Title: The Golden Braid
Author: Melanie Dickerson
Another excellent read from Melanie Dickerson! *huggles book*
I think it was the least standalone-ish of her books I’ve read so far, simply because it had so many delightful tie-ins to other books in the Hagenheim series. I loved that! đ It was also so so cool how it tied in with The Princess Spy and the events going on in that and even some of the things behind the scenes we hadn’t seen before! So awesome. (Though a couple times it seemed like it was summarizing a bit too much and I would have liked more details/scenes sometimes. But that may also be because I don’t remember The Princess Spy all that well since I read it awhile ago. *shrug*)
I also loved how the Christian theme was so well-woven into the plot–it was just a really strong part of it, more-so than usual in these books, and I just thought it was super lovely and incredibly well-done.
And I loved the retelling, how it had so many nods to Rapunzel (and maybe even Tangled…?). Awesome retelling! But also rearranged and different and unique enough that I never knew what was coming, which was really cool. đ
The romance, as always, was adorbz and awesome and I loved both the characters. Rapunzel was super likeable, and Sir Gerek was, naturally, fantastic. I loved his grouchyness. XD And just… yes, he was awesome.
AND THE TWIST. OH MY GOODNESS THE TWIST. Okay, so I was picking up on little subtle hints and totally guessed it before it came to light, but that only made the revelation even BETTER because I pieced clues together and came to the conclusion myself and was hoping and hoping and then it WAS and just ASLKDFJLDKJF it makes me so happyyyy! ^_^ I only wish :: SPOILER (highlight to read) :: that there could have been a scene featuring Gabe and Rapunzel. I WAS SO HOPING THERE WOULD AND THEN THERE WASN’T. *cries* That was my only disappointment though. I just… it would have been so wonderful seeing a scene like that after what Gabe was thinking in The Fairest Beauty. *sniff* But oh well, I can imagine it, so that’s okay I guess. đ :: END SPOILER ::
I also got a little teary-eyed there at one point, at a certain beautiful scene, so gotta give it credit for that. đ
Anyways, aside from a couple little things, I absolutely loved it and just THE TWIIIIST!!! *flails around* So so so awesome and automatically made it twice as wonderful as it could have been. đ
Overall, great book! â¤
From Goodreads:
The one who needs rescuing isnât always the one in the tower.
Rapunzel can throw a knife better than any man around. And her skills as an artist rival those of any artist sheâs met. But for a woman in medieval times, the one skill she most desires is the hardest one to obtain: the ability to read.
After yet another young man asks for Rapunzelâs hand in marriage, Mother decides they need to move once again, but this time to a larger city. Rapunzelâs heart soarsâsurely there she can fulfill her dream. But Mother wonât let her close to a man. She claims that no man can be trusted.
After being rescued by a knight on the road to the city, and in turn rescuing him farther down the road, Rapunzelâs opportunity arrives at last. This knight, Sir Gerek, agrees to educate Rapunzel in order to pay back his debt. She just has to put up with his arrogant nature and single-minded focus on riches and prestige.
But this Rapunzel story is unlike any other and the mystery that she uncovers will change everythingâexcept her happily ever after.
Genre/Category: Christian YA Romance / Historical Fiction / Fairy Tale Retelling (Rapunzel)
Age Group: YA
Published: 2015
Pages: 471 pages (Large Print Hardcover)
Series?: Book #6 of the Hagenheim/Fairy Tale Romance series
When Read: June 4 – 5, 2016
Favorite Character: Sir Gerek
Source: Library
Other Notes: Read a large print version because it was what my library had, and I for some reason really liked reading it like that. XD It was relaxing somehow. *shrug*
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Thanks for reading!
Dream away in those pages . . .
~ The Page Dreamer
The Page Dreamer (Deborah O'Carroll) 