Melanie Dickerson

Re-imagined Fairy Tales

November 12, 2015 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

There are a few people who are rewriting fairy tales in a unique and interesting way, and Melanie Dickerson is the best. In her latest work, The Golden Braid (available everywhere Nov. 17), we meet her latest heroine.

Rapunzel has lived her entire life sheltered by her mother. The one thing she longs for more than anything else is to learn to read. And while her mother promises her it will happen, Rapunzel is beginning to doubt her assurances. When they pack up to move to the large city of Hagenheim, Rapunzel believes this may finally be her opportunity to get her greatest wish.

On their way, two ruffians attach Rapunzel and her mother, Gothel. The women are rescued from a knight, whom Rapunzel turns around and rescues right back. The two of them don’t get along at first, but Rapunzel refuses to let Sir Gerek’s surliness scare her away from getting what she’s longed for.

When Rapunzel defies her mother and takes a job at the castle, she learns a secret that changes everything she believed true.

The interactions between Rapunzel and Gerek are humorous and entertaining. As the two of them struggle with their internal emotions as well as their identities, they are drawn to each other more and more. And through everything, Rapunzel places her trust and her future in God’s hands.

I love how seamlessly Dickerson took an event from her previous book, The Princess Spy, and put it in this one from different character’s perspectives. This is only the second of her books I’ve read so I’m not positive, but she may do this with her other books. After reading a second one of hers, I just might have to read an earlier one to check into that.

Thomas Nelson Fiction provided me with a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and fair review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest by Melanie Dickerson

May 5, 2015 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

Melanie Dickerson is known for her young adult books that are loosely based on fairy tales. The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest is the first in her adult series of medieval fairy tales. It does not disappoint.

Odette Menkels spends her afternoons teaching the orphaned children of her village to read and her nights poaching dear in the margrave’s forest to feed those same children. While she is an excellent shot with her bow and arrow, the thing she treasures most is the fact that she is helping those children. Jorgen Hartman first notices Odette in the church on the day of the Midsummer Festival. Later that afternoon, he meets in her in person and dances. Jorgen works as the margrave’s forester. His job is to find and capture the poacher—a man he believes murdered his father. Despite their differences in their positions in society, the two are drawn to each other but also know they have no right to fall in love. Odette knows she is the person who may cost Jorgen his job while Jorgen struggles with the fact a life with him would mean a step down in society for Odette.

While the story was somewhat predictable (I figured out what was going on pretty early on), the true motivation behind several people’s actions remain a mystery until the end of the book. Odette and Jorgen’s childhoods allow them to understand each other in a way few others can. As both main characters struggle with whether to follow their heads or their hearts, things get more complicated for both of them. Part Robin Hood, part Swan Lake, The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest is an entertaining and fun read.

****Thomas Nelson Fiction provided me with a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and fair review. All opinions expressed are my own.