Princess Academy: Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale

Princess Academy: Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale is the sequel to Princess Academy.  In this book, Miri Peder, and the girls who attended the Princess Academy have the opportunity to travel to Asland (the capital city of Danland).  While the girls are officially there to help Britta prepare for her wedding to Prince Steffan, they are taking advantage of the many learning opportunities available.  For instance, Gerti is work in a forge, Peder is learning about carving, Liana is taking full advantage of her noble title, and Miri is attending school at the Queen's Castle.  As a result of her studies and the people she meets, Miri is thrown into the middle of what looks like a revolution!  Due to the demands of the king, the "shoeless" are nearly starving and working to death just to stay alive while the royalty and nobles have everything they want and more.  Miri is torn between helping a cause she knows is right and remaining faithful to herself, Mount Eskel, her family and friends.  Does she really have to choose?

I LOVED this book.  Shannon Hale is one of my favorite authors.  She gave me a signed ARC of Palace of Stone at the IRA Convention last May.  When I finally got the chance to read it, I finished in a day!!  I really liked the way Miri grew through her experience with the scholars, the "rebels" and her wish to understand ethics.  I also liked the message that everything is not always black and white.  If one is clever and persistent a new, and sometimes better, answer is just around the corner.  Look for Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale on August 21, 2012.