Friday, October 24, 2014

"The Captive Maiden" by Melanie Dickerson



About this book:

  Happily Ever After...Or Happily Nevermore?
  Gisela's childhood was filled with laughter and visits from nobles such as the duke and his young son. But since her father's death, each day has been filled with nothing but servitude to her stepmother. So when Gisela meets the duke's son, Valten--the boy she has daydreamed about for years--and learns he is throwing a ball, she vows to attend, even if it's only for a taste of a life she'll never have. To her surprise, she catches Valten's eye. Though he is rough around the edges, Gisela finds Valten has completely captured her heart. But other forces are bent on keeping the two from falling further in love, putting Gisela in more danger than she ever imagined.



Series: All of Melanie Dickerson’s books are connected: “The Captive Maiden” is considered #4 in this series. “The Healer’s Apprentice”(#1, review Here!), “The Merchant’s Daughter” (#2, review Here!), “The Fairest Beauty”(#3, review Here!), “The Captive Maiden”(#4) and coming in November, “The Princess Spy”; should be read in this order for the least amount of spoilers. 


Spiritual Content- Many Prayers; Crossing when talking of the dead; Scriptures; A mention of Babylon’s Fiery furnace; A friar witness & talks about God; A mention of Goliath {“
Some children at one of his tournaments in Burgundy had taken to calling him "Goliath". Not the most endearing biblical character.”}; Strong Faiths & Talks about God.


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: two ‘shut up’s, a jerk is called a ‘devil’, and curses are said but not written; Mentions of killing older horses for their meat & hides; Two pheasants are killed & prepared (detailed); Wine is drank; Blood (highest being semi-detailed); Kidnapping a girl.


Sexual Content- a few not-detailed kisses, a semi-detailed kiss & a detailed kiss; Hand kissing, wanting to kiss & almost kisses; a women is sold; hints about marriage (not-detailed); Love, falling in love, & the emotions.

-Gisela Mueller, age 17
-Valten, Earl of Hamlin, age 24
                                         P.O.V. switches between them
                                              Set in 1412 (Prologue set in 1403) {Medieval}
                                                        281 pages

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Pre Teens-

New Teens- 
(and a half)

Early High School Teens-

Older High School Teens- 

My personal Rating- 
(and a half)

{ Not for girls sensitive to blood. }
First, let me oooh-and-aww over the dress on the cover! Talk about stunning! Too low for my comfort but that’s the time period. This was a neat twist on the Cinderella story but because of the blood, I lowered it a bit on My personal Rating.


See y’all on Monday!



*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.

6 comments:

  1. Ohh I loved this book! I guess I am not queasy about blood, actually I don't remember those scenes...lol Anyway, good review :) I like this author, although some of her books had too much romance for me.

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    1. I agree! I really enjoy her plot-lines, but most times I have to lower the ratings because of blood and/or the romance. ;)
      Have a wonderfully Blessed week!
      ~Lindsey

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  2. Hi Lindsey! I read this book this past week and I have to say I didn’t enjoy it that much. I found it a little too cliché and tedious. Are Melanie Dickerson’s other novels better? Which one is your favorite?

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  3. Hi Madeline!
    Some fairy tale retellings can come across as cliche, so I understand. Personally, I recall liking "The Merchant's Daughter and "The Silent Songbird". Her regency series (no fairy tale elements) are even better, though! :)
    Have a wonderfully Blessed week!
    Lindsey

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  4. I have a question: is this book appropriate for a 15 year old?

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