Goose Girl

The Goose Girl
Shannon Hale
5 Stars

I think that Shannon Hale is becoming one of my top authors of all time! She retells a classic Grimm's Fairy tale in this story and it is amazing! I read it so fast I was sad when I finally had to put it down. I can't wait to get my hands on one of the other novels that accompany it, Enna Burning, or River Secrets.

Asi, for short, is a princess that is promised to marry a prince she has never met of a neighboring land. On the way to her new kingdom her lady in waiting over takes her company and Asi becomes a goose girl while hiding out and waiting to return home or take back her title. The Grimm's fairy tale version is very short (one or two pages) and gives a very good synopsis if you want to figure out what the book is about - but if you know Grimm's version, or read it first, be warned that you will have the ending given away!

Hale created such a fun enchanting fantasy world for the story to take place in. There is love, suspense, lessons and friendships. There were points I was literally hanging on word for word! I love it! I recommend any girl from 10-18 read it!

My other favorites of Shannon Hale, A Princess Academy and AustenLand. She has an awesome website you can see by clicking here. She also graduated from my alma mater, the University of Utah - you can't can't go wrong with a Ute!

North by Northanger

North by Northanger
Carrie Bebris
4 Stars

Another Mr. and Mrs. Darcy mystery. I read the last one around Halloween and loved it. I have decided that I am a pansy when it comes to real life mysteries, they scare me too much. These are so easy to read and right up my ally.

Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy have just settled in and are expecting their first baby during this book. The advice that Elizabeth endures during these months had me laughing so hard! If you have ever been pregnant, you will relate to some of her feelings. What a cleaver book!

Carrie Bebris has one more mystery novel out that I have on my list - I know they are easy and predicable, but I really enjoy them and think they are so much fun!