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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
This was -so- good. I didn't expect it to be this good when I first started reading it, but it was really, really good.
I loved how all the characters were very flawed, real human beings, but done in a way that wasn't overly angsty or dark. While all of the characters were flawed and dealing with darkness in their own hearts, it was down in a way that was hopeful, not soul-killing. And I really, really liked that. It was super relatable!
I loved how all the characters were very flawed, real human beings, but done in a way that wasn't overly angsty or dark. While all of the characters were flawed and dealing with darkness in their own hearts, it was down in a way that was hopeful, not soul-killing. And I really, really liked that. It was super relatable!
2.5 out of 5 stars.
Initial thoughts: This had enough plot twists to induce me to finish the book but not enough for me to find overly entertaining. Also, that copout ending. Can we please not?!
Initial thoughts: This had enough plot twists to induce me to finish the book but not enough for me to find overly entertaining. Also, that copout ending. Can we please not?!
This is definitely one of the top 5 in the series-so far. It has rejuvenated my faith in the series. Although I couldn't give it 5 stars it was pretty close.
I was relieved when Shahrazad (I think that’s her name) marries the King before the first quarter of the book ended, since it usually takes longer for Dokey to let the adventure start. So I got to see more of the guy-the-girl-is-supposed-to-fall-in-love-with. I've only read one other book with this retelling so it was a fresher retelling to me.
Dokey writes the book as if she were a storyteller with an audience present, which was the point. Shahrazad is the one who is supposed to be telling the story, so of course she would tell it like a storyteller. When Shahrazad started to tell the story to the King and her sister I was preparing myself to read right on through until she was done, because usually when there is a story within a story I can't help thinking, alright alright I get it, lets just get back to the real story already. I shouldn't have worried, it turned out that I enjoyed the story within the story too.
The only thing that irked me was the ending. I couldn't quite make out whether or not I liked it. It's not that it was bad, Shahrazad and the King get their happily ever after, but it seemed a bit...extended. That is the only word I can think of. It's not like the end went on forever, and I do like knowing all the answers by the end of books, but I think Dokey gave more information then she needed to. It kind of let the feeling of the book fade.
I was relieved when Shahrazad (I think that’s her name) marries the King before the first quarter of the book ended, since it usually takes longer for Dokey to let the adventure start. So I got to see more of the guy-the-girl-is-supposed-to-fall-in-love-with. I've only read one other book with this retelling so it was a fresher retelling to me.
Dokey writes the book as if she were a storyteller with an audience present, which was the point. Shahrazad is the one who is supposed to be telling the story, so of course she would tell it like a storyteller. When Shahrazad started to tell the story to the King and her sister I was preparing myself to read right on through until she was done, because usually when there is a story within a story I can't help thinking, alright alright I get it, lets just get back to the real story already. I shouldn't have worried, it turned out that I enjoyed the story within the story too.
The only thing that irked me was the ending. I couldn't quite make out whether or not I liked it. It's not that it was bad, Shahrazad and the King get their happily ever after, but it seemed a bit...extended. That is the only word I can think of. It's not like the end went on forever, and I do like knowing all the answers by the end of books, but I think Dokey gave more information then she needed to. It kind of let the feeling of the book fade.
I don't feel like this retelling added much of anything to the original. And I have to say the introduction nearly made me quit before I even started. Overall, okay story, but didn't wow me.
I really enjoyed this one, it had lovely detail, some romance, a great plot line, suspence. Despite all that it was an abnormally slow read for me and this series. The characters I loved and I guess I could kinda tell what was going to happen but I enjoyed it anyways. So the only thing I have that I wasn't a fan of was the mysticism but I guess that's just how it goes.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was one of my favorite books as a kid and honestly it 100% holds up
Such a good story in a fairly short book
Such a good story in a fairly short book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder
Moderate: Ableism, Confinement, Death, Infidelity
Minor: Bullying, Infertility, Death of parent
The Storyteller's Daughter is a young adult retelling of the Arabian Nights. I vaguely know the story of Shahrazad and her 1001 tales that she told her husband, the king, in order to stay alive. In most versions, the king takes a new wife every night and then kills them in the morning. Shahrazad volunteers to become the king's new wife. At night, she tells the king a long tale that lasts until morning. When morning comes, the king is so hooked on finding out the rest of the story that he allows Shahrazad to live another night. Well, another night becomes another night and so on.
In this version, the king is a bit more redeemable. This is a young adult novel, after all. The king isn't beheading all of his wives. But, he is bitter after being betrayed by his previous wife. Enter Shahrazad who believes that it is her destiny to change the king's heart and to save her own heart in the process. She uses her gift of storytelling inherited from her mother to warm the king's heart. Meanwhile, there is a plot to overthrow the king.
This is the second novel by Cameron Dokey that I read. The first one was Winter's Child, a retelling of The Snow Queen. Both retellings are well written and have that fairy tale quality to them that is both comforting and exciting. Like Winter's Child, there is very little character development. The story is very much plot-centred (which is common for the fairy tale genre).
I have been meaning to read this book for a long time, and I am glad that I finally found a copy to read and review. It was certainly worth the wait.
I would recommend this book to fans of fairy tales and folklore retellings suited for a young adult audience. Also, if you're expecting a lot of romance, this probably isn't the book for you.
In this version, the king is a bit more redeemable. This is a young adult novel, after all. The king isn't beheading all of his wives. But, he is bitter after being betrayed by his previous wife. Enter Shahrazad who believes that it is her destiny to change the king's heart and to save her own heart in the process. She uses her gift of storytelling inherited from her mother to warm the king's heart. Meanwhile, there is a plot to overthrow the king.
This is the second novel by Cameron Dokey that I read. The first one was Winter's Child, a retelling of The Snow Queen. Both retellings are well written and have that fairy tale quality to them that is both comforting and exciting. Like Winter's Child, there is very little character development. The story is very much plot-centred (which is common for the fairy tale genre).
I have been meaning to read this book for a long time, and I am glad that I finally found a copy to read and review. It was certainly worth the wait.
I would recommend this book to fans of fairy tales and folklore retellings suited for a young adult audience. Also, if you're expecting a lot of romance, this probably isn't the book for you.
This was a nice fun romance. It came from the fairy tale about a king whose heart is turned to stone because of a betrayal and once a month at full moon will wed a wife and the next day she will be killed. The storyteller's daughter volunteers to be his wife. I have heard the tale before and this really did not have any twists or turns that were unexpected but that was part of the charm of it. It was a super quick read. I finished in a couple of hours. Would recommend anyone who likes fairy tales retold.
adventurous
dark
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
- This was a really good book.
- Will read the rest of the series for sure.
- Looking forward to more from this author.
- May re-read; will definitely recommend.
A fun version!
- Will read the rest of the series for sure.
- Looking forward to more from this author.
- May re-read; will definitely recommend.
A fun version!
This is a retelling of 1001 Arabian Nights, and while I enjoyed it, I haven't read the original story.