Rating: 
Summary: Even better than the first time
Review: When I first heard that McKinley had written a second retelling of "Beauty and the Beast," I was a bit skeptical. However, when I read it, I discovered that not only did she have another take was worth telling, she's also become an even better writer who had learned how to end a novel. "Beauty" was a realistic (at least, within the magic) novel; "Rose Daughter" takes place in Balladland, where a day in the enchanted castle can be a month in the world, and a rose can be the key to healing or the thorn of dispair. It's like a novel-length fairy tale.Reading other comments, it looks like the reviewers who had such a bad reaction were looking for a fantasy adventure and were rudely surprized. They have a point -- if you gobble up Robert Jordan or can't stand a metaphor that gets in the way of the plot, don't bother with this. But if you read fantasy for the magic, for the wonder comes from the healing of the world's pain, "Rose Daughter" is a must read.
Rating:
Summary: She does it again!
Review: Twenty years ago I picked up Beauty by Robin McKinley. The writing was crisp and the story timeless. I loved it and recommended it to all (I worked in a bookstore at the time). A few days ago, I found Rose Daughter. She retold the story of Beauty and the Beast....same plot...new characters. Again, great writing, so clean and so very perfect. I can hardly wait to see what she'll do in twenty more years. Thanks, Robin, for an another wonderfully written story.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the dullest books I've ever read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: A very dissapointing Mckinley novel. I find ZEL by Donna Jo Napoli a much more exciting and mature spin-off of a fairytale. Nevertheless, I'd rather reread Beauty.
Rating:
Summary: Don't read unless it's your last resort
Review: What is there to ponder and think about? NOTHING! This book is full of nonsense, junk, pure trash if you ask me. Some authors do a great book at writing blunt stark images and passages... this author isn't one of them, and this book isn't worth the time. But if you're like me and have read all of Mckinley's books, you might as well read this one just for the heck of it. This is one of those typical giddy teenage girl's book...no class, status, or elegance in this book like that of ADAM BEDE, SILAS MARNER, TESS OF THE DURBERVILLES, MADAME BOVARY, or SISTER CARRIE. Those books are The classics that will and have lasted through decades if not centuries.
Rating: 
Summary: I loved this book
Review: I loved the story line, I loved the discriptions, I loved how beatifully lyrical Ms. McKinley can make many of her passages. I really enjoyed the fullness of the pictures she painted in your imagination. This book has atmosphere; it feels just as a fairy tale ought. If you like things short and succinct, this is not the book to read. But if you like attention to detail, lots of lurking symbolism, and way too much thought provoking stuff to ponder over in one sitting, this book's for you.
Rating:
Summary: TOO little EMOTIONS, TOO much JUNK
Review: Dear me, this book was huge, and was definately not worth the weight carrying around when you read it. There was too little on the sister's emotions, emotions and human interaction feelings are crucial in a great book. There was just too much trees wasted on describing nothing. Just read BEAUTY again, it was worth much more of my time to say the least...
Rating: 
Summary: Too Much Nonsense
Review: Rose Daughter was a terrible bore. I don't want to put down Ms. Mckinley, her novels are great, but this was just a bit dissapointing in comparison to her previous works. Rose Daughter was highly detailed, for the worst I would say. The plot was going around in circles, and the most dissapointing thing is that this book was of such tremendous weight, but nearly 40% of the book's size could have been reduced if there was less tedious useless details.
Rating: 
Summary: The First One's Better
Review: Not nearly as good as Beauty. McKinley doesn't explain things as well. Not a real good read.
Rating:
Summary: Count me among the somewhat disappointed
Review: I've loved almost everything Robin McKinley writes (Beauty, The Hero and the Crown, and The Blue Sword should not be missed by any woman, young or old), but I'm also disappointed with the direction of her writing lately. She's gotten more complex and symbolic (which can be a good thing when she doesn't overwrite passages), but also darker. Personally, I like the sunnier McKinleys. Rose Daughter is still an enjoyable read, but it didn't draw me into its world the way many of her others did.
Rating:
Summary: Mixed emotions . . .
Review: I really did enjoy Rose daughter a great deal, but I was disapointed that her writing has turned more towards the darker side of Fantasy and faerie tales. The original Beauty was sweet, and clear, and shockingly believable - it pleased and befriended the reader. But Rose Daughter is more . . . seducing, than befriending. It's excellantly written and the plot is enticing, the actual writing is entrapping. I did not put it down from the moment I picked it up. But I much prefer the bright, uplifting, golden BEAUTY, to shadowy and dark ROSE DAUGHTER. This is not to say that the book is bad; on the contrary, it is one of the best books I have ever read,rising almost to Tolkienesque levels, but it does not have the joy and sunlight of BEAUTY
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