Princess Academy

Summary: Miri lives high up on a mountain, in a village where her ancestors have lived hard, simple lives mining a special type of stone, Linder, in the quarries. When word reaches the village that the Prince will choose his bride from among the village girls, everything changes. A makeshift academy is set up on the mountain to teach every eligible girl how to be a proper lady. As Miri struggles with the strict school mistress and bitter competition among the girls, she faces her own conflicted desires. Being chosen would give Miri the chance to live and grow beyond the tiny village, but does she really want to leave her home, and her beloved mountain?

My Review: I really enjoyed this book, and I loved the characters and the world. I was glad that the romance was only a crush, and that it’s clean and hardly descriptive. The character arcs and the plot are well made, and the bullies aren’t mindlessly cruel, they have reasons for their bitterness, which gives them depth. There is a religion, but it isn’t mentioned often.

My Takeaway: This is an engaging story about a girl discovering not only her place in the world, but the value of learning. You might want to be aware that the people have their own religion, but it is only mentioned.

Romance: Very Light. Sometimes thinking about him, they hold hands at the end, she kisses him on the cheek.

Nudity: Light, a funny story of a baby girl running naked through the village.

Language: None.

Alcohol/drugs/smoking: None.

Violence: Light, several fights and a near death experience.

Darkness: Light, sadness, loneliness, and homesickness.

Bad Messages: None.

Good Messages: The importance of home, family, and knowledge.

Stars: 4