Customer Reviews

Shamer's Daughter

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The story is about Dina, a young girl coming of age, who has inherited her mothers gift - the shamer's eyes. When people look into the eyes of a person with this gift, they are confronted with the things they have done in their lives, and the kind of person they really are.
Most people find this experience very unpleasant or at least unsettling, but some people can look a shamer in the eye - without being affected by it.
Those are people who are very balanced with who they are; Because they are *good*, and therefore has very little to be ashamed about, or because they are so evil or selfish - they don't have any shame in them... But how do you know whether they're the one kind or the other? How do you know when you're only 10 years old?

When her mother is taken captive, Dina is forced to experience and understand the world on her own. Who can you trust? How do you know which choices to make? Dina finds herself caught in the middle of a political intrigue for the throne. The Lord Drakan wants to use her powers for his own ends - and Dina has to find out what's going on, defend herself against witch-charges, AND find a way of freeing her mother.

This is an excellent fantasy book. It's really well written, and the author masterfully ends each chapter with a cliffhanger that makes you go "What happens next???"
The story is about trust, friendship, courage and choice. It's amusing, full of suspense, and it gives children and adults alike lots of food for thought!

This book is a must-have for every child aged 9-13, and every adult who enjoyed reading Harry Potter!
It's the first in a series of four. (the last one will be published in Denmark this fall).

First of all, I must say that I am completely jealous of Ms Kaaberbol because she is bilingual and can translate her books into different languages-- and yet her English is amazing and creative! Her use of description, character development, and on-going action make this a very enjoyable-- and tense-- read. It is very suspensful and unpredictable.
My only draw back would be the hasty ending, but I'm sure that the future additions to the chronicles will make up for it!

The first book about Dina is a succes BUT
- It gets so much better! There are four books about the shamers children and you HAVE to read all of them!

In the second book we'll hear about Dina's brother Davin (or that's what he is called in the original version) and Dina's fight for justice for themselves and their new friend Nico.

The first book is fantastic and you have to read it to understand the second, the thierd and ofcourse the last one!

Amanda - the Dane who read them all in just a few dayes!

I'd like to put in my two pennies' worth of opinions...the Shamer's Daughter was a beautiful book! Dina's kindness and pure empathy came out really clear in it. I'm sad that Amazon.com neglected to check up on further books...there are some more actually, The Shamer's Signet is out in English. The Serpent's Gift and The Shamer's War are coming here soon...so watch out for them. Also, Lene Kaaberbol has other books such as Silverhorse.

Back to this book. Sorry, I tend to rave a bit. I don't tell you much about the plot because the other reviews do that well enough. Just know that the characters were certainly painted fine and this book is one of my favourites!

The Shamer's Daughter is in itself a pleasant little story that moves along well and has at its core an extremely intriguing concept that here is unfortunately not fully explored, but the good news is that while Shamer's Daughter is an ok read, its sequel, Shamer's Signet, is a much stronger book, well-rewarding the reader who begins the series.
"Shamers" have the gift of, as one might guess, shaming. To look into a Shamer's eyes is to look into a mirror of your soul, revealing all that you have to feel guilty about. It's no surprise, therefore, that few people look into a Shamer's eyes unless compelled by law (Shamer's are used to confirm guilt or innocence in the social system). Dina's mother is an experienced Shamer called upon by those around her for matters of dispute, feared but respected. Ten-year-old Dina has inherited her mother's gift and for her it is a cause of isolation since none of her like-aged peers want anything to do with her (imagine the shameful things you did as a child).
When Dina's mother is kidnapped by Lord Drakan (the name alone would have clued her into his evil intent you'd think, not to mention the not-so-tame dragons he keeps below his castle), Dina must rise to the challenge of saving her mother, solving a royal murder, preventing the execution of an innocent man, and escaping herself from Drakan's clutches.
As mentioned, the story moves along relatively well. It's a quick read for the most part, with a few places that lag and a few too-contrived scenes. If Dina acts well past her age, it's a flaw easily overlooked. The biggest disappointment is how little is done with the potentially powerful idea of Shaming--Kaaberbol skirts around the edges but never really fully explores the idea's potential drama, leaving the story feeling a bit flat. It isn't dull, but it doesn't have much spark to it--the kind of book you'll finish but wouldn't strongly recommend. I'm glad, however, to have waited to review it until the reading the second one, as Shamer's Signet is much stronger in story and character. So while I'd give only a tepid recommendation to Shamer's Daughter as a stand-alone book, as an introduction into a series (the third book is out but not yet in the U.S.) I recommend it much more enthusiastically. Read Daughter and enjoy it, but move on quickly to Shamer's Signet for a more rewarding read. Recommended, though more as a stepping stone into the better sequel.

The shamer's daughter is an excellant book about a girl named Dina who is an outcast among her own town. Because she is a shamer, her mother the official shamer can see into peoples souls, and see what they have done. FOr this reason the townspeople fear and shun Dina, but when her mother goes missing its up to Dina to rescue her from The Dragon Lord.

ps: The 2nd book the Shamer's Signet is very good to, but its only out in england

This book is truly amazing. It has a unique plot and curious ideas. I dont want to tell you what it is abbout and be a spoiler, but i think it's a really good book. You shoiuld all read this book. It's a good book for middle school aged children give or take a few years.

i can only say that all the shamer series are good books to read what ever your age.but if your looking for swearing /gore you will not get that from these books and i think that is good. again thanks lene mrs parker

Shamer's Daughyer is a wonderful and well written story that can be recommended for ages 7-99. I myself was 57 when I read it, and I nearly missed going to work because it was so exciting!
Enjoy! Anne Bisgaard

These are delightful children's books about dragons, evil princes, and magical powers. The main character is a high-spirited, stubborn young teenage girl. Her life is a bit confusing as she has been gifted in ways that make her quite dangerous (or a great help) to those in power. Through a series of her own mistakes and willfulness and the actions of others around her (many of them negative or trying to use her), she discovers more who she is - and what her place is.

The series was fairly fast moving and uplifting; fairly plot and character centred. The characters had delightful and surprising elements to them, and were complicated and real. I don't think it's the kind of book that one would read twice (at least not as an adult) but I'd definitely recommend it.