He is a prince, heir to a kingdom threatened on all sides, possessor of the animal magic, which is forbidden by death in the land he'll rule. ... read full description
reviews
Dec 23, 2011
Cara
rated it: 
Ms. Harrison was brave to write a story like this. Most fairy tale stories take away the weirdness, but oh no this one keeps it intact, which most of the time does not work but I think it does in this case.
I'd like to debunk something in this review and say this is not a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. While I can see why they have classified it as such, but do not go in thinking this is the case because it will probably disappoint.
Alright for a quick rundown of wha More...
I'd like to debunk something in this review and say this is not a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. While I can see why they have classified it as such, but do not go in thinking this is the case because it will probably disappoint.
Alright for a quick rundown of wha More...
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Jan 18, 2012
Lacey
rated it: 
This book interested me because it claims to be a "retelling of the Beauty and the Beast story" where "the princess is the beast." But this story had SO little in common with the B&B story that it wasn't really justified being called a retelling. In fact, if I hadn't read that about it, it probably wouldn't have reminded me of B&B at all. And although it's categorized as a "romance," the romantic element took backseat to a lot of unimpressive subplots that didn't ti
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(5 people liked it)
Dec 27, 2008
Shannon
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Prince George is an only child and heir to the throne of Kendel; as a little boy he spends time with his mother with the horses in the stable, the hounds in the kennels, or the wild animals in the forest. From her he learns the languages of animals, and slowly learns to hide his gift of animal magic as his mother does, and to live in fear of it being discovered - anyone caught using animal magic is burned.
At seventeen, many years after his mother died, George travels to a neighbourin More...
At seventeen, many years after his mother died, George travels to a neighbourin More...
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(7 people liked it)
Jun 26, 2008
Angie
rated it:
Despite the cover (and title), the princess and her hound are not the main characters in this story. The narrative centers instead on a boy named George. Prince George, to be exact. And Prince George possesses a pack of problems. His mother died when he was young, leaving him alone in the world with no siblings to share his grief and a father who knows how to rule a kingdom but understands nothing of how to be a father. On top of which, George has the dubious gift of animal magic. He can speak t
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(7 people liked it)
Apr 14, 2008
Emily
rated it: 
I thoroughly enjoyed The Princess and the Hound. It is one of those original fairy tales that sweeps you up into a fantasy land of animal magic and princesses.
Prince George shares a deadly secret with his mother. They have the animal magic. Those with animal magic are burned to death because the people fear them. When George's mother dies because of her magic, George tries to supress his, but it almost kills him, too.
As George grows up, he tries to do everything a king-t More...
Prince George shares a deadly secret with his mother. They have the animal magic. Those with animal magic are burned to death because the people fear them. When George's mother dies because of her magic, George tries to supress his, but it almost kills him, too.
As George grows up, he tries to do everything a king-t More...
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(5 people liked it)
Mar 25, 2008
Robin
rated it:
This books joins some of my favorite fantasy novels reminiscent of fairy tales (although I believe this one is original), and reminds me strongly of Shannon Hale's Goose Girl series in the language, the character driven journey, and the internal struggle of the characters. This book gets points from me for being about the prince, rather than the princess, and therefore joins the ranks of the select few great fairy tale books with a male protagonist (joining Sean Stewart's Nobody's Son, Patricia McKillip
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(2 people liked it)
Dec 26, 2007
Bonnie Gayle
rated it:
This book ended up being different from what I expected, mainly because, despite the title, the p.o.v. is from a Prince, and not the Princess or the Hound.
NOTE: Don't read further if you haven't read the book, because it is impossible to summarize without giving away more than the jacket description does. So, if you want to read it entirely unspoiled, don't read on!
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Prince George has grown up with a loving, sweet mother, More...
NOTE: Don't read further if you haven't read the book, because it is impossible to summarize without giving away more than the jacket description does. So, if you want to read it entirely unspoiled, don't read on!
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Prince George has grown up with a loving, sweet mother, More...
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(3 people liked it)
Mar 15, 2010
Helen
rated it:
This book really took me by surprise and I loved it far more than I thought I would. I was expecting an average book that would be enjoyable but wouldn't make much impressions on me but I was wrong. I was expecting it to be narrated by the princess, but George was an unexpected but a very interesting person to see through the eyes of. The story is told in a gentle but very down to earth manner resulting in a deep, mature novel. The summary on the book and the title are very misleading, making it
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(1 person liked it)
Mar 13, 2009
Allison
rated it:
This book is a liar. It is not really about a Princess or a Hound. It is about a boy named George, who is a Prince with Animal Magic. That type of magic is forbidden in his kindgom, and this book is about the different struggles the characters go through to each hide parts of themselves from the world that are deemed "unacceptable."
Even though this book is not told by, or really about a Princess or a Hound, I still really liked it, and had a hard time putting it down. More...
Even though this book is not told by, or really about a Princess or a Hound, I still really liked it, and had a hard time putting it down. More...
Aug 01, 2008
Kim
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Nov 06, 2011
Mara
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It took me a while to become interested in the story. The first few chapters mainly focus on George's childhood, and while I first disliked these chapters, I now realize that perhaps I would not have come to care for George as I do if the Author hadn't put them in. Besides, certain events in his childhood are very important to the story's plot. What ranks this book as being higher up on my list than I thought it would be was the fact that I was stumped for quite some time as to what the plot-twi
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Aug 19, 2011
Camille
rated it:
I found this book really great. It had an interesting plot and the twists throughout totally caught me off guard. They were brilliant! I adored spending time getting to know these characters and understanding how they felt. There was great character development and the characters themselves were much like real people. It was a fun read that made me want to read the next book. *SPOILER* That being said, there were some things I would have changed just a little, like the trust he puts in the man w
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Jul 15, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
Three and a half stars. I could have loved this book, but there were enough plot elements that bothered me that I was not satisfied at the end.
Unlike a lot of reviewers, I actually loved the beginning. I loved the prince's story from childhood to adulthood. I thought he was a very well-developed character. I enjoyed the evolution of his relationship with his father. I felt his mother's fear when trying to keep her son's secret to protect his life.
Even when Prince Geo More...
Unlike a lot of reviewers, I actually loved the beginning. I loved the prince's story from childhood to adulthood. I thought he was a very well-developed character. I enjoyed the evolution of his relationship with his father. I felt his mother's fear when trying to keep her son's secret to protect his life.
Even when Prince Geo More...
Jun 03, 2011
Amanda
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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(2 people liked it)
May 24, 2011
Vicky
rated it:
The title of this book is deceptive as the entire book is about Prince George, not the princess or her hound. In fact, we don’t even get to meet them until well over half-way through the book, and then it is only through George’s eyes. I can only assume she was trying to reel in the young male readers, but that’s not going to happen with either the title, or the story.
George is the crown prince of Kendel. In this country, anyone caught with animal magic – someone who can speak More...
Feb 21, 2011
Julie
rated it:
In the kingdom of Kendel, having the gift of animal magic is punishable by death. Prince George must hide his unique talent and do everything he can to become a good ruler. But when he agrees to marry icy Princess Beatrice - who is never without her faithful hound, Marit - he begins to realize that his secret and hers may be intertwined.
I liked the atmosphere of this book, which is meant to be a re-telling of "Beauty and the Beast." It felt very much like reading an old-fashi More...
I liked the atmosphere of this book, which is meant to be a re-telling of "Beauty and the Beast." It felt very much like reading an old-fashi More...
Feb 05, 2011
cecilia
rated it:
The Princess And The Hound is a pleasant fairy tale, though a little slow-paced compared to recently-read Graceling and ICE. The tagline said: "Beauty and the Beast retold - but the Beast is a woman," but do not be fooled. This is so much more - if not, completely different - than any Beauty and the Beast story that I have read. The story actually revolved around George as he came to terms with his kingly responsibilities, the impending marriage, and animal magic. Beatrice and her houn
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May 12, 2010
Klerine
rated it:
Despite the title, the Princess and the Hound is not in the point-of-view of either characters, but rather an uncertain prince by the name of George. The book begins with a story of the feared animal magic, and leads to the life of Prince George.
We see George from his earliest years as he grows up, losing his mother, discovering his gifts and trying to fulfil his duties as heir apparent. When George turns 17, I think, he visit the princess of a rival kingdom, whom he is to marry, and More...
We see George from his earliest years as he grows up, losing his mother, discovering his gifts and trying to fulfil his duties as heir apparent. When George turns 17, I think, he visit the princess of a rival kingdom, whom he is to marry, and More...
Aug 30, 2009
Holly
rated it:
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Aug 08, 2009
Katie
rated it:
I really enjoyed this book. It is supposedly a fairy tale retold - but it's no fairy tale I've ever heard before. It's a story about animal magic, a prince who is trying to figure out who he is, and a princess and hound who are inseparable.
The first book I read by Mette Harrison was Mira Mirror and it was also about magic and I enjoyed it. But there was no romance in that book. This book had a nice, subtle romance and it was told from the prince's perspective, which I really en More...
The first book I read by Mette Harrison was Mira Mirror and it was also about magic and I enjoyed it. But there was no romance in that book. This book had a nice, subtle romance and it was told from the prince's perspective, which I really en More...
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Apr 22, 2010
Devon
rated it:
This book has a round about way of sucking... now don't get me wrong i was looking forward to reading a modern fairy tale but the book was...not anything like was expecting and lost me quite a few times.
The story seems to jump around with out really focusing on anything...it doesn't really have a set/main conflict it has what I have decided to dub undressed conflicts. (for those who don't know undressed was a tv show on mtv during the show up to four stories would be going on at once More...
The story seems to jump around with out really focusing on anything...it doesn't really have a set/main conflict it has what I have decided to dub undressed conflicts. (for those who don't know undressed was a tv show on mtv during the show up to four stories would be going on at once More...
Jul 29, 2009
Kelly
rated it:
This was a book that I'd seen at bookstores and not been particularly interested in reading. However, when I came across it at the library I decided to give it a chance, and found it quite enjoyable. The story has the feel of an old-fashioned fairy tale, complete with princes & princesses, castles, magic, and people who have been enchanted into animal forms. The main character is Prince George, who has been born with the ability to speak to animals in a kingdom where magic is outlawed. Thoug
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Dec 10, 2010
Miriam
rated it:
I really liked the plot premise of this book. The "animal-magic" was intriguing, as was the theme of humans being transformed into animals. The development of this magic was so interesting to me, which is mostly why I gave the book a 3.
Unfortunately the book falls short of its potential, first because the characters were boring (especially the hero prince, who had a lot of past hurts but hardly any spice of wickedness to make him human) and second because the plot development More...
Unfortunately the book falls short of its potential, first because the characters were boring (especially the hero prince, who had a lot of past hurts but hardly any spice of wickedness to make him human) and second because the plot development More...
Jul 25, 2009
Julee
rated it:
This book, I would say, is like Goosegirl meets Beauty and the Beast. It has many similarities of Goosegirl by Shannon Hale, except it is a prince instead of a princess. Prince George has the gift or talent that his mother had and that was "Animal Magic", or the gift of speaking to animals. When his mother dies, he suppresses this magic some not only because he misses his mother, but also because it is a crime to have the talent of Animal Magic. As he grows he learns the duties to
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May 06, 2011
Saba
rated it:
BEAUTIFUL! The emotions SOO raw it broke my heart.
George is a prince, a wielder of animal magic, just as his mother had been. But in a country where animal magic is feared and even outlawed, it is something he must hide, despite the pain it brings. His mother died of not being able to practice her animal magic, and now he suffers great headaches and nausea because of it. His father, the king who has always treated George as a prince instead of a son, doesn't even acknowledge the power.
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George is a prince, a wielder of animal magic, just as his mother had been. But in a country where animal magic is feared and even outlawed, it is something he must hide, despite the pain it brings. His mother died of not being able to practice her animal magic, and now he suffers great headaches and nausea because of it. His father, the king who has always treated George as a prince instead of a son, doesn't even acknowledge the power.
More...
Sep 06, 2010
Darla
rated it:
(Genre:Teen fiction/fantasy) This is the story of Prince George, a lonely child who loses his mother (whom he was very close to) at a young age and doesn't feel like he is really future king material. You see, he has a magical ability that he keeps hidden. He can speak to animals in their language and understand them. However, this ability is looked upon with mistrust and suspicion by the rest of the population. People with animal magic are killed as soon as they are discovered and Prince George
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Oct 29, 2010
Just Wasn't For Me...I Can See How Some Would Love It Though
I'm the kind of reader that likes details, I like to know what things look like, smell like and sound like. I generally don't go in for fairytales and things of that nature but I do love animals, especially dogs. The cover of the book grabbed my attention and I wondered if I would enjoy this story.
I knew going into it that it was a fairytale-like book and the writing definitely has that feel to it. It's easy to More...
I'm the kind of reader that likes details, I like to know what things look like, smell like and sound like. I generally don't go in for fairytales and things of that nature but I do love animals, especially dogs. The cover of the book grabbed my attention and I wondered if I would enjoy this story.
I knew going into it that it was a fairytale-like book and the writing definitely has that feel to it. It's easy to More...
Apr 17, 2009
K.
rated it:
I liked the story and the imagery. I am a sucker for a fairy tale. I loved that it was totally clean, yet sufficiently "romantic" to tickle my fancy. The writing quality wasn't particularly fantastic, but not too bad either, just a little vague and rambling at points. I rated it a 4 for originality and because I was well-entertained for the time being--impressed at an author who can publish a clean book in these times.
I liked the various gospel doctrine in disguise themes More...
I liked the various gospel doctrine in disguise themes More...
Jul 23, 2009
Heather
rated it:
I think my reasons for being compelled into this book are going to be very different from others ...
I loved all the ideas about what makes a good king/effective king/happy king/etc. It's something I'm having trouble with in my own novel and its not something that is discussed enough in fantasy I think. Leadership is service and sacrifice but where can you draw the line for a personal life? Loved it.
I was pleasantly surprised that this book was in the POV of the prince (I More...
I loved all the ideas about what makes a good king/effective king/happy king/etc. It's something I'm having trouble with in my own novel and its not something that is discussed enough in fantasy I think. Leadership is service and sacrifice but where can you draw the line for a personal life? Loved it.
I was pleasantly surprised that this book was in the POV of the prince (I More...
Dec 27, 2008
R.j.
rated it:
I could hardly have wished for a better Christmas present to myself than reading this book. I didn't want it to end (and yet I couldn't bear to slow down to make it last longer), and when it was over I found myself looking forward to reading it again.
Harrison made me really care about her characters (especially George, who is gentle, reserved, and damaged without being in the least wimpy or contemptible), and although I could sort of mistily foresee where the story was going in the More...
Harrison made me really care about her characters (especially George, who is gentle, reserved, and damaged without being in the least wimpy or contemptible), and although I could sort of mistily foresee where the story was going in the More...
