She was born with her eyes closed and a word on her tongue, a word she could not taste. Her name was Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, Crown Princess of Kildenree, and she spent the first years of her life listening to her aunt’s stories and learning the language of the birds, especially the swans. And when she was older, she watched as a colt was born, and she heard the first word on his tongue, his name, Falada.
From the Grimm’s fairy tale of the princess who became a goose girl before she could become queen, Shannon Hale has woven an incredible, original, and magical tale of a girl who must find her own unusual talents before she can lead the people she has made her own.
My Review:
"The Goose Girl" has long been one of my favorite fairy tales, as my family will very well tell you. Like the author, this story has long arisen questions in my mind. For example, "Why would a princess let her lady and waiting take her identity" or "How could the princess speak to her horses head and convince the wind to blow off the Goose Boy's hat"? Shannon Hale, a magnificent author, writes a new take on this classic tale. Many years ago, at the beginning of the universe, the creator spoke the words of creation and all things spoke it. Eventually, the species separated and the knowledge of eachother's languages were lost. There were some, whoever, who were born with the first word of another language upon their tongue. Throughout history, there have been Animal Speakers, People Speakers, and mysterious Nature Speakers. Shannon Hale's adaptation of "The Goose Girl" is almost a mixture between a normal fairy tale and a high action packed book, Lord of the Rings, perhaps. Ani, originally Crown Princess of Kildenree before her brother was named Crown Prince, is sent to Bayern to be married to their eldest Prince. She is sent to Bayern with her entourage of guards and her Lady in Waiting, who happens to be a People Speaker, Selia. On the way, half of the party led by Selia and Ungolad turn against the Princess and slay the royal guards. Ani is forced to flee. Eventually, after being aided by a family of "Forest Dwellers", she finds work as an Animal Worker to tend the King of Bayern's own Geese. There, she makes friends with her fellow Animal Worker's and learns from the inside about how Bayern's people are treated, while she tries to make a plan to regain her rightful title. Will Selia's plan to destroy Kildenree succeed? Truly, I am surprised that this book isn't as popular among those of us who read Young Adult literacture. There is heart pounding action around every corner, in a story brought to life by Shannon's Hale's beautiful words.
Stars: 5 out of 5
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