Book Review: Shannon Hale Books

This is going to be a bit different than my other book reviews, since I'm reviewing an entire author, instead of just one book. Introducing (long and drawn out, monster truck promoter style) Shannon Hale! To date, Shannon Hale has published 8 books for young adults, and 2 for adults. (No, I am not including her adult books, since I am a teen, and have not read them.) First up, the Books of Bayern:
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.

Pictures

Fiiirst up, ladies and gentlemen, are a few Girls Camp photos. Sadly, I did not bring replacement batteries to camp, so there are only a few:Les Schawb! We blew the treading off of a tire, so we had to go get a new one. Free popcorn... yummy :D

It started raining as soon as we got our (army surplus) tent up. When we had got there, some scouts had stolen our spot. We took it back, and they were nice enough to move their stuff. We kicked butt at Kickball and Capture the Flag that night.

Well, that's it for Girls Camp pictures. Next up, perspective pictures done on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

Ciao!

Rant on Justin Bieber, Kristen Stewart, and Others

Okay, sometimes I just have to let my feelings out- and here they are.

Justin Bieber- I have very mixed feelings about him. I don't hate the fact that he sounds like a girl- in fact, he sounds more like a boy now that he's older- but he has become the major object of obsessiveness. I don't have a problem with Justin Bieber- its the obsessed fans- and, dare I say, haters- that drag me to the end of my rope. Seriously, people, you may hate Justin Bieber, but you're still obsessed- with hate. Yeah. I said it.

Kristen Stewart- Ah, Kristen Stewart. Actress who plays Bella Swan in the renowned Twilight Saga. I gotta say, Kristen, you're very pretty. But, when my cousin and I watched New Moon, I found one problem- Girl, would it kill you to enunciate?? I couldn't understand half of what you were saying half of the time. Anyways, that's why I would think that Kristen Stewart would make a better model than an actress. I know, she's done modeling, but if she doesn't learn to speak up, I don't think her filming career's going too far.

Miley Cyrus- I feel so sorry for this chick. She's become so obsessed with fame and fortune that she recorded that terrible song. Yes Miley, I am talking about "Can't Be Tamed". The song and the video scare me to death. That's right. She is going to be the next Linsey Lohan. I can feel it in my bones.

Linsey Lohan- Speaking of Linsey, I was surprised when they let her out of jail early. I'm not the kind of person who reads the tabloids, but you can't help but hearing when it's announced on every single radio station in the U.S. Come on, people. You do the crime, you do the time. Linsey Lohan shouldn't be an exception.

Well, that's pretty much it. Want my opinions on other stars? Post a comment! (Please? I feel lonely :( )

Book Review- First in a Very Long Time

I know, I know. I've been slacking on the book reviews (like anyone's reading them anyway, I'm pretty much the only person who visits my blog).

I was looking to see if there was a legitimate writer's contest I could enter, and I found one hosted by Delacorte Publishing. I wanted to do some research about the type of books they were looking for, and I checked one out from the local library called 'Skin Deep'. Here's the cover:

"If all the world's a stage, Andrea Anderson is sitting in the audience. High school has its predictable heroes, heroines, villains, and plotlines, and Andrea has no problem guessing how each drama will turn out. She is, after all, a professional spectator. In the social hierarchy she is a Nothing, and at home her mother runs the show. All Andrea has to do is show up every day and life basically plays out as scripted. Then one day Andrea accepts a job. Honora Menapace-a reclusive neighbor-is sick. As in every other aspect of her life, Andrea's role is clear: Honora's garden must be taken care of and her pottery finished, and someone needs to feed her dog, Zena. But what starts out as a simple job yanks Andrea's back-row seat out from under her. Life is no longer predictable, and nothing is what it seems." -Courtesy of Random House Publishing.

This book is, in one word, amazing. It's one of those cold day, curl up on the couch with a good book and hot cocoa next to the fire and cry your eyes out kind of book.

Well, Mom's making me get off of the computer now. Ciao!

Yay!

K, I know that you are all wondering why I'm typing exclamations of joy. There are a few things, but I'm nice enough to share them all with you:Today was the Annual Freedom Festival Parade in Provo! I got to be in it with the PG marching band Seriously, it's harder than it looks, but easier than you'd expect it to be. Get my drift?

Secondly: I have only one more card left to sell for MB fundraiser! Any takers? o.O Seriously, you do not have to buy one. Especially if you don't live in, around, or near PG.

Well... that's about it More updates coming soon! Ciao!