Rating: 
Summary: Vapid, superficial, contrived, and not very entertaining.
Review: I'm a big fan of McKinley, but I just can't dredge up any kind of sympathy for this character or any sincere recommendation of this book. McKinley brings up important issues without ever really exploring them on any but the most superficial level (how convenient, to get a miscarriage AND amnesia.) Anyway, I wasn't looking to explore important issues; I was looking for a great adventure story with a heroine who finds hidden strength inside herself (like in McKinley's other books), and that's not really what I found either. Lissla's passivity just made me want to smack her--or would have, if she had seemed like a real person. I stayed with it because I kept hoping the end would be as good as the beginning, but I ended up being disappointed. There are some good bits and some really eye-rollingly tedious and contrived parts.If you want to read about incest and its impact on a young woman, there are better books out there, some with real substance to them. If you want to be entertained, anything else by McKinley will suit. I love all of McKinley's other books, I highly recommend them, I reread them all every year or two, and I anxiously await another installation to this series...but I took this one to the used bookstore as soon as I finished it, and I have never missed having it on my shelf.
Rating:
Summary: Not bad, but REALLY overblown
Review: The original folk tale, "Alleleirauh," (or The Many-Furred Creature) is one of the best stories told by the Brothers Grimm, and when I heard that the wonderful Ms McKinley was writing a full-length novel based on this dark and wonderfully hideous story, I was thrilled. I expected the gorgeous fairy-tale atmosphere of "Beauty" or "The Door in the Hedge" married to the gothic depravity of a Poppy Z. Brite or a Tanith Lee. Well, dear readers, when I finally read "Deerskin," I was somewhat less than thrilled... Okay, I finished the thing, but,although it was technically well-written, it didn't really grab me. Maybe it would be somebody else's cup of tea, but to me, it just felt- I don't know- EXTREMELY overblown. The below review, sums up a number of my feelings about this rather vexing novel. Compared to the stark simplicity and clarity of the original "Alleleirauh" I don't see how anybody can improve on it. The original story gives me chills. Reading Robin McKinley's version just made me think, "Hmmm, here's an author who's trying WAY too hard..." Jane Yolen can carry this kind of thing off easy- her work (such as the excellent "Briar Rose") is subtle and thought-provoking- but Robin McKinley merely comes across as pretentious, and as bombastic as a Wagnerian drama. If young women find this an inspiring look at the lives of incest survivors, then more power to them. However, those who are not interested in such a subject should definitely put their money elsewhere...
Rating: 
Summary: I LOVED IT!
Review: I bought this book at least a year ago, and since I've read it over and over. An overall great book!
Rating: 
Summary: Terrible book.
Review: Terrible. Don't read it unless you like being disappointed. The mood of the book shifts dramatically after one unrealistic event (hey, we know it's fantasy, but you're still not allowed to do whatever you want to do with it). The book keeps to hooked, but not mesmerized with the feeling "it may get better - it started out pretty well, so..." The ending is most disappointing, where the antagonist stands dull and simply NOT EVIL ENOUGH. The character also shifted with the mood. Lissar's dogs were plain annoying.
Rating:
Summary: A Many Level Masterpiece
Review: I loved reading all of the other reviews. Deerskin clearly brings up strong emotions in all of it's readers. It takes a powerful book to do that, and Deerskin is indeed powerful. I can't even begin to comprehend all of the levels on which I have been affected. It was truly food for my soul. Those who didn't like Lissla Lissar's initial confusion and passivity might have more compassion for their own and others human weakness. Most of us find our own heroism in life in similar ways. We muddle about and are forced into choices that we later see made us stronger and more deeply human. Thank you, Robin McKinley.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read
Review: Deer Skin is a wonderfull story about a young girl's fight through an emotional night mare. This story is WONDERFULLY written, well thought out, & a definet a must read! I recommend this story to every one! We can all learn somthing from it, and can probably all relate to Lissar in some way!
Rating:
Summary: To those that like _Deerskin_: what other books are similar?
Review: Like some of the others on this I LOVED _Deerskin._ To those that have only read the reviews, read the book for yourself; it may change your life. Or it may not. But I want to know from other readers (& enjoyers) what similar books have you read? I am currently reading Sheri Tepper's _Beauty._ Also I recommend the anthology ed by Terri Windling _The Armless Maiden._ I also think there are similarities to Charles de Lint's Newford books. Jane Yolen's _Briar Rose._ This is the kind of book that is rare, odd, wonderful. Magic is present, yet the real healing comes from dogs, puppies and time. Like one of the negative reviewers said, it's 'all dark and dawn never comes.' Sometimes it doesn't, or not the way you're expecting.
Rating:
Summary: People either hate or love this book
Review: I loved it. But, I am here to find new to me books like it. This can be one of the best features of Amazon, but I gather _Deerskin_ is quite different from McKinley's other stuff. So- I recommend an anthology edied by Terri Windling _The Armless Maiden._ (There are even some other retellings of "Donkeyskin" in there.)I recommend Jane Yolen's _Briar Rose._ I recommend any and all of Charles de Lint Newford books.(Also his _Little Country._) I recommend Terri Windling's Boderlands anthologies and novels (novels by Emma Bull and Will Shetterly)for YA. People healing themselves from horrible hurts with or without or in spite of the help of magic is a powerful metaphor. I am interested in what others have found.
Rating:
Summary: Very disapointing
Review: I really enjoyed 'Hero and The Crown' and 'Blue Sword' so I was really looking foward to reading this book. It was a big let down. I kept hoping it would improve but it never did. The writing was lifeless and dull. The plot was depressing and confusing and dragged on. She throws in a somewhat happy ending but the book still seemed dark.
Rating:
Summary: This was one of the best books I have ever read.
Review: I always enjoy Robin McKinley's works, and Deerskin was no exception. Infact, it is probably one of the best books she has written. I really got into it. The fact that the main character, Lissar, was a woman who had been raped by her father was a new idea. It gave everyone who has ever been in pain a way to see that there is a posibility to heal, it just takes time. I think that Deerskin told a very strong message, and I definately recommend that everyone read it. Especially those people who are dealing with a hard time.
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