Damsel by Elana Arnold by Marissa Posada

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Justification: I chose this book because it is a Printz Honor book. Also I like the stories that take a traditional fairy tale and put a twist on it. The synopsis tells of a connection between the damsels and dragons. It also hints at power struggles and choices the characters make. This seems like the best story to follow I, Claudia.

Evaluation: This bok has good examples of understatement. The biggest example of understatement is the name Ama gives her lynx. The first name the lynx has is Sorrow, it is initially thought to be because of how Ama acquired the lynx. Although as the story goes on the reader sees that it is Ama’s own feelings at the castle . Ama has changed from allowing things to happen to becoming the one who causes the change. There are other examples, but this was the biggest one.

There are good examples of dialogue in this book. One example is when the king’s friend Pawlin talks about taming his hawks to Ama. He goes through the steps of training his hawks and the steps sounded eerily similar to how the king was treating Ama. This shows how Pawlin views Ama and probably women in general. Another example of the character’s views on women in general. Another example of the chracter’s views on women is when Ama is talking to the glass blower. When Ama asks to try glass blowing the glass blower replies that it is not for women, that they work is soft like embroidery and needle work. His views are that there are things women can’t do and only men can.

As with most fantasy stories, there are examples of figurative language in this book. The first page gives a very vivid description of a grey castle. The castle had “gaping mouths and gored out eyes.” This gives not only a vivid description, but also a haunted feeling. This is a place you don’t want to visit. Once Prince Emory makes it inside, we get another vivid description of the jewels inside. “…a rainbow of opulence – rubies rich as blood,… emeralds as green as the greed of goblins.” This was a very colorful and bright castle once you made it inside. The reader almost feels the need for sunglasses it is so vivid.

Response: I love traditional stories with a twist. I especially liked the way they twisted this one to be that the damsel is actually the dragon. This text has a lot of characters that are misogynistic and the majority of the story Ama submits to it, which was very frustrating to read. Although, Ama finally realizes her place and refuses to submit any more. I really enjoyed this text as entertainment. Reading about Ama’s transformation from damsel in distress to her own savior was really satisfying. May favorite part is how Ama deals with Prince Emory.

Conclusion: This book has examples of understatement, dialogue, and figurative language. This is a great book to show people that you are only a damsel in distress if you allow yourself to be. It is a good story that uses traditional elements and turns them upside down. I recommend this to any young adult.

APA Citation: Arnold, E.K. (2018). Damsel. New York: Balzer & Bray.