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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.
b0hemian_graham's review against another edition
4.0
definitely more adult than the other McKinley novels, which isn't a bad thing. much more enjoyable than Dragonhaven
hecklaurac's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
xeyra1's review against another edition
4.0
In one hand, I really liked the great writing and the lovely imagery of it. Robin McKinley does know how to write and awe her readers. But there was only so much I wanted to read about Lissar's stay in the florest and her everyday life in there, and there were parts that were somewhat boring and repetitive. More than once I wanted to slap Lissar, though, for being a little coward and whiny. It was much to my chagrin I felt those urges, thuogh, since I realize how difficult it must be to survive with one's sanity intact what was done to her.
_lovebug_'s review against another edition
I had a phase in middle school where i solely read fairy tale retellings and this one scarred me.
finalgirlfall's review against another edition
4.0
i wish it had ended with ossin ripping out lissar's father's heart, but i understand why it didn't. i like that we never learn lissar's father's name.
melitaylor's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
aggressive_nostalgia's review against another edition
5.0
Despite the heavy themes, and its being the least fluffy but still adorable romantic fantasy I’ve probably ever read, this might be one of my new favorite Robin McKinley books. As usual, McKinley does a wonderful job of drawing out scenes to breathtaking effect and going heavy on the narration and description without overwhelming the reader with her wordiness. Deerskin is rich with suspense and human intensity, and fleshes out a multilayered world full of detail and character. Even the ending was exactly what I was looking for—totally satisfying but not quite what one would expect. It's a bit of a slow read at times—really not the sort of book one ploughs through—but I found it to be a thoroughly magnificent little novel.