Set in a medieval Mongolian-like era, Book of a Thousand Days features another in Shannon Hale's tradition of strong, intelligent and complex girl characters. Like Hale's other fantasies, Book of a Thousand Days is based on a fairy tale, this time the Brothers Grimm's little-known Maid Maleen.

Lady's maid Dashti is banished to a tower for seven years with her young mistress, Lady Saren, who has refused to marry a despicable war lord. Dashti's journal recounts the harrowing days and nights in the tower, their escape after three years and subsequent sanctuary with the man Dashti grew to love. Beautifully written and elegantly evocative of the period and of Dashti's growth and character, Book of a Thousand Days is very highly recommended for younger teens.

If you like this one, try Hale's earlier trilogy based on fairy tales: The Goose Girl, Enna Burning and River Secrets, as well as the standalone and very well done Princess Academy.