Helpful Score: 4
To read a medieval novel is to be there and on those occasions when I want to read a medieval novel, I want it to be such as The Merchants Daughter.
I was incredibly impressed with the fact that there wasnt a great deal of overwhelming facts about the setting or customs of the time period, and yet the setting was masterfully crafted through the entire novel. I could have been standing in that square, or scrubbing that floor in the castle, because without a great deal of thinking about it I stepped into this enchanting world.
Loosely based on the fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast, I was caught up in the unlikely romance between Ranulf and Annabel. Right from the beginning they both have so much going against them, and yet the closer they become, the more the rift seems to want to pull them apart.
I wouldnt call the romance simple. It was definitely sweet, but with an edge that left me breathless as to whether that edge would destroy what little ground Ranulf and Annabel had claimed.
The Merchants Daughter charmed and beguiled me and in the end left me hopeful and content, though wishing for a few more pages, just to enjoy the wonder of the story.
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the Amazon Vine program for my copy to review.
I was incredibly impressed with the fact that there wasnt a great deal of overwhelming facts about the setting or customs of the time period, and yet the setting was masterfully crafted through the entire novel. I could have been standing in that square, or scrubbing that floor in the castle, because without a great deal of thinking about it I stepped into this enchanting world.
Loosely based on the fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast, I was caught up in the unlikely romance between Ranulf and Annabel. Right from the beginning they both have so much going against them, and yet the closer they become, the more the rift seems to want to pull them apart.
I wouldnt call the romance simple. It was definitely sweet, but with an edge that left me breathless as to whether that edge would destroy what little ground Ranulf and Annabel had claimed.
The Merchants Daughter charmed and beguiled me and in the end left me hopeful and content, though wishing for a few more pages, just to enjoy the wonder of the story.
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the Amazon Vine program for my copy to review.
Helpful Score: 2
I thoroughly enjoyed Melanie's second Christian fiction book for the YA market. While The Healer's Apprentice was loosely based on the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale, The Merchant's Daughter is loosely based on Beauty and the Beast, which is my favorite fairy tale of them all.
I found Annabel likable, though her family's apathy toward her was kind of odd. I didn't really see any reason for them to care so little for her. Annabel's compassion for Stephen and Ranulf was refreshing, compared to the superstition and fear expressed by the other villagers and manor workers. People with disabilities were apparently to be feared as cursed in the Middle Ages.
The restraint with which Annabel and Ranulf both behaved throughout the book, before revealing their feelings for each other, provided good romantic tension. Ranulf's transformation from harsh, gruff half-wild man to kind, compassionate lord of the village was well-written and believable.
Another thing that struck me was how easily the Bible was twisted by the parish priest, considering that he did not have a Bible of his own, would not have shared it even if he'd had one, and that most people could not read the Bible even if it had been easily accessible. Annabel was able to completely change her view of God as harsh and unloving, to one of mercy and love, after she began reading Ranulf's Bible. Ranulf helped Annabel transform her view of God, thanks to his memorization of Scripture and his willingness to answer her questions. We are blessed today with our easy access to the Bible in print, online, and even in ebooks and on our cell phones.
With thanks to NetGalley and Zondervan for my review copy.
I found Annabel likable, though her family's apathy toward her was kind of odd. I didn't really see any reason for them to care so little for her. Annabel's compassion for Stephen and Ranulf was refreshing, compared to the superstition and fear expressed by the other villagers and manor workers. People with disabilities were apparently to be feared as cursed in the Middle Ages.
The restraint with which Annabel and Ranulf both behaved throughout the book, before revealing their feelings for each other, provided good romantic tension. Ranulf's transformation from harsh, gruff half-wild man to kind, compassionate lord of the village was well-written and believable.
Another thing that struck me was how easily the Bible was twisted by the parish priest, considering that he did not have a Bible of his own, would not have shared it even if he'd had one, and that most people could not read the Bible even if it had been easily accessible. Annabel was able to completely change her view of God as harsh and unloving, to one of mercy and love, after she began reading Ranulf's Bible. Ranulf helped Annabel transform her view of God, thanks to his memorization of Scripture and his willingness to answer her questions. We are blessed today with our easy access to the Bible in print, online, and even in ebooks and on our cell phones.
With thanks to NetGalley and Zondervan for my review copy.
The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson
The story takes place in 1352 England. Most would call this a beauty and the beast story, which it is in ways. I just don't like thinking of someone as a beast just because they have been scarred in some way. Although Lord Ranulf le Wyse did act beastly. He was a bitter man. He had lost an eye, had a scarred face and his hand was mangled. His wife had betrayed him and now he hated and mistrusted all women. Except Mistress Eustacia, who had been with his family since he was a young lad. As the new Lord, he has come to Glynval for a new start. Never did he expect the changes that new start would bring with it, especially the beautiful Annabel Chapman, his new indentured servant. Seeing the beauty just reminded him of how beautiful women would look at a scarred man like himself.
Annabel Chapman missed her father. Things were so different before he died three years earlier. He had paid fees so that their family did not have to help the other villagers in the fields or with other tasks. Annabel would not have minded the labor but her mother and brother, Edward, thought themselves above it while her brother Durand believed himself too sickly. When Edward told her he gave Bailiff Tom permission to marry her she is sickened. The man was her father's age. Blessedly a woman could not be forced to marry and she would refuse, even as her selfish family all thought she should do this for them. When the court decided one of them would go work for the new Lord as an indentured servant, Annabel chose that above marriage.
The Lord's home was not without problems. Bailiff Tom was there working for Ranulf and took every chance he could to corner Annabel, thankfully the new Lord rescued her each time. Another lad wanted her to marry his father so she could be his mother, there were the other maids trying to give their favor's to Ranulf, and when tragedies began the villagers were considering that Ranulf was cursed and brought bad luck to their village.
Annabel wanted to go to an Abbey. Her only wish was to read the Holy Writ. Her father was going to get her a Bible before he passed. She found the local Priest did not even own one. At this time period the Bibles were all written in Latin but she knew how to read it.
I really enjoyed the story and the unique era.
**Received book for review through NetGalley
The story takes place in 1352 England. Most would call this a beauty and the beast story, which it is in ways. I just don't like thinking of someone as a beast just because they have been scarred in some way. Although Lord Ranulf le Wyse did act beastly. He was a bitter man. He had lost an eye, had a scarred face and his hand was mangled. His wife had betrayed him and now he hated and mistrusted all women. Except Mistress Eustacia, who had been with his family since he was a young lad. As the new Lord, he has come to Glynval for a new start. Never did he expect the changes that new start would bring with it, especially the beautiful Annabel Chapman, his new indentured servant. Seeing the beauty just reminded him of how beautiful women would look at a scarred man like himself.
Annabel Chapman missed her father. Things were so different before he died three years earlier. He had paid fees so that their family did not have to help the other villagers in the fields or with other tasks. Annabel would not have minded the labor but her mother and brother, Edward, thought themselves above it while her brother Durand believed himself too sickly. When Edward told her he gave Bailiff Tom permission to marry her she is sickened. The man was her father's age. Blessedly a woman could not be forced to marry and she would refuse, even as her selfish family all thought she should do this for them. When the court decided one of them would go work for the new Lord as an indentured servant, Annabel chose that above marriage.
The Lord's home was not without problems. Bailiff Tom was there working for Ranulf and took every chance he could to corner Annabel, thankfully the new Lord rescued her each time. Another lad wanted her to marry his father so she could be his mother, there were the other maids trying to give their favor's to Ranulf, and when tragedies began the villagers were considering that Ranulf was cursed and brought bad luck to their village.
Annabel wanted to go to an Abbey. Her only wish was to read the Holy Writ. Her father was going to get her a Bible before he passed. She found the local Priest did not even own one. At this time period the Bibles were all written in Latin but she knew how to read it.
I really enjoyed the story and the unique era.
**Received book for review through NetGalley
I love the Middle Ages, and I am always looking for books set in that time period. I had seen a lot of really good reviews for The Merchants Daughter by Melanie Dickerson, so I decided to get this. I even got a great deal, only $2.99 for the Kindle edition.
This book drew me in and didnt let me go. The characters were well developed and believable. The setting felt so real and very well researched without the author getting carried away with what she knew. My only complaint is that this book was so good, I got very frustrated, because I couldnt sit down are read it in one sitting. Why did God give siblings the uncanny ability to interrupt at the most pivotal parts of the story? I mean, when I wanted to take a break my siblings were doing things on their own. When I was reading they needed me.
Some of my favorite parts.
I loved the faith the characters have in this book. So many Christian books have a sappy faith, but that was not the case in this book. I loved how God used Annabels situation as an indentured servant to grant her the deepest wish of her heart.
Okay, for all of you who think I scorn romance I will admit that sometimes the girly-girl part of me comes out. I really liked that this was a re-telling of a fairy tale. Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite tales, so the fact that this book retold that story made it all the better.
Things you might want to know before you read.
There is a man that tries to force himself on Annabel, however Melanie Dickerson handled it so well that it didnt really bother me. However, younger readers may want their parents to look over the book first.
For my friends who avoid romance, this book is a romance book, and there is kissing, so you wouldnt like it.
This book drew me in and didnt let me go. The characters were well developed and believable. The setting felt so real and very well researched without the author getting carried away with what she knew. My only complaint is that this book was so good, I got very frustrated, because I couldnt sit down are read it in one sitting. Why did God give siblings the uncanny ability to interrupt at the most pivotal parts of the story? I mean, when I wanted to take a break my siblings were doing things on their own. When I was reading they needed me.
Some of my favorite parts.
I loved the faith the characters have in this book. So many Christian books have a sappy faith, but that was not the case in this book. I loved how God used Annabels situation as an indentured servant to grant her the deepest wish of her heart.
Okay, for all of you who think I scorn romance I will admit that sometimes the girly-girl part of me comes out. I really liked that this was a re-telling of a fairy tale. Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite tales, so the fact that this book retold that story made it all the better.
Things you might want to know before you read.
There is a man that tries to force himself on Annabel, however Melanie Dickerson handled it so well that it didnt really bother me. However, younger readers may want their parents to look over the book first.
For my friends who avoid romance, this book is a romance book, and there is kissing, so you wouldnt like it.
About this book:
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.
Series: It will be connected to Melanie Dickersons other books when the new book The Princess Spy comes out in November. The Merchants Daughter in considered #2 in this series. The Healers Apprentice(#1, review Here!), The Fairest Beauty(#3), The Captive Maiden(#4); should be read in this order for the least amount of spoilers.
Spiritual Content- Annabels dearest wish was to enter a convent so she could read a Bible & to know all that God had spoken; Mass going (very detailed, but the village priest is rude to Annabel (see what he believes in Sexual Content); Hymns are song; Lots of Bible reading and Many Prayers; Holy saints above and Sweet saints above are both said.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a form of idiot, a witch, a stupid, and five curses are said but not written; Mentions of dead animals for food; Bullying (a mention of it, barely-above-not-detailed); Ale is drank (and for some, drunk); Mentions of arrows & where they laid; Ranulf has bad nightmares (pretty detailed); Blood (highest being a barely-above-not-detailed); Almost dead & dead people; A knife; People talk mean about another.
Sexual Content- a wrentch; A not-detailed kiss, Three semi-detailed kisses, and a detailed kiss; Almost kisses & touches; Mentions of how Bailiff Tom looks at Annabel (he kisses her once (semi-detailed), tries to hurt her and later Annabel wonders what would have happen if nobody showed up to save her; later and almost attack (shes saved)); Annabel tells of the village priest who makes it sound as if women were fiend of h*ll, luring men into adultery. And he says Woman is the gate of h*ll.; Servants hoot, cackle & talk about guys (one goes as far as saying about keeping your husband warn at night); A girl says a man forced himself on her (he did not, shes a big liar and has a crush on him); other privileges of marriage is mentioned; Love, falling in love & the emotions.
-Annabel Chapman
-Lord Ranulf le Wyse
P.O.V. switches between them.
Set in 1352 {Medieval}
268 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
This was a cute storyin the D*sney Beauty & the Beast, Belle loved to read (she always had a book in her hands!) (Ohmygoodness! Typing this up I just realized that Bailiff Tom is that jerk! :O ) My favorite part of the D*sneys Beauty & the Beast is (of course!) the library and how happy Belle was! In The Merchants Daughter, all Annabel wanted was one bookThe Bible! Her craving to read the Bible was truly inspiring, making this my favorite Melanie Dickerson book yet.
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
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.
Series: It will be connected to Melanie Dickersons other books when the new book The Princess Spy comes out in November. The Merchants Daughter in considered #2 in this series. The Healers Apprentice(#1, review Here!), The Fairest Beauty(#3), The Captive Maiden(#4); should be read in this order for the least amount of spoilers.
Spiritual Content- Annabels dearest wish was to enter a convent so she could read a Bible & to know all that God had spoken; Mass going (very detailed, but the village priest is rude to Annabel (see what he believes in Sexual Content); Hymns are song; Lots of Bible reading and Many Prayers; Holy saints above and Sweet saints above are both said.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a form of idiot, a witch, a stupid, and five curses are said but not written; Mentions of dead animals for food; Bullying (a mention of it, barely-above-not-detailed); Ale is drank (and for some, drunk); Mentions of arrows & where they laid; Ranulf has bad nightmares (pretty detailed); Blood (highest being a barely-above-not-detailed); Almost dead & dead people; A knife; People talk mean about another.
Sexual Content- a wrentch; A not-detailed kiss, Three semi-detailed kisses, and a detailed kiss; Almost kisses & touches; Mentions of how Bailiff Tom looks at Annabel (he kisses her once (semi-detailed), tries to hurt her and later Annabel wonders what would have happen if nobody showed up to save her; later and almost attack (shes saved)); Annabel tells of the village priest who makes it sound as if women were fiend of h*ll, luring men into adultery. And he says Woman is the gate of h*ll.; Servants hoot, cackle & talk about guys (one goes as far as saying about keeping your husband warn at night); A girl says a man forced himself on her (he did not, shes a big liar and has a crush on him); other privileges of marriage is mentioned; Love, falling in love & the emotions.
-Annabel Chapman
-Lord Ranulf le Wyse
P.O.V. switches between them.
Set in 1352 {Medieval}
268 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
This was a cute storyin the D*sney Beauty & the Beast, Belle loved to read (she always had a book in her hands!) (Ohmygoodness! Typing this up I just realized that Bailiff Tom is that jerk! :O ) My favorite part of the D*sneys Beauty & the Beast is (of course!) the library and how happy Belle was! In The Merchants Daughter, all Annabel wanted was one bookThe Bible! Her craving to read the Bible was truly inspiring, making this my favorite Melanie Dickerson book yet.
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
