Miri has grown up quite a bit since her days at the Princess Academy. Mount Eskel is faring much better since she negotiated better prices for the linder stone they bring out from the quarries. But Miri’s world is about to expand beyond Mount Eskel. She has two letters from Asland urging her to the royal court. When the next wagons reach the mountains, Miri will leave her home for an unknown future. She has a position at the royal court as a princess’s lady and a place at the Queen’s Castle, the university, where she can continue to her studies. Best of all, she will not travel alone. The other girls from the Princess Academy who wish to see Asland are also going along and Peder will have an apprenticeship with a stonecarver.
But when Miri reaches Asland, everything does not go as she expected. Upon arrival, it is immediately clear that there is unrest in the city as an assassination attempt is made on the king. Her dear friend Britta is unhappy and lonely, her betrothed, Prince Steffan is distant. While at her studies, Miri falls in with a group of revolutionaries who would overthrow the royal family to help the poor. Miri is drawn to their cause, especially to the handsome and charming Timon who champions it. But she is torn. She feels much loyalty to Britta and doesn’t want her hurt. And while she still has feelings for Peder, she doesn’t know why he won’t speak. They are of an age to become betrothed and yet he has said nothing. As the year passes, the threat of violence increases. Will Miri be able to find a way to help the cause she hold dear without harming the royal family?
As a sequel to Princess Academy, Palace of Stone is written for a more mature audience. Although I think very strong third grade readers could read and enjoy Princess Academy, that is not the case with the sequel. It has very complex themes with revolution and societal classes and the manner in which change is effected that will be better understood by students who have had a fair amount of world history. As the characters are slightly older in this, there’s also more lovey-dovey, mushy bits which may not appeal to younger readers. While I think this could be enjoyed by a fourth or fifth grader, I think readers that are even older would get more out of it, particularly if explored in a literature circle or discussion group so that they could draw comparisons to other social movements for change.
Great for: Again Hale is a master of allowing girls and young women to be the stars without receiving salvation at the hands of men. Her female characters are smart, strong, forward and play key roles in changing their worlds. Also, as mentioned before, this is a great read about revolution and political/societal change and could provide a starting point for excellent conversations on the subject.
Sex, Nudity, Dating – A girl is getting married. A character kisses multiple people. Boys tell girls that they are pretty. There is handholding, hugging and hand kissing. There are a few kisses, one described as a “long, slow kiss”. A girl learns about medicine and the things you can do to make a baby come out right.
Profanity – None.
Death, Violence and Gore – You can hardly have a book about a country on the verge of revolution without violence and threats of violence. There are multiple assassins. Shots are fired at many characters. Some characters that we care about are shot. A character develops an infection following a gunshot wound. An assassin will either carry out the murder himself or incite a mob to murder. There is a report that people will tear a girl’s skin to ribbons. Many times it is mentioned that people should be hanged or might be hanged or have been hanged. A prince was killed while racing carriages. A queen in a neighboring country was beheaded while people cheered. There’s a song about swords slashing and piercing. A legendary historical character is rumored to have worn the hearts of his slain enemies around his neck. People are executed. There is a hypothetical situation involving a painting and a child murderer. Miri’s mother died soon after Miri was born. Esa’s mother lost 4 babies. People are threatened and held hostage. A man is accused of “ill-using” his daughter. People are killed. Gunshots are fired. A noble would have a right to use his sword against a commoner if the commoner dressed as a noble.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – None.
Frightening or Intense Things – People are starving.
I found that I enjoyed this one more than the first, and you are absolutely right about the differences in ages for the target audiences for the two books.