Princess Academy: Palace of Stone

Princess Academy: Palace of Stone

by Shannon Hale

Princess Academy, book two

 



Coming down from the mountain to a new life in the city is a thrill to Miri. She and her princess academy friends have been brought to Asland to help the future princess Britta prepare for her wedding.There, Miri also has a chance to attend school-at the Queen's Castle. But as Miri befriends students who seem sophisticated and exciting she also learns that they have some frightening plans. Torn between loyalty to the princess and her new friends' ideas, between an old love and a new crush, and between her small mountain home and the bustling city, Miri looks to find her own way in this new place. (description from Amazon.com)

I am so happy that this follow-up to The Princess Academy finally came out. The first book is one of my all time favorites!  Miri is a fabulous character: loyal, smart, ambitious (but in the best way...) and true blue to the end... I was so happy to see her back.

Shannon Hale does a FABULOUS job shifting Miri into life in the royal city.  This book still features friendship, romance, and learning, plus it delves into political intrigue, danger, and above all figuring out exactly who you are as a person and where you want your life to take you. Miri finds herself embroiled in a battle for power with divided loyalties - the worst possible place.  It takes months and real life-threatening danger for her to determine exactly what the truest course is...and of course, for her to lead the charge.

Full of wisdom, wit, and heartwarming relationships, Hale has followed up a beautifully written book with a bang up sequel. I adored every minute of it!

Full disclosure: ARC received at BEA 2012/eARC received from NetGalley

Mini Reviews: The Graphic Novel edition

Page by Paige

by Laura Lee Gulledge

Paige Turner has just moved to New York with her family, and she's having some trouble adjusting to the big city. In the pages of her sketchbook, she tries to make sense of her new life, including trying out her secret identity: artist. As she makes friends and starts to explore the city, she slowly brings her secret identity out into the open, a process that is equal parts terrifying and rewarding. (description from Amazon.com)


I really enjoyed this book.  I related well to the character, I thought the drawings were beautifully done, and it had a great plotline.  The conceptual artwork here really is stellar...check out this example:

So far, I think this is one of the best graphic novels I've ever read!

Freshman: Tales of 9th Grade Obsessions, Revelations, and Other Nonsense

by Corinne Mucha



Annie has just started high school and she’s a mess. Her older brother has told her that her freshman year will strongly affect the rest of her life, and if that’s true her future is looking grim: She’s a loser at sports, is jealous of everyone, and has totally fallen in love with her best friend’s older brother. When she gets cast as a moaning, hunched-over old lady in the school play, she starts to forget about the rest of her life. Now she just wants to make it through freshman year. (description from Amazon.com)

As much as I liked the story concept for this book, it felt disjointed to me.  I also really disliked the artwork.  It felt really juvenile and well, messy... Check it out:

Overall, this was not the graphic novel for me.

Soulless: The Manga

by Gail Carriger and Rem

Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.

Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire -- and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate. With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible.

 

Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Or will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart? (description from Amazon.com)

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Okay, aside from the fact that I love this novel series, this was just a fun, fun read.  The illustrations were well done and matched the characters: 

The characters, of course, were just as I remembered from the books that I love.  Full of humor, snarkiness, and of course vampires, werewolves, and stuffy society matrons.  All in all I cannot wait until the next one comes out!!