Dashti's a maid, but a brand new one, and she's pretty surprised when she goes to her new mistress's house and in a very short amount of time finds her sealed in a tower with her new mistress, The Lady Saren. Lady Saren has told her father that she will not marry the man he has picked out for her. She doesn't give him any reason why not, and he has her locked in a tower very quickly. As he's leaving the locked tower he gives her one more chance, marry the man or stay in this tower for seven years. Lady Saren stubbornly ignores him and Dashti's and her fates are sealed. Dashti knows how to write and it is the one thing that brings her peace during the long, dark days and nights of being locked in the tower. So we see those days through her eyes as she writes in her journal of sorts. She writes of all the food that Lady Saren's father has left for them, sure that their seven years will be comfortable because of it. She writes of Khan Tegus, the young man that Saren has promised herself to, but is to afraid to actually talk to when he comes to the tower to call. She also talks of the cruel Lord Khasar, who her father insists that she marry, and when he comes to the tower also. Will Dashti and Lady Saren survive their imprisonment? Will Lady Saren be forced to marry the man she despises?
This book is my very favorite Shannon Hale book. I love the fairy tale feel of the story. I love the way that Dashti writes the story, it's as though you're reading her journal. I love Dashti, her strength and courage are amazing, I hope in some small way to be as courageous and strong as she is. I love the ending, so awesome! If you haven't read this book, well, you'd better go find a copy!Labels: shannon hale, ya
