The Book of a Thousand Days - Shannon Hale

Read for: YA Challenge

Read simply because it was written by Shannon Hale, I'll admit that the blurb on the back didn't immediately grab me, seeming to be for younger readers. Trusting Hale's wonderful writing though, I persevered and am so glad that I did!

Our heroine is Dashti, a mucker maid who joins the service of Lady Saren, moments before the Lady is locked away in a tower by her father, for refusing to marry Lord Khasar and betrothing herself to the young Khan Tegus. Saren becomes miserable in her seclusion and Dashti uses all her healing skills to help comfort her. After two and a half years in the tower, with the very real threat of Lord Khasar in the city, the girls make an escape, only to find new challenges and difficulties on their path to freedom.

The story is a lot more complicated that that, but the intricacies of Hale's storytelling are a delight to read, thus I do not want to spoil them for you here. The Book of a Thousand Days is another adaptation of a fairytale by the Brothers Grimm, Maid Maleen. Although clearly based on a fairytale, I also found this story interesting socially and is a classic adventure romance.

Dashti is a lovely character, plucky though resigned to her status and position in society, she is primarily very loyal to her Lady and takes her role very seriously. Tegus is a good lead male character, though with the all important flaws. I found Lady Saren most irritating at first, but her character and the orders she often gives Dashti added a great deal of mystery for me, and I was curious throughout the tale what her motivation might be.

I would recommend it for anyone who loves a good fairytale retelling, or simply a good yarn.

Other blog reviews:

Rhinoa's Ramblings
Becky's Book Reviews