Princess Academy by Shannon Hale:
Book Review

Click to buy Princess Academy Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Miri lives in the small mountain village of Mount Eskel, where life centers around quarrying a stone called linder. However, because of her small stature, Miri's father has forbidden her to work in the quarry with all of the other villagers. Miri's life takes a surprsing turn when the king's priests divine that the prince's future bride will come from Mount Eskel. All of the teenage girls from the village must now attend a special academy to teach them the necessary skills should one of them become the princess. As Miri learns more about her homeland and rises to the top of her class, she finds a voice and a niche in the community.

The Princess Academy is an engaging read full of believable characters and stirring descriptions. Hale describes Mount Eskel in such detail that it feels as if it is a real place. The best aspect of this book is the characters. From spunky Miri to snobby Katar to the imperious Tutor Olana, each character is full of life and seemes to jump off the page. The story tends to get a little slow, especially during the chapters at the school where their is relatively little action. However, the characters and beautiful setting make up for it, creating a great book.

Reviewed by 16 year-old girl reviewer