Reviewer's Bookshelf: The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson

Book Summary: Rapunzel can throw a knife better than any man around. And her skills as an artist rival those of any artist she’s met. But for a woman in medieval times, the one skill she most desires is the hardest one to obtain: the ability to read.

After yet another young man asks for Rapunzel’s hand in marriage, Mother decides they need to move once again, but this time to a larger city. Rapunzel’s heart soars—surely there she can fulfill her dream. But Mother won’t let her close to a man. She claims that no man can be trusted.

After being rescued by a knight on the road to the city, and in turn rescuing him farther down the road, Rapunzel’s opportunity arrives at last. This knight, Sir Gerek, agrees to educate Rapunzel in order to pay back his debt. She just has to put up with his arrogant nature and single-minded focus on riches and prestige.

But this Rapunzel story is unlike any other and the mystery that she uncovers will change everything—except her happily ever after.

My thoughts....It's sometimes hard to remember that the fairy tale retellings Melanie Dickerson has written, including The Golden Braid, are Young Adult novels...because I enjoy them so much!  This is Dickerson's 6th fairy tale retelling and I have read each one.  I love the concept as well as the way Dickerson has taken these stories and woven in elements of faith, adventure, and clean romance.  While this novel could be read as a stand alone, it does have connections with some of the characters and events in the previous novels.  I would especially recommend reading The Princess Spy as there are some neat connections from that story to this one.

From the beginning of The Golden Braid, there were moments of action, mystery, and some romantic tension.  Rapunzel herself has a pure, innocent nature, but she is also driven to learn.  When she's unable to learn to read in her early life, she spends her time learning all that she can....knife throwing, painting, and whatever else anyone can teach her.  The combination of these aspects of her character make her interesting and fun to read.  The trials she goes through, the tests of her character, also make her stand out as well-rounded character.  Rapunzel also tries to honor her "mother" and respect her even as she is betrayed and mistreated by her.  As a mom of a young daughter, this is the type of character I want her reading: young women who are creative, have compassion for others, yet stand strong in their faith and convictions. I wish I would've had books like this as a young person.

Sir Gerek is a knight.  He's brave and handsome, but could also be prideful, arrogant, and greedy.  In many ways your typical male hero, but as the story went on, he experienced growth and transformation.  He had to face some of the struggles he had in his past and was humbled through dealing with an injury.  He most certainly had his flaws and clung to the idea that he had to control his circumstances instead of letting God have control, but by the end of the novel Sir Gerek truly became an admirable hero.  

This novel had a satisfying balance. There was a clean romance element, but some psychological tension, suspense, and adventure. I also liked that I saw a background perspective of some of the events that happened in The Princess Spy.  Overall, I think this is a great novel for all readers.  I would definitely recommend it and enjoyed it as one of my favorites from Melanie Dickerson!

**I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher in order to give an unbiased review**