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