A girl who steals faces. A prince in a cursed sleep. An imposter that spreads blighted magic. It's a fabulous adventure! And there's a small gray cat named Moth whose thoughts the protagonist can hear. Cat characters are always a plus!

I read this as part of my Nebula reading packet. This book is a finalist for the Norton Award.

Fable lives near the Mirrorwood, a wall of thorns that contains a cursed kingdom. Fable has also endured her own curse her entire life--she has no face, and must steal someone else's every few days or she gets weak and begins to waste away. Other people who are "Blighted" might have animal characteristics or magical powers, which is why there are Blight hunters who kill people who are cursed. Fable's large family loves her and has kept her hidden--until now. A Blight hunter with a young apprentice find her, and Fable is stunned when she flees and ends up on the other side of the thorns--right along with the apprentice who was supposed to kill her.

The book is a fun read, though pretty predictable all the way through. Even so, Fable is a great character, and I just adored her loyal talking cat, Moth. ( )