Reviews

Deerskin by Robin McKinley

nyarasha's review against another edition

2.0

Beautiful writing, a few gorgeous scenes. The relationships are way too simplistic and short, heavy trauma is not really dealt with so much as burst out about finally. An easy read, but not satisfying.

tristansumm's review against another edition

“It is a much more straightforward thing to be a dog, and a dog's love, once given, is not reconsidered; it just is, like sunlight or mountains. It is for human beings to see the shadows behind the light, and the light behind the shadows. It is, perhaps, why dogs have people, and people have dogs.”

jillyfae's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful medium-paced

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

4.75

themoonphoenix's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

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

4.0

madisonn's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective 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? No

5.0

jelomath's review

Read 9-10 May 2019

10 May (29%): K, on p. 112, and i can’t continue. I never signed up for incestuous rape. I also never signed up for obsession with beauty. And, the narrative drags and drags and drags. Boring but also terrible. Can’t. Life is too short. 

I am tapping out of not only this book, but Robin McKinley in general. Put her on the shelf with child-molester Marion Zimmer Bradly. Byeeeee. 

moleplayingrough's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective 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? No

4.0

caitiline's review against another edition

2.0

Deerkskin , by Robin McKinley is the second book of hers I have read, and, like the first, The Hero and the Crown , there was just something about the writing style that I could not relate to.
I found myself quite bored through the opening section of the novel. I understand that it is a retelling of a fairy tale and so has that detached narrative style, yet I couldn't connect to the characters, nor could I sense any sort of "reality" in it. The middle section of the book I enjoyed more, Lissar's journey through the forest and her eventual transformation. It was nicely written with some beautiful descriptions, yet still I couldn't find that connection with the characters. Whilst the novel dealt with some heavy issues (I actually think she did this well), I found it very bland and there was just something lacking that I cannot put my finger on. Perhaps I am more used to fantasy novels with lots going on, wars, political intrigue, complicated story lines..
I'm sure that some people will enjoy the slow build and the gentle tone, but it was just not for me.

parhelion's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

ameenah_94's review against another edition

2.0

2.5