Alright! So my current read is called The Goose Girl, written by Shannon Hale. It's the first book in it's series, Books of Bayern.
I'm reading a softcover version that I got given for Christmas. I haven't read this book before but am enjoying it a lot so far!
The main character, Ani, is the crown princess of Kildenree. When she was young, her aunt acted as her nurse, and taught her how to speak to swans. Her aunt eventually left the castle, and a few years later died, much to Ani's sorrow.
Her father dies within the first couple chapters in a horse riding accident. That's when Ani finds out that her mother arranged a marriage between her and the prince of Bayern, a neighboring kingdom. It's a three month journey to Bayern. Along the way, Ani's lady in waiting, Selia, leads a mutiny against Ani. Hunted by half of the men from her escort, Ani is forced to flee.
Now Ani eventually reached a cottage in Bayern, and the woman who owned it cared for Ani until she was strong enough to head for the city. Selia had already arrived there however, and was pretending to be the princess. Ani hides her blonde hair (the Kildenreans have light coloured hair, and the Bayerns have dark hair) and manages to get hired to care for the geese of the castle.
She's currently plotting how to expose Selia and become the princess again. But it's not proving easy for her.
Ani has also met this young man named Geric, who claims to be the prince's bodyguard. I have a suspicion that he's not actually who he claims to be. But I guess we'll have to see if my suspicions are correct.
I had forgotten how nice it is to read a book that I really enjoy. I'm trying to take my time with this book but that's proving to be difficult.
Right now, I'll give this book a rating of 5 stars.
