Lady Magdalen of Mallin had met the Duke of Wolfberg once, two years ago. They had danced, talked, and she liked him. When her mother said she had received a missive saying that the duke had asked Magdalen's hand in marriage, Magdalen was rather pleased. She would rather marry for love, but as an impoverished baron's daughter, her family and the villagers needed the duke's money. Close to Wolfberg Castle, Agnes - not Magdalen's usual companion - forced Magdalen to switch places with her: Agnes was marrying the duke and Magdalen was sent to tend to the geese. Steffan, the Duke of Wolfberg, had not sent the message. He was on his way home from Prague when two of his guards attacked him. Steffan is determined to uncover the reasons behind the act of treachery, which he endeavours to do under the guise of a shepherd.

THE NOBLE SERVANT is based on a Brothers Grimm fairytale, The Goose Girl, which I thought was a welcome change, as I am not familiar with that particular tale. It is also a tad violent, which should surprise no one, given the original source. I have read a couple of other books by Ms. Dickerson, so I knew going in that it was a Young Adult Christian novel. However, this installment seemed more suited to tweens rather than teens; it is very young in tone, the writing is rather simplistic, and not up to the author's standards. The Christian element is also more prominent than I expected, so much so that I started scrutinising the characters' actions and words. Christian charity was not exactly Magdalen's strong suit, but most surprising was that a "minor villain" displayed what I consider Christian behaviour; the same character also showed the most growth. I was also somewhat taken aback that the on-page killing was done by the "good guys". Melanie Dickerson has a solid grasp of the medieval era, her historical details are always accurate, but THE NOBLE SERVANT lacked dynamism. Even though Magdalen and Steffan were always on the move, it made for very static reading.

The romance did not proceed as I anticipated, for which I was grateful. THE NOBLE SERVANT is a sweet romance that develops slowly while the couple face various obstacles, but it lacked some sparkle, some tension, some texture to make it exciting and really fun.

I love a good fairy tale retelling and Dickerson is known for this style. And a retelling of the Goose Girl? I feel that fable doesn't get enough recognition.
This was a fun and enjoyable read. Entertaining, though a bit surface level and repetitive. But a quick and fun read. If you've read her other works, then I highly recommend!

When I requested this title I thought The Noble Servant was a fairytale retelling of Cinderella! However, I soon discovered this book is based on the fairytale 'The Goose Girl', which I was not familiar with at all. In fact, I tried reading this a couple of times but couldn't get into it. However, I decided to give it another go. All in all, this was a good story, and after a few chapters I found myself quite enjoying it. I liked the two main characters, Steffan and Magdalen, and the romance between them was quite charming. Intertwined with all of that is an exciting medieval adventure.

The Noble Servant by Melanie Dickerson is a clean, Christian, YA fairytale retelling of The Goose Girl, set in Medieval Germany.

On her way to marry the Duke of Wolfberg, a man she had only met once, Magdalen is waylaid by her own guards and servants. Her jealous handmaid switches places with Magdalen, blackmailing Magdalen into becoming a servant and then a lowly goose girl in the castle she was supposed to be mistress of.

I loved the Goose Girl fairy tale ever since I read Thorn by Intisar Khanani. It is just so creative - a lady switching places with her servant and living as a goose girl under her betrothed's nose until her identity is finally revealed. Melanie Dickerson's retelling was not quite as good as Intisar's, but I did really enjoy it.

There was no magic in this book (so no creepy talking horse head, thankfully), but Melanie Dickerson creatively and successfully re-imagined the parts with magic. I especially enjoyed what the author used in place of the aforementioned horse. Also, the romance was woven into the story very well where the original fairy tale did not have romance at all, only an arranged marriage between strangers. And I really enjoyed the details about the duke and his side of the story. Speaking of which, there was more danger afoot than that of Magdalen being blackmailed by her own servant and guards. The duke was having problems as well, and everything came to a satisfying conclusion. The issues the duke was dealing with also brought up a moral dilemma for him, and I appreciated the character development and Christian morality that were considered as a result.

On the whole, I enjoyed this clean fairy tale retelling and would recommend it to YA readers.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated or otherwise obligated to review it, and everything I wrote was my own opinion.

The Noble Servant is a retelling of the Goose Girl by Melanie Dickerson but unlike most fairy tale retellings this one is a Christian retelling and these books are fine for most readers.

I found this to be one of the most unique offerings in Dickerson's continued Fairy Tale flavoured series.

Magdalen (Readers will remember her from previous books in the Dickerson canon) is a poor baron's daughter surprised by a marriage proposal that could save the future of her people. But, in a surprising twist, the romance and adventure happens en route as Magdalen and an unlikely shepherd ally forge a lasting bond.

Melanie Dickerson has created yet another story that any fantasy romance reader will love. As with her other stories this one follows a girl who has to help her love.
As a servant she must help her prince regain his throne. A compelling romantic escape with a happy ending that is sure to leave you in a feel good mood .

The prince has been usurped, and the servant must help him get his throne back, for he faces a terrible threat; death. In the process, they find some things to be true about each other, things they may hate, or like.

This type of romantic storyline is very catchy. You see how two people who couldn't stand each other actually end up being interested in one another. It's very pg, appropriate and likeable.

I, however, found it hard to get into. It didn't catch my attention and by the time I knew what was going on, I was skimming through it.

If you enjoy historical romance, a strong female who doesn't buy a man's bullcrap, and a man who is sure of himself and admits when he's wrong, then this is for you.

The best thing about reading Melanie Dickerson's books is that they're so easy to read. She's one of my go-to authors whenever I need a break from fantasy and darker stories I've been reading.

I'm a huge fan of their fairy tales so it's no wonder I would pick up this book. But I was especially excited about The Noble Servant since it's a retelling of the Grimm Brothers' the Goose Girl. My favorite retelling by far with regards to this story is Shannon Hale's the Goose Girl, the first book from the Books of Bayern.

Anyway, the Noble Servant is in itself a great retelling, while this one stuck most the the tale itself unlike Shannon's. This was just as enjoyable to read. I like the twist with regards to the Duke's true identity. It was an added surprise. With the usual magic of Melanie Dickerson's romance and narratives of faith, it's another fun addition to the Medieval Fairy Tales books.

The hidden lady. The duke in disguise. The dukedom to be saved.

Lady Magdalen has been a bit enamored with the duke of Wolfberg for 2 years, since they met at Thornbeck. Now he has asked for her hand in marriage! But when travelling to Wolfberg, her maid and her father forced her to strip away her clothes and her identity - she has became a maid and her maid has became a lady. When on Wolfberg, Magdalen is sent to tend to the gooses. And the false lady is to marry a duke.
Duke Steffan was attacked by his servants on the way home to his land. So he comes to the Wolfberg in disguise of a shepherd to gather the information about what exactly is his cruel uncle up to.
There is a marriage, a duke and a duchess - both of them fake. And a goose girl and shepherd who know each other to be a totally different person.

A retelling of The Goose Girl might be a hit or a miss for its readers. And while it is a sweet YA, it was unfortunately a miss for me - because of the logical issues. I get that Magdalen is a sweet lady, unused to fight back. I can live with the premise that the people doesn't know their lord, he is living in the castle far, far away from their everyday problems. But why Steffan is staying there in disguise and not looking for help is beyond me. Will a portrait fight against the cruel usurpator?
I also think that the authoress has played it safe with the romantic tension between the characters - there is a lot sweetness, but the sparks are missing, so their romance is hard to relate to.
The book also seems quite prolonged, there is a lot of plot fillers. I think this might be a lovely novella, but there seems to be not enough of plot twists for a full-length novel, unfortunately.

Having said all that - this is not my favourite book amongst the trilogy (it is the previous novel "The Beautiful Pretender"). Still, the message od forgiveness is quite important to be heard in this world. And there is a lot to be said for the sweetness, too!

Unfortunately, I did not finish this book as the writing was a bit too bland for my taste. The main issue was that the sentence structure was so simple it could be a middle-grade book, and even most middle-grade books are written in a more complex way.

I went in looking for a pleasant and light romance with a twist but all the “he said”, “she said” made it impossible for me to see past the writing into the story and experience the characters. I was honestly just bored by it all.

The Noble Servant is a lovely medieval fairy tale romance. It has been said by other reviewers that The Noble Servant is reminiscent of The Goose Girl by the Brothers Grimm. I’ve not read the story so I can’t speak to that. I can say that The Noble Servant is a modern fairytale. I find in our two primary characters qualities that are reminiscent of Cinderella and the prince in the classic fairy tale Cinderella by Charles Perrault. The Noble Servant isn’t a copycat book by any measure though; it retains a distinctly unique style that is wholly Melanie Dickerson.

Our heroine, Magdalen, has a demanding and critical mother; there is no pleasing her. Fortunately, like Cinderella, Magdalen’s heart is filled with kindness and a desire to serve those for whom she cares. In return, she is loved universally by those she smiles upon. Additionally, like Cinderella, Magdalen does as she is asked by those who are cruel to her. Adding to the Cinderella archetype is that this noble servant is a Christian. Her faith adds depth to her servant's heart.

While Cinderella’s hero and love interest is a prince, Magdalen’s is a Duke. Steffan is just as handsome and charming but far more confused about matters of the heart. He is adamantly avoiding true love as there have been devastating consequences brought about by deep and true love in his life. (I don’t want to spoil the story so you will need to read The Noble Servant to find out why).

A Noble Servant is only a tiny bit of a Cinderella story. It is definitely a sweet romance with a medieval soul. A story filled with deceit, cruelty, mistaken identity, mystery, a treasure hunt, chivalry, kindness, standing up for those in need, and a growing understanding of the need to depend upon Christ.

The Noble Servant is a quick and enjoyable read. I recommend it to everyone who loves a clean romance with a bit of mystery. I recommend without equivocation that The Noble Servant would be an excellent read for preteens on up to those of us with gray in our hair.

As a reviewer for NetGalley, I received a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. My thanks to NetGalley, the author, and publisher.

An old fairytale, a wonderful new story

Aaahhh, a total sigh of contentment. That's what you get when you read a Melanie Dickerson book. I know I've said it before, but it's totally true. Each new Melanie Dickerson book is my new favorite and The Noble Servant was no exception. I couldn't put it down. When I did have to actually leave the pages of the story and do those pesky little things that make up living, I still thought about the characters and what fortune, and misfortune, might befall them next.

Did I love The Noble Servant? Yes! Yes! Yes! The author has such a wonderful way of storytelling, with an absolutely exquisite attention to detail, that you feel completely immersed in the era and the within the story. Magdalen and Stefan quickly became friends, friends that I rooted for, friends that I gasped on their behalf as they faced each new peril, and definitely friends that I didn't want to say goodbye to on that last page.

The Noble Servant is a definite winner in my estimation and a MUST read for any Melanie Dickerson fan. If you love historical novels rich in detail, with plenty of adventure, romance, and danger, The Noble Servant just might be for you. If you love fairytale retellings Melanie Dickerson's latest book is definitely for you!

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

I really enjoyed this book. It's not really a surprise though, because I'm a huge fan of Melanie's books. Her books are always creative and fun.

I didn't particularly like Magdalen's character at first, but as the story continued and she grew into her personality, I eventually came to appreciate her more. As for Steffan...wow. There just as many up and downs with him, but I still loved his character. I guess I just felt a closer connection with him than with "Maggie" because of some things he was going through and feeling at the time.

Overall, the story was well written with just the right amount of history, romance, action, danger, and you know, the whole chivalrous thing that I love. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good historical romance.

I'd like to thank Netgalley for a free e-book in exchange for an honest review.

The Noble Servant by Melanie Dickerson

This story grabs the reader immediately and pulls them straight into the medieval era and Magdalen's life. Dickerson possesses magic in her fingertips because she weaves such a spellbinding tale that the reader cannot put it down! Magdalen's character drew me in with her sweet disposition and her kind and beautiful heart. I had no idea how she would resolve her situation but I knew she would persevere somehow because she never gave up. Her kindness towards others and her faith in God made for a heroine that all women would want to be like. My heart was pumping with adrenaline for all of the precarious situations she and Steffan found themselves in! And man was Steffan handsome, he would make any girl swoon with his good looks and chivalrous personality! Dickerson has done it again with The Noble Servant! She transported me to another time and place to where I forgot my world completely and became entrenched in Magdalen's! Bravo for a beautifully written Christian medieval tale! Five stars and I cannot wait for whatever Dickerson writes next!

What a beautiful cover! (Yes, I said that a lot lately, but it's because I do love covers!) I'm immediately drawn to the cover of The Noble Servant by Melanie Dickerson. As the third book in The Medieval Fairy Tale series, the cover seems to be different than the other two. Even if they are a series and there are some familiar characters, each book can be read by itself. Melanie Dickerson definitely have a gift. Compared to the number of books she's written, I've only read just a couple of them, and each one is just simply superb.

The Noble Servant, like many of her other novels is a retelling of a fairy tale. This one retold the story of The Goose Girl from one of the Brothers Grimm collections. As our main characters, both nobility, were forced to act as servants, they encounter each other and that's where the story takes off running. Characters of integrity, our main characters face trials that not only make them stronger, but wiser. An intriguing plot that brings multiple messages in the mask of a story that captivates young readers as well as readers with a love for adventure, great characters and romance, topped with the fairy tale ending.


This review first appeared on Just Commonly blog.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.

I've read a few of Melanie's books before, but this was the first of her YA books I read and I LOVED it. I love how Melanie takes Grimm's fairy tales and reworks them into beautiful tales set in Medieval Germany. I really enjoyed getting to know Magdalen and Steffan. It's rare to read about characters who are quite so noble and worth of admiring. There was quite a bit of suspense in the story that kept me glued to this book and loathe to set it down (when I was forced to by real life). I highly recommend this book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to give a review, and all opinions are my own.

Melanie Dickerson has created a sweet, clean story in her latest book The Noble Servant. This is one tale YA girls will greatly enjoy delving into.
Filled with adventure from beginning to end, Dickerson's book keep you enraptured with the hero and heroine, along with a cast of wonderful - and villainous- supporting characters. In this tale, I was swept back into medieval Europe, to a time of chivalry and intrigue. I loved the plot, the pacing, the characters, and the message of sacrifice.
It is rare to find a book that will teach godly lessons in a way that appeals to the YA genre. Dickerson outdoes herself with this one. Presenting courageous women living noble lives provides a solid role model girls can flock to. I highly recommend this book to all who desire a clean read that will uplift, entertain, and encourage.

I loved this book! This author has such a way of writing, her retelling of old fairy tales are a perfect, light reading! I've loved the earlier ones, and this one did not disappoint.
Her characters are loveable, the setting is incredible, the plot has just the right amount of details and suspense!

Wow! What an amazing adventure, if I would finish it in one reading except for needing to go to sleep, so I could go to work!
The Nobel Servant is a tale of adventure, romance, loss, fears, courage, forgiveness, and overcoming difficult and dangerous situations.
Steffan and Magdalan were both force from the life they both have know by two different imposters. This story tells their journey to reclaim their rightful place but it wasn't easy or safe as they learn whom they can trust and can they learn from each other and find love.
Mrs. Dickerson you truly are blessed with the ability to write the most interesting stories while challenging and reminding us to trust in God for His protection and plans.