About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is ready to move beyond basic fairy tales and explore deeper themes of self-worth, resilience, and the power of finding one's own voice. It is an ideal choice for a young reader who feels overlooked or is beginning to understand that their internal strength is more important than their social status. While the premise of being locked in a tower for years sounds grim, the story is actually a testament to human ingenuity and hope. The story follows Dashti, a mending maid who is shut in a dark tower with her mistress. While her mistress falls into despair and mental fragility, Dashti uses her practical skills, traditional songs, and writing to keep them alive. It is a beautifully written, lyrical exploration of how we survive difficult times and how a person of low status can become a hero through quiet courage and honesty. The age-appropriate romance and high stakes make it a compelling read for middle schoolers.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book depicts intense psychological distress as Lady Saren suffers from severe anxiety and depression while imprisoned, often becoming non-functional. There is a scene of animal cruelty where the villain, Lord Khasar, kills a dog to intimidate those inside the tower. Parents should be prepared to discuss the concept of forced marriage and the historical lack of agency for women, as the entire conflict stems from Saren being punished for her refusal to marry. There is also a scene involving a character being whipped as punishment.
Ideal Reader
A 12-year-old girl who loves atmospheric fantasy and stories about 'invisible' girls who prove to be the strongest people in the room.
Parent Prep
Read the early chapters describing the sealing of the tower to ensure your child isn't too bothered by the concept of being buried alive. A child witnessing a parent or authority figure being cruel to animals or threatening physical harm to control them.
Age Experience
Younger readers (10-11) will focus on the survival elements and the 'mystery' of the suitors. Older readers (13-14) will better appreciate the exploration of social hierarchy and Dashti’s internal growth.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many tower-bound fairy tales, the protagonist is not the princess, but the maid whose labor and emotional intelligence are the true magic of the story.
Read plot summary
Based on the Grimm tale Maid Maleen, the story is told through the diary entries of Dashti, a mending maid from the steppes. She is entombed in a stone tower for seven years alongside her mistress, Lady Saren, who refused an arranged marriage to the villainous Lord Khasar. While Saren unravels, Dashti manages their dwindling resources and communicates with two suitors through a small hole in the wall. When they eventually escape into a world ravaged by war, Dashti must maintain a dangerous disguise to protect them both.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Dashti is a 'mending maid.' In what ways does she mend things other than just clothes throughout the story?
2
Lady Saren and Dashti are in the same tower, but they handle the isolation very differently. Why do you think Dashti stays so strong while Saren falls apart?
3
Dashti uses 'healing songs' from her culture. Do you have any songs, stories, or traditions that make you feel better when you are scared or sad?
4
Lord Khasar and Khan Tegus both want to marry Saren, but for very different reasons. What does this tell us about what each man values?
5
At the end of the book, Dashti has to choose between telling the truth and keeping her disguise. Was her deception justified?
