The Goose Girl (The Books of Bayern #1)

This is a very good book, and don't worry, it's not at all like your average fairy tale. Okay, fine, I'll tell the truth. If someone had said to me "Hey Louisa, there's this really awesome book called the Goose Girl and it's about a princess who goes to marry a prince and she can talk to birds!" I would have thought "And how is that any different from Snow White or any other fairy tale every written?"

Let's start with the fact that this IS about a princess who is sent off to marry a foreign prince and she can talk to birds and horses and stuff, BUT, it is not a wishy-washy fairytale.

Ani is the Crown Princess in her kingdom, but then her mother replaces her with her brother, because she is worried that the kingdom will not trust a queen who "supposedly" talks to wild animals. She is sent off to a neighbouring kingdom to marry the prince there. As if this wouldn't cause enough problems for poor Ani, during the trip there is a mutiny and her title is taken away by her lady-in-waiting and half of the guards. Suddenly Ani is titeless, and is forced to work as a Goose Girl for the king (hence the title of the book.). Ani is dead set on getting her title back before her lady-in-waiting starts a war between their two kingdoms. On the way, she makes real friends, finds love, and discovers a secret strength that she had no idea she possessed (because, let's face it, she was VERY naive and shallow before).

This story is about independence and bravery, and not doing what you are told just because you are told.

This book keeps you on your toes for the whole time, and just when you think that Ani/Isi is safe... BAM! the bad guys come in and try to murder her in the night.

When I had finished the book, I figured out that it was actually based on one of the lesser known Grimms fairy tales. So I went and read that fairy tale, but I still think this book is better.

When you finish the book, I guarantee you'll be searching for more.

I actually like how this story wasnt a typical princess story, I feel like Shannnon Hale did a good job with writing a book that has a versatile audience. It could appeal to the younger teens because it doesnt have too much mature ideas but its not childish and would therefore appeal to the older audiences.
I wasnt able to connect with the characters but with this novel I dont think that you are supposed to too much. I also really liked the plot for these books.

Reader reviewed by Dylana

This books ia a magical tale about Princess Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee of the kingdom of Kildenree. She knows the speech of animals and can speak to birds and her beloved horse, Falada. Her mother, the Queen, then marries her off to the prince of the kindgom Bayern. Her lady-in-waiting, Selia, betrays Ani and takes Ani's place as the Princess. Ani goes to Bayern and disguises herself as a goose girl working for the King. All the while she is trying to get her title back and get the truth out. She makes great friends with all the king's workers and feels a part of the Bayern forest people. She wants to better the lives of all of these people and thier community.
She encounters many magical experiences and surprises, such as being able to speak with the wind. This book is pretty long and very detailed, but every word is captivating and tells a perfect fantasy story. It's full of action, romance, fun, and friendship. Its great for teenage girls because you can relate to Ani herself and as her disguised self as the Goose Girl named Isi. It's an adventure following Ani on her ride through getting the truth out about herself and her kingdom. I reccomend it with 5 stars!

Reader reviewed by chatterbox891

YAY finally, the perfect re-written fairy tale!!!!! This book is so good it'll make you wnat to pinch yourself! It follows the basic goose girl story: Princess is betrayed by maid, maid tries to be princess, fails, real princess (disguised as a maid) fights for her crown and lives happily ever after! But it's not just that, the author, Shannon Hale, weaves a gripping tale that all will love!!

Reader reviewed by Riney

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale is a wonderful retelling of a "lesser" known fairy tale, the goose girl.

Basically, the fairy tale is about a girl who is on her way to meet her betrothed when the company that she's traveling with betrays her and places a charlatan in her place. This forces the real princess to get a job as a goose girl to find her way back to her reclaim her title.

This basic plotline in the Goose Girl is followed but author Ms. Hale does more. She gives the characters more depth and personality. She also provides her own explanations as to how or why things happened.

A great retelling full of romance, action, and humor! Defintely recommended!

Reader reviewed by Calisia_girl

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale has a way of moving you in a way you never thought a book could. It grips you from the first sentance and holds you striken right to the last page. The story of the goose girl isnt a well known fairytale which only makes the book more wonderful and breathtaking for the reader .
The goose girl begins the day our heroine, the princess and known to us as Ani, is born. Along with Ani we are introduced to her aunt, an aunt who will later tell her of three gifts of speaking; one to animals, one to people and another to the wind.
It is when Ani travels to the next Kingdom, to marry an unknown prince, that she is left to die as another takes her place. On Anis struggle to claim her true identity she works at a goose girl in the palace. She makes friends, falls in love with a knight and learns things about herself and her gift she would never have done otherwise.
No words for me can really describe how this book made me feel, except Shannon Hales which fill its pages and tells its story.

Reader reviewed by Bettina

Princess Anidora-Kiladra Taliana Isilee or Ani doesn't feel like she fits in at the palace. She can speak to animals but people at the palace think that it is bad because they always like normal things. One day Ani is sent to Bayern, the neighboring kingdom, to marry a prince to promote peace between the two kingdoms. On the way, her lady-in-waiting betrays her and pretends that she is the princess. Ani must run for her life and expose her lady-in-waiting. But will she make it in time?

I loved this book, it was a great because it was very creative.

Reader reviewed by chick box

i love this book! shannon hale is an amazing writer! this is her first book so imagine what kind of things she will be writing in the future!
the goose girl
this book is about a girl named isi(well thats her nick-name) who goes to faraway kingdom to marry the crown prince. on the way her so called friend forces isi to switch places with her and goes to marry the prince. now isi has to work as a goose girl and doesnt know how to take her proper spot of princess.

Reader reviewed by christina

this is definitly the best book i have ever read. its about this girl named ani. the adventure starts when she is born. she can talk to horses, geese, swans, and even the wind. she is sent to marry the crown prince but her lady-in-waiting selia betrays her and trys to kill her. ani has to run for her life and ends up disguised as isi the goose girl. she falls in love with someone that said they work at the palace. she thinks that she can trust him and she loves him. then he sends her a letter that says i can not love you like a man loves a woman i am sorry. she is heartbroken and lovesick. turns out her lover is the prince and will she get her name back, become princess, and marry the hansome prince??? seems like alot to do for a princess.

this is my favorite book i have ever read and i couldn't put it down for 1 second!!!
hope you like it!

Reader reviewed by Stephanie

First-time author Shannon Hale delights readers of all ages with her stunningly brilliant fantasy novel THE GOOSE GIRL. Anidori-Kiladree has never felt like the true crown princess of Kildenree. She doesnt have the gift of speaking with people that her mother and her lady-in-waiting Selia do. Instead, shes more comfortable spending her days with the swans by the royal lake, breathing in nature, feeling always a mere step away from understanding something in the air.

Anis mother decides to arrange a marriage for her to the prince of Bayern, the neighboring kingdom, as a part of a peace settlement. Scared, the naïve Ani sets off on the months-long journey through the mountains, accompanied by Selia and several guards.

Ani is thrown for a surprise when Selia and guards loyal to her stage a mutiny, declaring Selia to be Princess Anidori-Kiladree. Lost and friendless, with her life on the line, Ani takes up a job as goose girl, unsure of what to do with herself. Her initial plan is to save enough money to go back home to Kildenree, but as the time passes, she makes friends and understands more about the city and Bayern. Aniwho now calls herself Isirealizes that as queen she would be able to do so much to help the people of Bayern, and so begins to develop a plan to reclaim her rightful place in the royal court, and to expose Selia as a manipulative liar.

THE GOOSE GIRL is beautifully written, with a wonderful poetic style that lends so much to the fantastical component of the story. Anis development from an inexperience girl to a confident young lady is remarkably realistic and will leave you cheering for her.