Book Review: The Warrior Maiden

Book Description

From New York Times bestselling author Melanie Dickerson comes a fresh reimagining of the classic Mulan tale.

“When it comes to happily-ever-afters, Melanie Dickerson is the undisputed queen of fairy-tale romance, and all I can say is—long live the queen!” —Julie Lessman, award-winning author

She knew a woman was expected to marry, cook, and have children, not go to war. Can she manage to stay alive, save her mother, and keep the handsome son of a duke from discovering her secret?

When Mulan decides to take her father’s place in battle against the besieging Teutonic Knights, she realizes she has been preparing for this moment her whole life—and that her life, and her mother’s, depends on her success. As the adopted daughter of poor parents, she has little power in the world. If she can’t prove herself on the battlefield, she could face death—or, perhaps worse, marriage to the village butcher.

In her disguise as a young man, Mulan meets Wolfgang, the German duke’s son who is determined to save his people even if it means fighting against his own brother. Wolfgang is exasperated by the young soldier who seems to be one step away from disaster at all times—or showing Wolfgang up in embarrassing ways.

From rivals to reluctant friends, Mulan and Wolfgang begin to share secrets with one another. But war is an uncertain time and dreams can die as quickly as they are born. When Mulan receives word of danger back home, she must make the ultimate choice. Could she be the son her bitter father never had? Or would she become the strong young woman she has been created to be?

This fresh reimagining of the classic tale takes us to fifteenth-century Lithuania where both love and war challenge the strongest of hearts.

My Reflections:

This authour always hits the perfect blend of fairytale and fictional delight for me. I absolutely adore sharing these books with you and with my teenaged daughter. Honestly, I could go on forever, but I will stifle my accolades and get down to the review.

The premise of this book was of course loosely based on Mulan, but so cleverly done it captivates from page one. Dickerson nestles her character in the midst of a well defined Medieval series, and does so seamlessly!
Though it is supposed to resemble the favourite story of Mulan, it takes on its own blend of uniqueness and multidimensionality. 
Desperate to escape a disappointing and mundane future Mulan radically decides to cloke herself in men's clothes and stand with the rest of the army in the place of her dead father. To be honest she is partly doing it to save her "mother" from a life of hardship. However, the pull of adventure and the escape from a marriage to an old smelly guy helps seal her decision as well. 

Wolfgang was another fantastic character, determined to do the right thing and try and protect his rebel brother. He is definitely a knight in shining armour in more ways than one!
I loved his interactions with Mulan, his confusion to his feelings, the reveal that he is actually a she. Wow, it was perfect!

I can't wait for the next installment of this series. The intermeshing of the stories is what makes this authour so special. Though these are rated YA fiction, I think anyone would enjoy this author's work! 
So don't stop at this one, go out and check out all the titles penned by Melanie Dickerson!

Book Review: Jerusalem's Queen

From the back:

Born in the small village of Modein, a town made famous by the warrior Maccabees, Salome Alexandra knows better than to harbor grand dreams for her future. She pales in comparison to her beautiful older sister, and though she learns to read at an early age, girls are not valued for their intellectual ability. But when her father and sister are killed, John Hyrcanus, a distant relative, invites Salome and her mother to live with his family in Jerusalem, where her thirst for knowledge is noticed and indulged.

When her guardian betroths her to a pagan prince, she questions HaShem's plan. When Hyrcanus finally marries her to a boy half her age, she questions her guardian's sanity. But though Salome spends much of her life as a pawn ordered about by powerful men, she learns that a woman committed to HaShem can change the world.

My reflections:
Angela Hunt's third book from "The Silent Years" was everything I expected from an Angela Hunt novel and so much more. Packed with historically accurate details and a complex plot that keeps you guessing. This is the exact reason why I love Hunt's books so much. Written from the two main characters point of view we were given insight into the inner workings of the palace. While this was enlightening, this aspect of the book could be a little confusing in the first couple of chapters. 

Shelamzion starts off as a young girl and as the book progresses she grows into adulthood gaining in both wisdom and grace. From a young age, she upholds truth and isn't afraid to speak out against things she knows is wrong. Shelamzion has a thirst for righteousness and even being a girl studies the Torah. Stuck in an unequally matched marriage Shelamzion struggles to stay true to God while leading her husband in the ways of the Torah. 

Kissa is Shelamzions faithful servant who stands beside her throughout the whole book. Her level-headed view of the world and life experience shaped Kissa into the perfect mentor to guide Shelamzion into the spotlight. Kissa's role as a gentile allows her to ask key questions that shape Shelamzions beliefs. Her traumatic past helps her decern dangerous situations and warns her friend of impending danger. 

Over-all I thoroughly enjoyed this novel devouring it in only two days. I would recommend this to anybody who loves historic biblical fiction. I feel this book is appropriate for early teens and up. The only suggestive scene is on their wedding night, and although it wasn't explicit the reader is aware of what's happening. If you are looking for a thoughtful well-written read then this may just be the book for you. 

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Angela Hunt

The author of more than 100 published books and with more than 5 million copies of her books sold worldwide, Angela Hunt is the New York Times bestselling author of The Note, The Nativity Story, and Esther: Royal Beauty. Romantic...

Continue reading about Angela Hunt

Book Review: The Orphan`s Wish

Book Description

From New York Times bestselling author Melanie Dickerson comes an inspired retelling of the beloved folk tale Aladdin.

Orphaned and alone, Aladdin travels from the streets of his Arab homeland to a strange, faraway place. Growing up in an orphanage, he meets young Lady Kirstyn, whose father is the powerful Duke of Hagenheim. Despite the difference in their stations, Aladdin quickly becomes Kirstyn’s favorite companion, and their childhood friendship grows into a bond that time and opposition cannot break.

Even as a child, Aladdin works hard, learning all he can from his teachers. Through his integrity, intelligence, and sheer tenacity, he earns a position serving as the duke’s steward. But that isn’t enough to erase the shame of being forced to steal as a small child—or the fact that he’s an orphan with no status. If he ever wants to feel equal to his beautiful and generous friend Kirstyn, he must leave Hagenheim and seek his fortune.

Yet once Aladdin departs, Lady Kirstyn becomes a pawn in a terrible plot. Now, Aladdin and Kirstyn must rely on their bond to save her from unexpected danger. But will saving Kirstyn cost Aladdin his newfound status and everything he’s worked so hard to obtain?

An enchanting new version of the well-known tale, The Orphan’s Wish tells a story of courage and loyalty, friendship and love, and reminds us what “family” really means.

My Reflections:

I discovered Melanie Dickerson while I was searching for audiobooks to listen to while my driving with my teenage daughter. I wanted something clean, with adventure and a tad bit of tame romance.
We found The Merchant's daughter and absolutely loved the fairytale storyline and colourful characters. Since that novel, we have hungrily devoured each and every book. When I saw this one up for review, I may or may not have set my alarm to snag it before they were all gone ;-) 

Dickerson's newest novel met my expectations but has not usurped my all-time favourite, "The Beautiful Pretender" That one is by far number one!

The Orphan's Wish is a charming fairy tale with its own uniqueness and flair.
Though it was supposed to be an Aladdin spin-off, I didn't quite get the connection, other than we have a character named Aladin and he has a sidekick. However I did enjoy the story, I breezed through it in record time in fact. I think when my daughter reads it she won't even really notice this fact. This novel is a fantastic read for the YA Christian in your life, especially if they don't go into it thinking of Disney's Aladdin and Jasmine like I did.
I am the girl who watched the Disney Land live theatre production a total of 4 times though!

If you are looking for a book with great historical detail that is vividly written, a sweet story with likable characters, that can be shared with a wide age range I would say PG 13 and up look no further this one is for you! Melanie Dickerson is definitely the Queen of fairy tales. My daughter and I are eagerly awaiting her next release!