Skip to main content

The Fairest Beauty (Hagenheim Series #3) by Melanie Dickerson: A Book Review

The Fairest Beauty (Hagenheim Series #3)
Author: Melanie Dickerson
Genre: YA, Historical Fiction, Christian 
Publisher: Zondervan
Release Date: 2013
Pages: 334
Source: Personal Collection
Synopsis: Sophie has long wished to get away from her stepmother’s jealous anger, and believes escape is her only chance to be happy. Then a young man named Gabe arrives from Hagenheim Castle, claiming she is betrothed to his older brother, and everything twists upside down. This could be her chance at freedom—but can she trust another person to keep her safe?

     Gabe knows he defied his parents Rose and Wilhelm by going to find Sophie, and now he believes they had a right to worry: the orphan girl has stolen his heart. Though romance is impossible—she is his brother’s future wife, and Gabe himself is betrothed to someone else—he promises to himself he will keep her safe, no matter what.

     When the pair are forced to run to the Cottage of the Seven, they find help—but also find their feelings for each other have grown. Can they find a way to protect Sophie while also safeguarding their hearts?

     My Review: During her infancy, Sophie has been betrothed to Rose and Wilhelm’s son, Valten. However, Sophie’s stepmother has faked Sophie’s death and forced Sophie to be a scullery maid. Years later, an old woman who has worked under Sophie’s household, tells Duke Wilhelm’s family that Sophie is alive and that she is cruelly treated by her stepmother. Valten, Sophie’s betrothed, must rescue her. However, Valten had just broken his leg. His younger brother, Gabe, who has been jealous of Valten because he has all the attention, decides to rescue Sophie so he can have all of the glory and attention shine on him should he be successful. When Gabe and Sophie meet, they soon fall for each other. Can the two be together, even though they are both betrothed to another?

     The Fairest Beauty is not only a fairy tale retelling of Snow White, but it is also a sequel to The Healer’s Apprentice. So, a Snow White fairy tale that centers on the children of the main couple Wilhelm and Rose is a perfect combination! It was a delight to revisit the old characters in the first novel along with being introduced to new, exciting, likable, and interesting characters.

     Sophie is a naive and kind young girl. Yet she is also clever and observant. She is also tough, strong, and can take care of herself, particularly during the apple scene between her and her stepmother. Thus, Sophie is definitely not a damsel-in-distress. Gabe at first is jealous of his brother, not really responsible, and loves to have fun. Yet, over time he grows to be mature and responsible. He is willing to put aside his love of glory and to do what is right. Thus, Sophie and Gabe make a great pair.

     Overall, this book was a very fun read. The tale was faster-paced than Mrs. Dickerson's previous novels. It is filled with romance and faith. The message of the book is that no matter how many obstacles you have, trust in God and he will help you with your problems. All the characters were interesting and the villain was very complex. This book was filled with action and adventure. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a light, fairy tale retelling with a powerful Christian message.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This is the official book trailer to The Fairest Beauty:

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

A Right Worthy Woman by Ruth P. Watson: A Book Review

A Right Worthy Woman Author: Ruth P. Watson Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: Atria Books Release Date: 2023 Pages: 303 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: In the vein of The Personal Librarian and The House of Eve , a “remarkable and stirring novel” (Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author) based on the inspiring true story of Virginia’s Black Wall Street and the indomitable Maggie Lena Walker, the daughter of a formerly enslaved woman who became the first Black woman to establish and preside over a bank in the United States.       Maggie Lena Walker was ambitious and unafraid. Her childhood in 19th-century Virginia helping her mother with her laundry service opened her eyes to the overwhelming discrepancy between the Black residents and her mother’s affluent white clients. She vowed to not only secure the same kind of home and finery for herself, but she would also help others in her community achi...

The Amazons: Lives and Legends of Warrior Women Across The AncientWorld by Adrienne Mayor: A Book Review

The Amazons: Lives and Legends of Warrior Women Across The Ancient World Author:  Adrienne Mayor Genre: Nonfiction, History Publisher: Princeton University Press Release Date: 2014 Pages: 530 Source: My State Public Library Synopsis: Amazons—fierce warrior women dwelling on the fringes of the known world—were the mythic archenemies of the ancient Greeks. Heracles and Achilles displayed their valor in duels with Amazon queens, and the Athenians reveled in their victory over a powerful Amazon army. In historical times, Cyrus of Persia, Alexander the Great, and the Roman general Pompey tangled with Amazons.      But just who were these bold barbarian archers on horseback who gloried in fighting, hunting, and sexual freedom? Were Amazons real? In this deeply researched, wide-ranging, and lavishly illustrated book, National Book Award finalist Adrienne Mayor presents the Amazons as they have never been seen before. This is the first comprehensive account of warrio...

Queen of Exiles by Vanessa Riley: A Book Review

Queen of Exiles Author: Vanessa Riley Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: William Morrow Release Date: 2023 Pages: 447 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: Acclaimed historical novelist Vanessa Riley is back with another novel based on the life of an extraordinary Black woman from history: Haiti’s Queen Marie-Louise Christophe, who escaped a coup in Haiti to set up her own royal court in Italy during the Regency era, where she became a popular member of royal European society.       The Queen of Exiles is Marie-Louise Christophe, wife and then widow of Henry I, who ruled over the newly liberated Kingdom of Hayti in the wake of the brutal Haitian Revolution.      In 1810 Louise is crowned queen as her husband begins his reign over the first and only free Black nation in the Western Hemisphere. But despite their newfound freedom, Haitians still struggle under mountains of debt to France and indiffe...