And GUESS WHAT? If you comment on ANY of the Shannon Hale posts this week, you will be entered into a drawing for one of two signed books by Mrs. Hale. You may enter as many times as you wish, but please make comments that are relevant to the posts. THANKS. Winners will be announced one week from today, on November 12, 2007. (Be sure to leave a way for me to contact you, a blog link or email addy.)
BOOK OF A THOUSAND DAYS by Shannon Hale
Review by Heather Walker
Heather Walker's Blog
I have read quite a few good reviews of Book of a Thousand Days, by the wonderful Shannon Hale so I was expecting good thing.
It was better than I could have ever hoped for. It was perfect.
The book follows Dashti, a lady's maid, and Lady Saren as they are locked up into the tower for seven years and their subsequent adventures as they try to survive in a war-ridden land.
It was a story that made you forget every story you have ever read before. I had no idea what was going to happen with the characters–I was reading something new and raw, with no expectations. I read as if it were the only book that existed in the world.
Why? Because of Dashti. Dashti is the author of the book. The book is her journal. I usually end up understanding characters, relating to them, and liking them. I loved Dashti. I loved her as if she were my best friend, as if she were my sister. As if she were real. I've read many books and stories where the characters are real, but I haven't loved them as I have loved Dashti. I loved Lady Saren as Dashti loved her. I knew these people and I became a part of their world.
The setting was magnificent. Gone with the Western norm, this was set in a world based off of Asia. Gone was the cliched magic of fantasy books. It was Shannon Hale magic in its best: subtle, gentle, feminine, beautiful.
The voice and tone were Dashti. The words were so different from what many books are, but the newness and rawness of the words became part of me. There was beauty, and there was deep, deep sadness in the book. I have never read a book that so adequately portrayed the sadness of life and war–it could have been real. This never seemed like a world of fiction, ever, it was real. Instead of pretty heroines with feisty attitudes, the book offered something heartfelt, real, and full of inner beauty.
I love Book of a Thousand Days. Wow. Wow. Wow. Please read it. It isn't an enjoyable, fun read. It isn't something that you laugh through and are entertained. You do laugh, but it is the deep laugh that comes from sadness. You cry, but it is because you are happy. You see these characters and you join them and can weep for them, laugh with them, and rejoice with them. This book is what any book should aspire to be.
Recommended readers: 12 and up. Some of the material is somewhat dark, involving death and tragedy (there is some kissing as well).
The original review was posted at: http://heatherwalker.wordpress.com/2007/09/22/book-of-a-thousand-days/
I agree with this review. The book is absolutely wonderful. I think it is my favorite Shannon Hale title so far.
ReplyDeleteI don't agree that the book isn't an enjoyable, fun read, though. I found it extremely enjoyable and immediately sought out to recommend it to everyone I know.
What a lovely review!
ReplyDeleteI cannot wait to read this book. I love the concept and I love the fact that the character is SO lovable.
Yay Shannon! Sounds like you've done it again!!!
I loved this book! I think that with all the other books that have been published this year (and I have so far read) it has a good shot at the Newbery.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Stephanie. I told Shannon Hale that if I was on the Newbery committee, I'd definitely try to vote it to the top!
ReplyDeleteI loved this book. It is now my favorite Shannon Hale book. My kids also enjoyed it.
ReplyDeletesarahcreate on LJ
Shannon Hale's books are so deliciously gorgeous! I loved this one.
ReplyDeleteOh, I would love to read this book! Thanks for the great giveaway. :)
ReplyDeleteShannon Hale's work is masterful. I'm currently reading River Secrets, and I would love to read (and own) this book too!
ReplyDelete(I don't know if comments on the livejournal feed cross over or not, so apologies if it's doubled.)
ReplyDeleteI always check out the full range of reviews for a book before I buy it, but I have to say that this one ONLY has positive reviews. It sounds excellent!
I recently read Austenland (my first Shannon Hale book). I would love to read this one as well!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any of Shannon Hale's books but I do know that there are a lot of people out there who love her books!
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to reading this one! Every review of it that I have read has been glowing.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds wonderful ... adding it to my must-read list!
ReplyDeleteI loved this book. Absolutely loved it. It's one of my top picks of the year. I have read all of Shannon Hale's novels, and it really is hard to pick a favorite. I tend to like "best" whichever one I just finished.
ReplyDeleteYou should give your reviews here book reviews on video , find out what real readers like you have to say about the books we read :)
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard of Shannon Hale before last week. This was the first book I came upon while searching for some good clean books. The reviews just rave about it so I have decided to put it on my Christmas list!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read it! It sounds so good!
Shannon Hale is excellent.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read "Book of a Thousand Days" ... yet.
But I've read her others and have adored them. "Austenland" and "The Princess Academy" have been my favorites.
I'm so excited to read this one! I've loved the other two of hers I've read and from what I hear, this is the best yet. (I love her blog and website, too! Daily(-ish) dose of humor.)
ReplyDeleteWow, and to think I'd never even heard of Shannon Hale! Needless to say, count me in - I'm a bookworm after all :)
ReplyDeleteThis is sitting on my nightstand, next on my list to read! I'm trying to save it for a night when I feel truly crummy because I know it will make me feel better. :x
ReplyDeleteI just requested that our library order this book. Can't wait to read it!! Thanks for the heads up.
ReplyDeleteAwesome review, Hwalk!
ReplyDeleteThis is my favorite book of all times. The second time I read it...I was just blown away by the Eight Realms. It totally deserves the Newbery Medal.
I continue to be a Shannon Hale fan. I love how her books empower girls through wind, fire, rocks (my personal favorite) and now music! I could feel Dashti's thoughts through her songs. Shannon Hale continues to perfect her craft at writing an engaging story that touches the reader's spirit. I impatiently await her next adventure.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read this.
ReplyDeleteOk, so I know I'm cutting it close time wise, but I actually just found your site 10 minutes ago, and REALLY want to be entered into the contest. I recently moved to Texas, and am REALLY struggleing to find good books. I hate getting excited about a plot and not being able to finish it. This BLOG is exactly what I need. I'm on a list for A Thousand and One Nights at my library. I love Shannon Hale's books!
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