Book of a Thousand Days Review

Well then, I think I finished the Shannon Hale fairytale catalogue and like Gail Carson Levine, she should be applauded for her creative twists on classic tales while paying homage to the darker elements of the originals and bringing her vivid descriptions of nature blending in with magic.

In this case, her debut is based on the little-known Maid Maleen tale. As I don’t know the original, I can’t say how much it departs from it but it’s influence by the Mongolian steppes make a unique setting and the world-building based on it add a distinct juxtposition between civilization and the wild just as the protagonist, Dashti blurs the line between her, a mucker maid and the gentry that she is obliged to serve.

Her first order is to be locked into a tower with her Lady Saren for seven years after Saren refuses her betrothal to the cruel Khasar. Dashti starts off a bit naieve about the situation, seeing it as an adventure to record her journal. Hale does a great job in showing the slow descent of madness that the isolation brings to the girls, creating a clustraphobic and hopeless situation for both. Dashti’s burden is doubly hard as she has to care for Saren who is already fearful and addled in the head, her comfortable lifestyle not preparing her for any sort of discomfort.

But there is hope as Saren’s “true love” Khan Tegus comes to rescue her. I put “true love” as one can tell from the moment Saren commands Dashti to impersonate her, and the sweet, comfortable conversation that they share makes it clear that Dashti will have her own Cinderella story with the prince.

But the Khan doesn’t rescue them, not before Lord Khasar razes the kingdom to the ground as the girls find out when they escape two and half years later.

Obviously, this is a new spoilers blog so I won’t go into what happens in Part 2, but I admire Hale’s blend of danger, delusion and courage as Dashti struggles between doing what is right and helping her mistress. This leads her to doing more to save the kingdom than anyone because her unique skills of healing songs and mcuker faith allow her to see the true evil within Khasar and his weaknesses.

It is the same loyalty that makes Dashti and Tegus’ romance believable and endearing despite the class difference. It is also so rewarding as you can see all the hard work, faith and compassion that Dashti leads her life is returned with Tegus looking at her as an equal, a beautiful woman instead of a mottled mucker maid with bad luck. Now, she has a family of her own after being alone for so long, and she really deserves it.

Lady Saren has her own arc too, healing and become a little more self-sufficient after years of trauma and verbal abuse from those who considered her worth tied to marriage. She also comes to see Dashti as a sister, dismissing the class boundaries that separate them initially.

As with the Book of Bayern, the magic system in this world is powerful and awe-inspirjing. While this one was more vague, I applauded how sadistic she made the villain of the piece. Khasar was terrifying hardcore.

The journal was also an excellent structure, showing the passing of time, detailed drawings and serving as a catalyst for the final denounement.

This story was a wonderful debut from Hale, showing her origina spark and the themes of girl power, friendship, nature and magic that would be prevelant in later works.

4 stars.