
The Beautiful Pretender
4.6
47
5
1
Paperback
USD
14.82
$14.82
Product Details
ISBN-13: | 9780718026288 |
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Publisher: | Nelson, Thomas, Inc. |
Publication date: | 05/17/2016 |
Series: | Medieval Fairy Tale Series , #2 |
Pages: | 320 |
Sales rank: | 133,556 |
Product dimensions: | 5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.90(d) |
About the Author
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
The Beautiful Pretender
4.6 out of 5
based on
0 ratings.
47 reviews.
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Melanie Dickerson writes fairy tales for grown ups with a Christian theme. She does it very well, too! As a child, I adored fairy tales, so it's wonderful to be able to read them in more depth as an adult. This one is set in sixteenth century Germany and is a retelling of The Princess and the Pea with a bit of Beauty and the Beast thrown in.
Melanie has created a cast of characters that will appeal to anyone! The reader is just swept away as the story unfolds! She adds romance, intrigue, danger, and brings it to a satisfying finish, although I did NOT want it to end. Every time I read one of her fairy tales, I'm wanting another to begin right away!
* I was provided a copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review, which I have given. All opinions are my own.
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Review from inkwellreviews.com (Christian book review site)
Ahh yes, another heart-warming tale by Melanie Dickerson filled with sweet romance and happily-ever-after’s. For me, I love the medieval time period, it’s so nice to read something not set in the 1800’s or in present day. I’d say that Melanie Dickerson’s books are geared toward more of a teenage crowd, but anyone can read them! I certainly enjoyed it.
But……... just a couple of things. Melanie Dickerson’s storylines are always the same, and you can bet that after reading so many of her books, it gets a little predicable. Halfway through the book, I already knew the ending! It made reading the second half boring and dull.
Her characters have the same problem. The problem isn’t that they’re too boring or dull but too perfect. They’re sweet, gorgeous, and smart. You guessed it, they will probably find out that they happen to be a princess. I don’t know about you but I cannot relate to them. (For once I would like to read about a peasant marrying a peasant) This makes them dull and boring to read about.
I think Melanie Dickerson is such a gifted writer, she can do so much more with her abilities! She just needs to explore what she is capable of.
This book was still a good read. If you have a teenage daughter or never read a Melanie Dickerson book, then give it a try! You’ll find her stories will sweep you up into a whirlwind of mystery, romance and a happily-ever-after.
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This was another successful remake of a fairy tale. Weaving previous character's into the story just helps to magnify and develop current main characters. I love flawed heros and Lord Thornback has his physical flaw of a crippled ankle which makes him into the growly, grumpy Margrave.
Avelina is the epitome of the wholesome, innocent, outspoken heroine.
Their story is one of intrigue, suspense, mystery and all things that make a historical romance the
pleasurable read that The Beautiful Pretender is.
If you enjoy sweet Christian romance with the fairy tale feel you will certainly enjoy this book.
Even though there are characters from earlier books this can be read as a standalone book.
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Excited to read this medieval fairy tale! and not disappointed. A medieval Bachelor reality show with just as many intrigues to keep us reading as when watching.
Duplicitous daughters of noblemen are no match for our maidservant, Avelina, pressed into doubling for her Earl's errant daughter.
Attending to the Margrave's two week bridal review reveals more than he expected would be required in selecting a subdued and agreeable life mate. When the choosing escalates into conflict, will true nobility outweigh birth and bloodlines?
And when danger lurks within and without the castle walls, whose pretense will be uncovered?
Adventures, tension, and competitions reveal the truly noble from the pretenders. A heart dropping plot twist, mounting intensity of vindictiveness, and hidden secret liasons, all called for someone to rise and defeat the present dangers. Only one valiant young woman proved her noble worth.
Enjoy this second in the Thornbeck series.
*Appreciation to Thomas Nelson for ecopy reading and review without cost or obligation.
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It was a BEAUTIFUL story! I felt like I was Avelina!, and this story was about me!!!! I could FEEL the Adreneline, Tension, Love, Passion, and Fury surrounding the two main characters, Avelina and "The Margrave of Thornbeck"
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A little corny. But a lot of romance stories are.
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When the Margrave of Thornbeck Forest is charged by the king to choose a wife from among the neighboring estates within the next month, he takes his huntsman’s advice to invite all the potential young women to his estate for two weeks to test their character. Unbeknownst to them all, one of the ladies is but a servant in disguise. Too bad she seems to be the only one with the kind of character worth his consideration…
The Beautiful Pretender is yet another of Melanie Dickerson’s fairy tales rewritten in medieval Germany. This one, like the other in this new series, The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest (and, yes, Odette and Jorgen make cameos!), wasn’t too clear on what the fairy tale was but seemed a very loose combination of “The Princess and the Pea” and “Beauty and the Beast” mixed with almost an Esther theme. And it was amazing! One of the better books from Melanie Dickerson that I have read.
How can you fall in love when you know you are deceiving the one you care about? And would they love you back if they found out? Talk about an awkward situation, but certainly one that novels have covered many times. The Beautiful Pretender portrayed the situation very well with the added danger of a spying contestant and her father determined to destroy both the Margrave and the deceptive lady-in-waiting. But they are certainly up to the task of conquering their foes and falling in love. And, who would have thought—a woman who knows how to pick locks in the Middle Ages! I certainly wouldn’t have.
The Beautiful Pretender was a lovely historical romance that I would highly recommend to those who enjoy a sweet fairytale romance.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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Another MUST read by Melanie Dickerson!
What a wonderful story! I think The Beautiful Pretender is my new favorite Melanie Dickerson novel! I think I fell in love with Avelina's wit and candor even faster than the Margrave did. This was one of those rare stories that I became so totally immersed in that I felt like I was right there experiencing everything alongside the characters.
Reading book one in the series, The Huntress Of Thornbeck Forest, will definitely give some background to the story but I felt that The Beautiful Pretender could be read standalone as well. If you haven't read book one yet, by all means do, but don't let it stop you from reading this book. Melanie Dickerson is very good at connecting her stories while still making each one complete on its own.
I honestly can't say enough about The Beautiful Pretender and how much I enjoyed it. Melanie Dickerson has a real winner in this one. It is a truly delightful and satisfying story. One that is richly detailed and with enough danger and romance to keep any reader completely enthralled. From its gorgeous cover to the very last page you just won't want to miss The Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson!
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are entirely my own.)
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The Beautiful Pretender #2 A Medieval Fairy Tale***** series by Melanie Dickerson
The Beautiful Pretender is the second book in the Medieval Fairy Tale series but can be read as a stand-alone. I have not read the first book—The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest yet and was able to follow along without problems with the story-line. We are taken back to the year 1363 of The Holy Roman Empire complete with knights, Lords and Ladys. I found it fascinating reading about that time period and the descriptions were exceptional so that I could envision the landscapes, castles, clothing and mores of the day. I especially like how the fairytale, The Princess and the Pea, is woven within the story-line.
I love Avelina's heart and compassion, strength, courage, generosity, honesty—well except for the deception she found herself in, devotion and faith. She had strong opinions and often shared them. Reinhart is a bit gruff—he even growls at times, but has a tender heart underneath the growls, he is witty and charming, handsome and strong—both physically (despite his injured ankle) and in character—noble, integrity, really cares for his community and faith. It was fun to watch the interaction between Avelina and Reinhart. They often clashed but there is a spark which cannot be ignored. I loved Reinhart's description of the characters he wanted in a woman—see page 64.
Other favorites are Lady Magdalen (would like to read her story soon...hint, hint), Jorgen and Odette and the King. There are those I would like to have carted off to the dungeon for their evil, greedy and often murderous intentions—Geibert and his daughter Lady Fronicka.
The Beautiful Pretender is a captivating story filled with danger and intrigue, evil plots, murder, many secrets—all revealed?, adventure, suspense, surprising twists and turns, humor, treachery/treason, forgiveness, joy, wolfs, love and romance. I love the inspirational theme woven within the story-line. Love the surprising ending! I will be sure to watch for the next book in the series.
~I received a copy of this book from the Fiction Guild (no monetary gain were exchanged), this is my honest review~
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In Melanie Dickerson's book, The Beautiful Pretender, The Margrave of Thornbeck has been ordered by his king to select a bride. In order to get to know his future bride, the Margrave invites 10 women to spend 2 weeks with him. At the end of the 2 weeks he will pick his bride. Amongst the women invited is Avelina, a servant who has been ordered by her Lord to pose as his daughter. When Margrave shows interest in Avelina, the truth of her identity, her life, and the lives of all the people in her home town become at risk.
I couldn’t put this book down! There was romance and mystery throughout the entire story. As you can well imagine, there was pettiness and underhandedness between the 10 ladies who are trying to win the attention of the Margrave. I found myself disliking several characters and loving others. If you are interested in romance books, but don’t want them to be trashy, this book is one you will definitely enjoy reading. I loved how the main characters were constantly seeking God’s guidance. What better way to be entertained and still keep your focus on God than to read Christian fiction!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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The Margrave of Thornbeck has been ordered to find a bride. He invites ten women, suggested by the King for their noble status, to his castle for two weeks. The goal: to get to know their true characters.
Lady Dorothea is one of the women invited, but when circumstances prevent her from attending, her father, the Earl of Plimmwald, must find a solution that will not insult Lord Thornbeck. He sends Avelina, Dorothea’s maidservant, in her place. Her orders are clear: keep her true identity a secret, and make sure the Margrave does not choose her as a bride.
Avelina believes she would never be chosen, so she focuses on not getting caught. Yet, she has unwittingly drawn Thornbeck’s attention, and she finds herself attracted to him in return.
But getting caught may not be the worst thing that could happen to Avelina. As the days go on, she realizes that something is not right in the castle. Rumors abound. But what is true?
This is a very good read! It has mystery and romance, and a surprising bit of action. I wasn’t expecting that. This book is the second in a series. While some characters from the first novel appear in this one, you do not need to read the first. This book stands alone. I do believe I will be reading the first one, though. Great characters. Great plot. It’s a page-turner!
Christian readers especially will enjoy this one. Certain characters have a strong faith, yet it feels very real. They’re not perfect. The romance is also clean, and it sweeps you up into it.
I received a copy of this book from BookLook in exchange for an honest review.
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I received this book from The Fiction Guild, this is the 2nd Medieval Fairy Tale that Melanie has written and I enjoyed it very much. Retelling of two fairy tells in a way that you don't think of a childhood story and bringing it out as adult reading. What do you do but follow your Lords orders and go in place of his daughter and pretend to be her at a Bride in need gathering for a Marques. But when you get there, there are Lady's who remind you of the mean girls who think they are better and the one girl who is a sweetheart and not a follower of the pack who befriends you and doesn't know you are not of noble blood. When 2 weeks are over after many mishaps and back stabbing, you have tried to make the Marques fall in love with your friends because if he falls for you he will find out you are a pretender. But then you find out that one of the daughter's father is trying to take over the kingdom because he feels it belongs to him. You stand for the Marques and help save him and his kingdom and get the best blessing in the kingdom a royal blessing from the King himself. I loved how fairy tales can be rewritten and made for grown up readers.
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I liked this book. This story has good charactets and a good plot.
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Melanie Dickerson's book The Beautiful Pretender is an elegant read. Germany's medieval period captures the pages of this book as dukes and earls begin to grace each scene. Of course, all dukes and earls are not as noble as one might think, and the reader soon discovers this fact within the first few chapters. An introduction to one of the main characters, Avelina, who is the maidservant of the daughter of an earl--Lady Dorothea daughter of the Earl of Plimmwald--displays this very truth.
Lady Dorothea's very nature considers only herself, and through a series of events, her maidservant soon finds she has been given direct orders from the earl. This task throws Avelina into the presence of individuals she would normally not associate with, and she soon discovers how strong she can be. Her fears must not outweigh the duty she is called for, yet somehow events do not go as seamlessly as she would have hoped. Avelina discovers her own heart might win in the end but at a cost that is too dear to pay.
This book was a wonderful surprise, because one might think it is only a typical romance story; however, there is so much more to this text. Each turn of the page opened up different possibilities for various characters, and it was impossible to guess the ending fate for each individual. Impending romance turns to a life being threatened, and a murderer roaming the halls of the castle. Misunderstandings become moments of trust and distrust, and villages are not safe, because good and evil is on the rise.
The male lead, the Margrave of Thornbeck, must find a bride, but who can he trust? Each lady he meets has a secret agenda, in order to win his hand, but are they really suited for the task of being the wife of a margrave? Reinhart must quickly discern the characters of those around him as he seeks to find a godly wife. Yet more adventures are in store for this margrave, when he begins to understand the wicked hearts of those around him. He has lost so much in his life. Will he lose the one he loves too? Or will he surrender his pride in order for good to prevail in the end?
If you love historical novels, I highly recommend this book. I so wanted to know what happened at every changing event! And it was definitely a book that I could not put down.
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for my copy.
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Avelina is a lady's maid to the daughter of an Earl, but when she aids in her lady's elopement with a knight, she finds herself in a most precarious situation. The Margrave of the region is looking for a bride and thus he invited ten young eligible women, the Earl's daughter was to be one. With his daughter missing, the Earl insists Avelina take his daughter's place and ensure the Margrave does not choose her. And this is the premise of this historical fairy tale. Of course, the Margrave is drawn to Avelina despite her attempts to thwart his attention, making for good conflict.
The author, Melanie Dickerson, is known for her medieval fairy tales. This is the first book of hers that I have read, irresistibly drawn to it because of the striking cover. The pace of the story really picked up in the second half, as did the romance and the accumulation of conflict.
This is pure escape fiction - a charming love story in the time of princes and princes and courtly love. Very enjoyable; light and airy too!
Thank you to the author and publisher. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for visiting my blog, http://greathistoricals.blogspot.ca, where the greatest historical fiction is reviewed! For fascinating women of history bios and women's fiction please visit http://www.historyandwomen.com.
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I love Melanie Dickerson's books, and this one was no exception. From the medieval setting, to the Bachelor-esque feel of the book, and just how cute it was. I didn't get a particular fairy tale vibe from this one - I could see Beauty and the Beast elements, I guess? Although I felt more Queen Esther-vibes, actually.
Lord Thornbeck is a gruff, angry, and generally reserved. But when the King commands him to find a bride, he has no choice. So, he invites the daughters of ten nobles to his castle, to get to know them. Unbeknownst to them, he also puts them through a seriesof tests to see who would be the best fit for his bride. Then we have Avelina, who has been sent in the place of one of the ladies, and is only trying to make it through without anyone noticing her deception.
I really liked all the characters, especially Avelina. I felt as if they were fleshed out, and that we got to know them individually. The friendship Avelina forms with Magdalen, the deep conversations between Avelina and the margrave, and even the soft side of himself that the margrave showed sometimes all led to help create complex and interesting characters.
I would also say that the climax happened sooner than I would have thought it would, or what we would assume would be the climax, leaving room for more things to happen in the story, which I very much enjoyed. We got to see more of them, working together, and I loved that the story did not end where we thought it would.
This can be read as a standalone, although our favorite Jorgen and Odette from book 1 are recurring characters. I fully enjoyed this book and cannot wait for the next one.
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This is book two in the series. We get to see a few of the characters from The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest and lots of new characters, too. A mystery from book one is finally solved in this book. In this book I have to say Avelina is my favorite. She is smart and stubborn. She is a great judge of character and is quick to see through people's deceptions. She doesn't take no for an answer. When she sets her mind on something, she is going to do it with or without approval, if she feels it is the right thing to do. I love the friendship that develops between Avelina and Magdalen. When things are revealed about her true identity, her friend sticks by her side. That is true friendship.
Reinhart turned out to be different than we saw him as a secondary character in book one. As this book progresses we get to see a bit more of his true self come out. His past and the tragedy in his life has caused him hide within himself. In book one you get to see a bit of it in his actions that seem uncharacteristic of someone so harsh as he appears. But getting to know Avelina brings about a slow change in him. He is still a strong leader but she is able to soften him up around the edges so people know he is worthy of their respect and loyalty.
Melanie is great at description and drawing you into the world of her books. I feel as if I am walking the same path they are. There isn't one of her books that I didn't fall in love with. She knows how to keep the story alive and how to draw you in so you don't want to put the book down until you reach the end. I have stayed up many a night finishing one of her books because of it. This was no exception. All of her books are great for any age. It used to be difficult to find books appropriate for preteens or teens to read but Melanie has provided us with MANY books that I would encourage any young girl who loves to read to add to their library. 5 Stars again!
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The Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson is the second book in the "Medieval Fairy Tale" series, the first of which was The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest. I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and I liked this one as well. The main characters from the first book carried over into this book, but The Beautiful Pretender works as a stand-alone (although there were some funny moments that wouldn't be funny to those who weren't familiar with the original characters). I've read several reviews saying that this is a "Beauty and the Beast" spinoff, and while I did sort of see that, I thought it was more of a "Princess and the Pea" spinoff.
When the Margrave of Thornbeck inherits his title from his brother, he has to find himself a bride, and quickly. He sends out an invitation to noblewomen nearby to come and stay at his place so he can get to know them and pick a bride.
Avelina is Lady Dorothea's lady's maid. When Lady Dorothea receives an invitation to stay at Thornbeck Castle, she realizes that she's already in love with one of her father's knights, and runs away to elope the night before she's scheduled to leave. Lady Dorothea's father summons Avelina and commands that she go in her lady's place and receive provision for her family or be left destitute forever, Avelina is forced to go along with the deception. All she has to do is not let the Margrave fall in love with her and say whatever she thinks her lady would've said. Seems simple enough.
I really enjoyed this book! The characters had great dialogue with each other and the elements of suspense did not seem overdone (although they were close). This series is great for teen and tween-age girls who like historical fiction and twists on fairytales. I know my younger sisters love these stories, and I do as well.
Thank you so much to Harpercollins/Thomas Nelson publishers for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and were not required to be positive, nor was I compensated in any way aside from receiving the book itself.
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*My Thoughts*
Melanie creates magic with pen and paper!
Ever since seeing The Golden Braid on Cbd's "new releases" page, my sister (13) and I have wanted to read some of this magic. Naturally, when The Beautiful Pretender became an option for review, I jumped on it!
She did not let me down! Brimming with endearing characters, humor, action, suspense, romance, and similarities to an all time favorite of mine, Beauty and the Beast, this book shines in my bookshelf!
Although The Beautiful Pretender is the second in a series, I have not read the first and was not lost a bit! Go ahead! Pick it up and read it in whatever order you wish! ;)
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*My Rating*
I give The Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson...
5 stars!!
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*I received this book from Litfuse, the publisher and the author in exchange for an honest review, which I have given. All thoughts were my own and I was not compensated in any other way.
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When I decided to participate in The Beautiful Pretender book tour, I chose it mostly for the book cover. It caught my eye; I just knew I had to read the tale and share it. As many of my regular readers know, I can read anything, but romance has not been my mega-forte since high school. There's just something about historical romance though- especially when the main character, a woman, is trying to not get married! Melanie Dickerson captured a feeling, a story and a need for truth that kept me turning the pages, long after I'd have normally dropped the novel.
The story is about young Avelina, a maid servant. While serving under Lady Dorothea, Avelina endured verbal abuse, neglect and sleeping in closets and on floors. She did it to take care of her two younger siblings and her father, who'd been injured and crippled in a stable accident. The job wasn't the best, but it allowed her to proudly care for her family.
When Lady Dorothea is told she must attend a ball at castle Thornback with other young ladies, so the margrave can choose a bride, she high-tails it with her secret, true love, Sir Deitric and their illegitimate, unborn child. The Lord of Plimmwald is left to his creative devices. He commands Avelina to go in Lady Dorothea's stead, but she is to do everything to not be chosen. Simultaneously, the Margrave of Thornback is totally not in to having to choose a bride, let alone marry one!
*For the full review: http://tinyurl.com/jrgrwaw
**Book provided by Litfuse Publicity, for an honest review.
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An exciting action-adventure romance with a fairytale twist! Book two in this new series is set back in Medieval Germany, at Thornbeck Castle, featuring the new mysterious Margrave, who is rumored to have murdered his brother to get the title. Under pressure from the King, he must take a wife from amongst the noble families in neighboring kingdoms, to strengthen and establish his own. Reluctantly he agrees to a plan to invite ten eligible women for a two week trial period, not expecting anyone to please him. Little does he know one is an imposter.
This author does such a fine job of taking parts of well-told tales, and crafting them into something new and unique; they seem to get better and better too. Two main characters from the first book in this new series take a prominent role in helping the Margrave in the selection of his bride. There is minimal recap, but it was easy to pick up the story, in case readers missed book one. It was a fast paced read with enough action, danger, wicked characters, and some tender romance to keep the story interesting all the way through. I read it in a day--it was quite riveting! Avelina is a sweet character. Her sincere faith in God, and love for her poor family, seems a believable motivation to carry through with the role she's asked to play. Realizing more fully that she is worthy of respect and to be loved makes her brave and bold. An underlying theme that God loves us all, despite our flaws or social status, shines through.
Recommend for any reader, teens and up, who enjoy a good clean historical adventure romance with an inspirational thread. 4.5 stars
(Book provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.)
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The Beautiful Pretender is another one of Ms. Dickerson's series, The Medieval Fairy Tale Novels, and offers a fresh and romantic twist on the classic, Beauty and the Beast.
What I love about this story is the two strong characters, Lord Thornbeck and maidservant Avelina. In plenty of fairytale romances authors give us strapping, handsome, heroes who set out on a quest to rescue the fair and helpless heroine, which we come to expect for this genre.
However, Ms. Dickerson does not subject her readers to the expected. Instead, she gives us Avelina-a beautiful, opinionated, courageous, and determined young woman who when the going gets tough-she gets tougher. I loved that about her. Yes, there was some tears and yearning but I never felt for one-second that it depicted Avelina in a helpless manner but rather made her human.
Lord Thornbeck, the beastly man who growls, snarls, and barks orders at those around him embodies what we'd expect of his character but Ms. Dickerson shows us the softer side of his animalistic tendencies offering us a glimpse into a man who struggles with guilt and disability. Could someone love him in spite of his handicap? Yes!! Over and over again-yes!
Ms. Dickerson does a wonderful job of bringing all the characters alive in this book and will have you rooting for the heroes and jeering the villains throughout. I've had the opportunity to read several novels in this series and I believe it's these later ones that are worth their weight in Rumpelstiltskin's gold! If you're a fan The Beautiful Pretender will not let you down.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
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Sometimes (okay, lots of times) I sign up to review a book and then don’t start it until a week before my review is due. I did this with The Beautiful Pretender. Don’t ask me why – I have a procrastination problem. And I’m really mad at myself for waiting so long to read this book now because it was awesome!
Last year, I read The Selection by Kiera Cass. When I started The Beautiful Pretender, I was strongly reminded as the stories are very similar – a male of royal provenance must marry, so he invites young women from the area he reigns over to come meet him so he can select his mate. These two stories are very similar so if you enjoyed The Selection, I highly recommend The Beautiful Pretender.
While The Selection is set in a dystopian version of America, The Beautiful Pretender is set centuries ago in Europe. I’m not sure if Dickerson based her geography on what really existed at the time or if she took some liberties. I didn’t recognize some of the origin of the girls who gathered at Reinhart’s estate but I’m not even good with current European geography so I could definitely just be ignorant of these regions from so long ago.
I love the name of the Margrave: Reinhart. It sounds brave and strong, like Braveheart, right? This character reminded me greatly of the Beast from Beauty and the Beast (yes, the Disney version). Instead of a being a beast, however, Reinhart suffers from an injury, but one that also impacts him greatly. Also like that fairy tale, Avelina is very much into books, just like Belle was. In an era when I’m sure many people were illiterate, this must have been refreshing for the Margrave to find.
One aspect that I didn’t think I would enjoy as much as I did was the religious references. Everybody gathered for Mass on Sunday while staying at Thornbeck Castle. We also hear Avelina talk about Jesus and his humble origins, so as to be able to better identify with the general population. Reinhart’s and Avelina’s thoughts on Jesus and God brought me back to my reading of The Other Boleyn Girl and how King Henry VIII twisted religion to suit his needs. On the contrary, Reinhart seemed like a much more godly person, even while in possession of great power.
As you can probably tell, I greatly enjoyed The Beautiful Pretender. I picked it up in the afternoon, and finished it within 24 hours. Somehow I did not stay up all night to read it, but I can definitely see a reader doing so to see what happens. If you like medieval stories, if you like fairy tales, if you love stories with some adventure (think The Princess Bride!), check out The Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson.
I received a copy of this book as part of my involvement with Litfuse Publicity. All thoughts are my own.
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Once again, Melanie Dickerson pleases her readers. The boys and I read this one together. They enjoyed it as much as I did.
This is the fairly tale retelling mix of the Princess and the Pea and Beauty and the Beast. We met the Margrave in The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest and learned that he took over after his brother died. He's being blamed for the death of his brother and that does not help Reinhart's guilt of not getting his brother out of the fire safely. Now the king has decided that Reinhart needs a wife. He sends him a list of 10 eligible women who would make a good wife. Reinhardt invites them to his castle and the contest begins.
Avelina is a maidservant. When Lady Dorothea runs off with her lover, her father convinces Avelina to take his daughters place. He needs the help of Reinhart to keep his lands but doesn't expect Avelina to win his heart, just to make her presence known. Adeline tries her hardest to get Reinhart to fall for Lady Magdalen, a very sweet and deserving lady. No matter how hard she tries though, Reinhart keeps finding his way back into her thoughts.
There is a lot of adventure. Some evil works against Reinhart, and plenty of mysterious happenings. And through it all we see the beauty within Avelina. And we find that Reinhart is a bit of a softy after all. The book is entertaining and well written. There are happy times and intense moments
I received a pre-release copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. We (the boys and I) all give this one 5 stars and look forward to Ms. Dickerson's next book.
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