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Cover of PRINCESS ACADEMY: PALACE OF STONE

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PRINCESS ACADEMY: PALACE OF STONE

Shannon Hale

In this book that picks up where “Princess Academy” left off, a mountain girl moves to the city.

Ages 11+Source checked

Why this age? Suitable for mature middle-grade readers; political oppression, assassination attempts, mob danger, a shooting, and a crushing death may be intense, while romance remains mild and the violence is not graphically described. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

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At a glance

Recommended age11+

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes3/5
  • Romance3/5
  • Violence3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity4/5
  • Good role models4/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character2/5
Why this rating?

An assassin dies when a ceiling collapses; the death is part of a tense rescue rather than a prolonged grief storyline.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

Brief mention of Peder being shot and needing care, but lacks graphic descriptions of wounds or blood.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Language is very mild and appropriate for the target middle-grade/YA audience.

Romance3/5
Why this rating?

Miri navigates feelings for Timon and Peder, including a love confession, dancing, and an eventual engagement.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

Characters face assassination, mobs, armed unrest, captivity, spooked horses, and danger to a royal friend during a wedding.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Revolutionary unrest includes protests, armed muskets, an assassin, a mob, bandits, and a character being shot while protecting others.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Characters confront assassins, mobs, political injustice, and personal conflict, with Peder risking himself to protect Miri and Britta.

Creativity & curiosity4/5
Why this rating?

Fantasy quarry-speech, stoneworking, political problem-solving, and the creation of a rights-granting charter strongly support imagination and inventive thinking.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

The story gives meaningful attention to class inequality and the marginalized shoeless people, alongside varied regional communities.

Educational value2/5
Why this rating?

The novel offers accessible ideas about inequality, government, protest, political reform, and civic rights, though education is not its primary purpose.

Kindness & empathy4/5
Why this rating?

Britta rescues a child, Miri protects friends, and the characters work toward rights and reconciliation across social divisions.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

The story supports empathy across class divisions, responsible reform, protecting others, friendship, and rights for oppressed people.

Good role models4/5
Why this rating?

Miri and her friends show loyalty, courage, moral reflection, and willingness to pursue justice while protecting people in danger.

Family discussion

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Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. Which moment felt most tense or frightening? What helped the characters handle fear?
  3. Which choice in PRINCESS ACADEMY: PALACE OF STONE would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in PRINCESS ACADEMY: PALACE OF STONE, and what caused that change?
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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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