The Goose Girl

Title : The goose girl

Author : Shannon Hale

Citation : Hale, Shannon. The goose girl. New York : Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2003.

The Crown Princess of Kildenree, Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, spends the first years of her life under the guidance of her aunt to learn to communicate with animals. Developing the skills of animal speech as she grows up, she is never comfortable when speaking with people. Then, Ani is helpless and cannot persuade anyone to assist her when her silver-tongued lady-in-waiting steals her identity and distract control of the guards during Ani's journey in a foreign land, Bayern. She, eventually, acknowledge her own special powers to find her way to her true destiny. This retelling story maintains many similarities to the original tale of Brothers Grimm, including the harsh punishment for treason. Also, similar to Robin McKinley's heroines, this leisurely-paced story is rich, full of eloquent description and beautiful imagery with a complex plot, a large cast of characters and a strong female protagonist. Readers who enjoy getting lost in an enchanted world will be satisfied not only by the conclusion but also by the suspenseful tone, full of danger and surprising twists. These appealing elements make the novel the winner of Jossette Frank Award and of Utah State Book Award.

Secret Speakers and the Search for Selador's Gate

Title : Secret speakers and the search for Selador's Gate

Author : K. S. R. Kingsworth

Citation : Kingsworth, K. S. R. Secret speakers and the search for Selador's Gate. Canada : Rawle & Windsor, 2010.

Hidden in the depth of Cloven Grace, the harsh trickster Harrold King hides a secret the parents know absolutely nothing. A thirteen year-old Fair O'Nelli eventually assumes it's safe to be seen after spending nine years hidden in a cellar. Knowing that her father and brother are missing or possibly dead, she sets off in the company of three guardians to search for Selador's Gate and to seek for Harrold King's secret. Along the way she discovers that they key to survival is learning to see things as they are. This metaphorical tales is similar to the Narnia, Lord of the Rings and Wizard of Oz due to the likable heroine as Fair discovers courage, conviction and friendship along her quest to Selador. Also, the author has created a rich and detailed fantasy that is unique, charming and with whimsical touches, such as some religious symbolism that can be found on this novel. The world-building storyline and plot-driven make readers enjoy the adventure and the sudden twists in some events.

The Feverbird's Claw

Title : The feverbird's claw

Author : Jane Kurtz

Citation : Kurtz, Jane. The feverbird's claw. New York : Greenwillow Books, c2004.

Being kidnapped by the Arkera after saving herself the first time, Moralin of Delagua is seeing death coming straight at her. The Arkera dress in rough clothes and use language Moralin cannot understand, but one thing she understands is she doesn’t understand why they kidnapped her. Why are they taking her into the heart of the red forest, where the fire-breathing skulkuk lives? And if Moralin can escape, can she survive the skulkuk and the other perils of the wilderness? From the author of "The Storyteller's Beads comes this story set in an ancient world, Delagua city, where only boys are allowed to fight. This fantasy fiction is trying to break down the taboo by setting a character of Moralin, a young girl who disguises herself and is trained to become an excellent warrior. Due to the book's genre, this intriguing story with its strong heroine is appealing to avid readers, although it is often confusing and with emphasis on plot over rich character development. It may be slow-moving in terms of pace, but in the end, the author rewards readers with simple yet profound insights about how the societies work.

Guinevere's Gift

Title : Guinevere's gift

Author : Nancy McKenzie

Citation : McKenzie, Nancy. Guinevere's gift. New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2008.

Thirteen years have passed after a prophecy foretelling that Guinevere would one day be highest lady in the land and married to a great king. The fact now, Guinevere is an orphan living with her aunt and uncle, the king and queen of Gwynedd. Nobody takes the prophecy seriously, not even Gwen who is tomboy, awkward and no great beauty. Then, one day she meets a young man in the forest who claims to be part of ancient tribe whose mission is to guard and be her protector. She, then, stumbles across a sinister plot and fearlessly helps rescue her cousin from kidnappers who are plotting to overthrow the king. Gwen's true gift is to inspire love and admiration in people. Therefore, the author has succeeded in detailing everyday royal life with all of its conflicts. With subtle details of Arthurian legends are woven into the story, the author seems to allow each character to rise to surprising heroism. Her female characters are strong such as Gwen and Queen Alyse who are strong and fearful and take responsibilities while the mean are not around. This appealing factor makes this a good "girl power" story.

The Blue Sword

Title : The blue sword

Author : Robin McKinley

Citation : McKinley, Robin. The blue sword. New York : Greenwillow Books, c1982.

An orphan girl, Harry Crewe, leaves her Homeland to live in a desert country called Damar, after the dead of her father. Damar is a bleak landscape where Homelanders and the secretive magical Hillfolk share the area that once part of the great kingdom. She then gets kidnapped by Corlath, the Hillfolk King, who takes her deep into the desert. Without knowing the Hillfolk language, she is wondering why she has been chosen by Corlath who does know that she is to be trained in the arts of war. Will she be ready to accept her true destiny's that of the heir to the Blue Sword, Gonturan?  There had no woman who can handle and use weapons as skillful as the Lady Aerin that gone into battle with the North in the Hill-King's army. The Blue Sword is the first installment of the Damar series. A world-building storyline, fast-paced and strong sense of place mix together with a descriptive and engaging style have made this book of New York Times bestseller.  

Other book in the Damar Series : The hero and the crown (1984)