Stuff people say about Palace of Stone

Princess Academy: Palace of Stone is now live, people! It's been a crazy busy week for me and next week promises the same. Keep sending in entries for the contest--loving the photos. You can enter more than once and pose the pix if you want, I'm not making any rules. Also check here to see my tour schedule. Having a great week in the southwest. The first couple of weeks are often critical for a book's success. (If there's an immedite demand for a book, a book store will often order more copies, and having copies in store makes it much more likely people will buy a book.) Thank you SO MUCH to the bloggers, readers, journalists, book sellers, and reviewers who have been talking about the book.

I have a Palace of Stone section on my site and will post the stuff here as well. Today, some reviews. I'm just filled with so much gratitude. Thank you!

"Absolutely incredible ... this is the book we have all been waiting for."
--Jennifer L. Holm, three-time Newbery Honoree and NYTimes-bestselling author of Turtle in Paradise

"Shannon Hale is a master of fantasy. In Palace of Stone, she raises her own stakes with a gorgeously-written sequel about the heartbreaking complications of revolution, friendship, romance, and returning home."
--Stephanie Perkins, NYTimes-bestselling author of Anna and the French Kiss

"[P]owerful and deeply engaging...Miri's clear voice keeps the story hers and her people's. There's lovely...descriptions and vivid warmth to Miri's friendships, her longing for home and her thirst to learn more and more. Miri's story comes to a satisfying end; readers who have been waiting since 2005 will find their patience well rewarded."
--Kirkus Reviews

"Hale's skill as a storyteller will charm her audience...nobody else has quite the same knack for seamlessly segueing between the folksy, intimate charm of an extended fairy tale and the larger canvas and more epic scope of high fantasy."
--Horn Book

"Miri may be just a young woman from Mt. Eskel, but in Palace of Stone she proves once again that with quick wit and brave words, one person really can change the world."
--School Library Journal

"Miri's appealing blend of innocence, bravery, and good sense will draw fans...[A] lively, provocative tale about political change and justice...Princess Academy rode a Newbery Honor onto the New York Times Bestseller list, and Hale's only gotten more popular ever since.
--Booklist

"Readers of Hale's Newbery Honor-winning Princess Academy (2005) will welcome this reunion with Miri and her schoolmates...this is a fine follow-up"
Publisher's Weekly

"It was lovely to be reunited with the girls of Mount Eskel. Where in Princess Academy she found her strengths, now Miri has to find the best way to use them -- and quickly. Politically challenging, thought-provoking, and genuinely heartwarming, Hale's newest is one I can't wait to handsell."
Jenn Northington, WORD, Brooklyn, NY

"What a treasure! Shannon always puts her whole soul into what she writes and I think this time she has outdone herself. I didn't even know I wanted a sequel and now I am not sure how we went so many years without one!"
Heather Herbert, Children's Book World, Haverford, PA

"We loved Palace of Stone! This was classic Shannon Hale. Even though I haven't read Princess Academy in five years, I instantly identified with all the characters. Shannon Hale is so reachable!"
Becky Lee, Blue Willow Bookshop, Houston, TX

"Again Hale has spun a tale of adventure and friendship where good over evil can get complicated."
Valerie Lewis, Hicklebee's, San Jose, CA

"For me, Palace of Stone bears two hallmarks of a great book--a story that I found myself daydreaming about and characters that I miss now that I have finished the novel."
Cynthia Richards, Northshire Bookstore, VT

"I loved this beautifully written coming-of-age story. A very worthy sequel to the wonderful Princess Academy."
Carol Moyer, Quail Ridge Books & Music, Raleigh, NC

"Yay! Highly enjoyable, this is sure to please fans of Princess Academy, Shannon Hale, or fantasy."
Adrienne's Book Blog

"Five full and enthusiastic stars."
Calliope's Reviews

"I LOVED this book. Shannon Hale is one of my favorite authors."
Raving Reader

"I had not read the first Princess Academy book, which was a Newbery honor book. I know it's always been very popular with the middle school girls at my school, as have almost all of Shannon Hale's books. I didn't find it an issue reading this one without reading the first...I thoroughly enjoyed this and highly recommend it."
Wandering Librarians

"This is a worthy sequel to Princess Academy. The book is sweet, even while dealing with the threats of revolution and assassination, it maintains the fairytale like quality that we've come to expect from Shannon Hale books."
Galavanting Girl Books

"This is one of the very few books that both educates and entertains -- and doesn't short-change either side! It is an absolute must-read!"
Alamosa Books

"It's sort of... Princess Academy meets Catching Fire. In other words, thought-provoking and multi-layered while somehow cozy and, of course, beautifully written. As usual with a Shannon Hale book, I just wanted the story to go on and on; I wanted to live in it. Gorgeous."
Reading Everywhere

"The writing is like snuggling down into a huge pile of feathers and getting lost in the softness until you don't know which way's up."
Colorimetry

"This book is going to be memorable. Very memorable."
Books Are Better Thank Ice Cream

"Palace of Stone doesn't have quite the same magic to it as its predecessor. But there's nothing wrong with that. It's got a different kind of magic to it that's all its own."
Cracking the Cover

Comments

[megan]

I'm so excited to read it! I made a request for my library to order it!

[Jeanna]

I loved it too, almost as much as I love you!

This is how my review starts:

I think I should establish something here: If a genie popped out of my just-finished pickle jar right now and granted me three wishes, I would have a hard time not saying, “Please make Shannon Hale move into the house across the street!” And then my next wish would be that Shannon Hale would be my best friend. And then my last wish would be that I could grow up to be just like her. (Let’s not quibble about the fact that I have already, theoretically, grown up.)

The rest is here: http://calloohcallaycallay.blogspot.com/2012/08/first-love-book-review-of-shannon-hales.html

Love you, Shannon Hale!

[Kristin]

Princess Academy meets Catching Fire...that sounds intriguing! :) I picked up my copy at Barnes and Noble yesterday. So excited about reading it, but first I'm going to reread Princess Academy. Because I'm a nerd like that.

[Cindy Baldwin]

I had the opportunity to read an ARC a few weeks ago and loved it. My review went up on the 21st here--

http://www.compassbookratings.com/reviews/index.php/review/view/447

[Alysa (Ruby Diamond)]

Just got one of my copies in the mail today, yippee!

[Julia]

I just finished Palace of Stone, & it was amazing! You have out done yourself! I still think The Goose Girl is your best work, but only just. It was exciting and sweet and potent and just plain awesome! For once a sequel is even better than the original, and the original got a newbery honor! I told my friend that if they read Princess Academy, I don't care how many years ago it was, & if they think they've outgrown it, they must read the new one. They must finish Miri's story! It was so wonderful! I love it!

[Mrs. Silverstein]

This was the NetGalley read that I have been the MOST excited about so far. Princess Academy was recommended to me by a (very precocious) 3rd grade student a few years ago; I spent this spring convincing my high school students that they would also love it (I think they eventually believed me!) I loved both PA and PA: PoS; I wrote about them both here:

http://readingontheftrain.blogspot.com/2012/07/sunday-sunshine-life-gets-in-way-edition.html

[Sarah from Virginia]

Just got it today and devoured it. It was wonderful! Thank you for bringing us back into Miri's world. My only complaint is that I wanted to spend longer there -- but I guess I'll just have to re-read it until the sensation passes. :)

[Heather]

I had preordered it so it was on my Kindle when I got up Tuesday morning. I was a good girl and did school with my kids in the morning, but then I started reading Palace of Stone and the kids kind of had to fend for themselves for a few hours while I read (luckily, at 4, 6, 10, and 12 they don't need me right there every second anymore). I loved it! I enjoyed it even more than Princess Academy and I really enjoyed that book, too. I can't wait for my mom and daughter to finish reading it so we can talk about it. I'm trying to convince my husband to get the Princess Academy and Palace of Stone audiobooks so he and my oldest son can listen to them.

[Christina]

My daughter and I just finished Palace of Stone and are so excited to see that you will be in our neck of the woods next week. We'll see you in Jackson!

[Danielle]

I went and got Palace of Stone today, now that school shopping is done. I'm so excited and nervous about reading it. I love PA, but I hate reading the last book in any series. I generally cry, or mope. It's been 3 months since I finished Catching Fire and I still haven't touched Mockingjay. I'd better get to reading Palace of Stone. Cleaning can wait.

[QueenEnna]

Princess Academy meets Catching Fire? Wow, and I thought I was already impatient for my copy to arrive...

[Louisiana kid]

Darn. I thought that I'd be able to go to Jackson, but alas, its on a Wednesday. Unfortunately, I live 3 hours away and cant swing that on Wednesday. I hope that everyone that goes has a wonderful time! :)

[Kendyl]

Best surprise ever from my mom! Palace of Stone came out the day I went back to school and when I got in the car, I found the book waiting for me! I finished it yesterday and it is definitely one of the best books I've ever read! That's probably partly because Princess Academy has been my favorite book since I first read it!

[Echo]

You never seem to come to Canada. You have tons of fans north of the border too! ;)

[c]

Grr. I was GOING to do a bunch of writing done yesterday, but then I saw Palace of Stone on my dresser.... couldn't... resist....

[Marissa]

I just noticed that the shirt you're wearing in your photo is really close in color to Miri's dress on the cover and it made me a little bit excited.

[Amelia Loken]

So excited to read it! I was a doofus and waited til it came out to order it. Have to wait til next week to read. Sigh! Serves me right for waiting! :)

[Anna]

I loved Palace of Stone!!!! It was absolutely incredible!!!!!!!!!!

[kln]

I'm going this week on vacation and going straight to the nearest book store to buy this book! Can not possibly wait till tomorrow...I must reread PA to calm myself! :)

[Em B.]

I just finished Palace of Stone this morning, absolutely breathless. It was one of those books that I couldn't put down, and when I had to, I was still with it in my mind! I feel like I know Miri like a sister. I felt her confusion, joy, and the want to be part of a change. Let's just say that i'm going to miss her and her world A LOT! You should deffinatly read this book everyone! (I suggest you read Princess Academy first) Thanks Shannon for letting me into your world!!! Write on, you're the best!

[Hanna Tapparel]

Hi I'm the model for Miri on the cover of Palace of Stone and Princess Academy. I just wanted to say how delighted I am to see how wonderful these book covers came out and how much I love the books! Its so funny that before the cover with me on it came out, I read the original when I was in 5th grade and LOVED it! Funny how I turned out to be the main character of one of my favorite childhood novels. Thanks so much for this lovely books!

[Zena Parks]

I'm so excited to read this book! Going on a roadtrip this weekend and thinking Palace of Stone will be a great companion :)

[Ashley R.]

I totally agree with Em B. I got it on Saturday and finished it on Monday. As soon as I finished it, I started reading it again. It was so fantastic! I loved it. I would take it around as I walked to and from all of my classes. And then I would it have it in my hands or on my desk during classes because I couldn't put it down. I couldn't let it out of my sight. I even slept with it (as I did with The Goose Girl when I first read it). This book has been with me as much as possible. Yesterday I lent the book to a friend, and now I am going through Palace of Stone withdrawls. I will get it back soon, and be able to finish it again. I love your books so much! Thank you for your talent that you share with us.

[Ashley R.]

As I looked at my book, I couldn't believe that I owned it and that it was in my hands. I had seen it so much on your website, and on my backgrounds that I almost didn't believe it actually existed until it was in my hands. Even then I was amazed. The book that I had been so extremely excited for was mine. I was so happy! You have made my life so happy since I got it in West Bountiful! Love you! (If that's not a creepy thing to say. If it is, I'm sorry.)

[Ani Brooke]

"Princess Academy meets Catching Fire." Bah. This was MUCH better than Catching Fire (says the girl who deeply admired and appreciated but little enjoyed the last two thirds of the Hunger Games series). I loved the romantic and ethical tensions so much - Miri is caught in the midst of so very many hard choices. Usually, I'm very opinionated about What A Character Ought To Do and accept the alternative only as a mistake on the part of the character. This time, I was as undecided as Miri until she made her choice. (Well, except on the romance front. But that's because of Opinions I have unrelated to the book.) Well done indeed, Shannon! <3

I don't suppose you secretly completed another book in that time span that will be coming out by spring? *hopefully*

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