Damsel

Twisted fairy tales are a popular theme in YA lit, but this unique rendition of the damsel and dragon trope was so, so, satisfying. If some of the plot twists were somewhat predictable, it was okay, because the ending was possibly the BEST ending of any such fairy tale rendition ever. Absolutely. I shrieked with glee. It was so over the top-
The writing was exceptional and went so far as to be poetic. I was particularly charmed by her descriptions of the sun and the splendid opening paragraphs, though the entire novel was a step beyond well-crafted.
I finished it in one sitting, picking it up after a student raved about it. She was right. :)

Dang, this book was a whole lot darker than I thought it was going to be- and a big big big ole TW for the following: rape, sexual assault, emotional abuse, physical abuse, animal harm, suicide mention, violence/gore.

This is the first book of Arnold's that I've read, and I absolutely adore her writing style. It's incredibly detailed without being overly descriptive, and I could see the whole story unfurl in my mind (partly due to the incredible narration of Elizabeth Knowelden). Arnold also doesn't shy awake from the fact that human bodies are hairy! Which I am so happy to see in a YA book- people have pubes, people have armpit hair, and people in a medieval/ fantasy setting ESPECIALLY HAVE BOTH!! This isn't a Croods situation where for some reason, the prehistoric women in the movie don't have armpit or leg hair. Unless we have yet to discover razors having been invented before fire (/s).

Anyway, stepping down from my soapbox on body hair, this book is D A R K. It's really dark. I'm surprised by the ending, by the constant tension of sexual violence throughout the story, and how much I wanted the ending (that I sort of knew had to happen) actually happen.

Damsel is a very complicated story about patriarchy and abuse and power, and how people born into this system can both suffer under it and perpetuate it, even at the same time. I could barely put this book down and I'm so excited to read more of Arnold's stories.

I would like to thank edelwiss and the publisher for giving me a chance to read this book prior to it's release.

For the rest of this review, please go to The Book Review.