cfaith22's review against another edition
3.0
Okay, was really good and I love Melanie Dickerson's books, but honestly wasn't as good as the others I've read. In my opinion, the references to Beauty and the Beast were a little too subtle, would have liked the rose and mirror to be more central to the story. Also, the concept of justice in this book I am not 100% positive about, but I don't know if how it worked out was considered justice back then or not, wouldn't fly in the court system today though. As always, loved the Bible and God being central to the characters' growth and journey and coming to have love blossom and win.
verydazedragon's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I’m actually kind of embarrassed about how much I loved this book as a young teenager. It’s the first Beauty and the Beast retelling I ever read, and it holds a special place in my heart. The language is way too sappy for me in places, but still a very cozy read.
hereistheend's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my goodness, this could possibly be one of my favorite books ever. I have never finished reading one of Melanie's books (I tried the Healer's Apprentice but never finished) but I will totally try it again after reading this!
This books is amazing. It has the perfect amount of romance and it kept me on my toes the entire time (well almost. Some parts were so... that I was thinking No this will change No it'll be okay, and it did turn out okay). I especially loved how in love with God and His word Annebel is. I loved how she so wanted to read the Bible and how she fell in love when she finally held the books in her hands.
It's kind of a retelling of Beauty and the Beast (I admit, I realized before I opened the book) but I love how it's told in a historical, Christian way. It inspires me to try writing the same type (I love to write).
I absolutely loved this book and will absolutely read it again and again.
This books is amazing. It has the perfect amount of romance and it kept me on my toes the entire time (well almost. Some parts were so... that I was thinking No this will change No it'll be okay, and it did turn out okay). I especially loved how in love with God and His word Annebel is. I loved how she so wanted to read the Bible and how she fell in love when she finally held the books in her hands.
It's kind of a retelling of Beauty and the Beast (I admit, I realized before I opened the book) but I love how it's told in a historical, Christian way. It inspires me to try writing the same type (I love to write).
I absolutely loved this book and will absolutely read it again and again.
mrs_troyalist's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
psheflin's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
hrbumga's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book, I like the Beauty and the Beast concept. What I find interesting is that a lot of reviews say that it butchered the concept, but I think it did very well. It is not going to directly mirror Beauty and the Beast, it is its own story, afterall. I fell in love with Lord le Wyse.
Another reason this book gets poor reviews is the use of Christianity throughout the novel. In most cases, that would annoy me as well, however I was fine with this because I understood how big of a role it played in the protagonist's lifestyle and way of thinking.
I very much enjoyed this story, and I would recommend it to those who are open-minded in viewing the Christian faith. Just because I'm not Christian, doesn't mean I should hate on the religion and its use in storytelling. I didn't think of it as annoying, rather I used it as a way to learn more about the faith.
Another reason this book gets poor reviews is the use of Christianity throughout the novel. In most cases, that would annoy me as well, however I was fine with this because I understood how big of a role it played in the protagonist's lifestyle and way of thinking.
I very much enjoyed this story, and I would recommend it to those who are open-minded in viewing the Christian faith. Just because I'm not Christian, doesn't mean I should hate on the religion and its use in storytelling. I didn't think of it as annoying, rather I used it as a way to learn more about the faith.
narniaxisxhome's review against another edition
5.0
Honestly, I had no idea this was a rewritten tale of Beauty and the Beast until I read other reviews of it. However, it was pulled off almost flawlessly as a more real-life (as opposed to magic, witches, etc.) version. This book is very well written, the style, the description, and the author also did a great job of explaining things about the way of life in those days.
Although it is set in Medieval days, Annabel is completely relatable as a main character; I felt her pain when her family didn't care, understood her confusion over Lord Ranulf, and sympathized with her doubts over God. I also liked the fact that Dickerson made Lord Ranulf beastly-looking on the outside--which most of the people would not look past--but very god-fearing on the inside; his past is what torments him, but he was never really a beast on the inside.
I also think the Christian aspect was a very nice touch in making this a more believable love story and also a nice twist on Beauty and the Beast: what if Belle had wanted to be a nun in the original tale? The Merchant's Daughter explores this aspect and many more, and it honestly kept me on the edge of my seat. Not just the romance, but the other happenings to Annabel, Ranulf, and her friends that could have destroyed--or not destroyed--everything. I couldn't wait to see the outcome of this book! The tension between Annabel and Ranulf also kept me very intrigued: would beauty actually fall for the beast? Would she really go off to be a nun?
Overall, this is probably one of the best fairytale re-writes I have read to date. This is definitely a book I can see my self reading again and recommending to all my friends looking for a pure love story, great historical fiction, and very good Christian fiction! 4.5 stars.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND ZONDERVAN FOR MY ADVANCED COPY OF THIS WONDERFUL NOVEL :)
Although it is set in Medieval days, Annabel is completely relatable as a main character; I felt her pain when her family didn't care, understood her confusion over Lord Ranulf, and sympathized with her doubts over God. I also liked the fact that Dickerson made Lord Ranulf beastly-looking on the outside--which most of the people would not look past--but very god-fearing on the inside; his past is what torments him, but he was never really a beast on the inside.
I also think the Christian aspect was a very nice touch in making this a more believable love story and also a nice twist on Beauty and the Beast: what if Belle had wanted to be a nun in the original tale? The Merchant's Daughter explores this aspect and many more, and it honestly kept me on the edge of my seat. Not just the romance, but the other happenings to Annabel, Ranulf, and her friends that could have destroyed--or not destroyed--everything. I couldn't wait to see the outcome of this book! The tension between Annabel and Ranulf also kept me very intrigued: would beauty actually fall for the beast? Would she really go off to be a nun?
Overall, this is probably one of the best fairytale re-writes I have read to date. This is definitely a book I can see my self reading again and recommending to all my friends looking for a pure love story, great historical fiction, and very good Christian fiction! 4.5 stars.
THANKS TO NETGALLEY AND ZONDERVAN FOR MY ADVANCED COPY OF THIS WONDERFUL NOVEL :)
aicher's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book, I like the Beauty and the Beast concept. What I find interesting is that a lot of reviews say that it butchered the concept, but I think it did very well. It is not going to directly mirror Beauty and the Beast, it is its own story, afterall. I fell in love with Lord le Wyse.
Another reason this book gets poor reviews is the use of Christianity throughout the novel. In most cases, that would annoy me as well, however I was fine with this because I understood how big of a role it played in the protagonist's lifestyle and way of thinking.
I very much enjoyed this story, and I would recommend it to those who are open-minded in viewing the Christian faith. Just because I'm not Christian, doesn't mean I should hate on the religion and its use in storytelling. I didn't think of it as annoying, rather I used it as a way to learn more about the faith.
Another reason this book gets poor reviews is the use of Christianity throughout the novel. In most cases, that would annoy me as well, however I was fine with this because I understood how big of a role it played in the protagonist's lifestyle and way of thinking.
I very much enjoyed this story, and I would recommend it to those who are open-minded in viewing the Christian faith. Just because I'm not Christian, doesn't mean I should hate on the religion and its use in storytelling. I didn't think of it as annoying, rather I used it as a way to learn more about the faith.
liv_72's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Want to reread!
banana83854's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this historical retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It didn't do anything crazy amazing, but was sort of a quiet and relatably sweet story. Very cozy and nice.