Damsel by Elana K. Arnold
Published by Balzer + Bray on October 2nd 2018
ISBN: 0062742329
Pages: 312
Goodreads

In the kingdom of Harding, before the prince can become a king, he must slay a dragon. He may not have any knowledge of how to do so beforehand, but once he does, he will be rewarded with a damsel. The damsel is a beautiful maiden with no family to miss her and no memories beyond her rescue. She comes back to Harding, marries the king, and bears one son, for the cycle to continue. This is the way it has been, this is the way it will always be. The damsel, named Ama by Prince Emory, her rescuer, is plagued by unease of not knowing, by vague memories that confuse her, and by the actions of the prince as he picks apart her wild bits one by one until she has begun to tame. Damsel is a stunningly unique and feminist approach to the fairy tale. Arnold causes readers to feel, viscerally,  Ama’s discomfort, defeat, and triumph as she unravels masterful world building to reveal the layers of her lore. Enthralling. This title is best suited for high school and college aged readers.

Reviewed by Sarah Cropley, Scarborough Public Library.