I
had to reread Princess Academy before
getting to Palace of Stone, its
recently released sequel. Princess
Academy is Shannon Hale’s 2005 Newbery Honor novel.
I’ve
always thought Hale’s writing has a unique, lyrical quality that’s so
beautiful. It’s almost like reading poetry.
Miri
lives with her pa and older sister on remote Mount Eskel in the outer regions of
Danland. The villagers’ lives revolve around their work in the quarry, mining a
beautiful white stone called linder.
When
an announcement arrives that the prince of Danland is to choose his bride from
among Mount Eskel’s rough village girls, an academy is established to train and
educate the girls. Finally, Miri’s eyes are opened to reading and books, the
kingdom below Mount Eskel, and her potential to make something of her life.
When
danger strikes the academy, it is Miri’s courage and wit that save the girls
from a terrible enemy.
Princess Academy isn’t about fluffy pink
dresses and magic wands. The stony mountain setting and harsh realities of poverty
and quarry life don’t translate to a Disney-type princess story. The girls are
mostly plain Janes, and the prince is a socially awkward teenage boy, which
make the story all the more relatable.
Still,
the setting feels far away and long ago, and the writing is lovely. Girls 10 to
100 will adore it.
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