The Goose Girl

The latest book I've had time to devour is The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale.

Princess Anidori of Kilendree has been blessed with the gift of animal speaking, and is next in line to the throne of Kilendree. However, when her beloved father dies, her distant mother sends her off to the neighbouring country of Bayern, where she is to marry their prince to prevent a war. With a heavy heart, she sets off for Bayern. Along the way, her lady-in-waiting, Selia, and some of her men mutiny against her. Hungry for power, Selia and her men kill all Ani's guards and present her to the king if bayern in Ani's place. Ani escapes, and is forced to live as a goose girl tending the kings geese until she can reclaim her rightful position as princess.


This book was a great read. I really enjoyed it. It was very well paced and Shannon Hale did an awesome job of creating Ani's world. Although this book has a fantasy kind of feeling to it because of Ani's ability to talk to animals (and other things), it also felt very real; like it could have happened in a real place somewhere. I can't really explain it. One problem I had with this book was the writing. Not that the writing was bad. It wasn't at all. It was just a little flowery for me. Anyways, thats pretty much the only complaint I have.