“Mama used to say, you have to know someone a thousand days before you can glimpse her soul.”― Shannon Hale, Book of a Thousand Days
This terrific young adult novel from author Shannon Hale will appeal to readers of all ages. As with some of Hale’s other books, this is a retelling of a Grimm fairy tale and Hale does a superb job fleshing out the story into a full length novel with strong female characters, danger, intrigue, and romance. Set in a fictionalized ancient Mongolia, this is the story of Dashti, a maid, and her mistress, Lady Saren. When Lady Saren refuses to marry the man chosen by her father, she is imprisoned in a remote tower as punishment. Dashti chooses to give up her own freedom and accompanies Lady Saren into exile. The two young women have virtually nothing in common and initially their time together is not great but as the days and weeks turn to months and years, they develop a deep bond and loyalty. That bond is tested when they both love the same man, in different ways and for different reasons.
Shannon Hale has done it again. She’s created a page turning narrative, compelling characters, and an ending that is pretty much perfection. When it comes to recreating fairy tales, no one does it better than Shannon Hale.
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