The Golden Braid tells a wonderful story that is inspiring and lovely. The sweet romance that evolves is touchingly tender and made my heart skip a beat now and then. I love the medieval setting of knights, herbs and poisons, and dungeons in every castle. The teachings of the Holy Writ are infused into the lives of many characters, though certainly not all, and is responsible for their thoughts and actions. Forgiveness is a major theme. Although this book is listed as YA, I recommend it for everyone who enjoys fairy tales and their retellings.
Another wonderfully retold fairytale in this exciting series, this one set back in Medieval Germany, revisiting Hagenheim.
Rapunzel is a really wonderful character! She has such a pure heart as she tries to dutifully serve and obey her unpredictable mother, yet wanting to fulfill her dream of learning to read. Her transformation is astounding as she begins to read Scripture and takes it to heart, opening her eyes to a newfound faith. Breaking free from the strictures of her mother's bitterness and control, her metamorphosis from a drab, plain, frightened child to a beautiful, brave, and sweet young woman is the best part of this story. God's truth and love transform her from the inside out. Her beautiful singing and ability to accurately throw a knife sure get Sir Gerek's attention! His journey is an uplifting part of the story also, as he learns that through faith he can forgive and overcome his family's past hurts, and that he is worthy to be loved.
The intertwining of this story with parts of previous books was done so skillfully, it made me want to go back and reread the entire series! It was ingenious how it expanded part of one of the books and added to the whole big picture. A few "Aha" moments here and there were fun surprises. Sometimes it moved a little slow for me in parts though, but it really came together for an exciting conclusion worth the wait.
Recommend for any young adult and older readers looking for a good clean entertaining story with adventure, faith elements, and romance. It can be read as a standalone, but best enjoyed by reading the other books in the series first, especially The Princess Spy. 4.5 stars
(Book provided by NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing in exchange for my unsolicited, honest review.)
Rapunzel is a really wonderful character! She has such a pure heart as she tries to dutifully serve and obey her unpredictable mother, yet wanting to fulfill her dream of learning to read. Her transformation is astounding as she begins to read Scripture and takes it to heart, opening her eyes to a newfound faith. Breaking free from the strictures of her mother's bitterness and control, her metamorphosis from a drab, plain, frightened child to a beautiful, brave, and sweet young woman is the best part of this story. God's truth and love transform her from the inside out. Her beautiful singing and ability to accurately throw a knife sure get Sir Gerek's attention! His journey is an uplifting part of the story also, as he learns that through faith he can forgive and overcome his family's past hurts, and that he is worthy to be loved.
The intertwining of this story with parts of previous books was done so skillfully, it made me want to go back and reread the entire series! It was ingenious how it expanded part of one of the books and added to the whole big picture. A few "Aha" moments here and there were fun surprises. Sometimes it moved a little slow for me in parts though, but it really came together for an exciting conclusion worth the wait.
Recommend for any young adult and older readers looking for a good clean entertaining story with adventure, faith elements, and romance. It can be read as a standalone, but best enjoyed by reading the other books in the series first, especially The Princess Spy. 4.5 stars
(Book provided by NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing in exchange for my unsolicited, honest review.)
**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:
âThe 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 againâthis time, to the large city of Hagenheim.
The journey proves treacherous, and after being rescued by a knightâSir GerekâRapunzel 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 this knight 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 is about to be revealed after seventeen years of lies. 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?â
Series: Ignore what Goodreads says, it's book #6 in the âHagenheimâ series. {Reviews of #1 Here, #2 Here, #3 Here, #4 Here, and #5 Here!} {You do not have to read this series in order to understand it, but I highly recommend that you do read them in order.}
Spiritual Content- Many, many Prayers; Many talks about God & His love; âH's are not capital when referring to God; Many, many Scriptures are read, remembered, & discussed; Learning to & reading (plus talks about) the Holy Writt; Monks & a monastery; Going to the chapel to pray; Mentions of excommunication; Many mentions of books & those in the Bible;
*Note: When mentioning watching a birth, Rapunzel says it feels like she's in hell; A few mentions of ghosts & evil spirits.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: an âidiot', a âstupid', and two forms of âshut up'; Mentions of curses said not written; A but of sarcasm; Fighting, kicking, pain, blood & knives (semi-detailed); *Spoiler* [ Gerek's father killed his mother, then killed himself (up to semi-detailed) ] *End of Spoiler*; Mentions of Gerek's father who beat his family, servants & dogs (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of killing & slitting throats; Killing a chicken (boarder-line detailed); Drinking wine (Rapunzel doesn't like it).
Sexual Content- two check kisses, a head kiss; a not-detailed kiss, a barely-above-not-detailed kiss, a semi-detailed kiss; Wondering about a kiss; A mentions of a hand & check kiss; Mentions of stolen kisses; Touches & Embraces (up to semi-detailed); Noticing; Dressing an injured man (the top part only, barely-above-not-detailed); Gothel is always telling Rapunzel that men can't be trusted, are evil, & that they don't need them; Gothel tells Rapunzel stories about men who convince gullible women to lie with them or take them into a forest; Rapunzel gets paranoid about men after hearing Gothel's stories; When Rapunzel is almost attacked, she stabs him (nothing happens); Gerek has âa vow never to know a woman before marriageâ (that's the Biblical know); A few mentions of chastity; A mention of a man showing a girl his love; Mentions of men touching & lying with women just to get what they want; Mentions of men taking advantages with women & forcing themselves on women; Mentions of when Rapunzel was almost attacked at age 15; Mentions of child births & labors (barely-above-not-detailed to semi-detailed); Many mentions of & having illegitimate children; *Spoiler*[ A man got Gothel pregnant, said he'd marry her and then disappeared. ] *End of Spoiler*; Love, falling in love & the emotions;
*Note: A couple mentions of revealing dresses.
-Rapunzel Scheinberg, age 19
-Gerek van Hollan, age 24
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1413 (Medieval)
304 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars (and a half)
{Add half a star for those who have already read the previous books in the series.}
I am literally doing a jig right now. Ahh! I just can't even. I'm trying to push my emotions for these characters down a bit, so I can give a proper review. But really, Melanie Dickerson is a great author. I just adore fairytales and to see them with a Christian twist is fantastic! I wasn't sure if âThe Golden Braidâ would top âThe Princess Spyâ (because Rapunzel verses a Princess Spy .) but, oh. It was close. It was so close! Rating wise, âThe Golden Braidâ got a half-star higher, but that's because of who Rapunzel is (ahhh! Still fangirling over that PERFECT plot twist!), I'm more familiar with the story of Rapunzel and this Rapunzel knows how to protect herselfâwith a knife, which is pretty cool.
I really can't wait till the next book in this series, The Little Mermaid retelling, which, I am beyond stoked for.
But have to wait till November of 2016 for.
*le sigh*
But I'm still excited. :D
*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) through BookLookBloggers for this review.
About this book:
âThe 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 againâthis time, to the large city of Hagenheim.
The journey proves treacherous, and after being rescued by a knightâSir GerekâRapunzel 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 this knight 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 is about to be revealed after seventeen years of lies. 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?â
Series: Ignore what Goodreads says, it's book #6 in the âHagenheimâ series. {Reviews of #1 Here, #2 Here, #3 Here, #4 Here, and #5 Here!} {You do not have to read this series in order to understand it, but I highly recommend that you do read them in order.}
Spiritual Content- Many, many Prayers; Many talks about God & His love; âH's are not capital when referring to God; Many, many Scriptures are read, remembered, & discussed; Learning to & reading (plus talks about) the Holy Writt; Monks & a monastery; Going to the chapel to pray; Mentions of excommunication; Many mentions of books & those in the Bible;
*Note: When mentioning watching a birth, Rapunzel says it feels like she's in hell; A few mentions of ghosts & evil spirits.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: an âidiot', a âstupid', and two forms of âshut up'; Mentions of curses said not written; A but of sarcasm; Fighting, kicking, pain, blood & knives (semi-detailed); *Spoiler* [ Gerek's father killed his mother, then killed himself (up to semi-detailed) ] *End of Spoiler*; Mentions of Gerek's father who beat his family, servants & dogs (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of killing & slitting throats; Killing a chicken (boarder-line detailed); Drinking wine (Rapunzel doesn't like it).
Sexual Content- two check kisses, a head kiss; a not-detailed kiss, a barely-above-not-detailed kiss, a semi-detailed kiss; Wondering about a kiss; A mentions of a hand & check kiss; Mentions of stolen kisses; Touches & Embraces (up to semi-detailed); Noticing; Dressing an injured man (the top part only, barely-above-not-detailed); Gothel is always telling Rapunzel that men can't be trusted, are evil, & that they don't need them; Gothel tells Rapunzel stories about men who convince gullible women to lie with them or take them into a forest; Rapunzel gets paranoid about men after hearing Gothel's stories; When Rapunzel is almost attacked, she stabs him (nothing happens); Gerek has âa vow never to know a woman before marriageâ (that's the Biblical know); A few mentions of chastity; A mention of a man showing a girl his love; Mentions of men touching & lying with women just to get what they want; Mentions of men taking advantages with women & forcing themselves on women; Mentions of when Rapunzel was almost attacked at age 15; Mentions of child births & labors (barely-above-not-detailed to semi-detailed); Many mentions of & having illegitimate children; *Spoiler*[ A man got Gothel pregnant, said he'd marry her and then disappeared. ] *End of Spoiler*; Love, falling in love & the emotions;
*Note: A couple mentions of revealing dresses.
-Rapunzel Scheinberg, age 19
-Gerek van Hollan, age 24
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1413 (Medieval)
304 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars (and a half)
{Add half a star for those who have already read the previous books in the series.}
I am literally doing a jig right now. Ahh! I just can't even. I'm trying to push my emotions for these characters down a bit, so I can give a proper review. But really, Melanie Dickerson is a great author. I just adore fairytales and to see them with a Christian twist is fantastic! I wasn't sure if âThe Golden Braidâ would top âThe Princess Spyâ (because Rapunzel verses a Princess Spy .) but, oh. It was close. It was so close! Rating wise, âThe Golden Braidâ got a half-star higher, but that's because of who Rapunzel is (ahhh! Still fangirling over that PERFECT plot twist!), I'm more familiar with the story of Rapunzel and this Rapunzel knows how to protect herselfâwith a knife, which is pretty cool.
I really can't wait till the next book in this series, The Little Mermaid retelling, which, I am beyond stoked for.
But have to wait till November of 2016 for.
*le sigh*
But I'm still excited. :D
*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) through BookLookBloggers for this review.
