This is such a stunning novel. It tells a classic fairy tale in such a unique, original way. The beginning is extremely slow. The first time I read it, I found it boring. The second time around, it became my favorite part. It was boring, because there isn't much to write about when you're locked up in a stuffy old tower! I still enjoyed hearing about all the little problems they were facing. Those are the things you'd never think about while reading the original Maid Maleen. I think this book has the most beautiful writing out of all of Shannon Hale's books. It's a simple journal of a simple girl who went through so many hardships, yet stood strong throughout them all.