zenithharpink's review against another edition
3.0
This book was just okay. I had recently read The 1,001 Arabian Nights, and I've read other retellings, of varying degrees of intrigue. This was somewhere in the middle. It was certainly brief, and was a little inconsistent in terms of pacing, but the story mostly made it from point A to point B.
My main gripe with this book was the language-the voice was wildly inconsistent and absolutely drove me crazy with bizarre turns of phrase. I certainly won't be reading this book again, but as "fairytale" retellings go, this one was passable and I don't regret reading it.
I recommend to fans of "fairytale" retellings that are looking for a light read. This is a light, younger-targeted read, but still diverting enough.
My main gripe with this book was the language-the voice was wildly inconsistent and absolutely drove me crazy with bizarre turns of phrase. I certainly won't be reading this book again, but as "fairytale" retellings go, this one was passable and I don't regret reading it.
I recommend to fans of "fairytale" retellings that are looking for a light read. This is a light, younger-targeted read, but still diverting enough.
jessica_flower's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this retelling, and I know younger high school and elementary school me would have loved it like she loved the rest of the fairytale retellings in this series.
The writing is lyrical and like a fairytale; it gives you enough mystery to leave you wanting to find out what happens next. That being said, I definitely felt my age when reading this. There is an excess of metaphors and some miscommunication between the main couple (and thickheadedness on account of the king) that made me huff, but considering this is a short book, a fairytale and meant for a younger audience I'll let it slide.
The main issue that I have is that Shahrazad and Shahrayar are names that are so similar to each other that I got the two of them mixed up often enough that I had to take a closer look when I was reading to avoid confusion. That's just a me problem, though. These two did have good banter between them, and I did appreciate that.
I know this is ridiculous to point it out because it is literally what gets the story going after a slow start but the curse that Shahrayar's first wife puts on him made me chuckle. She curses him to never know peace until he finds "a woman whose heart you can see truly and therefore know it - one who can do the same with yours - you will find no peace by day or night."
Girl, come on. Why give him a way out of suffering if you wanted to kill him that badly.
I think that might be my age showing.
It was a nice quick read, and I liked the healthy sibling relationships that were portrayed in this story: the sisterly bond between Shahrazad and Dinarzad, and the brotherly bond between Shahrayar and Shazaman. I liked how they actually cared for each other, when one could argue they had reasons not to. They overcame obstacles together by working side by side and helping each other out instead of tearing each other down or getting caught up in petty jealousies and insecurities.
The writing is lyrical and like a fairytale; it gives you enough mystery to leave you wanting to find out what happens next. That being said, I definitely felt my age when reading this. There is an excess of metaphors and some miscommunication between the main couple (and thickheadedness on account of the king) that made me huff, but considering this is a short book, a fairytale and meant for a younger audience I'll let it slide.
The main issue that I have is that Shahrazad and Shahrayar are names that are so similar to each other that I got the two of them mixed up often enough that I had to take a closer look when I was reading to avoid confusion. That's just a me problem, though. These two did have good banter between them, and I did appreciate that.
I know this is ridiculous to point it out because it is literally what gets the story going after a slow start but the curse that Shahrayar's first wife puts on him made me chuckle. She curses him to never know peace until he finds "a woman whose heart you can see truly and therefore know it - one who can do the same with yours - you will find no peace by day or night."
Girl, come on. Why give him a way out of suffering if you wanted to kill him that badly.
I think that might be my age showing.
It was a nice quick read, and I liked the healthy sibling relationships that were portrayed in this story: the sisterly bond between Shahrazad and Dinarzad, and the brotherly bond between Shahrayar and Shazaman. I liked how they actually cared for each other, when one could argue they had reasons not to. They overcame obstacles together by working side by side and helping each other out instead of tearing each other down or getting caught up in petty jealousies and insecurities.
Spoiler
(like those asshole brothers of the first queen)thisbookishcat's review against another edition
fast-paced
4.0
Honestly, this was a nice change of pace compared to what I've been reading lately. It was quick, witty, and kept me intrigued throughout the whole story.
I definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys fairy tales and is in a bit of a reading slump.
I definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys fairy tales and is in a bit of a reading slump.
xoffelokin's review against another edition
5.0
This was -so- good. I didn't expect it to be this good when I first started reading it, but it was really, really good.
I loved how all the characters were very flawed, real human beings, but done in a way that wasn't overly angsty or dark. While all of the characters were flawed and dealing with darkness in their own hearts, it was down in a way that was hopeful, not soul-killing. And I really, really liked that. It was super relatable!
I loved how all the characters were very flawed, real human beings, but done in a way that wasn't overly angsty or dark. While all of the characters were flawed and dealing with darkness in their own hearts, it was down in a way that was hopeful, not soul-killing. And I really, really liked that. It was super relatable!
marimoose's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 out of 5 stars.
Initial thoughts: This had enough plot twists to induce me to finish the book but not enough for me to find overly entertaining. Also, that copout ending. Can we please not?!
Initial thoughts: This had enough plot twists to induce me to finish the book but not enough for me to find overly entertaining. Also, that copout ending. Can we please not?!
scribesprite's review against another edition
4.0
This is definitely one of the top 5 in the series-so far. It has rejuvenated my faith in the series. Although I couldn't give it 5 stars it was pretty close.
I was relieved when Shahrazad (I think that’s her name) marries the King before the first quarter of the book ended, since it usually takes longer for Dokey to let the adventure start. So I got to see more of the guy-the-girl-is-supposed-to-fall-in-love-with. I've only read one other book with this retelling so it was a fresher retelling to me.
Dokey writes the book as if she were a storyteller with an audience present, which was the point. Shahrazad is the one who is supposed to be telling the story, so of course she would tell it like a storyteller. When Shahrazad started to tell the story to the King and her sister I was preparing myself to read right on through until she was done, because usually when there is a story within a story I can't help thinking, alright alright I get it, lets just get back to the real story already. I shouldn't have worried, it turned out that I enjoyed the story within the story too.
The only thing that irked me was the ending. I couldn't quite make out whether or not I liked it. It's not that it was bad, Shahrazad and the King get their happily ever after, but it seemed a bit...extended. That is the only word I can think of. It's not like the end went on forever, and I do like knowing all the answers by the end of books, but I think Dokey gave more information then she needed to. It kind of let the feeling of the book fade.
I was relieved when Shahrazad (I think that’s her name) marries the King before the first quarter of the book ended, since it usually takes longer for Dokey to let the adventure start. So I got to see more of the guy-the-girl-is-supposed-to-fall-in-love-with. I've only read one other book with this retelling so it was a fresher retelling to me.
Dokey writes the book as if she were a storyteller with an audience present, which was the point. Shahrazad is the one who is supposed to be telling the story, so of course she would tell it like a storyteller. When Shahrazad started to tell the story to the King and her sister I was preparing myself to read right on through until she was done, because usually when there is a story within a story I can't help thinking, alright alright I get it, lets just get back to the real story already. I shouldn't have worried, it turned out that I enjoyed the story within the story too.
The only thing that irked me was the ending. I couldn't quite make out whether or not I liked it. It's not that it was bad, Shahrazad and the King get their happily ever after, but it seemed a bit...extended. That is the only word I can think of. It's not like the end went on forever, and I do like knowing all the answers by the end of books, but I think Dokey gave more information then she needed to. It kind of let the feeling of the book fade.
shaekin's review against another edition
3.0
I don't feel like this retelling added much of anything to the original. And I have to say the introduction nearly made me quit before I even started. Overall, okay story, but didn't wow me.
thecactusprincess's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this one, it had lovely detail, some romance, a great plot line, suspence. Despite all that it was an abnormally slow read for me and this series. The characters I loved and I guess I could kinda tell what was going to happen but I enjoyed it anyways. So the only thing I have that I wasn't a fan of was the mysticism but I guess that's just how it goes.
shaipanda's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was one of my favorite books as a kid and honestly it 100% holds up
Such a good story in a fairly short book
Such a good story in a fairly short book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Ableism, Infidelity, and Death
Minor: Bullying, Death of parent, and Infertility
alyson7's review against another edition
3.0
The Storyteller's Daughter is a young adult retelling of the Arabian Nights. I vaguely know the story of Shahrazad and her 1001 tales that she told her husband, the king, in order to stay alive. In most versions, the king takes a new wife every night and then kills them in the morning. Shahrazad volunteers to become the king's new wife. At night, she tells the king a long tale that lasts until morning. When morning comes, the king is so hooked on finding out the rest of the story that he allows Shahrazad to live another night. Well, another night becomes another night and so on.
In this version, the king is a bit more redeemable. This is a young adult novel, after all. The king isn't beheading all of his wives. But, he is bitter after being betrayed by his previous wife. Enter Shahrazad who believes that it is her destiny to change the king's heart and to save her own heart in the process. She uses her gift of storytelling inherited from her mother to warm the king's heart. Meanwhile, there is a plot to overthrow the king.
This is the second novel by Cameron Dokey that I read. The first one was Winter's Child, a retelling of The Snow Queen. Both retellings are well written and have that fairy tale quality to them that is both comforting and exciting. Like Winter's Child, there is very little character development. The story is very much plot-centred (which is common for the fairy tale genre).
I have been meaning to read this book for a long time, and I am glad that I finally found a copy to read and review. It was certainly worth the wait.
I would recommend this book to fans of fairy tales and folklore retellings suited for a young adult audience. Also, if you're expecting a lot of romance, this probably isn't the book for you.
In this version, the king is a bit more redeemable. This is a young adult novel, after all. The king isn't beheading all of his wives. But, he is bitter after being betrayed by his previous wife. Enter Shahrazad who believes that it is her destiny to change the king's heart and to save her own heart in the process. She uses her gift of storytelling inherited from her mother to warm the king's heart. Meanwhile, there is a plot to overthrow the king.
This is the second novel by Cameron Dokey that I read. The first one was Winter's Child, a retelling of The Snow Queen. Both retellings are well written and have that fairy tale quality to them that is both comforting and exciting. Like Winter's Child, there is very little character development. The story is very much plot-centred (which is common for the fairy tale genre).
I have been meaning to read this book for a long time, and I am glad that I finally found a copy to read and review. It was certainly worth the wait.
I would recommend this book to fans of fairy tales and folklore retellings suited for a young adult audience. Also, if you're expecting a lot of romance, this probably isn't the book for you.