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Princess Academy #3
The Forgotten Sisters
After a year at the king's palace, Miri has learned all about being a proper princess. But the tables turn when the student must become the teacher!
Instead of returning to her beloved Mount Eskel, Miri is ordered to journey to a distant swamp and start a princess academy for three sisters, cousins of the royal family. Unfortunately, Astrid, Felissa, and Sus are more interested in hunting and fishing than becoming princesses.
As Miri spends more time with the sisters, she realizes the king and queen's interest in them hides a long-buried secret. She must rely on her own strength and intelligence to unravel the mystery, protect the girls, complete her assignment, and finally make her way home.
Fans of Shannon Hale won't want to miss this gorgeously woven return to this best-selling, Newbery Honor-winning series.
Instead of returning to her beloved Mount Eskel, Miri is ordered to journey to a distant swamp and start a princess academy for three sisters, cousins of the royal family. Unfortunately, Astrid, Felissa, and Sus are more interested in hunting and fishing than becoming princesses.
As Miri spends more time with the sisters, she realizes the king and queen's interest in them hides a long-buried secret. She must rely on her own strength and intelligence to unravel the mystery, protect the girls, complete her assignment, and finally make her way home.
Fans of Shannon Hale won't want to miss this gorgeously woven return to this best-selling, Newbery Honor-winning series.
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2015
353 people are currently reading
12553 people want to read
About the author
Shannon Hale
145 books14.1k followersShannon Hale is the New York Times best-selling author of six young adult novels: the Newbery Honor book Princess Academy, multiple award winner Book of a Thousand Days, and the highly acclaimed Books of Bayern series. She has written three books for adults, including the upcoming Midnight in Austenland (Jan. 2012), companion book to Austenland. She co-wrote the hit graphic novel Rapunzel's Revenge and its sequel Calamity Jack with husband Dean Hale. They live near Salt Lake City, Utah with their four small children, and their pet, a small, plastic pig.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,255 reviews
July 1, 2020
The Forgotten Sisters is a charming sequel to Princess Academy, wrapping up that MG trilogy ... which I doubt was originally intended to be a series, but it turned out pretty well. Miri, an older teen now, is on her way from the capital city back to her mountain home when she is unexpectedly requested commanded by the king and queen to be the tutor for three royal girls living in a distant corner of Danland, in a mini-princess academy, so one of them can marry a neighboring king from the country of Stora to avoid war.
Miri reluctantly travels to the province of Lesser Alva to take on the year-long job, and finds three illiterate, destitute sisters living alone in a linder stone house in the middle of a swamp, scraping by by fishing and hunting. They're especially good at caiman wrestling.
All of the money to support Miri and the girls is being stolen by unscrupulous traders and the local village headperson. To make matters more difficult for Miri, the three girls have little interest in becoming educated and cultured, because that's going to be just so useful in the swamplands. Turning them into princess material is going to be even tougher than Miri thought.
To thicken the plot, there's a pending invasion from Stora, a neighboring country.
This is an enjoyable middle grade/YA adventure with some nice twists to the plot and some good life lessons. Readers who liked Princess Academy should enjoy this one as well. I didn't think it was quite up to the level of that first book, but I enjoyed it more than the second one, Palace of Stone. It looks like this is truly the end of this series, but it ends on a really nice note.
Miri reluctantly travels to the province of Lesser Alva to take on the year-long job, and finds three illiterate, destitute sisters living alone in a linder stone house in the middle of a swamp, scraping by by fishing and hunting. They're especially good at caiman wrestling.
All of the money to support Miri and the girls is being stolen by unscrupulous traders and the local village headperson. To make matters more difficult for Miri, the three girls have little interest in becoming educated and cultured, because that's going to be just so useful in the swamplands. Turning them into princess material is going to be even tougher than Miri thought.
To thicken the plot, there's a pending invasion from Stora, a neighboring country.
This is an enjoyable middle grade/YA adventure with some nice twists to the plot and some good life lessons. Readers who liked Princess Academy should enjoy this one as well. I didn't think it was quite up to the level of that first book, but I enjoyed it more than the second one, Palace of Stone. It looks like this is truly the end of this series, but it ends on a really nice note.
March 28, 2019
8/10/18
This is now the top review on Goodreads for this book and I'm so incredibly grateful that almost fifty people thought my hilarious review from middle school was worthy of praising. This series still means so much to me, but this being my most successful review on Goodreads after six years of steadfast writing makes me even more emo about The Princess Academy. <3
1/15/16
This finale was everything a fangirl could hope for. Shannon Hale beautifully wrapped up such a treasured trilogy with a wave of her magic wand, sending me into bittersweet tears. She made it clear that this is the last book for this series and I will dearly miss the characters, the world, the overall story like I miss my dog. Until the reread. *three fingered salute*
12/6/14 So... The synopsis provided is somewhat lacking in several aspects:
1. WHERE. IS. PEDER.
2. I am confused as to the whereabouts of Peder.
3. Where is Peder and why aren't they settled down with a family of a five? I mean, I've shipped them since the goats in book one.
This is now the top review on Goodreads for this book and I'm so incredibly grateful that almost fifty people thought my hilarious review from middle school was worthy of praising. This series still means so much to me, but this being my most successful review on Goodreads after six years of steadfast writing makes me even more emo about The Princess Academy. <3
1/15/16
This finale was everything a fangirl could hope for. Shannon Hale beautifully wrapped up such a treasured trilogy with a wave of her magic wand, sending me into bittersweet tears. She made it clear that this is the last book for this series and I will dearly miss the characters, the world, the overall story like I miss my dog. Until the reread. *three fingered salute*
12/6/14 So... The synopsis provided is somewhat lacking in several aspects:
1. WHERE. IS. PEDER.
2. I am confused as to the whereabouts of Peder.
3. Where is Peder and why aren't they settled down with a family of a five? I mean, I've shipped them since the goats in book one.
June 24, 2015
Very fun.
Pre-reading:
The cover...doesn't match. *dies*
Pre-reading:
The cover...doesn't match. *dies*
Want to read
May 15, 2014Book 3!
Coming out: 2015
Coming out: 2015
June 28, 2019
I had such mixed feelings about this last book, I’m not quite sure how to review it. ;) So this will end up on a positive note, I’ll start by listing the things I disliked.
Things I Disliked
1. It’s generally a darker book than the rest of the series between some of the disgusting things the Lesser Alvans do, pirates/bandits/raiders galore, and the horribly sad mystery.
2. Mount Eskel was in danger...again. I unfortunately started this book off a little bored with the whole idea because I really love the Mount Eskel setting and was ready for Miri to go home. The threat of war, something weird about the royal family, and more bandits just felt repetitive.
3. The feminism was taken to a whole new level. In the first book when it’s the educated academy girls helping their village learn better trading practices (Proverbs 31!) and even in the second one when they speak out in government, I didn’t mind it as much as in this one. Some of the plot devices (the mystery even) seemed contrived just to make sure it was the girls doing everything. By the end of the book, three of our girls are in government, and the men are…? Shown as cruel, foolish, weak, or stepped down because it was a good idea. () There were even a few bits with Peder that I didn’t like--him telling Miri that she’s a fighter and he’s not or him trying to dress up as a girl so he can protect them in a certain circumstance (since this is a bit of a “No Boys Allowed” book). Do not do this to my brave Mount Eskel boy.
Things I Liked
1. The bond between the sisters! They were so loyal to each other and worked together as a great team. :D
2. “Playing” bandits. That was great! Resourceful, Miri.
3. Frid’s story. XD
4. The mystery (*sobs*) and the way it was slowly revealed.
5. Astrid’s princess impersonation.
6. Felissa was so sweet to everyone all the way through! I just love the role she plays later.
7. Sus. *giggles*
8. Peder and Miri. <3 (Even if it was a bit much kissing for two people who aren’t even betrothed yet.) They are so sweet and loyal, and I love the lengths he went to to rescue her.
9. Mount Eskel! Oh, that last chapter was so darling!!! Everything as it should be. :D
Altogether, while I did enjoy this book and it did a good job of tying up loose ends, it wasn’t as good as the first two. I probably won’t be re-reading it any time soon.
Things I Disliked
1. It’s generally a darker book than the rest of the series between some of the disgusting things the Lesser Alvans do, pirates/bandits/raiders galore, and the horribly sad mystery.
2. Mount Eskel was in danger...again. I unfortunately started this book off a little bored with the whole idea because I really love the Mount Eskel setting and was ready for Miri to go home. The threat of war, something weird about the royal family, and more bandits just felt repetitive.
3. The feminism was taken to a whole new level. In the first book when it’s the educated academy girls helping their village learn better trading practices (Proverbs 31!) and even in the second one when they speak out in government, I didn’t mind it as much as in this one. Some of the plot devices (the mystery even) seemed contrived just to make sure it was the girls doing everything. By the end of the book, three of our girls are in government, and the men are…? Shown as cruel, foolish, weak, or stepped down because it was a good idea. () There were even a few bits with Peder that I didn’t like--him telling Miri that she’s a fighter and he’s not or him trying to dress up as a girl so he can protect them in a certain circumstance (since this is a bit of a “No Boys Allowed” book). Do not do this to my brave Mount Eskel boy.
Things I Liked
1. The bond between the sisters! They were so loyal to each other and worked together as a great team. :D
2. “Playing” bandits. That was great! Resourceful, Miri.
3. Frid’s story. XD
4. The mystery (*sobs*) and the way it was slowly revealed.
5. Astrid’s princess impersonation.
6. Felissa was so sweet to everyone all the way through! I just love the role she plays later.
7. Sus. *giggles*
8. Peder and Miri. <3 (Even if it was a bit much kissing for two people who aren’t even betrothed yet.) They are so sweet and loyal, and I love the lengths he went to to rescue her.
9. Mount Eskel! Oh, that last chapter was so darling!!! Everything as it should be. :D
Altogether, while I did enjoy this book and it did a good job of tying up loose ends, it wasn’t as good as the first two. I probably won’t be re-reading it any time soon.
March 5, 2015
And just when I thought this book's ending couldn't get any better...I go and read the Epilogue!
Fingers-crossed this means we may be getting a spin-off series?! One can only hope :)
Fingers-crossed this means we may be getting a spin-off series?! One can only hope :)
January 13, 2025
This is the first series I’ve completed in my exciting new quest to finish some of the beloved series of my childhood that I inexplicably did not finish at the time (also featuring Ella Enchanted, The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, and the Fairy Haven books). While it’s certainly true that I can’t read these books like I did when I was eight years old (obsessively and repeatedly as an escape from my troubles while alone in the school library of course!!), so far going back has been extraordinarily lovely. I’m thinking of this project as an act of care for my younger self, and it certainly felt exactly like that as I turned the last page in The Forgotten Sisters and starting crying.
The personal emotional impact tinged by nostalgia isn’t necessarily something that can be properly captured in a review but it is something I’m very grateful for, and it would only have happened in response to a series as magical and heartfelt as this one. This book continues the series’ trend of focusing on education as a tool of empowerment and justice, the importance of female relationships and solidarity despite fights and differences, and the protagonist Miri being irrepressibly smart, funny, courageous and compassionate.
My biggest critique of the second book was that the political conflicts were resolved somewhat easily and questionably even for a children’s book, and while I think the ultimate solution in this book feels a little tenuous, there is far more set-up and grounding to make it work. There’s also the completely random bit where Peder murders a villainous character who had vanished earlier in the book only to suddenly reappear while they’re sneaking through the swamp in a tense escape scene. He is never mentioned again, nor is the fallout of a teenage boy murdering someone for the first time!!
Any quibbles like this are pretty small in the face of what a pleasure this was to read and what a solid conclusion I thought it was. The epilogue leaves the door open for more books in this world, but with this book being 10 years old now and Shannon Hale seeming to have switched away from middle grade, I’m not so sure that’ll ever happen. I’ll be delighted if it does, but I’m delighted with this conclusion as it is, too.
The personal emotional impact tinged by nostalgia isn’t necessarily something that can be properly captured in a review but it is something I’m very grateful for, and it would only have happened in response to a series as magical and heartfelt as this one. This book continues the series’ trend of focusing on education as a tool of empowerment and justice, the importance of female relationships and solidarity despite fights and differences, and the protagonist Miri being irrepressibly smart, funny, courageous and compassionate.
My biggest critique of the second book was that the political conflicts were resolved somewhat easily and questionably even for a children’s book, and while I think the ultimate solution in this book feels a little tenuous, there is far more set-up and grounding to make it work. There’s also the completely random bit where Peder murders a villainous character who had vanished earlier in the book only to suddenly reappear while they’re sneaking through the swamp in a tense escape scene. He is never mentioned again, nor is the fallout of a teenage boy murdering someone for the first time!!
Any quibbles like this are pretty small in the face of what a pleasure this was to read and what a solid conclusion I thought it was. The epilogue leaves the door open for more books in this world, but with this book being 10 years old now and Shannon Hale seeming to have switched away from middle grade, I’m not so sure that’ll ever happen. I’ll be delighted if it does, but I’m delighted with this conclusion as it is, too.
May 3, 2015
As with the other books in this series, this book is a wonderful, empowering, non-stereotypical princess novel for young girl readers, and its flaws, not fatal ones, are the fact that things become so tidily tied together at the end, and that Shannon Hale is *very* emphatic about her messages. I don't mind these flaws so much, though, because it's nice in a book oriented towards this age group to see that people can live "happily-ever-after," even though it follows hardship and requires work. Also, I don't mind the obvious "messages" so much because I agree with them :)
In case you're curious, the following messages pop out:
1) Education is the key to paving a better future, both for the individual and for society.
I think that this one is interesting, because, while education has clearly empowered Miri and improved life for her village, she she struggles with feeling like her education and experiences separate her in some ways from her community, which is realistic in the experience of first-generation students, and anyone who deviates from "how things have always been done" or ventures away.
I also appreciated that Hale touched upon the fact that education, at least the "fancy" kind, may seem useless in the face of poverty, because there's no time for it when nearly all energy and willpower are dedicated to survival, and it seems like life will continue that way indefinitely.
2) History is written by the winners. Be skeptical of what you are told; think for yourself.
This is a powerful message to me, especially for young readers who may or may not question the history that they are taught in school, or think about how power structures and control of knowledge/propaganda shape opportunity. In The Forgotten Sisters, this is seen with respect to gender, and silencing women.
3) Women are often silenced and belittled, not because they're somehow inferior to men, but because they're powerful, and that power scares some people.
This one is pretty obvious, and it's said explicitly at least twice in the novel. I appreciate how the girls' strength manifests differently in the different characters (physical strength, intuition, sensitivity, cleverness, tenacity, calmness, and others). The girls don't have to have mad martial arts skill to be considered "strong" as it seems like the trend is in middle-grade and YA books lately, although Astrid definitely is. In this book, it's demonstrated that there isn't one way to be strong, although it is always a strength to have empathy.
4) Friendship with other girls is an asset.
The only reason that the girls in the book succeed is because they work together.
In case you're curious, the following messages pop out:
1) Education is the key to paving a better future, both for the individual and for society.
I think that this one is interesting, because, while education has clearly empowered Miri and improved life for her village, she she struggles with feeling like her education and experiences separate her in some ways from her community, which is realistic in the experience of first-generation students, and anyone who deviates from "how things have always been done" or ventures away.
I also appreciated that Hale touched upon the fact that education, at least the "fancy" kind, may seem useless in the face of poverty, because there's no time for it when nearly all energy and willpower are dedicated to survival, and it seems like life will continue that way indefinitely.
2) History is written by the winners. Be skeptical of what you are told; think for yourself.
This is a powerful message to me, especially for young readers who may or may not question the history that they are taught in school, or think about how power structures and control of knowledge/propaganda shape opportunity. In The Forgotten Sisters, this is seen with respect to gender, and silencing women.
3) Women are often silenced and belittled, not because they're somehow inferior to men, but because they're powerful, and that power scares some people.
This one is pretty obvious, and it's said explicitly at least twice in the novel. I appreciate how the girls' strength manifests differently in the different characters (physical strength, intuition, sensitivity, cleverness, tenacity, calmness, and others). The girls don't have to have mad martial arts skill to be considered "strong" as it seems like the trend is in middle-grade and YA books lately, although Astrid definitely is. In this book, it's demonstrated that there isn't one way to be strong, although it is always a strength to have empathy.
4) Friendship with other girls is an asset.
The only reason that the girls in the book succeed is because they work together.
March 25, 2015
Has it really been ten years since the first Princess Academy came out?
I remember when my sister was this tiny little squirt and she begged me to read this new book she got by an author I'd never heard of at the time, Shannon Hale. Obviously with a title like Princess Academy , I wasn't going to read it read it, but lo and behold, what I thought would be a book about pretty dresses and other such topics actually turned out to be a pretty good tale of strength, friendship, and accepting who you are. Palace of Stone kind of lost its way, but I'm glad Shannon Hale wrote this third book that brings closure to the series while staying true to the themes of the first book.
Plus Miri kind of reminds me of someone ;)
I remember when my sister was this tiny little squirt and she begged me to read this new book she got by an author I'd never heard of at the time, Shannon Hale. Obviously with a title like Princess Academy , I wasn't going to read it read it, but lo and behold, what I thought would be a book about pretty dresses and other such topics actually turned out to be a pretty good tale of strength, friendship, and accepting who you are. Palace of Stone kind of lost its way, but I'm glad Shannon Hale wrote this third book that brings closure to the series while staying true to the themes of the first book.
Plus Miri kind of reminds me of someone ;)
January 15, 2018
Wavering between 3.5 and 4 stars.
Before I even picked up this book (well...audiobook) I had seen reviews from a few fans of the Princess Academy series saying this third book was a little disappointing to them. I tried not to let this taint my experience, and I don't think it did, but I can also still see why those people found it disappointing. There wasn't nearly as much complexity to this one as the second one, nor was the pace nearly as breathtaking, which was a bit of a let down. I think that was an unfortunate choice on the author's part because one expects a series to build on itself, which should technically make the third book the most exciting of all, but instead, the beginning half at least, may have had the slowest pace since the first book. That said, the second half of this book did pick up some and the majority of what I liked about the previous books (the quarry speaking, the emphasis on how important reading and education is, Miri and Peder <3) was still there, and the one thing I didn't like about the second book (love triangle) was gone entirely, so that was all good. There were also new things that I liked, too: The swamp culture was unique and interesting, the swamp girls were quirky, feisty, and fun...very different from the Mount Eskel girls, but I liked them because of their uniqueness. The big twist was also very...twisty! :pAnd I was not able to guess it before hand. There was also a thing near the end that happened with Felissa and another character. I can't say what it was because of spoilers, but GAAAAH that was so cute!!! XD Oh, and I was also glad to see certain likable members of the royal family again and get more depth on some of them in general.
So, now that I've talked it out, I think I will stick with 4 stars rather than 3.5, because, while the pacing was not what it could have been, and I can see how that was a disappointment for some people, it didn't take away from the story enough that I didn't enjoy it, or even ever found it boring. *shrug* (I really think listening on audio at double speed helped me avoid that in this case). And the ending was also very sweet and satisfying, so, overall, it was a good read for me.
One quick critique of the audiobook (feel free to skip this if you don't care, it's just a gripe about pronunciation): ...Actually, this critique has to do with something in the audiobooks for all three Princess Academy books. To put this in context, it's important to know that all three audiobooks had different narrators, and for the most part their pronunciation of different names and things was consistent between the three of them...except in one, very confusing, case. I, not having read the physical books, had no idea how to spell any of the names of any characters not mentioned in the books' descriptions here on Goodreads, and therefore had no opinions on how the should be pronounced. Therefore, it was extremely confusing to have two of the narrators both say a certain name the same way, and then have the third narrator say that name in a way that was so different it didn't even sound like it was spelled the same and I didn't realize this character was someone I knew until literally over halfway through the book. *facepalm* In case you were wondering, this character name was Katar. (I had to Google the Princess Academy wiki page to know how to spell it!) The narrators for the first two books pronounced her name so that I thought it was spelled like "Catter" (Cat-er) or something like that. Then the third narrator pronounced it more like (had I known how to spell it in the first place) I would have assumed the name Katar would actually be pronounced (KUH-tar). Of course, not knowing how to spell or pronounce it, I hear this narrator saying "KUH-tar" and I honestly thought it was some random new character dude who took it upon himself (Katar was mentioned so infrequently in this book that I don't remember the pronoun "she" being connected to her until about the 3/4 point in the book, which was when I finally realized who she was!) to boss Miri around, and I was like, "Dude, who do you think you are bossing her around and being so grouchy with her and stuff!" Interestingly enough, when I did finally realize it was the girl I previously thought of as "Catter" I was more okay with her bossing Miri, because that's just kind of the relationship dynamic they've always had, LOL.
Anyway, that gripe aside, this audiobook was different from the previous two because it had only one narrator rather than a full cast, but the narrator was good on her own and I still enjoyed it.
Content Advisory for those who want to know:
Violence: The "worst" instance of violence in this book was when Miri witnesses the beheading of an unnamed character by soldiers. It is described in a way that is emotionally impactful, but not visual or graphic. Basically, all we the reader "see" is the sword raised over the poor man, the sword falls, there's a splash of the head falling into the water, and then the next thing we "see" is blood on the sword.
Other violence includes a physical fight between an enemy soldier and a younger girl (this girl challenged the soldier to the fight, which he didn't want to do, until she kept pushing) in which the soldier tries to hit the girl and the girl headbutts him in the stomach.
A young female character is backhanded several times by a soldier and even pushed into a wall and breaks her collar bone. (The bone crunches and pain is described.)
A man tries to attack a girl with a knife.
A girl, thinking she's in danger, kicks a man in the shins. (She is not actually in danger, and he is unhurt.)
The girls who live in the swamp tend to have playful wrestling matches with each other in which there is much rolling around and pinning each other to the ground, but no one is hurt.
There are threats of violence throughout the book due to an impending war.
There are several close calls with swamp animals: Someone gets bitten by a snake they fear is poisonous. (It isn't.) There is mention of a slain animal's blood darkening the swamp water.
Note: While not violent, just like in the previous two books, there is mention of loss of a parent and sadness over this. I mention this because it is a middle grade book and I've occasionally seen really young kids get upset by themes of parental loss in fiction, especially if they fear this already, or have experienced the loss of a parent, and I just want people to be aware if they are considering these books for their children.
Sexual content: Some hints at attraction between characters. Maybe 4 or 5 instances of kissing either barely described or not described at all.
Worldview/Spirituality: The "Creator God" is once again mentioned, and in this book, actually mentioned a bit more often than in the previous two books, but it is still not enough to be clear whether or not the author had a real-world counterpart in mind. The girls from the swamp seem to have a bit more of a direct belief in and actually pray to the "Creator God" at one point when they are about to do something dangerous. (The first book in this series was the only other one to have a character pray, and that was a very brief prayer, and it was not mentioned to whom the individual was praying.) Chapels are again mentioned from time to time as a place where people in the various locals have a habit of visiting regularly, and a betrothal ceremony occurs inside a chapel. (This was the first time I recall an event in these books happening inside one of the chapels rather than just passing mentions of the chapels without ever reading about what goes on inside.)
Before I even picked up this book (well...audiobook) I had seen reviews from a few fans of the Princess Academy series saying this third book was a little disappointing to them. I tried not to let this taint my experience, and I don't think it did, but I can also still see why those people found it disappointing. There wasn't nearly as much complexity to this one as the second one, nor was the pace nearly as breathtaking, which was a bit of a let down. I think that was an unfortunate choice on the author's part because one expects a series to build on itself, which should technically make the third book the most exciting of all, but instead, the beginning half at least, may have had the slowest pace since the first book. That said, the second half of this book did pick up some and the majority of what I liked about the previous books (the quarry speaking, the emphasis on how important reading and education is, Miri and Peder <3) was still there, and the one thing I didn't like about the second book (love triangle) was gone entirely, so that was all good. There were also new things that I liked, too: The swamp culture was unique and interesting, the swamp girls were quirky, feisty, and fun...very different from the Mount Eskel girls, but I liked them because of their uniqueness. The big twist was also very...twisty! :pAnd I was not able to guess it before hand. There was also a thing near the end that happened with Felissa and another character. I can't say what it was because of spoilers, but GAAAAH that was so cute!!! XD Oh, and I was also glad to see certain likable members of the royal family again and get more depth on some of them in general.
So, now that I've talked it out, I think I will stick with 4 stars rather than 3.5, because, while the pacing was not what it could have been, and I can see how that was a disappointment for some people, it didn't take away from the story enough that I didn't enjoy it, or even ever found it boring. *shrug* (I really think listening on audio at double speed helped me avoid that in this case). And the ending was also very sweet and satisfying, so, overall, it was a good read for me.
One quick critique of the audiobook (feel free to skip this if you don't care, it's just a gripe about pronunciation): ...Actually, this critique has to do with something in the audiobooks for all three Princess Academy books. To put this in context, it's important to know that all three audiobooks had different narrators, and for the most part their pronunciation of different names and things was consistent between the three of them...except in one, very confusing, case. I, not having read the physical books, had no idea how to spell any of the names of any characters not mentioned in the books' descriptions here on Goodreads, and therefore had no opinions on how the should be pronounced. Therefore, it was extremely confusing to have two of the narrators both say a certain name the same way, and then have the third narrator say that name in a way that was so different it didn't even sound like it was spelled the same and I didn't realize this character was someone I knew until literally over halfway through the book. *facepalm* In case you were wondering, this character name was Katar. (I had to Google the Princess Academy wiki page to know how to spell it!) The narrators for the first two books pronounced her name so that I thought it was spelled like "Catter" (Cat-er) or something like that. Then the third narrator pronounced it more like (had I known how to spell it in the first place) I would have assumed the name Katar would actually be pronounced (KUH-tar). Of course, not knowing how to spell or pronounce it, I hear this narrator saying "KUH-tar" and I honestly thought it was some random new character dude who took it upon himself (Katar was mentioned so infrequently in this book that I don't remember the pronoun "she" being connected to her until about the 3/4 point in the book, which was when I finally realized who she was!) to boss Miri around, and I was like, "Dude, who do you think you are bossing her around and being so grouchy with her and stuff!" Interestingly enough, when I did finally realize it was the girl I previously thought of as "Catter" I was more okay with her bossing Miri, because that's just kind of the relationship dynamic they've always had, LOL.
Anyway, that gripe aside, this audiobook was different from the previous two because it had only one narrator rather than a full cast, but the narrator was good on her own and I still enjoyed it.
Content Advisory for those who want to know:
Violence: The "worst" instance of violence in this book was when Miri witnesses the beheading of an unnamed character by soldiers. It is described in a way that is emotionally impactful, but not visual or graphic. Basically, all we the reader "see" is the sword raised over the poor man, the sword falls, there's a splash of the head falling into the water, and then the next thing we "see" is blood on the sword.
Other violence includes a physical fight between an enemy soldier and a younger girl (this girl challenged the soldier to the fight, which he didn't want to do, until she kept pushing) in which the soldier tries to hit the girl and the girl headbutts him in the stomach.
A young female character is backhanded several times by a soldier and even pushed into a wall and breaks her collar bone. (The bone crunches and pain is described.)
A man tries to attack a girl with a knife.
A girl, thinking she's in danger, kicks a man in the shins. (She is not actually in danger, and he is unhurt.)
The girls who live in the swamp tend to have playful wrestling matches with each other in which there is much rolling around and pinning each other to the ground, but no one is hurt.
There are threats of violence throughout the book due to an impending war.
There are several close calls with swamp animals: Someone gets bitten by a snake they fear is poisonous. (It isn't.) There is mention of a slain animal's blood darkening the swamp water.
Note: While not violent, just like in the previous two books, there is mention of loss of a parent and sadness over this. I mention this because it is a middle grade book and I've occasionally seen really young kids get upset by themes of parental loss in fiction, especially if they fear this already, or have experienced the loss of a parent, and I just want people to be aware if they are considering these books for their children.
Sexual content: Some hints at attraction between characters. Maybe 4 or 5 instances of kissing either barely described or not described at all.
Worldview/Spirituality: The "Creator God" is once again mentioned, and in this book, actually mentioned a bit more often than in the previous two books, but it is still not enough to be clear whether or not the author had a real-world counterpart in mind. The girls from the swamp seem to have a bit more of a direct belief in and actually pray to the "Creator God" at one point when they are about to do something dangerous. (The first book in this series was the only other one to have a character pray, and that was a very brief prayer, and it was not mentioned to whom the individual was praying.) Chapels are again mentioned from time to time as a place where people in the various locals have a habit of visiting regularly, and a betrothal ceremony occurs inside a chapel. (This was the first time I recall an event in these books happening inside one of the chapels rather than just passing mentions of the chapels without ever reading about what goes on inside.)
May 22, 2024
“Courage is not fearlessness, . . . Courage is feeling justly afraid and yet still doing what is right.”
This was an amazing book, and I loved the unique personalities that each of the characters had, and how that was represented in the ways that they acted. I liked the storyline, and how it all tied together well at the end, with a twist on what the new Princess Academy would be like, and with Miri finally returning home. I didn’t expect for Steffan to let Astrid take the crown, and Astrid was my favorite character. My favorite part was when Astrid defeated the soldier in a champion match, and I didn’t expect King Fader to be dead. Overall, I thought that the characters came a long way from how they were in the first book, and the details were amazing.
This was an amazing book, and I loved the unique personalities that each of the characters had, and how that was represented in the ways that they acted. I liked the storyline, and how it all tied together well at the end, with a twist on what the new Princess Academy would be like, and with Miri finally returning home. I didn’t expect for Steffan to let Astrid take the crown, and Astrid was my favorite character. My favorite part was when Astrid defeated the soldier in a champion match, and I didn’t expect King Fader to be dead. Overall, I thought that the characters came a long way from how they were in the first book, and the details were amazing.
November 29, 2025
The epilogue was not satisfying.
August 15, 2016
Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. Review found here.
If there's one overall word to describe the Princess Academy series, it would be delightful. Shannon has created this magical world (ironically without very much magic), and I wish I could live there. Even though the series doesn't shy away from danger and conflict—bandits, mean tutors, revolutions, possibly poisonous snakes, war—there's no end to its charm and grace and joy. I am absolutely honored to be part of The Forgotten Sisters blog tour and help celebrate TEN YEARS of Princess Academy goodness.
First of all, GIRL POWER. The ladies of Princess Academy don't put up with crap from anybody, and it's amazing. Miri has proven that since the first page of book one, and the royal cousins Astrid, Felissa, and Sus continue that spunky attitude in The Forgotten Sisters. Wrestling with caimons? Challenging muscular soldiers to one-on-one hand-to-hand combat? Stopping a robbery? NBD to this fearsome foursome! And it's really quite extraordinary because these girls use their bodies AND their brainss to get out of any dangerous situation. Although the sisters intitially struggle against Miri's tutelage, eventually she's able to impress upon them the importance of education, and the girls put their studies to good use at every plot turn.
I also love the growing romance between Miri and Peder. Lately, I've become really interested in new adult and exploring serious romances of, ahem, a particular nature, but Miri and Peder's relationship is so sweet and innocent and PURE that I could just die. Also, they kiss now, which is why I don't. It's been wonderful to watch these two childhood friends develop their relationship throughout the series, despite a number of obstacles such as distance, a potential love triangle, and, oh yeah, possible death. Several times. Like a lot. What warms my heart is how much trust they have in each other and how much they support one another. I love that Peder knows how strong and smart Miri is, and he not only loves her for it, but he defers to her in many situations. These two also provide a good amount of the humor in the book, especially at the end.
This series is so wonderful for so many reasons that I can't possibly get to them all, and I think The Forgotten Sisters is a fantastic final book for the trilogy. It maintains the same sweet and rustic feel that Princess Academy in particular had while the characters explore how to survive in a world that is suddenly much bigger than one mountain or one swamp. I love the theme of redemption in The Forgotten Sisters and how it applies to just about everyone from members of the royal family to bandits. This series is truly special, and I recommend that everyone give it a try!
Favorite quotes:
"Are you so afraid of a baby girl?" Miri said, leaning toward him across the table. "How about me? Do I terrify you too? Watch out, I wear a dress and don't grow a beard and if you don't keep me in check, I'll steal all your power!" –ARC, page 233
"The point of education is to learn other ways too. Don't just assume that all you know is right. Learn more and then choose." –ARC, page 116
"Why do you care so much about teaching us to read anyway?"
"Three years ago I didn't know how," said Miri. "But once I did I learned things that made life on our mountain a lot better. Reading a book is like going on a great journey. You don't know what'll happen, but something is bound to change. And for me, that change has always been good." –ARC, page 92
If there's one overall word to describe the Princess Academy series, it would be delightful. Shannon has created this magical world (ironically without very much magic), and I wish I could live there. Even though the series doesn't shy away from danger and conflict—bandits, mean tutors, revolutions, possibly poisonous snakes, war—there's no end to its charm and grace and joy. I am absolutely honored to be part of The Forgotten Sisters blog tour and help celebrate TEN YEARS of Princess Academy goodness.
First of all, GIRL POWER. The ladies of Princess Academy don't put up with crap from anybody, and it's amazing. Miri has proven that since the first page of book one, and the royal cousins Astrid, Felissa, and Sus continue that spunky attitude in The Forgotten Sisters. Wrestling with caimons? Challenging muscular soldiers to one-on-one hand-to-hand combat? Stopping a robbery? NBD to this fearsome foursome! And it's really quite extraordinary because these girls use their bodies AND their brainss to get out of any dangerous situation. Although the sisters intitially struggle against Miri's tutelage, eventually she's able to impress upon them the importance of education, and the girls put their studies to good use at every plot turn.
I also love the growing romance between Miri and Peder. Lately, I've become really interested in new adult and exploring serious romances of, ahem, a particular nature, but Miri and Peder's relationship is so sweet and innocent and PURE that I could just die. Also, they kiss now, which is why I don't. It's been wonderful to watch these two childhood friends develop their relationship throughout the series, despite a number of obstacles such as distance, a potential love triangle, and, oh yeah, possible death. Several times. Like a lot. What warms my heart is how much trust they have in each other and how much they support one another. I love that Peder knows how strong and smart Miri is, and he not only loves her for it, but he defers to her in many situations. These two also provide a good amount of the humor in the book, especially at the end.
This series is so wonderful for so many reasons that I can't possibly get to them all, and I think The Forgotten Sisters is a fantastic final book for the trilogy. It maintains the same sweet and rustic feel that Princess Academy in particular had while the characters explore how to survive in a world that is suddenly much bigger than one mountain or one swamp. I love the theme of redemption in The Forgotten Sisters and how it applies to just about everyone from members of the royal family to bandits. This series is truly special, and I recommend that everyone give it a try!
Favorite quotes:
"Are you so afraid of a baby girl?" Miri said, leaning toward him across the table. "How about me? Do I terrify you too? Watch out, I wear a dress and don't grow a beard and if you don't keep me in check, I'll steal all your power!" –ARC, page 233
"The point of education is to learn other ways too. Don't just assume that all you know is right. Learn more and then choose." –ARC, page 116
"Why do you care so much about teaching us to read anyway?"
"Three years ago I didn't know how," said Miri. "But once I did I learned things that made life on our mountain a lot better. Reading a book is like going on a great journey. You don't know what'll happen, but something is bound to change. And for me, that change has always been good." –ARC, page 92
April 28, 2015
I loved, loved, loved this series. The last book was amazing. These books are unique and imaginative, with good principals subtle woven into the plot. Messages of the value of life, faithfulness, and standing up for what is right, even when it could cost you everything.
This is not a perfect book. Some might not like that there were I think four kisses between our main boy and girl, or a couple of cruder moments (having to do with lack of table manners and calling someone a very mild name). I think that most girls will find this whole series enjoyable, clean, and oddly enough, thought provoking.
This is not a perfect book. Some might not like that there were I think four kisses between our main boy and girl, or a couple of cruder moments (having to do with lack of table manners and calling someone a very mild name). I think that most girls will find this whole series enjoyable, clean, and oddly enough, thought provoking.
July 16, 2014
This was a great end to the Princess Academy stories. I love Shannon Hale's writing and I love her characters. I enjoyed watching Miri continue to grow in an entirely new setting, and loved the three sisters. Sisters are powerful!
Read
October 27, 2014The last line of this is the best!
Gender parity FTW.
Gender parity FTW.
April 6, 2015
I found this to be a thin, by-the-numbers story. Which is not to say that it's predictable, exactly (though it certainly isn't groundbreaking) - just that it's so deliberately plotted, with one event so clearly resulting from another, with foreshadowing so specific, that the story doesn't feel organic. There's no sense that ten political possibilities might result from any one decision, only the single one that takes the story where it needs to go.
Having a story this simplistic be solved by two ten-year-olds arranging their marriage feels about right, actually.
Having a story this simplistic be solved by two ten-year-olds arranging their marriage feels about right, actually.
July 19, 2024
I have no words!
Review to Come, haha-
Review to Come, haha-
March 10, 2015
Miri is thrilled that she will at last be returning home to Mount Eskel where she will be reunited with her father and sister and become formally betrothed to Peder, but an urgent summons from the King puts a stop to her plans. The King wants Miri to travel to Lesser Alva to tutor some royal cousins in preparation for a marriage alliance with King Feder of Stora who has just invaded a neighboring country. If Miri refuses, the King will sell Mount Eskel to merchants who will destroy the way of life in her beloved mountain home. Miri agrees on the condition that should she succeed the King grant her the rights to Mount Eskel. When Miri arrives in Lesser Alva she discovers her task will not be easy. Lesser Alva is hotter than hot, swampy and the royal cousins: Astrid, Felissa and Sus, not only do not realize they're royalty, but are completely wild and adverse to tutoring. Living inside a house of linder stone, Miri senses the house's memories and believes there is some mystery surrounding the house and even the girls themselves. Once again she has to look inside her heart and choose sides to do the right thing.
This is an absolutely wonderful book that reminded me of why I love Shannon Hale. Everyone needs to read this book. The wisdom contained in this book would help prevent wars if only people would listen to children. The plot was so full of twists that I couldn't put it down once. I got so swept up in the story I had forgotten the title so the big reveal came as a surprise. I should have guessed it and I wasn't completely surprised but it was still a great plot twist. My big problem with the previous book was that it was preachy. This book avoids that pitfall and allows the characters to act naturally and therefore the message comes across loud and clear without being heavy handed. The prose is beautiful and lyrical in places and the descriptions of various places are so vivid I could easily see an image in my mind. The epilogue wraps up the series nicely but I'm sad to say goodbye to Miri and friends. The series, especially this book, would be a cute animated movie in the vein of How to Train Your Dragon. The only thing I didn't like in this book were the letters. They summed up the plot every so often and felt redundant.
The characters in this novel are fabulous. They're all three-dimensional, even the minor characters who appear in one or two scenes. They reveal hidden depths that Miri and the reader never suspected. That is unusual in a children's book and I appreciated the superb writing that made this book above average. The three sisters that play prominently into the story each have a different personality and different strengths. I liked how Miri saw that and helped the girls develop their own strengths and subtly teach them what they need to know to be royal without being the imposing tutor she had planned to be. My favorite is inquisitive Sus. She's the youngest and the most like Miri. She's very very smart and absorbs information like a sponge and is able to process what she reads and apply it to the situation at hand. I also loved strong, proud Astrid, the eldest and leader of the sisters and sweet Felissa who feels deeply. They're so well drawn I feel like I got to know them very well and I was there with them on their journey. Miri is still Miri: bright and clever but human enough to make mistakes. I liked how she slowly adapted to swamp life by trial and error. Peder is a dashing hero who comes to the rescue when needed. The King and Queen were not very likable but I felt sympathy for the Queen by the end. The King remains largely unlikable but he does prove to have a redeeming quality.
This book is similar to Sherwood Smith's Crown Duel for younger readers. There is some violence but nothing super graphic and some kissing.
This is an absolutely wonderful book that reminded me of why I love Shannon Hale. Everyone needs to read this book. The wisdom contained in this book would help prevent wars if only people would listen to children. The plot was so full of twists that I couldn't put it down once. I got so swept up in the story I had forgotten the title so the big reveal came as a surprise. I should have guessed it and I wasn't completely surprised but it was still a great plot twist. My big problem with the previous book was that it was preachy. This book avoids that pitfall and allows the characters to act naturally and therefore the message comes across loud and clear without being heavy handed. The prose is beautiful and lyrical in places and the descriptions of various places are so vivid I could easily see an image in my mind. The epilogue wraps up the series nicely but I'm sad to say goodbye to Miri and friends. The series, especially this book, would be a cute animated movie in the vein of How to Train Your Dragon. The only thing I didn't like in this book were the letters. They summed up the plot every so often and felt redundant.
The characters in this novel are fabulous. They're all three-dimensional, even the minor characters who appear in one or two scenes. They reveal hidden depths that Miri and the reader never suspected. That is unusual in a children's book and I appreciated the superb writing that made this book above average. The three sisters that play prominently into the story each have a different personality and different strengths. I liked how Miri saw that and helped the girls develop their own strengths and subtly teach them what they need to know to be royal without being the imposing tutor she had planned to be. My favorite is inquisitive Sus. She's the youngest and the most like Miri. She's very very smart and absorbs information like a sponge and is able to process what she reads and apply it to the situation at hand. I also loved strong, proud Astrid, the eldest and leader of the sisters and sweet Felissa who feels deeply. They're so well drawn I feel like I got to know them very well and I was there with them on their journey. Miri is still Miri: bright and clever but human enough to make mistakes. I liked how she slowly adapted to swamp life by trial and error. Peder is a dashing hero who comes to the rescue when needed. The King and Queen were not very likable but I felt sympathy for the Queen by the end. The King remains largely unlikable but he does prove to have a redeeming quality.
This book is similar to Sherwood Smith's Crown Duel for younger readers. There is some violence but nothing super graphic and some kissing.
January 10, 2020
Reread again, and couldn't out it down! I think I enjoyed it a lot more this time round.
Great finish to the series.
Miri a recent graduate from the Princess Academy is ordered to go and tutor some ladies in a far off land. Something shes not very happy with when she was just about to leave from the palace after a long year, back to her home on Mount Eskel.
The students are 3 princesses, potential brides for the neighbouring country's king so as to prevent civil war.
What she doesn't expect is to be dumped in the swamplands, middle of nowhere filled with dangerous creatures and her students to be almost feral. These sisters are used to hunting and survival, not poise and manners.
Miri has to figure out how to polish them up in time and also figure out the mystery of their dire circumstances. Meanwhile war loooooommms. Who ho hoooo. Its a fun read.
Took off a star because the bits where Miri was in Lesser Alva swamp lands time seemed to blur..And everything was very abrupt at the beginning when she was forced to become a tutor.. I would have been a tad more suspicious. Apart from the new characters and the action there were random spurts of humor which I really enjoyed.
That epilogue though lol
Great finish to the series.
Miri a recent graduate from the Princess Academy is ordered to go and tutor some ladies in a far off land. Something shes not very happy with when she was just about to leave from the palace after a long year, back to her home on Mount Eskel.
The students are 3 princesses, potential brides for the neighbouring country's king so as to prevent civil war.
What she doesn't expect is to be dumped in the swamplands, middle of nowhere filled with dangerous creatures and her students to be almost feral. These sisters are used to hunting and survival, not poise and manners.
Miri has to figure out how to polish them up in time and also figure out the mystery of their dire circumstances. Meanwhile war loooooommms. Who ho hoooo. Its a fun read.
Took off a star because the bits where Miri was in Lesser Alva swamp lands time seemed to blur..And everything was very abrupt at the beginning when she was forced to become a tutor.. I would have been a tad more suspicious. Apart from the new characters and the action there were random spurts of humor which I really enjoyed.
That epilogue though lol
October 23, 2015
There is one big silly plot point in the centre of this book, which is a little hard to get past. Once you muscle past it, however, the story unfolds delightfully. I was clapping my hands like a delighted seal once they got into the walls. (heheheheheheheh.)
I think I love Shannon Hale's work most when she's writing something a bit silly. And goodness, once I accepted that was happening here, it was a wild joy ride.
I think I love Shannon Hale's work most when she's writing something a bit silly. And goodness, once I accepted that was happening here, it was a wild joy ride.
February 16, 2018
Another excellent entry taking things in an entirely new direction. I praised book 2 for taking (necessary and deserved) revolution and pushing back at all that anger, putting the emphasis on finding connection points and persuading enemies, instead of trying to destroy them. But The Forgotten Sisters pivots to show that sometimes standing up to wrong does mean getting a little savage.
Miri comes full circle as the new royal tutor when she's sent to the swamplands days before her pending betrothal to run the next princess academy for three sisters who are too busy hunting caimans and frogs to learn to read. War is on the horizon, and a political marriage is needed. If Miri succeeds, she can buy back her village and the mine from the king before he sells it to finance the war. If she fails, all the gains her family and friends have made disappear and the country may be overrun. But the secrets on all sides have the potential to change the game entirely.
Entertaining and with surprising heart, as always. Good for middle grade readers and up.
Miri comes full circle as the new royal tutor when she's sent to the swamplands days before her pending betrothal to run the next princess academy for three sisters who are too busy hunting caimans and frogs to learn to read. War is on the horizon, and a political marriage is needed. If Miri succeeds, she can buy back her village and the mine from the king before he sells it to finance the war. If she fails, all the gains her family and friends have made disappear and the country may be overrun. But the secrets on all sides have the potential to change the game entirely.
Entertaining and with surprising heart, as always. Good for middle grade readers and up.
January 11, 2021
What's that saying? 'The definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results?'
As always my chief gripe in this series is the lackluster characters. I find it impossible to get invested in the story when the people involved are paper thin. Why should I care that Danland might go to war? Why should I care that Mount Eskel is in peril yet again? Why should I care about Miri's struggles in the swamp? None of the people move me to any particularly deep emotion. Well nobody except Britta, who I hate.
The three sisters are boring. It might as well have just been one for how indistinct they turned out to be. As was the case in the other two books, each gets a pronounced character trait to differentiate them and nothing else. Astrid is the eldest, Felissa the emotionally savvy one, and Sus the precocious one. Miri is in even worse shape than the last book; even the small bit of character she had seems to have been snuffed out in an attempt to further highlight how rugged the swamp sisters are.
She’s also very stupid making very obviously dumb decisons that only happen because Hale needs them to happen so the story can go a certain way.
This is essentially a mishmash of stuff we've seen before from this series. This book in particular is very close to The Princess Academy as this could have literally been that book if taken from Tutor Olana's perspective. Awful new environment, uncouth young women uninterested in learning, a promise of glory (or in Miri's case the deed to Mount Eskel) if successful.
I didn't much like either book preceding The Forgotten Sisters so seeing them through new eyes left me even less enthused.
Unlike some other reviewers I think that Miri belongs in the lowlands or rather I don't care if she goes back to Mount Eskel as it has not been developed enough for me to see the appeal. So I was fine with this detour from her return.
I was bored initially as the first chapter or two is rushed expository plot convenience to justify the third book. Seconds before departing for home Miri is tasked by the King to set up a Princess Academy for his random cousins as one of them will need to marry to solidly an alliance with a neighboring kingdom. Despite not being the least bit prepared for the job Miri has to be the one to do it as a totally not made up to make this work law says that each Princess Academy must be headed by a tutor who was a graduate from the last. Also the Queen is adamant for some reason.
As always the worldbuilding is poor. The new location is as flat as Mount Eskel. It’s a little swamp town called Lesser Alva. That doesn’t much matter though because most of the book takes place inside the girls’ little linder house. Only one townsperson is ever spoken to regularly, a secretly kind older gentleman named Fat Hofer who occasionally offers Miri insight into the community. An evil man named Jeffers has spread lies about the girls so the townspeople ignore them. This is never addressed directly despite being referenced several times.
Miri teaches the girls very little as, again, she is not equipped to be a tutor. Thankfully, this is The Princess Academy so all that matters is reading, basic level math, and some conveniently appropriate historical accounts.
I expect a little wish fulfillment and to have to suspend my disbelief a little. This book stretched my limits so far they snapped.
I can’t believe the ridiculous writing that led to the ending of this book. From the secret involving the sisters not making practical sense to the absurdity of a child being able to mitigate a war after being taught for only a few months to said child arguably not even needing that schooling to stop the war to the absolution of truly despicable adults because they feel remorse for their actions to the ludicrous decision to put a person who has absolutely no experience nor any demonstrated interest on the throne merely because the underlying theme of these books is that men are the source of all malcontent in the world. It’s a mess any way you slice it.
I love a good girl power book as much as the next person, but this was not it. It was tedious to read a book for girls that took pains to remove any true conflict that might showcase legitimate strengths for girls to admire. It certainly tells you all the time that Miri is so bold, and Astrid so resourceful, and Felissa so regal and Sus so intelligent. It rarely provides opportunities for the girls to prove this. When it does the circumstances are unbelievable because the book is fine manipulating situations so that the girls come out on top regardless of whether or not it would make sense or is realistic. I would be perfectly happy if the girls win in the end as long as it felt like they earned it. Instead I was always subconsciously aware of how carefully events were being plotted out so as to arrange themselves neatly in the correct position once it was time for the conclusion to happen.
And the quarry speech was even more of a crutch than it was in the last book; Hale completely broke our knowledge of how it worked whenever she wanted to force the plot forward.
I’m sad that a series I enjoyed as a kid went out like this. It wasn’t all that when I first started, but I got increasingly more annoyed as each book continued. I love Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale so I know she’s got it in her to do better than this. I’m crossing my fingers this was a fluke.
As always my chief gripe in this series is the lackluster characters. I find it impossible to get invested in the story when the people involved are paper thin. Why should I care that Danland might go to war? Why should I care that Mount Eskel is in peril yet again? Why should I care about Miri's struggles in the swamp? None of the people move me to any particularly deep emotion. Well nobody except Britta, who I hate.
The three sisters are boring. It might as well have just been one for how indistinct they turned out to be. As was the case in the other two books, each gets a pronounced character trait to differentiate them and nothing else. Astrid is the eldest, Felissa the emotionally savvy one, and Sus the precocious one. Miri is in even worse shape than the last book; even the small bit of character she had seems to have been snuffed out in an attempt to further highlight how rugged the swamp sisters are.
She’s also very stupid making very obviously dumb decisons that only happen because Hale needs them to happen so the story can go a certain way.
This is essentially a mishmash of stuff we've seen before from this series. This book in particular is very close to The Princess Academy as this could have literally been that book if taken from Tutor Olana's perspective. Awful new environment, uncouth young women uninterested in learning, a promise of glory (or in Miri's case the deed to Mount Eskel) if successful.
I didn't much like either book preceding The Forgotten Sisters so seeing them through new eyes left me even less enthused.
Unlike some other reviewers I think that Miri belongs in the lowlands or rather I don't care if she goes back to Mount Eskel as it has not been developed enough for me to see the appeal. So I was fine with this detour from her return.
I was bored initially as the first chapter or two is rushed expository plot convenience to justify the third book. Seconds before departing for home Miri is tasked by the King to set up a Princess Academy for his random cousins as one of them will need to marry to solidly an alliance with a neighboring kingdom. Despite not being the least bit prepared for the job Miri has to be the one to do it as a totally not made up to make this work law says that each Princess Academy must be headed by a tutor who was a graduate from the last. Also the Queen is adamant for some reason.
As always the worldbuilding is poor. The new location is as flat as Mount Eskel. It’s a little swamp town called Lesser Alva. That doesn’t much matter though because most of the book takes place inside the girls’ little linder house. Only one townsperson is ever spoken to regularly, a secretly kind older gentleman named Fat Hofer who occasionally offers Miri insight into the community. An evil man named Jeffers has spread lies about the girls so the townspeople ignore them. This is never addressed directly despite being referenced several times.
Miri teaches the girls very little as, again, she is not equipped to be a tutor. Thankfully, this is The Princess Academy so all that matters is reading, basic level math, and some conveniently appropriate historical accounts.
I expect a little wish fulfillment and to have to suspend my disbelief a little. This book stretched my limits so far they snapped.
I can’t believe the ridiculous writing that led to the ending of this book. From the secret involving the sisters not making practical sense to the absurdity of a child being able to mitigate a war after being taught for only a few months to said child arguably not even needing that schooling to stop the war to the absolution of truly despicable adults because they feel remorse for their actions to the ludicrous decision to put a person who has absolutely no experience nor any demonstrated interest on the throne merely because the underlying theme of these books is that men are the source of all malcontent in the world. It’s a mess any way you slice it.
I love a good girl power book as much as the next person, but this was not it. It was tedious to read a book for girls that took pains to remove any true conflict that might showcase legitimate strengths for girls to admire. It certainly tells you all the time that Miri is so bold, and Astrid so resourceful, and Felissa so regal and Sus so intelligent. It rarely provides opportunities for the girls to prove this. When it does the circumstances are unbelievable because the book is fine manipulating situations so that the girls come out on top regardless of whether or not it would make sense or is realistic. I would be perfectly happy if the girls win in the end as long as it felt like they earned it. Instead I was always subconsciously aware of how carefully events were being plotted out so as to arrange themselves neatly in the correct position once it was time for the conclusion to happen.
And the quarry speech was even more of a crutch than it was in the last book; Hale completely broke our knowledge of how it worked whenever she wanted to force the plot forward.
I’m sad that a series I enjoyed as a kid went out like this. It wasn’t all that when I first started, but I got increasingly more annoyed as each book continued. I love Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale so I know she’s got it in her to do better than this. I’m crossing my fingers this was a fluke.
May 6, 2018
This series is worth reading and one I would not mind rereading one day. This one actually made me laugh out loud. And again I stayed up late to finish.
March 23, 2015
I grew up reading the first book in the Princess Academy series. It was one of my favorite books of all time. (And also back when the cover didn't look overly childish, but really captured the feel of the book...but it isn't the point of this review to whine about how much I don't like these new covers.) These sequels are not quite as good as the original tale, but they are still highly entertaining and fulll of magic; and I'll admit, I don't want this series to end.
The things that held me back from giving this book five stars are pretty minor, but they still bother me. First off, I hate how quarry speech had to be explained. It was one of those things that worked better when you didn't have an actual explanation. Like the force in Star Wars. We didn't need to be introduced to midichlorians. It was cooler when they didn't exist; the same goes for quarry speech in here.
Also, I may be in the minority on this one, but I didn't love what happened to Peder's personality in here. I loved him a lot in the first book, but I felt like the second and third contained a cheap imitation of the loveable boy that I grew to love in the original Princess Academy. I don't hate his character by any means, but I didn't feel as attached to him as I used to.
But, enough about the bad. This book has too many good things in it to spend to much time on the things I didn't. First off, the three girls we are introduced to in here are so cute. Astrid, Felissa, and Sus are really fun to read about. They have a nice sisterly bond, they can fend for themselves, and the way their relationship with Miri adapts and changes as the book progresses was really well written.
Plus, the culture of Lesser Alva was a lot different then what I had gotten used to in the previous books. It was more of a Bayou feel then a traditional fairytale setting; I may like the traditional fairytale setting more, but getting used to this atmosphere was still really fun.
I loved Miri, as always. She's independent, very smart, determined...I could go on and on and still would not completely list all the things that I love about her. Her teaching a princess academy of her own was so perfect, even if it was not a traditional princess academy.
I thought, though, that perhaps the confilict in this book was a little less intense than in the previous series? There was a lot of little things that they had to deal with, and later one big thing, but it never seemed to me like the issues were as pressing or thrilling as in the previous books.
The big reveal at the end of the story, though, made this book really 'wow'. I had not seen it coming in the slightest. It was emotional, shocking...it was a perfect plot twist. And the epilogue? Well, that would be an interesting spinoff series to say the least.
This is a series that I'll definitely miss. I've reread its pages multiple times, beat up my copy of the first installment until the spine isn't even readable anymore, and put it on my bookshelf of most adored books. I've loved every minute of The Princess Academy series, and I'm satisfied with the way it finished.
Bye, Princess Academy. I don't want you to end, but I think that the way you did end was quite perfect.
The things that held me back from giving this book five stars are pretty minor, but they still bother me. First off, I hate how quarry speech had to be explained. It was one of those things that worked better when you didn't have an actual explanation. Like the force in Star Wars. We didn't need to be introduced to midichlorians. It was cooler when they didn't exist; the same goes for quarry speech in here.
Also, I may be in the minority on this one, but I didn't love what happened to Peder's personality in here. I loved him a lot in the first book, but I felt like the second and third contained a cheap imitation of the loveable boy that I grew to love in the original Princess Academy. I don't hate his character by any means, but I didn't feel as attached to him as I used to.
But, enough about the bad. This book has too many good things in it to spend to much time on the things I didn't. First off, the three girls we are introduced to in here are so cute. Astrid, Felissa, and Sus are really fun to read about. They have a nice sisterly bond, they can fend for themselves, and the way their relationship with Miri adapts and changes as the book progresses was really well written.
Plus, the culture of Lesser Alva was a lot different then what I had gotten used to in the previous books. It was more of a Bayou feel then a traditional fairytale setting; I may like the traditional fairytale setting more, but getting used to this atmosphere was still really fun.
I loved Miri, as always. She's independent, very smart, determined...I could go on and on and still would not completely list all the things that I love about her. Her teaching a princess academy of her own was so perfect, even if it was not a traditional princess academy.
I thought, though, that perhaps the confilict in this book was a little less intense than in the previous series? There was a lot of little things that they had to deal with, and later one big thing, but it never seemed to me like the issues were as pressing or thrilling as in the previous books.
The big reveal at the end of the story, though, made this book really 'wow'. I had not seen it coming in the slightest. It was emotional, shocking...it was a perfect plot twist. And the epilogue? Well, that would be an interesting spinoff series to say the least.
This is a series that I'll definitely miss. I've reread its pages multiple times, beat up my copy of the first installment until the spine isn't even readable anymore, and put it on my bookshelf of most adored books. I've loved every minute of The Princess Academy series, and I'm satisfied with the way it finished.
Bye, Princess Academy. I don't want you to end, but I think that the way you did end was quite perfect.
May 28, 2015
I love the Princess Academy books so I was excited to see another installment of it come out. In this third, and apparently last, of the series we are back with Miri but this time she has been charged with being the tutor to three rambunctious sisters living in a swamp.
While I enjoyed the premise of the story, I think it was a bit slow paced. It is well written but it didn't really capture me the way the previous books had. I liked Astrid and Felissa but I found Susanna a bit too unbelievable in that I've never seen any 10 year old talk the way she does. The character simply doesn't strike me with any real believability or sincerity.
Overall it's a decent and cute read but the pacing slowed it down a bit too much for me. Though oddly enough, toward the end it switches and I found that Hale rushed the ending a bit. That said, I enjoy how much agency Hale gives her female characters and how proactive she makes them. This series is fantastic for upper pre-teens to early teens. This is probably my least favorite of the three books, but it's still worth reading if you enjoyed the other two.
While I enjoyed the premise of the story, I think it was a bit slow paced. It is well written but it didn't really capture me the way the previous books had. I liked Astrid and Felissa but I found Susanna a bit too unbelievable in that I've never seen any 10 year old talk the way she does. The character simply doesn't strike me with any real believability or sincerity.
Overall it's a decent and cute read but the pacing slowed it down a bit too much for me. Though oddly enough, toward the end it switches and I found that Hale rushed the ending a bit. That said, I enjoy how much agency Hale gives her female characters and how proactive she makes them. This series is fantastic for upper pre-teens to early teens. This is probably my least favorite of the three books, but it's still worth reading if you enjoyed the other two.
March 4, 2015
Most trilogies follow some variation on the format where the first book is about leaving home, the second book is about feeling displaced from not being at home, and the third book is about finding a way back home. It's a good format. It works. The Forgotten Sisters finds Miri mere moments from leaving for her beloved home of Mount Eskel. She's unexpectedly pulled away to a swamp-city to tutor three potential princesses. As per usual, there are some infinitely lovable new characters. Themes of feminism and redemption and strength abound. It's a marvelous read. (To be honest, there are a few action sequences near the climax that felt a little rushed, but that's digging for a complaint.) And by the end? There are heaps upon heaps of welcome and well-earned resolution. I'm so grateful that I could spend three books with Miri.
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June 16, 2014I had never read a Shannon Hale book before I started working at Bloomsbury. (The first Princess Academy, which won the Newbery, came out during the dark times between when I was a kid and when I started reading kid it again as an adult.) But I've come to understand that I was really missing out. I loved Princess Academy 3. The writing is wonderful and evocative and there's so much depth to the story. Also, I didn't guess the surprise, so I don't know if it was especially skillfully hidden or I'm just not as perceptive as a middle-grader, but I enjoyed that. Highly recommended!
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March 6, 2015I can hardly believe that about ten years ago I was reading Princess Academy for the first time. A lot has changed in ten years, but Shannon Hale and her books remain the same - perfectly lovely.
March 2, 2017
This was a very good end to the series. I felt like the author did a great job on tieing up a lot of loose ends without making it seem like to many things were going right to really be believable.
Overall, very good, I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Overall, very good, I enjoyed it thoroughly.
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