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A review by annettebooksofhopeanddreams
Damsel by Elana K. Arnold
4.0
Before I get to my review, let me tell you one thing. I give this book a four star rating, but I want to warn readers. This books IS not a YA. It contains 3 explicit rape scenes, loads of abuse and assault and all the dumb arguments from men to justify their behavior every woman has heard a few too many times. It's a thought provoking, hard to stomach and uncomfortable read. Be careful with yourself and please decide whether or not you're okay with reading this, even if the last 20/30 pages and the implied thereafter are worth it.
I got this ARC in the bookboxclub from september and I was that excited about it, that I started reading it almost right away. I have to admit that I expected something slightly different from what I've gotten, mostly because it's a lot darker and more twisted and sickening than I had expected, but I nevertheless think this was a good read.
The writing does an amazing job in fooling us that it's a fairytale. All the standard fairytale story elements are used, maybe even a little too often but I think that was the point, and the story also really starts as this cute fairytale where a prince goes to rescue his damsel/future queen from a fire breathing dragon. It's partially the traditional fairytale vibe, implied by mostly the language, that does much of the job in bringing the message across.
Although the plot is not that unpredictable, I actually already guessed most of it during the first few chapters, I do think the journey, no matter how sickening it is to read it, is worth it. It's an interesting, thought provoking journey, with a lot of emotional development. The main character goes through a lot of different stages and the pay off at the very end is quit worth it and at least in some way satisfying.
I understand that Ama comes across as "weak" and "passive" and maybe even "annoyingly powerless", just like every other female character, throughout the story, but that's partly the point of it and how she grows, develops and learns and eventually becomes who she has to become at the very end makes her very sympathetic and strong in my opinion. I think how she feels, what she thinks, and what she tries, might be sadly very realistic. I do like how in the end she does get what she deserves so much.
I personally would have liked a little epilogue to explain a little what is implied in the last few chapters of what's to happen to the world that's created here. But, all in all...a very intriguing, raw, harsh and yet somehow still satisfying read. But once again: Make sure you know what you're getting into and don't be surprised by it NOT being a YA and the explicit descriptions of rape, abuse in all possible forms and patriarchy at its ugliest.
(ps. Phrasing my feelings and thoughts concerning this book is hard, I hope I brought my point across!)
I got this ARC in the bookboxclub from september and I was that excited about it, that I started reading it almost right away. I have to admit that I expected something slightly different from what I've gotten, mostly because it's a lot darker and more twisted and sickening than I had expected, but I nevertheless think this was a good read.
The writing does an amazing job in fooling us that it's a fairytale. All the standard fairytale story elements are used, maybe even a little too often but I think that was the point, and the story also really starts as this cute fairytale where a prince goes to rescue his damsel/future queen from a fire breathing dragon. It's partially the traditional fairytale vibe, implied by mostly the language, that does much of the job in bringing the message across.
Although the plot is not that unpredictable, I actually already guessed most of it during the first few chapters, I do think the journey, no matter how sickening it is to read it, is worth it. It's an interesting, thought provoking journey, with a lot of emotional development. The main character goes through a lot of different stages and the pay off at the very end is quit worth it and at least in some way satisfying.
I understand that Ama comes across as "weak" and "passive" and maybe even "annoyingly powerless", just like every other female character, throughout the story, but that's partly the point of it and how she grows, develops and learns and eventually becomes who she has to become at the very end makes her very sympathetic and strong in my opinion. I think how she feels, what she thinks, and what she tries, might be sadly very realistic. I do like how in the end she does get what she deserves so much.
I personally would have liked a little epilogue to explain a little what is implied in the last few chapters of what's to happen to the world that's created here. But, all in all...a very intriguing, raw, harsh and yet somehow still satisfying read. But once again: Make sure you know what you're getting into and don't be surprised by it NOT being a YA and the explicit descriptions of rape, abuse in all possible forms and patriarchy at its ugliest.
(ps. Phrasing my feelings and thoughts concerning this book is hard, I hope I brought my point across!)