The Goose Girl (The Books of Bayern #1)

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 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 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 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 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!