Alladin's story...Melanie Dickerson brings fairy tales to life. A gifted author who pens amazing stories. Experience this story....you will not regret it!

I am so disappointed with this book. Why, Melanie Dickerson, did you have to have the main character’s name be Aladdin. In the Captive Maiden, the main characters were not named Prince Charming or Cinderella. This book was not like any of her other books, or the ones I have read before. Most of the time in the book the main two characters were thinking about the past. For example, Kirstyn thought about that day when she was 12 or Aladdin remembered the day Kirstyn turned 13. And things like that were in the book more times I could count. The story was rather bland as well. So, the main girl gets kidnapped and her dad, who is a duke, pretty much gave up on trying to find her.

In my own opinion this is not Dickerson’s best work. I am not a fan of this book and was really disappointed.

I have read most of the books by author Melanie Dickerson. She is a very good young adult writer. All her books are tame and clean and have a Christian theme sprinkled throughout. The Orphan's wish is the author's version of the story of Aladdin.

A young orphan boy is taken by an evil man and made to steal. Aladdin is rescued by a priest and taken to a new country and a new life. As a child, he forms a friendship with a royal girl named Kristyn. The duke feels appreciation for Aladdin after he rescues Kristyn from a bear attack, but he doesn't want their relationship to blossom into something more. Because of this, Aladdin is kept at a distance as much as possible.

But romance blossoms in spite of Kristyn's parents, and Aladdin feels he must leave to seek his fortune. He feels this is the only way to be worthy of Kristyn. After becoming rich and successful, he comes to realize what his true wish really is.

I thought the author did a good job of creating a story for young adults. My only slight complaint was the repeated flashback scenes. I felt they were too long and too numerous, when I just wanted to know what happened next in the present story. Overall, a great read.

Aladdin is one of my favourite stories from the Arabian nights. I really enjoyed this take the author had for this story, not at all what I was expecting but thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless!

This book is a historical romance that is based on the fairy tale about Aladdin. I have read Ms. Dickerson’s books before, but none of her books based on fairy tales. This book was different than her Regency Spy series. The genre of this book is romance. The tale is about Aladdin and Kirstyn which begins during their childhood and continues to adulthood. Throughout the book, both characters reveal their faith in God and how they rely on Him through everything. The inspirational parts of the book is another reason I enjoy reading Ms. Dickerson. This book provides an interesting twist to the story of Aladdin if you enjoy the classic fairy tales. If you enjoy historical romance books, you will enjoy this book. I recommend you read this book.
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, I have purchased her books before.

I really love Dickerson's fairytale retellings. I did enjoy this fun fast paced retelling of Aladdin. I'm more than a little uncomfirtable that Aladdin - traditionally set in Persia - is here set in a Euro centric fantasy province with white orotagonists but that the name Aladdin has been kept. I am all for the fact that all myths and fairytales are shared resources for everyone to use but in this instance it does come across a bit like white washing. If the name Aladdin had been changed it might have been slightly better but tbh I think keeping it in a middle Eastern locale fantasy or otherwise with middle Eastern protagonists would have been better. I think this is going to offend certain groups.

Sweet fairytale romance… can an orphan Saracen win a Lady’s heart?

Aladdin is transplanted from his homeland to a European orphanage, where he becomes friends with the daughter of one of the orphanage’s patrons. Through their childhood friendship, Aladdin and the duke’s daughter become as brother and sister. Aladdin has a wonderful work ethic and works hard to earn a position of assistant steward. While Aladdin could become steward, he doesn’t want to remain a servant, and he doesn’t want to remain Lady Kirstyn’s friend; he wants to build his own fortune and offer for her hand.

Aladdin has a long way to go, journeying to another city with a man who becomes like a father to him. While many recognize his genius for turning businesses around and making an honest profit, others have more nefarious purposes, and Aladdin must battle efforts to discredit him.

Can Aladdin make his fortune and marry his Lady? Can she move beyond their friendship and desire him as a husband? There are perils in store for both, as evil people plot against them out of spite and jealousy. But if they can hold out, they may just have a future together.

Very sweet twist on Aladdin.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I enjoyed this tale about a young boy named Aladdin who was forced to steal at a young age and then he was caught by a priest and a knight who took him back to Germany with them to raise in the Christian faith.
Aladdin was happy living with the priest until he died and Aladdin was sent to live in an orphanage. Aladdin gets to know and become good friends with Kirsten, a young noble man’s daughter, who invites Aladdin to go on walks with her in the forest. One day, when he and Kirsten were in the forest when they saw a bear with her cub, and Aladdin threw himself in front of it and got bit and clawed in the leg. Kirsten grabbed a branch and hit the bear on the nose and head and she and her cub ran away from them. She helped to nurse Aladdin back to health and their friendship began to be closer.
Because she was the daughter of a Lord, Aladdin felt that he had to leave the town and go somewhere else to make his fortune and support Kirsten.
You will have to read the story for yourself to find out what tragic events happen to this young couple.