Shannon Hale’s Book of a Thousand Days (2007) reimagines the Brothers Grimm fairytale Maid Maleen into a rich, young adult fantasy. The story follows Dashti, a resilient "mucker" maid, and her employer, the troubled Lady Saren, locked in a tower as punishment for Saren's refusal to marry the sinister Lord Khasar. Over nearly three years of confinement, Dashti chronicles their struggles, Saren's emotional turmoil, and mysterious visitors, including the charming Khan Tegus. After a daring escape, the girls face a world ravaged by Khasar’s war. Dashti's bravery and resourcefulness secure them work in Tegus’s palace, where she secretly falls in love with him while helping Saren heal. When Khasar’s shape-shifting nature as a wolf is revealed, Dashti boldly confronts him, ending his reign of terror. The tale concludes with Dashti overcoming societal prejudices to claim her place beside Tegus, thanks to Saren’s newfound courage and loyalty. Hale crafts a compelling story of friendship, love, and self-discovery set in a vivid, fantastical world.
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