Isn't the cover so beautifully stunning! You can see The Sleeping Beauty theme from the Tower setting.
This week, The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickinson has been released! It is a YA historical romance fairy tale retelling of Sleeping Beauty with a Christian theme and I'm very excited about reading it. As my followers will know, I'm a huge fan of historical fiction and read a lot of the YA section of it because they are generally clean reads whilst adult historical fiction is not. As a Christian girl, I'm so glad that there is finally a Christian YA historical romance author- that has to be my dream genre!
Summary of The Healer's Apprentice:
Two Hearts. One Hope.Rose has been appointed as a healer's apprentice at Hagenheim Castle, a rare opportunity for a woodcutter's daughter like her. While she often feels uneasy at the sight of blood, Rose is determined to prove herself capable. Failure will mean returning home to marry the aging bachelor her mother has chosen for her---a bloated, disgusting merchant who makes Rose feel ill.When Lord Hamlin, the future duke, is injured, it is Rose who must tend to him. As she works to heal his wound, she begins to understand emotions she's never felt before and wonders if he feels the same. But falling in love is forbidden, as Lord Hamlin is betrothed to a mysterious young woman in hiding. As Rose's life spins toward confusion, she must take the first steps on a journey to discover her own destiny.
I have never read a fairy tale retelling before (maybe once a long time ago...?) but I've always been intrigued by them so I like the fact that The Healer's Apprentice is loosely based on Sleeping Beauty. Set in Germany 1386 it seems to have everything I could wish for in a book including love and faith.
In the days before its release I read many interviews and guest articles on other blogs and I was interested to read about the struggles that Melanie Dickinson went through to get her book published because of being told that there was no market for it but she prayed lots and persisted... I'm so glad that she did!
A short review of The Healer's Apprentice from IE Mummy
"Loved this book! The Healer's Apprentice is a wonderfully written tale of love, romance, intrigue, deception and loyalty. The characters are enchanting. ...Every nuance and twist led to a special love story that will remain in my memory and conscience for a long time. The Healer's Apprentice will remain on my bookshelf even longer."
If you want to take a look at some interviews/posts with or about Melanie, have a look at the links to different blogs here:
You can find Melanie on her website here, she also has a Facebook page.
Book Trailer
There is also a book trailer made by Zondervan, which is AMAZING, by far the best I have ever seen. Zondervan have really done a fantastic job of it, it's almost like a mini movie.
If you like the sound of this debut novel, spread the word- I can't wait to read it!
Two Hearts. One Hope.Rose has been appointed as a healer's apprentice at Hagenheim Castle, a rare opportunity for a woodcutter's daughter like her. While she often feels uneasy at the sight of blood, Rose is determined to prove herself capable. Failure will mean returning home to marry the aging bachelor her mother has chosen for her---a bloated, disgusting merchant who makes Rose feel ill.When Lord Hamlin, the future duke, is injured, it is Rose who must tend to him. As she works to heal his wound, she begins to understand emotions she's never felt before and wonders if he feels the same. But falling in love is forbidden, as Lord Hamlin is betrothed to a mysterious young woman in hiding. As Rose's life spins toward confusion, she must take the first steps on a journey to discover her own destiny.
My review and thoughts
When I saw the cover and synopsis for this book I was instantly excited about finding a new YA historical fairy tale retelling but finding out there were Christian elements woven into it too was even better. As a Christian teen it can often be hard to find clean historical romance and The Healer's Apprentice combines all my favourite genres into one. What could be better? I'm happy to say that I wasn't disappointed.
Rose is a poor woodcutter's daughter who has received the honour of being chosen to be the healer's apprentice at Hagenheim Castle. Whilst she is thrilled at the chance to better herself and get away from her mother who wants her to marry a disgusting old man, Rose is terrified of blood. As if life is not complicated enough, she becomes friends with Lord Hamlin who quickly becomes enamoured by her dark beauty and personality but they can never be together because they are socially too far apart and he is engaged to a lady that he has never met.
Melanie Dickerson
Right from the first chapter I found myself immersed in a medieval world full of knights, ladies, lords and castles. We meet Rose and her best friend Hildy (who I would gladly have as a friend) as they gather in the marketplace with the rest of the villagers trying desperately to catch a glimpse of the handsome young Lords. It makes you realise that they are just like young girls of today in a fairy tale like historical setting.
Although it is told in the third person, the character's voices and thoughts shine through just as if it was told in the first person which was really effective and made everything seem so real. I could smell the herbs used by Rose and her teacher Frau Geruscha, hear the hoof beats of a gallant Knight as he rides his noble steed, see the vivid colours of finely embellished ball gowns and feel my heart pumping with Rose's when she is falling in love. The third person narration follows the characters of Rose and Lord Hamlin (Rupert) alternately, which I loved as it was great to get inside the heads of both the main characters. It also allowed me to enjoy the period details of two different worlds.
The characters are extremely likable and realistically flawed, both Rose and Rupert try to do the right thing and like all humans make mistakes along the way. Rose is sometimes timid and is self conscious when mixing with people above her at the castle but she is also very strong willed, fiercey loyal, kind, passionate and opinionated. Unlike most girls of her class she has been well educated by Frau Geruscha and can read. Although she wants to marry for love, a dream that is almost impossible to come true for girls like herself Rose does act like girls would in those times because she knows what is expected of her and what is proper or a young lady.
Rupert is the man of every girl's dreams as he is handsome, strong, caring, dutiful and truthful. He is known as a man of honour who feels a strong sense of duty to the people of Hagenheim- to put their safety and interests above those of him and his heart. He is on a dangerous mission to hunt down Monocore, the evil man who is trying to demonise his secret betrothed, Lady Semolina. Over the years he has learnt to guard his heart and eyes to be faithful to his betrothed but Rose changes this and his world begins to shake.
The blooming romance between them is just so sweet and the way that it slowly progressed made it very believable and realistic. Everything about it is clean and just right for teens like me with parts that make your heart pound. I found myself desperately hoping for them to be together all the way through despite their social differences and that true love would conquer all so they would live happily ever after!
I thought that there was exactly the right balance between beautiful descriptions, action. adventure, intrigue and romance. Something was always happening and at times there was a lot of tension and anticipation but at the same time Melanie Dickerson managed fantastic character development too.
As well as the main storyline, there were also several sub plots which made the story richer and deeper. I especially enjoyed Rose's best friend Hildy's romance and its problems although I won't say any more than that about to revent spoilers.
The Christian threads that were woven through did not overwhelm the story and fitted in really well with the time period so don't think that this will affect any ones enjoyment of the book regardless of faith. However, I think that the characters and their faith will be an inspiration to young Christians.
Despite being loosely based on the Sleeping Beauty fairytale, The Healer's Apprentice was more of its own story with many twists and turns along the way making it uniquely special in every way.
Verdict:The Healer's Apprentice is a beautiful fairy tale set in Medieval times with believable characters and a touching and sweet romance that is sure to warm the hearts of readers. I would highly recommend it to girls and women of approximately 12+ .It is a book that I feel I will re-read many times and treasure, it is definitely one of my favourites of this year. This is a amazing debut from Melanie and I can't wait to see what she writes next!
Book Trailer
Without a doubt, this is the best book trailer I have seen! It's like a mini-movie: the costumes and settings are beautiful and it captures the esscence and magic of the book perfectly. I like that the same girl has been used on the cover as in this and she really does fit Rose's character. A must watch- I love it!
2010 has been a wonderful year for reading for me as I've learnt about so many wonderful authors and books through blogging and been introduced to genres that I might never have tried before. I have chosen a top 5 and then another 5 of my favourites to make it up to 10. Within the two sections the books are in no particular order- it would be far too hard to choose! Almost all of my favourites are books I have read in the second half of the year after starting my blog, which is probably because I have been reading a lot more since then and because of the good recommendations I've had.
A sweet love story that is loosely based on the fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty set in Medieval Germany . Rose Hathaway is a woodcutter's daughter who has been appointed by the town's healer and when Lord Hamlin, the heir to the kingdom is injured, she must tend to him. When she falls in love with him, she knows that they can never be together for he is already engaged to a young lady who has been kept in hiding all her life.
This year I've discovered that I love fairy tale retellings and The Healer's Apprentice was such a sweet romance and I really warmed to the characters I also like the fact that it has Christian elements in it too. An amazing debut- all mothers and their daughters should read it!
A YA historical romance that is set in Elizabethan times- right up my street! Ellie lives with her father who is an impoverished alchemist and Will is a young earl who must marry well to save his family's estate and wealth after his father frittered away his money. Will William choose duty over his heart?
This is exactly the kind of book I would describe as being what I love to read- a YA Tudor story of love against all odds. I couldn't put it down and I'm so excited about the sequel, The Queen's Lady which is due to be released in January.
Andi is a young girl living in New York and struggling to overcome her depression after the death of her younger. When she finds the diary of a young girl living through the French Revolution in an old guitar case on a trip to Paris, their two stories collide.
At first, I wasn't sure I was going to like Revolution but as I read on, I couldn't help but enjoy the intertwined story of Andi and Alex and it has made me want to read more books about the French Revolution.
In The Shadow Of The Lamp by Susanne Dunlap (review coming soon)
In 1864, sixteen year old Molly is a lowly servant in an upper class London house but she would do anything to change this. When she hears that the famous nurse, Florence Nightingale is looking for nurses to travel with her to the battlefield hospitals of the Crimean war, she takes the opportunity without looking back. Before she knows it, she is falling in love with a handsome doctor and a soldier.
I can't tell you how much I love Molly and her story. I very quickly warmed to her character and she is now on my list of fictional characters I would love to have as best friends. In The Shadow Of The Lamp is released in April next year and would be a wonderful choice for those of you who are participating in the YA Historical Fiction Challenge.
Matched by Ally Condie (review coming soon)
Seventeen year old Cassia lives in The Society; a place where officials decide who people love, where they work and where they die. She has always dreamed of finding out her perfect match but soon after she starts falling in love with another boy and she starts to question the world she lives in.
Matched took me to a new world which I am dying to find out more about and left me wanting to read more books in the dystopian genre.
A fictionalised story of Joan, the daughter of Elanor of Aquatine and Henry II, the King of England. She loves them both dearly but as she grows up and her parent's feuding continues, Jone begins to feel like a political pawn as she is forced into a loveless marriage to the King of Spain. Can she learn who she can trust before it is too late?
What I love about the Queen's Daughter is that it is very rich in description and detail but it doesn't saturate the story and Jon's emotions really come off the page.
Grace Parkes has just give birth to an illegitimate child and taking the advice of a midwife, she travels to Brockwood Cemetry to slip her baby into the coffin of a rich lady to save the shame of a pauper's burial. However, she must try and forget all that and do all that she can to help her and her older sister , who is unable to care for herself, scrape enough money together to pay their rent and food. Little does she know that the Unwins, a group of funeral directors she met at Brockwood will have a huge effect on their life. Fallen Grace paints a vivid picture of the harsh realities of Victorian London.
Mary Hooper has been one of my very favourite authors for a few years now but I thought Fallen Grace topped her other books.
The story of a teenager making sense of the world and finding out more about who she is.Emily and her sister Kat never knew their mother, she left them and her father when they were very young.
They, and Dad's new girlfriend Cassy are staying in a tiny old caravan over the winter while their new house is being renovated. But when Emily finds out Cassy is pregnant, it sets her off thinking about her own mother. Why did she abandon them? Why does she never communicate with them? Did she love them? Whilst she searches for the answers, she finds romance of her own.
I don't read many contemporaries and Drawing With Light was really refreshing and poignant. Julia Green's writing really captures the delicacy of teenage emotions. Some of the descriptions were beautiful too.
Crown Princess Ani has a special gift: she can communicate with horses and birds. However, living up to her mother's expectations and speaking comfortably to people is something she can't master. When she is sent to a nearby kingdom and her servants mutiny against her, Ani disguises herself as a goose girl on the King's estate. Can she find the courage to reclaim her rightful place?
I am so glad that I have discovered Shannon Hale and her lyrical writing!
Daughter of Fire and Ice by Marie Louise Jensen
After an attack on her family, fifteen year old Thora is snatched by a cruel Viking chieftain, Bjorn Svanson to accompany him on a journey to Iceland because she is a valuable healer and midwife. However, when he is killed by a slave who wants to avenge his sister, she and the slave who she has seen in recurring dreams, they seize the dead man's ship to escape. Thora knows it is her destiny to be with this man and they soon begin to care for each other deeply. However, when things don't go to plan, circumstances mean it is impossible for them to be together.
I love Daughter Of Fire and Ice because of its originality because not many YA historicals are set in Iceland and also because of the impossible romance. The sequel, Sigrun's Secret is coming out in January and I will be rushing to get it!
Best new authors I have discovered this year
Anna Godbersen
Shannon Hale
Celia Rees
Melanie Dickerson
Carrie Jones
Susan Coventry
Julia Green
Eve Edwards
What are your favourite books of 2010?
Edit: sorry for the jumbled up state of the pictures and writing earlier due to technical difficulties. I've now fixed it!
I hope you guys all had a fantastic Christmas and got some of the books on your wishlist! I certainly did so I thought I'd share them with you:
The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson
I really enjoyed this author's debut novel The Healer's Apprentice (a retelling of Sleeping Beauty) so I can't wait to get started on her second book. Although the cover's not quite so pretty as The Healer's Apprentice, it's still very enticing. I'm intrigued to find out who the man in the mirror is!
Before The Season Ends by Linore Rose Burkard
As you might know, I love a good regency novel and I stumbled across this inspirational Christian regency. For one thing the cover's lovely but it sounds a bit like my favourite regency romance Arabella by Georgette Heyer too.
A Weekend with Mr Darcy by Victoria Connelly
My friend bought this for me knowing I'm a big Pride and Prejudice fan- isn't the illustrated cover gorgeous?
The World of Downton Abbey by Jessica Fellowes
I'm a bit obsessed with the TV show Donwton Abbey, which is set in Edwardian times and follows the lives of the Grantham family and their servants so I loved curling up on Christmas day with this! In fact, I had a very Donwton Christmas getting the second series box set too and watching the Christmas special in the evening. Does anyone else watch Downton? I know the second series is about to be broadcast in the US so if you're following it, then you're in for a treat.
Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along and have fun! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read and open to a random page
Share (preferably 2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
I don't want to give away much of the story and there were so many lovelyquotes that I could hardly choose between them so I decided to use the opening paragraph:
'The townspeople of Hagenheim craned their necks as they peered down the cobblestone street, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Duke of Hagenheim's two handsome sons. The top-heavy , half-timbered houses hovered above the crows as if they too were eager to get a peek at Lord Hamlin and Lord Rupert.'
I finished The Healer's Apprentice last evening and it is among my favourite books now, it really is that wonderful! Look out for my review in the coming weeks.....
Over the past year I've read some amazing books and my TBR list has grown out of control and I know that I probably wouldn't ever have read/ discovered some of these books I've loved (or not loved) if it wasn't for book blogging. And I want to celebrate these books! Here's a list of then:
Vampire Academy and Frostbite by Richelle Mead
I always said to myself that I would never read a vampire book before I started blogging despite never even trying one. I had a preconceived idea that I would hate all paranormal books before I'd even given them a chance. This changed when I was recommended the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead by Jess Hearts Books and saw how many other bloggers enjoyed them too. When I was asked if I would like to review Vampire Academy by the publisher for the release of Last Sacrifice, I took the chance gladly and was surprised to find that I actually liked it. I've now read the second book too and plan to read the rest of the series too.
Other paranormal books I quite liked are and would never have read before are:
The Need Pixies series by Carrie Jones
Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin
Waterfall by Lisa T Bergen
I haven't reviewed Waterfall yet but I read it last month and oh did I LOVE it! It was as if everything I love in a book had been rolled into the perfect package. I'm so excited about reading the sequel Cascade, which was just released. The reason I might not have discovered it without blogging is that its published in the US and I wouldn't have found it in the library or my local bookshop. It was Small Review's fantastic review of it that real persuaded me to read it so thank you Small :D
Other US books I might not have discovered are:
The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson
The Queen's Daughter by Susan Coventry
Prisoners Of The Palace by Michaela Mcoll
Bumped by Megan Mcafferty
I didn't use to read dystopian books but when I saw all the praise and good reviews for Bumped around the blogosphere it sparked my interest and I got an e-galley off NetGalley. Whilst in the end, Bumped wasn't the book for me I'm still glad that I read it.
This goes the same for Delirium by Lauren Oliver and Matched by Allie Condie
Contemporary books
I had read very few contemporary books before blogging and I think this was because I found in my early reading experiences that the historical books for children were more interesting to read because they had more description and more believable characters than contemporaries like Jaquelin Wilson's books I tried (not that I'm bashing Wilson at all- she's fantastic at getting some children into reading!) . However I've found several that I've really liked through review books and recommendations and my idea of contemporaries has been changed:
Drawing With Light and Breathing Underwater by Julia Green
When I was sent these I enjoyed reading them more than I thought I would and I've recommended them to several people at my school. My favourite thing about them was the beautiful descriptions because I'd never encountered them in a contemporary book before.
Flawless by Lara Chapman
I liked this one for it's strong and likable characters each with their own flaws-a recommended read!
What books have you read that you probably wouldn't have without the book blogosphere?
