#Review - Lady of Disguise by Melanie Dickerson #Historical #YA #Medieval

Series: The Dericott Tales # 6
Format: Hardcover, 304 pages
Release Date: February 13, 2024
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Historical / Medieval

Only the hidden treasure will allow Louisa and her sister to gain their freedom.

England, 1388: All her life, Louisa has dreamed of finding the rumored “Giant’s Treasure,” a collection of ancient, lost riches said to be hidden on a mountaintop in Scotland, guarded by a fierce monster. It’s a story her father used to tell her, and when he dies and she and her younger sister have to go live with their shiftless, greedy uncle, Louisa is determined to find that treasure. It’s the hope that has kept her defying her uncle’s efforts to marry her off to the highest bidder.

After her uncle starts to parade Louisa’s twelve-year-old sister Margaret in front of potential husbands, Louisa realizes she has no time to waste. She disguises herself as a boy and takes off for Scotland. But the road is a harsher place than she’d imagined, and she is relieved to find a friend in the knight, Sir Charles, who goes along with her on her journey.

Charles is intrigued by this young woman who claims her name is “Jack” and is set on going to Scotland. He goes along, pretending to believe she is a boy, in order to make sure nothing bad happens to her. As they meet new friends along the road, and as Louisa comes clean about her identity, the pair find themselves falling in love. But what will happen when they reach Scotland? Will they find their independence and the freedom to marry in the form of a buried treasure, or will the monster from Louisa’s own past keep the young couple apart?

Melanie Dickerson's Lady of Disguise is the Sixth installment in the authors The Dericott Tales series. This medieval retelling of "Jack and the Beanstalk" is filled with romance, action, and adventure and showcases a strong, determined young woman, Louisa Lenton, and a chivalrous knight, Sir Charles Raynsford of Dericott on a quest for treasure. Charles is one of the Dericott siblings that this series has focused on.  All her life, Louisa has dreamed of finding the rumored “Giant’s Treasure,” a collection of ancient, lost riches said to be hidden on a mountaintop in Scotland, guarded by a fierce monster. 

It’s a story her father used to tell her, but when he died she and her younger sister had to go live with their shiftless, greedy uncle who took all her father once owned. Louisa is determined to find that treasure. After her uncle starts to parade Louisa’s twelve-year-old sister Margaret in front of potential husbands, Louisa realizes she has no time to waste. Because women are looked down upon if they travel alone, she disguises herself as a boy, cuts her hair short, calls herself Jack, and takes off for Scotland. But the road is a harsher place than she’d imagined, and she is relieved to find a friend in the knight, Sir Charles who saves her from a gang who tries to steal all her belongings. 

Charles was recently burned by a Lady who played the field until she found someone she could use and gain more status in her life. Charles is a noble knight seeking a noble quest and trying to make things right and helping others after what he and his brothers went through at the hands of his former stepmother. He is intrigued by this young woman who claims her name is “Jack” and is set on going to Scotland. He goes along, pretending to believe she is a boy, to make sure nothing bad happens to her. 

After all, Charles truly believes that women should be cherished and protected, something 21st-century feminists scoff at and attack anyone who tries. As they meet new friends along the road, and as Louisa comes clean about her identity, the pair find themselves falling in love. But what will happen when they reach Scotland? Will they find their independence and the freedom to marry in the form of a buried treasure, or will the monster from Louisa’s own past keep the young couple apart?

*Thoughts* The books in this series are all basically the same. They feature one of the Raynsford of Dericott brothers, a woman destined to be in their futures, an odious villain, and a Christian theme. Other than Louisa pretending to be a boy named Jack, there is no beanstalk in this story. Sorry, but I guess I spoiled it for you. There is a rather large character who doesn't fit the villain role for which he has been deemed who ends up becoming friends with Louisa and Charles. This story does have several of Charles's brothers involved because of what happens in Scotland, and because of Louisa's uncle who will do anything to sell Louisa and Margaret off to whomever wants them. Apparently, This is the sixth and final book in Melanie's Dericott Tale series of stand-alone fairy tales. 

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#Review - Cloak of Scarlet by Melanie Dickerson #Historical #YA #Retelling

Series: A Dericott Tale # 5
Format: Hardcover, 336 pages
Release Date: August 15, 2023
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Retelling / Historical

She was an orphan of no importance . . .

He was an ordinary knight serving the baron . . .

Suddenly the kingdom depends on both of them.

Violet Lambton never imagined herself as anything but average. Adopted as a young child, she’s content with her comfortable life in her small medieval town with her faith, her books, and her baking . . . and the vivid red cloak her grandmother gifted her. Her one dream: to find a love that is pure and true. Then, her beloved grandmother is robbed by the villainous Baron Dunham. Outraged, Violet finds herself in the midst of the action and determines to put an end to the evil baron’s mis­treatment of the hardworking people.

Sir Merek, a knight in the service of Baron Dunham, has pledged his life to fighting injustice and defending the weak. But when he encounters the spirited and beautiful Violet and discovers the depths of the baron’s treachery, he realizes that serving his employer is not serving the kingdom—and so he sets out on a daring journey to go behind the baron’s back to expose his deceitfulness to the king.

But before Merek and Violet can act to bring the corruption to light, Violet is captured and brought directly to Dunham—where she shockingly discov­ers a secret that shakes her entire world . . . and the future she dreams of. Thrown together in the baron’s quarters in a race against time to save the lives of their loved ones and themselves, Violet and Merek must learn to trust each other to expose Dunham’s treachery to the king—all while suc­cumbing to their growing feelings for each other. Can the two find their happily ever after against all odds, or will the wolves amongst them drive them apart?

Cloak of Scarlet, by author Melanie Dickerson, is the 5th installment in the authors Dericott Tale series. The publisher has sold this as a medieval retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. Thus the Cloak of Scarlet title of the story. The story itself takes place in the year 1386. It features Violet Lambton and Sir Merek of Dericott, one of the brothers who was arrested and charged with murder and treason in the first installment of this series. Thankfully, they were all found innocent by King Richard or this wouldn't be a series, would it?

Violet Lambton never imagined herself as anything but average. Adopted as a young child after her mother died, she’s content with her comfortable life in her small medieval town with her faith, her books, and her baking and the vivid red cloak her grandmother gifted her. Her one dream: to find a love that is pure and true. Then, her beloved grandmother is robbed by the villainous Baron Dunham men. Outraged, Violet is unafraid and writes to King Richard, hoping the king will help release the poor folk of Burwelle and the surrounding areas from Baron Dunham's grasp. 

When Violet's letter gets her into trouble with the baron's men, Sir Merek must help her and get to the bottom of Dunham's deceits. Sir Merek, a knight in the service of Baron Dunham, has pledged his life to fighting injustice and defending the weak. But when he encounters the spirited and beautiful Violet and discovers the depths of the baron’s treachery, he realizes that serving his employer is not serving the kingdom—and so he sets out on a daring journey to go behind the baron’s back to expose his deceitfulness to the king. 

Merek believes in the Holy Writ since he and his sister and brothers nearly lost their lives because of the machinations of a evil stepmother. But before Merek and Violet can act to bring the corruption to light, Violet is captured and brought directly to Dunham—where she shockingly discov­ers a secret that shakes her entire world and the future she dreams of. Thrown together in the baron’s quarters in a race against time to save the lives of their loved ones and themselves, Violet and Merek must learn to trust each other to expose Dunham’s treachery to the king. 

Can the two find their happily ever after against all odds, or will the wolves amongst them drive them apart? This is a leisurely-paced YA with clean romance and themes of revenge and forgiveness. While this is a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, there is no wolf. The wolf in this instance is a out of control Baron who robs his own people while living high off the hog. While his people are starving, he's holding massive dinners for guests. Whether or not you like Merek, you must understand that his being is based on things that happened to him that made him test his faith, and his faith in doing what's right. 

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#Review - Fortress of Snow by Melanie Dickerson #Romance #Historical #YA

Series: A Dericott Tale # 4
Format: Hardcover, 352 pages
Release Date: December 6, 2022
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Romance / Historical

From New York Times bestselling author Melanie Dickerson comes a reimagining of the beloved "Snow Queen" tale.

Mazy dreams of independence. Sir Berenger longs to play the hero. But in each other, they may find the secret to happily ever after.

Mazelina of Wexcombe has always dreamed of traveling with her father to lands beyond the confining walls of their castle. But his sudden death deprives her of the future she imagined. Abandoned by her eldest brother, Mazy is soon forced to seek help from her beloved brother Sir John at the great estate of Strachleigh.

Her visit leads to a friendship with the dashing and noble Sir Berenger of Dericott. He has notions of rescuing a damsel in distress. But Mazy is brave enough to defend herself—and has proven that her skills in archery and knife throwing rival that of a knight’s. So when he is called away to Prussian lands, Sir Berenger looks to distinguish himself in battle.

When Sir Berenger returns, he and Mazy meet again on the streets of London, where she is making a living selling goods in the market. Meanwhile, he has been summoned by the king to receive a reward for his service. But the recognition comes with a price: He must marry a wealthy, titled widow to please the king. But when Mazy begins to suspect treachery, she embarks on a journey to the fortress of snow to warn the brave knight—and secure her own fairy-tale ending.

Fortress of Snow, by author Melanie Dickerson, is the fourth installment in the authors Dericott series. This story allegedly is the reimagining of the Snow Queen tale. The story beings in the year 1383, but jumps ahead several years to 1385. After Mazelina of Wexcombe loses her beloved father, who she was very close to and had plans to travel beyond the walls of her castle, her world seemingly comes to an end. Her half brother Warin inherits her fathers castle, and he's eager to dump Mazy on someone much, much older than she is.

When her brother Sir John transfers to London to work for the King Richard, Mazy makes her way to London and is summarily dismissed by both Warin and John for traveling alone thus destroying her reputation. John treats her like something you might step in if you had a dog who you allow to take care of his business in your backyard. But she does seem to have a friend in Sir Berenger, as well as his sister Lady Delia who you would have met in the first installment in this series.

Mazy finds a friend in Roesia (Ro) Sadler who helps her find housing, as well as helping with Mazy's idea of selling bread on the market. Mazy isn't a Mary Sue. She knows archery, she knows tracking, and hunting, and she carries knives to protect herself from anyone trying to harm her. For 2 years, Mazy pretty much does what she needs to do to survive. She's made friends among the downtrodden, as well as women who have been widowed. She doesn't hesitate to call out her brother for his abandonment of her, yet there is one man who seems almost too good. 

 

Sir Berenger of Dericott is Lady Delia's brother, one of 7 who was charged with treason, sent to the Tower of London, but was found innocent of all charges thanks to the efforts of Delia and her now husband, Sir Geoffrey. With orders from King Richard, Berenger travels to Prussia where he will spend the next 2 years fighting against Teutonic Knights. When he gets back, Richard offers him a token of his appreciation and that comes with a marriage opportunity for a woman who was recently widowed: Lady Catherine aka Lady Bristow.

 

Berenger knows that he can't say no to Richard. He knows that Richard wants loyalty from everyone around him, including the man who he just made Captain of his Guards. So, Berenger travels with Lady Catherine to Bristow. When something feels off about the lady in question, Berenger decides to hang around and see what is really happening here, and if he can save a young girl named Juliana who seems to be scared to death of Catherine. 

 

Mazy soon learns that the Lady Bristow is a Black Widow from her brother. The more Mazy learns, the more she realizes that she must travel to help Berenger before he is caught up in a trap that will only lead to bad things happening to him, as well as the young girl, Juliana. This book ends as predictably as one might expect if you've read the rest of this series. There is very clean aspects of a romance that quickly grows between the couple. This book can be read as a standalone, yet characters from previous books always seem to make an appearance like Delia.

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#Review - Veil of Winter by Melanie Dickerson #YA #Historical #Fantasy

Series: A Dericott Tale # 3
Format: Hardcover, 320 pages
Release Date: June 14, 2022
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Adaptations

From New York Times bestselling author Melanie Dickerson comes a reimagining of the beloved "Sleeping Beauty" tale.

She’s hounded from every side by treacherous elements and foes, but her greatest enemy lies within.

In the mountains near France, the medieval Princess Elyce is being forced to marry, thus forming an alliance that will enrich her father but enslave her kingdom. Instead, she chooses to feign her death and flee to Prague to beg King Wenceslaus to help save her people.

In England, the young knight Sir Gerard has a vision from God instructing him to help Elyce on her quest. When he arrives to find she has been near death for days, he manages to revive her. However, thinking the stranger was trying to kiss her, the princess immediately distrusts him. But her desperate situation forces her to accept his aid.

Pursued by her enemy’s guards over mountainous terrain, they must also battle the deadly winter elements. Her greatest challenge may be to overcome the voices of disapproval and accusation from her childhood. Will her emotions lead her into her true identity, or will they undermine her ability to work with Gerard and to save her people, who desperately need her help?

Veil of Winter is the third installment in author Melanie Dickerson's A Dericott Tales series. This is the authors retelling of Sleeping Beauty. While you do not have to have read the previous books, characters often show up in sequels. Case in point is Sir Gerald, who, along with his 7 brothers, was charged with treason by his step-monster and sent to the Tower of London where escape is almost nonexistent in Court of Swans.  

Kingdom of Montciel, in the mountains near France late 1382, King Leandre has chosen to make a bad deal with King Claude of Valkenfeld. Leandre will give Claude workers, who are all shepherds and farmers, to work in his mines in exchange for the protection of his army against the Ottoman Empire. In return, Leandre sacrifices his only daughter, Princess Elyce, to Count Rodrigo as a political pawn. With little help of freedom, and without any power of her own, Elyce chooses to purchase a sleeping poison which will put her to sleep for 3 days.

Back in Dericott Castle, Bedfordshire, England, Sir Gerald, a knight in the service of the King, as well as the Duke of Westmoor, and a skilled swordsman, is urged by his only sister Delia, who is now married to Duke of Strachlegh, to find a way to help Princess Elyce of Montciel who she's friends with. Delia has learned that Elyce plans to make everyone believe that she's dead so that she can escape and hopefully find help from King Wenceslaus and free her people from tyranny. After praying for guidance, Gerald see's Elyce in trouble, so he and his friend and mentor Sir Oswalt decide to help.

When he arrives, he manages to revive Elyce from her sleep. However, thinking the stranger was trying to kiss her, the princess immediately distrusts him. But her desperate situation forces her to accept his aid. Pursued by her enemy’s guards over mountainous terrain, Gerald, Elyce, and Oswalt must also battle the deadly winter elements in hopes of gaining an audience with King Wenceslaus in Prague. Along the way, we meet a few others including Prince Bertold of Valkenfeld, Astrid, the woman who allegedly fell to her death, as well as King Wenceslaus, a true life historical figure who was King of Bohemia from 1378 until his death and King of Germany from 1376 until he was deposed in 1400. 

Elyce's greatest challenges may be to overcome the voices of disapproval and accusation from her childhood. She's too passionate. She's been told never to allow anyone to see her cry, or any showings of feelings. Elyce thinks that if she does show her emotions, no one will love her and that emotions are disgusting and dangerous. Gerard is a strong and courageous man who defends Elyse on her travels through the countryside. Throughout the story, Gerard finds that Elyce was put in his path for a reason, and he would do almost anything to ensure she doesn't get used by her father or anyone else.

This story is clean. There's a bit of kissing here and there, but no sex scenes. There's some action, and adventure, and this story will most definitely not be enjoyed by anyone who hates the Christians.

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#Review - Castle of Refuge by Melanie Dickerson #YA #Romance #Historical

Series: A Dericott Tale # 2
Format: Hardcover, 336 pages
Release Date:  June 1, 2021
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Romance / Historical

From New York Times bestselling author Melanie Dickerson comes a reimagining of the beloved Ugly Duckling tale!

In this Ugly Duckling retelling, New York Times bestselling author Melanie Dickerson brilliantly crafts a high-stakes, encouraging tale about the power of love.

Ever since she was a child, Audrey wanted her life to be extraordinary. But as the daughter of a viscount born in late fourteenth-century England, the only thing expected of her was to marry—until an act of malice by her sister, Maris, four years ago damaged her face and her prospects. Though Maris was sent away, twenty-year-old Audrey is still suffering the scars of her sister’s cruelty. When her father announces his plans to marry off his damaged daughter and bring Maris home, Audrey decides to flee in search of her true destiny.

However, life outside her home is dangerous, and she soon finds herself attacked, sick, and in desperate need of help. She is taken in at Dericott Castle to be nursed back to health. While there, she decides to keep her identity a secret and work as a servant in the castle. But she doesn’t count on falling in love with the young and handsome Lord Dericott, who lost his arm several months earlier and bears scars of his own.

Meanwhile, Edwin—Lord Dericott—is curious about the new, well-educated servant’s identity. All he knows is that he’s quickly becoming smitten with her. When the man Audrey’s father wanted her to marry comes looking for her, she and Edwin must make life-changing decisions about what to believe and whether or not love is truly worth trusting. 

Castle of Refuge is the second installment in author Melanie Dickerson's The Dericott Tales. This story begins in 1378, and then jumps 4 years to 1382. Once again, this story takes place in medieval England. While you don't have to have read the previous installment, Court of Swans, it would be nice to know that the events of Court of Swans still resonate with one of the main characters Lord Edwin Dericott as well as his sister Delia and their brothers. According to the synopsis, this is a retelling of the story called the Ugly Ducking. 

In 1378, we are introduced to Audrey of Engleford Castle in Hampshire. She is 15 years old, and has been tortured and brutalized by her sister Maris ever since they lost their mother. Maris is a lunatic who her own father refuses to allow to marry for fear that she will end up killing her own husband. So, in a fit of rage, Maris attacks Audrey who ends up with a burned face and ear. Even though Maris is sent away, it only lasts for so long before she comes back home. 

As Maris is returning home, a new suitor, Sir Clement, arrives to ask her father for her hand in marriage. Audrey chooses to run away from home and ends up at the doorstep of Dericott Castle where she is taken in and nursed back to good health thanks to the kindness of those who work there. While there, she decides to keep her identity a secret and work as a servant in the castle. But she doesn’t count on falling in love with the young and handsome Lord Dericott, who lost his arm several months earlier.

5 months ago, Edwin Dericott was wrongly imprisoned and accused of treason and murder by his step-mother. He lost his arm trying to save his brothers. Edwin is now the Earl of Dericott and supposed to marry Lady Ophelia. His six brothers are knights in the service to King Richard II. His sister Delia is happily married. Edwin is not like any other Earl. He actually seems to care about the people who work his lands. In fact, he gives them time off and to work the land and keep what they grow. 

Edwin realizes rather quickly that there is something different about Audrey. In fact, she is the girl he met when he was a squire under Sir Clement. He watches as Audrey doesn't refuse to get her hands dirty. In fact, she seems to rather enjoy being around those who are considered lower than her own station.
As they get to know one another, Edwin remembers her, and refuses to return her to her father, knowing how terrified she is of her sister. The story intensifies when her sister appears unexpectedly, and stirs up chaos. 

Both learn do deal with insecurities and concerns of acceptance. For Audrey, it was her facial scars, due to Maris. For Edwin, it was his missing arm, due to battle which makes him a bit unbalanced when it comes to riding a horse. Fate will put both of this scarred souls on the same path of healing and faith with the most unlikely circumstances. Yes, folks, this does have a strong Christian message which may bother some folks. For me, it's just a story where two broken people find their soul mates and fight to keep their growing romance alive against fatal odds and a psychotic sister. 

 

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#Review - The Warrior Maiden by Melanie Dickerson #YALit #Historical #Fiction

Series: Hagenheim # 9
Format: E-Galley, 320 pages
Release Date: February 5, 2019
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Adaptations

Mulan isn't afraid to pretend to be a son and assume her father's soldier duties in war. But what happens when the handsome son of a duke discovers her secret?

Mulan is trying to resign herself to marrying the village butcher for the good of her family, but her adventurous spirit just can't stand the thought. At the last minute, she pretends to be the son her father never had, assumes his duties as a soldier, and rides off to join the fight to protect the castle of her liege lord's ally from the besieging Teutonic Knights.

Wolfgang and his brother Steffan leave Hagenheim with several other soldiers to help their father's ally in Poland. When they arrive, Wolfgang is exasperated by the young soldier Mikolai who seems to either always be one step away from disaster . . . or showing Wolfgang up in embarrassing ways.

When Wolfgang discovers his former rival and reluctant friend Mikolai is actually a girl, he is determined to protect her. But battle is a dangerous place where anything can happen-and usually does.

When Mulan receives word that her mother has been accused of practicing witchcraft through her healing herbs and skills, Mulan's only thought is of defending her. Will she be able to trust Wolfgang to help? Or will sacrificing her own life be the only way to save her mother? 

 

The Warrior Maiden is the Ninth installment in author Melanie Dickinson's Hagenheim series. Each book features two different characters from book to book. This story is about an 18 year old girl named Mulan. Mulan enjoys horses and archery. She has been trained not by her father who is a soldier, but by her friend 12-year old Andrei who has followed her father around from battle field to battle field.

With her country, Lithuania, fighting against the Teutonic Knights, her father having passed away weeks ago, her mothers attempt at marrying her to a local butcher, and the fear of losing her home, Mulan makes a choice to leave home and pick up the name of Mikolai. With men’s clothes hiding her secret she sets off to prove her worth as a soldier but complications arise when she meets Wolfgang of Hagenheim.

She must work with Wolfgang, who just happens to be a Duke's son, to end the war and save the people she loves. Wolfgang and his brother Steffan are like yin and yang. Wolfgang joins with Duke Konrad's army to fight against the Knights. It is where he meets the fearless Mikolai who seems a bit too good to be true. Steffan wants to fight for the Teutonic Knights who claim that the Pope has given them and excuse to oppress people from countries like Lithuania and Poland. 

Steffan's actions in this book are reckless. He's hurting from an incident that took place when he and Wolfgang were children and has carried the baggage for years. The only question is whether or not the brothers will have to face each other in battle, and who will be standing in the end. The other question is what will happen once Mulan's secret is finally discovered. Under Christian dharma, women aren't allowed to fight as soldiers, nor are they allowed to wear men's clothing.

Melanie Dickinson is a new author to me. So, I wasn't aware that this was a Christian based series. I haven't read the first 8 books in this series. I learned, through reading this story, about other characters who have been featured in previous novels. I am not sure if I will go back and read any of the other books. I have become rather apathetic when it comes to Christian novels. I am a believer in God but I'm not afraid to question things that I have seen in my 6 decades of living. Nor am I afraid of calling out the Church for centuries of wrongdoing. With the rise of anti-Christianity in this country and other places, I do not believe that someone who is not a Christian will like this story.

Mulan, even though she is Chinese in birth, really doesn't bring a whole lot of Asian influence to the story. As the only woman with Mongolian decent in her village, she suffered unjustly because she did not look like everyone else. One of the puzzling aspects of this story is Mulan herself. In the beginning, she struggles to hit the broad side of a barn, and can barley carry a sword. Yet, when it comes to battle, she is a bright star who rushes head strong into danger without fear for her safety. Maybe a bit over the top which is why my rating is what it is.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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