My Favorite Book of 2023- Review for “Deerskin” by Robin McKinley

I’m not quite sure how to review Deerskin by Robin McKinley. I loved this book so much that I want to spoil everything about it but also not spoil any of it. I went into it blind and I think that’s the best way to read it so I don’t want to ruin the story for any of you that may be interested. I’m going to try and keep this review spoiler free but there will be a few slight spoilers.

Synopsis:

As Princess Lissla Lissar reaches womanhood, it is clear to all the kingdom that in her beauty she is the image of her dead mother, the queen. But this likeness forces her to flee from her father’s lust and madness; and in the pain and horror of that flight she forgets who she is and what it is she flees from: forgets almost everything but the love and loyalty of her dog, Ash, who accompanies her. But a chance encounter on the road leads to a job in another king’s kennels, where the prince finds himself falling in love with the new kennel maid . . . and one day he tells her of a princess named Lissla Lissar, who had a dog named Ash.

My Thoughts:

• Rating– 

Lissla was always overshadowed by her beautiful and popular parents. They were obsessed with each other and never paid attention to their young daughter. When the queen became sick and knew that she was going to die, she made the king promise not to marry anyone unless they were as beautiful as her. After the queen died, the king went mad and decided that the only woman as beautiful as his wife was his daughter. He informed Lissla that he was going to marry her and later attacked her. After the assault, Lissla fled into the woods with nothing but her beloved dog, Ash.

Deerskin is a story of survival and strength with a fantasy twist. I do think it requires trigger warnings for incest, rape and miscarriage but none of those aspects are graphically described or mentioned often. This book reads like a classic fairytale. It’s dark but balanced out with moments of hope and a happy ending. It’s beautifully written without the overdone purple prose that ruins many fantasies. The characters were also truly special.

Lissla is now one of my absolute favorite characters. Even when she is at her weakest, she’s a survivor. There’s times when she doesn’t want to live but she keeps going for her best friend and dog, Ash. I think that’s relatable for many people. I also loved everybody Lissla met on her journey to the other kingdom. This book really highlights that most people are kind and good. I think McKinley chose to do this so there would be more contrast between the evil king and everyone else Lissla meets. By the end of the book, Lissla is able to learn that she’s lovable for who she is and not because she looks like her dead mother.

There’s truly nothing I disliked about this book. The dogs and their role was just fantastic. I also loved how cozy the overall story was. A good bit of it takes place during the winter and the descriptions for the food and setting makes this a perfect read for the colder months. There’s a very sweet romance, as well. I don’t want to spoil anything about it but I really enjoyed how it was written and what it added to Lissla’s story.

Final Thoughts:

I suppose if I had to think of something I wasn’t happy with, it would be the lack of an epilogue. This book does end happily but I want more. This has been my favorite book of the year and I’m excited to read more from McKinley. Have you read anything from this author? Let me know! Thanks for reading and have a great day!