Isi's fairy-tale beginning
Begin with The Goose Girl, then follow the four friends through the remaining books in order.
Book Series · 4 Books
The Books of Bayern Books
In order from The Goose Girl to Forest Born.
Four connected YA fantasies about friends in Bayern learning to control rare powers while defending one another and their kingdom.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Reading order
How to Read the Books of Bayern
Read The Goose Girl, Enna Burning, River Secrets, and Forest Born in publication order. Each book gives a different member of the same group the central role, while relationships and consequences carry forward.
The Goose Girl retells the Grimm fairy tale and can stand on its own, but the later books assume familiarity with Bayern and the friendships established there. Forest Born is the fourth and final book.
Sources: Bloomsbury's official Books of Bayern series, Bloomsbury's official Forest Born page.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
The fairy-tale setting includes attempted murder, betrayal, captivity, war, fire, battle injuries, and character deaths. Some scenes involve emotional manipulation and fear of losing control over dangerous powers. Romance is present but secondary, and the books put more emphasis on friendship, identity, responsibility, and the consequences of violence.
Where to start
Where Should a New Reader Start?
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$1248
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2003
The Goose Girl
By Shannon Hale
A princess, betrayed and alone, must embrace her hidden powers to reclaim her destiny.
432 pages· 91,762 words· Est. 8.5 hour read
6.0/7 Bookroo
$12.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Crown Princess Ani, gifted with the language of birds, faces betrayal by her lady-in-waiting during a journey to a foreign land. Stripped of her identity, she becomes a goose girl, hiding in plain sight. As she navigates this new life, Ani must harness her unique talents to uncover her true voice and reclaim her rightful place. Will she rise from the ashes of betrayal to fulfill her destiny, or remain lost in obscurity? Discover Ani's journey of self-discovery and empowerment in a tale where magic and courage intertwine.
In reading order
The Books of Bayern Series
4 books · Published 2003–2009
#1
Sale price
$1248
The Goose Girl
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2003
A princess, betrayed and alone, must embrace her hidden powers to reclaim her destiny.
#2
Sale price
$1049
Enna Burning
Chapter Book · Ages 13–+ · 2004
Fire's power could save or destroy Enna as war threatens Bayern.
#3
Sale price
$1248
River Secrets
Chapter Book · Ages 13–18 · 2006
A soldier's hidden talents may be the key to unraveling a deadly mystery in enemy lands.
#4
Sale price
$1049
Forest Born
Chapter Book · Ages 13–+ · 2009
A girl seeks her identity amidst a looming threat in a magical kingdom.
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the Books of Bayern series?
There are 4 books in the Books of Bayern series. It began with The Goose Girl in 2003, and the newest book, Forest Born, was published in 2009.
What order should you read the Books of Bayern books in?
Start with The Goose Girl and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #4.
What ages are the Books of Bayern books best for?
The series is best for ages 12–18, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
Which Books of Bayern book is the longest?
The Goose Girl (Book #1) is the longest book in the series at 91,762 words (432 pages).
Which Books of Bayern book is the shortest?
River Secrets (Book #3) is the shortest at 64,370 words (320 pages).
The people
The Creative Behind the Books
The people who bring The Books of Bayern to life.
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