Book Review: The Goose Girl

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Genres: YA; Fantasy

Pages: 383

                                            

Goodreads Description:

Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, Crown Princess of Kildenree, spends the first years of her life under her aunt's guidance learning to communicate with animals. As she grows up Ani develops the skills of animal speech, but is never comfortable speaking with people, so when her silver-tongued lady-in-waiting leads a mutiny during Ani's journey to be married in a foreign land, Ani is helpless and cannot persuade anyone to assist her. 

Becoming a goose girl for the king, Ani eventually uses her own special, nearly magical powers to find her way to her true destiny. Shannon Hale has woven an incredible, original and magical tale of a girl who must find her own unusual talents before she can become queen of the people she has made her own. 

                                                                                        

My review:

I read this book the first time years ago, when Ally convinced me to, and finally I reread it so I could read the whole series(also because Ally convinced me to).  Let me tell you, I am so glad she did.  I loved this book.  The plot was enchanting, and so was the writing style.  It never got slow, and I appreciate this greatly.  When it began, I wasn't sure about it.  I thought Ani was slightly annoying, and she was very naive and that made me unsure of how the book was going to get where it needed to go.  Thankfully, as Ani's journey continued, she grew to realize that many of the things and the people she believed in weren't really helping her.  As she went through hardships, learning how to be a Goose Girl and learning how to trust the right people she relied more on her own strength and the help of her friends rather than material things.

There was a touch of romance, enough to be part of the story but not enough to overwhelm the real plot, which is just the right amount of romance in my opinion. Not to mention this book has some of the best quotes ever, some of which I will put down below for you.  

 “Yes, we'll yell, 'Help, help us, goose girl, and bring the terrifying legion of warrior geese'.” 

“She closed the book and put her cheek against it. There was still an odor of a library on it, of dust, leather, binding glue, and old paper, one book carrying the smell of hundreds.” 

“If we're mad, we're mad in large numbers, at least larger than yours.” 

“Am I the moss on your bark, then?" Ani asked.

Enna grabbed her around the waist and shook her affectionately. "You're the mossiest girl I know.” 

                                                                              

This is one book I can suggest to almost anyone, whether they be a pre-teen or an 18 year old.  The book is great and wonderfully clean.  After finishing this book the second time, I actually got to go to the library to get the second one: Enna Burning, and I am more than excited to finally read it.

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