The Two Princesses of Bamarre - by Gail Carson Levine (Paperback)

About the Book

When illness strikes and a kingdom's fate hangs in the balance, the love between two princesses--and the love for their kingdom--is put to the test.

Book Synopsis

Gail Carson Levine left her mark on fantasy with her well-loved Newbery Honor Book Ella Enchanted. Now she has created another shimmering and tapestried landscape of fantasy and fairies.

The two princesses of Bamarre couldn't be more different. Princess Addie is fearful and shy. Her deepest wish is for safety. Princess Meryl is bold and brave. Her deepest wish is to save the kingdom of Bamarre. They are sisters, and they mean the world to each other.

Then disaster strikes, and Addie--terrified and unprepared--sets out on a perilous quest. In her path are monsters of Bamarre: ogres, specters, gryphons, and dragons.

Addie must battle them, but time is running out, and the sisters' lives--and Barmarre's fate--hang in the balance.

From the Back Cover

When plague strikes Bamarre, Princess Addie must fulfill an ancient prophecy.

Brave and adventurous, Princess Meryl dreams of fighting dragons and protecting the kingdom of Bamarre. Shy and fearful, Princess Addie is content to stay within the safety of the castle walls. The one thing that the sisters share is their unwavering love for each other.

The tables are turned, however, when the Gray Death leaves Meryl fatally ill. To save her sister, meek Princess Addie must find the courage to set out on a dangerous quest filled with dragons, unknown magic, and death itself. Time is running out, and the sisters' lives--and the future of the kingdom of Bamarre--hang in the balance.

Review Quotes

"Deserves to be around for a long, long time." - Dallas Morning News
"An exciting adventure story." - ALA Booklist
Praise for Ella Enchanted: "As finely designed as a tapestry, with a heroine so spirited that she wins readers' hearts." - Booklist (starred review)
Praise for Ella Enchanted: "This refreshing take on one of the world's most popular fairy tales preserves the spirit of the original but adds plenty of humorous twists and a spunky, intelligent female lead." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Praise for Ever: "The power of love and courage to overcome seemingly impossible odds and to bridge ostensibly untraversable differences are at the heart of this compelling, intensely satisfying fantasy." - School Library Journal (starred review)
Praise for Ever: "Levine's (Ella Enchanted) original mythological tale works as romance, adventure and exploration of faith. [She] conducts a riveting journey, offering passion and profound pondering along the way. " - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Praise for A Tale of Two Castles: "With a faint echo of Puss in Boots, [Levine] crafts a persuasive fantasy realm and a capable heroine. Readers should enjoy watching Elodie hone her powers of deduction to unravel the mystery of the ogre's sudden disappearance, and will likely anticipate further sleuthing adventures with this companionable duo." - Publishers Weekly
Praise for Fairest: "Readers will instantly fall in love with the heroine, whose heart proves to be as warm as her voice." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Praise for Fairest: "Readers will enjoy the fairy-tale setting while identifying with the real-life problems of living in an appearance obsessed society. A distinguished addition to any collection." - School Library Journal (starred review)
Praise for Fairest: "[Readers will] sink into the fairy-tale romance, the remarkable characters, and the wild, magical adventures." - ALA Booklist
Praise for A Tale of Two Castles: "A thoroughly delicious romp from the author of Ella Enchanted. The plot is winningly unpredictable, the characters easy to relate to, the humor subtle and the action well-paced. Newbery Honor-winner Levine has once again breathed new life into old stories." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Praise for A Tale of Two Castles: "Readers are certain to be pulled, like Elodie herself, right into the midst of the rich and swirling life of Two Castles." - School Library Journal
Praise for A Tale of Two Castles: "Levine's strength lies in her transparent language and the candid, uncomplicated voice of her narrator, who brings younger readers along with her as she questions assumptions, grows in friendship, works out the mystery, and makes brave escapes." - The Horn Book