This post is in response to Moonlight Reader's Call for essential reads.

Geek Love - It's a timeless story about avarice, ego, innocence lost and horrible parenting. 

The Secret Life of Souls - another timeless story about love, devotion and horrible parenting.

Deerskin - yet another timeless story about perseverance, transformation and strength in the face of horror and horrible parenting (lol).

The Listener - my final timeless (my word of the day) choice about humanity and the lack thereof wrapped inside a thrilling story. 

All essential reading, IMO that I feel will stand the test of time. 

This is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast.  The human characters were beautifully written and the story enjoyable.  However, the rose-gardening sections got a bit tedious and the Beast was a bit dull.  I like roses and gardening, but not that much.  Using manure from a unicorn was definately an interesting (and amusing) use of unicorns.

I much preferred the retellings by T. Kingfisher (Bryony and Roses) and Melanie Karsak (Beauty and Beastly).

It is lovely, and it is terrible and... hell, how do you even start to address something like being raped by your own father, let alone cope, accept, heal, move on. McKinley takes a good stab at it, and it's beautiful and wounding at the same time, and feels pretty much like abrading in a way.

I'm not making much sense, but I'm still riding the "just finished" wave of feelings. I thought it was an excellent book that I'd like to own, but likely will never re-read, or would feel too comfortable recommending. Yet, by all tbr's I swear, I do not regret reading it.

And if anyone feels I should've put a spoiler tag, they can go screw themselves. This is not the type of themes to be treading into unawares.

Holy shit. McKinley did go there. I'm a bit shocky. And seriously re-thinking my recommendation bracket. Holy shit.

Lord. This is absolutely gorgeous writing. It's just starting and not only I already know that I'll love it, but that I want to buy my own copy too.