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Book of a Thousand Days

by Shannon Hale (Goodreads Author)

3.94 of 5 stars 3.94 · rating details · 27,941 ratings · 4,543 reviews

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—o...more

Paperback, 308 pages

Published September 15th 2009 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens (first published September 18th 2007)

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Tales Of The Otori Trilogy by Lian Hearn

Chinese and Japanese Fantasy

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Jun 07, 2011 Cara rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Cara by: Valerie

Shelves: 2011, e-book, fairy-tales, favorites, recommended-to-me

Do you guys know that feeling when you just have finished an astonishingly excellent book? You feel full of life and understanding. It's why as readers we come back and back again and hope this will be the book that gives us that exhilaration. I guess it's akin to a literary high. This book did that for me and more. It deserves more than the five star rating.

Let's see if I'll be able to give a concise review without confusing people. This story is loosely based on an obscure Grimm fairy tale (...more Do you guys know that feeling when you just have finished an astonishingly excellent book? You feel full of life and understanding. It's why as readers we come back and back again and hope this will be the book that gives us that exhilaration. I guess it's akin to a literary high. This book did that for me and more. It deserves more than the five star rating.

Let's see if I'll be able to give a concise review without confusing people. This story is loosely based on an obscure Grimm fairy tale (Hale mentions which one it is at the end of the book). The premise is that Lady Saren will be locked up in a tower for seven years because she will not marry Lord Khashar. Lady Saren takes Dashti who oddly doesn't mind this arrangement. She comes from a harsh background and the guarantee of having food for seven straight years while serving someone of royal blood? It seems like the gods have smiled upon her. Things start to look not so rosy anymore though, and Dashti and Lady Saren will be caught in a web of lies that will lead to an adventure neither of them could have seen coming.

The strongest point of the book for me was the character of Dashti. She is resilient, funny, caring, and loyal to a fault. The refreshing aspect about her is that she is definitely not your typical flawlessly pretty character. It's her spirit that brings forth her beauty, and that may sound cheesy but it's true. Like any other character she has her shortfalls, but comes to realize how stunted her view of things was. The author does an excellent job of weaving in the Mongolian setting and customs so the reader feels as if this is a real place. Since this is written in journal form we really get the mood Dashti's in and the progression of her and Saren's growth. Throughout we see some illustrations that aid in the storytelling. I imagine this would be a great story to read out loud. I LOVED Khan Tegus, and that's all I have to say about him because anything else I would say wouldn't even come close to describing his wonderfulness.

Shannon Hale has permanently become one of my favorite authors, she was already but now she is cemented, written in black sharpie, engraved permanent. Hale is more than an author, she is a bona fide storyteller.

I will have to retire from this review before I totally botch it up, but I want to conclude that the characters are lovely, the story enchanting, and displays the power of the written word.
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30 likes · like · see review

Mar 06, 2008 Kevin Fanning rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

So, so, so good.

As I got towards the end I was planning on giving it 4 stars, but then at the very end it surprised me and it was like the book was about something completely other than what I'd been thinking it was about the whole time. It surprised me, and I love well-executed surprises. Thus 5 stars. Not that there was a surprise ending (I don't like those), just that there was a reframing that totally delighted me. I'll say more about it down below if you want, but I'll put them beneath spo...more

40 likes · like · see review

Nov 11, 2012 Jennifer Wardrip rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: trt-posted-reviews

Reviewed by Jessica Cave for TeensReadToo.com

Shannon Hale's BOOK OF A THOUSAND DAYS is a riveting read that allows you to see into the soul of a young girl.

Angry at her for not marrying the ruler of a nearby kingdom, Lady Saren's father locks her and her maid in a tower. He plans to leave them there for seven years. It is Dashti, the maid's, responsibility to keep them fed and in good condition, no matter how hot or how cold it may be.

With evil lords, unresponsive guards, and dreamy suitors kn...more

4 likes · like · see review

May 25, 2008 Luann rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy, 2008, fairy-tales, ms-rec, gr-authors

I enjoyed this a lot - so much so that I DIDN'T finish it last night. I wanted to save it so that I would have something to look forward to reading this afternoon. I found myself thinking about the story several times throughout the day and wondering how it might end. I wasn't disappointed. Another great job by Shannon Hale!

6 likes · like · see review

Jan 03, 2008 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Dashti, a mucker maid, is going to be locked up in a tower with her Lady Saren for seven years. Lady Saren refused to marry a man she did not love, so Dashti must prepare for a rigorous and daunting imprisonment. Soon, Dashti finds rats in the flour and mold on the cheese. It becomes a struggle to survive, and Dashti also must deal with Lady Saren’s two completely different suitors. Dashti must make a choice, for herself, and for Saren.

In Book of a Thousand Days, Shannon Hale brings to life the...more Dashti, a mucker maid, is going to be locked up in a tower with her Lady Saren for seven years. Lady Saren refused to marry a man she did not love, so Dashti must prepare for a rigorous and daunting imprisonment. Soon, Dashti finds rats in the flour and mold on the cheese. It becomes a struggle to survive, and Dashti also must deal with Lady Saren’s two completely different suitors. Dashti must make a choice, for herself, and for Saren.

In Book of a Thousand Days, Shannon Hale brings to life the tale of Maid Maleen. Set in an area much like Mongolia, the Eight Realms, Hale creates up a social system very different than our own. Some realms are ruled by women, which rarely happened at the time. Hale strives to combine reality with magic, and focuses not on the princess, but on the dirty maid. Hale questions arranged marriage and encourages independence and hard work through the determined character of Dashti. Throughout the book, Hale carries a message of hope and fortitude.

Hale succeeded in her message, and inspires girls to be stronger. Although Dashti often had an attitude of servitude, she prevails with her competing attitude of perseverance. Dashti challanges unfair but long used customs of arranged marriage, a lesson for girls. Most adapted fairy tales focus on the princesses, but Dashti is in no way a princess. She knows how to work, and Hale attempts to show a different kind of heroine .

Book of a Thousand Days is a valuable book in today’s world of Clique and Gossip Girl novels. It has a message that supports girls for who they are, while telling an entrancing tale. Despite not having that much action to attract reluctant readers, after a couple chapters, the book picks up. In today’s society, any book with a strong girl main character that doesn’t do drugs or make bad decisions is extremely valuable.

I’m very excited about this book because Shannon Hale is coming near me in January. The book raises a few questions for me that would be great to ask her.

Shannon Hale has also written five other books; Austenland, River Secrets, Princess Academy, Enna Burning, and The Goose Girl. She has been heralded as one of the best living fantasy authors of the day. She won a Newbery Honor for Princess Academy.

I adored Book of a Thousand Days because it was a fantasy with not too much magic. I’m not a huge fantasy person, if only because I like to delve into a character’s feelings. Many fantasies don’t do that, and focus more on the magic. Book of a Thousand Days has characters with realistic, understandable feelings that draw you in to the fairy tale.(less)

11 likes · like · see review

Oct 23, 2007 Angie rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: retellings, ya

Hale has proved herself adept at finding obscure fairy tales and reworking them in mouth-watering new ways. Her latest offering is based on the little-known "Maid Maleen" by the Brothers Grimm. A lady and her loyal maid are locked in a tower for seven years as punishment for the lady's refusal to marry the man her father wants her to. The story details their imprisonment in the tower and the adventure that follows. Hale's version is told in diary format from the point of view of the maid--Dashti...more

14 likes · like · see review

Jul 01, 2012 Isamlq rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This particular story has a fairy tale feel to it... and it was incredibly entertaining.

Seven years they were to stay, Lady Saren and her handmaid Dashti. You’d think the first a strong princess, a brave one… another one of those in your face, I’ll do as I please versions of princesses. She’s not. You’d think Dashti, meek and obedient. She is. Despite said fact, it’s still Dashti who shines in this one because the princess was often times too delicate, too soft, too shy… and just not quite all...more

4 likes · like · see review

Sep 05, 2012 Inspired Kathy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2009, currently-re-reading, read-in-2012

This is my book group pick for this month. It's been 3 years since I read it and I don't remember it so I'm rereading.... Bumping it up to a 5 star book. Loved it second time around.

This is the first book by Shannon Hale I have read. I loved the character Dashti that she created. I love to read fairy tales and I enjoyed this less well know story of two girl locked in a tower.

3 likes · like · see review

Aug 03, 2009 Sara ♥ rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2009, fantasy, young-adult, wishlist, fairy-tale

Ummm... So I started this book at 2:00 am. (Note to self: don't start books at 2:00 am! Are you crazy???) Yeah, I couldn't put it down! I finished at about 7:00. Then my husband woke me up at noon! How rude! Doesn't he realize that reading makes me nocturnal? ;)

Anyway, I started the book, and was like, "Why is this written from the lady's maid's point of view and not from the lady's point of view. Yeah, that becomes very clear within just a few pages. I really loved Dashti—she was such a fascina...more

9 likes · like · see review

Jun 15, 2009 Heather rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: girls age 13 and up

Shelves: coming-of-age, fantasy, teen-fiction, worth-rereading

I loved this Young Adult book! Hooray for Shannon Hale! I probably wouldn't recommend this book to girls under 12, but I think Hale has produced a wonderful heroine for the older teen set. I liked this book better than Princess Academy. I felt the themes were more accessible--everyone can relate to having a crush on someone totally out of your league. And who can’t envision the horror of being betrothed to a grotesque villain or locked up with rats? I loved how the two girls-- Saren, a princess...more

5 likes · like · see review

Mar 19, 2008 Jeanette rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2008, young-adult

If I had not started blogging and reading other blogs I don't think I would have ever read a Shannon Hale book. I'd never even heard of her until I read reviews of her books on the Internet. But about 20 or so pages into my first Shannon Hale book I thought, uh-oh, I don't think I am going to like this book. I've heard so much about Shannon Hale and her books but I'm not gonna like them. The problem is that I have never been a fan of fantasy, but before I knew it I was half way through the book...more

3 likes · like · see review

Apr 05, 2008 Beth rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

After reading and thoroughly enjoying Goose Girl and Princess Academy, I was excited to see this new young adult novel (another retelling of an obscure fairytale) from Shannon Hale. I was even more excited when I saw that it had been given great reviews so far. Could I possibly enjoy a book from this genre more than Princess Academy? I was anxious to find out.

Well, maybe it was my anticipation that left this book feeling flat. It was readable enough, for sure; the storytelling style (a diary) le...more

5 likes · like · see review

Jan 22, 2008 Bonnie Gayle rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: fans of Grimm's fairy tale reduxes and diary format stories

Shelves: fantasy-sf, favorites, reviewed, library-books, girly-fiction

Shannon Hale is climbing the ranks in becoming one of my favorite authors, and this book helped a great deal, by being an automatic add to my favorites shelf. I read it in 2 days, and absolutely loved it! She has perfected the craft of Grimm's fairy tale reduxes.

Dashti is a mucker, which means that she has grown up in the steppes of Mongolia, in a gher, and also has the power of healing through song.

When she is no longer able to live in the steppes, she goes to town, and quickly is hired and tr...more

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 02, 2009 Rhi rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: the-favorites, 2009, ah-feminism, ya-you-have-my-heart, books-with-brilliant-females, 5-stars

A true heroine rises from the Grimm Brother ashes.
Hale has created a female character worthy to be loved and adored for a long time to come. She is filled with guts, heart, and soul.
This is a tale of imprisonment, courage, love, romance, fantasy, and one spectacular protagonist.
This is a tale of the silenced being given a voice, of the oppressed fighting their way out of darkness, so they can feel the burn of the sun of life on their skin once again.
It is a tale about the power and magic of wor...more

4 likes · like · see review

Jun 06, 2011 Juju (Tales of Whimsy.com) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

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.

Review © Tales of Whimsy.com

To read my review in full please visit: http://www.talesofwhimsy.com/2010/04/...

4 likes · like · see review

Feb 02, 2009 The Loft added it · review of another edition

I have been eagerly awaiting Shannon Hale’s latest novel, Book of a Thousand Days (Bloomsbury, 2007), and it definitely does not disappoint. The language sings! It is an imaginative retelling of a little-known fairy tale, Maid Maleen by the Brothers Grimm.

Set in a fictionalized, medieval Mongolia, 16-year-old Lady Saren is locked away in a tower for seven years by her father for refusing to marry the man her father has chosen, Lord Khasar. The story is told, however, by Lady Saren’s mucker maid...more

1 like · like · see review

Jan 28, 2008 Carolyn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shannon Hale does it again! This book is all about girl power and good over evil. Another stellar book that I will definitely has my girls read when they get older.

2 likes · like · see review

Mar 25, 2010 Julia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: based-on-folksong-myth, fantasy, ya

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

2 likes · like · see review

Jan 19, 2011 Hope rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, young-adult, 2011-reads, reviewed, best-couples-♥, cover-love, title-love, greatest-writing-and-voice, heroines-i-love, snuggly-books-for-rainy-days

What makes this book wonderful...

1. Dashti. What a perfect heroine! Her voice is sweet and even soothing. I love her. I love her more than the story she tells. She is sweet, she is selfless (and she doesn’t know she’s selfless--no truly self-sacrificing individual is aware that they’re self-sacrificing).
I adore her cheerfulness and her loyalty. I like how real her emotions were. I can’t recall any time where Dashti was melodramatic or annoying.
All of the characters are very well-drawn, but Da...more

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Jun 08, 2008 Tara rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Holly

Shelves: uta-bookclub, ya, fantasy, 2008

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 06, 2008 Pauline rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, read-2008, reviews, young-adult-fiction

I loved this book, it is has many layers of emotion. The story has you pondering about how you perceive your social status in the world and why you tend to cling to a particular status and tend not to move above it. “Book of a Thousand Days” is written by Dashti a mucker maid and it is written in a diary format taking the reader from day to day.

Shannon Hale based "Book of a Thousand Days" on the fairy tale "Maid Maleen" as recorded by the Grimm bothers. She changed the story from the original to...more I loved this book, it is has many layers of emotion. The story has you pondering about how you perceive your social status in the world and why you tend to cling to a particular status and tend not to move above it. “Book of a Thousand Days” is written by Dashti a mucker maid and it is written in a diary format taking the reader from day to day.

Shannon Hale based "Book of a Thousand Days" on the fairy tale "Maid Maleen" as recorded by the Grimm bothers. She changed the story from the original to bring us the story of Dashti the mucker girl.

Dashti is a mucker girl who has lost her family and she becomes the servant to Saren a gentry lady. Saren is locked up in a tower for seven years because she refuses to marry the man her father wants her to marry. Dashti as sworn a vow of servitude to Saren and Dashti refuses to break the vow, so she is also locked up in the tower. Saren's beaux Tegus, who she was secretly betrothed to through letters, that where exchanged when they were youngsters, shows up at the tower to set Saren free, but is unable to accomplish the task. Saren is too scared to talk to him, so she sends Dashti to impersonate her. Over the course of conversing through a hole in the brick tower, Dashti and Tegus fall in love. Tegus has to leave to protect his country, but he never returns as promised to set the girls free. They end up spending 932 days in the tower instead of seven years. Dashti is able to bring about their escape, but the escape brings about a whole new set of problems that they have to face.

Dashti is the leader and the intelligent one between the two, but she is the servant and is therefore in a quandary of how to act with Saren who is gentry and therefore the one to be served. Dashti stays true to her character and grows with each passing challenge.

Saren and Dashti eventually walk their way to Tegus' city and become servants in his household. Over time, Dashti due to her gifts and intelligence moves up in the servitude world and has direct contact with Tegus, who does not recognize her. With war at his city's doorstep Tegus has a lot to deal with and Dashti is able to provide important information about Tegus' enemy with the help of Saren. The way Dashti helps is amazing to read and you can feel her vulnerability as she confronts the enemy.

I love the character Dashti, she made me laugh, she has great compassion for people and she made me think about how to treat other people. The love story between Dashti and Tegus is sweet, even with the happy ever after ending; it is a wonderful story,

This story has made me ponder, laugh and feel sorrowful and compassionate. It was a delight to read.(less)

1 like · like · see review

Mar 29, 2009 Jacqueline rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: anyone who loves a satisfying, well-written fantasy

Recommended to Jacqueline by: my dear LRRH/Shannon Hale friends (love ya guys! :D )

Shelves: fantasy, all-time-favourites, fairy-tale-retellings, books-i-own, blog-reviews, signed

Ever since I was able to read (when I was about four years old, I believe), I always found something admirable about authors. Perhaps it was just so magical the way they picked out words, stuck them here and there, sewed them together, and, voilà! had their stories collected in nicely-bound books. It was as if they were a sort of literary witches and wizards. But now, they also strike me as chefs; some give you a tasty but calorie-packed hamburger with deep-fried French fries that fill you up bu...more

3 likes · like · see review

Mar 16, 2008 Dawn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: tween

In “Book of a Thousand Days,” author Shannon Hale has crafted another fascinating interpretation of a Grimm's Fairy tale, the lesser-known story of “Maid Maleen.” The story is told from the point-of-view of a lady's maid, Dashti, a plucky peasant girl. In her diary, Dashti recounts the misfortune of her situation; both Dashti and her lady, Saren, have been imprisoned in a tower by her father for Lady Saren's refusal to marry his preferred suitor, the evil Lord Khasar. Lady Saren loves another, t...more In “Book of a Thousand Days,” author Shannon Hale has crafted another fascinating interpretation of a Grimm's Fairy tale, the lesser-known story of “Maid Maleen.” The story is told from the point-of-view of a lady's maid, Dashti, a plucky peasant girl. In her diary, Dashti recounts the misfortune of her situation; both Dashti and her lady, Saren, have been imprisoned in a tower by her father for Lady Saren's refusal to marry his preferred suitor, the evil Lord Khasar. Lady Saren loves another, the charming Khan Tegus. Both suitors eventually come calling, and the inconsolable Lady Saren begs Dashti to pretend that she is her, a pretense made possible via the small trap-door through which Dashti and the suitors communicate. Dashti and Lady Saren must overcome many difficulties: rats in the larder, the monotony of tower life, and Lord Khasar's visits. But these two polar opposites learn to rely on each other and become loyal friends. Ultimately, their epic journey will reveal to them who they truly are as individuals.

This book is a delightful page-turner. Although Dashti believes herself to be nothing more than a humble servant girl, the reader quickly learns that she is no ordinary individual. Her language, although sparse at times, is also quite often lyrical, her descriptions enchanting, and her observations witty. But her voice is also that of a young girl, and her diary reveals her vulnerabilities and the pangs of adolescence, although Dashti herself would never admit to being vulnerable, or desirous of anything for herself. The setting is as unique as Dashti's voice. Hale has chosen to recreate the myth in an unusual setting for a Grimm's fairy tale—the central Asian steppes. The culture of the “Muckers,” a group of people who are blessed with the ability to heal through song, is also interesting. This book will be a wonderful read for any young girl who loves fairy tales, fantasy and adventure novels. The themes of friendship, first love, and the journey towards self-discovery will also be particularly appealing to young girls.
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Mar 15, 2008 Chelsea rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: youngadult, fantasy, 2008, historicalfiction, epistolary, own

Hale keeps getting better with each book I read. Dashti is a charming and engaging character, Tegus is wonderful, and I love the way Hale takes real beliefs and traditions and adds just a little edge of fantasy to them.

I've read three of Hale's books, and she seems to have a very different (and consistent) way of treating nobility vs. commoners. The three protagonists so far have been solid, intelligent commoners - and the vast majority of her commoners have been in the same vein. Meanwhile, mal...more

3 likes · like · see review

Aug 07, 2008 Cassie rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fairytale, ya-fantasy, bookwyrm_chrysalis_reviews

One of these best parts about this book was the ending. Without giving too much away, I was awed by how well the author wrapped up the plot. It was unpredictable, yet finished up exactly the way it should have. For most of the book I wondered how it could end; so much seemed against poor Dashti if (and when) she was found out. Happily, Hale worked out a believable fairytale ending.

This isn’t your normal fairytale. Personally, I’d never heard of the original Maid Maleen. Though after reading it,...more One of these best parts about this book was the ending. Without giving too much away, I was awed by how well the author wrapped up the plot. It was unpredictable, yet finished up exactly the way it should have. For most of the book I wondered how it could end; so much seemed against poor Dashti if (and when) she was found out. Happily, Hale worked out a believable fairytale ending.

This isn’t your normal fairytale. Personally, I’d never heard of the original Maid Maleen. Though after reading it, I can see where the ideas sprang from, but Hale pulls out her own story from this inspiration. The weaving in of Mongolian history and Genghis Khan’s (or “Gengie” as Hale liked to call him at the book talk [audio]) own history. A lot of fairytales pull from medieval history, but it’s much rarer to see the culture of a non-European country used as inspiration.

The modern reader might have trouble understanding why a maid/servant would look up to and hold their masters/ladies in such high acclaim, but Hale shows easily how Dashti’s culture sees nobility as offspring of the Ancestors (gods). Better yet, since this is a diary, we see Dashti’s thoughts, an evolution from thinking her lady can do no wrong to seeing her as a scared child who needs to be pushed to action. Dashti and her lady are portrayed wonderfully, in such a way that we see the full scope of a medieval maid/lady relationship. I love it when an author isn’t afraid to have the character act as they would of for their time and culture, instead of trying to make the modern reader relate to them by pumping them full of modern thoughts.

I know I’ve mentioned before that I’m in grad school studying publishing, and because of that I’ve started noticing the design elements of books. Before, I only cared if it was readable or not, but now I see the way design affects a book. One little detail about Book of a Thousand Days is that the text font is slightly scripted–it’s still clear enough to read, but there is a tiny bit of flourish that makes it feel like handwriting. You can’t use a real script font for large portions of text (look at the cover and think how hard that font would be to read for a whole book), but it’s a very nice touch for the interior design. Another great element is Dashti’s illustrations. That alone made it feel like a real journal.

Read the rest of my review at Bookwyrm Chrysalis :: YA Fantasy Book Reviews (less)

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Jan 12, 2008 Jennifer rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: teen

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

1 like · like · see review

Oct 15, 2007 Abby Johnson rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

In a land where the Ancestors watch over the people and songs can heal physical and emotional ills, the commoner Dashti has just lost her mother and has nowhere to go. She is taken in by a gentry family and trained to be a lady's maid for Lady Saren, a meek and selfish girl who is locked in a tower for seven years for refusing to marry the man her father chose for her. At first, Dashti is happy to have three meals a day and to eat spiced food (a delicacy only the rich can afford), but when they...more

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Oct 01, 2008 Firekeeper rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction-nonfantasy, original-innovative-creative, completely-amazing, highest-shelf

"Book of a Thousand Days" is about the Lady Saren's maid, Dashti. Lady Saren is trapped in a tower for seven years after refusing to marry Lord Khasar. Meanwhile, she loves Khan Tegus. However, when Khan Tegus visits her in the tower, she tells Dashti to act as her, and so begins the great mix-up of the story.
Hale uses great metaphors and does an excellent job of getting into Dashti's head. The characters are very realistic, and she turns a little-known fairy tale into a realistic novel that mig...more

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Sep 13, 2008 Laureen rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I like Shannon Hale! This is the third novel of hers that I've read, and I see some very strong stuff in her writing that I like. She's largely reaching the adolescent audience, and she has wonderfully unconventional love stories that are REAL, not based on looks, etc. She also really tips the stereotypes of people born into privilege and born into the common class on its ear. There are wonderful nobility and weak, spoiled, even brutal nobility. There are coarse, low commoners, and high, fine, e...more

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Sep 25, 2007 Heidi rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: teen

I'm about halfway through, and I'm still undecided about this book. I really want to like it as much as The Goose Girl, but this one hasn't drawn me in as much as the other. We'll see what I think by the end.

[25 Sept] It got a little better, but it's still not my favorite. The heroine is virtuous and self-sacrificing and noble and wise, and the ending was predictable. I like my characters a little more flawed, a little more human.

And I didn't like that the was based on medieval Mongolia but wa...more

1 like · like · see review

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Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
What's The Name o...: A retelling of the Rapunzel story from the point of view of the servant [s]	5	31	Jan 31, 2013 08:29pm
Book Talk: Book of a Thousand Days	3	5	Jan 22, 2013 08:23pm
Book of a Thousand Days	11	138	Jan 16, 2013 06:47pm
Book Club: The Book of a Thousand Days	32	13	Dec 14, 2012 01:20pm
Twenty-Five Up: What makes a strong female character?	1	5	Oct 08, 2012 07:10am
book of 1000 days	3	23	Oct 31, 2011 05:36pm

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About Shannon Hale

Shannon Hale is the New York Times best-selling author of six young adult novels: the Newbery Honor book Princess Academy, multiple award winner Book of a Thousand Days, and the highly acclaimed Books of Bayern series. She has written three books for adults, including the upcoming Midnight in Austenland (Jan. 2012), companion book to Austenland. She co-wrote the hit graphic novel Rapunzel's Reveng...more

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Books by Shannon Hale

The Goose Girl (The Books of Bayern, #1)

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Quotes from Book of a Thousand Days

“Mama used to say, you have to know someone a thousand days before you can glimpse her soul.” — 434 people liked it

“I do like the world quite a lot.” — 132 people liked it

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Book of a Thousand Days

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