Review for The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal

The False Princess

Author: Eilis O'Neal

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Source: Diana's cousin (thanx!!)

Challenges: For the Love of YA

336 pages

 

"Princess and heir to the throne of Thorvaldor, Nalia's led a privileged life at court.  But everything changes when it's revealed, just after her sixteenth birthday, that she is a false princess, a stand-in for the real Nalia, who has been hidden away for her protection.  Cast out with little more than the clothes on her back, the girl now called Sinda must leave behind the city of Vivaskari, her best friend, Keirnan, and the only life she's ever known.
Sinda is sent to live with her only surviving relative, an aunt who is a dyer in a distant village. She is a cold, scornful woman with little patience for her newfound niece, and Sinda proves inept at even the simplest tasks.  But when Sinda discovers that magic runs through her veins - long-suppressed, dangerous magic that she must learn to control - she realizes that she can never learn to be a simple village girl.
Returning to Vivaskari for answers, Sinda finds her purpose as a wizard scribe, rediscovers the boy who saw her all along, and uncovers a secret that could change the course of Thorvaldor's history, forever." - Goodreads

  
  What an original book! Eilis O'Neal did an amazing job whipping up a fantastic plot filled with fantasy, mystery, and romance! Bravo!

   I loved Sinda. I could relate to her so easily throughout the book. After all, I'm sort of like her (not towards the middle or end though) in the beginning when she's shy and doesn't like confrontation. Neither do I. So as she progressed and became more hardened I felt I was pulled with her. I felt a connection throughout the story. There were a few things I did not agree with her doing but overall I was totally on her side and felt terrible when she found out she was the false princess. Keirnan, *sigh* Keirnan. I love funny, upbeat people and he was no exception! I loved their relationship throughout the story! The other characters were well developed as well, they all added to the story and you didn't feel like 'why is this character in here?'.

 But even though the characters were great.... I must admit, I was in it for the plot. This book was SO unpredictable. From the little things to the huge surprises you never could say 'aha!', it was like 'aha...wait a minute...' I found the beginning of the book slow for me but as soon as it hit the middle and towards the end I was so hooked I had to tear myself from it. I did not, I repeat did not, see some of those things coming. When Sinda and Keirnan went to find *insert info*, I loved the quest feel it had to it! I love quests with purposes and  you know of course when they become completed. The plot was fantastic!

  In the end I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to those who are interested. It's a great book, that will keep you on your toes and up till the wee hours!

Excerpt:

   I clenched my gown’s skirts in my hands. It was too much, too much to comprehend. “Is he still alive?”
Again, that flash of sadness across the King’s face. “No. He died some years ago.”

The light from the windows pressed against me, as bright and sharp as diamonds. I am alone. I thought as I gazed around the Hall. All of this, all my life, it was a dream. And it was ending. 

“What is my name?” I asked.

For the first time, the Queen stirred, raising her head to looked at me. “Sinda,” she said, her voice thin. “He said your name was Sinda.”
“Sinda,” I whispered. I waited for the word to have some meaning, to fill the empty place left when the golden haze had receded.
But the name just faded away, filling nothing, lost in the high-ceilinged Hall of Thorvaldor.