**This is a Books for Christian Girls content review for girls ages 9-19. The Spiritual, Negative, & Sexual Content from this book are honestly listed below. Keep in mind, when reading a BFCG review, ignore the things that don't bother you, but take notice of the things that do.**
About this book:
âAfter inheriting his title from his brother, the margrave has two weeks to find a noble bride. What will happen when he learns he has fallen for a lovely servant girl in disguise?
The Margrave of Thornbeck has to find a bride, fast. He invites ten noble born ladies who meet the king's approval to be his guests at Thornbeck Castle for two weeks, a time to test these ladies and reveal their true character.
Avelina has only two instructions: keep her true identity a secret and make sure the margrave doesn't select her as his bride. Since the latter seems unlikely, she concentrates on not getting caught. No one must know she is merely a maidservant, sent by the Earl of Plimmwald to stand in for his daughter, Dorothea.
Despite Avelina's best attempts at diverting attention from herself, the margrave has taken notice. And try as she might, she can't deny her own growing feelings. But something else is afoot in the castle. Something sinister that could have far worseâfar deadlierâconsequencesâ
Series: Book #2 in the âMedieval Fairy Tale Romanceâ series or also known as the âThornbeckâ series. (Review of Book #1 Here!)
Spiritual Content- Many, many prayers; Talks about God, faiths & chapels; âH's are capital when referring to God; Many mentions of God; Many mentions of prayers; Many mentions of chapels; Mentions of those in the Bible; Mentions of sins & judging; Mentions of Jews; A few mentions of Bible reading; A couple mentions of Heaven;
*Note: A mention of d*mning information.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: four forms of âstupid'; A couple mentions of curses (said, not written); A bit of sarcasm; Wolf attacks (along with killing wolves), blood, pain, injuries & wounds (lots of all, semi-detailed); Almost dying & being killed (semi-detailed); Nightmares (up to semi-detailed); Hitting & wanting to hit someone; Many, many, many mentions of deaths, murders, killing, fires, threats & executions (up to semi-detailed); Many, many, many mentions of rumors & gossip (including that Reinhart killed his brother, which he didn't); Many mentions of pain & injuries; Many mentions of wolves, their kill & shooting them (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of hunting & killing animals; Many mentions of drunks, strong drinks, drinking & wine; Mentions of battles, fighting & killing; Mentions of the pillory, being beaten & shamed; A few mentions of a poacher (Book #1); A few mentions of horse manure & the smell; A couple mentions of self-harming & suicide; A mention of a woman falling to her death; A mention of breaking someone's limbs; A mention of a threat of cutting someone's tongue out; A mention of rat droppings.
Sexual Content- a hand kiss, two cheek kisses, two hair kisses, two barely-above-not-detailed kisses, four semi-detailed kisses; Remembering kisses (barely-above-not-detailed); Lots of Touches, Embraces, Warmth & Nearness (semi-detailed); Attraction & Butterflies; Noticing & Smelling; Wanting to be kissed & loved; Wanting to kiss, touch & embrace; Wanting someone; Dorothea had trysts with a knight & is now with child (and many, many, many mentions of that and rumors); Many, many, many mentions of lovers & mistresses; Many mentions of Reinhart's brother, his brother's lover & their unborn child; Mentions of bare ankles & a man's bare chest (along with trying not to stare, up to semi-detailed); Mentions of flirting & jealousy; Mentions of wooing & loving a woman; Mentions of kissing & kisses; Mentions of Reinhart's parents' unhappy marriage (they hated each other, both had lovers & those facts make Reinhart wonder how he and his brother came out of that marriage); A few mentions of unfaithful spouses; A few mentions of temptations; A couple mentions of men who impregnated different women; A couple mentions of a maidservant & her lover being alone together at night and having a good time; A mention of a 15year old boy taking advantage of any girl that would let him; A mention of molestation; A mention of a newly married couple going to their bedroom; Love, falling in love & the emotions.
-Avelina Klein, age 20
-Reinhart Stolten
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1363 {Medieval}
307 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
A retelling mix of The Princess and the Pea and the Beauty and the Beast, Melanie Dickerson brings us back to Thornbeck and we get to learn the mystery behind the Margrave's past. While âThe Beautiful Pretenderâ can be a stand-alone, it will be enjoyed much more if âThe Huntress of Thornbeck Forestâ is read prior to reading this one. Odette and Jorgen are still in this one, which I was so excited to see! This novel got kind of kissy near the end, but I did like all the prayers. I really liked Avelina (that name is fabulous!) and her personality. Reinhart (again, fun name!) was a good hero for this story and I found it very touching how protective he was near the end.
Overall, this was another great Melanie Dickerson book and I can't wait to learn more about the next book in this series! :)
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Thomas Nelson) for this honest review.
About this book:
âAfter inheriting his title from his brother, the margrave has two weeks to find a noble bride. What will happen when he learns he has fallen for a lovely servant girl in disguise?
The Margrave of Thornbeck has to find a bride, fast. He invites ten noble born ladies who meet the king's approval to be his guests at Thornbeck Castle for two weeks, a time to test these ladies and reveal their true character.
Avelina has only two instructions: keep her true identity a secret and make sure the margrave doesn't select her as his bride. Since the latter seems unlikely, she concentrates on not getting caught. No one must know she is merely a maidservant, sent by the Earl of Plimmwald to stand in for his daughter, Dorothea.
Despite Avelina's best attempts at diverting attention from herself, the margrave has taken notice. And try as she might, she can't deny her own growing feelings. But something else is afoot in the castle. Something sinister that could have far worseâfar deadlierâconsequencesâ
Series: Book #2 in the âMedieval Fairy Tale Romanceâ series or also known as the âThornbeckâ series. (Review of Book #1 Here!)
Spiritual Content- Many, many prayers; Talks about God, faiths & chapels; âH's are capital when referring to God; Many mentions of God; Many mentions of prayers; Many mentions of chapels; Mentions of those in the Bible; Mentions of sins & judging; Mentions of Jews; A few mentions of Bible reading; A couple mentions of Heaven;
*Note: A mention of d*mning information.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: four forms of âstupid'; A couple mentions of curses (said, not written); A bit of sarcasm; Wolf attacks (along with killing wolves), blood, pain, injuries & wounds (lots of all, semi-detailed); Almost dying & being killed (semi-detailed); Nightmares (up to semi-detailed); Hitting & wanting to hit someone; Many, many, many mentions of deaths, murders, killing, fires, threats & executions (up to semi-detailed); Many, many, many mentions of rumors & gossip (including that Reinhart killed his brother, which he didn't); Many mentions of pain & injuries; Many mentions of wolves, their kill & shooting them (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of hunting & killing animals; Many mentions of drunks, strong drinks, drinking & wine; Mentions of battles, fighting & killing; Mentions of the pillory, being beaten & shamed; A few mentions of a poacher (Book #1); A few mentions of horse manure & the smell; A couple mentions of self-harming & suicide; A mention of a woman falling to her death; A mention of breaking someone's limbs; A mention of a threat of cutting someone's tongue out; A mention of rat droppings.
Sexual Content- a hand kiss, two cheek kisses, two hair kisses, two barely-above-not-detailed kisses, four semi-detailed kisses; Remembering kisses (barely-above-not-detailed); Lots of Touches, Embraces, Warmth & Nearness (semi-detailed); Attraction & Butterflies; Noticing & Smelling; Wanting to be kissed & loved; Wanting to kiss, touch & embrace; Wanting someone; Dorothea had trysts with a knight & is now with child (and many, many, many mentions of that and rumors); Many, many, many mentions of lovers & mistresses; Many mentions of Reinhart's brother, his brother's lover & their unborn child; Mentions of bare ankles & a man's bare chest (along with trying not to stare, up to semi-detailed); Mentions of flirting & jealousy; Mentions of wooing & loving a woman; Mentions of kissing & kisses; Mentions of Reinhart's parents' unhappy marriage (they hated each other, both had lovers & those facts make Reinhart wonder how he and his brother came out of that marriage); A few mentions of unfaithful spouses; A few mentions of temptations; A couple mentions of men who impregnated different women; A couple mentions of a maidservant & her lover being alone together at night and having a good time; A mention of a 15year old boy taking advantage of any girl that would let him; A mention of molestation; A mention of a newly married couple going to their bedroom; Love, falling in love & the emotions.
-Avelina Klein, age 20
-Reinhart Stolten
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1363 {Medieval}
307 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
A retelling mix of The Princess and the Pea and the Beauty and the Beast, Melanie Dickerson brings us back to Thornbeck and we get to learn the mystery behind the Margrave's past. While âThe Beautiful Pretenderâ can be a stand-alone, it will be enjoyed much more if âThe Huntress of Thornbeck Forestâ is read prior to reading this one. Odette and Jorgen are still in this one, which I was so excited to see! This novel got kind of kissy near the end, but I did like all the prayers. I really liked Avelina (that name is fabulous!) and her personality. Reinhart (again, fun name!) was a good hero for this story and I found it very touching how protective he was near the end.
Overall, this was another great Melanie Dickerson book and I can't wait to learn more about the next book in this series! :)
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Thomas Nelson) for this honest review.
Nora S. (biblegirl06) reviewed The Beautiful Pretender: A Medieval Fairy Tale on + 92 more book reviews
I enjoyed how this author blends an organic faith message with a fairy tale type story, through believable, fascinating characters I enjoyed hanging out with. The story has the reader off in a run (literally Grin) showing Lady Dorothea dashing off to join the knight she loves, putting her maid-servant in a real pickle. When Lady Dorothea's father demands answers Avelina can barely speak. Then the Earl of Plimmward makes an impossible request of her. He blurts out his demand she repeats it grasping the implications, "Do you mean you want me to pretend to be lady Dorothea?"
The Earl of Plimmwald replies, "Precisely. You are the only woman I know who is fair enough. My daughter wasa renowned beauty, but with fine clothes and someone calling you My Lady' and treating you like a noble-born woman, anyone might consider you as beautiful as my wayward, daughter."
Not much pressure there. Avelina can hardly breathe. He continues, "Thornbeck-must never suspect you are an imposter."He was fearful of the Duke of Geibart threatening to claim Pilmmwald Castle for his own Earl states, "You must understand that you will be saving us all. Every person at the castle and in the town will be in danger." If there is an attack."
She can't believe this. "How would Avelina, the daughter of a crippled former stable master and a lady's maid servant, ever fool the Margrave of Thornbeck and all his guests into believing she was an Earl's daughter?" It was frightening.
Even though she is being forced into this situation to help her family and community; Avelina stays true to who she is and what she believes. She could not act shellfish and unkind as the real Lady Dorothea. No that would not do.
Avelina experiences something new in hear heart, "Never before had she been treated like her opinion mattered. If only she could enjoy it without feeling like someone was going to brand her a fraud and order her to leave at once."
Her hand main servant Irma says, "No one here knows Lady Dorothea, and after we leave, no one will be the wiser."
The Margrave of Thornbeck seeks a woman he likes, admires and could eventually love, "I should like the woman I choose to be very honest, generous, and to have a sincere faith in God, rather than mindlessly following rules." He wanted to avoid the hateful marriage his parents had.
She meets and becomes fast friends with Magdalen who Avelina tries to point out to Thornbeck Reinhart as a suitable bride. She encourages him this woman is everything you are looking for pick her. Magdalen tries to teach Avelina a few things, "Remember what I am telling you, Avelna. If my mother has taught me anything, it's that a woman must demand respect."
The Duke of Geitbart's daughter Lady Fronicka reminded me of the oldest sister in the Ever After movie. She was always showing off and putting herself out there for the Thornbeck. Pushing the other girls aside so she could be next to Reinhart, no other.
This was a fun, feel good story set n medieval times. It had elements in it that reminded me of Beauty and the Beast the animated movie. There were characters and elements in the story that reminded me of Drew Barrymore in the movie Ever After. Especially the part where Drew dresses up to play a Duchess. She has to be convincing in order to get someone out of prison. Another aspect of the book that reminded me of the movie Ever After was the ball room scene. Avelina was a strong willed, compassionate and generous woman. She reminded me both of Belle and Drew's character combined.
This story had me choked up, teary eyed and cheering n parts. Great story full of surprises! I smiled, laughed and loved every second of the novel.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising"
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
The Earl of Plimmwald replies, "Precisely. You are the only woman I know who is fair enough. My daughter wasa renowned beauty, but with fine clothes and someone calling you My Lady' and treating you like a noble-born woman, anyone might consider you as beautiful as my wayward, daughter."
Not much pressure there. Avelina can hardly breathe. He continues, "Thornbeck-must never suspect you are an imposter."He was fearful of the Duke of Geibart threatening to claim Pilmmwald Castle for his own Earl states, "You must understand that you will be saving us all. Every person at the castle and in the town will be in danger." If there is an attack."
She can't believe this. "How would Avelina, the daughter of a crippled former stable master and a lady's maid servant, ever fool the Margrave of Thornbeck and all his guests into believing she was an Earl's daughter?" It was frightening.
Even though she is being forced into this situation to help her family and community; Avelina stays true to who she is and what she believes. She could not act shellfish and unkind as the real Lady Dorothea. No that would not do.
Avelina experiences something new in hear heart, "Never before had she been treated like her opinion mattered. If only she could enjoy it without feeling like someone was going to brand her a fraud and order her to leave at once."
Her hand main servant Irma says, "No one here knows Lady Dorothea, and after we leave, no one will be the wiser."
The Margrave of Thornbeck seeks a woman he likes, admires and could eventually love, "I should like the woman I choose to be very honest, generous, and to have a sincere faith in God, rather than mindlessly following rules." He wanted to avoid the hateful marriage his parents had.
She meets and becomes fast friends with Magdalen who Avelina tries to point out to Thornbeck Reinhart as a suitable bride. She encourages him this woman is everything you are looking for pick her. Magdalen tries to teach Avelina a few things, "Remember what I am telling you, Avelna. If my mother has taught me anything, it's that a woman must demand respect."
The Duke of Geitbart's daughter Lady Fronicka reminded me of the oldest sister in the Ever After movie. She was always showing off and putting herself out there for the Thornbeck. Pushing the other girls aside so she could be next to Reinhart, no other.
This was a fun, feel good story set n medieval times. It had elements in it that reminded me of Beauty and the Beast the animated movie. There were characters and elements in the story that reminded me of Drew Barrymore in the movie Ever After. Especially the part where Drew dresses up to play a Duchess. She has to be convincing in order to get someone out of prison. Another aspect of the book that reminded me of the movie Ever After was the ball room scene. Avelina was a strong willed, compassionate and generous woman. She reminded me both of Belle and Drew's character combined.
This story had me choked up, teary eyed and cheering n parts. Great story full of surprises! I smiled, laughed and loved every second of the novel.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising"
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com
Lisa G. (plum-marie) -
First time reading this author, didn't realize it would have Beauty & Beast elements but I loved that it did. Also a fair amount like The Selection. I really liked the characters and the idea that people should be respected no matter their birth station. That if you let yourself get to know a person you don't know what you'll find behind a title or job label. It also showed how even though Avelina was instructed to take Dorothea's place she still acted and spoke as herself. I didn't feel the religious component was too overdone, mostly when Avelina needed help. A great clean romance, I really liked the story and need to look up the other books by this author.
