The Two Princesses of Bamarre

The Two Princesses of Bamarre #1

by Gail Carson Levine

Twelve-year-old Addie admires her older sister Meryl, who aspires to rid the kingdom of Bamarre of gryphons, specters, and ogres. Addie, on the other hand, is fearful even of spiders and depends on Meryl for courage and protection. Waving her sword Bloodbiter, the older girl declaims in the garden from the heroic epic of Drualt to a thrilled audience of Addie, their governess, and the young sorcerer Rhys.

But when Meryl falls ill with the dreaded Gray Death, Addie must gather her courage and set off alone on a quest to find the cure and save her beloved sister. Addie takes the seven-league boots and magic spyglass left to her by her mother and the enchanted tablecloth and cloak given to her by Rhys - along with a shy declaration of his love. She prevails in encounters with tricky specters (spiders too) and outwits a wickedly personable dragon in adventures touched with romance and a bittersweet ending.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Fiction, Fairy Tales, Childrens, Romance

304 pages, Paperback

First published March 20, 2001

About the author

Just letting you all know: I'm only going to review books I love. There's enough negative criticism without me piling on. A book is too hard to write.

Gail Carson Levine grew up in New York City and began writing seriously in 1987. Her first book for children, Ella Enchanted, was a 1998 Newbery Honor Book. Levine's other books include Fairest; Dave at Night, an ALA Notable Book and Best Book for Young Adults; The Wish; The Two Princesses of Bamarre; and the six Princess Tales books. She is also the author of the nonfiction book Writing Magic: Creating Stories That Fly and the picture book Betsy Who Cried Wolf, illustrated by Scott Nash. Gail, her husband, David, and their Airedale, Baxter, live in a 1790 farmhouse in the Hudson River Valley of New York State.

Reviews

[emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

middle grade adventure books: best of all time.

fairytales and books with fairytale ENERGY: best of all time.

books about sisters: best! of! all! time!

this book rules, it ruled for my entire childhood, i presume it actively rules now even though i am an adult, and i want to reread it.

end review.

part of my review books from a long time ago series

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE THAT BOOK!!!!!!

[Brigid ✩ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book!!! Even though Ella Enchanted is Gail Carson Levine's most well-known book, I think that The Two Princesses of Bamarre is her best book. It's really exciting, but also well-written. If you love Ella Enchanted, this is the book for you.

[Emilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the part where she is about to lunge in the dragon cave and something holds her down and she struggles then when she stops hse realises that if she had lunged, the 7 leage boots would have smashed her into the cave wall.

I applied this to Heavenly Father trying to tell us what to do and we stuggle, and don't do it. Then when it's through, we realise what would have happened if we had done that thing. (or we do it and we feel foolish afterwords)

I love the tensity Addie's courage campared to Meryl's.

[Naomi Brist · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've grown up with this story. To say that it has had an impact on my life is an incredible and unforgivable understatement. Everyone knows this author because of Ella Enchanted, but I believe that this book is much, much greater. It has romance, monsters, action, magic, and adventure; all things that people look for and enjoy in a good book. But what really makes this story great is not any of those things. What makes it great is how a young woman who is afraid of everything ventures out into a dangerous and terrifying world that would scare even the brave in order to save her sister even though there is a very high chance she might die in the attempt. Speaking as someone who has a lot of experience being afraid, this story is inspiring and very relatable in so many important areas. Because even those of us who are afraid of a great many things would go to frightening lengths and do the impossible to save someone we love.

Two Princesses of Bamarre is a fantastic fairy tale that contains all the best elements of such stories and has more heart than stories written by authors that are supposed to be 'good'. If the apocalypse came tomorrow and there was only one book that I could keep with me and read again it would be this one. I love many books, but this is a part of my soul and is beyond beautiful. If you like fantasy and are not opposed to actual emotion (if you are then you are next on my hit list) then you should read this book. It is the fairy tale that surpasses all fairy tales and puts the Grimm brothers to shame. Thank you, Gail Carson Levine, for writing such an amazing story. You're one of the greatest reasons I myself plan on becoming a writer.

[Wren (fablesandwren) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting off the new year correctly with a book about two sisters. One sister is a courageous blonde ready to find the cure to Sir Grey Death and the other is a brunette who is a coward who has to find her strength.

Meryl is the older sister. She dreams of fighting the dragons and rescuing her people from all the foes, including those small enough like Sir Grey Death.

The Grey Death is a long, drawn out processes that eventually kills its victim. With the cure prophesied, there is hope that sometime, someday soon, someone will find it.

Addie is a coward. She is terrified of spiders and she is terrified of losing her sister to her adventures. But when her sister comes down with the horrid Grey Death, she must find it in herself to go out and find the cure (since her good-for-nothing father The King won't).

I love this story more than anything. Gail Carson Levine made me cry through out the years reading this because I always pictured myself as Addie (the younger sister) and my sister Michelle as Meryl (the older sister). It breaks your heart, but not necessarily in a bad way.

Gail Carson Levine is known for her retellings of fairytales. This is an original of hers and it is absolutely something you should read very soon. It's a quick read, barely over 200 pages, but it is something that will make your heart warm and your face wet.

[R.F. Gammon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I forgot how much I love this book (although this Rhys is definitely the gateway drug to immortal/mortal romance).

Also he is the superior Rhys. Fight me.

[Kaven Hirning · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am BEGGING you all to reread your childhood favorites.
It will HEAL YOU.



They just don’t make em like this anymore

[Maia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Addie and Meryl are sisters, princesses in the kingdom of Bamarre, who love each other dearly and could not be more different. The older sister Meryl is brave and assertive, practices swordplay, and longs to go on adventures and fight monsters. Her younger sister Addie is timid and shy, scared of monsters and spiders, and prefers to stay home with her needlework. But when Meryl falls sick with the gray death, a fatal magical illness, Addie overcomes her terror and leaves the castle to search for the fabled cure. Along the way she must face everything she's most afraid of, including the prospect of losing her sister forever. This is a wonderful middle grade book, very inventive and whimsical in the same vein as Howl's Moving Castle and The Princess Bride. Reading it made me want to write a short fantasy story in which characters can fly and dragons can speak.

[nitya · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars

This is a reread technically!

Still enjoyable, and I really liked the focus on sisterhood :)

[HeavyReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so good!

It did take me a while to get into it. The first half or so of the book is kind of slow going. Two sisters. One is bold. One is shy. Yawn.

But then in the middle, when the shy sister has to leave the castle to save her beloved sister's life, it gets REALLY exciting. Specters. Gryphons. Dragons. Battles. WOW! I could hardly put it down at that point.

There's also a story within a story, a legend of the kingdom, and it is as well done as the main story.

The almost end had me bawling, thinking about my own sister and how terrible it would be to lose her.

I don't typically get into stories about princesses. As Boots of the Coup says, "Tell your teacher I said princess are evil/How they got all their money was to kill people." But I can stomach the feisty, smart, brave princesses in the books of Gail Carson Levine. She spins the whole traditional princess genre and makes these gals rock!

Unlike other books by Gail Carson Levine, this one is not based on a traditional fairy tale (or at least not one that I know), but it's better than any of those "someday my prince will come" bullshit stories that I grew up with.

Give this one to the girl in your life who's all into those wimpy Disney princesses.

[Victoria Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually liked this one better than Ella Enchanted or Fairest. Now one of my fave fantasy stories!

[Cori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the sibling dynamic of this book. I read this years ago, but that still sticks out to me.

[Emily B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t care how old I am. If you hand me a book by Gail Carson Levine, I’ll 100% read it. 🧡

[Anna Kimbro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this fell closer to a 3.5 for me, but rounding up for nostalgia and Goodreads doesn’t allow half stars. I read this book well over a dozen times as a child, and after re-reading Fairest, also by Gail Carson Levine, I knew I needed to revisit this old favorite too. But while Fairest still held up now that I’m an adult with an adult perspective on life, The Two Princesses of Bamarre didn’t quite feel the same. I think it was the world-building that kept me struggling here. While Fairest and Ella Enchanted are set within the same universe, Bamarre is it’s own “universe” with different types of monsters and the legend of Drualt that heavily influences the characters.

There’s very little nuance here, and it rubbed me the wrong way that we’re told just to accept that specters, ogres, gryphons, and dragons are just pure evil and desire nothing but blood and destruction. This is middle grades, so the simplicity makes sense. A classic good vs. evil, if you will…except it’s not that simple. The dragon Vollys points out that humans (specifically the hero Drualt) tortured and murdered her kind with slow, unnecessarily painful deaths. But Addie never explores this revelation, and in fact, her dear sister Meryl is portrayed as somewhat bloodthirsty, eager to kill monsters. It felt like we brushing at the surface of something - something like the idea that humans are brutality violent toward anything they consider other. Were monsters truly dangerous or just protecting themselves from the so-called heroes that destroyed their kind? Again, this is middle grades, and as a child, I was never bothered by these things. But now as an adult, I can’t help wishing we got a little more depth there.

Also what is it with naming practically immortal guys Rhys and having them fall in love with young girls that are a fraction of their age? Obviously, Gail Carson Levine did it first. But I couldn’t help noticing the similarity her of this Rhys being 78 and Addie being 16. Not exactly the same as ACOTAR…but here, sorcerers living an extremely long time has little bearing on the story. Rhys could have been 17 with a normal lifespan and the story would have been no different. So why in the heck are we promoting the idea that such a large age gap is totally fair and fine as long as it’s fantasy and they’re in love? I can let it pass in adult books, but in middle grades…seems truly unnecessary.

[C.B. Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come!

[Eleanor Cleveland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Step follows step.
Hope follows courage.
Set your face towards danger.
Set your heart towards victory-
Victory for Bamarre!

[Molly Murphy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok, the whole book, the whole great book, was RUINED by the horrible ending.
First of all, I like that Meryl, the daring, adventurous, passionate one, was small. I love it when the small people are like that. Also, I love that Meryl was the oldest 'cause a lot of people protray the oldest as some wimpy, over-mature person who never gets into any adventures. Finally, the firstborn is the spitfire!
And then I liked the twists, that Addie had to go and conquer all of her fears and learn to be strong and courageous.
But then, instead of being cured to fight battles and save her kingdom, fiery Meryl becomes a fairy- a FAIRY, people. But worst of all, she CALMS DOWN. No longer is she the fiesty warrior princess I grew to love, but some gentle, mild-mannered FAIRY. Ugh!
(P.S. This shelf is actually supposed to be called action-adventure-the-occasional-pirate, but the stupid computer kind of forgot the "ate" part at the end of "pirate". Just in case you were wondering.

[mia ❤️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

still one of my favorites and still can't read it without crying

[C Reads Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a weird but good, deja-vu-filled read. I didn't remember much from the dozen or so times I read this as a kid but reading it triggered the subconscious memories.

Not quite as fun as Ella Enchanted and with an uncomfortable teenager and hundred-year-old-sorceror romance, this felt kind of dated whereas Ella feels a little more timeless (if you ignore the fat shaming). Carson Levine' strength is definitely her characters and the humor she's able to put into the narration.

Even though it wasn't quite as good as I remembered I still enjoyed reading this childhood favorite.

[Sabrina Stoutamyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of the first fantasy novels I ever read. It's one I loved from beginning to end, and it's one that I never tire of reading over and over again. It's the only book I've read more times than I can count on my one hand and several more on the other. This is an awesome read with great morals about finding courage in a world that is against you doing so. It's about family and the beauty of being there for each other, even if you're not quiet the same. It's got poetry, dragons, action, suspense, all the good stuff...and it's in one read. So enjoy if anyone thinks to read it! :D

[Jessin Stalnaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t necessarily love stories of sorcerers, ogres, dragons, etc., but this book was so darling and heart-wrenching. While there were otherworldly elements, Addie and Meryl’s relationship was written realistically. While Meryl lies dying, Addie’s love for her sister overcomes her fear, and she sets out on a journey that includes facing everything she fears the most in order to save Meryl.



“Loving her had changed me, had made me brave. Loving her was the best part of me.”

[megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

❝I was no hero. The dearest wishes of my head were for safety and tranquility. The world was a perilous place, wrong for the likes of me.❞

I think by now I can officially say that I am obsessed with Gail Carson Levine’s books. Even though I’m reading some of them for the first time now, there is just something about them that makes me feel so nostalgic for the books I was reading when I was younger, when I was reading without keeping track of all the books I read, just for the fun of it. Her books always seem to transport me right back to that time, and I really really love the feeling.

The Two Princesses of Bamarre didn’t disappoint me (except maybe for the fact that it wasn’t Ella Enchanted but let’s not get into that...) This book gave me everything I was looking for: lovable characters, a cute fluffy relationship, and an action-packed ending.

Plot & Pacing

I found that the beginning of this book was a lot slower than I was expecting, and it ended up taking me a lot longer to get into because of that. It wasn’t until about halfway through that I felt like the plot was really going somewhere, around the point where Vallhys came in (but more on her later.)

I feel like all of Levine’s books start off this way, and slowly work up to the point where by the end, you just can’t put them down. I felt the same way with this one, when by the ending I was so invested in the characters and in what was going to happen to them. I think if the pacing near the beginning had been better, this would have been a 5 star book.

Characters:

Just like in all of Levine’s stories, her characters are so completely lovable and perfect. I adored the relationships between the characters, and I thought they were fleshed-out and so so pure.

➥ Addie: Hands-down one of my favorite characters! I really enjoyed reading about her transformation from a scared little girl too afraid to leave her castle, to the brave young woman determined to save her sister. Her character development was perfect, and I just really enjoyed coming along on her adventure.

➥ Rhys: Ah, Rhys, the handsome intriguing wizard who I totally did not fall completely in love with... Anyways, I quite honestly do not know how to describe him. On one hand, he was a powerful wizard who seemed a little intimidating, and on the other he was just a complete cinnamon roll. I really wish the author had given him more page time in the book, away from Addie that is. I think it would have been super cool to have seen him at the wizards convention, for one, but to also see his character develop apart from his relationship with Addie.

➥ Mireya: There’s not really much to say about this girl, as she wasn’t there for much of the book. She definitely wasn’t my favorite character, but I really appreciated what a strong role model she was for Addie, and I really enjoyed what happened to her at the end of the story, (although I think that relationship was a little abrupt...) Overall I really really loved the relationship between the two sisters, and how they were determined to do anything to help one another.

➥ Vallhys: Sooo, we’ve gotten to the point where I’m talking about the dragon. At first I was a little conflicted with her character, because she really doesn’t seem like a villain. She’s more like the lonely creature hiding away from the world with some severe mental problems, (which I can kinda relate to a weird level,) occasionally coming out to eat people. So yeah, not exactly the best role model, but she was just so interesting to me. I really enjoyed how the author portrayed her as more than just an “evil dragon.” She had reasons for kidnapping humans (as strange as they might be,) and her chapters were truly some of the most entertaining for me.

Writing:

Okay, I’ll be honest. Gail Carson Levine’s writing isn’t perfect. In my opinion, it’s a little stilted and hard to read, but this book is also a middle-grade, and I’m not the intended audience for it. Even though it was a little hard to read at times, I kind of liked it anyway?? Like I mentioned before in this review, reading her books brings me so much nostalgia, and her writing makes that feeling so much more real. It’s why I think I’ll always go back to them, because I honestly cannot get enough of it.

Overall, the pacing was a bit slow and it was hard to get into, but I ended up really enjoying this book!

__________________

pre-review

this wasn’t as good as ella enchanted, but can anything really be as good as that masterpiece?

➥ 4 stars

[Miriam Simut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as enjoyable as the first time I read it!

[aarya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread on June 15, 2024: Meryl was aspirational for me when I was a kid and now I'm like "but Addie is the cool one!" That's growth for you. Read via audio (narrated by January LaVoy).

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish I had read it when I was younger but still fun.

[hav! · Rating 3 out of 5]

i didn’t connect with either of the main characters unfortunately, but even subpar gail carson levine is still better than 99% of the stuff i read.

[Kate (BloggingwithDragons) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Two Princesses of Bamarre was one of my favorite books growing up and when I saw Emily @ Monsterlady's Diary rereading it, I was inspired to read it as well. I was worried that The Two Princesses of Bamarre might not be as great as little Kate remembered the novel, but I needn't have worried--even for an adult reader, The Two Princesses of Bamarre is a delightful and magical read, albeit with some imperfections that are only obvious to adult readers. 

The novel features the eponymous two princesses, with the eldest brave, small, and fair, and with the youngest being timid, tall, and dark. Though the eldest Meryl dreams of going on adventures, she agrees to remain at home in the safety of their castle until her younger sister Adeline "Addie," marries. Though Addie vows to never marry so her sister can remain safely at home with her throughout their days, everything changes when Meryl is struck with the Gray Death, the infamous and fatal plague of Bamarre. 

"Meryl understood me, although we were as different as could be. she was fair, and I was dark complexioned. She was small and compact, a concentration of focused energy. I was always tall for my age, and loose-limbed, and my energy was nervous and fluttery. Meryl was brave, and I was afraid of almost everything--from monsters to strangers to spiders." 

Determined to save her beloved sister, the cowardly Addie sets out on a quest to discover a cure for the disease that will inevitably claim her sister otherwise. Equipped with seven league boots, a spyglass, a sword with the name Blood Biter, a magic tablecloth, some Elven flowers with healing properties, and a not-quite invisibility cloak, Addie has plenty of magic on her side as she encounters the stuff of her nightmares--ogres, gryphons, dragons, and worst of all, spiders. Throughout all of these adventures, Addie faces her fears with aplomb, thinking both on her feet and ahead to surmount any obstacles in the way of saving her sister's. Addie is the perfect role model for young readers--she is not without her faults, but she learns to move past them with courage and perseverance and never loses sight of what's important. A lot of young adult authors could learn from Addie's characterization and strength when writing their own female heroines. 

I also really loved that though short, The Two Princesses of Bamarre takes the time to set up the relationship between Meryl and Addie at home in the comfort of their royal castle at Bamarre. This makes it all the more gripping when vivacious Meryl is struck so suddenly with the disease. However I must say, in this pandemic world we live in, I was a little confused that the Gray Death did not appear to be contagious, though it struck often and greatly at random. It was a little hard to wrap my head around the Gray Death not being contagious even when we learn that the disease is more of a curse than actual plague. I also didn't think it was great that Addie was initially convinced that people could just say to the disease "no, thank you" and fight it in order to not succumb to it (something that has never been successfully accomplished and no one has even ever thought of suggesting because the disease as universally viewed as a death sentence), until her sister is struck with the disease and is unsurprisingly unable to fight it off with willpower. 

Addie has little sympathy for her chambermaid that dies from the disease after failing to fight it off with willpower. And she basically remarks something along the lines of, "oh well, Meryl is all that matters to me." Though this casual aside demonstrates ignorance, it does also signify just how sheltered and naïve Addie truly was before setting off on her adventures to save her sister. As this sheltered bringing and ignorance allows Addie more room for growth as a character, I can give her rather insensitive attitude a pass, especially because she was distraught over Meryl being stricken. 

I also could've done without Addie's romance to the court sorcerer that manages to happen despite her sister being struck with a fatal illness. Though, I guess it isn't the first time someone has sought comfort during grief. The Two Princesses of Bamarree does a good job of keeping Addie from relying on her love interest as a crutch to save her too, which is something I appreciate, even if I thought the romance was a largely unnecessary addition to a story about two sisters.The Two Princesses of Bamarre doesn't do a great job adding in this romance like Frozen does for its own younger sister, Ana.

I still have conflicted feelings about the bittersweet ending of the novel as well.  It also struck me as odd that during the marriage of Addie and Rhys, they recited the tale of Drualt's, Meryl's new love interest, to his first wife Freya. Though it's legendary and used at all weddings it seems to be a bit gauche to bring up your future brother-in-law's first marriage in front of your sister, his future wife, and to make her recite it at your wedding. Plus, the fact that the novel takes time for Addie to remark on how traditional this recitation is despite the fact that Drualt falters and is uncomfortable really doesn't do a lot for this supposedly romantic scene. To me this whole romance and quickly resulting marriage between Rhys and Addie just felt forced. I never knew what attracted Rhys to Addie the whole way through, other than that she was pretty and liked embroidery. I just felt the romance was underdeveloped and out of place in a tale of sisterly love, and like the author was trying too hard for Meryl to be a fairy godmother to their future children. I also internally flinched reading Meryl tell her precious sister that saved her existence that "fairies don't have sisters." Oof. I think this was really a mismark line in a tale of the love of two sisters.it certainly didn't feel like a victory. 

"I finally saw the real difference between Meryl and me, truer than the difference between cowardly and brave. She wanted to battle monsters for the adventure of it. I wanted to defeat them for the peace that followed."

I definitely would recommend The Two Princesses of Bamarre to younger readers. Though I didn't like it quite as much as when I was a young girl reading it for the first time, it was still a fun read that I enjoyed revisiting. And I definitely didn't nitpick all of these things as a young reader and just plain loved the book. If you are looking for a fantasy novel with a strong female heroine and a story of sisterly love, look no further than The Two Princesses of Bamarre I could also see fans of The Enchanted Forest Chronicles enjoying this novel as well.

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[Mallory Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

All time favorite childhood chapter book. I read it for the ~feels~

[Sydney Cornwall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Plot Summary:

The plot revolves around two sisters, Meryl and Addie. They are the princesses of Bamarre, a fantastical kingdom where sorcerers, fairies, and dragons are commonly known to be in existence. Addie is the shy, timid younger sister stereotype; she spends her free time doing embroidery. Meryl, on the other hand, loves adventure and swords and fighting. Addie makes Meryl promise her that she won't go off to kill any dragons or anything until Addie gets married--but everything gets thrown into a frenzy when Meryl catches the Grey Death. Addie has to step up and try to find the cure when her father turns into a pansy and doesn't try very hard. She encounters griffons, specters, and dragons; she has to learn to be confident and believe in herself. In the end, she does find the cure to the Grey Death. She's too late to save her sister; however, and Meryl encounters the transformation into a fairy, a very sacred being. Addie kind of brings the kingdom out of the terror from dark creatures and the Grey Death, a curse brought upon by a dragon of late, becomes diminished.

My Opinion:
I rated this book a two. I didn't really enjoy reading it. I have to say, for a younger reader, it's a good choice--there are great lessons to be learned; also (though it's done very blatantly) the protagonist shows a lot of character development throughout the course of the book. There's a nice unpredictable twist at the end--I very much expected Meryl to be saved from the Grey Death and was surprised with the ingenuity of the final result. I think it's a good story, but I'm just very cynical and felt like it was too simply and immaturely written for me, but that's just me.