I didn't think that I needed a sequel to Princess Academy, but it turns out that I absolutely did. I felt right back at home in the world of Miri and her fellow academy girls, this time in the big city. Effortlessly combining brains and beauty, Palace of Stone is an excellent primer to politics and ethical reasoning. I was left reeling at the end, wishing I could have stayed there forever. This book is also awesomely feminist--I can't wait to read this to my daughters one day. Once more, Shannon Hale has proved herself to be the master of words and worlds. 
 {There is a special place in heaven for my librarian friends that lend me their ARCs.}