The Merchant's Daughter
Summary
An unthinkable danger. An unexpected choice.
Annabel, once the daughter of a wealthy merchant, is trapped in indentured servitude to Lord Ranulf, a recluse who is rumored to be both terrifying and beastly. Her circumstances are made even worse by the proximity of Lord Ranulf's bailiff—a revolting man who has made unwelcome advances on Annabel in the past.
Believing that life in a nunnery is the best way to escape the escalation of the bailiff's vile behavior and to preserve the faith that sustains her, Annabel is surprised to discover a sense of security and joy in her encounters with Lord Ranulf. As Annabel struggles to confront her feelings, she is involved in a situation that could place Ranulf in grave danger.
Ranulf's future, and possibly his heart, may rest in her hands, and Annabel must decide whether to follow the plans she has cherished or the calling God has placed on her heart.
What I Loved
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...
What could get better than that?
{Remember, I am really just a Disney princess at heart.}
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.
What I Didn't Like As Much
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 weaved 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.
Except for the fact that it ended.
I thought the faith element was weaved 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.
Why I Recommend This Book
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.
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.
Disclaimer: I received an Advanced Reading Copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. I offer these thoughts in support of this stellar story.
Team Novel Teen is a group of bloggers dedicated to spreading the word about clean teen fiction. Check out other posts about The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson by clicking on the links below, and check out www.NovelTeen.com for more information about Team Novel Teen.
The Librarian’s Bookshelf • Rachelle Rea • ADD Librarian • The Book Fae • My Life with a Mission • Katie McCurdy • Terri Harr • Book Nook 4 You • My Story Shelf • Sugar Peach • Jill Williamson
Team Novel Teen is a group of bloggers dedicated to spreading the word about clean teen fiction. Check out other posts about The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson by clicking on the links below, and check out www.NovelTeen.com for more information about Team Novel Teen.
The Librarian’s Bookshelf • Rachelle Rea • ADD Librarian • The Book Fae • My Life with a Mission • Katie McCurdy • Terri Harr • Book Nook 4 You • My Story Shelf • Sugar Peach • Jill Williamson
9 thoughts:
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. :)
So glad you liked it, Rachelle! God bless!
You and I didn't like the same thing! It had to end!!!!
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.
I can't wait for MORE!!!
Great review and reasons for why people should read this book! I completely agree with wanting the story to be longer as well.
Also, I am totally a Disney princess at heart too! ;-)
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!
Loved the book. Can't wait to read Melanie's next ones.
:-)
Jill
Evangeline: Exactly!
Melanie: Can't wait for your next one! :)
Terri: I know! :) :) :)
Jessica Laurie: Ahhh, a kindred spirit, eh? :)
Jill: Yes, that was fascinating. I love this period so I really appreciate that she was true to the times.
Crazy enough, while I was reading the novel, the fairy-tale aspect didn't really cross my mind...haha!
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 :).
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!
Great review!
Yup, it definitely ended too soon. :) Great review!
Isn't everyone a princess at heart?? :)
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