Princess Academy: The Forgotten Sisters

*Review on the Advance Reader Copy*

How exciting it was to revisit Miri and Asland! I thoroughly enjoyed Princess Academy and Palace of Stone and had no doubt in my mind that The Forgotten Sisters would be just as good. I was not disappointed.

In this final installment, readers find Miri on an abrupt and mysterious journey to the swampy Lesser Alva where she is to hold her own Princess Academy for the king's three distant cousins. As she struggles to fulfill her mission, Miri stumbles across some mysteries and secrets that could threaten her life and the destiny of Mt. Eskel and those she loves.

Miri is her usual spunky, courageous self and I found myself laughing at some of her blatant comments. There is a big surprise at the end (I suppose I could have seen it coming, but I do not really deduce when I am reading. I just read furiously, savoring every word without analyzing!), and readers get to see more of Miri's sweet relationship with Peder. I also enjoyed the letters Miri writes back and forth to her loved ones and the poems at the beginning of each chapter. Author Shannon Hale did a good job with this trilogy and the ending was appropriate and satisfying. A must-read for fans of the other two!

In many ways, “The Forgotten Sisters” feels more like “Princess Academy” than “Palace of Stone.” This is owed more to the setting and situation rather than a change in characters. That’s not to say that Miri hasn’t grown in both ingenuity and self-confidence — she has. It’s the feeling of isolation that brings the series full circle.

Once again, Miri is facing tremendous challenges with few options. The difference now is that Miri is the responsible adult, even if she barely feels like one. But by calling on the traits that made readers fall in love with Miri remain. Her determination, heart, loyalty and ability to think on her feet, make her a strong role model for girls and boys, young an old.

If you haven’t read any or all of the Shannon Hale’s Princess Academy series, you really should. Shannon has the ability to immediately whisk you away to another world where you feel as though somehow know everyone, even though you’ve never met them before. There’s something both comforting and exciting about this, and it will make you want to come back for more.

Shannon Hale has written the final part of her trilogy for the Princess Academy series. Readers especially young females will enjoy reading about the forgotten sisters in a mysterious fictional Scandinavian country. When Miri goes to train the sisters to be princesses, she makes some stunning revelations about the sisters' heritage.

The final book provides a map but I hope it includes a family tree without spoiling the story. The writing can be confusing sometimes but it is sorted out in the end.

The story here is a far more dramatic than imagined. The girls here are strong and independent rather than weak and dependent.

Female readers who love anything to do with princesses will enjoy this series and the thrilling conclusion. I didn't read the first two books but it wasn't necessary to read this one.

The Forgotten Sisters was a good conclusion to the Princess Academy series. At first I was a little disappointed that the setting a and characters changed so much, but I quickly grew to like the new additions and location.

Miri once again proves herself to be resourceful and smart when it comes to sticky situations. She manages to win over important people and negotiate successfully with others. The book ended on a happy note, leaving me satisfied that all was right (or headed in that direction) with her world.

This is a good series for middle grade and young adult readers, both girls and boys. It has plenty of action while delivering deeper themes throughout the story.

Content: clean

Source: I received a digital galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I seldom read books about Princesses or other such girly things, but I did read the Princess Academy years ago and decided to give this third installment of the series a chance. Imagine my surprise when I discovered a story filled with adventure, excitement, memorable characters, and even unexpected depth. Even though it had been years since I had read the first installment, and totally missed the second one, I had no trouble enjoying this story. This is a fabulous read, a great ending to the series and a must read for all young princess fans. This book simply oozes with girl power! The only bad thing I can say about this book is that it's the last one in the series. This is one princess tale that should keep going.

This story is so realistic and enchanting, I was immediately transported first to Asland and then to Lesser Alva. The message of perseverance and determination runs continually throughout this book. The plot twists and turns like a swiftly flowing stream. I admired the tenacity of the sisters as they scrape out their survival in the swampland. I loved the times when Miri slowed down to really listen to those around her, when she looked before she leaped, and when she gave a villain a chance for a fresh start. I, for one, am not ready to say goodbye to Miri, Peder, or Danland.

Wow. I love this book. I started reading Princess Academy in 2nd or 3rd grade but then stopped. Then a year later I was looking for something to read and came upon it. It didn't sound good but it prooved me wrong. I've read and loved Princess Academy and other Shannon Hale books ever scince. When I heard there was another book in the series I was really excited. I got the book and didn't go to sleep until I had finished. I was tierd but it was so worth it. My favorite character is Miri. She is kind;
, smart and strong. In the series she has gone through bandits, revolution and in this book war. I think the best part of the book us when Miri yells at the king. I mean no one would do that (except Miri) and it's really funny. I hope you enjoy/enjoyed the book as much as I did. Thanks Shannon Hale!!! :)

Princess Academy (the first book in the series) is a middle grade Newbury Award winning book from 10 years ago. I found it faced out at the library last summer, read it, and then picked up the sequel. This book is the final in the series, and it's no less delightful or engaging than the other two. It has high adventure and fun characters, humor and seriousness, good dialogue and good plotting. It's the kind of book I have no qualms recommending, rereading, and sharing with pretty much everyone in my life. (Granted, it's more a book for girls than for boys.) Highly recommended.

I enjoyed The Princess Academy a few years back. I recently attempted The Stone Palace, but ended up setting it aside about a third of the way through due to lack of connection and interest. I went into this one a little guarded, but it has ended up being my favorite of the three books!

In this book, Miri meets lots of new people in a swamp village, making both friends and enemies. Even though she has been looking forward to going home to her family, she takes on the challenge of tutoring a set of sisters, far from her home, and far from Peder. Miri faces a great deal of challenges and battles during her journey.

Some of the connections made, especially when pulled from the other books, really pulled on my heartstrings. Since my husband was sitting beside me as I read, I tried hard to curb the tears, but it was hard! ;) This is a super sweet book, but it's also full of action and politics and war. Within its pages are so many wonderful lessons for little girls. The value of education and reading and learning are constantly brought to attention. Any book that makes me want to pick up a history book and LEARN after reading it is a treasure, in my opinion. This one does just that!

I highly recommend this series for young girls!

Shannon Hale is a wonderful author. This third installment of the Princess Academy: The Forgotten Sisters is another winner! Main character Miri is all set to go home, but when the Queen insists she undertake a new mission, there's nothing she can do. She journeys off to a swamp filled land to complete her task-- tutor three young and forgotten royals in the ways of the crown. The fun begins from there! This book is filled with interesting characters and a fun setting. It's a fantastic installment in the Princess Academy series.

Fans of other Shannon Hale books will certainly enjoy this one as well. Miri is off for another adventure, (without her friends or Peder for about half the book, but that gives you time to get to know and like a handful of new characters). Although she's officially going to be a tutor at a new princess academy, she finds herself working in a swamp with hardly any resources, and teaches the girls as they hunt for food and defend themselves from predators of various types (including caiman alligators!). It's fun, adventurous, and inspiring. Reading of the 2 previous Princess Academy books is helpful but not required. It's been years since I read "Princess Academy" (and I haven't read "Princess Academy: Palace of Stone" at all), but I was able to follow this book quite well and enjoy it.

Shannon Hale has evolved as a story teller, and this is fun to see. I may have been unique in my annoyance at The Goose Girl, because it's an old, classic, oft-rehashed fairy tale... but she has evolved past that stage in her writing, and now seems capable of creating her own plots (and her storytelling is as good as ever, perhaps slightly improved). My only complaint in this novel was that at the climax, things pulled together in a way that was not only improbable, but also runs counter to human nature, with two seasoned commanders voluntarily relinquishing command to a very young ruler who had previously been firmly under their thumbs. It strains credulity so far as to break it (did it not occur to them to appoint a regent, as was done in historical times? or manipulate the child directly? or have him disappear with a mysterious illness when he decreed something counter to their orders in a private setting?). So I found that annoying, even though the audience for the book *is* children, so it's possible many of them will overlook the "contrary to human nature" angle. And it *is* a fun ending. So 4 stars instead of 5, but if you're thinking of the book for someone who's a Shannon Hale fan, you can feel safe buying it; they'll enjoy this one too.

As the parent of a girl, I enjoyed the strength, resilience, resourcefulness shown by all the female characters, despite the fluffy/dainty/weak image you may initially think of upon hearing "Princess Academy"... even though they're certainly princesses as well, they're not waiting around helplessly for a man to solve everything (even though there are plenty of strong male characters too). It's very well balanced in this sense, which is really nice to see in a children's book.

Miri, the young, small, uneducated mountain girl finds that even she can contribute to the happiness, safety and security of her family, her village and the kingdom! I just finished reading all three of the Princess Academy books by Shannon Hale and found them a wonderfully fun, creative read! You too can enjoy Miri's many adventures where she reaches past her fears to gather the courage to do what is right and best for others...and eventually for herself!

My daughter loves the princess academy books.

This is the third book in the series. Miri is assigned to be a tutor but in a swamp, and the task proves quite a challenge for her.

My daughter read through the book in about two days, she couldn't put it down. She recommends reading the first two books first before reading this one.

A great book for young readers, and one adults will enjoy as well!

My middle school girls eat Shannon Hale's books up, so I was excited to pick this one up to preview for them. The book begins with Miri planning to return home, but at the last moment, she is ordered to begin a princess academy. The story doesn't read like a typical princess story, which is possibly why it is so compelling for middle school girls. Definitely a fun and easy read if you are looking for something light.

Princess Academy is not the usual romantic story about a princess in tiaras and ballgowns. Miri experiences rough adventure outside the palace and far away from her home. She exhibits strength of character as she teaches these same traits to her students. It's a mystery as well as adventure story. I would recommend reading the first book in the series first, but this one stands on its own in any case.

My travel with Miri was a wonderful experience. It blows me off my mind and it brings me a nostalgic story, like quarry-speaking. Magical,yet it looks like it's a real story. Shannon Hale makes me to think in that character and feels that same imotion. Mount Eskal feels like it's my comfortable place, just like my home. And Miri and her friends are so kind-hearted, yet smart. This book is defiantly on my favorites in the books.

My daughter has read some of Shannon Hale's previous books so she was very excited to get her hands on this one. It was incredibly fun to read and she loved it. This is the third book in a trilogy so I highly recommend you read the first two before reading this one if you have not already done so.

This book was...Amazing! This the last and final book of Princess Academy. Though this was not my most favorite book, it was still entertaining, surprising, detailed, passionate,meaningful, and informational. This book had a little bit of romance in it, but nothing inappropriate. I recommend this book to 11 and up? Once again, great story!

Okay, when i first got this book after reading the other two, i expected it to be good, but it wasn't good, IT WAS AMAZING!!! I loved how Miri learned how to live in the swamp, and how Dogface was actually good. Any age, you should read this book!!!

I enjoyed the first 2 Princess Academy books. I didn't think I was interested in reading another one any time soon. However, once I got a few pages into this book, I didn't want to put it down. It was very engaging.

I enjoyed the first 2 Princess Academy books. I didn't think I was interested in reading another one any time soon. However, once I got a few pages into this book, I didn't want to put it down. It was very engaging.