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A review by thatlizhunter
The Orphan's Wish by Melanie Dickerson
1.0
I did NOT enjoy this book at all. I only kept reading because it was from Netgalley and I had to read it.
It was just bad, okay? for so many reasons.
1) The enforced westernization and inherent anti-islam attitude.
Apparently, if the "christian" priest isn't around, poor orphans will be abused by cruel Islamic masters. Never mind the countless abuse stories we know of from Christian history. Remember the Children's Crusades? Where Christian priest sent orphans to evangelize Islamic countries, only to turn them over the slavers at the Mediterranean?
This anti-Islam attitude is front and center from the very first page. If Aladdin hasn't been taken by the German priest, he would died an orphan in the "holy land" Also, the priest randomly said his native name was too hard to pronounce, so he randomly renames the six year old. Wow.
2) Mary Sue Characters
everyone in this book is a two dimensional, flat character. I nearly barfed at the treatment of the Duke's Daughter, Kristyn. her relationship with Alladin is solely made up of past walks through the woods.
And how many times do we need to be reminded how far out of Alladin's league Kristyn is? For one, it's patronizing. And two, there's absolutely no other girls that have ever caught Alladin's interest? Come on.
3) Boring, predictable plot
Um, was this an actual retelling? Here, Alladin is the epitome of goodness, not a questionable young man. And there's no real competition for Kristyn's hand. It's just boring. Mostly flashbacks and predictable actions so that these two washed out characters can finally be together.
4) Ameturish writing
The dialogue made me cringe, OVER AND OVER again. Seriously, I felt like editing just didn't happen. Add a predicable, boring story to flat storytelling and this book was just painful to read.
In conclusion
I cannot being to describe my disappointment. I've read Melanie Dickerson before, but her Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood retelling were interesting, at the very least. And they didn't slam Arabic cultures for the sake of promoting Christianity. And not just christianity, but very western practices. I cannot recommend this book or author anymore.
ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
It was just bad, okay? for so many reasons.
1) The enforced westernization and inherent anti-islam attitude.
Apparently, if the "christian" priest isn't around, poor orphans will be abused by cruel Islamic masters. Never mind the countless abuse stories we know of from Christian history. Remember the Children's Crusades? Where Christian priest sent orphans to evangelize Islamic countries, only to turn them over the slavers at the Mediterranean?
This anti-Islam attitude is front and center from the very first page. If Aladdin hasn't been taken by the German priest, he would died an orphan in the "holy land" Also, the priest randomly said his native name was too hard to pronounce, so he randomly renames the six year old. Wow.
2) Mary Sue Characters
everyone in this book is a two dimensional, flat character. I nearly barfed at the treatment of the Duke's Daughter, Kristyn. her relationship with Alladin is solely made up of past walks through the woods.
And how many times do we need to be reminded how far out of Alladin's league Kristyn is? For one, it's patronizing. And two, there's absolutely no other girls that have ever caught Alladin's interest? Come on.
3) Boring, predictable plot
Um, was this an actual retelling? Here, Alladin is the epitome of goodness, not a questionable young man. And there's no real competition for Kristyn's hand. It's just boring. Mostly flashbacks and predictable actions so that these two washed out characters can finally be together.
4) Ameturish writing
The dialogue made me cringe, OVER AND OVER again. Seriously, I felt like editing just didn't happen. Add a predicable, boring story to flat storytelling and this book was just painful to read.
In conclusion
I cannot being to describe my disappointment. I've read Melanie Dickerson before, but her Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood retelling were interesting, at the very least. And they didn't slam Arabic cultures for the sake of promoting Christianity. And not just christianity, but very western practices. I cannot recommend this book or author anymore.
ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.