The False Princess
Author: Eilis O'Neal
Series: ---
Publisher: Egmont
How Received: publisher ARC
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.
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I'm beginning to think Egmont can do no wrong when it comes to fantasy - or in general, actually. I've only ever disliked one book that's come out of this publishing house. But they've got the best taste in fantasy. If Brightly Woven wasn't proof enough of that, then The False Princess is.
I really enjoyed The False Princess. Sinda's a fantastic character - I loved her determination and spunk and personality. Kiernan made me laugh, mainly because he reminds me of some of my guy friends. (Granted, most of my guy friends don't have titles, but still.)
Some of the best characters were the minor characters. They weren't the best because I liked them, but because they were realistic. Sinda's aunt and Tyr, the boy she meets when she goes to live with them, were fun to read about because of their feelings about her. The magician that takes her in was fantastic; she was probably my favorite character in the entire story. She was quirky and funny and overall excellently well crafted. (She was also the only character that made me laugh out loud while reading.)
I loved the magic in the story. The fact that she had to train it, like a muscle, to get stronger makes me happy - I LOVE when magic is written like that. The plot line was also faaaantabulous. There were enough twists to keep you guessing but not so unexpected that it seemed unreal.
Overall Rating & Final Comments: 9/10. Another must read for fantasy fans.
Brightly Woven or The False Princess?: I have to say that I love both, so it's really up for whatever plot you think is better. The boys in both are equally awesome, too.