Review: Palace of Stone

Palace of Stone
(Princess Academy #2)
by Shannon Hale
MD Fantasy
August 21st 2012 by Bloomsbury USA


Goodreads summary:
Coming down from the mountain to a new life in the city is a thrill to Miri. She and her princess academy friends have been brought to Asland to help the future princess Britta prepare for her wedding.There, Miri also has a chance to attend school-at the Queen's Castle. But as Miri befriends students who seem sophisticated and exciting she also learns that they have some frightening plans. Torn between loyalty to the princess and her new friends' ideas, between an old love and a new crush, and between her small mountain home and the bustling city, Miri looks to find her own way in this new place.
Picking up where "Princess Academy" left off, and celebrating the joys of friendship, romance and the fate of fairy tale kingdoms, this new book delivers the completely delightful new story that fans have been waiting for.

What I thought:
I loved the Princess Academy! I was really happy when Shannon wrote a sequel. I ended up really enjoying it, not as much as the first book, but it was still really good.

Things are unsettled in the capital of the country and in regards to the king and the way he rules. This is the setting that Miri and her friends step into as she comes down from her mountain to study at the Queen's Castle. She isn't quite sure what is going on and which side to choose. She has three different friends who are pulling her one way or another. She doesn't feel like she is important enough or smart enough to make a difference. Little does she know how important of a role she will end up playing.

I really loved Miri in the first book and I liked her, for the  most part, in this one. I did get a little frustrated when I saw her making wrong choices, not being more guarded, being easily led and deceived, or not making decisions at all or talking to anyone about them. It did fit her background and experience in some ways. In other ways I felt she should have initially been more loyal to her friends. She has never been in the capital or been around so much nobility and the rules of the society are so very different from what she has ever experienced. She also is unsure of where her heart lies. Is she going to want to come back to the Queen's Castle, is she going to want to go home and marry her childhood friend who has become something more, or is there someone else for her?

This really, in a lot of ways, is a continuation of Miri coming of age and finding out who she really is or wants to be and just the learning pains of growing up. I was happy with what she does and decides in the end, which made struggling through the rough spots worth it.

If you enjoyed the first book, love reading Middle Grade, or love Shannon Hale, then I would definitely recommend reading this one.

Content: Clean
Source: Library
 
 
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Have you read Palace of Stone or are planning too?







Disclosure: This review is of a book I was given for free by an author, tour host, or publisher, or through NetGalley or Edelweiss. This in no way influences the opinions shared in my review. You may see my complete policy on the sidebar and on my policies page. This post also contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase of any type using these links, I receive a small kickback.

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