The Golden Braid Melanie Dickerson

I believe this was my first book by Melanie Dickerson, and she's a great writer! I thought this sweet retelling of Rapunzel was very magical and well done, with an inspirational message that I didn't find to be overly preachy. It's full of action and adventure, some German history, and will delight readers who enjoyed watching Tangled.

When I first got this, I was super excited about the book. But unfortunately, I'm no longer interested in reading it at this point and I don't want to hold onto it any longer.

Thanks for the arc, I realized I didn't review this one at the time. Won't be leaving a social media review now per didn't finish.

Originally posted on Creative Madness Mama. 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 always know I will enjoy Melanie Dickerson's books!
It was no surprise to me to discover vast enjoyment during my time reading Rapunzel's story in The Golden Braid. As a matter of fact reading this story brought a lot of the other Fairy Tale Retelling Romance stories and Hagenheim family tales together. While the story stands alone, it is a wonderful glimpse in seeing the lives of other characters I have come to appreciate and adore as they have changed and adapted after their own adventure and bouts with romance.

Thomas Nelson did an awesome job with the packaging of this book. As my copy is a jacketed hardcover. It is a beautiful cover and worthy of the writing within. The covers for Melanie's books are getting better and better. Christian Historical Fiction is my favorite genre, but I think it is safe to say that I absolutely love the genre of fairy tale retellings. Especially right now as a I have a princess-obsessed four-year-old daughter at home - seeing me reading such books has her now wanting to read to know what is happening in this adventure. !!

I'd recommend this read to anyone and definitely plan to hang on to it for my own girls to read one day. For now, we will read, Rapunzel by Sarah Gibb and other picture book varieties.

This one is a Rapunzel retelling and it was also the first Rapunzel retelling that I actually liked outside of the Disney movie. It was never really a fairy tale that I understood.

BOOK REVIEW⠀
BOOK: The Golden Braid
AUTHOR: Melanie Dickerson
@melaniedickerson123

I actually read this book a few years ago, but for some reason the review never posted. So I am redoing it now. First, this book has religious overtones, which is unexpected. I am not against it but I fully expected more of a Rapunzel fantasy twist storyline.

That being said, the story is very clever. There is romance, and intrigue. But honestly, I really wanted more from the characters. I felt like there wasn’t a lot to really give it the complexity it deserves.

Short Synopsis (from Goodreads):
The one who needs rescuing isn’t always the one in the tower.

Rapunzel can throw a knife better than any man around. And her skills as an artist rival those of any artist she’s met. But for a woman in medieval times, the one skill she most desires is the hardest one to obtain: the ability to read.

After yet another young man asks for Rapunzel’s hand in marriage, Mother decides they need to move once again, but this time to a larger city. Rapunzel’s heart soars—surely there she can fulfill her dream. But Mother won’t let her close to a man. She claims that no man can be trusted.

After being rescued by a knight on the road to the city, and in turn rescuing him farther down the road, Rapunzel’s opportunity arrives at last. This knight, Sir Gerek, agrees to educate Rapunzel in order to pay back his debt. She just has to put up with his arrogant nature and single-minded focus on riches and prestige.

But this Rapunzel story is unlike any other and the mystery that she uncovers will change everything—except her happily ever after.
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I received this book for review purposes from NetGalley. ⠀

The emotionally powerful retelling of Rapunzel and the tangle of lies we are led to believe.

3.5 stars.

Rapunzel's Mother teaches her daughter not to trust men and be cautious as they will only use and abuse her. This is a right education, right? But there is no peace in Mother and her love is controlling.
Might her education be as wrong as her hate is?

Sir Gerek wishes to marry a rich woman, ideally a widow. Certainly not a peasant girl, even if she is as beautiful as Rapunzel. And he can not certainly marry of love - after all, he has inherited his father's vicious character, right?
Wrong, of course.

This is an interesting retelling of Rapunzel's story. The author is very skilled writer and the emotions and movements of the heart described I consider being the best part of the story. The fascinating psychology of the ill-minded Mother is truly a great accomplishment. One is able to pity her even amidst all her wrongdoings because she is just believable, however strange this sounds. Believable are alsi Rapunzel's doubts about her mother - she has raised her and the girl loves her, but the control Mother wishes to have over her life is just too scary. Praise-worthy element, truly. As are sir Gerek's doubts and fights.

But the book is also prolonged and there are some mistakes in the plot's logic.

But still, a commendable effort and a nice portion of food for thought amidst all the fighting and loving issues!

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review. Unfortunately I am unable to give you a proper review. I apologize for the inconvenience.

Award-winning author Melanie Dickerson continues her medieval retelling of fairy tales, this time using the story of Rapunzel.
In The Golden Braid, 17-year-old Rapunzel lives with her mother Gothel in medieval Hagenheim. Rapunzel dreams of learning to read and marrying one day–dreams Gothel continues to prevent from happening. Every time Gothel sees a young man interested in Rapunzel, Gothel packs up their belongings and they move to another place.
Gothel works as a midwife while Rapunzel stays at home, painting floral scenes on the wall and practicing her knife throwing. In her effort to “protect” her daughter, Gothel isolates her from the real world. When they are attacked on their way to another village, a knight–Sir Gerek–rescues them. In turn, Rapunzel rescues him with her knife-throwing skills down the road. Gerek rewards her by agreeing to teach her secretly to read.
As she studies the Scriptures, Rapunzel begins to question things in her life, like why Gothel wants her to be suspicious of men. Rapunzel uncovers a family secret that will change the direction of her life. Unlike other versions of this story, there are no magic or evil powers, merely a woman twisted by the past who twists the future of a young woman.
As in her earlier books, the faith element is clearly evident yet not preachy. Dickerson’s tales feature wholesome relationships while still building a strong attraction between the main characters, making this a good choice for teen readers. Dickerson is a masterful storyteller with a carefully crafted plot, richly-drawn characters, and detailed setting. The reader is easily pulled into the story.

*I never got around to reading and reviewing this book. I may do so in the future*