The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

Summary: Princess Anidori-Kiladra of Kildenree had every reason to expect she would one day rule as queen of her country.  Instead, her mother offers her as a bride to the prince of Bayern, hoping in that manner to make peace between the two countries.  During the trip to Bayern, however, half of Ani’s guards rebel, setting up her maid Selia as princess of Kildenree.  Ani flees for her life, ultimately finding work as a goose girl for the palace of her betrothed.  To unmask Selia and claim her rightful identity, however, Ani will have to learn to trust her co-workers, as well as her own abilities.  The first of the Books of Bayern.

Forest Born by Shannon Hale

Summary: Razo’s little sister Rin used to find peace by listening to the trees that surround her home in the Forest. Lately, however, she has not felt as welcomed, so when Razo comes home from the capital for a visit, she decides to return to the city with him. As a waiting woman for Isi at the palace, Rin quickly becomes attached to the two-year-old Prince Tusken. When his safety is threatened, she joins an adventure that will lead her, Isi, Enna, and Dasha to Kel where they must confront a queen who is ordering new fire-witches to burn Bayern towns.

Forest Born is the fourth Book of Bayern, following The Goose Girl, Enna Burning, and River Secrets.

River Secrets by Shannon Hale

Summary: Razo is a member of Bayern’s Own, the elite group of warriors that serves the king, but his position was earned through the part he played ending the war with Tira and not through physical prowess.  When he is chosen as part of the small group that will accompany the ambassador to Tira in hopes to prevent a reopening of the war, he has no idea why and strongly considers going home. Razo soon discovers, however, that he has an important role to play in keeping peace and that he possesses more skills than he had realized.

River Secrets is the third Book of Bayern, following The Goose Girl and Enna Burning.

Enna Burning by Shannon Hale

Summary: Enna wants a life beyond tending her home in the Forest, but when she has the chance to learn to control fire, she thinks it might be too dangerous. Bayern, however, is at war with Tira to the south, and Enna believes her kingdom can be victorious only if she uses the fire—the augury made that clear. She must find a way to use her power to burn the Tiran without being consumed herself; she may find that she herself is her greatest enemy.

Enna Burning is the second Book of Bayern, following The Goose Girl.

Review: Enna Burning is a perfect companion book to The Goose Girl. Hale retains the characters from her first book but brings new ones to the forefront, allowing them to control the action and even flavor the book with their different personalities.  Enna is a stronger, more tempestuous protagonist than Isi, and Enna Burning becomes slightly darker and more action-oriented than The Goose Girl.