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SHANNON HALE
Age Range: 12/13 and up
Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, Crown Princess of Kildenree, always knew she was different from those around her and, because of that, was somehow failing as a princess. From her aunt, she learned the language of the birds and heard the first word on the tongue of a colt. Years later, when her aunt was gone, and she was expected to act like her mother, the queen, Anidori, instead of becoming queen herself, was sent to a kingdom far away to marry a prince she had never met. Along the way, she is betrayed by her maidservant, who takes her place as a princess and is forced to flee for her life and become the goose girl. The life of a goose girl is very different from the life of a princess, but Anidori can't help but like being a goose girl more. When the time comes to choose which life to live, Anidori must decide: goose girl or princess?
Wow wow wow I have never read a fantasy book that I have loved as much as The Goose Girl (and it was a fairytale which was a major plus)! It was a little hard to get into in the beginning, so it took me a couple of times to get past a few chapters, but I could not stop once I did. One of the things I enjoyed so much about The Goose Girl is how she finds herself after she is betrayed by everyone she knows and has to go from the princess to the goose girl. Anidori was such a sweet character but let herself be pushed around by everyone: her mom, her maids, her friends, and the people of her kingdom. Throughout most of the story, I yelled at all the people taking advantage of Anidori, but I was relieved and happy when she finally took hold of her life. She found an inner strength and voice but was not annoying about it like some other main characters; it was more of a quiet confidence.
Another central theme in The Goose Girl is friendship. Throughout the story, Anidori is looking for good friends and is betrayed just when she thinks she has found one. Only when she becomes the goose girl instead of the princess and truly becomes herself does she find friends for a lifetime.
The story is a timeless classic and enjoyable for all ages with some romance, but it is not the book's focus. I thought the fantasy part of the novel was interesting, and that's saying something because I'm not too fond of fantasy books. The Goose Girl was a bit long, but it was a fantastic story. It is one of those books that captivates you, and you need to keep reading to know what happens.
Things to Mention: There is some violence including: people fighting each other, a women slapping her daughter, people getting hung, and other fighting. There is some kisses but no details. There is a story of women taking off their shirts so their husbands would win in the war. Some other small things.
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If you have read The Goose Girl, let me know in the comments below. I'd love to hear your thoughts! Do you have a book you want to be reviewed? Let me know, and I'll add it to my list! Thanks for stopping by. I'm glad you're here.
