The beginning of this book was a bit tedious for me because of the simplistic writing. However, the writing seemed to get better along with the plot and I ended up really liking the book--I couldn't put it down! Overall, a fun and engaging read. ( )

This new Shannon Hale book was pretty good. The best part about this book was the new world she has created. I loved reading about the different cities and lore and pantheon. The government structure was also pretty interesting. The story itself was fairly interesting although fairly convenient at the end. Of course the girl ends up with the handsome prince at the end, but it makes for a good light read. ( )

This is one of my favorite genres, the fairy tale retold. This is set in an imaginary Mongolian Steppes kind of world. The main character, Dashti, is very well developed, and she grows throughout the story into someone you really wish you could know in real life. The minor characters are also well-drawn, and the cultural setting is very inventive and interesting. Basically, Dashti saves herself, the high-borne lady she serves, and a kingdom -- all through the use of healing songs she learned from her revered mother. I liked pretty much everything about this book, and am sorry my girls think they're too old for me to read to them, because I'd love to share it with them the way I did Ella Enchanted, the Harry Potter books, A Little Princess, etc. ( )

http://www.lonelymountain.net/books/o... ( )

It went slowly in the middle but had a great second part. ( )