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and_so_she_reads_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
the_readergirl's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
hildamarie's review
4.0
The first Princess Academy was a wonderful surprise! I never expected to enjoy an economic revolution so thoroughly and to see young girls at the helm of the efforts. The sequel steers Miri on a similar course. The power that Hale gives to her female characters is always hard won and thoughtful. I love that these "princesses" learn how to govern and consider their people. As with Princess Academy, girls who might pick this up looking for a frothy read will find a little romance and a lot of substance to think about. That is why I read Shannon Hale's books, and then promptly give them to my daughter! Although, sometimes it is the other way around. :)
sam_k_'s review
4.0
I was really worried to read the sequel because second books in trilogies are the bridge between the debut and the finale, which means that they often feel meaningless, but I actually really liked this sequel.
This sequel felt like its own story and built on the first book, which to me is what makes a good sequel.
In this one Miri actually gets to go to the palace and experience what it’s like to live somewhere other than Mount Eskel, her home, and we get to see her relationships with other characters develop in a really nice way.
This book also has some of the Bert political commentary of any book, middle grade or otherwise. Hale, the author, mentioned being inspired by the French Revolution and you can totally see that here. There’s also elements of feudalism and medieval systems which I also really enjoyed. I thought that the commentary overall was very nuanced and I was very impressed. Especially in fantasy/dystopian books there’s always a good/bad and it’s not as clean cut here, which I really enjoyed. I also enjoy how Hale humanizes all of the characters on all sides, even when they make objectively bad decisions, because it helps build up and add legitimacy to her commentary.
Some other reviewers had argued that this book didn’t have as much heart, and I agree and disagree. There is less of an emphasis on the camaraderie between the girls from Mount Eskel but I don’t think that’s to the book’s detriment. This book is a lot more focused on Miri and her specific coming of age, and I think that the book forsakes elements like that a little bit more to fit more with the central plot.
Also the ending was really endearing and a perfect end to this book, I was near tears. (Not crying but close.)
I’m excited and scared to read the finale because it has the potential to end this series really well or really crash it down.
This sequel felt like its own story and built on the first book, which to me is what makes a good sequel.
In this one Miri actually gets to go to the palace and experience what it’s like to live somewhere other than Mount Eskel, her home, and we get to see her relationships with other characters develop in a really nice way.
This book also has some of the Bert political commentary of any book, middle grade or otherwise. Hale, the author, mentioned being inspired by the French Revolution and you can totally see that here. There’s also elements of feudalism and medieval systems which I also really enjoyed. I thought that the commentary overall was very nuanced and I was very impressed. Especially in fantasy/dystopian books there’s always a good/bad and it’s not as clean cut here, which I really enjoyed. I also enjoy how Hale humanizes all of the characters on all sides, even when they make objectively bad decisions, because it helps build up and add legitimacy to her commentary.
Some other reviewers had argued that this book didn’t have as much heart, and I agree and disagree. There is less of an emphasis on the camaraderie between the girls from Mount Eskel but I don’t think that’s to the book’s detriment. This book is a lot more focused on Miri and her specific coming of age, and I think that the book forsakes elements like that a little bit more to fit more with the central plot.
Also the ending was really endearing and a perfect end to this book, I was near tears. (Not crying but close.)
I’m excited and scared to read the finale because it has the potential to end this series really well or really crash it down.
adareads13's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
x0pherl's review
2.0
My daughter and I were both pretty disappointed with the follow up to Princess Academy.
The story is too ambitious, and lacks the charm and warmth of the first book. For the first half of the book, little was going on of real interest (this book took us a llllooooonnnng time to get through) and the entirety focuses far too much on politics and the responsibilities of the monarchy to the poor.
By the second half of the book, the plot picked up enough to be interesting again, but the book had already mostly lost us.
I don't strongly recommend this book.
The story is too ambitious, and lacks the charm and warmth of the first book. For the first half of the book, little was going on of real interest (this book took us a llllooooonnnng time to get through) and the entirety focuses far too much on politics and the responsibilities of the monarchy to the poor.
By the second half of the book, the plot picked up enough to be interesting again, but the book had already mostly lost us.
I don't strongly recommend this book.
emblue1's review
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0