Shannon Hale is one of those oddities that crops up every so often in the book world. She's not well known. In fact, almost no one has heard of her. But those who have read her are almost unanimous in their praise. Have a look on Amazon; it's very unusual for her books to receive less than four stars.
Broadly speaking, Shannon writes fairy tales. But these aren't twinkly stories with happy ever afters at the end. These are Teen novels with life, love, loss, death and happiness inside.
The Books of Bayern began with The Goose Girl, loosely based on the fairy story of the same name. Anidora, Crown Princess of Kildendree, is sent with Selia, her lady's maid, and a company of guards to marry the prince of neighbouring Bayern. Along the way Selia uses her powers of compulsion to overthrow Ani and persuade the guards to join her. Ani flees through the forest and when she finally reaches Bayern, she learns that Selia has been recognised as the prince's fiancee. With the help of the servants, Ani must fight for her rightful place and for the safety of her country.
In Enna Burning trouble has come to Ani's court. Neighbouring Tira is marching to war, and rumours of a fire starter in the court are adding to the unease. Ani's powers of wind-speaking are needed to quench the blaze.
After the war with Tira, peace envoys are sent from Ani's court in River Secrets. At first all seems well, but the canals of Tira hold many secrets and the envoy may be in over their heads.
In the most recent title, Forest Born, the young sister of Ani's guard flees her forest home when she begins to feel as though she no longer belongs there. At the same time, warriors from Kel strike into Bayern, burning villages to the ground. Ani and her friends must leave their home ground to find the source of these seemingly aimless attacks.
Standalone title Book of a Thousand Days is loosely based on Maid Maleen by the Grimm brothers. In the tale, a young princess refuses to marry her father's choice of husband, and she and her maid are locked in a tower for seven years for her disobedience. The maid Dashti is our hero here, relating the time spent in the tower and their adventures out of it. There are many obstacles to overcome before they finally find a safe home.
In Princess Academy, another standalone, Miri's tiny stone cutting village is astounded when auguries show that the prince's next bride will be found there. All the girls are hustled into royal training in preparation for his visit. Only Miri has any suspicions, and it will fall to her to save them all...
Shannon has a beautiful, lyrical style and it's really a shame more people aren't aware of her. Give one of her books a try. You won't be sorry.
