Title: The Beautiful Pretender (A Medieval Fairy Tale #2)
Author: Melanie Dickerson
Pages: 320
Release Date: May 17, 2016
Genre: Fairy Tale Retelling
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Format: eBook (also available in paperback)
Note: I received a free eBook copy of this novel through
NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
About the book:
What happens when
a margrave realizes he’s fallen in love with a servant?
The Margrave of
Thornbeck has to find a bride, fast. He invites ten noble-born ladies from
around the country to be his guests at Thornbeck Castle for two weeks, a time
to test these ladies and reveal their true character.
Avelina is only
responsible for two things: making sure her deception goes undetected and
avoiding being selected as the margrave’s bride. Since the latter seems
unlikely, she concentrates on not getting caught. No one must know she is
merely a maidservant, sent by the Earl of Plimmwald to stand in for his
daughter, Dorothea.
Despite Avelina’s
best attempts at diverting attention from herself, the margrave has taken
notice. And try as she might, she can’t deny her own growing feelings. But
something else is afoot in the castle. Something sinister that could have far
worse – far deadlier – consequences. Will Avelina be able to stop the evil
plot? And at what cost?
My review:
A delightful
retelling of a fairy tale!
Melanie does an
incredible job of intertwining aspects from both The Princess and the Pea and
Beauty and the Beast in this charming medieval story. Knowing both of the usual
fairy tales made it very easy to recognize the key components of those stories.
But they were combined and the final story was completely new and refreshing.
The main
characters that she has created are so well developed and presented. I was able
to connect with both of them very early in the story. Avelina of Plimmwald is a
sweet and demure girl who only wants to do what she is told and take care of
her family. Reinhard Stolten, Margrave
of Thornbeck, is deeply brooding and grumpy about being forced to find a wife.
All my favorite
parts of a fairy tale are present and accounted for. A sweet damsel, that is
poor and in need of rescuing. A strong handsome hero, that needs a woman to
love. And an evil villain who wants nothing but to destroy both of them and all
that is good. Throw in some sacrificial love where both the damsel and the hero
try to save the other and all is good.
This wonderful
book is getting a rating of 5 stars from me. I highly recommend it.
I love her covers! I need to check out her books.
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