be completely accessible and enjoyable on its own. I highly recommend this book for those interested in fantasy and books about friendship.
Original review http://readingtl.blogspot.com/2012/08/palace-of-stone-by-shannon-hale.html
whisperfox's review against another edition
3.0
[6/10]
This second installment is interesting mostly due to how it expands the world-building and the magic system of the first book. I enjoy it very much for those reasons.
I wasn't as big a fan of the plot for this one -- the politics and especially the love triangle just aren't my bag. So it missed the mark for me some here, especially the emotional beats between the main character and the challenging love interest. I was so not buying them as having any chemistry that he became more of a metaphor for revolution for me/Miri than a real character.
That said, the book did still surprise me with its expansion of linder magic, and I enjoyed that very much. I was also very struck by Britta here. She is by far the most empathetic character in the entire series, and her capacity for kindness and finding the best in others is something I can only aspire to.
Although less compelled by this plot, I still really liked a lot about it. All in all, it's a pretty solid sequel.
This second installment is interesting mostly due to how it expands the world-building and the magic system of the first book. I enjoy it very much for those reasons.
I wasn't as big a fan of the plot for this one -- the politics and especially the love triangle just aren't my bag. So it missed the mark for me some here, especially the emotional beats between the main character and the challenging love interest. I was so not buying them as having any chemistry that he became more of a metaphor for revolution for me/Miri than a real character.
That said, the book did still surprise me with its expansion of linder magic, and I enjoyed that very much. I was also very struck by Britta here. She is by far the most empathetic character in the entire series, and her capacity for kindness and finding the best in others is something I can only aspire to.
Although less compelled by this plot, I still really liked a lot about it. All in all, it's a pretty solid sequel.
lindasdarby's review against another edition
3.0
Shannon Hale this book made me sad. It wasn't awful but after reading this I wonder why you felt the need to write a sequel. We listened to this in the car so it was entertaining enough but it dragged and then the end was very corny. Fine for a car ride or a slow day but not great.
callieash_ro's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book! I didn't love it as much as the first one--I missed Mount Eskel, the simpler Academy setting, the focus on the beauty of education rather than themes of revolution/politics--but I still really enjoyed it. I loved the interactions between Peder and Miri. I will be reading the third book soon!
claireadtea's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kayu99's review against another edition
3.0
The parallels to the French Revolution were too heavy-handed.
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
I have waited for about 8 years for a sequel, constantly hoping there will be one. When I heard about the sequel last year, I was really fangirling and squealing.
First: Sorry for the chaotic review. :)
I got the book, and I put everything else on hold. I only do that for the special books. :)
And special it was, the book was wonderful. So happy to see everyone again, to read about Mount Eskel, to read about Miri. And ofcourse rooting for Peder and Miri, because they just had to get together. :)
This time the book takes place in Asland, at the palace and the surrounding areas. Britta is about to get married to Steffan, and the Princess Ladies have to be there. So Miri and her friends set of for a few days trip and will be staying at the palace for a year. Miri is doubting if she wants to go, she doesn't want to leave her father and her sister. But in the end she goes, promising she will write them letters and will send them when the spring comes and the traders go to Mount Eskel.
I loved the little letters we got at the end of the chapters. How Miri starts of insecure, worried and afraid, but in the end grows up and is more secure and sure of herself.
I was happy to see Miri got a chance to go to school (Queen's Castle) and study. I loved the descriptions of the clothes, the library, the whole school. I wish I could go to such a school, it sounds really wonderful.
In this book we also got 2 boys, 1 is Peder and 1 is Timon. Miri is floating between them, unsure about her feelings.
Timon, well let say.. I was rooting for him the first part, but quite soon I was hoping he would just disappear. He was annoying and way to opiniated about political stuff.
On that note, I didn't mind the political stuff much, though it got boring sometimes. I wish we more had a story about the romance between Peder and Miri. Miri and her friends and just a fun book. Now it was loaded with political stuff and for some parts I skipped it.
I can understand why it is needed, since we already knew about the problems with the King, and how he keeps overtaxing and getting more and more gifts while the rest of the country starved.
I loved the ending,
Overall a good book. Romance, action, magic all combined in this book. I would recommend it. Though be sure to read the first book. You will be very confused if you enter this book without the knowledge of the first book.
First: Sorry for the chaotic review. :)
I got the book, and I put everything else on hold. I only do that for the special books. :)
And special it was, the book was wonderful. So happy to see everyone again, to read about Mount Eskel, to read about Miri. And ofcourse rooting for Peder and Miri, because they just had to get together. :)
This time the book takes place in Asland, at the palace and the surrounding areas. Britta is about to get married to Steffan, and the Princess Ladies have to be there. So Miri and her friends set of for a few days trip and will be staying at the palace for a year. Miri is doubting if she wants to go, she doesn't want to leave her father and her sister. But in the end she goes, promising she will write them letters and will send them when the spring comes and the traders go to Mount Eskel.
I loved the little letters we got at the end of the chapters. How Miri starts of insecure, worried and afraid, but in the end grows up and is more secure and sure of herself.
I was happy to see Miri got a chance to go to school (Queen's Castle) and study. I loved the descriptions of the clothes, the library, the whole school. I wish I could go to such a school, it sounds really wonderful.
In this book we also got 2 boys, 1 is Peder and 1 is Timon. Miri is floating between them, unsure about her feelings.
Timon, well let say.. I was rooting for him the first part, but quite soon I was hoping he would just disappear. He was annoying and way to opiniated about political stuff.
On that note, I didn't mind the political stuff much, though it got boring sometimes. I wish we more had a story about the romance between Peder and Miri. Miri and her friends and just a fun book. Now it was loaded with political stuff and for some parts I skipped it.
I can understand why it is needed, since we already knew about the problems with the King, and how he keeps overtaxing and getting more and more gifts while the rest of the country starved.
I loved the ending,
Spoiler
Peder and Miri getting engaged/betrothed. Sooooo happy with that. Though Peder is a bit.. well typical guy stuff. :) And I loved the kisses they shared.Overall a good book. Romance, action, magic all combined in this book. I would recommend it. Though be sure to read the first book. You will be very confused if you enter this book without the knowledge of the first book.
13delathauwere's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0