Sunday, July 15, 2012

Book Review: The False Princess, by Eilis O'Neal

The False PrincessTitle: The False Princess
Series/Sequel? No
Author: Eilis O'Neal
Genre(s): Fantasy, Romance
Age Level: YA
Page Count: 319 (Hardcover)
Perspective: First person (female)

Summary from Goodreads: Princess and heir to the throne of Thorvaldor, Nalia's led a privileged life at court.  But everything changes when it's revealed, just after her sixteenth birthday, that she is a false princess, a stand-in for the real Nalia, who has been hidden away for her protection.  Cast out with little more than the clothes on her back, the girl now called Sinda must leave behind the city of Vivaskari, her best friend, Keirnan, and the only life she's ever known.

Sinda is sent to live with her only surviving relative, an aunt who is a dyer in a distant village. She is a cold, scornful woman with little patience for her newfound niece, and Sinda proves inept at even the simplest tasks.  But when Sinda discovers that magic runs through her veins - long-suppressed, dangerous magic that she must learn to control - she realizes that she can never learn to be a simple village girl.

Returning to Vivaskari for answers, Sinda finds her purpose as a wizard scribe, rediscovers the boy who saw her all along, and uncovers a secret that could change the course of Thorvaldor's history, forever.


A dazzling first novel, The False Princess is an engrossing fantasy full of mystery, action, and romance.

Review: This was a good book. It isn't a book that changes a generation or brings up deep, philosophical questions. But it was a good book nonetheless.

Sinda was a likeable character, but her best friend Kiernan was even more so. He was simply hilarious, charming, and sweet. Which was good that I saw him this way, because that was how Sinda described him. Truthfully, I believe he was my favorite character - and my favorite part - of the entire book.

Another thing I really liked: the plot twists. This was kind of a triple-twister, if you understand what I mean: one second, it seems as if there's one thing. A plot twist happens, and you think that's that. But then ANOTHER plot twists happens, essentially negating the first. And I loved it.

A third thing I really liked: for the first half or so of the book, Sinda is really weak and complacent. She doesn't have much of a backbone. But as you read, as she discovers who she really is and what she can do, you see her change and grow into someone stronger and wiser. And I loved being able to see that.

A very good fantasy book. Recommended for fans of Eragon and the Inheritance Cycle!

Rating:


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