Like the first book, this is another I'd love to see by kids of all genders. Miri continues to be a great role model and is now learning about life in the bigger world and the injustices between different classes. The author clearly did a lot of research on the revolutions in the 1700s and 1800s and depicts it well, while not being graphic. (Assign it as extra credit in World History.) I appreciated that Miri was a main character who could see both sides (poor herself, but with dear friends in the monarchy). She's torn and tries to find a middle way that takes everyone's interests to heart. We could learn from that pattern. ( )

Sadly, this was very lackluster and rushed compared to Princess Academy #1 which was the only book in the series I'd read up until now. Miri had such a strong personality in the first installment, which remains one of my favorite books of all time. But she spent a lot of her time bumbling around cluelessly in Palace of Stone, and her friends read like afterthoughts instead of distinct supporting characters. I was also disappointed with the worldbuilding--Mount Eskel was described with such life and warmth in book 1 that I expected the same level of memorable detail with Asland, but instead the city and the royals came across as bland at best, making the "revolution" feel like a forced plot point that I didn't even care about. Hopefully the last book makes up for some of these flaws, but I won't be holding my breath. ( )

The main thing I have to say about this book is: HUNGER GAMES READ ALIKE. ( )

Always want to like Hale more than I actually do while reading. I love the stories she chooses to tell but I'm never immersed in the worlds due to the uneven world-building and I think her writing style doesn't mesh well with me. Perfectly happy to have had this on my phone to read when stuck in lines, etc though. ( )

In this sequel to Princess Academy, the girls of Mount Eskel go to the capital city and find political danger and a country on the edge of rebellion.

I loved this look at the greater world outside of Mount Eskel, and its greater plot complexity of politics, ethics, and morality. I also really loved how Miri's understanding of quarry speech comes back in the end to save the day. Loved it more than the first. ( )