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Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “If you expect a fairy tale, be aware that this one is of the dark-ish kind. I love the beginning and the ominous buildup as you know-yet-whis-you're-wrong about what is going to happen. Loses tempo after that, and the MC does turn a bit Mary Sue-ish in the second half. The writing, alas, often...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “Way to adult to be in the kid section. Insest evil kings, poor princess.....” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“ This was a really well-written book. I felt that it had a double sense to it. I liked how Robin McKinley used a very important figure to allow the problem to happen to because in real life anybody can be in the same situation.
Isabel C wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The struggles the main character went through were obviously fictional but it can be applied to the real world and what really does happen. I say this because even though we don't use magic we do share the same healing process that the princess went through.
This is a wonderful piece of fiction that can be correlated to real life. I recommend this book to anyone.”“Way to adult to be in the kid section. Insest evil kings, poor princess.....”
Kristy B wrote this review Thursday, October 22 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Princess Lissar is the daughter of the most beautiful woman in seven kingdoms. When her mother falls ill, she extracts a promise from the king that he will remarry again, but only to a woman who matches the queen in beauty. Lissar is mostly forgotten in the kingdom's mourning. However, a neighboring royal family sends their condolences and a puppy for Lissar. Ash, the fleethound puppy, is the only joy in Lissar's life, as she spends the next two years training her dog, learning herbalism, and avoiding her father. On her 17th birthday, when she becomes eligible to be married, Lissar's father decides that his daughter matches her mother's beauty and he will marry her. What follows is a brutal assault that leaves Lissar physically, mentally, and emotionally damaged. She flees the castle and is transformed by the moon goddess, becoming the mysterious Deerskin. As she tries to start a new life in the kingdom where Ash came from, she must grapple with her painful memories.
Bonnie S wrote this review Sunday, October 18 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Deerskin is a retelling of Charles Perrault's story "Donkeyskin." I was introduced to a variation of this story through Jim Henson's The Storyteller, where it was called "Sapsorrow." This story is beautiful and heartbreaking. McKinley's language is very traditional, moving at a slow but steady pace, which builds up great amounts of tension in the first part of the book. The relationship between Ash and Lissar will appeal to any dog-person - I gave my dog a lot of squeezes while reading, though she's the farthest thing from a fleethound! I was very caught up in Lissar's transformation from forgotten princess to a strong, almost-mythical woman.
This isn't an easy read. I was drawn in by the characters and the language, and I had a pretty good-sized knot in my stomach during the first part of the book (and some of the second)! Lissar's healing process is difficult and worth reading, by those who enjoy retold fairy tales or those looking for a strong female character.”“Stunning and powerful, McKinley's retelling of the Donkeyskin fairy tale confronts the horror in the story head on. Deerskin has to deal with the unbearable, and only through myth and magic can she survive. A grim reflection on reality, where the Moonwoman cannot be counted on to intervene.”
Beth M wrote this review Wednesday, September 23 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I like Robin McKinley's books, but this one was hard to read.”
Cathy E wrote this review Saturday, August 29 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“heartbreaking, and really well written. loved it. ”
golden-eyed ghost wrote this review Sunday, August 9 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Wonderful main character, pretty doggies. Hits all the sots for me.”
~* Delirium Lullaby *~ wrote this review Friday, July 24 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“readingamidstthechaos.blogspot.com”
Dana W wrote this review Thursday, July 16 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Really good through provoking fairy tale.”
KB wrote this review Wednesday, July 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Was one of the first books I read in high school and I loved it although it is a sad story but it all works out in the end.”
Candice Harper wrote this review Tuesday, September 29 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
