Cassandra Fugal (Children's Book and Play Review,)
At first glance The Princess and the Hound appears to be a modern retelling of a fairy tale with enchantments, magic, and of course, romance. Although Harrison uses fairy tale motifs to weave her story, the tale is wholly original and a delightful departure from typically fairy tales. The story is narrated not by the Princess, indeed she is not even the main character, but by Prince George, the heir to a neighboring kingdom and the Princess's betrothed. Since Prince George's mother died, he has lived in fear of discovery; he possesses animal magic (the ability to speak with animals) that is reviled and feared by his subjects. Because of this gift he holds himself apart from everyone, afraid that they will discover his secret. Alone and alienated, the prince fears his power and his ability to rule the kingdom. When Prince George betroths himself to Princess Beatrice, the only child of the king of the neighboring kingdom, he finds someone who sees him for whom he truly is without fear of rejection. While Beatrice does not have animal magic she has long been over looked and harshly rejected by her father who desired a son; she too is alone and alienated except for her hound, Marit. As Prince George comes to know the princess and Marit, he discovers that she is under a curse that only his animal magic can reverse. Harrison skillfully does not climax the story with the removal of the curse but allows the Prince and Princess to continue developing as they learn to step out of the shadows and force others to truly see them. Although the story is slow at points Harrison keeps the readers' interest; the overall story is compelling, and the intricate details weave a delightful tale. Rating: Outstanding. Reading Level: Young adult. Category: Fairy tales. 2007, HarperCollins, 410 p., $18.89. © 2002, Brigham Young University.

Naomi Milliner (Children's Literature)
The story opens with the legend of King Richon, whose cruelty to animals ultimately led to his becoming one, a bear. Ever since that time, those who possess animal magic have been killed or forced to keep their talent hidden. One such victim was Queen Lara, who died when her son was just five years old. He, Prince George, is the story’s hero. Like his beloved mother, the prince has the animal magic. However, he has decided to keep it hidden. Then, at age 17, George meets Princess Beatrice, the beautiful but cold young woman with a distant expression whom he is to marry. Her only companion is a hound named Marit; the two are inseparable. At first, Beatrice’s coldness suits George just fine; he does not want to care for her, since he knows that losing a loved one can be painful. Over time, however, he grows fond of both her and Marit. His affection is unrequited. Dr. Gharn, the physician who is allegedly treating the king’s mysterious illness, describes Beatrice as being two women in one. Eventually, it comes out that Gharn, seeking revenge for his daughter’s death, has not only poisoned the king but also turned the princess into the hound and vice versa. When George suddenly realizes it is Marit he truly loves, he determines to free her from the spell. This well-told story is peopled with complex characters and interwoven plots far too numerous to summarize. It is rich and romantic enough to please many a reader. 2007, EOS/HarperCollins, $17.99. Ages 12 to 16.

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, April 1, 2007 (Vol. 75, No. 7))
Like a tale spun out over many winter evenings, this moves at a stately pace, and even its climax is measured. It begins with the story of King Richon and the Wild Man, and how the king became a bear. His descendant, the young Prince George, shares with his mother the ability to understand animal speech and lives, which is forbidden in the kingdom. When the queen dies, George is left with his secret and the burden of feeling he cannot be as good a king as his father. When George is betrothed to a neighboring princess who is always accompanied by her dog, it takes him a long time to tease out the relationship between the princess and her hound, despite his gift. The author ably delineates the power of the forest and its creatures and explores the difficulty of how to know another, even one's father or one's betrothed. Not for readers who want fast pacing or strong action, but still a well-told tale. 2007, Eos/HarperCollins, 416p, $17.99. Category: Fantasy. Ages 12 to 14. © 2007 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Claire Rosser (KLIATT Review, May 2007 (Vol. 41, No. 3))
With the language and feeling of a fairy tale, Harrison tells a story of a prince, George, who is capable of speaking the language of animals, a talent he inherited from his mother. This is forbidden, punishable by death, in their kingdom. George understands that he has to hide his ability, even though repressing his relationship with animals causes him to be physically ill; he must escape to the forest every so often to contact wild creatures and become well again. Prince George grows up, and when his father is dying, George is sent to the neighboring kingdom to meet the princess who will be his wife. Princess Beatrice is a strange girl whose closest tie is with her dog, but George soon knows Beatrice doesn’t possess the ability he has of speaking animal language, so her relationship with her hound is something strange. The hound seems human. Whoops--I told. There is plenty of good vs. evil in the struggle and George is a likeable hero, a nuanced character who is sensitive to the needs of others while he is also trying to be strong and brave. Well written and intriguing. Harrison has a Ph.D. in Germanic literature and her intelligence and love of language shine throughout. Category: Hardcover Fiction. KLIATT Codes: JS--Recommended for junior and senior high school students. 2007, HarperCollins, 410p., $17.99. Ages 12 to 18.

Rebecca Gaxiola (Kutztown Book Review, Spring 2008)
Prince George of Kendel has a special ability: animal magic. However, animal magic is not something accepted in his kingdom, so he hides it and tries to stay away from animals. When Prince George is seventeen he becomes betrothed to Beatrice, Daughter of King Helm of Sarrey, who goes nowhere without her hound Marit. The story is about them meeting and getting to know each other and their secrets. Overall, I liked the story. The plots were new and interesting but a little confusing. The characters are very interesting and the descriptions are wonderful. Category: Fiction. 2007, Harper Collins Publisher, $18.89. Ages 12 to 18.

Cindy Welch (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, June 2007 (Vol. 60, No. 10))
Like his mother, the queen, George possesses the gift of animal-speak, but most folks in Kendel and neighboring kingdoms consider it a sign of sorcery, and its possessors keep their abilities secret for fear of being burned at the stake. George loses his mother at a young age, his father’s grief distances father and son, and the burdensome secret of his outlawed magic further separates George from the lives of those around him. In time, George is betrothed to a suitable princess from another land, and he thinks she is perfect—not least of all because she too is an animal lover, sharing a deep bond with her dog. However, George discovers that the bond is more than he thought and that his bride is in fact ensorcelled, with her soul and that of her pet exchanged. In order to reverse the enchantment and win the princess’ love, he must reveal his magic and risk the loss of kingdom and family. This is polished storytelling, satisfyingly old-fashioned in tone, with a dreamy, naïve quality that will draw young romantics. The appealing narrative gains resonance from its employment and reinterpretation of “Beauty and the Beast,” which will please fairy-tale lovers. Fans of Napoli’s Zel (BCCB 7/96) and Pattou’s East (BCCB 10/03) will be quite happy in the Kendel woods. Review Code: R -- Recommended. (c) Copyright 2006, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2007, Eos/HarperCollins, 416p.; Reviewed from galleys, $18.89 and $17.99. Grades 7-10.

Melissa Johnson (The Lorgnette - Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 20, No. 3))
George, Prince of Kendel, has animal magic--the ability to speak animal languages. However, animal magic is forbidden in his kingdom and the rival kingdom of Sarrey. His mother also had animal magic, and she taught George how to use it, but after she died, he realized how different he was from everyone and tried to suppress it. As an attempt to settle differences between the two rival kingdoms, Prince George is betrothed to the Princess of Sarrey, Beatrice. As a matter of duty, he is bound by the betrothal, but after he meets Beatrice and her hound Marit, he feels a connection with her that he has not had with anyone else since his mother. Her strange mannerisms and thoughts about her duties as Princess endear him to her, and he tells her about his animal magic. He trusts her enough with his secret, but will he find out about hers before it is too late? Harrison, with her third addition to the teenage novel genre, is adept at bringing the reader on a journey. Talking to animals in their various forms is not unique in and of itself, but with the thread of romance woven into the plot, the story comes alive and adds a new dimension to this aspect of folklore. The common emotion of being outsiders felt by George and Beatrice will not be lost on any teenager. This is highly recommended to all libraries. Fiction, Highly Recommended. Grades 7-9. 2007, Eos, 410p., $18.89. Ages 12 to 15.

Courtney Wika (VOYA, August 2007 (Vol. 30, No 3))
Prince George of Kendel is overwhelmed by the responsibilities in his life. Not only does he have the dark secret of "animal magic" that he must keep hidden from everyone, including those closest to him, he also is haunted by the less-than-ideal relationship with his father, King Davit. After the death of his mother, the only person who truly understood him, George must come to terms with his father's illness, his impending kingship, and his looming marriage to the seemingly coldhearted Princess Beatrice of Sarrey. George is surprised to find, however, that he is strangely drawn to Beatrice and the fierce bond that she has with her hound, Marit. What he learns in the end is twofold: that what he once deemed a curse of character is really the best part of him, and that love does indeed have the power to heal. Although older readers might find some of the plot devices contrived, most will form a strong connection to the flawed and ultimately relatable protagonists, George and Beatrice. The novel will appeal mostly to fantasy fans who appreciate magic and anthropomorphism. It offers a refreshing spin on the male adolescent coming-of-age story, as George rejects the violence of battle and sport hunting and instead finds strength in animals and nature. Animal life is valued in this story, and the novel advances messages of honesty, tolerance, and self-acceptance. The fairy-tale ending may seem too sweet, but it is a just and deserving end for the two protagonists. VOYA CODES: 3Q 2P M J (Readable without serious defects; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2007, Eos/HarperCollins, 416p., $17.99 and PLB $18.89. Ages 11 to 15.

Anita Beaman (VOYA, February 2008 (Vol. 30, No. 6))
Prince George must keep his ability to talk to animals a secret. In Kendel, animal magic is punishable by death, and the fear and loathing toward practitioners is reminiscent of the witch hunts of medieval Europe. Even as royalty, George cannot reveal his secret. Lonely and isolated, George accepts his betrothal to Princess Beatrice as a political alliance, expecting never to trust enough to find love. But when George and Beatrice meet, George is drawn to Beatrice and the beautiful hound, Marit, who is her constant companion. In the pair, George finds not only trust but also others whose lives have been touched by animal magic. George is not a typical Prince Charming, but Beatrice has the feel of a damsel in distress. Both need rescuing in their own ways, and Harrison sets up a story that draws readers into their growing relationship. George, the infatuated prince, is an atypical fairy-tale narrator. His perspective adds depth and insight to his character, but Beatrice's chilly personality is less developed. Her isolation is just as apparent as George's, and he is drawn to her through their shared loneliness. George's growth from prince to king is admirable, especially as he learns to accept his shortcomings and his secret abilities and forgive himself his past mistakes. His "rescue" of Beatrice and Marit is a bit confusing, but Harrison creates a story with a fairy-tale feel that will keep fantasy fans turning pages happily ever after. VOYA CODES: 4Q 4P M J S (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2007, HarperCollins, 416p., $17.99 and PLB $18.89. Ages 11 to 18.