Book of a Thousand Days

Book of a Thousand Days is simply charming. Shannon Hale has taken a simple Cinderella-Rapunzel story and added a Mulan twist! Hale's world, loosely based on ancient Mongolia, is beautiful and charismatic. She has effectively created enough detail and myth to make her world both feasible, yet complete fantasy. Hale's main character, Dashti, is sworn to follow her mistress even unto death. ...more

Book of a Thousand Days is simply charming. Shannon Hale has taken a simple Cinderella-Rapunzel story and added a Mulan twist! Hale's world, loosely based on ancient Mongolia, is beautiful and charismatic. She has effectively created enough detail and myth to make her world both feasible, yet complete fantasy. Hale's main character, Dashti, is sworn to follow her mistress even unto death. When her mistress refuses to marry her betrothed, she and Dashti are walled into a tower for seven years. Throughout the novel, Dashti's mettle is tested by the hardest elements of all: time and patience. Bold, daring, and clever, Dashti learns the true test of courage means not only doing what is expected of you but what you expect of yourself. I think this character is the thing I admire the most out of this book. But, what makes this novel really special is how clean it's elements come together: A simple, but effectively fantastic setting; a rolling story flow; lessons to learn and battles to be fought; a witty and admirable main character; predictable but charming supporting characters; a truly ruthless villain; and of course....prince charming. All of these elements are reminiscent of my favorite author of all time, Lloyd Alexander (The Black Cauldron, The High King). Having said that, the highest compliment I can bestow upon any author is comparing them to him. Congratulations Shannon Hale, I think I have found my new Alexander.   hide