Length: 306 (Paperback)
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Genre: YA Fiction | Fantasy | Fairy Tale
Preface: This is Shannon Hale's remake of Maid Maleen (a Grimm Fairy Tale).
My summary: When Lady Saren is sentenced to seven years in a tower for refusing her betrothed, her maid Dashti bravely chooses to accompany her. What follows is a truly heroic fairy tale written from the eyes of a very unlikely heroine; the maid.
My say: Shannon Hale completely captured me from the very first page. From the moment I opened Dashti's diary, I felt as though I too was sitting in a dark tower watching the bricks seal me in. Dashti's desperation and courage bounces off the pages.
Plot: Engrossing
Story: Enchanting
Writing: Lyrical
My star rating: 5 out of 5 stars
My favorite quote: "Smell is the voice of the soul..."
My cover thoughts: It is the hardcover (of Dashti holding her journal) that steals my vote. The paperback cover (of the silky haired girl) simply does not capture the essence of this fable.
My kiddie-o-meter: While there is no sex nor foul language, this is not one of your Disney fairy tales. The characters are occasionally faced with very real, raw, and cruel adversaries. The mentions of war, death, and nudity are all handled very well and feel essential to the time period and story.
My contest: If you are a resident of the U.S. or Canada and would like to win my gently used signed paperback copy of Book of a Thousand Days, please comment with your email address below. A winner will be announced May 31st.
My final say: Try (just try) to put this book down once you have started it.
A huge thanks to Lizzy at Cornucopia of Reviews
for making this review and contest possible.
for making this review and contest possible.
This looks interesting. I agree with you about the cover. I'm more likely to pick up the hardcover version than the other. I'm not exactly sure why. I'd love the opportunity to read this one.
ReplyDeleteteresasreadingcorner at gmail dot com
This book has been on my wishlist for a while now! Thanks for the review. I love Shannon Hale's writing. I've only read Princess Academy, but it was amazing. Thanks for the chance to win :)
ReplyDeletepirate_pony2 at yahoo dot com
Me, Me, Me!!! Oh, please pick me!!! If you only knew how much I love and adore fairy tales you would just make sure that my number would come up! I have shelves of fairy tales! Original Grimm's fairy tales not the hokey Disney ones (well, I've got those too, but I've got the scary ones also!)btw, the 13th is too, too far away!
ReplyDeleteThis looks fabulous! I'd love to read Hale's take on this tale, I'm sure it's brilliant and it's nice to come across a book you can't put down! Wonderful review!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway opportunity!
the1stdaughter at gmail dot com
Great review :)
ReplyDeleteDon't enter me in the draw, am non-US... Sounds like a Rapunzel tale with a twist :)
ReplyDeleteRe-posted your contest at: http://contests-freebies.blogspot.com/2010/04/win-book-of-thousand-days-at-tales-of.html
Goodluck to everyone entering the contest!! And have fun!!
I keep thinking that I should give this a try. It sounds fascinating. The story from the maid's perspective.
ReplyDelete[not an entry]
This isn't an entry, I just wanted to comment that I loved this book! I haven't read any of Shannon Hale's other books, but I definitely want to, especially when readers I trust say that they love The Goose Girl just as much, if not more than, this one!
ReplyDeleteOMG! I LOVE THIS BOOK! I love Shannon Hale! I will read whatever she writes, I trust her as an author.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great perspective in diary format and through the maid's eyes. I loved it!! Ok, I think I need to re-read it.
This book sounds great! I definitely would love to have a chance to read this.
ReplyDeleteReadingOnARainyDay AT gmail DOT com
+JMJ+
ReplyDeleteIt sounds great--and I love the quote you've chosen! =D
It just might replace my own favourite quote about smell, which is, "Smell is the sense of the memory."
Fantastic review!! I just know I would love this book too!! Thank you for offering your copy to one of us.
ReplyDeletefreda.mans[at]sympatico.ca
This sounds like a great book and I would love the chance to win it!
ReplyDeletecherylbaryl@hotmail.com
This one sounds really good! I'd love to win it. Please count me in. :) Thanks for the giveaway too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely review. Great quote about the sense of smell.
ReplyDeleteI've never read one of Shannon Hale's books, but I really want to so enter me pretty please.
ReplyDelete:)
henderkd@email.sc.edu
Would love to read this author. Thanks! info@tribute-books.com
ReplyDeleteCan't believe you didn't read this book sooner. Love this book. It's my most favorite out of all of Hale's books.
ReplyDeleteI don't usually feel right entering contests for some reason, but this one I can't pass up!
ReplyDeleteinscrutableroot (at) yahoo.com
Lisa: Don't you dare feel bad ;) You are just as welcome to enter as anyone else :)
ReplyDeleteMary: I KNOW it! Crazy! So glad I finally did.
Cherry: You're the best!
Becky: Please do :)
Stacy: You never seize to crack me up :)
This sounds like a gorgeous book. Writing style is a huge thing for me, so it's good to hear that it's lyrical!
ReplyDeleteI really love this one of hers. I do believe this is one of her favorites she has ever written as well. No need to enter me. I already have a very pretty copy myself. :)
ReplyDelete(in the "kiddie" section you may want to add that there is nudity in one scene. However, I personally think that is the most impactful part of the whole story).
Wow sounds great! I loved Princess Academy by Shannon : )
ReplyDeleteadrienne2093 at comcast dot net
Heather: Good call! Will do :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome review, Juju!! I loved Princess Academy, it sounds just like this one-not your typical fairy tale!! Thanks so much for the contest!!
ReplyDeleteinthehammockblog (at) gmail (d0t) com
Don't enter me, I already have signed copy. But I wanted to say that Shannon Hale is one of my favorite authors, and this book in particular is one of my favorites. I have given it as gifts and made my whole book club read it. Lovelovelove it!!
ReplyDeleteDon't enter me babe since I have it already - but great review! I cannot wait to get it off my shelf and actually read it! :)
ReplyDeleteAll the reviews I've read about this book have raved about it. Would love a chance at your gently read copy.
ReplyDeletealterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/
Please enter me for this one. It sounds interesting!!
ReplyDeleteI follow on gfc
mlawson17 at hotmail dot com
Glad you enjoyed it, and are passing it on! I think my favorite of Hale's books is Austenland, a chick lit book, even though her YA books are interesting reads.
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to read this for a while now. I prefer the hardcover cover design as well, but a signed copy? I won't pass this up. I'd like to enter the contest, please! =) Thanks for the great review!
ReplyDeletelindanmc (@) gmail.com
Dont count me in in the contest, but I just have to say that this book is going on my tbr list. I need a good fairy tale. :)
ReplyDeleteNina: You'll LOVE this one :)
ReplyDeleteLizzy: I need to try Austenland. Thank you again :) You introduced me to my first Shannon Hale book :)
Eleni: Can't wait to see what you think! :)
Julie: Yah! Which one should I try next?
THis sounds great! Please enter me.
ReplyDeletej.t.oldfield[at]gmail.com
I would love the chance to win this and read it!
ReplyDeleteemail bangersis(at)msn(dot)com
This sounds like a great book. Please enter me in the contest.
ReplyDeletejasmyn9[at]hotmail[dot]com
Please enter me in this contest. Thank you!
ReplyDeletekmichellec87(at)yahoo(dot)com
This book sure sounds interesting!
ReplyDeleteaikychien at yahoo dot com
I have been wanting to read this forever. I loved the Goose Girl by Shannon Hale.
ReplyDeleteOoo, PICK ME! I love Shannon Hale.
ReplyDeleteFab review.
gypsyrover21(at)yahoo(dot)ca
I have heard amazing things about this one! I am glad you enjoyed it! :)
ReplyDeleteI like the hard cover better too! I always wonder why there are different covers for hardcover and paperback...
ReplyDeleteDefinitely sounds like an interesting read!
"Try (just try) to put this book down once you have started it." - Ha! I like a good challenge :)
cytljjb @ gmail . com
I love Shannon Hales books! This looks like a great book to read.
ReplyDeleteAllison T.
hyperallison@gmail.com
This is the only Shannon Hale that I haven't read! I own it and now that I know how much you liked it I will definitely get to it soon! You should read the rest of her books, they are all amazing.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds really good!!!
ReplyDeletecrazyhippo37@aol.com
Kelsy
Sounds interesting. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletemtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com
Sounds interesting! The cover with the girl and the talk of the tower make me think of a great foreign film that I watched called The Red Lantern. Very good! Please count me in. Thank you!
ReplyDeletenfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
Please enter me in this giveaway - Thanks!
ReplyDeleteseizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com
my sister leslie loves shannon hale. i'd love to read this one. please count me in.
ReplyDeletethanks for the giveaway juju! :)
bookmakeupreview@gmail.com
Please enter me in this giveaway!
ReplyDeletefamilyhistree at yahoo dot com
Sarah E
This one sounds captivating.
ReplyDeleteNancy
ntaylor228 at yahoo dot com
I love Shannon Hale!
ReplyDeletexicecreamsjx@aol.com
A really want this book! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleterockypuppy@gmail.com
***Please note: This contest is closed. The winner was announced 6/2/2010 (http://www.talesofwhimsy.com/2010/06/contest-winner-book-of-thousand-days.html) Thank you to everyone who entered. Please stay tuned and continue to check my right-hand sidebar for more upcoming contests.****
ReplyDeleteI couldn't put it down--once I started I had to finish. I also loved Dashti's courage. Wonderful book. You should read The Goose Girl, it is the first in a series. I can't wait to read the others. I've added Ms. Hale to my list of author's to read on a regular basis. I just love her style of writing.
ReplyDeleteKaye: OOoo me too. I keep hearing amazing things about Goose Girl :)
ReplyDeleteI adore this book! It was such a fresh and original spin on the tale of Rapunzel. Shannon Hale always writes such strong and admirable female heroines. I love all her books!
ReplyDeleteLauren @ Hughes Reviews
Me too :) I really need to read more Shannon Hale.
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