Palace of Stone

By Shannon Hale

Coming down from the mountain to a new life in the city seems a thrill beyond imagining. When Miri and her friends from Mount Eskel set off to help the future princess Britta prepare for her royal wedding, she is happy about her chance to attend school in the capital city. There, Miri befriends students who seems so sophisticated and exciting…until she learns that they have some frightening plans. They think that Miri will help them, that she should help them. Soon Miri fiinds herself torn between loyalty to the princess and her new friends’ ideas, between an old love and a new crush,k and between her small mountain home and the bustling city.

I meant to read this when it first came out but couldn’t really get in the mood. Even when I did read it it took forever for me to really get into the story, which is abnormal for me with a book by Shannon Hale, who is fantastic. Needless to say, I liked the original MUCH better. Miri irritated me because, once more, she has Peder there and is crushing on a stranger and doubting Peder’s affection. The actual political shenanigans and plot line was good. Typical of Shannon Hale to have it perfectly hashed out and wrap it up in a bow. Love that, also the fact that I am never quite sure how it’s going to work out is a plus.

I give it a 3 out of 5

Midnight in Austenland

By Shannon Hale
When Charlotte Kinder treats herself to a two-week vacation at Austenland, she happily leaves behind her ex-husband and his delightful new wife, her ever-grateful children, and all the rest of her real life in America. She dons a bonnet and stays at a country manor house that provides an immersive Austen experience, complete with gentleman actors who cater to the guests' Austen fantasies.
Everyone at Pembrook Park is playing a role, but increasingly, Charlotte isn't sure where roles end and reality begins. And as the parlor games turn a little bit menacing, she finds she needs more than a good corset to keep herself safe. Is the brooding Mr. Mallery as sinister as he seems? What is Miss Gardenside's mysterious ailment? Was that an actual dead body in the secret attic room? And-perhaps of the most lasting importance-could the stirrings in Charlotte's heart be a sign of real-life love?


Bwahahahaha! I just felt the urge to do an evil laugh before I review this one...it just makes me smile and go all giddy. I didn't love Austenland, but this one was so much more my speed.  Instead of an obsessed Coling Firth fan visiting a weird regency amusement park, it's poor Charlotte Kinder. Divorced, and trying to find a way to trust another man. I thought I'd have a hard time sympathizing with the character, but Charlotte is awesome. She is a lady who is not just a mom and a businesswoman, but a woman who is lonely and in desperate need of a Jane Austen hopeful ending. The great thing about this novel was that it wasn't just a romance, it was a mystery too. How cool is that? While Charlotte is trying her best to fall in love, she's also trying to solve a murder that no one believes happened. This was a great feel-good novel to read and giggle at and even pull your heart-strings. Full of Hale's wit and humor, you'll be satisfied you took the time to read this one.  There is a few instances of language and some inuendo. Just as a warning. Uncomfortable at times for sensitive me, but really mild.

3  3/4 out of 5

Forest Born

By Shannon Hale

Growing up in the Forest, Rin always turned to the trees when she needed peace or reassurance, even direction, until the day they seem to reject her. Rin is sure something is wrong with her, something that is keeping her from feeling at home in the Forest, keeping her from trusting herself with anyone at all.
When her brother Razo returns to the city after a visit home, Rin accompanies him to the palace in hopes of finding a new sense of herself. But a mysterious threat haunts Bayern, and Rin joins the magical girls she thinks of as the Fire Sisters- Isi, Enna, and Dasha- as they venture into the woods toward the kingdom of Kel…where someone wants them all dead.

This is the fourth book in the Books of Bayern series by Shannon Hale (who rocks by the way). I was rather surprised at this latest installment, because I didn't really like "Enna Burning" or "River Secrets" nearly as much as "The Goose Girl". But this book was right down my alley and was reminiscent of "The Goose Girl". It wasn't quite as good, but if you liked Goose Girl, you will definitely like "Forest Born". It clicked with me because Rin has a hard time trusting herself and she is pretty hard on herself. It was easy to relate to her because I feel much the same. I really think lots of people will relate with the heroine of this book; it's quite the journey of finding yourself and learning to trust in yourself and believe you're worth the trouble. :)

The Actor and the Housewife

By Shannon Hale

Mormon housewife Becky Jack is seven months pregnant with her fourth child when she meets celebrity heartthrob Felix Callahan. A few hours, one elevator ride, and one alcohol-free dinner later something has happened, though nothing has happened…It isn’t sexual. It isn’t even quite love. But soon Felix shows up in Salt Lake City to visit and before they know what’s hit them, Felix and Becky are best friends-talk-on-the-phone, drop-everything-in-an-emergency, laugh-out-loud-at-stupid-jokes best friends.
Becky’s loving and devoted husband, Mike, is mostly unconcerned. Her children roll their eyes. Her large extended family and neighbors gossip endlessly. But Felix and Becky have something special, something unusual, something that seems from the outside-and sometimes the inside too-completely impossible to sustain.
On the surface, Becky’s story of a steadfast housewife and the handsome star is the ultimate romantic fantasy. But the depth of emotion that Shannon Hale shows us in Becky is the strength that underpins only the strongest relationships. It is what makes this story resonate beyond the glitter of Felix’s movie-stardom to the deeper understanding of the kinds of true love we all dream of having.
Shannon Hale has created a magical and often hilarious story that explores what might happen when your not-so-secret celebrity crush walks right into real life, and changes everything.


Okay, I just want to say to Shannon Hale: You rock like a cradle. I was laughing so hard that I actually snorted, then laughed even harder. I can honestly say I have never laughed so hard in my whole life while reading a work of fiction. The witty banter was just too hilarious. And what made it better- this isn’t a book about adultery. In fact, quite the opposite. It’s about staying true and what being a friend is all about. And I will also admit to the astonishing fact that I can add this to the half-dozen books that I really cried at. But by the end I was laughing again. To get that range of emotion, you’ve got something magic. My only interesting comment is this: I’ve read all of Shannon’s books now and this is the only one that swears. I was a little let down by that fact, but I can see why she did it. She’s talking about real life, but she does it tactfully. I heartily enjoyed this book, just like all of Shannon’s previous works.
One of my favorite parts is when Felix tags along to a Mormon potluck and the people in the ward recognize him and think he’s Mormon. They all start saying, “I didn’t know you were LDS! Come over her Brother Callahan and we’ll get you some food.” It was then that, in a confused and slightly panicked voice Felix whispers to Becky, “Did I just get accused of using drugs?”
Yeah, and that’s one of the lesser funny moments. I just remembered it offhand because I didn’t get it and when I finally did I laughed my head off. (Yes, I’m pitifully slow sometimes).

Book of a Thousand Days

by Shannon Hale

"My lady and I are being shut up in a tower for seven years..."

When Dashti, a maid, and Lady Saren, her mistress, are shut in a tower for seven years because of Saren's refusal to marry a man she despises, the two prepare for a very long and dark imprisonment.

As food runs low and the days go from broiling hot to freezing cold, it is all Dashti can do to keep them fed and comfortable. With the arrival outside the tower of Saren's two suitors-one welcome, the other decidedly less so-the girls are confronted with both hope and great danger, and Dashti must make the desperate choices of a girl whose life is worth more than she knows.

I finished this book for the third time today and was just as smitten as the first time I read it. I adore the story, the uniqueness of it, but the classic tale of a girl who, though common, raises her fortunes through sheer will to live and honor her promises, is one that will never grow old. Dashti has a voice that shines through the paper and is a lot of fun to read her own history of what befalls her and her mistress. This book gained the honor of sitting on my 'favorites' shelf along with two others of Shannon Hale. It's a great story, full of adventure, love, and mystery. Read it and you will love it, 100% guaranteed.

Princess Academy

By Shannon Hale

High on the slopes of Mount Eskel, Miri's family has lived forever, pounding a meager living from the stone of the mountain itself. Miri dreams of working alongside the others in the quarry, but she has never been allowed to work there- perhaps, she thinks, because she is so small.

Then words comes from the lowlands: the king's priests have divined that the prince's bride-to-be - the next princess- will come from Mount Eskel. The prince himself will travel to the village to choose his bride, but first all the eligible girls must attend a makeshift academy to prepare for royal lowlander life.

At the school, Miri finds herself confronting both bitter competition among the girls and her own conflicted desires to be chosen. Yet when danger comes to the academy, it is Miri, named for a tiny mountain flower, who must find a way to save her classmates- and the chance for the future that each of them is eager to secure as her own.

After picking up this book to read, I didn't set it down again until it was finished. There was never a dull spot to get through and I was left guessing until the end. I enjoyed it immensely. It's not what I was expecting, to be sure, when I started reading it. I expected this silly little fairy-tale that would be quite mushy and full of happily-ever-afters. Boy was I surprised! It was delightful and exciting. I was cheering for Miri the whole way, telling her "No, don't do that!" and "Good one!" as she went. Shannon creates a whole new, believable culture and world set on a mountain side. It was enchanting and left me with a comfortable warmth in my heart as I turnned to the last page. It's a great one for girls especially.

Fun facts: Princess Academy won the Newberry Honor medal for children's literature. Shannon has also written The Goose Girl, Enna Burning, River Secrets, Forest Born, Book of a Thousand Days, and Austenland. She's a wicked-awesome author!

Austenland

By Shannon Hale

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a thirty-something woman in possession of a satisfying career and fabulous hairdo must be in want of very little…” Jane Hayes however, was in want of very much. And her obsession with Mr. Darcy (as played by Colin Firth) was getting in the way. But Jane just can’t let him go! So, in an attempt to put in all behind her, Jane accepts an invitation to Pembrook Park, a place where people live the life of Regency England, and are able to find a Mr. Darcy all their own. Jane believes that once she gets it out of her system, she will be able to finally throw out her Austen books, and her precious BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and live a normal life…but things never turn out the way you plan.

Hmm. This is Shannon Hale’s first book for adults, and it was funny at first. Then it got a little exasperating, then embarrassing, then funny again, then just really gushy. There were parts that I thought were absolutely hilarious and tickled my fancy, but other parts where I was going, ‘whoa horsey!’ in my head. There was a little too much candor in the character of Jane Hayes at times, and a little too much intensity with certain members of the opposite sex. For others it probably would be funny, but to me it seemed so utterly ridiculous that a woman would be so desperate. I clashed with Jane Hayes as a character, so I have very conflicting feelings toward this book. The whole context is just a little surreal and odd, flinging 21st century people into Austenland, where I was never sure who was for ‘real’ and who was acting. Neither was Jane, and that was the frustrating part. But it was a fun little read, a little under 200 pages, I stayed up until 3 A.M. finishing it, just because I can! I think most women who ever had a liking for Mr. Darcy and his declarations of ‘fine eyes’ will enjoy this little adaptation of trying to let go of the perfect model to find something real.

Funny Info: The book dedication states: “For Colin Firth, You’re a really great guy, but I’m married, so I think we should just be friends.” Shannon Hale makes me laugh.

The Goose Girl

By Shannon Hale

Crown Princess Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee was not what her mother wanted. Instead of flattering people, she spent her time learning how to talk to the swans, and listening to her Aunt’s stories about the languages of the animals. Ani has a gift, but a gift that many distrust and hate; including her mother. So her mother decides for the good of the kingdom to send Ani away to marry a complete stranger and be queen of a different kingdom entirely. Ani is crushed but knows her duty, and so travels to Bayern, where she starts on the greatest adventure of her life; where she learns who she is and where a person’s true strength lies.

The Goose Girl is one of my all-time favorite books for young adults. It struck true with me mostly because Ani is the most like me of any character I have ever read about. I harmonized with everything she thought and felt and it was like having constant déjà-vu. Following her quest to be both herself and a respectable princess was amazing and delightful. As she finds her strengths and weaknesses, as she falls in love for the first time, and as she makes the first true friends she has ever had, I was right there laughing and crying and cheering her on. Shannon Hale is one of my favorite authors, as I have read all but one of her books and they are all excellent! The Goose Girl is definitely worth your time.

Fun Fact: The Goose Girl is based on a fairy tale by the Brothers Grim, which Hale has masterfully written in a whole new world and context. If you like fairy-tale adaptations, this is the best one I’ve read by far.

Interesting Info: The story of Ani and the people of Bayern continues in Enna Burning, and River Secrets. While these two tales are told from different characters, they are still quite good and entertaining to read as you find out what happens to the characters you come to know in The Goose Girl.