Deerskin

Summary: As Princess Lissar reaches womanhood, it is clear to all the kingdom that in her breathtaking beauty she is the mirror image of her mother, the queen. But this seeming blessing forces her to flee for safety from her father's wrath. With her loyal dog Ash at her side, Lissar will unlock a door to a world of magic, where she will find the key to her survival-and an adventure beyond her wildest dreams.

from bn.com

Beth says 5 Stars...

I fell in love with Robin McKinley the first time I read The Blue Sword and Deerskin made me love her even more. Deerskin is an extraordinary novel. The subject matter was more than a bit disturbing at times, but McKinley's beautiful prose treats it with great humanity. This is a "grown-up" fairy tale where evil isn't always obvious and happily ever after doen't always come easily. There is a powerful combination of pain and beauty, which makes the book unflinchingly human. It shows the altering power of love, and that love sometimes comes in unexpected ways that aren't always good. Everything about this book was breathtaking, from the characters, to the plot, to the writing itself. It was a powerfully engrossing read, magical and emotional. This is an unforgettable book that begs to be read over and over again.