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The Two Princesses of Bamarre #0
The Lost Kingdom of Bamarre
In this compelling and thought-provoking fantasy set in the world of
The Two Princesses of Bamarre
, Newbery Honor-winning author Gail Carson Levine introduces a spirited heroine who must overcome deeply rooted prejudice—including her own—to heal her broken country.
Peregrine strives to live up to the ideal of her people, the Latki—and to impress her parents: affectionate Lord Tove, who despises only the Bamarre, and stern Lady Klausine. Perry runs the fastest, speaks her mind, and doesn’t give much thought to the castle’s Bamarre servants, whom she knows to be weak and cowardly.
But just as she’s about to join her father on the front lines, she is visited by the fairy Halina, who reveals that Perry isn’t Latki-born. She is Bamarre. The fairy issues a daunting challenge: against the Lakti power, Perry must free her people from tyranny.
Peregrine strives to live up to the ideal of her people, the Latki—and to impress her parents: affectionate Lord Tove, who despises only the Bamarre, and stern Lady Klausine. Perry runs the fastest, speaks her mind, and doesn’t give much thought to the castle’s Bamarre servants, whom she knows to be weak and cowardly.
But just as she’s about to join her father on the front lines, she is visited by the fairy Halina, who reveals that Perry isn’t Latki-born. She is Bamarre. The fairy issues a daunting challenge: against the Lakti power, Perry must free her people from tyranny.
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First published May 2, 2017
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About the author
Gail Carson Levine
66 books9,691 followersJust 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 439 reviews
September 17, 2020
I liked this!
Peregrine strives to live up to the ideal of her people, the Latkis. They are all about strength and war and nothing about the arts and the comforts like those STUPID Bamarres. They have concurred those weak-minded worthless people and have made them their servants and have put them in their spots: under their feet.
Peregrine has grown up this way and has never thought about those with the green tassels on their heads. All she has known is her Latki father Lord Tove and her Latki mother Lady Klausine. She does whatever she can to please them. Need her to run the fastest? done.
She never gave much though to Annett, her Bamarre maidservant, or the other Bamarre servants until she is visited by a fairy named Halina. Which is completely weird to Peregrine because only, and rarely to begin with, Bamarres are visited by fairies. So why was she being visited by one?
It's because she was kidnapped as a child from her Bamarre family along with her sister Annett to join Lady Klausine as her daughter. The Fairy tells Perry that she is the key to freeing her people (which happen to be the Bamarre) out from under the feet of their oppressors (which happen to be Latki).
But what side is she going to be on? The side of her lineage or the side that she grew up believing?
If you have loved Gail Carson Levine's story telling so far, this book won't disappoint. If you loved the previous book, which actually happens after this book in the actual time line and not in the written time line, you will like this book well enough.
The Seven-Leagued Boots and The Good Tablecloth make an appearance too which I think I screamed about for ten minutes straight each time they were talked about. Like reliving my childhood over here!
I always will read anything by Gail Carson Levine!
----------------------
NEXT WEEK?!
THE FIRST BOOK BROKE MY HEART.
I EXPECT NOTHING LESS.
Peregrine strives to live up to the ideal of her people, the Latkis. They are all about strength and war and nothing about the arts and the comforts like those STUPID Bamarres. They have concurred those weak-minded worthless people and have made them their servants and have put them in their spots: under their feet.
Peregrine has grown up this way and has never thought about those with the green tassels on their heads. All she has known is her Latki father Lord Tove and her Latki mother Lady Klausine. She does whatever she can to please them. Need her to run the fastest? done.
She never gave much though to Annett, her Bamarre maidservant, or the other Bamarre servants until she is visited by a fairy named Halina. Which is completely weird to Peregrine because only, and rarely to begin with, Bamarres are visited by fairies. So why was she being visited by one?
It's because she was kidnapped as a child from her Bamarre family along with her sister Annett to join Lady Klausine as her daughter. The Fairy tells Perry that she is the key to freeing her people (which happen to be the Bamarre) out from under the feet of their oppressors (which happen to be Latki).
But what side is she going to be on? The side of her lineage or the side that she grew up believing?
If you have loved Gail Carson Levine's story telling so far, this book won't disappoint. If you loved the previous book, which actually happens after this book in the actual time line and not in the written time line, you will like this book well enough.
The Seven-Leagued Boots and The Good Tablecloth make an appearance too which I think I screamed about for ten minutes straight each time they were talked about. Like reliving my childhood over here!
I always will read anything by Gail Carson Levine!
----------------------
NEXT WEEK?!
THE FIRST BOOK BROKE MY HEART.
I EXPECT NOTHING LESS.
Want to read
January 26, 2017THE TWO PRINCESSES OF BAMARRE ISN'T JUST MY FAVORITE GCL BOOK, IT IS ALSO ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS *EVER*. THE FACT THAT I HAVE ANOTHER BAMARRE BOOK IN MY HANDS IS JUST THE BEST FEELING. SORRY FOR THE ALL CAPS. I JUST HAVE ZERO CHILL AT THE MOMENT.
April 15, 2017
What is it about Gail Carson Levine's writing that is so enjoyable? I don't know. But I always love her novels, despite the fact that there's not much particularly special about this one.
I can't help but compare this to masterpieces like Fairest, Ella Enchanted, andThe Two Princesses of Bamarre. I have to admit, I'm not sure it holds up. It's good, but there's nothing setting it apart. Of course, I should be fair: some of that disappointment comes from my nostalgia.
The Lost Kingdom of Bamarre focuses on a princess who becomes a warrior after discovering she's part of her family's hated race. There's a hint of romance and a hint of badassery and a hint of Carson's lovely writing.
As is typical for Levine, though, this isn't just any princess story. There's a real focus on family, both chosen and born to. Levine develops both complex sibling relationships and complex parental relationships. These complexities are unfortunately still a rare find in fantasy.
I recommend this to everyone who enjoyed Ella Enchanted as a kid, because Levine has certainly not dropped her game.
I can't help but compare this to masterpieces like Fairest, Ella Enchanted, andThe Two Princesses of Bamarre. I have to admit, I'm not sure it holds up. It's good, but there's nothing setting it apart. Of course, I should be fair: some of that disappointment comes from my nostalgia.
The Lost Kingdom of Bamarre focuses on a princess who becomes a warrior after discovering she's part of her family's hated race. There's a hint of romance and a hint of badassery and a hint of Carson's lovely writing.
As is typical for Levine, though, this isn't just any princess story. There's a real focus on family, both chosen and born to. Levine develops both complex sibling relationships and complex parental relationships. These complexities are unfortunately still a rare find in fantasy.
I recommend this to everyone who enjoyed Ella Enchanted as a kid, because Levine has certainly not dropped her game.
Want to read
July 5, 2017That cover... Oh my stars, that cover is gorgeous! It reminds me of Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. <3
June 8, 2018
Gail Carson Levine wrote another book!!! From her Goodreads account, I knew a little bit about this book, but I forgot to pin down the release date so it was a nice surprise to find it at the library.
*takes a moment to admire the pretty cover*
It’s probably already obvious, but this is a Rapunzel retelling. And the first one I’ve read that realistically portrayed what it would be like to have that much hair. XD Seriously, though, as always, this author had a fresh and surprising take on the classic story with her heroine Peregrine.
I can always count on this author to deliver an uplifting, adorable, and friendship-based romantic sideplot. Perry and Willem reminded me a lot of Ella and Char. Too darling for words. <3 Willem was a manly, brace, darling young man with a very compassionate and gentle heart. My favorite type. :D (Also, he had a disability that was handled really well!)
*geeks for a moment about the wonderful elements from other obscure fairytales woven in*
So, I like books that make me think without being on the nose with politics. This book had a natural theme of overcoming prejudice and injustice that didn’t seem like it was shoehorned in, so that was cool. The Lakti, Bamarre, and Kyngoll were very different people groups, and it was easy to see how they had each gotten some things right and some things wrong. (I’m pretty Bamarre though, methinks.) In the end, each culture had something of value, and the author did an amazing job getting this across.
Just a note that because the main culture in this book was very warlike, the book got pretty violent at some parts. Some other minor things were that there were children being used as soldiers (*sobs*); fairies, “sorcerers”, and co-ed sleeping tents mentioned but not made a big deal of; and some super scary magical monsters. O.o. ;) The thing I found most disturbing and heartbreaking though was that .
Best quote: “You’re the best person I know, aside from Father, and you’re my only friend.” “I don’t know if I’ll always be your only friend, but I’m your friend forever.” I wondered.
Altogether, I enjoyed this unique fairytale retelling! I hope to read The Two Princesses of Bamarre soon. ;)
*takes a moment to admire the pretty cover*
It’s probably already obvious, but this is a Rapunzel retelling. And the first one I’ve read that realistically portrayed what it would be like to have that much hair. XD Seriously, though, as always, this author had a fresh and surprising take on the classic story with her heroine Peregrine.
I can always count on this author to deliver an uplifting, adorable, and friendship-based romantic sideplot. Perry and Willem reminded me a lot of Ella and Char. Too darling for words. <3 Willem was a manly, brace, darling young man with a very compassionate and gentle heart. My favorite type. :D (Also, he had a disability that was handled really well!)
*geeks for a moment about the wonderful elements from other obscure fairytales woven in*
So, I like books that make me think without being on the nose with politics. This book had a natural theme of overcoming prejudice and injustice that didn’t seem like it was shoehorned in, so that was cool. The Lakti, Bamarre, and Kyngoll were very different people groups, and it was easy to see how they had each gotten some things right and some things wrong. (I’m pretty Bamarre though, methinks.) In the end, each culture had something of value, and the author did an amazing job getting this across.
Just a note that because the main culture in this book was very warlike, the book got pretty violent at some parts. Some other minor things were that there were children being used as soldiers (*sobs*); fairies, “sorcerers”, and co-ed sleeping tents mentioned but not made a big deal of; and some super scary magical monsters. O.o. ;) The thing I found most disturbing and heartbreaking though was that .
Best quote: “You’re the best person I know, aside from Father, and you’re my only friend.” “I don’t know if I’ll always be your only friend, but I’m your friend forever.” I wondered.
Altogether, I enjoyed this unique fairytale retelling! I hope to read The Two Princesses of Bamarre soon. ;)
November 7, 2017
I'm SCREAMING LMAO gail carson levine wrote a prequel 16 years later and recast the male-centered legends* in two princesses of bamarre (a book I LOVE) into a female-centric story that deals well with oppression of and prejudice against an entire people, digs into adoptive, biological, and found families, all narrated by a girl with a sword that didn't feel second-wave at all. NICE
* so much so that I literally whisper-screamed DRUALT BARELY DID SHIT at the end, though I know he'll go on to kill dragon moms, etc., but I can't believe the fairies were like U CAN BE IMMORTAL AND HAVE A FAIRY PRINCESS WIFE at the end of the other book. UR JUST A KID UR SISTER IS THE REAL FUCKING DEAL perry forever
* so much so that I literally whisper-screamed DRUALT BARELY DID SHIT at the end, though I know he'll go on to kill dragon moms, etc., but I can't believe the fairies were like U CAN BE IMMORTAL AND HAVE A FAIRY PRINCESS WIFE at the end of the other book. UR JUST A KID UR SISTER IS THE REAL FUCKING DEAL perry forever
November 7, 2017
I loved this book so much that I really don't want to give it back to the library.
When I saw this book was coming out I was ecstatic, The Two Princesses of Bamarre has been an all time favorite of mine since I was little, so I was naturally very excited to return to that world, even in an earlier setting with little character overlap.
I didn't think it would be possible for Gail Carson Levine to write a book that could live up to my childhood favorite, but she did not disappoint.
Pretty much imagine starting out as a Rapunzel retelling morphing into the story of Moses with a wonderful teen warrior princess named Perry in both the titular roles. Unexpectedly moving and relevant to racism in current society, I think everyone should read this book. Especially kids. It would make a very good read out loud story with lots of suspense.
Anyway I loved this book a ridiculous amount.
When I saw this book was coming out I was ecstatic, The Two Princesses of Bamarre has been an all time favorite of mine since I was little, so I was naturally very excited to return to that world, even in an earlier setting with little character overlap.
I didn't think it would be possible for Gail Carson Levine to write a book that could live up to my childhood favorite, but she did not disappoint.
Pretty much imagine starting out as a Rapunzel retelling morphing into the story of Moses with a wonderful teen warrior princess named Perry in both the titular roles. Unexpectedly moving and relevant to racism in current society, I think everyone should read this book. Especially kids. It would make a very good read out loud story with lots of suspense.
Anyway I loved this book a ridiculous amount.
November 19, 2018
Wow.
I might like this story even better than Ella Enchanted.
I feel like, also, as the years go on, Gail Carson Levine just keeps getting better and better at writing, which is impressive, because she was already so good from the beginning!
I might like this story even better than Ella Enchanted.
I feel like, also, as the years go on, Gail Carson Levine just keeps getting better and better at writing, which is impressive, because she was already so good from the beginning!
June 23, 2017
Loved this! Such a great prequel to The Two Princesses of Bamarre and subtle Rapunzel retelling!
I've always loved Gail Carson Levine's writing, especially Fairest and Ella Enchanted!
Loved this book!
I've always loved Gail Carson Levine's writing, especially Fairest and Ella Enchanted!
Loved this book!
June 28, 2017
Not as good as most Levine books, but did a great job setting up Two Princesses. Drualt was a character. <3 3.5 stars
March 9, 2019
I haven't heard any Gail Carson Levine in ages--maybe 20 years? Rereading her other works beforehand would've no doubt made me appreciate this book more, but since this is a prequel anyway, I didn't feel the lack too much. This was a sweet, fun story with great character development and a surprisingly nuanced view of slavery and slaveholders, considering the young middle-grade audience. I wasn't transported, but I did enjoy the tale (and the audiobook narrator, who did a lovely job).
September 3, 2017
Heeeyyy, I’m back!! I feel bad I just kind of vanished from the blogosphere for a while without telling anyone, but I was pretty overwhelmed with real life and needed some extra time to catch up for a little bit! (I was also too lazy to announce it.) But I’m so glad to be back now that my life is a little more organized :D.
It was hard not to feel a little nervous going into this book. Gail Carson Levine was my favorite author for years when I was little, and I read and loved all her books. Fairest is still one of my favorite books of all time. So when I saw she had a new book coming out, I was ecstatic!! And terrified!! What if it wasn’t as good?? My reading preferences have changed a lot since I was ten. What if it just didn’t work for me??
But, if you are a Levine fan, I can tell you that this book is just as good as they ever were.
There’s just something about Gail Carson Levine’s writing that I will probably never tire of. It transports me back to when I was little. It is simple and straightforward, but full of feeling and the sweetest kind of magic. (Excuse me while I go cry for no reason.) And maybe the best thing was this book filled me with nostalgia. I think it’s time to go reread all her other books.
One of the most important things about this book is how well the underlying message is woven through it. On its surface this is a fairy tale. But I’m realizing, as I reread Levine’s books now that I’m older, that her books are so much more than that. This one deals with the same kind of themes her others do: prejudice and oppression being some of them. But here’s the thing: Gail Carson Levine does not have an agenda. Her “lesson” is extremely subtle. It is there to add depth, to make the reader think, and to maybe help them become better without forcing them to do any of those things.
I loved all the characters. I loved how kind Perry was, and how much growth she goes through! She changes so much throughout the book, and I loved how that change wasn’t passive. It happens because Perry wants to be better, and wants to learn, and wants to do something good. I really liked how complex all the relationships are, especially the one between Perry and her adoptive mother. I thought parts of that were sweet, and parts were frustrating. I also loved how Perry’s relationship with the rest of her family developed. It was slow, and ARRGH, it was FRUSTRATING at times, but it was definitely well done.
There is just the tiniest hint of romance in this book, and it was perfect. On that note, while this is *technically* MG, it could totally work for teenagers/other YA readers too.
I like how simple the story was. The plot isn’t super complicated or anything, and it’s slower than a lot of other books, but it was also super fun and I was totally engaged. I liked how the Rapunzel fairy tale was included in the book; I wasn’t expecting that!
This book was just so much fun. My only question is, when will she write another??
It was hard not to feel a little nervous going into this book. Gail Carson Levine was my favorite author for years when I was little, and I read and loved all her books. Fairest is still one of my favorite books of all time. So when I saw she had a new book coming out, I was ecstatic!! And terrified!! What if it wasn’t as good?? My reading preferences have changed a lot since I was ten. What if it just didn’t work for me??
But, if you are a Levine fan, I can tell you that this book is just as good as they ever were.
There’s just something about Gail Carson Levine’s writing that I will probably never tire of. It transports me back to when I was little. It is simple and straightforward, but full of feeling and the sweetest kind of magic. (Excuse me while I go cry for no reason.) And maybe the best thing was this book filled me with nostalgia. I think it’s time to go reread all her other books.
One of the most important things about this book is how well the underlying message is woven through it. On its surface this is a fairy tale. But I’m realizing, as I reread Levine’s books now that I’m older, that her books are so much more than that. This one deals with the same kind of themes her others do: prejudice and oppression being some of them. But here’s the thing: Gail Carson Levine does not have an agenda. Her “lesson” is extremely subtle. It is there to add depth, to make the reader think, and to maybe help them become better without forcing them to do any of those things.
I loved all the characters. I loved how kind Perry was, and how much growth she goes through! She changes so much throughout the book, and I loved how that change wasn’t passive. It happens because Perry wants to be better, and wants to learn, and wants to do something good. I really liked how complex all the relationships are, especially the one between Perry and her adoptive mother. I thought parts of that were sweet, and parts were frustrating. I also loved how Perry’s relationship with the rest of her family developed. It was slow, and ARRGH, it was FRUSTRATING at times, but it was definitely well done.
There is just the tiniest hint of romance in this book, and it was perfect. On that note, while this is *technically* MG, it could totally work for teenagers/other YA readers too.
I like how simple the story was. The plot isn’t super complicated or anything, and it’s slower than a lot of other books, but it was also super fun and I was totally engaged. I liked how the Rapunzel fairy tale was included in the book; I wasn’t expecting that!
This book was just so much fun. My only question is, when will she write another??
November 15, 2017
Gail Carson Levine is one of my favorite fantasy writers. I was riveted to this story from page 1. I loved the character of Lady Mother, even though she stole the Bamarre children. The other characters were well developed as well. Just enough magic to keep it hopeful, and a bit of humor thrown in as well, I was cheering for Perry and wondering how she would overcome her troubles. It played out very well, was exciting, and not anticipated.
August 18, 2022
3.5 stars
I thought I would like this more than I did, but I think the main reasons it didn't completely meet my expectations were:
1) I was very distracted and busy almost every time I picked this book up to read
2) It took me a long time to read it, so I would forget details and feel like the book was slower than it actually was
3) I really didn't like Perry's family and just couldn't see what they were really thinking. I just felt like they might should have a little more love for a member of their own family and that kept me from enjoying it as much 🤷♀️
This was a good, solid story, I think it just wasn't the right time for me to read... maybe anything? I was just too distracted with life 😂
I thought I would like this more than I did, but I think the main reasons it didn't completely meet my expectations were:
1) I was very distracted and busy almost every time I picked this book up to read
2) It took me a long time to read it, so I would forget details and feel like the book was slower than it actually was
3) I really didn't like Perry's family and just couldn't see what they were really thinking. I just felt like they might should have a little more love for a member of their own family and that kept me from enjoying it as much 🤷♀️
This was a good, solid story, I think it just wasn't the right time for me to read... maybe anything? I was just too distracted with life 😂
June 23, 2025
I LOVE GAIL CARSON LEVINE SM IM GONNA GO REWATCH TANGLE NOW
June 8, 2022
Another great fairy-tale retelling of Rapunzel by Gail Carson Levine! This is a great prequel to The Two Princesses of Bamarre, either one could be read first, in my opinion. The story is thrilling and sweet!
June 27, 2019
I’ve really been backlogged on my reviews. The bar exam is killing me, guys.
I enjoyed this one. It can’t hold a candle to the companion book (which came out SEVENTEEN YEARS before this one did), The Two Princesses of Bamarre, which is one of the most heartfelt, sincere, and humble YA books I’ve ever read. But it was a good yarn nonetheless.
Speaking of Two Princesses—GCL says on her website that there’s one character in both books () but if you look closely, there are kind of two, sort of ().
Levine is still a really good poet. Normally epic poetry that appears within another book is pretty shoddy, but not so here! Although perhaps not as mesmerising as the epic of Drualt in The Two Princesses of Bamarre, it’s still more than decent.
The Lost Kingdom is a retelling of Rapunzel, but an extremely flexible retelling. Literally the only similarities are the (1) the fact that a father steals from a garden, and the garden owner demands his daughter as payment, and (2) that daughter has fast-growing hair (though in this case, it’s red, not blonde). This version is steeped in themes of nationalism and xenophobia, and Peregrine (Rapunzel) is claustrophobic.
You know, I didn’t *love* Peregrine as a character. Historically Gail Carson Levine has created some seriously amazing and memorable characters that I think about all the time, but this one just didn’t quite land the mark.
I did, however,adore the character of Lady Klausine. I won’t say anymore on that point. I despised Peregrine’s birth family (excluding, of course, her little brother).
I did really really love the Bamarre/Lakti ethnic relations. The Lakti are rather Spartan-esque. They value warmanship, soldier qualities, strength, toughness, and speed. They train their sons and daughters alike to be soldiers, and they aren’t known for their creativity or gentility.
By contrast, the Bamarre are rather like the famously thoughtful Athenians; they’re known for their poetry and their kindness. Fairies visit the Bamarre, but refuse to visit the Lakti, who oppress and enslave the Bamarre (but who claim they’re benevolent rulers, and that other invading armies would have just slaughtered them).
Overall, a solid contribution to the Bamarre canon, and I’d really enjoy seeing more; hopefully it won’t take another 18 years!
I enjoyed this one. It can’t hold a candle to the companion book (which came out SEVENTEEN YEARS before this one did), The Two Princesses of Bamarre, which is one of the most heartfelt, sincere, and humble YA books I’ve ever read. But it was a good yarn nonetheless.
Speaking of Two Princesses—GCL says on her website that there’s one character in both books () but if you look closely, there are kind of two, sort of ().
Levine is still a really good poet. Normally epic poetry that appears within another book is pretty shoddy, but not so here! Although perhaps not as mesmerising as the epic of Drualt in The Two Princesses of Bamarre, it’s still more than decent.
The Lost Kingdom is a retelling of Rapunzel, but an extremely flexible retelling. Literally the only similarities are the (1) the fact that a father steals from a garden, and the garden owner demands his daughter as payment, and (2) that daughter has fast-growing hair (though in this case, it’s red, not blonde). This version is steeped in themes of nationalism and xenophobia, and Peregrine (Rapunzel) is claustrophobic.
You know, I didn’t *love* Peregrine as a character. Historically Gail Carson Levine has created some seriously amazing and memorable characters that I think about all the time, but this one just didn’t quite land the mark.
I did, however,adore the character of Lady Klausine. I won’t say anymore on that point. I despised Peregrine’s birth family (excluding, of course, her little brother).
I did really really love the Bamarre/Lakti ethnic relations. The Lakti are rather Spartan-esque. They value warmanship, soldier qualities, strength, toughness, and speed. They train their sons and daughters alike to be soldiers, and they aren’t known for their creativity or gentility.
By contrast, the Bamarre are rather like the famously thoughtful Athenians; they’re known for their poetry and their kindness. Fairies visit the Bamarre, but refuse to visit the Lakti, who oppress and enslave the Bamarre (but who claim they’re benevolent rulers, and that other invading armies would have just slaughtered them).
Overall, a solid contribution to the Bamarre canon, and I’d really enjoy seeing more; hopefully it won’t take another 18 years!
Read
April 10, 2019I was gonna give this one star (only for gail carson levine would i have trudged through such an awful book) but then i looked in the mirror and realized maybe it's my fault for reading books meant for ages 8-12. and maybe i'll just have to accept that nothing will ever be as good as ella enchanted.
March 4, 2024
3.5⭐
I really enjoyed the last half of the book compared to the first half. But I did really enjoy it, as I do a lot of Gail Carson Levine's books. Her books are filled with fun fairytale essence and characters.
I really enjoyed the last half of the book compared to the first half. But I did really enjoy it, as I do a lot of Gail Carson Levine's books. Her books are filled with fun fairytale essence and characters.
May 4, 2020
*3.75/5
This was definitely a solid read, and I would really recommend giving this book a read!
This was definitely a solid read, and I would really recommend giving this book a read!
November 18, 2020
Perry is the adopted daughter of Lakti noble parents, but her real parents are Bamarre servants. Her true bloodline is kept a secret, because the Bamarre people are considered inferior and cowardly. The fairy Halina visits Perry and urges her to embrace her true heritage and free the Bamarre people from Lakti tyranny. With the help of a magic tablecloth, seven-league boots, and a perfect disguise, Perry plunges into espionage and rebellion. But can she ever escape her Lakti upbringing and be accepted by the Bamarre?
I liked Perry's character. She is headstrong and awkward, but always willing to learn. I love how she interacts with the different characters in her life. There are so many social dynamics that have to be understood and navigated through as she tries to build a new life for herself. I love how she gradually learns more about her birth family and about the Bamarre culture.
The world-building is excellent! There are so many layers to the different cultures and history. Their different manners, their attitudes, and their customs are all explored as we learn the difference between Lakti and Bamarre people. They have different values and priorities, and that affects their behavior. Lakti people value strength and plain straight-forward language. The Bamarre value courtesy and selflessness, so their speech is much more quiet and apologetic.
The plot is good, with plenty of intrigue and action. I loved the magical elements in the story. There are some serious scenes, but also some humor to balance things out. The writing style is excellent, pulling the reader into the scene and tugging on your emotions.
However, I did not like the way the ending was rushed. It was all a little too convenient and quick. After all that build-up, it was disappointing. If the ending had been better, it would have been a 4-star book for me. Not that the ending is terrible. It's fine. I just felt like it could have been more drawn-out and complex. It was a little too simple and easy.
I liked Perry's character. She is headstrong and awkward, but always willing to learn. I love how she interacts with the different characters in her life. There are so many social dynamics that have to be understood and navigated through as she tries to build a new life for herself. I love how she gradually learns more about her birth family and about the Bamarre culture.
The world-building is excellent! There are so many layers to the different cultures and history. Their different manners, their attitudes, and their customs are all explored as we learn the difference between Lakti and Bamarre people. They have different values and priorities, and that affects their behavior. Lakti people value strength and plain straight-forward language. The Bamarre value courtesy and selflessness, so their speech is much more quiet and apologetic.
The plot is good, with plenty of intrigue and action. I loved the magical elements in the story. There are some serious scenes, but also some humor to balance things out. The writing style is excellent, pulling the reader into the scene and tugging on your emotions.
However, I did not like the way the ending was rushed. It was all a little too convenient and quick. After all that build-up, it was disappointing. If the ending had been better, it would have been a 4-star book for me. Not that the ending is terrible. It's fine. I just felt like it could have been more drawn-out and complex. It was a little too simple and easy.
November 11, 2020
The Lost Kingdom of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine is a middlegrade fantasy telling loosely based on Rapunzel. It is set in the same land as The Two Princesses of Bamarre but takes place long before those princesses were born. The main character is Peregrine (Perry), a young girl of the noble class. Her kingdom is fighting against the people of Bamarre, and Perry, like most of the others, believes those poeple to be of a lower class. What will it take for her to change her opinion - and turn the tide of the war?
The Lost Kingdom of Bamarre was another one of Levine's creative fairytale retellings. The characters were engaging, and the story adventurous. I liked how the story of Rapunzel was woven into this tale and how funny parts of the book were. And isn't the cover gorgeous and exciting?! Also, it was fun to know and imagine that the Bamarre of Perry's day would one day become the land Princesses Addie and Meryl lived in.
All the same, I didn't think the book was nearly as good as the Two Princesses of Bamarre or some of Levine's other works. Perhaps because it was more about racism than about a girl on an adventure? Or because most of it took place with the backdrop of a war? I'm not certain what it was exactly, or even if my guesses are true, but I certainly liked the other book in this series better.
Even so, I recommend this book to middlegrade readers who enjoyed other Gail Carson Levine books.
I received a complementary copy of this book. All opinions are my own, and I am not obligated to provide a positive review.
The Lost Kingdom of Bamarre was another one of Levine's creative fairytale retellings. The characters were engaging, and the story adventurous. I liked how the story of Rapunzel was woven into this tale and how funny parts of the book were. And isn't the cover gorgeous and exciting?! Also, it was fun to know and imagine that the Bamarre of Perry's day would one day become the land Princesses Addie and Meryl lived in.
All the same, I didn't think the book was nearly as good as the Two Princesses of Bamarre or some of Levine's other works. Perhaps because it was more about racism than about a girl on an adventure? Or because most of it took place with the backdrop of a war? I'm not certain what it was exactly, or even if my guesses are true, but I certainly liked the other book in this series better.
Even so, I recommend this book to middlegrade readers who enjoyed other Gail Carson Levine books.
I received a complementary copy of this book. All opinions are my own, and I am not obligated to provide a positive review.
February 3, 2018
Thank you, dear Gail Carson Levine, for another winsome fantasy novel! The Lost Kingdom of Bamarre is a prequel to The Two Princesses of Bamarre (which I read when I was younger and loved), but it stands alone. The writing style was impeccable and captivating the whole way through, and the characters were multi-dimensional and well-developed, each with some mystery, faults, and sympathy (from the reader). There was realistic pain without gore. I found myself caught up in the world described and constantly guessing as to what could happen next--in a good way, that is; the plot was neither predictable nor boring.
I loved Levine's work as a child and on a whim checked to see if she had any books I hadn't read. This new book of hers was a thoroughly satisfying, nostalgic jaunt back into the realm of my girlhood reading. What a delight!
I loved Levine's work as a child and on a whim checked to see if she had any books I hadn't read. This new book of hers was a thoroughly satisfying, nostalgic jaunt back into the realm of my girlhood reading. What a delight!
August 15, 2022
I didn't realize there was a prequel to The Two Princesses of Bamarre, but then I saw this title recommended on TikTok! I was obsessed with Gail Carson Levine's work as a child, and Ella Enchanted and The Two Princesses of Bamarre were my favorites.
Peregrine was a fun heroine, and man do I love those seven league boots! Perry got up to quite a few shenanigans with them. The politics of the Bamarre and Lakti people was interesting, and I liked how it resolved .
Peregrine was a fun heroine, and man do I love those seven league boots! Perry got up to quite a few shenanigans with them. The politics of the Bamarre and Lakti people was interesting, and I liked how it resolved .
May 7, 2019
This was pretty good.
Very much like its sister.
I recommend you read before “the Two Princesses of Bamarre”
This book irked me as well seeing how the two kingdoms fought and how the lakti treated the bamarre. Ugh it disgusted me.
I felt it was much more thought out and had a better plot than it’s former.
I hope there are more continuations!
Very much like its sister.
I recommend you read before “the Two Princesses of Bamarre”
This book irked me as well seeing how the two kingdoms fought and how the lakti treated the bamarre. Ugh it disgusted me.
I felt it was much more thought out and had a better plot than it’s former.
I hope there are more continuations!
April 22, 2020
This book was so good. I really liked it and the ending makes you feel happy inside. I love the character of Perry and her character and Willem and Lady Mother and Drualt are all so awesome! This books makes you feel happy, sad, mad, joyful, and just leaves you with hope and goodness for the Bamarre.
Great read for any fairy tale or fantasy lover! :D
Great read for any fairy tale or fantasy lover! :D
October 4, 2021
I have loved Gail Carson Levine for ages and I am thrilled that this 2017 prequel is just as good (if not better) than the 2001 “The Two Princesses of Bamarre” that I listened to on repeat as a middle schooler. I really enjoyed this story and I love that her work only gets better with age.
“Step follows step, hope follows courage.”
“Step follows step, hope follows courage.”
March 2, 2024
Another skillfully crafted story by Levine! This time, we have a Rapunzel retelling. I loved the beautiful cover and the clash of cultures, from the grim Lakti, who believe "the purpose of war is to create eternal peace," to the poetry-loving Bamarre people. Torn between both worlds, our protagonist Peregrine faces a choice about how she will live and who she will call family.
Want to read
May 24, 2017Oh my God T_T
My favorite childhood book got a prequel??
Please let me have it PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
My favorite childhood book got a prequel??
Please let me have it PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
June 16, 2020
I loved it as much as the first time I read it!!!
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