Reviews

Deerskin by Robin McKinley

ameenah_94's review against another edition

2.0

2.5

hollowistheworld's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Incest, Sexual assault, and Pregnancy

moocowimpi's review against another edition

5.0

What an absolutely amazing story....I was dragged in from the first by the fluid and descriptive way of writing.

I can honestly say that this is now one of my favorite reads!

nmorin's review against another edition

4.0

3.5? A beautiful story but not too much happened for how long it was? I was confused by

Spoiler

the early focus on the mother and the portrait especially; seemed to spend a lot of time on it, but it was referenced very little later in the book, or ever explained why the queen said what she did about 'marry someone only more beautiful than me'; did she want him to marry the daughter? Or did the anticipate that and she trying to prevent that?

tani's review against another edition

4.0

Even with all the trigger warnings on so many reviews, I found myself a little bit shocked at how very dark this was. Seriously, guys, there's rape and abuse and incest herein, and it's not pretty. What is pretty is the care that Robin McKinley takes with the character of Lissar and her recovery from these things. She is a truly detailed character, which is always my jam, and McKinley writes her with such care and understanding that I couldn't help but love her. Not to mention that the writing is quite lyrical, the fairy tale feeling is prevalent, and the dogs are wonderful. In short, I really enjoyed this one!

mamap's review against another edition

2.0

too much blood and unhappiness for this to be a good book. and i don't like this style of writing.

grayfeathers's review against another edition

5.0

This book is hard. This book has graphic scenes of sexual assault and trauma. This book is also an incredible fairy tale about healing from trauma, about love and dogs and the moon.

I last read this when I was too young to understand it, but I think it still shaped me anyway. Good, hard, beautiful, painful reading.

pedanticpenchant's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-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

4.25

elfdiehl83's review against another edition

5.0

re-read in 2016

jlh7739's review against another edition

3.0

A Grimm style fairy tale. Horrible things happen but there are things to learn.