The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson

Series: Fairy Tales, #6 (companion series)

Publication date: November 17, 2015

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Genres: Adult, Fairytale retelling

Format: eARC

Source: The publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Pages: 368
Rating: ★★★★/5

Goodreads ⎜Amazon ⎜Book Depository

The one who needs rescuing isn’t always the one in the tower.

Rapunzel can throw a knife better than any man. She paints beautiful flowering vines on the walls of her plaster houses. She sings so sweetly she can coax even a beast to sleep. But there are two things she is afraid her mother might never allow her to do: learn to read and marry.

Fiercely devoted to Rapunzel, her mother is suspicious of every man who so much as looks at her daughter and warns her that no man can be trusted. After a young village farmer asks for Rapunzel’s hand in marriage, Mother decides to move them once again—this time, to the large city of Hagenheim.

The journey proves treacherous, and after being rescued by a knight—Sir Gerek—Rapunzel, in turn, rescues him farther down the road. As a result, Sir Gerek agrees to repay his debt to Rapunzel by teaching her to read. Could there be more to him than his arrogance and desire to marry for riches and position?

As Rapunzel acclimates to life in a new city, she uncovers a mystery that will forever change her life. In this Rapunzel story unlike any other, a world of secrets and treachery are about to be revealed after seventeen years. How will Rapunzel finally take control of her own destiny? And who will prove faithful to a lowly peasant girl with no one to turn to?

I absolutely love fairytale retellings and I basically requested The Golden Braid with the sole piece of information that it was a retelling of Rapunzel. What I didn’t know going into this story was the fact that there’s religion in it – which I’m really not a fan of in books.

The romance in the book is completely swoon-worthy – definitely the ending!

The Golden Braid is set in Germany in Medieval times and there isn’t any magic or anything like that in the story and I think it’s my first fairytale retelling without magic, supernatural beings or anything like that. And I quite enjoyed it. 

Our main character is Rapunzel, for once she’s actually called Rapunzel and not something else. She’s about 19 and her mother, Gothel, will not have anyone near her. They travel from town to town and always take off when guys or men start showing interest in Rapunzel.

Rapunzel has learned a lot of things from other people, she can throw knives, hunt and such but she has never learned to read and that is her biggest wish – to learn how to read.

I loved getting to know Rapunzel. Even though she’s grown up with a controlling mother she’s now old enough to stand up to her, although Gothel doesn’t know that she is standing up to her. Seeing Rapunzel becoming a woman with feelings for men instead of this shy girl who can’t even bear to look at a man let alone talk to him is wonderful and seeing her learn to trust is even better. Rapunzel’s character is so perfect and I loved her! She grows throughout the story and I loved seeing her grow into the woman she is.

On their travels Gothel and Rapunzel meet Sir Gerek. Gerek is arrogant and annoying but that change throughout the story and he becomes one of the most loving characters you’ve ever come across. He changes completely and seeing him realize what it is he actually wants is wonderful. I definitely held my breath at times when waiting for him to realize things.

We ofcourse know he’s going to be the love interest and Rapunzel and him are perfect for each other! The ending left me completely in tears!

I really enjoyed reading this story, the only thing that put me off is the religion. They read the Bible, fine, but they also keep praying and saying God will be there for them and God this, God that. I really don’t enjoy books with religion in it and I really tried to look past it in this book. Lucky for me the swoon-worthy moments were completely free of religion!

I had no idea I’d enjoy a fairytale retelling so much when it didn’t involve magic, supernatural beings or prince and princesses at all. It had none of the things which usually makes a fairytale but I enjoyed it anyway!

After a long debate I’ve decided to give The Golden Braid 4 stars. I really enjoyed it and I probably would have given it 5 stars if it wasn’t for the religion part. It is such a captivating story and when I find out whether Melanie Dickerson’s other books also have religion in them or not I’ll probably read them!

The Midnight Hour by Andrea L. Wells

Series: The Violet Hour, #0.5

Publication date: November 10, 2015
Publisher: KDPublishing
Genres: YA, Paranormal
Format: Digital review copy
Source: The author in exchange for an honest review
Pages: 102
Rating: ★★★★★/5

Goodreads ⎜Amazon

The only true destiny is love.

And love is not always about happy endings.

Michelle Keller-Jarvis doesn’t know it yet, but she’s going to die.

Beautiful, rich and an immortal werewolf, no one suspects how ready she is to risk everything to keep her daughter, Logan, safe from Xavier's royal clutches.

A prequel to The Violet Hour, this novella offers readers a chance to hear Michelle’s story of a plan eleven years in the making gone horribly wrong.

When destiny makes its demands, sometimes the strongest don’t survive.

I read and reviewed the first book in the Violet Hour series; The Violet Hour earlier this year and I loved it! Read my review here. 

I really enjoyed reading this prequel! Even though I don't often review novellas I knew I needed to review this one! It's going to be quite a short review but bear with me!

I absolutely love the fact that this is told from Michelle's point of view, it adds something to the story and can definitely be read without having read The Violet Hour.
I really liked seeing the story, or rather; the beginning of the story, from Michelle's point of view. We somehow get insider knowledge of what actually happened to her and I love that!
I also love how Michelle's voice differs from Logan's voice in The Violet Hour. Some authors really fail to create different voices when it comes to point of view and Andrea definitely managed that! You're completely aware of who's narrating all the time and it's a joy to read!

What I absolutely love about this novella is the fact that the last chapter is told from Xavier's point of view - which Andrea didn't tell me. I was completely blown away by how clear his voice is! It's perfect for his personality and the way he carries himself - Andrea really outdid herself with his chapter! I may have to admit that I had to read this particular chapter a couple of times because I kept thinking how spectacular that certain part is.. I can't say that it's a bad thing though.
I hope she's going to write more stories from his point of view. I love to see the story, any story, from different point of views because no one experience the same. When said story is seen from the 'enemy's' point of view I probably enjoy it more and I often sympathize with the enemy!

The Midnight Hour is quite a short read at only 102 pages but it's fast-paced and well-worth it - even though you're going to crave more!

So, what I wanted to tell you with this short review is; please read The Violet Hour and The Midnight Hour. Andrea is a wonderful storyteller and her stories are completely captivating!

A comment from the author to get you excited about the next book in the series; 

I really cannot wait for you to read Book #2. I'm so geeked about this one. It's seriously twisted with things you'll never see coming and lots of drama. I've always loved how strong Logan is as a female protag but this book really does her justice. The cover is so awesome and the title just sings 'shit's about to get real!' 

The ACB of Honora Lee by Kate De Goldi

With illustrations by Gregory O'Brien
Series: N/A, Standalone 

Publication date: October 1, 2015
Publisher: Hot Key Books 
Genres: Middle grade, Picture books 
Format: Physical review copy
Source: The publisher in exchange for an honest review
Pages: 128
Rating: ★★★★/5

Goodreads ⎜Amazon ⎜Book Depository

A touching, playful story about family, forgetfulness and friendship.

Every Saturday Perry visits her grandmother, Honora Lee, at the Santa Lucia retirement home. Honora is sharp, outspoken and full of surprises. Perry adores her, but Gran's memory is failing.

As Perry compiles an ABC of life at Santa Lucia for a school project, it seems to her that Gran is loosing words just as quickly as she is collecting them. Together the pair provide a unique lens on life, language and growing old. 

I requested The ACB of Honora Lee on a whim because I usually don't read middle grade or children's book but something made me need it - probably the cover to be honest. The synopsis sold the book to me though, I love when family is a big aspect in literature for the younger audience. Somehow the ACB or ABC of the life of Perry's grandmother is a beautiful idea and the execution is marvelous!

First I think we should tackle the gorgeousness that is this book! First of all - the cover! It's full of bees yet somehow really cute and the colours make it POP. When you open the book.. Well, you should probably see for yourself;

I think we've gushed enough for now! Let's look at the actual story! 

I read The ACB of Honora Lee one morning on the train and it was so cute! I read it in a single sitting and I've thought about rereading it a couple of times already. I loved getting to know Perry, Honora and all the other residents at Santa Lucia. I loved looking at the illustrations and I loved how happy this book made me! 

It's such a cute and short story but somehow you get so attached to all the characters! I was a bit sad near the end but we knew it was coming! 

One thing that definitely made me laugh was when they recited the alphabet; it's not a,b,c,d etc. It's Eh Bee See Dee Ee Eff Gee Aitch etc. I laughed so hard and it actually took me a while to understand what they were trying to do (I laughed once I realized it was the ABC they were reciting)

I also loved how Honora, Perry's grandmother, didn't want to do the alphabet book in the correct order. She was all over the place and near the end Perry's father asks Perry whether she even remembers how to say the alphabet in the correct order and Perry's answer is; Probably,... but who wants to?. I've thought about this particular moment a lot since then. It's quite profound actually, we're so focused on doing things in the correct order but who actually wants to? I've tried to do more things like I want to ever since! 

I don't often read children's literature or middle grade books but I couldn't say no to this one. It's gorgeous and the story is wonderful as well. 

Fun fact; I only just realized that it's called the ACB and not the ABC.. Yes, it's quite bad. 

Quite a short review, but in my defense, the book is quite short as well! 

Spotlight : The X Factor: Confessions of a Naive Model