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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
I am not sure how I really felt about this one. It was just "in the middle," probably why I gave it a three star rating. Before they even mention that Rapunzel is Lady Rose's lost daughter I knew it. And that's what I don't like! The fact that I can predict what's coming. It's this annoying ability that I developed after reading nothing but Nancy Drew one summer. Maybe if the book had been less predictable, I would've liked it better.
Loved it. Four and a half stars because there was a bit near the end that I wish had more time given to it. But on the whole? Marvellous.
I received a free copy of this book for reviewing purposes. After reading the letter that was included with the book I was a bit hesitant about reading the book itself. My qualms were: 1.) This was a YA (young adult) novel and I am NOT a young adult, 2.) This was a retelling of the fairytale Rapunzel, with a twist. I don't really remember much about the "original" Rapunzel except her hair was long, and 3.) I had never read anything by Melanie Dickerson. However, I did like the cover of the book (yes, I do judge books by their cover) so off I went into the land of Rapunzel.....
I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK!!! Within the first few pages of the story I was hooked. I immediately liked this Rapunzel. She seemed sweet yet she had a touch of toughness about her. She was definitely not a damsel in distress or weakling. She was just a girl who lived with her mother. A mother who seemed kind of strange. My favorite thing about Rapunzel was her desire to learn to read. I may have swooned just a bit when I read of her desire to learn to read!
If liking Rapunzel wasn't enough then enter Sir Gerek. He was another immediately likable character. Even though he and Rapunzel have their doubts about each other there was a chemistry between them that jumped off the page. I couldn't read fast enough to see what the author had in mind for these two.
In my opinion, the author did a fantastic job retelling Rapunzel's story. It is a sweet, romantic read that will keep you entertained for hours. The story is so well-written that I found myself reading "just one more chapter" until my vision was so blurry I had to put the book down. Only to pick it back up again when my vision had cleared. Oh, and this book, even though it is classified as Young Adult, is a great read for those of us who don't happen to fit into the category.
This is a book I think any girl of teenage years and beyond would enjoy. It does have its moments of violence, but it is dealt with in a not-too-descriptive way. Other than those moments this is a good, sweet read. A definite keeper on my bookshelf!
I was given a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion, which I have given.
I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK!!! Within the first few pages of the story I was hooked. I immediately liked this Rapunzel. She seemed sweet yet she had a touch of toughness about her. She was definitely not a damsel in distress or weakling. She was just a girl who lived with her mother. A mother who seemed kind of strange. My favorite thing about Rapunzel was her desire to learn to read. I may have swooned just a bit when I read of her desire to learn to read!
If liking Rapunzel wasn't enough then enter Sir Gerek. He was another immediately likable character. Even though he and Rapunzel have their doubts about each other there was a chemistry between them that jumped off the page. I couldn't read fast enough to see what the author had in mind for these two.
In my opinion, the author did a fantastic job retelling Rapunzel's story. It is a sweet, romantic read that will keep you entertained for hours. The story is so well-written that I found myself reading "just one more chapter" until my vision was so blurry I had to put the book down. Only to pick it back up again when my vision had cleared. Oh, and this book, even though it is classified as Young Adult, is a great read for those of us who don't happen to fit into the category.
This is a book I think any girl of teenage years and beyond would enjoy. It does have its moments of violence, but it is dealt with in a not-too-descriptive way. Other than those moments this is a good, sweet read. A definite keeper on my bookshelf!
I was given a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion, which I have given.
Is this it? Is this when I finally give up on Dickerson's medieval romance/fairytale retellings? It might just be. I've read six of them, after all, and I'm think I'm finally ready to admit that no matter how many I keep reading (or she keeps writing), they are very simply not doing anything for me.
And they're all the same.
And at first, Rapunzel and Gerek have a bit of a rocky relationship because Gerek is a gallant jerk-face, and rather arrogant, and is determined to marry a rich heiress but not to love her, because then he might abuse her like his father abused his mother, which is stupid but I guess it comes from a good place??? And then he's injured and is coerced into teaching Rapunzel to read and write, and she picks it up in, you know, a week. And through knowing Rapunzel, this beautiful mistreated paragon of virtue, he becomes a better a person.
Rapunzel finally gets up the courage to really defy Gothel and leave home for a position working at the castle, and discovers *SHOCKER* that she is really the long lost daughter of the duke of Hagenheim, who was stolen away by Gothel after her baby had died, but they keep that under wraps and all is well until Gothel's old lover who jilted her after leaving her pregnant shows up to convinces her he's come back to her and gets her to help him in a plot to take over Hagenheim Castle, but then of course, jilts her again and Gothel is completely driven nutso by this and abducts Rapunzel to hold her in the iconic tower. More evil plotting on Gothel's part, and then Gerek shows up to rescue Rapunzel and they put Gothel to justice and Gerek and Rapunzel get married and live happily ever after.
Which is fine. It was all fine, I guess, but A. not that good and B. I've read most of this all before. By the same author.
This one was better than the first three of this series, but probably about on par with [b:The Captive Maiden|17679368|The Captive Maiden (Hagenheim #4)|Melanie Dickerson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1365649805s/17679368.jpg|24696392], though significantly less "masculine/manly" comments about Gerek, though he is still ridiculously handsome.
And they're all the same.
Spoiler
I mean, yeah, sure the intricacies of the plots change and sometimes characters are slightly different or something, but they're all the same. Probably my biggest peeve when it comes to these books are the lecherous/sadistic creep who always for one reason for another attacks the main girl, usually at least twice per book, and then is saved, usually both times, by her love interest. Usually she doesn't trust her love interest at first, this time it was because Gothel was poisoning Rapunzel's mind regarding all men ever, and we all know what they all really want blah blah they'll love you and leave you, and you can't talk to them or touch them or look at them or THINK of the idea of a man, because they're all terrible.And at first, Rapunzel and Gerek have a bit of a rocky relationship because Gerek is a gallant jerk-face, and rather arrogant, and is determined to marry a rich heiress but not to love her, because then he might abuse her like his father abused his mother, which is stupid but I guess it comes from a good place??? And then he's injured and is coerced into teaching Rapunzel to read and write, and she picks it up in, you know, a week. And through knowing Rapunzel, this beautiful mistreated paragon of virtue, he becomes a better a person.
Rapunzel finally gets up the courage to really defy Gothel and leave home for a position working at the castle, and discovers *SHOCKER* that she is really the long lost daughter of the duke of Hagenheim, who was stolen away by Gothel after her baby had died, but they keep that under wraps and all is well until Gothel's old lover who jilted her after leaving her pregnant shows up to convinces her he's come back to her and gets her to help him in a plot to take over Hagenheim Castle, but then of course, jilts her again and Gothel is completely driven nutso by this and abducts Rapunzel to hold her in the iconic tower. More evil plotting on Gothel's part, and then Gerek shows up to rescue Rapunzel and they put Gothel to justice and Gerek and Rapunzel get married and live happily ever after.
Which is fine. It was all fine, I guess, but A. not that good and B. I've read most of this all before. By the same author.
This one was better than the first three of this series, but probably about on par with [b:The Captive Maiden|17679368|The Captive Maiden (Hagenheim #4)|Melanie Dickerson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1365649805s/17679368.jpg|24696392], though significantly less "masculine/manly" comments about Gerek, though he is still ridiculously handsome.
This is one of my favorites of the Hagenheim Series so far. The plot gave in depth character development and kept my interest the whole time. I literally could not put it down.
I love a good fairytale retelling and Rapunzel is one of my favorites! I’ve always been fascinated with Christians during medieval times and it was interesting seeing Rapunzel and Gerek discuss the “Holy Writt” and her learning to read German and Latin.
One thing I believe that gives Christian fiction a bad rap is people always think it’s trying to give a life lesson or preach. However, this book does not do that. Yes, the characters discuss God and His unfailing love and passages from scripture, but overall they appear as everyday Christians trying to be good, God-fearing people like the rest of us. I really appreciated that.
Overall, I liked the storyline and the way the plot moved. The writing style is very simple, easy to read, and I was able to read it fairly quickly. There were parts towards the end that seemed to drag and could have been summed up in less words, but I still enjoyed it.
4/5 stars✨
One thing I believe that gives Christian fiction a bad rap is people always think it’s trying to give a life lesson or preach. However, this book does not do that. Yes, the characters discuss God and His unfailing love and passages from scripture, but overall they appear as everyday Christians trying to be good, God-fearing people like the rest of us. I really appreciated that.
Overall, I liked the storyline and the way the plot moved. The writing style is very simple, easy to read, and I was able to read it fairly quickly. There were parts towards the end that seemed to drag and could have been summed up in less words, but I still enjoyed it.
4/5 stars✨
I enjoyed this retelling of Repunzel. Repunzel is one of my favorite fairy-tales and I found this retelling to be delightful. My one gripe: I wish Dickerson's characters were a little less perfect. A little man against himself action would be an interesting addition. Also, not everyone immediately finds the person they are to marry as the most beautiful person they have ever seen. While yes, you should be attracted to your spouse, It's ok to acknowledge and see that other people are beautiful too. I'd like a heroine who isn't the most beautiful person in the whole wide world.
I have had The Golden Braid and Melanie Dickerson books on my mind since Barnes and Noble decided to recommend them to me almost three years ago. Wow was that recommendation wrong. I have no more apt a description for The Golden Braid than eye-roll inducing. This is loosely based on Rapunzel if it were set in medieval Germany. This is supposed to be a romance, but the main character, Rapunzel, and her love interest, Gerek, have no chemistry. The attitudes Rapunzel’s mom, Gothel, expresses about being anti-marriage and anti-men is downright strange. Unfortunately, I know many women who have been emotionally or physically hurt by men, but none have developed the level of one-dimensional misandry displayed by Gothel. All the characters are flat and one-dimensional. Overall a disappointing read.
FIRST READ:
Started December 26, 2015
Finished December 27, 2015
Rating 5 Stars *****
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FIRST RE-READ:
Started April 3, 2016
Finished April 5, 2016
Rating 5 Stars *****
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Started December 26, 2015
Finished December 27, 2015
Rating 5 Stars *****
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
FIRST RE-READ:
Started April 3, 2016
Finished April 5, 2016
Rating 5 Stars *****
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-
I read it to read with my little sister. It was slow and poor writing in the first 30%-ish of the book but I’m glad I pushed through. Quite a good story and great lessons for young girls and people in general. Someday when I have kids I want to read them these kind of books. I really enjoyed it.