"The Captive Maiden" by Melanie Dickerson Book Review

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 learns the duke's son, Valten---the boy she has daydreamed about for years---is throwing a ball in hopes of finding a wife, she vows to find a way 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.

MY REVIEW:
     The newest book from Melanie Dickerson releases soon and boy is it worth the wait! Another reinvented fairytale, this time with Cinderella. We meet Gisela as her father sells a horse from his carefully bred stock to the Duke's eldest son. She isn't happy that one of her favorite horses is leaving but she is entranced with the young man. Not long after her father dies and she is left at the whims of her step mother who treats her horribly. But at least she is still around her father's horses. She dreams of the young man but one day realizes that nothing can ever happen there because she is an orphan with nothing. Years pass...
      Melanie has done it again, woven a tale that is incredibly moving and amazing and taking a story that we all "know" so well and breathing new life into it. In this story we enter the world of jousting and tournaments and discovering God's purpose for your life. Gisela and Valten find that you must rely on God for deliverance because in our own strength it just isn't enough. 

      My favorite part of these books is how she weaves them all together. You don't have to read them in a series but it sure is fun if you do!

      I highly recommend the entire set of books (as my 17 year old daughter does too!) and just keep hoping that Melanie doesn't run out of fairytales anytime soon!