Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Lerner Publishing Group, c2011.
Description
Fantasy. Historical Fiction. Young Adult Fiction. Young Adult Literature. HTML: Princess and heir to the throne of Thorvaldor, Nalia has led a privileged life at court. But everything changes when she learns, 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, her best friend, Kiernan, and the only life she's ever known. Sent to live with her only surviving relative�a cold, scornful woman with little patience for her newfound niece�Sinda proves inept at even the simplest tasks. Then she discovers that magic runs through her veins�long-suppressed, dangerous magic that she must learn to control�and she realizes that she will never learn to be just a simple village girl. Sinda returns to the city to seek answers. Instead, she rediscovers the boy who refused to forsake her, and uncovers a secret that could change the course of Thorvaldor's history forever. An intricately plotted and completely satisfying adventure, The False Princess is both an engaging tale in the tradition of great fantasy novels and a story never before told that will enchant�and surprise�its readers..… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member MrsBoswellBooks
Imagine finding out that your entire sixteen years of existence is a lie. That your "family" is not truly yours. Better yet, you were just a decoy because it was prophesied that someone would kill the princess before her sixteenth birthday. What a slap in the face that would be to me! I couldn't
Once she is escorted from the palace, she is sent to live with her distant aunt in a tiny town. Sinda may know a lot about being a princess and courtly matters but, when it comes to her Aunt's job of dyeing, she is truly hopeless. Anger roils inside of her, but she soon comes to realize that it is not only anger. There is magic flowing through her veins and it's fighting to get out. Sinda just takes one blow after another. First, she's not really a princess. Second, she kind of sucks at being a commoner. Third, she's a wizard with little hope of ever controlling her magic.
Sinda returns to the city of Vivaskari and becomes scribe to the wizard Philantha who in turn, teaches her how to use her magic. Philantha is a nutty hoot who no one really pays any attention to. Once back in the city, Sinda rekindles her "friendship" with her best friend, Keirnan. Friends is all they can be, right? Sinda is now a nobody and Keirnan, a boy with a title and money, could never be with her. Plus, who wants to fall in love with the handsome, funny, truly devoted best friend? Sinda also happens to uncover a terrifying secret that could change the fate of Thorvaldor and the TRUE princess forever! With the help of Keirnan, Sinda attempts to stop a coup and save the princess.
The beginning was a bit slow-going for me. Once Sinda returned to Vivaskari, things started to pick up speed. Sinda was thrown many surprises throughout the story. It was difficult at time to predict what was going to happen. The characters weren't as three-dimensional as I would have liked. They felt like quick sketches to me, rough lines with no coloring. They didn't exactly pop for me. I did like Keirnan the most though, with Philantha taking second. I would have liked to have seen more of her. She was fun and cooky. There was a steady amount of action towards the end and a gradual build in the romance. Overall, The False Princess was a fun debut novel and a quick read.
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imagine spending my entire life being pampered, loving these people who were my supposed parents, preparing to rule a kingdom and then being thrown out on my backend with little to my name, my REAL name. This is what Nalia, truly Sinda Azaway, has to deal with.Once she is escorted from the palace, she is sent to live with her distant aunt in a tiny town. Sinda may know a lot about being a princess and courtly matters but, when it comes to her Aunt's job of dyeing, she is truly hopeless. Anger roils inside of her, but she soon comes to realize that it is not only anger. There is magic flowing through her veins and it's fighting to get out. Sinda just takes one blow after another. First, she's not really a princess. Second, she kind of sucks at being a commoner. Third, she's a wizard with little hope of ever controlling her magic.
Sinda returns to the city of Vivaskari and becomes scribe to the wizard Philantha who in turn, teaches her how to use her magic. Philantha is a nutty hoot who no one really pays any attention to. Once back in the city, Sinda rekindles her "friendship" with her best friend, Keirnan. Friends is all they can be, right? Sinda is now a nobody and Keirnan, a boy with a title and money, could never be with her. Plus, who wants to fall in love with the handsome, funny, truly devoted best friend? Sinda also happens to uncover a terrifying secret that could change the fate of Thorvaldor and the TRUE princess forever! With the help of Keirnan, Sinda attempts to stop a coup and save the princess.
The beginning was a bit slow-going for me. Once Sinda returned to Vivaskari, things started to pick up speed. Sinda was thrown many surprises throughout the story. It was difficult at time to predict what was going to happen. The characters weren't as three-dimensional as I would have liked. They felt like quick sketches to me, rough lines with no coloring. They didn't exactly pop for me. I did like Keirnan the most though, with Philantha taking second. I would have liked to have seen more of her. She was fun and cooky. There was a steady amount of action towards the end and a gradual build in the romance. Overall, The False Princess was a fun debut novel and a quick read.
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LibraryThing member sensitivemuse
I’m so glad I read this book. It got me back into reading the Fantasy genre which was certainly lacking. What can I say, but that I really enjoyed reading this book. The fantasy isn’t heavy handed, it’s light, and the magic system is simple and easy to understand. The background history and
I was upset when Sinda learns of her origins and is sent away. What in the world was that about??? it’s like they just casted her out like an overused toy. That got to me! and what’s even worse is Sinda just walks along with it. I realize she’s really powerless to do anything, but she could have at least put up a fight. The main issue I had with her as a character was her tendency to hesitate, at the wrong times. She was just wishy-washy at times and it got frustrating. Keep in mind, I did like her though, it was just this part of her character that just did not go well with me. Throughout the book she did develop into a stronger person and I enjoyed reading her relationship with Philantha. Philantha is an interesting teacher, although the way she teaches is different than what you might expect from other magic users. I certainly took a liking to her the moment she decided to take Sinda under her wing, Philantha wasn’t afraid of what others thought of her. That was admirable, but in a sense I think that gave Sinda a bit of a backbone to grow.
I fell in love with Kiernan. I absolutely loved him as a character. Some characters you just fall for. This is one of them. Not only was he such a great friend, but even after arguing horribly with Sinda, he still managed to forgive her. I fell for him when he came to find her. That just hit me and I thought to myself this guy has just become awesome in an instant. Kiernan and Sinda did make such great friends, of course naturally as the story progresses, you can feel the chemistry between the two of them grow and although obvious of the outcome, it’s still nice to see the two of them together.
The plot of the book was good although the mystery and intrigue did not happen until you read further into the story. It wasn’t bad as you’re literally set up with a good slap in the face in the first chapter. The pace of the book was steady although you do experience a bit of a lull when Sinda is with her Aunt. Yet it’s a welcome lull to what’s in store for the reader throughout the later half of the novel. The ending was also really good yet I can’t help but wonder if there is going to be a sequel with this one. If there is, I would not hesitate to pick it up. I would love to read more about Sinda, and about Kiernan of course!
This book was a decent read with a simple and easy to understand magic system, a nice well written fantasy world with characters that aren’t overly complex but not the most simple either. Perfect for YA readers who want a decent story, with subtle fantasy that isn’t over done.
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information of the setting is mentioned throughout the book so the reader isn’t left confused but with a general understand on the layout of the land.I was upset when Sinda learns of her origins and is sent away. What in the world was that about??? it’s like they just casted her out like an overused toy. That got to me! and what’s even worse is Sinda just walks along with it. I realize she’s really powerless to do anything, but she could have at least put up a fight. The main issue I had with her as a character was her tendency to hesitate, at the wrong times. She was just wishy-washy at times and it got frustrating. Keep in mind, I did like her though, it was just this part of her character that just did not go well with me. Throughout the book she did develop into a stronger person and I enjoyed reading her relationship with Philantha. Philantha is an interesting teacher, although the way she teaches is different than what you might expect from other magic users. I certainly took a liking to her the moment she decided to take Sinda under her wing, Philantha wasn’t afraid of what others thought of her. That was admirable, but in a sense I think that gave Sinda a bit of a backbone to grow.
I fell in love with Kiernan. I absolutely loved him as a character. Some characters you just fall for. This is one of them. Not only was he such a great friend, but even after arguing horribly with Sinda, he still managed to forgive her. I fell for him when he came to find her. That just hit me and I thought to myself this guy has just become awesome in an instant. Kiernan and Sinda did make such great friends, of course naturally as the story progresses, you can feel the chemistry between the two of them grow and although obvious of the outcome, it’s still nice to see the two of them together.
The plot of the book was good although the mystery and intrigue did not happen until you read further into the story. It wasn’t bad as you’re literally set up with a good slap in the face in the first chapter. The pace of the book was steady although you do experience a bit of a lull when Sinda is with her Aunt. Yet it’s a welcome lull to what’s in store for the reader throughout the later half of the novel. The ending was also really good yet I can’t help but wonder if there is going to be a sequel with this one. If there is, I would not hesitate to pick it up. I would love to read more about Sinda, and about Kiernan of course!
This book was a decent read with a simple and easy to understand magic system, a nice well written fantasy world with characters that aren’t overly complex but not the most simple either. Perfect for YA readers who want a decent story, with subtle fantasy that isn’t over done.
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LibraryThing member IceyBooks
The False Princess has made it onto my teensy-tiny list of favorite books. When I started it, I wasn't sure what would happen. When I was nearly finished with it, I wasn't sure what would happen. Nothing was predictable at all. It's not one of those books with so many unpredictable turns, you just
The story begins with Nalia, Princess of Thorvaldor, being summoned to a hall to meet her parents - the king and queen. They rarely call her to that particular hall, so Nalia is confused and very uncertain of what awaits. She stands before the throne and listens in horror as her life is thrown away. Nalia - or Sinda Azaway - is not the princess. Small bits of her appearance was altered by magic to make her look like the real princess, who the king and queen have hidden away because of a prophecy that claimed she would be murdered in court. Cast away with nothing but the clothes on her back and a small sack of money, Sinda has to live with an aunt who doesn't even want her. She's angry, distraught, and unsure of what her life means anymore. As a princess, she knew what her life meant, now, there isn't any meaning.
Soon, her anger means more than just anger. She has magic. Inside her, bubbling uncontrollably, wanting to spew out whenever she throws a fit. The magic can be useful to her in many ways, if only she knew how to use it. Fate takes Sinda back to the city (close to the palace), where she learns a terrifying secret. One only she and her best friend knows, one that could change the fate of Thorvaldor forever.
The False Princess is full of suspense. The first fifty to sixty pages weren't as gripping as the rest of the book, but as you will see, it was worth it. I love the setting - the land of Thorvaldor, the characters - Sinda, her best friend Kiernan, and the others, and the length of the book - it was just right. It never dragged on and on, nor did it just end abruptly. If you're looking for a book that will send you off to a far away land and capture your heart, pick up The False Princess. Anyway, how can you not pick up a book with such a pretty cover?
Another awesome perk for those of you participating in challenges - The False Princess qualifies for the Debut Author Challenge and the YA Historical Fiction Challenge!
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end up with a headache. No, this was perfectly planned and well-written, from start to finish. The False Princess is one debut you have to add to your list of books to read right away.The story begins with Nalia, Princess of Thorvaldor, being summoned to a hall to meet her parents - the king and queen. They rarely call her to that particular hall, so Nalia is confused and very uncertain of what awaits. She stands before the throne and listens in horror as her life is thrown away. Nalia - or Sinda Azaway - is not the princess. Small bits of her appearance was altered by magic to make her look like the real princess, who the king and queen have hidden away because of a prophecy that claimed she would be murdered in court. Cast away with nothing but the clothes on her back and a small sack of money, Sinda has to live with an aunt who doesn't even want her. She's angry, distraught, and unsure of what her life means anymore. As a princess, she knew what her life meant, now, there isn't any meaning.
Soon, her anger means more than just anger. She has magic. Inside her, bubbling uncontrollably, wanting to spew out whenever she throws a fit. The magic can be useful to her in many ways, if only she knew how to use it. Fate takes Sinda back to the city (close to the palace), where she learns a terrifying secret. One only she and her best friend knows, one that could change the fate of Thorvaldor forever.
The False Princess is full of suspense. The first fifty to sixty pages weren't as gripping as the rest of the book, but as you will see, it was worth it. I love the setting - the land of Thorvaldor, the characters - Sinda, her best friend Kiernan, and the others, and the length of the book - it was just right. It never dragged on and on, nor did it just end abruptly. If you're looking for a book that will send you off to a far away land and capture your heart, pick up The False Princess. Anyway, how can you not pick up a book with such a pretty cover?
Another awesome perk for those of you participating in challenges - The False Princess qualifies for the Debut Author Challenge and the YA Historical Fiction Challenge!
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LibraryThing member keristars
The False Princess is a very solid, well-done book in the princess/magic genre. I can't say that it's the most inventive or ground-breaking YA fantasy, but if you have a soft spot for princess fantasy, it's worth a try.
I appreciated that the heroine is allowed to make both good and bad decisions,
The setting is a fairly generic pseudo-Medieval fantasyland, both in history/politics and geography. The magic elements are also standard, without anything much that makes them stand out amongst all the books I've read. On the one hand, this is a bit boring in light of the more creative or detailed books, but on the other, a more-or-less generic backdrop can't make the plot or characterisations seem more interesting than they really are, and O'Neal does just fine with both of those.
Because the False Princess is unashamedly part of the princess/fantasy genre, many of the plot points were transparent to me, and I had most of the story figured out by the time O'Neal finished setting it all up - except for one part that snuck up on me halfway through. Nonetheless, I found it to be thoroughly enjoyable and a very good representative of its kind - much better than others I have read recently, though those others might be more imaginative in setting or characters. It can't be said that a standard, like this one, can't be good or worthwhile - especially if you're a fan of the genre, like me.
I appreciated that the heroine is allowed to make both good and bad decisions,
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and that ultimately she needs the help of her friends to save the day, even if she's the leader. It's nice when everything is balanced like that, instead of the hero doing all the saving, or the heroine too perfectly doing everything herself, unrealistically.The setting is a fairly generic pseudo-Medieval fantasyland, both in history/politics and geography. The magic elements are also standard, without anything much that makes them stand out amongst all the books I've read. On the one hand, this is a bit boring in light of the more creative or detailed books, but on the other, a more-or-less generic backdrop can't make the plot or characterisations seem more interesting than they really are, and O'Neal does just fine with both of those.
Because the False Princess is unashamedly part of the princess/fantasy genre, many of the plot points were transparent to me, and I had most of the story figured out by the time O'Neal finished setting it all up - except for one part that snuck up on me halfway through. Nonetheless, I found it to be thoroughly enjoyable and a very good representative of its kind - much better than others I have read recently, though those others might be more imaginative in setting or characters. It can't be said that a standard, like this one, can't be good or worthwhile - especially if you're a fan of the genre, like me.
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LibraryThing member readinggeek451
Nalia is 16 and a princess. Clumsy and somewhat scholarly, she is being raised to be queen someday. Although her parents are emotionally distant, she has had a good life. Then she learns that a prophecy when the princess was born led to an elaborate ruse; she is not the real princess, she is a
Well-written, with an appealing heroine and some interesting twists.
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weaver's daughter named Sinda. In an instant, her life is turned upside down. She is starting to put it back together and find a place she can be content, when she learns of a plot to put a usurper on the throne. There is no one she can trust but her childhood friend, Kiernan.Well-written, with an appealing heroine and some interesting twists.
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LibraryThing member ACQwoods
This young adult novel generated a lot of buzz and it's easy to see why. The story is a familiar one: a young woman who, at 16, learns that she is not the princess she was raised as but a changeling brought in to subvert a prophecy. Sinda is thrust into a new life as a peasant, but she soon finds
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that even though she isn't a princess, she is still special. She has to try to learn where she fits in, which is not an easy task. It's rare for me to recommend this, but I think this is a book that could have a great sequel. That said, the book stands wonderfully on its own and should appeal to adults of all ages. Show Less
LibraryThing member theepicrat
The False Princess is certainly a welcome addition to those of us who loved Ella Enchanted and stories reminiscent of fairy tales. Sinda narrates with an ease that I had no trouble with following, despite her talent of tripping over her feet and causing the fountain water to boil.
After finishing
The False Princess was an unexpected delight with tangles that I found myself happily caught up in! Just when I thought things were settling down for Sinda, the story twisted once more and sent me racing for the next page. The ending left me breathless in a good way, though sad that it had to end at all. I certainly hope Ms. O'Neal has more in store for us in Thorvaldor!
After finishing
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Troubled Waters with a more-than-resilient heroine, it is interesting to note that while Sinda could hardly make a sustainable stew or run a household smoothly, she still was made of stubborn stuff - and once she found her new niche in the world, she probably would do well enough. After living a pampered life as a false princess, who could expect anything more without giving her a little more time?The False Princess was an unexpected delight with tangles that I found myself happily caught up in! Just when I thought things were settling down for Sinda, the story twisted once more and sent me racing for the next page. The ending left me breathless in a good way, though sad that it had to end at all. I certainly hope Ms. O'Neal has more in store for us in Thorvaldor!
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LibraryThing member abackwardsstory
Princess Nalia had it all...until the day she discovered she wasn't really a princess, but a commoner named Sinda. She had spent the first sixteen years of her life as a decoy princess because there was a prophecy that the true heir to the throne might die before her sixteenth birthday. Feeling
The False Princess is so hard to talk about without divulging spoilers. The plot is so intricate and complex. There are times you think you have a grasp on the story and where it's headed, but O'Neal throws in a plot twist and you're no longer sure how the book will end. There's danger, mystery, and intrigue lurking on every page. While the novel gets off to a slow start, it isn't long before readers will find themselves immersed in Sinda's plight. While she starts off as a weak character, by the end, she's become a strong heroine who has come into herself. I love books with strong female role-models. It's one reason Tamora Pierce has always been one of my favorite YA authors. O'Neal's writing style reminds me of Shannon Hale. In fact, one of Hale's novels, The Goose Girl, is very much a tale similar to this one, except in reverse: It is the princess' lady-in-waiting who usurps the role of princess and fools everyone.
This book has something for everyone. It falls into both the historical fiction and fantasy categories. On top of that, it reads like a fairytale, despite the fact that it's an original work. There's plenty of romantic tension between Sinda and Keirnan to keep a reader's interest, not to mention an overlying mystery woven throughout the novel.
I really like this book's dust jacket, too. I love the shades of purple, from the deep, royal color making up the wallpaper/curtain/(whatever it is) in the background to the more-subtle hues used for the cover model's make-up. I also love the story being told on the cover: Consider the fact that you can't see the model's face, but you CAN see the face of the girl on her locket. In my mind, the locket contains a portrait of the "true" princess while Sinda has once again disappeared in her shadow. It's a cover you won't think twice about until you've read the book.
Overall, I enjoyed The False Princess and thought it was a strong debut novel. My copy will sit proudly next to my other "fairytale-inspired" novels, including those by Hale.
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betrayed, Sinda heads for the country to live with the aunt she never knew she had, leaving behind the family and only home she'd ever known. Once in the countryside, however, Sinda discovers that she has the gift of magic. If she doesn't learn to control it, the dangerous power coursing through her veins could kill her. Knowing this, she returns to the palace city and begins to study magic. She reunites with Keirnan, the mischievous Earl of Rithia's son and her best friend. They soon uncover a dangerous plot that could destroy everything Sinda holds dear.The False Princess is so hard to talk about without divulging spoilers. The plot is so intricate and complex. There are times you think you have a grasp on the story and where it's headed, but O'Neal throws in a plot twist and you're no longer sure how the book will end. There's danger, mystery, and intrigue lurking on every page. While the novel gets off to a slow start, it isn't long before readers will find themselves immersed in Sinda's plight. While she starts off as a weak character, by the end, she's become a strong heroine who has come into herself. I love books with strong female role-models. It's one reason Tamora Pierce has always been one of my favorite YA authors. O'Neal's writing style reminds me of Shannon Hale. In fact, one of Hale's novels, The Goose Girl, is very much a tale similar to this one, except in reverse: It is the princess' lady-in-waiting who usurps the role of princess and fools everyone.
This book has something for everyone. It falls into both the historical fiction and fantasy categories. On top of that, it reads like a fairytale, despite the fact that it's an original work. There's plenty of romantic tension between Sinda and Keirnan to keep a reader's interest, not to mention an overlying mystery woven throughout the novel.
I really like this book's dust jacket, too. I love the shades of purple, from the deep, royal color making up the wallpaper/curtain/(whatever it is) in the background to the more-subtle hues used for the cover model's make-up. I also love the story being told on the cover: Consider the fact that you can't see the model's face, but you CAN see the face of the girl on her locket. In my mind, the locket contains a portrait of the "true" princess while Sinda has once again disappeared in her shadow. It's a cover you won't think twice about until you've read the book.
Overall, I enjoyed The False Princess and thought it was a strong debut novel. My copy will sit proudly next to my other "fairytale-inspired" novels, including those by Hale.
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LibraryThing member raboyer
Plucky Princess
* I read this ARC via Star Book Tours.
* Their are some mild spoilers in the review and well the title of the book itself is a major spoiler
This book gets 3 gnomes and a gnome hat out of 5 gnomes because it started off rather slowly. As the book goes along though I found myself liking
You think the book is going to just be a light treasure hunt type of book but the main character soon receives quite the surprise. Nalia is not really Nalia at all, her real name is Sinda. She was raised in the palace as a false princess because of an ominous prophecy about the real princess being murdered.
The story starts to pick up steam when she's stuck living with her aunt in the very tiny town of Treb. She finds out that she may know a lot about being a princess but when it comes to her aunt's job of dyeing, she's no good. At first Sinda's not very likable because she just kind of gives up when she's stuck in Treb.
There are two love interests in the book but it's pretty easy to see who she'll end up with. There is some tension thrown in but once it resolves the reader will most likely have no doubts though Sinda herself is slow to come to this realization.
I really loved the story when magic was brought into the picture. It's seems that Sinda's life is even more complicated because the magic she possesses happens at unexpected time. She finds a teacher in Philantha who many consider to be rather odd.
Sinda slowly becomes more comfortable with who she is but then in another twist finds that there are many more mysteries to solve. Intrigue abounds and only Sinda may be able to stop someone intent on taking over her country.
The mystery and who the bad guy really is will leave the reader wondering how the ending will be happily ever after. Overall a pretty great adventure that takes some interesting twists and turns.
* I read this ARC via Star Book Tours.
* Their are some mild spoilers in the review and well the title of the book itself is a major spoiler
This book gets 3 gnomes and a gnome hat out of 5 gnomes because it started off rather slowly. As the book goes along though I found myself liking
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the main character a lot more than I did at the beginning of the book.You think the book is going to just be a light treasure hunt type of book but the main character soon receives quite the surprise. Nalia is not really Nalia at all, her real name is Sinda. She was raised in the palace as a false princess because of an ominous prophecy about the real princess being murdered.
The story starts to pick up steam when she's stuck living with her aunt in the very tiny town of Treb. She finds out that she may know a lot about being a princess but when it comes to her aunt's job of dyeing, she's no good. At first Sinda's not very likable because she just kind of gives up when she's stuck in Treb.
There are two love interests in the book but it's pretty easy to see who she'll end up with. There is some tension thrown in but once it resolves the reader will most likely have no doubts though Sinda herself is slow to come to this realization.
I really loved the story when magic was brought into the picture. It's seems that Sinda's life is even more complicated because the magic she possesses happens at unexpected time. She finds a teacher in Philantha who many consider to be rather odd.
Sinda slowly becomes more comfortable with who she is but then in another twist finds that there are many more mysteries to solve. Intrigue abounds and only Sinda may be able to stop someone intent on taking over her country.
The mystery and who the bad guy really is will leave the reader wondering how the ending will be happily ever after. Overall a pretty great adventure that takes some interesting twists and turns.
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LibraryThing member stephxsu
Princess Nalia gets the worst sixteenth-birthday surprise ever when it is revealed that she is not the real princess, but a commoner decoy for the real princess, placed in the castle because of a prophecy that foretold of the danger befalling the princess before her sixteenth birthday. Stripped of
When the emergence of a long repressed magic within her forces Sinda to return to the royal city, she stumbles upon a dark conspiracy behind the throne that only she can stop. With Kiernan’s help, Sinda undergoes dangerous journeys and evades the hands of powerful enemies in order to save her country’s future.
Reading the jacket synopsis, I thought this book was going to be yet another “princess finds out she’s not the real princess and attempts to make a new life for herself” tale. Happily, however, THE FALSE PRINCESS is all that, and more. It is an engaging light fantasy that will charm you no matter how well read you think you are in the genre.
Past the first chapter, the plot of THE FALSE PRINCESS moves at an entertainingly brisk pace, as it follows Sinda into the country, back into the city, and in and out of nervewracking situations. The time that Sinda spends with her aunt feels a little forced, her attempt to fit into her new life glossed over, but this makes sense when you consider that the most exciting part of the book occurs when Sinda returns to the city and discovers the conspiracy.
THE FALSE PRINCESS is at its core a fairly standard “quest” tale, but contains so much spunk and personality from its characters that it transcends the trope and makes it appealing to even readers who don’t usually read fantasy, who typically prefer character-driven novels. Sinda changes from a timid royal into an initiative-taking heroine, a brave girl who takes on tasks even knowing that the odds are stacked against her. Kiernan is a wonderful supporting character, utterly dedicated to Sinda, with a playfulness that offsets the darker tones of Sinda’s quest.
THE FALSE PRINCESS is a friendly fantasy read that would be a perfect gift for younger readers who’ve enjoyed the works of Gail Carson Levine, Diana Wynne Jones, and Margaret Peterson Haddix’s fantasy novels. It’s definitely a cut above other light fantasies I’ve read recently, and I would definitely recommend it to a readers looking for exactly that!
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everything she has ever known, including her name and her best friend Kiernan, the girl now known as Sinda tries to adjust to her new commoner life with her aunt, who is not at all happy about her new family member.When the emergence of a long repressed magic within her forces Sinda to return to the royal city, she stumbles upon a dark conspiracy behind the throne that only she can stop. With Kiernan’s help, Sinda undergoes dangerous journeys and evades the hands of powerful enemies in order to save her country’s future.
Reading the jacket synopsis, I thought this book was going to be yet another “princess finds out she’s not the real princess and attempts to make a new life for herself” tale. Happily, however, THE FALSE PRINCESS is all that, and more. It is an engaging light fantasy that will charm you no matter how well read you think you are in the genre.
Past the first chapter, the plot of THE FALSE PRINCESS moves at an entertainingly brisk pace, as it follows Sinda into the country, back into the city, and in and out of nervewracking situations. The time that Sinda spends with her aunt feels a little forced, her attempt to fit into her new life glossed over, but this makes sense when you consider that the most exciting part of the book occurs when Sinda returns to the city and discovers the conspiracy.
THE FALSE PRINCESS is at its core a fairly standard “quest” tale, but contains so much spunk and personality from its characters that it transcends the trope and makes it appealing to even readers who don’t usually read fantasy, who typically prefer character-driven novels. Sinda changes from a timid royal into an initiative-taking heroine, a brave girl who takes on tasks even knowing that the odds are stacked against her. Kiernan is a wonderful supporting character, utterly dedicated to Sinda, with a playfulness that offsets the darker tones of Sinda’s quest.
THE FALSE PRINCESS is a friendly fantasy read that would be a perfect gift for younger readers who’ve enjoyed the works of Gail Carson Levine, Diana Wynne Jones, and Margaret Peterson Haddix’s fantasy novels. It’s definitely a cut above other light fantasies I’ve read recently, and I would definitely recommend it to a readers looking for exactly that!
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LibraryThing member KatelynR
The False Princess is a book about a sixteen year old girl,Sinda,who gets told that she is not the real princess.She's the false princess.They take her out of the palace immediatley and take her to her only living relastive.She then finds out that she's a wizard,and one of the most powerful wizards
This book is an epic story of how she destroys the wizard.It's an awesome story and whoever has not read it needs to!
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has constructed a plan that fools the king and queen into thinking their daughter is going to be placed on the thrown.Only Sinda can destroy the evil plot.This book is an epic story of how she destroys the wizard.It's an awesome story and whoever has not read it needs to!
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LibraryThing member Sianatra
When Princess Nalia finds out that's she's only a mere peasant girl named Sinda, a puppet playing a role to kept the real princess safe, she is uprooted from the life she's always known and sent far away so that the rightful princess can gain her throne. But while Sinda's away, she uncovers a
In my opinion, The False Princess was a great book. Though it started out a bit slow, once I reached around the middle, I just couldn't put it down. I eventually ended up reading it in just two sittings - it was great. The fantasy world is highly believable.
I would recommend this book to anyone - especially if you love fantasy, mystery, and romance. :)
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secret that could shake Thorvaldor into a million pieces... but who will believe her?In my opinion, The False Princess was a great book. Though it started out a bit slow, once I reached around the middle, I just couldn't put it down. I eventually ended up reading it in just two sittings - it was great. The fantasy world is highly believable.
I would recommend this book to anyone - especially if you love fantasy, mystery, and romance. :)
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LibraryThing member edspicer
O’Neal, E. (2011). The false princess. New York: Egmont. 323 pp. ISBN: 978-1-60684-079-5. (Hardcover); $16.99.*
Nalia wears princess clothes, eats princess food, and does princess-ly things like learning dead languages, consulting with magicians, dancing royal dances, and keeping the hoi polloi at
Nalia wears princess clothes, eats princess food, and does princess-ly things like learning dead languages, consulting with magicians, dancing royal dances, and keeping the hoi polloi at
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a distance. On her 16 birthday, however, all of her princessiness comes to an end. Turns out that she is not the real princess at all. She is a fill in princess, a false princess, put in place to protect the real princess from an ancient curse placed on her by an evil witch. Now she and her princess habits and ways must go to live with poor people who wash their own clothes and eat whatever is available. What must she think of the real princess? What will the young man who seems to love her think when she is no longer Nalia the Princess, but Sinda the most definitely NOT princess? When Sinda decides that she can no longer live with her aunt, she decides to return to the castle to study magic, which seems to be welling up inside her. Once back in the castle, however, Sinda discovers that even the real princess has secrets. Secrets so big that if certain powerful people discover that she knows them, she will die. These secrets, however, must be revealed. However, who will believe a jealous former princess? The plot twists in this book are so much fun that we can forgive a few loose ends. Readers will romp along with the author, delightfully turning page after page. Echoes of many familiar fairy tales will come to mind unbidden by virtue of the author’s carefully selected language and references. Readers will smile in grateful recognition of seeing old friends honored in such a fun way. This book is appropriate for both high school and middle school libraries. Show Less
LibraryThing member krau0098
I had been wanting to read this book forever and was excited to finally get a chance to read it. This is Eilis O'Neal's debut book and she did a great job on it. This is a wonderful fantasy full of mystery, numerous plot twists, magic, and a touch of romance.
Nalia has lead a sheltered and
This is one of those very sweet princess type stories but kind of in reverse...the girl finds out she's not a princess instead of finding out she is one. I loved watching Sinda's journey from being a Princess to being a "no one" and then her struggle to figure out who she wanted to be. Sinda is smart girl and a gentle girl, but she has a little bit of fire in her and as she learns to kindle the fire and believe in herself she becomes a force to be reckoned with.
Many of the side characters are fascinating too. Kiernan is a wonderful male lead; he has so many conflicting interests but is determined to remain a true friend to Sinda no matter what her situation. Kieran and Sinda have a romance based on a lifetime of support and love and it is a very sweet romance to read about.
There is a lot of magic in this book as well and I enjoyed watching Sinda as she struggled to control her magic powers. The plot is paced very well and has plenty of twists and turns so you are constantly left trying to guess what will happen next and trying to put together the pieces of the mystery before Sinda does.
This was on of those books that everytime I sat down I had a little trouble getting into it for the first few minutes, then once I got into the story I couldn't put it down.
Overall I really enjoyed this story. It is full of wonderful characters, a sweet and subtle romance between the two main characters, magic, and a wonderful mystery. Fans of Brightly Woven, Tamora Pierce's Books, or Kristin Cashore's book should check this book out. I look forward to O'Neal's next book.
Nalia has lead a sheltered and
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well-educated life as the Princess set to inherit the Throne of Thorvaldor. Nalia's world comes crashing down around her when on her sixteenth birthday she is told that she is not the princess, she is in fact a false princess raised in the real princess's place in order to save the real princess from a horrible prophecy. Nalia is told her name is actually Sinda and she is sent away from everything she has ever known and loved to live with an aunt in the country. Her best friend Kiernan tries to visit to console her, but Sinda is desolate. That is until she finds out that she has powerful magic and begins to unweave a number of mysteries surrounding the false princess and the magic that surrounds her.This is one of those very sweet princess type stories but kind of in reverse...the girl finds out she's not a princess instead of finding out she is one. I loved watching Sinda's journey from being a Princess to being a "no one" and then her struggle to figure out who she wanted to be. Sinda is smart girl and a gentle girl, but she has a little bit of fire in her and as she learns to kindle the fire and believe in herself she becomes a force to be reckoned with.
Many of the side characters are fascinating too. Kiernan is a wonderful male lead; he has so many conflicting interests but is determined to remain a true friend to Sinda no matter what her situation. Kieran and Sinda have a romance based on a lifetime of support and love and it is a very sweet romance to read about.
There is a lot of magic in this book as well and I enjoyed watching Sinda as she struggled to control her magic powers. The plot is paced very well and has plenty of twists and turns so you are constantly left trying to guess what will happen next and trying to put together the pieces of the mystery before Sinda does.
This was on of those books that everytime I sat down I had a little trouble getting into it for the first few minutes, then once I got into the story I couldn't put it down.
Overall I really enjoyed this story. It is full of wonderful characters, a sweet and subtle romance between the two main characters, magic, and a wonderful mystery. Fans of Brightly Woven, Tamora Pierce's Books, or Kristin Cashore's book should check this book out. I look forward to O'Neal's next book.
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LibraryThing member francescadefreitas
A quick and entertaining story - a girl raised as a princess is told she is merely a decoy for the real princess, raised in hiding. Sent from the palace to live with a resentful aunt, she obviously has a struggle to determine her true identity. The sweet romance didn't overwhelm the story.
LibraryThing member KarenBall
Here's proof that you're never too old for your mama to buy you a book! Author Eilis O'Neal lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where I grew up, and my parents went to a book signing event there in January. Mom sent me the signed copy, and oh, what a wonderful, unconventional fairy tale this is. Quiet and
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studious Princess Nalia is heir to the throne of Thorvaldor. She's lived her entire life in the royal castle, with the finest of everything and an adventurous prankster of a best friend in earl-to-be Kieran. Just after she turns 16, her life is upended: she's finally told that since she was a few days old, she has been a stand-in for the true princess, for whom a prophecy stated she would die violently before her 16th birthday. Now that they are safely past that date, there is no need for the false princess since the real one can return, and Nalia becomes Sinda: orphaned and dumped on the doorstep of her one relative: a poor, workaholic aunt who has little use for her niece. Sinda discovers from her that her long-lost mother had magical abilities, and that she does too... though they are difficult for her to control and they scare her. She returns to the capital city to search for answers, gets a scribe's job as well as training by an oddball master wizard, and reconnects with Keiran. Something's up with the new Princess Nalia, though... and the twists and turns in the second half of this story are quite the wild ride! Excellent character-driven action and a fully imagined fairytale world setting. Gail Carson Levine has a potential heir to the YA fairy tale genre here. This is an amazing first novel, and I'm looking forward to seeing what else Eilis O'Neal writes. 7th grade and up. Show Less
LibraryThing member jasmine.gomez
I LOVED this book!!!!! I could not put it down. I was so ready to see what would happen on every page I read. I read it all in one day. A princess was living her life like a princess, when she got told she was not the real princess. The real princess came home the the castle. Or so they thought.
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The "real" princess took the false princesses spot and every one thought she was the real princess. Later on the false princess realized the "real" princess was also a false princess. Them both (including a young boy who is in love with the first false princess) go out to find the real princess and save the kingdom from evil. Show Less
LibraryThing member LibraryGirl11
A well crafted fantasy about a girl who grows up believing that she is the princess--until she turns 16, and it is revealed that she is actually a stand-in for the real princess. Sent to live in a backwater town with an aunt she's never met, Sinda (formerly Nalia) faces what life will mean as a
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common girl, discovers a latent talent for magic, and finds both true love and purpose when she uncovers a plot to place a second false princess on the throne. A little predictable at times, but an excellent read just the same! Show Less
LibraryThing member ceci.m.foster
SUMMARY- "The False Princess," is a book about three girls who are all part of a plan to save the princess gone wrong. Taking place back in medieval times, this story takes you back to kings and queens and knights and wizards. The main character of this story is a girl named Sinda, taken as a baby
Sinda goes on a quest to find the real Nalia, and uses her magic to correct the spell, and restore peace to the thrown. REVIEW- I really like this story and I wish Eilis O'Neal should make a sequel. I really like the placement in the medieval times. I especially enjoyed this book because instead of showing the happy princess, or the peasant who discovers she is a princess and lives happily ever after, we see the story of the girl who discovers she is a peasant and has been used by the crown to die in place of the real princess. We are shown the story of a girl discovering who she is after spending her whole life as another person. I would suggest "The False Princess" for people interested Medieval times and mysteries. I think "the False Princess" would be good for people interested in magic, and for those looking for a good long read. "The False Princess" is truly a magical book!
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to play the role of a princess. The oracle has foreseen blood and death for the Princess when she turns sixteen, and so with the help of Wizards, Sinda is made to look as the Princess, so as to protect the real princess until she is sixteen. When Sinda is told that now because it has been sixteen years, she must be sent to live with her aunt in a village, after being raised as a princess and being told that she is Nalia, heir to the royal throne. Now as a peasant, Sinda tries to fit in, but makes only one friend, a boy who later betrays her. Sinda begins to feel an odd feeling in her stomach as if something has been growing inside her, and when she realizes her only friend has betrayed her, she burns a bush on accident, and realizes the feeling is magic, and she has it! Sinda leaves her aunt and goes to the city to try and find a way to train her magic so that it will not get of control. In the city, Sinda finds out a secret. Sinda is not the only false princess, The wizard Marian is of royal blood, but her ancestors did not get the crown, and holding a long time grudge, had cast a spell over only child Orien, and made her to look like the princess, and has the whole kingdom, including Orien, thinking she is the real deal.Sinda goes on a quest to find the real Nalia, and uses her magic to correct the spell, and restore peace to the thrown. REVIEW- I really like this story and I wish Eilis O'Neal should make a sequel. I really like the placement in the medieval times. I especially enjoyed this book because instead of showing the happy princess, or the peasant who discovers she is a princess and lives happily ever after, we see the story of the girl who discovers she is a peasant and has been used by the crown to die in place of the real princess. We are shown the story of a girl discovering who she is after spending her whole life as another person. I would suggest "The False Princess" for people interested Medieval times and mysteries. I think "the False Princess" would be good for people interested in magic, and for those looking for a good long read. "The False Princess" is truly a magical book!
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LibraryThing member lilibrarian
Just after she turns 16, Sinda learns that she was only a stand-in for the real princess. Returned to her aunt's village, she finds herself trying to adjust to a totally different life, until she discovers that she has the ability to perform magic. Sinda returns to the city hoping to find a
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teacher, and discovers a secret that could change the course of her homeland's history. Show Less
LibraryThing member AvlyTopaz20
The False Princess is filled with murder, mystery, and magic. It was simply not what i was expecting. The story follows the false princess, Sinda, who finds out her whole life is a lie. She was just a target so that the real princess wouldn't be killed before her 16 birthday, as an oracle foretold.
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The ungrateful royals, send her to her true aunt. Sinda tries to come to terms, but has no skills for the outside world, or so she thinks. Magic runs through her viens and she discovers a plot for the throne, 16 years in the making. Show Less
LibraryThing member humouress
{stand alone; fantasy, YA, magic, adventure, debut} (2011)
Nalia is the sole heir to the kingdom of Thorvaldor but, though she has always tried to be a good princess, she is reserved and bookish and her only friend is Kieran, the son of a minor earl. Shortly after her sixteenth birthday she is told
Then she discovers that she has magic, which has been hidden until now, and she returns to the capital and the wizards' college to try to learn to control it before it becomes dangerous - and while there she makes other discoveries.
Well plotted and easy to read. The premise of the beginning of the story sounds a bit simplistic, from the synopsis, but O'Neal makes it work. Though it seems as though the king and queen let Sinda go too easily, the story is told from the perspective of the young girl (you know how angsty teens get) and we do get a glimpse of how they really felt, albeit second-hand.There was a question I had wanted to ask, but it kept getting stuck somewhere in my mouth before I could speak. Finally, though, with the ring of the bell still in my ears, I forced it out. "How is my ... the queen. How is the queen?"
Nalia looked down at her lap. "She misses you, I think. She doesn't talk about you - neither of them do. But I caught her crying once, when she thought she was alone. I was standing just outside the doorway, where she couldn't see me. I was about to go in to her, but then my ... then the king came. He held her shoulders and I heard him say that she had to bear it. That she had known, that there was nothing else they could have done. She stopped crying for him, but she still looked sad."And in this conversation Sinda (who has been, understandably, a bit sulky) also realises that Nalia is in a similar situation to herself, having to suddenly adapt to a life she never knew about.
The plot twist and Sinda's developing magic give the story more substance. I liked the gentle romance and the way he never gave up on her though he also stood up for himself when he needed to.
Light and fun and very readable.
(September 2023)
4 stars
Nalia is the sole heir to the kingdom of Thorvaldor but, though she has always tried to be a good princess, she is reserved and bookish and her only friend is Kieran, the son of a minor earl. Shortly after her sixteenth birthday she is told
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that she is actually a commoner and a decoy for the real princess and her name is Sinda, not Nalia. She is immediately sent away from the palace to live with her aunt in a distant village where she has to try and adjust to her new life with no creature comforts.Then she discovers that she has magic, which has been hidden until now, and she returns to the capital and the wizards' college to try to learn to control it before it becomes dangerous - and while there she makes other discoveries.
Well plotted and easy to read. The premise of the beginning of the story sounds a bit simplistic, from the synopsis, but O'Neal makes it work. Though it seems as though the king and queen let Sinda go too easily, the story is told from the perspective of the young girl (you know how angsty teens get) and we do get a glimpse of how they really felt, albeit second-hand.There was a question I had wanted to ask, but it kept getting stuck somewhere in my mouth before I could speak. Finally, though, with the ring of the bell still in my ears, I forced it out. "How is my ... the queen. How is the queen?"
Nalia looked down at her lap. "She misses you, I think. She doesn't talk about you - neither of them do. But I caught her crying once, when she thought she was alone. I was standing just outside the doorway, where she couldn't see me. I was about to go in to her, but then my ... then the king came. He held her shoulders and I heard him say that she had to bear it. That she had known, that there was nothing else they could have done. She stopped crying for him, but she still looked sad."And in this conversation Sinda (who has been, understandably, a bit sulky) also realises that Nalia is in a similar situation to herself, having to suddenly adapt to a life she never knew about.
The plot twist and Sinda's developing magic give the story more substance. I liked the gentle romance and the way he never gave up on her though he also stood up for himself when he needed to.
Light and fun and very readable.
(September 2023)
4 stars
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LibraryThing member foggidawn
Nalia has grown up in the palace, being trained in everything she will need to know as future ruler of Thorvaldor. Then, one day, she is called in to the throne room, where she is told that she is not the princess after all -- her father was a weaver, her real name is Sinda, and she was brought to
This was an enjoyable read, and I would recommend it to fans of fantasy and fairy-tale retellings. While this isn't a fairy-tale retelling in its own right, it has a lot of similarities to many I've read.
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the palace in place of the real princess because a prophecy indicated that there was some danger of assassination before her sixteenth birthday if the princess remained in the palace. Now that the danger is passed, Sinda is being sent to her only living relative, a dyer in a small town, with thanks for her service to the crown. Sinda is depressed, angry, and confused . . . until, with the help of a friend from her princess days, she discovers a plot against the royal family. What can she do about it in her reduced circumstances -- and will anybody believe her?This was an enjoyable read, and I would recommend it to fans of fantasy and fairy-tale retellings. While this isn't a fairy-tale retelling in its own right, it has a lot of similarities to many I've read.
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LibraryThing member dasuzuki
I could not resist picking this one up after reading the synopsis. How much would it suck to go from being the pampered princess for 16 years to being sent off to live with a relative you never met before in a tiny town full of strangers. To top it off you find out you were put in place of the
You cannot help but feel sorry for Sinda when she finds out who she really is and that her "parents", the king and queen, so easily send her off and bring their real daughter home once the threat of murder is past. We follow Sinda's journey as she tries to master this magic that was long suppressed while she was living the life of the princess, she realizes what life is like for those outside of royal courts and she realizes that there is more going on than anyone realizes. There are times that despite what she's gone through I did find myself disliking her quite a bit because of the choices she chooses to make and yet I cannot totally blame her after all she's been through. What was great about this book was Sinda is forced to deal with the consequences of the choices she makes instead of everything magically turning up roses.
You can see the romance coming between Sinda and Kiernan but it was nicely done and the romance does not over power the rest of the story. They work together to try and solve the mystery over who is trying to topple the queen, king and princess Nalia before it is too late. The villain was not too much of a mystery but there are a few twists that I did not see coming.
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princess as a decoy because someone was supposed to try and kill the princess before she turned 16. Just ask Nalia, or as she finds out her real name is Sinda. She finds she has few skills that help her fit into a life with her aunt and she finds herself missing her best friend Kiernan even more than her life as a princess.You cannot help but feel sorry for Sinda when she finds out who she really is and that her "parents", the king and queen, so easily send her off and bring their real daughter home once the threat of murder is past. We follow Sinda's journey as she tries to master this magic that was long suppressed while she was living the life of the princess, she realizes what life is like for those outside of royal courts and she realizes that there is more going on than anyone realizes. There are times that despite what she's gone through I did find myself disliking her quite a bit because of the choices she chooses to make and yet I cannot totally blame her after all she's been through. What was great about this book was Sinda is forced to deal with the consequences of the choices she makes instead of everything magically turning up roses.
You can see the romance coming between Sinda and Kiernan but it was nicely done and the romance does not over power the rest of the story. They work together to try and solve the mystery over who is trying to topple the queen, king and princess Nalia before it is too late. The villain was not too much of a mystery but there are a few twists that I did not see coming.
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LibraryThing member Mirandalg14
Intrigue. Family vendettas. Babies switched at birth. A soap-opera type tale with a magical twist.
Awards
Young Hoosier Book Award (Nominee — Middle Grade — 2015)
Utah Beehive Book Award (Nominee — Young Adult — 2013)
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (Nominee — Grades 6-9 — 2014)
Rhode Island Teen Book Award (Nominee — 2013)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Selection — 2012)
Language
Original publication date
2011
Physical description
319 p.; 22 cm
ISBN
9781606842423
Local notes
False Princess, 1
DDC/MDS
| Fic Childrens ONeal |