Some people are born with the first word of a language resting on their tongue, though it may take some time before they can taste it.
Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, Crown Princess of Kildenree, spends the first years of her life listening to her aunt’s stories and learning the language of birds, especially swans. As she grows up, Ani develops the skill of animal speech, but she never feels quite comfortable speaking with people.
So when Ani’s mother sends her away to be married in a foreign land, she finds herself at the mercy of her silver-tongued lady-in-waiting, who leads a mutiny that leaves her alone, destitute, and fleeing for her life. To survive, Ani takes on work as a royal goose girl, hiding in plain sight while she develops her forbidden talents and works to discover her own true, powerful voice.
The excerpt on the back cover, plus the cover art of The Goose Girl. All credit goes to the author, Shannon Hale.
Intrigued? Read on:
Written in the style of classic fairy tales, this retelling of an old German legend is an enchanting YA read. The Goose Girl, first in a series called Books of Bayern, is the story of a mousy crown princess who speaks the language of the birds.
When a tragic accident occurs, the princess discovers that she must wed a complete stranger. But before she can marry him, she must survive a mutiny, work as a peasant, and outwit her traitorous lady-in-waiting.
What I love:
In an age where popular novels are fast-paced and gritty, The Goose Girl is refreshing in its beautiful, timeless style. It’s slow and steady like an age-old river, and the prose calls back the ancient fairy tales by the likes of Hans Christian Anderson and the Brothers Grimm. Yet at the same time, it maintains enough action, danger, and excitement to propel the story along.
The world is so much larger than the scope of the books, the worldbuilding precise and memorable. Unlike many stories, where the worldbuilding is just there, in The Goose Girl, every detail is necessary to the plot yet lush with life.
The characters are real and distinct, each with their own flaws and virtues. Isi is quiet yet strong. Enna is stubborn and brash, Finn as steady as a tree and about as talkative. Shannon Hale creates a lovable cast of characters that you can’t help but root for.
What I don’t love:
The beginning can be a little slow. I always have trouble starting to read it because I know how slowly and gently the book starts. The other books are better, but this one just starts with too much backstory. I think we could go without that entire chapter about her childhood and her aunt.
Honestly? I have a hard time thinking of things I dislike, aside from villains the author means you to dislike and the slow beginning.
Content warnings:
Violence and very minor pornography.
There is a lot of fighting, blood, stabbings, etc., though nothing described in gory details. Most instances are just a passing mention of where a character is wounded.
One of the women is described as having a dress whose neckline reveals a few inches below her collarbone, a dress “showing enough bosom for a tavern girl.”
In a story told by one of the characters, a company of warriors is forced into retreat. The wives of the company stand in the way of the men and drop their dresses to their waists to urge their husbands to keep fighting, reminding them that they must protect their women from the enemy’s eyes.
Ratings:
Appropriate content: 3/5
Story construction: 4.5/5
Writing skill: 4.5/5
Ethics: 4/5
Other information:
Christian: No
Point of view: Third person limited
Tense: Past tense
Romance: Yes
Series: Yes
Conclusion:
All in all, Shannon Hale has woven an enchanting tale of a girl struggling to discover exactly who she is. The Goose Girl is a powerful, timeless story, one that captivates me over and over again. It rings true and beautiful in my heart, and the hearts of all of its readers.
I love this book, and the rest of the books in the series. It is rare to find books with themes and prose that pierce so deeply, yet this one delivers. It begins like a whisper of wind, with the birth of a princess who promises a great future, and it ends the same, with the birth of a foal that symbolizes peace and a happy ending for the princess who has grown into her crown.
In all? 4.3 potatoes out of 5. Until next time, dear readers!
—Astor
Psst! Don’t forget to check out the second book in the series, Enna Burning!
Don’t forget to comment below with thoughts or even just suggestions for my next book review. And if you like stories told in a fairy tale world, with a main character that doesn’t quite fit in, subscribe to my newsletter to receive my short story, The Shadow Queen!
Did you like The Goose Girl? Then check out the second book in the series, Enna Burning, here!
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