Alia
Young at Heart
Damar:
The Blue Sword (1982)
The first book written about the land of Damar, this novel features Harry, a somewhat awkward and unusual young woman whose destiny leads her far from the familiar but sedate Homeland, into a vivid land of magic, kings, mages, and swords. As always, Robin McKinley's storytelling abilities make the story surprisingly believable and the writing wonderfully melodic.
The Hero and the Crown (1984)
This novel was written as a prequel to The Blue Sword, set hundreds of years earlier, but featuring the familiar character Aerin. This is the story of her painful youth as she fulfills the destiny that earns her a place as a hero and a legend. The magic that Robin McKinley weaves in this book earned her the Newbery Medal.
Fairy Tales:
Beauty: A Re-telling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast (1978)
This first novel by McKinley sets the precedent for fine characterization and storytelling that she demonstrates throughout her work. In Beauty, she takes a pleasant, familiar story and makes it vivid, detailed, and entrancing.
Rose Daughter (1997)
With this book McKinley probably becomes the only author of two books telling the story of Beauty and the Beast. Beauty and her two sisters go into the country with their father after disaster strikes, but the world, characters, and story behind the Beast are all different.
Spindle's End (2000)
'Sleeping Beauty' type story.
Other Stories:
The Outlaws of Sherwood (1988)
Everyone knows the story of Robin Hood, outlaw in Sherwood forest. The tale has been told and retold countless times, but Robin McKinley adds texture and characterization to the story that other authors have not. In her story, the characters become real people with real struggles and personalities, and the story becomes richer and more detailed.
Deerskin (1993) Contains issues such as Rape & Incest
Robin McKinley again demonstrates her art as a storyteller with this terrifyingly powerful fairytale. In Deerskin, Princess Lissar grows up to demonstrate the very same beauty as her mother. So similar did they appear that the king turned in wrath on his daughter after his wife died, and Lissar must flee her home. This vivid story is full of emotion and strength, and McKinley illustrates both of them perfectly.
NOTE: this book is based on Charles Perrault's "Donkeyskin", and is much darker than McKinley's other books. A large portion could be considered outright depressing. Sensitive people, and parents who like sheltering their children, may wish to avoid it.
Other Novels:
Light Princess (1988)
Rowan (1992)
Illustrated (by Donna Ruff) children's book. "A child and a new puppy work through the difficult initial adjustments and soon belong to each other."
The Stone Fey (1998)
This is an illustrated children's book version of "The Stone Fey", a short story originally published in Imaginary Lands, an anthology edited by McKinley. Illustrated by John Clapp.
Sunshine (2003) This is an adult book.
Robin writes about vampires, with overtones of "Buffy" worldbuilding and Anita Blake.
Collections:
The Door in the Hedge (1982)
This book features four fairy-tale type short stories: "The Stolen Princess", "The Princess and the Frog", "The Hunting of the Hind", and "The Twelve Dancing Princesses." All are told with exceptional detail and flavor.
A Knot in the Grain and other stories (1996)
Water: Tales of Elemental Spirits (2002) with Peter Dickinson
Also:
"The Healer",
"The Stagman",
"Touk's House",
"Buttercups",
Anthologies:
Imaginary Lands
Short story collection (1985)
Information taken from the following websites:
http://ofb.net/~damien/mckinley/
http://www.robinmckinley.com/
Feel free to discuss...
The Blue Sword (1982)
The first book written about the land of Damar, this novel features Harry, a somewhat awkward and unusual young woman whose destiny leads her far from the familiar but sedate Homeland, into a vivid land of magic, kings, mages, and swords. As always, Robin McKinley's storytelling abilities make the story surprisingly believable and the writing wonderfully melodic.
The Hero and the Crown (1984)
This novel was written as a prequel to The Blue Sword, set hundreds of years earlier, but featuring the familiar character Aerin. This is the story of her painful youth as she fulfills the destiny that earns her a place as a hero and a legend. The magic that Robin McKinley weaves in this book earned her the Newbery Medal.
Fairy Tales:
Beauty: A Re-telling of the Story of Beauty and the Beast (1978)
This first novel by McKinley sets the precedent for fine characterization and storytelling that she demonstrates throughout her work. In Beauty, she takes a pleasant, familiar story and makes it vivid, detailed, and entrancing.
Rose Daughter (1997)
With this book McKinley probably becomes the only author of two books telling the story of Beauty and the Beast. Beauty and her two sisters go into the country with their father after disaster strikes, but the world, characters, and story behind the Beast are all different.
Spindle's End (2000)
'Sleeping Beauty' type story.
Other Stories:
The Outlaws of Sherwood (1988)
Everyone knows the story of Robin Hood, outlaw in Sherwood forest. The tale has been told and retold countless times, but Robin McKinley adds texture and characterization to the story that other authors have not. In her story, the characters become real people with real struggles and personalities, and the story becomes richer and more detailed.
Deerskin (1993) Contains issues such as Rape & Incest
Robin McKinley again demonstrates her art as a storyteller with this terrifyingly powerful fairytale. In Deerskin, Princess Lissar grows up to demonstrate the very same beauty as her mother. So similar did they appear that the king turned in wrath on his daughter after his wife died, and Lissar must flee her home. This vivid story is full of emotion and strength, and McKinley illustrates both of them perfectly.
NOTE: this book is based on Charles Perrault's "Donkeyskin", and is much darker than McKinley's other books. A large portion could be considered outright depressing. Sensitive people, and parents who like sheltering their children, may wish to avoid it.
Other Novels:
Light Princess (1988)
Rowan (1992)
Illustrated (by Donna Ruff) children's book. "A child and a new puppy work through the difficult initial adjustments and soon belong to each other."
The Stone Fey (1998)
This is an illustrated children's book version of "The Stone Fey", a short story originally published in Imaginary Lands, an anthology edited by McKinley. Illustrated by John Clapp.
Sunshine (2003) This is an adult book.
Robin writes about vampires, with overtones of "Buffy" worldbuilding and Anita Blake.
Collections:
The Door in the Hedge (1982)
This book features four fairy-tale type short stories: "The Stolen Princess", "The Princess and the Frog", "The Hunting of the Hind", and "The Twelve Dancing Princesses." All are told with exceptional detail and flavor.
A Knot in the Grain and other stories (1996)
Water: Tales of Elemental Spirits (2002) with Peter Dickinson
Also:
"The Healer",
"The Stagman",
"Touk's House",
"Buttercups",
Anthologies:
Imaginary Lands
Short story collection (1985)
Information taken from the following websites:
http://ofb.net/~damien/mckinley/
http://www.robinmckinley.com/
Feel free to discuss...
Last edited:
