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4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
755 global ratings
5 star
76%
4 star
15%
3 star
5%
2 star
1%
1 star
2%
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Top reviews

Top reviews from the United States

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PerfectlyTolerable
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2017
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According to Scholastic this book is meant for grades 3-8, so it was a pretty easy read, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy every second of it. Miri, the main character, is amazing. She is strong and clever and brave, but she is also insecure and loving. She is pretty much my ideal heroine. I love the way she interacts with the other girls in the academy. They have petty arguments and real issues, but they still manage to come together and help each other in their darkest hour. Despite the competitions and the drive to win, no one truly wished for the other girls to fail. They had very realistic, middle school drama, relationships.

There is a certain innocence about the book that just made me happy. It is hard to explain, but its just a feel good book. But not a sappy love story type feel good. Its got a good plot and a LOT of character development. There is a good mix of love, action, fantasy, drama, and resolution to make it a great read.

This is a great book for all ages. I would definitely recommend it to elementary and middle schoolers as well as teenagers and adults. This would make a great book to read with your child too! If you want to start a mommy and me book club with your child I would suggest starting with this book. Its that good!
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Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazingly Written.
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2015
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This book is absolutely incredible. It has a perfect dose of fantasy with a little bit of romance mixed in. I have recently read the reviews of other readers and I would like to clear something up. Many reviews with one star say that this book is very inappropriate and should not be read by young readers. This is NOT true. The only way a book like this could be called inappropriate is if people consider people having crushes or a prince kissing his future bride's hand inappropriate. I was appalled to read one review that said this book was soft porn for teens. It is no such thing!!! It is a very wonderful book with good values and an amazing plot. I would recommend this book to kids ages 10-14 as the way it is written May be hard for younger kids to understand.
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ellensmellen
5.0 out of 5 stars excellent book
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2020
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This is an amazing book I read this story when I was a young girl. However when the book arrived there was a pink line on one of the pages and a small bend in the bottom. Honestly doesn't matter to much since it will be getting heavy use from my kids, but wish more careful packaging would have been incorporated!
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Donna V.
5.0 out of 5 stars enjoyed the book; will buy more of this author's work!
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2020
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read the book in 1 day; it's almost midnight and i am going to buy book 2 and check out Shannon's other books. So much good stuff in this book. some of the lower reviews were unfair - missing pages or a cd not working. not the author's fault, nor a problem with this wonderful book! so glad i found it!!!! highly recommend!
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Elizabeth Ann
4.0 out of 5 stars Was slightly damaged, but perfectly readable. Story was good.
Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2019
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Item came slightly damaged on the top of the spine, but not enough to make me feel the need to return it.

Book Review: I think I was expecting more, but I don't know what.
It's a good book. I enjoyed the writing, the characters, the story, but It feels like something is missing that could have made it a five star book and a favorite. Near the end there was a major tone shift that didn't exactly match with the rest of the story. Those chapters kinda of feel out of place with the rest of the book, I almost thought it was a dream at first, and after that problem is resolved the tone goes back to what it was before.
I liked the book, I just didn't love it.
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Jenny
4.0 out of 5 stars A Book That Shows Us Who We Could Be
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2015
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Ms. Hale delivers a richly told narrative exploring small town life, personal hopes and dreams, and tackles the question "how do we figure out where we belong?" Miri and the other girls are believable characters that we can see ourselves and those we know in.

The best part of this book is the way Ms. Hale allows Miri to solve her problems. When violence occurs it is often meet by Miri intellectually. The conflicts are resolved through understanding the other and finding common ground. Even in the one instance where violence became necessary, it was only after other options failed. Ms. Hale's emphasis on interpersonal relationships and connecting with others made this book more than just another fantasy or coming of age story; she has created valuable literature.
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kelly knapp
4.0 out of 5 stars Can One Small Girl Save the Kingdom?
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2016
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An edict has been proclaimed. The next princess will come from the Mountain enclave, so all eligible girls must undergo immediate training! Miri has live on the mountain her entire life. Her family makes a living off the quarry. Now she must leave everything she has ever known or loved and travel to a school to learn how to be a princess. She isn't even sure she wants to be the next princess. Then the school is overtaken and the prince is in danger. Miri must find a way to get help or everyone, the royal prince included, may be doomed.
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Cara
5.0 out of 5 stars Princess Academy
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2012
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I am an adult who still loves young adult novels. This one was recommended to me by a friend (also an adult!) and I finished it in about two hours. It is one of those books that I couldn't put down. The story is very well written, with enough description given that I could clearly see the setting and the people.

I really loved the description of the mining village and their 'quarry speech.' It was unique, and magical, but made sense. The initial scene between Miri and Enrik made me want to cry - I could really feel the disappointment that Miri felt. When she learns how valuable the linder stone was, and her village was able to barter successfully when the traders came back, I wanted to jump up with joy.

I also really appreciated the ending. It is very rare to read a story where the main character turns out to not be "the chosen one." Instead, Miri realizes her dreams take her in a different direction, and she is genuinely happy that another girl was chosen.

Overall, this is a book that I will treasure, and one that I will encourage my own daughter to read when she gets older.
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Top reviews from other countries

katie
4.0 out of 5 stars A sweet story which I believe is best suited to pre-teen ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 2, 2015
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A sweet story which I believe is best suited to pre-teen girls.

The author skilfully invites the reader to examine (and question) the idea of romantic love, compatibility, social class, happiness, loyalty, and how education can improve lives. In a nutshell; a group of working class girls are sent (by royal decree) to train up so that they have the skills needed to be a princess. They learn how to read, they learn about commerce, diplomacy, dancing, and how to make polite conversation. But most importantly they learn about the outside world and are sufficiently empowered to improve their treatment in the school and their village's lot.

A book I am more than happy for my daughters to read as the heroine is strong and independent, without having to pretend she's a boy!
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Maritza Martinez
5.0 out of 5 stars Great writer
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 19, 2019
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i got the book, looks interesting but maybe for older kids than mine, 12 ish i would say
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Lizzie
3.0 out of 5 stars sweet!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 14, 2014
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Nice princess story tad to close to the selection trio set, better for younger readers.
I can suggest it to people who are not looking for an intense read, I personally found it hard concentrate on the storyline, it goes on ALOT. But it is a very sweet story.
Hope this helps.
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David Lomas
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 9, 2016
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My 10yr old granddaughter enjoyed, and that's what counts.
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mrs brenda oconnor
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 17, 2017
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Good
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