The False Princess

By: Eilis O'Neal

Narrated by: Mandy Williams

Length: 10 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

Princess and heir to the throne of Thorvaldor, Nalia has led a privileged life at court. But everything changes when she learns, just after her 16th birthday, that she is a false princess, a stand-in for the real Nalia, who has been hidden away for her protection. Cast out with little more than the clothes on her back, the girl now called Sinda must leave behind the city, her best friend, Kiernan, and the only life she's ever known.

Sent to live with her only surviving relative, Sinda proves inept at even the simplest tasks. Then she discovers that long-suppressed, dangerous magic runs through her veins, and she realizes that she will never learn to be just a simple village girl. Sinda returns to the city to seek answers. Instead, she rediscovers the boy who refused to forsake her, and uncovers a secret that could change the course of Thorvaldor's history forever.

An intricately plotted and completely satisfying adventure, The False Princess is both an engaging tale in the tradition of great fantasy novels and a story never told before that will enchant - and surprise - its listeners.

©2011 Eilis O'Neal (P)2011 Listening Library

Just finished for the 2nd time

loved it. both times. would love to see more books by Ellis ONeal . Mandy Williams did a fantastic job narrating.

One of my favorites!

Would you listen to The False Princess again? Why?

Because the story, plot twists and characters are so amazing!

Who was your favorite character and why?

All of them!

What does Mandy Williams bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I've been following Mandy Williams ever since I listened to this book. I love her narration!

Any additional comments?

Don't hesitate. Get this book! You won't be sorry! Eilis, come out with another audible book!!

Not amazing... but enjoyable. :)

Any additional comments?

The False Princess was overall, enjoyable. However, I had a few issues with it. To start with, the narrator took some getting used to... but it WAS possible to get used to and even enjoy listening to her. She has kind of an Australian accent (I could be wrong about that), and lisps a couple times (intentionally I'm sure). It may have been easier to get used to her if the storyline didn't drone on though. Personally, I like books now and again that are rather slow, where much time is taken listening to the character's thoughts, etc. But for those who like action-action-action, this book may be a bit disappointing at the start/middle.
About half way through the book began to pick up speed with various plot twists (loved 'em!), sometimes so much so that I'd have to go back and re-listen to figure out WHAT was happening. I noticed that a few times the story would speed up, then slow down, then speed up.
Toward the end, I had a much better feeling about the book, I liked the wrap-up, I enjoyed how it played out for all the characters. There was a great deal of character development, not just for the main character but for side characters as well. There were some parts of the book that I REALLY enjoyed, and now that it's finished, I look back on it fondly, glad to have listened to it.
As a side note to parents, or those listening with children: this book doesn't really swear, per say, but in the book the nation worships the "nameless god", and (even though he's nameless) the characters use his name in vain quite often, as an exclamation of surprise, disgust, etc.

Engaging story at the right pace

This book kept me at the edge of my seat the whole time!! Well written and read beautifully, at the right pace and with voices for the different characters. Wonderful experience!

Enchanting!

This is one of my family’s favorite audio books ever! The story is fresh, with plenty of twists. The narrator is captivating. We’ve listened to it at least half a dozen times!

Worth a listen

Well performed, and a good listen overall. With all the confusion of babies switched at birth, the question of royalty and identity, magic and intrigue, I quite enjoyed the story... right up until the end, when the plot twist that I'd been anticipating failed to materialize. The twists and turns provided - quite regularly, and appropriately, given the subject material - were all thrilling, but the final twists had all been laid out by 2/3 of the way through the book with nothing to follow at the ultimate climax. I kept listening thinking, 'How is this going to end? With three hours left to go, there's bound to be SOME twist; I bet it's ____. She can't have laid out the final bit ALREADY, there's too much story left to go!' The story had me completely involved until the very end, which tells you how good it is, but the ending fell somewhat flat, the apogee having been attained far too soon. Still, worth a listen.

LOVELY FAIRYTALE!!!!

What else can I say: I love the story, the adventure.... I can't believe this! I'm an adult but still enjoy a fairytale. This audio worths my credit and the narrator has given her perfect performance.

Great Story Great Performance

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I really enjoyed this book. I loved all of the characters and how the narrator brought them to life. This is a standalone book and although the story was resolved I really was left wanting the story to continue. Not because the story was lacking but because it was such a good story that I wanted it to continue.

A chance worth taking!

Would you listen to The False Princess again? Why?

Absolutely! It was nothing like I expected.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The False Princess?

I loved that she was brave and eager to do teh right thing, even when the King 7 Queen turned their backs on her!

Kept me guessing a few times

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes a teenager or preteen I would. I don't think I would to any older people.

If you’ve listened to books by Eilis O'Neal before, how does this one compare?

NA

What does Mandy Williams bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I have to say I found her voice soothing it is what first attracted me to the story.

Could you see The False Princess being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Yes