Genre: Children’s, Young Adult
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Publication Date: September 2007
Reviewed by Jaci Miller
When Dashti’s mistress, Lady Saren, refuses to marry the man her father has chosen, both girls are thrown into a sealed tower to endure a seven-year punishment. Soon Khan Tegus, a kind suitor, calls upon them and Saren orders Dashti to impersonate her, a crime punishable with death. Reluctantly, Dashti obeys and finds herself anticipating this man’s visits. But food supplies grow scarce and an evil suitor, Khasar, taunts them. Dashti must find a way to protect her mistress and escape the tower’s confines.
Against a backdrop of war-torn and defeated lands, Dashti and Saren flee to Tegus’ homeland, still maintaining their switched identities. But Khasar’s lust for power leads him to conquer this country as well. As he approaches their new home, Dashti learns she must face Khasar if she and Saren hope to survive.
Something about Book of a Thousand Days by Newbery Honor-winner Shannon Hale entrances readers into propping their eyelids against the late hours. The magic of foreign lands and the thrill of adventure may have something to do with this. Or it could be poetic language and a truly heroic, yet humble protagonist. Readers will cheer for Dashti, a simple but intelligent girl, who can restore the human spirit with her healing songs. Ever hopeful and hardy, she tells the tale through her carefully kept journal.
Shannon Hale patterns the setting of this retold Grimm fairytale (“Maid Maleen”) after medieval Mongolia—a unique choice that lends a distinctive quality and tone to the book. Some elements of religion and eastern mysticism naturally creep into the book for this reason, as well as bits of magic.
A well-told, charming tale.
Review copy provided by Bloomsbury.
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