Scan barcode
debbiebarr's review against another edition
5.0
This book takes Miri's story to unexpected places, but is beautifully told, as always.
the_gracie_bird's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
kitsuneheart's review against another edition
5.0
Seven years after the publication of the first Princess Academy book, Shannon Hale returns. This book was published about the same time as the popular Selection series by Kass, and it does feel like this was perhaps finally put out (it doesn't feel like a ruched job, so I can imagine it being on the backburner) to compete with that series.
And, honestly, this book is what I wanted from Kass and did not get, and it has left me pretty excited for my library to get the audiobook of the third volume. Where Hale gave us a light bit of politics in the first book, "Palace of Stone" is just about nothing but politics. Miri is tasked with seeing how likely a peasant uprising is within the capital, and she gets caught up in revolutionary zeal. While there is a romantic subplot, the greater plot is about the changes coming to Danland.
And the romance plots were actually pretty nice, as well. I was really worried about the macho posturing that would come when the two male love interests tried to make their points to one another, but it never happens. There's no fight over Miri, mostly because she is the one making decisions about her life from the beginning. It's her future, and she's shaping it not only for herself, but for the entire country. It's so refreshing to not read another "you don't appreciate her" speech, and instead have the girl pick all for herself.
This is a more grown-up book than the original Princess Academy, but it has grown with its readers, and it is on the scene at just the right time for American politics: when Millennials come of age and begin to exert their political power.
If you can find an audio version of this, I encourage you to check it out. It's done with a full cast, including some good musical renditions of chapter beginnings, so you'll get a pretty good value.
And, honestly, this book is what I wanted from Kass and did not get, and it has left me pretty excited for my library to get the audiobook of the third volume. Where Hale gave us a light bit of politics in the first book, "Palace of Stone" is just about nothing but politics. Miri is tasked with seeing how likely a peasant uprising is within the capital, and she gets caught up in revolutionary zeal. While there is a romantic subplot, the greater plot is about the changes coming to Danland.
And the romance plots were actually pretty nice, as well. I was really worried about the macho posturing that would come when the two male love interests tried to make their points to one another, but it never happens. There's no fight over Miri, mostly because she is the one making decisions about her life from the beginning. It's her future, and she's shaping it not only for herself, but for the entire country. It's so refreshing to not read another "you don't appreciate her" speech, and instead have the girl pick all for herself.
This is a more grown-up book than the original Princess Academy, but it has grown with its readers, and it is on the scene at just the right time for American politics: when Millennials come of age and begin to exert their political power.
If you can find an audio version of this, I encourage you to check it out. It's done with a full cast, including some good musical renditions of chapter beginnings, so you'll get a pretty good value.
flerpi's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book. To me, the handling of the political/economic issues in this book was unexpected of a YA book. In a lot of YA books things like poverty, tyranny, and revolution feel very one-note. They exist, but you either only see the side the main character is on – the opposing side being entirely evil/wrong – or the issues only exist on the peripheral as a convenient plot device for drama, but never really expanded on.
In this book, the government is burdening its people too much with tributes [taxes], to the point that there are many unhappy and/or starving people. Miri, the main character, arrives in the city to spend time with her friend, the Princess. Through her character, you get to learn about the poverty and angry of the commoners, but still feel sympathy for some of the nobles and royalty like the Princess. You learn how some of the wealthy could seem so ignorant/complacent about the situation, while others take advantage of it. The book shows that neither side’s actions were 100% correct, and there were few characters that didn’t have some redeeming qualities.
In this book, the government is burdening its people too much with tributes [taxes], to the point that there are many unhappy and/or starving people. Miri, the main character, arrives in the city to spend time with her friend, the Princess. Through her character, you get to learn about the poverty and angry of the commoners, but still feel sympathy for some of the nobles and royalty like the Princess. You learn how some of the wealthy could seem so ignorant/complacent about the situation, while others take advantage of it. The book shows that neither side’s actions were 100% correct, and there were few characters that didn’t have some redeeming qualities.
cburgbennett's review against another edition
5.0
Shannon Hale does not disappoint!! I liked this more than the first book. I surprisingly really liked reading about the politics. They weren't overbearing and were very interesting. I really liked the theme of ethics that was introduced in this book from the beginning. It made me think more about right and wrong in society. And it's funny, I never would have thought that I would read all of that in a Shannon Hale book!
Highly recommended to those that liked Princess Academy.
Spoiler
Timon was annoying. I couldn't stand him from the beginning. Peder is such a sweetheart. So glad that it ended up the way it did.Highly recommended to those that liked Princess Academy.
caitlink's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
onceuponacarm's review against another edition
5.0
Picking up after Princess Academy, Miri heads to Asland as one of the ladies of the soon-to-be princess, along with her friends from the princess academy. She is awed by the opportunities and luxuries of Asland, but soon discovers that all is not well--commoners are disenfranchised, tributes demanded from the provinces are causing poverty and starvation, and the "Shoeless" are about to revolt. Miri gets caught up in the fight for justice, but struggles with how to be true to more than one loyalty when the rest of the world demands she choose one or the other.
Beautifully written, poetry introduces each chapter, plenty of metaphors and similes, themes of loyalty, justice, doing the right thing, determination, friendship, revolution, peaceful diplomacy conquering violence, class hierarchy, and love (family, friendship, romantic, and love for one's home/nation)
Beautifully written, poetry introduces each chapter, plenty of metaphors and similes, themes of loyalty, justice, doing the right thing, determination, friendship, revolution, peaceful diplomacy conquering violence, class hierarchy, and love (family, friendship, romantic, and love for one's home/nation)
eyreguide's review against another edition
4.0
It's been awhile since I read the first book in this series "Princess Academy"and I think to really appreciate this book, it would have been better to reread the first, but the author does a great job of giving out necessary reminder details while keeping the pace of the plot going. The story does feel more like a sequel in that it isn't very substantial as it's own story. The plot moves so quickly, that the choices Miri makes seems a little abrupt, perhaps because it was set up more in the first book. The romance is sweet and continues where the first book left off, with the addition of another possible love interest but his character feels a little one - sided, and I thought it was he was less of the third part of a love triangle, and more of a plot device.
The high point of this book came near the end though, because I teared up at some parts - not because they were sad, but because they were so emotionally satisfying. I think Shannon Hale has this knack for capturing poignant, emotional moments that highlight character and important decisions and it makes for some beautiful scenes in this book. Overall, I felt like this book was a very good read, especially for fans of "Princess Academy" because it gives more dimension to that story and more to admire in Miri's character.
The high point of this book came near the end though, because I teared up at some parts - not because they were sad, but because they were so emotionally satisfying. I think Shannon Hale has this knack for capturing poignant, emotional moments that highlight character and important decisions and it makes for some beautiful scenes in this book. Overall, I felt like this book was a very good read, especially for fans of "Princess Academy" because it gives more dimension to that story and more to admire in Miri's character.
vorsoisson's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent follow-up to [b:Princess Academy|85990|Princess Academy (Princess Academy, #1)|Shannon Hale|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1349410861s/85990.jpg|3299770] that does a fantastic job of portraying the tension of knowing that you're needed back home while wanting everything that you can get from the world elsewhere. And which still has magic that can control stone through song, because, really, what else were you expecting.
lisaspon's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book :). When the first Princess Academy came out when I was in 3rd or 4th grade, I absolutely l loved it! I read it a few times, and badly wanted a sequel. Since there wasn't, I just imagined that Peder and Miri got married and lived happily ever after on Mount Eskel. I was fairly content with that ending in my head and had accepted it. Yet I still wished there was some sort of sequel to read at the time....and now, like 6 years later, when I found out there was an actual sequel?!? Ahhh!
Even though this book didn't have the "happily ever after" that I had originally imagined several years ago, I loved the action and adventure this book gave me. It had several thought-provoking moments (that I'm still pondering over inside my head) and was overall a great story. There BETTER be a 3rd book!!!!