The first book, "The Goose Girl", is based off of the Grimm fairy tale of the same name. Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, crown princess of Kildenree, is next in line for the throne, but when her father, King Nolan, is killed in a riding accident, Anidori discovers that instead of inheriting the throne when her mother dies, she has been betrothed, for the past several years, to Prince Geric, crown prince of Bayern. Her mother believes that the marriage will stop the ominous war. Anidori is sent off to Bayern with her guard, her lady-in-waiting Selia, and her beloved horse Falada, with whom she shares a telekinetic bond. While in the forests that border the two countries, Selia, along with most of Anidori's guard, rebel and replace Anidori with Selia. Anidori is nearly killed, but she is found by a Bayern forestwoman, Gilsa, who nurses her back to health. With an ingenious disguise, Anidori is sent on her way with Gilsa's son, Finn, who helps her find work at the Bayern palace. Anidori changes her name to Isi, in honor of her grandmother. She makes many new friends while tending the king's geese, such as Enna, Razo, and Conrad. I want SO BAD to tell you the end, but that would be cheating, and I would be shunned by Utah authors. SHUNNED, I tell you! :) Anyways, the sequels are listed, along with which of Isi's friends are focused on.
Enna Burning is, obviously, about Enna.
River Secrets is about Razo, and his 'girl' Dashta
Forest Born is about Razo's little sister, Rin (short for Rinna)
Next up, ladies and gentlemen, is Shannon Hale's Newbery Honor Book, Princess Academy
Princess Academy is about 14-year-old Miri, who lives in Danland, in the territory of Mount Eskel. When the traders announce that the next princess will be chosen from Mount Eskel, Miri is skeptical. They would never let a mountain girl marry the lowlander prince. But, all of the girls in the village from the ages of 12-18 are required to attend the Princess Academy, a school where all of the mountain girls learn about Poise, Ettiquette, and other princessly duties. Tutor Olana is cruel, and her punishment methods are almost archaic. Miri makes many new friends, such as Britta and Katar, but wild spirit is resented by some of the older girls. But, when the academy is threatened, it's up to the girls to save themselves and all they believe in.
An amazing book. It's a really good standalone, but I think she could write a sequel and it would get good reception.
Up next, Shannon Hale's second standalone book, Book of a Thousand Days
Book of a Thousand Days, Shannon Hale's 2nd stand-alone book, is set in the Asian highlands, which is a bit different from her other books, which are set in lands similar to her homeland of the Wasatch Mountains and her place of heritage; i.e. Germany, Scandanavia, etc. Anyways, this book is about Dashti, a mucker's maid, who, after her family dies, travels to the capital city to obtain a job. She is immediately made the lady-in-waiting of Lady Saren, who is prone to fits and tantrums. This is because she is being forced to marry Lord Khasar, a cruel tyrant, to save her father's kingdom, while she is in love with Khan Tegus, a prince of a small kingdom. Because of his daughter's stubborness, her father (the leader, king, emporer, whatever) locks her in a tower for seven years. There is plenty of food, but Saren's moods often prod her to eat more than her share, quickly depleting the food stores in the tower. Seven years pass, but no one comes to free them. Dashti, while Saren ever lies in mourning, finds a weak wall, and she is able to free herself and her mistress. They have many more amazing adventures after escaping from the tower, all which lead to a very cool ending. Even if it was predictable. This book was based off of the Brother's Grimm tale, Maid Maleen.
And now, last but not least, Shannon Hale's two Very Amazing Graphic Novels!!!!!
I LOVE Shannon Hale's graphic novels. The first one, Rapunzel's Revenge, is a recreation of the fairy tale Rapunzel, adapted and set in the old west, with one very cool heroine who kicks but with her hair/braid whips.
Calamity Jack is the AMAZING sequel. Basically, it's the same thing. It's an adaption of Jack in the Beanstalk, set in the early metropolitan area of Shyport, (which is basically like 1930s New York, with the immigrants, etc.) Honestly, this time, the sequel was better than the original. Which isn't saying anything. I like both.
Well, there's my exceedingly long post about Shannon Hale's books. They're amazing. She writes so lyrically and descriptively, it's like your almost there (not including with the graphic novels, cause you are. Technically.) GO READ THEM. NOW. :D Thank you for the extremely long amount of time it took you to read this post.
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