Deerskin

An author who writes mesmerizing fantasy stories with an almost lyrical, dreamlike style. Her prose is always outstanding, top notch and beautiful to read. Deerskin is perhaps her best, most evocative work. The fact that so much emotion and so much journey of self discovery is packed between a few hundred pages in a single story is staggering. McKinley shows you don't need multiple books to tell a poignant story.Well McKinley has many awesome books, Deerskin is one of her darker works. It's the story about a Princess who appears to be happy, but as you dig down into the narrative, find out is in fact miserable and lonely. Very bad things happen to her and her life at the palace is destroyed. It's a story about pain, about sorry, about loss, and ultimately about rebuilding your life from the ashes and finding redemption and maybe even love.This poignant tale is not a happy one and there are moments of intense horror, sorrow, and sadness scattered between the pages, but it's a powerfully intense story about becoming broken and shattered but finding healing and the power to overcome past tragedies and gaining control of your life.Few books will so impact your emotions like Deerskin. One of the best character riven fantasies firmly rooted in reality.

Booklists having this book

Best Stand Alone Fantasy Books

Most of the books listed on this website's top fantasy lists have been part of a series, either because of the financial incentive behind publishing multiple books in the same... Read more

Other books by Mckinley, Robin

The Hero And The Crown

Aerin is shy, clumsy, ugly, and mistrusted by the people she is supposed to rule. She is ridiculed for being the daughter of a witch with none of her witchy... Read more

The Blue Sword

The original "strong heroine" fantasy author, McKinley broke new ground with her work in the 80's. Harry Crewe feels restless, insignificant, invisible. Until kelar, a kind of magical force handed... Read more

A Knot In The Grain And Other Stories

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Imaginary Lands

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The Stone Fey

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Deerskin

An author who writes mesmerizing fantasy stories with an almost lyrical, dreamlike style. Her prose is always outstanding, top notch and beautiful to read. Deerskin is perhaps her best, most... Read more

Sunshine

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Beauty

This rendition of the classic fairytale inspired the Disney cartoon of the 90's, and the live action film in 2017. The fairytale I grew up with featured the typical ugly,... Read more

Sunshine

This exceptionally entertaining novel features a highly likable and relatable protagonist and a bunch of vampires that are a far more accurate representation of the blood sucking fiends, in comparison... Read more

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