An unthinkable danger. An unexpected choice.
I was super excited about receiving an Advanced Reading Copy of this book because I loved, loved, loved Dickerson’s The Healer’s Apprentice. My favorite genres are historical, fantasy, and romance. This author beautifully blends all three and adds a dash of… fairy tale.
What could get better than that?
The Healer’s Apprentice gives a whole new meaning to the fairy-tale of Sleeping Beauty and her latest release, coming just in time for Christmas this year, features a twist on my favorite fairy-tale of all time, Beauty and the Beast!
The Merchant’s Daughter is a faithful portrayal of life in a medieval village and contains a balance between historical accuracy and the Disney rendition. Historical lovers will enjoy the glimpse into the fourteenth century and Christian readers will rejoice over the fact that the Beast learns the meaning of true beauty in an un-cliche way.
There’s not much I can complain about with The Merchant’s Daughter.
Except for the fact that it ended.
I thought the faith element was woven in expertly, though a bit heavily. Also, the ending might have been a little rushed, in my opinion – but this can chalked up to I didn’t want to say goodbye to Annabel and Ranulf just yet.
An entertaining story that is sure to get you thinking…
The Merchant’s Daughter transcends the traditional and offers a grown-up version of Beauty and the Beast for those of us who fell in love with the movie at age five.
Simple storytelling and a lovely plotline combine to form a classic I’ll be keeping on my bookshelf and re-reading.
About the Author
Melanie Dickerson is the author of The Healer’s Apprentice, a Christy Award finalist and winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award for Best First Book. Melanie earned a bachelor’s degree in special education from the University of Alabama and has been a teacher and a missionary. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Alabama.
- Read my review of The Fairest Beauty.
Disclosure: The publisher provided me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here.
Yup, it definitely ended too soon. :) Great review!<br /><br />Isn't everyone a princess at heart?? :)
I had similar feelings as well, Rachelle–it just ended too soon for my tastes! Saying goodbye to characters you have come to care for isn't easy somethings! <br /><br />Great review!
Crazy enough, while I was reading the novel, the fairy-tale aspect didn't really cross my mind…haha!<br />Then afterwards, I was trying to explain the book to someone and I ended up saying it was kind of like Beauty and the Beast. I guess I was just a little slow on the uptake :).
Evangeline: Exactly!<br /><br />Melanie: Can't wait for your next one! :)<br /><br />Terri: I know! :) :) :)<br /><br />Jessica Laurie: Ahhh, a kindred spirit, eh? :)<br /><br />Jill: Yes, that was fascinating. I love this period so I really appreciate that she was true to the times.
Good point about the historical accuracy, Rachelle. I loved that. It really felt like I was there and that I knew what it was like to live in that time. It was so interesting too, how everyone served the Lord of the land, even when he didn't live there!<br /><br />Loved the book. Can't wait to read Melanie's next ones.<br /><br />:-)<br />Jill
Great review and reasons for why people should read this book! I completely agree with wanting the story to be longer as well. <br /><br />Also, I am totally a Disney princess at heart too! ;-)
You and I didn't like the same thing! It had to end!!!! <br /><br />I am like you and totally LOVE princess stories. Plus I have two daughters (ages 24 and 10)that I have watched princess stories over and over and over with. They are wonderful! And Melanie does a super job of turning them into REAL stories of love and adventure and faith. <br /><br />I can't wait for MORE!!!
So glad you liked it, Rachelle! God bless!
I agree that this book is stellar! I loved the difference in "maturity"/grownup-ness between The Merchant's Daughter and Beauty and the Beast. :)