Kimberly T. (HeartsongChica) reviewed on
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.
