Teen Tuesday and Audiobook Review: Poisoned by Jennifer Donnelly

Image: Scholastic Inc.

Poisoned by Jennifer Donnelly. Unabridged downloadable e-audiobook, ~11 hours. Read by Rosie Jones. Scholastic Audio, October, 2020. 9781338637496. (Review of e-audiobook downloaded from public library. HC purchased.)

Teen Tuesday features Poisoned by Jennifer Donnelly. Buckle up everyone! This is no Disney version of Snow White! This feminist fairy tale hews a bit closer to the Brothers Grimm. It is dark and twisty and oh so intriguing.

"Once upon a time, a girl named Sophie rode into the forest with the queen's huntsman. Her lips were the color of ripe cherries, her skin as soft as new-fallen snow, her hair as dark as midnight. When they stopped to rest, the huntsman took out his knife… and took Sophie's heart."

Wait, what? Yes, dear Reader, Princess Charlotta-Sidonia Wilhelmina Sophia of the Greenlands - Sophie, was left for dead by the Queen's huntsman in this re-imagined fairy tale by Ms. Donnelly, who, you may remember, re-imagined Cinderella from the stepsister's POV in Stepsister.

Sophie was rescued by seven brothers, who were able to capture her soul before it was too late. One brother fashioned a clockwork heart to replace hers and Sophie recovered in their home in a hollow. Alas, clockwork, no matter how finely crafted does tend to wind down eventually, though Sophie does not know this initially. She pines for her prince, whom she betrothed the night before her "murder." She continues to think he will come searching for her. Poor kind and naive Sophie!

This tale is familiar, yet new and filled with an intriguing cast of characters. It is richly atmospheric, menacing and really satisfying. I read this one with my ears and was always sorry to have to turn it off. If you love magic and fairy tale retellings, you will love Poisoned. Isn't that cover incredible?

Teen Tuesday and Audiobook Review: Damsel by Elana K. Arnold

Image: HarperCollins Publishers

Damsel by Elana K. Arnold. Unabridged e-audiobook, ~8 hours. Read by Elizabeth Knowelden. Balzer + Bray/ HarperAudio, October, 2018. 9780062890238. (Review of finished e-audiobook borrowed from public library.)

Happy Tuesday TMS Readers! We've had a string of nice days here. I hope you've gotten outside for some fresh air and exercise before settling down with a great book. My YA reading this summer has skewed decidedly to high school, so this "Teen Tuesday" recommendation is for former students. I crosspost "The Daily Book Talk" to the Closter Library Facebook page as well as my blog, so former students have the opportunity to see my recommendations.

Teen Tuesday features Damsel by Elana K. Arnold. Arnold won a 2019 Printz Honor for this fierce, feminist fairy tale. One fairy tale motif (theme or pattern) is the rescue of the "damsel in distress." In Damsel, Prince Emory, upon the death of his father, the king, is tasked to go forth and rescue a damsel from the clutches of a dragon as a condition for becoming king. He then marries the damsel, who will produce an male heir destined to do the same, and so on. Emory names his damsel Ama, for she has no memories and ensconces her in the palace, where she is to learn the ways of the court. Ama is troubled by her amnesia, especially when she glimpses flashes of memory. She also has a will of her own, which surprises and dismays Emory, who has a cruel side and is intent on molding his prize to be obedient and docile. 

Thoughtful and mature teen readers who are fans of fairy tales have much to ponder here. The pace is quick and intense as Ama gradually pushes against the role she is expected to place and discovers who she is and claims her identity.

Initially, I found the narrator's sing-songy voice a bit cloying and affected. I soon learned to ignore it and focus on the lovely language and startling imagery of the writing. Her character voices were varied and distinct. Her pacing remained steady even as events crescendoed.