Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Book of a Thousand Days

Author: Shannon Hale
Back-of-the-Book Description: When Dashti, a maid, and Lady Saren, her mistress, are shut in a tower for seven years for Saren’s refusal to marry a man she despises, the two prepare for a very long and dark imprisonment.
As food runs low and the days go from broiling hot to freezing cold, it is all Dashti can do to keep them fed and comfortable. But the arrival outside the tower of Saren’s two suitors—one welcome, and the other decidedly less so—brings both hope and great danger, and Dashti must make the desperate choices of a girl whose life is worth more than she knows.
With Shannon Hale’s lyrical language, this forgotten but classic fairy tale from the Brothers Grimm is reimagined and reset on the central Asian steppes; it is a completely unique retelling filled with adventure and romance, drama and disguise.
My Description: Dashti is the main character of this book, and she is a joy to read about. You get into her head, and hear her innermost thoughts as this whole book is written in diary format, and you can't help but empathize with her situation, as well as sympathize. She starts out believing she is nothing, merely a creature made from mud to serve the Gentry, but as the book continues, she finds her confidence, and fights for herself.
But she never stops taking care of Saren, her Lady. Saren is crazy, literally, and at first she is a mystery. At one point I hated her, at one point Dashti did, but as the book moves on, and the story continues, you can't help but care for her. The reason for her madness could have been more... delved into, I suppose, and it was a bit of a let down how little there was to it, but still, it was understandable, and she got a happy ending in the book as well.
The foreshadowing in this book was amazing, so amazing that you didn't even see it coming, and yet when it came, it was like the pieces of a puzzle snapping together. Near the end so many things came together, and of course, the story had a happy ending, which is something I demand from almost all books.
And of course, the ending was perfect. Those last lines... don't read ahead like I did. I read the last page when I was near the middle, to see if it ended happily, and it was so lyrical and lovely... I tried to forget it (and failed), but it was even better the second time, ending the story sweetly and well.
I'll admit, some aspects of this book are predictable, but not everything, and I was surprised numerous times. Also, some people might say Dashti is a little childish, but I think that's just the way she is, and I didn't really mind or notice it much.
In the beginning, Book of a Thousand Days is a little slow. Interesting, yes, but nothing much happens. However, as the story continues to the second part, things pick up pace. It you start to get bored (which I didn't), don't give up. There is excitement to follow!
Dashti always makes the best of her situation. When she's in the tower, she's happy for not having to fight for survival, when she's out, she's so glad to have the sun and stars. She is not always prepared, but she fights, and does whatever necessary to make things right.
All in all, this is a wonderful story. When Dear Sister (who was reading it aloud to me) sadly finished it, we both just sat there. I don't know about her, but all I could think was 'Wow'. I just loved it.
Pages: 320
Recommendations: There are two or three things in the book that are a little gory, (you don't really see it happen in the story, it is only referred to) so I'd say girls 10+, unless it's a family together.
Writing Rating: 8 1/2
Story Rating: 8
Overall Rating: 8 1/2


Book 18 of '09, Book #68 of all