I just finished reading the charming book The False Princess by debut author Eilis O’Neal.
Here is the description:
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.
Book Thoughts:
- Author O’Neal does a wonderful job creating a world where magic and real life exist, without dipping into Harry Potter territory.
- Compelling plot and interesting characters help make this a fun read.
- The romance element in the book is handled with a light hand, which makes it a great read for younger readers looking for a more advanced story.
The False Princess was one of the 25 nominees for a YALSA Teens’ Top 10 Award. It has also been selected by the American Booksellers Association as one of their 2011 New Voices and one of their 2011 Best Books for Children.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author.
Happy Reading,
Suzanne Santillan
Writing on the Sidewalk
