Amazon.com: The Storyteller's Daughter (9780439521307): Cameron Dokey: Books

Book Description

Publication Date: 2003

Once upon a time, there lived a king whose heart was heavy. He had been betrayed by the woman he loved. Though the queen's schemes were discovered before she could deprive her husband of his life, her dying curse killed something deep within him: his ability to love and trust. And so he makes a terrible resolution: He will take a bride for one night only. In the morning she will face a horrible fate. Then he will choose another. Nothing can change his course until one brave woman steps forward. Shahrazad, the Storyteller's Daughter. Steeped in the ancient art of her mother's people, Shahrazad embarks upon a perilous course. With words alone, she will seek to restore the king's heart. As she tells her tales a bond forms between them that neither can deny. But will it be strong enough to hold them together when danger erupts?

#outer_postBodyPS { display: none; } #psGradient { display: none; } #psPlaceHolder { display: none; } #psExpand { display: none; } Once upon a time, there lived a king whose heart was heavy. He had been betrayed by the woman he loved. Though the queen's schemes were discovered before she could deprive her husband of his life, her dying curse killed something deep within him: his ability to love and trust. And so he makes a terrible resolution: He will take a bride for one night only. In the morning she will face a horrible fate. Then he will choose another. Nothing can change his course until one brave woman steps forward. Shahrazad, the Storyteller's Daughter. Steeped in the ancient art of her mother's people, Shahrazad embarks upon a perilous course. With words alone, she will seek to restore the king's heart. As she tells her tales a bond forms between them that neither can deny. But will it be strong enough to hold them together when danger erupts?

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Customer Reviews

27 Reviews

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

4.3 out of 5 stars (27 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars So many stories, so little time, September 2, 2002

By

Heidi Anne Heiner (SurLaLune Fairy Tales.com) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)

This review is from: The Storyteller's Daughter (Mass Market Paperback)

"Storyteller's Daughter" is the story of Shahrazad, the daughter of a vizier and a storyteller who saves her country. It is the frame story from the Arabian Nights in which a woman tells stories each night and never finishes them before dawn in hopes of living another day. For if she doesn't give her husband, the king, a reason to extend her life, she will be executed at dawn. The next night she finishes the story from the previous night and then begins another.

In Dokey's version of the story, Shahrazad is blind and brave. She has learned to see with her heart and knows that the king has been deeply wounded by his first wife who betrayed him. As she helps the king heal through her stories, they both learn how to forgive, trust, and love each other. However, other forces are also seeking to destroy them and gain the throne. How the story ends is different from the original tale, but should prove satisfying to most readers. The romance in the story is not heavy-handed nor the only theme of the book. This should appeal to those who love a romance or simply a historical adventure.

This paperback appears to be the first in a series of fairy tale retellings with a "Once Upon a Time" theme. "Storyteller's Daughter" is the first, soon to be followed by "Beauty Sleep," also by Cameron Dokey. Then "Snow" by Tracy Lynn will follow later.

Another great book to read as a companion to this one is "Shadow Spinner" by Susan Fletcher.

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Storyteller's Daughter, January 5, 2004

By

Jessica (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Storyteller's Daughter (Mass Market Paperback)

This magical story was the inspired by the folktale Arabian Nights. King Shahrayar, a just and loved king, turns his own heart to stone when betrayed by his queen. His people's love turns to hate when he makes a terrible procliamaiton: every night of the full moon, he will take a new wife-- only to kill her the next morning. Shahrazad, the wise blind seventeen-year-old daughter of the the blind storyteller, Maju, and the king's vizier, plans to complete her destiny and reach the king's heart. After telling her tales, a bond of love forms between Shahrazad and Shahrayar that neither can deny or admit. But in order to break the former queen's dying curse, Shahrazad must learn to surrender her heart, and Shahrayar to let his free. This is a truly amazing tale whose magic lingers long after the book is finished.

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, October 1, 2003

By

Erika Sorocco (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Storyteller's Daughter (Mass Market Paperback)

Once upon a time there was a King who's wife betrayed him, and when sentenced to death, her dying curse killed his ability to love and trust women from that day forth. So he decides on a new way to be happy. He shall take a new wife every day, and keep her for one night only, in the morning, she shall die. This is what he plans on doing, until one young woman, Shahrazad, the Storyteller's Daughter changes his mind. With words, and stories alone, Shahrazad plans on restoring the King's heart, so he shall be able to love and trust once more. But before she knows it, a bond has been created between Shahrazad and the King. One that will link them forever.

This is a fantastic re-telling of the novel "The Arabian Nights." The stories in THE STORYTELLER'S DAUGHTER are intricate and entertaining. Stories that will haunt you forever. A fantastic start to the "Once Upon A Time..." series.

Erika Sorocco

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars stories within a story
I was fascinated by all the stories in this book. The main story was really touching and romantic, showing the power of real and deep love. Read more

Published 23 months ago by myrtille

3.0 out of 5 stars Okay novel
I really enjoy reading fairy tales and fantasy. However, I would only give this novel 3 stars. I checked out this book and a few others from the "Once upon a time" series at the... Read more

Published on July 26, 2009 by Rachel

2.0 out of 5 stars Not a favorite
I like the author and esp. enjoyed the Sleeping Beauty book in this series. She has a lovely style of writing and Shaharazad's storytelling is wonderfully done. Read more

Published on April 27, 2008 by MarieWP

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous retelling of an obscure fairy tale!
This is the best one in the series (I've read about 8 so far) and it is well written and interesting to read. Read more

Published on January 14, 2007 by M. Miller

4.0 out of 5 stars Arabian Nights retold...
Raised to be her mother and more, Shahrazad can only hope to fill her destiny as an even greater storyteller than Maju, her mother. Read more

Published on June 20, 2006 by Kristen Sanecki

4.0 out of 5 stars A story is alive, as you and I are.
Once there was a kingdom ruled by a wise and benevolent king who had two sons, Shahrayar and Shazaman. Read more

Published on February 15, 2006 by Karusichan

5.0 out of 5 stars this is a good book
Once upon a time, there lived a king named Shahrayar that had lost his love and trust. He had been betrayed by the women he loved. Read more

Published on January 13, 2006

5.0 out of 5 stars The Storyteller's Daughter
This is another great fairy tale in the Once Upon a Time series. I especially love the beginning about all stories being alive. Read more

Published on July 15, 2005 by 9rac3

4.0 out of 5 stars the storytellers daughter
This is the retelling of the story Arabian Nights. It is about Shaharazad, the daughter of the storyteller. Read more

Published on July 8, 2005 by Metalgnome

4.0 out of 5 stars The power of a good story
This is a re-telling of The Arabian Nights, written from the point of view of Shahrazad, the storyteller. Read more

Published on May 13, 2005 by Andrew W. Johns

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Inside This Book (learn more)
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First Sentence:
Once, in days so long past even the graybeards among you remember them only in stories, there lived a king who had two sons. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
water bearers daughter, ebony trunk, second brother

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
King Shahrayar, Prince Khasib, Maju the Storyteller, The Storyteller's Dau, Days Without Light

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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!