The Two Princesses of Bamarre | Gail Carson Levine | A Book Review for The Two Princesses of Bamarre

The Two Princesses of Bamarre | Gail Carson Levine | Incredible Voice

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The Two Princesses...

	The Two Princesses of Bamarre Gail Carson Levine HarperCollins, 2001 - 256 pages average customer review:based on 14 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Princess Meryl and Princess Addie, two sisters as close as can be, are growing up in a world full of magic. When their mother dies of the terrible Grey Death, a mysterious illness for which there is no known cure, they must look after each other. Addie looks to Meryl for inspiration - her brave, lively sister, full of dreams to emulate the epic adventures of the legendary hero, Drualt. But then Meryl succumbs to the unmistakable symptoms of the Grey Death herself. Addie knows that she must go out and find a cure. She will have to face ogres, spectres, gryphons and dragons along the way. Can she really find the courage for the epic task ahead?

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A Book Review for The Two Princesses of Bamarre

Think of a story with two extremely different sisters, a dragon, and a search for a cure. Then combine that with a story about an amazing journey, a girl trying to tackle her fears, and a skyrocketing relationship. This book, The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine, is all that and more. When one sister gets a guaranteed deadly sickness, the other decides that it's up to her to do something about it. Throughout the story you'll find that the characters combine their personalities to create a book that's hard to put down. I think that this is one of the best books, because it goes into so much detail that you can see and feel what the characters do. I've recommended this book to my friends and now I'm recommending it to you.
Courage and love are the two words I'd use to describe the main themes of the book. A prophecy in the book says "when cowards find courage and rain falls on all of Bamarre, the gray death will be cured". That is a great example of the theme courage in the book, because that prophecy is what the book is really based on. Also, one of the first signs of courage goes along with this prophecy when Addie faces her fears and goes on a quest to save someone she loves. Then, later on, Addie meets a new friend on her journey, a friend that causes a new feeling for her. There are many more examples, but for your sake, I'll shorten it up.
The characters in this story have unique and interesting personalities that make The Two Princesses of Bamarre come alive. Rhys is an apprentice sorcerer for his majesty the king. He becomes close to another character farther on in the book and they start a very interesting relationship. Addie is another character. She is a shy and timid girl who expects her sister to protect her forever. In fact, in the story she makes her sister promise that she won't leave her until she is wed. She must learn to become courageous, because if she doesn't, she'll learn to regret it. The final character in the book is Meryl, Addie's sister. She is brave and courageous, totally the opposite from her sister. The only thing that she doesn't understand is that the battle that she needs to be fighting isn't against monsters, it's against herself. If you read the book, you'll learn their life lessons and more about them.
Details and a reader's imagination make this imaginary country of Bamarre really come alive. While Addie is on her quest, she describes the forests, lakes, deserts, caves, cities and more and all the characters travel to different places. Their adventures definitely help to describe the places they've gone. Colorful and creative words are used to describe the amazing scenery throughout the book and interesting animals are used to make it enjoyable reading for hours on end. The great descriptions of the setting play a big part of how you feel throughout the novel. See for yourself.
I think that this book is better than anything I've read and I'm sure you'll agree with me once you've read it. This story is for anyone who likes adventure, bravery, and friendship in a book, or anyone who likes books with constant action. The characters add spice and flavor to the story as their personalities grow and change. Also, the setting enriches the story to create a fantasy land that makes you want to get on a plane and go there. Altogether, this book is great as a read-aloud for younger children or as a lit. Circle book for 3rd-7th graders. I know that almost any age group could enjoy it as much as I did.

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Incredible Voice

I love this book! I have read it three times. Levine gives her characters such strong voices. Though it is a book about princesses my 10 year old son read it and he loved it as well. It speaks well for a book that adults and children can enjoy it fully -- both sexes can enjoy it. This book is as good or better than Levine's Ella Enchanted book (though that is great too). Levine's characters make courageous and good choices in life and though these are for entertaining the characters' lives are good lessons for readers. Read all of Levine's books! She is an amazing writer.

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Indelible...

I read this book four years ago, and I still remember every event and plot twist that occurred within the pages and within the lives of the two princesses of Bamarre.
It is truly a tale of the rites of passage, trial and triumph, love, conquering one's fears, and humanity. I say humanity because, although much of this story is fantasy, there remains in the text social protest and messages about society. The princesses' father, for example, gives up fairly quickly regarding saving his daughter, Meryl's life from "Sir Grey Death", yet he says he loves and cares for her. Meanwhile, usually meek and timid Addie leaves the safe stone walls of the castle, searching for a cure, the love for and of her sister the only motivation for her to keep going.
There is also a modicum of romance embedded into the plot-- between the sorcerer Rhys and Addie. I find their relationship quite adorable and their discourse witty and fun. It is, in fact, their particular story that got me interested in romance novels.
Levine also offers a lot of insight and hope that even if you think you are a shadow, you too can possess and create light.
And I've carried these messages of the novel for a long time with me, and in the end, it is absolutely a magnificent experience-- almost like a memory itself, the read. Enjoy the journey!

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Awesome Book!!

The two Princesses of Bamarre is a non-fiction loving book.Princess Addie has to save her sister Meryle from dying of the Grey Death. If Meryle drinks from the waterfall then she wont die. I would rate this book 4 out of 5 stars because I didn't like reading about dragons. This book also uses big words.If you like Fairy tales the you will love this book!

OK story, just kinda bland

I've read most of Levine's books--I adored Ella Enchanted, loved Fairest, enjoyed the Princess Tales. But, this book just left me feeling like Levine just phoned it in, like she didn't even try.

Two princesses are born in a land where "Grey Death" strikes randomly and without warning. The older sister is adventurous and daring. The younger sister is timid and quiet. When the eldest is struck with Grey Death, the younger one must leave on a quest to help her beloved sister--a quest the older sister always dreamed of taking.

The book is filled with magical creatures and things, which I did find enjoyable. My problems with this story is the following:
1. It seemed quite predictable. The ending and what must be done to solve the problem seemed obvious LONG before we even came to the end.
2. There was no real enjoyment in the quest--it all just seemed to happen instead of being an adventure.
3. The characters never really developed, they just were.
4. The ending was too sweetly wrapped up (probably because the whole story was too sweetly dealt with--nothing like Ella Enchanted nor Fairest)

I did enjoy reading the story, but really don't crave a second reading--unlike her other work, which I love to reread.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3

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