Parents' Guide to

Damsel

By Mary Eisenhart, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Dark, twisty dragon quest tale has sex, gore, brutality.

Book Elana K. Arnold Fantasy 2018
Damsel Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Book_Dragon
Book_Dragon Adult
December 6, 2020
age 14+

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
1 person found this helpful.
Carrie S.
Carrie S. Parent of 7, 9 and 13-year-old
January 18, 2023
age 14+

Valuable Message, Mature Content Adds/ Creates Appreciation of Theme

This book DOES contain mature themes including abuse of a significant other, animal abuse, manipulation, and sex. These mature themes are used to create a beautifully written story of a young woman's choice to give up her literal entire self or to reclaim her own power. Students, especially teen girls who have experienced trauma in the form of a controlling or abusive relationship will be able to appreciate the strength and triumph of the heroine. Beautiful imagery and symbolism adds to the book's educational value. Due to mature and dark nature of content, I would recommend this book for grade nine and above, and would personally place this book on a "top ten books I want my kids to read" list.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Just like the tale foretold, Prince Emory is off to slay a dragon, rescue and marry a DAMSEL, and take the throne of the Kingdom of Harding. But from the very beginning, hints abound that there's cruel dysfunction in the kingdom and that handsome, charming, unimaginative Emory is a crude, brutal womanizer and otherwise maybe not the nicest person. All of which is gradually discovered by the young red-headed girl he calls Ama, who wakes up slung across his saddle, wrapped in a cloak but otherwise naked, and recalling nothing of who she is and where she came from. But he's got it all figured out.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (2):

Elana K. Arnold's twisty, violent take on the maiden-saved-from-a-dragon fairy tale explores its darker, oppressive side from the viewpoint of a memory-impaired young girl playing the starring role. As the Damsel struggles to understand the role that her "rescuer" has all mapped out for her -- and she finds herself increasingly confined -- it becomes clear that she and anyone she comes to love are in constant danger. Dismemberment, sexual assault, crude language, and gore are plentiful, especially in the shocker of an ending.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about dragon-slaying tales, why they're so popular, and why they might lend themselves to stories like Damsel, which explore the events from a different point of view.

  • Do you know people who always do what they're told/what other people expect of them? Do you think this is a good way to be?

  • How important is it to you to be able to express yourself, like in art or music? Is something missing from your life if you can't do those things, or are you fine?

Book Details

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