Reviews

Deerskin by Robin McKinley

leighannah's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

vermilionred's review against another edition

4.0

IDK how I feel about this one. I liked it a lot (it's Robin McKinley, how could I not), but I have other feelings about it too that are more complicated. I think that's probably a pretty common experience with this book.

glowbunny's review against another edition

challenging emotional slow-paced

• Strong character development? Yes

5.0

kebreads's review against another edition

4.0

It took me awhile to get into this book. I would pick it up and read it bits and pieces at a time. But finally I did get into it, and then it was hard to put it down. One of the reviews on the back cover described the story as dreamlike and I feel that describes it well. This story deals with some hard issues, and shows how Lissar deals with the challenges she faces. I liked the magic in this story. At first it seemed like it was hardly there, just in the background. Overall, I really enjoyed this book.

Content: a few swear words, rape, violence, incest

alicebme's review against another edition

3.0

COVID-19. Surviving is possible with the kindness of strangers and dogs.

applegnreads's review against another edition

5.0

She's an excellent writer.

howl's review against another edition

dark hopeful slow-paced

A brutal yet sensitively handled fairy tale retelling. Slow at times but worth it! Also, Xe Sands is the best audiobook narrator 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Miscarriage, and Incest

Moderate: Animal cruelty

moon_flower's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

oliviakateamerica's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

cyrenasea's review against another edition

2.0

The plot was interesting and the characters compelling, despite the distance at which the story is told. There is too much meandering about in Lissar's confused brain; the point that she is purposely forgetting her past is driven home way too ham-handedly. She can delve into madness effectively, without requiring pages of feverish text. I liked the fairy tale nature of the story, but I do think that the characters and storytelling could have been more approachable without losing that sense.