Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

 

Princess Academy is a Newbery Honor Award-winning fantasy book written by Shannon Hale. Miri, a fourteen year old girl who was named after a tiny mountain flower, lives on the high slopes of Mount Eskel, where the villagers work hard in the quarry and cut linder (a type of fictional stone). Miri’s been living in the mountains for all of her life, trying her best to fit in and help her family. Then one day, word comes from the lowlands that the prince’s bride, or the next princess, would come from one of the girls in Mount Eskel. The prince himself will go to the village and select his bride, but first, all eligible girls need to attend an academy to learn the ways of royal life. Miri is one of the eligible girls. At the academy, Miri is faced with difficult challenges, including rivalry between the other girls and also trying to find out what she truly desires. At the same time she learns new things that might change her perspective of Mount Eskel. This including the thought about living in the castle with the prince gives her uncertainty. But later on, it is Miri who is the one who keeps her family and friends’ bonds together, even as she faces danger that comes to the academy.

I think this book is wonderful and I would probably read it again! This book gives a great message about family, friends, and education. Throughout the story Miri is confronted with challenges that include her family and friends, and although she was given the opportunity to live a luxurious life in the lowlands, she decides she’s most comfortable with the home she has. One of my favorite parts was when Miri rejected the offer of being a royal delegate so she can hand it over to another girl named Katar. This was my favorite part because Katar treated Miri so horribly throughout the book, with all of the bitter competition at the Academy, but Miri pays her back with kindness and gives her a special opportunity. “She’s only a horror because she’s so miserable. She’ll be an excellent delegate, I really think she will,” is what Miri says. This shows how thoughtful Miri is and how she wants others to also have the happiness of getting what they want. This is also a reason why Miri is my favorite character in the book. I sort of felt connected with Miri because, like her, I also feel like I would need to find out what I really want and what kind of life is right for me. Throughout the book Miri gives some thought about choosing her future, but in the end, she follows her heart. I feel as if perhaps I should do the same when I should determine my own future.

I recommend this book to anybody who likes fantasy novels. You will love this book if you are interested in stories about royalty, competition, and friendship. Princess Academy is the kind of book that really makes you think about your own family bonds, and gives you the chance to read a book that reflects a person’s feelings and desires. I recommend Princess Academy to those who are around the age of 10-14.

Review by Bom K.