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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Fun retelling of Rapunzel! The next in the series. It’s sweet and light and has its fun moments!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, Kidnapping
Minor: Suicide, Murder
The last couple books I read of Melanie's were honestly not my favorite and I had kind of given up on her (I'm sorry). However, I was sent The Golden Braid for review and found that I liked it almost as much as the first book of her's that I had read.
Like all the princesses, Rapunzel is a kind person, but that doesn't stop her from being distrustful and wary. And unlike in The Princess Spy, she is capable of taking care of herself and defending others. As in the movie, Tangled, she is super talented (though she has a few more skills this time) and is unafraid to seek out what she wants in life.
Overall, the story reminded me far more of Tangled than any other version of Rapunzel that I can remember, though her dreams did hint at other versions. I'm glad that the Fiction Guild surprised me with this book for review, as sadly I probably would not have read it other wise. Make sure you don't pass it up yourself!
I received this book through the Fiction Guild in exchange for an honest review.
Like all the princesses, Rapunzel is a kind person, but that doesn't stop her from being distrustful and wary. And unlike in The Princess Spy, she is capable of taking care of herself and defending others. As in the movie, Tangled, she is super talented (though she has a few more skills this time) and is unafraid to seek out what she wants in life.
Overall, the story reminded me far more of Tangled than any other version of Rapunzel that I can remember, though her dreams did hint at other versions. I'm glad that the Fiction Guild surprised me with this book for review, as sadly I probably would not have read it other wise. Make sure you don't pass it up yourself!
I received this book through the Fiction Guild in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I have always enjoyed a good fairy tale. I also love "twisted" tales where an author takes a traditional well-known story and then gives it a new coat of paint. There are quite a few of them out right now as part of the Young Adult literature genre, and I have read a number of them. When I had the chance to review The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson as part of the Fiction Guild, I was very eager to read this second book in the Medieval Fairy Tale Romance series (and #6 in the Hagenheim Saga)!
The Golden Braid was a delightful read! It was a very clever take on the story of Rapunzel and yet still managed to stay true to the story we are all familiar with. I loved that the word of God was worked gently into the story as the book that Sir Gerek teaches Rapunzel to read from. There is also a bit of biblical history as we see how the Bible wasn't all put together during this time period. I enjoyed how this wasn't the traditional "fluff" style of fairy tale--there was mystery, adventure, and even some rather exciting fight scenes and plot twists!
I love the backstory that we are given throughout the book relating to Rapunzel's past and her unusual relationship with Gothel her mother. I enjoyed the focus on her character as a young woman, over her beauty. Sir Gerek was a good character as well. I felt that his backstory itched to have more to it, but I think the author explained it well.
Several of the characters in this story are actually characters in OTHER books by this author (The Hagenheim Family Saga set of 4 books), so I think I would definitely prefer to have read all her previous books, just to come into it with a better understanding about how they all fit together--but that in NO way takes away from this book at all! It can stand on it's own feet very well.
I give this book a very solid four stars! The story caught my attention very quickly and I was determined to continue reading it throughout the day and found it to be simply delightful. I think this is a great story for any girl (or boy for that matter!) who is looking for a fairy tale that is chock full of adventure! I would put this story as for an older level reader, just because the mystery and intrigue is written for that age level. I would definitely recommend it, and I think that I'm even going to see if I can find the other book in this Medieval Fairy Tale series The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest, as well as find the books in her Fairy Tale Romance Series (aka. Hagenheim Family Saga) The Merchant's Daughter, The Healer's Apprentice, The Captive Maiden, The Fairest Beauty, and The Princess Spy and snag them! Maybe even request it for our library, because I think they would be a great addition!
I also learned she has a couple new books coming out this year--The Beautiful Pretender on May 17 (another book in the Medieval Fairy Tale Romance series) and A Spy's Devotion on Feb. 9th (a new series called The Regency Spies of London).
*Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this book in return for my honest review. I was not given any other compensation, nor was I required to write a positive review.
The Golden Braid was a delightful read! It was a very clever take on the story of Rapunzel and yet still managed to stay true to the story we are all familiar with. I loved that the word of God was worked gently into the story as the book that Sir Gerek teaches Rapunzel to read from. There is also a bit of biblical history as we see how the Bible wasn't all put together during this time period. I enjoyed how this wasn't the traditional "fluff" style of fairy tale--there was mystery, adventure, and even some rather exciting fight scenes and plot twists!
I love the backstory that we are given throughout the book relating to Rapunzel's past and her unusual relationship with Gothel her mother. I enjoyed the focus on her character as a young woman, over her beauty. Sir Gerek was a good character as well. I felt that his backstory itched to have more to it, but I think the author explained it well.
Several of the characters in this story are actually characters in OTHER books by this author (The Hagenheim Family Saga set of 4 books), so I think I would definitely prefer to have read all her previous books, just to come into it with a better understanding about how they all fit together--but that in NO way takes away from this book at all! It can stand on it's own feet very well.
I give this book a very solid four stars! The story caught my attention very quickly and I was determined to continue reading it throughout the day and found it to be simply delightful. I think this is a great story for any girl (or boy for that matter!) who is looking for a fairy tale that is chock full of adventure! I would put this story as for an older level reader, just because the mystery and intrigue is written for that age level. I would definitely recommend it, and I think that I'm even going to see if I can find the other book in this Medieval Fairy Tale series The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest, as well as find the books in her Fairy Tale Romance Series (aka. Hagenheim Family Saga) The Merchant's Daughter, The Healer's Apprentice, The Captive Maiden, The Fairest Beauty, and The Princess Spy and snag them! Maybe even request it for our library, because I think they would be a great addition!
I also learned she has a couple new books coming out this year--The Beautiful Pretender on May 17 (another book in the Medieval Fairy Tale Romance series) and A Spy's Devotion on Feb. 9th (a new series called The Regency Spies of London).
*Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this book in return for my honest review. I was not given any other compensation, nor was I required to write a positive review.
2.5
This was very bland in a boring uninteresting way. There isn’t anything outrageously bad about the story it’s just so boring.
This is a Clean Christian Romance and it actually works considering the medieval time period. But, it’s a heavy evangelical slant so that isn’t historically accurate.
A small aside: What is the deal with Rapunzel retellings that give Rapunzel the hobby of painting? It’s not part of the earliest written variations of the story and as far as I can tell, it comes to prevalence in Barbie as Rapunzel (and her painting hobby is actually relevant to the plot!). It’s so strange.
This was very bland in a boring uninteresting way. There isn’t anything outrageously bad about the story it’s just so boring.
This is a Clean Christian Romance and it actually works considering the medieval time period. But, it’s a heavy evangelical slant so that isn’t historically accurate.
A small aside: What is the deal with Rapunzel retellings that give Rapunzel the hobby of painting? It’s not part of the earliest written variations of the story and as far as I can tell, it comes to prevalence in Barbie as Rapunzel (and her painting hobby is actually relevant to the plot!). It’s so strange.
Sometimes all you need is a well written, cheesy, happily-ending story, and Melanie Dickerson never disappoints!
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for giving me this book to review.
Rapunzel is a sheltered young woman who lives with her protective mother. One day Mother Gothel decides they need to move again to protect Rapunzel from men who want to marry her. On the road they are rescued by a knight, Sir Gerek, but he ends up being injured, which is the opportunity Rapunzel has been looking for as her only desire is to learn the skill of reading, which Sir Gerek begrudgingly agrees to teach her. As Rupenzel gets used to her new city she discovers that her life is about to change forever.
The Golden Braid is a cute and enjoyable YA fairytale retelling of Rapunzel, but I was expecting more of a fantasy novel than a historical one. It is fast paced with a sweet slow romance but was predictable. I have not read The Princess Spy but I did not feel it affected the story as I did not know this book was sort of a sequel.
Rapunzel is a sweet, kind-hearted girl who has a thirst for knowledge, and because of her mother, is distrustful of men. Gerek was moody, brave and surly at the beginning of the book, but as the book went on we found he was thoughtful, smart and good, however, this backfired for me as I preferred the early gruff Gerek. Mother Gothel was unpredictable and until half way through I could not figure out is she was meant to be the baddie, like in the original story, or just trying to protect Rapunzel.
The Golden Braid was an enjoyable book and I would recommend to fans of fairytale retellings, and other books by this author.
This and my other reviews can be found at Amethyst Bookwyrm
Rapunzel is a sheltered young woman who lives with her protective mother. One day Mother Gothel decides they need to move again to protect Rapunzel from men who want to marry her. On the road they are rescued by a knight, Sir Gerek, but he ends up being injured, which is the opportunity Rapunzel has been looking for as her only desire is to learn the skill of reading, which Sir Gerek begrudgingly agrees to teach her. As Rupenzel gets used to her new city she discovers that her life is about to change forever.
The Golden Braid is a cute and enjoyable YA fairytale retelling of Rapunzel, but I was expecting more of a fantasy novel than a historical one. It is fast paced with a sweet slow romance but was predictable. I have not read The Princess Spy but I did not feel it affected the story as I did not know this book was sort of a sequel.
Rapunzel is a sweet, kind-hearted girl who has a thirst for knowledge, and because of her mother, is distrustful of men. Gerek was moody, brave and surly at the beginning of the book, but as the book went on we found he was thoughtful, smart and good, however, this backfired for me as I preferred the early gruff Gerek. Mother Gothel was unpredictable and until half way through I could not figure out is she was meant to be the baddie, like in the original story, or just trying to protect Rapunzel.
The Golden Braid was an enjoyable book and I would recommend to fans of fairytale retellings, and other books by this author.
This and my other reviews can be found at Amethyst Bookwyrm