The Golden Braid {by Melanie Dickerson}

Title: The Golden Braid

Author: Melanie Dickerson

Series: Hagenheim #6

Genre: YA Retelling, Christian Romance

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

source: publisher

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.

I love Melanie Dickerson's fairytale retellings, so I was super excited when I saw that her newest one was one of my favorite fairytales ever, Rapunzel. Unfortunately, I didn't think this one lived up quite as much as her others, but I still enjoyed it.

Rapunzel lives with her mother, who has never let her get close to anyone else, especially a man. Rapunzel is old enough to be married, but if a man even shows her interest, her mother moves them to another city. But Rapunzel has had it. She's tired of moving, of not having friends. But most of all, she wants to learn to read. She finally gets her chance after saving the life of a knight, who agrees to teach her as a way to repay his debt.

While you don't have to read any of her others to read this one, it is very connected to the others. In fact, it's the other side of the story of what happened in The Princess Frog, after Margaretha and Colin left the castle. It as fun to see some of our favorite characters again.

While I did like both Rapunzel and Gerek, I still felt something lacking. They weren't quite as developed, even though they had the potential to be great characters. I thought the plot line was well done, with everything that happened with Gothel, and Rapunzel finding out the truth. I also didn't think this was as sappy insta-lovey as some of her stories. Rapunzel and Gerek had time to get to know each other, and in fact didn't even like each other in the beginning.

All in all, this was a cute, interesting take on the Rapunzel story. I enjoyed it, although I expected a little more. But I will still definitely be looking forward to more stories from Dickerson.

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