Author: Melanie Dickerson
Series: Hagenheim #10
Age: Young Adult
Genres: Fantasy, Fairy Tale Retelling, Historical Fiction
Expected Publication Date: December 3, 2019
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Source: ARC Provided
Purchase: Hardcover | Kindle | Audible | Christian Book
Synopsis:
A plague of rats. A giant beast outside the village walls. A host of missing children. And one young woman determined to save her people.
In 1424 Hamlin, Katerina faces threats from all sides. An outbreak of rats has overtaken the village, a mysterious beast is on a killing rampage of the village’s children, and her evil stepfather is a dark presence inside the walls of her own home. Katerina is determined to hunt and kill the Beast of Hamlin herself before more lives are lost.
When Steffan, the handsome but brash duke’s son, comes to town seeking glory and reward, Katerina decides he might be the ally she’s been looking for—even though the sweet music he plays on his pipe seems the only gentle thing about him. But there’s more to Steffan than she suspects, and she finds drawn to him despite her misgivings.
Can Katerina and Steffan stop the enemy from stealing every child of Hamlin? Or will their interference create a worse fate for them all? Melanie Dickerson delivers another exciting fairy tale journey of intrigue and romance in this reimagining of the classic Pied Piper story.
Favorite Quotes:
"It seemed good deeds and money seldom went hand in hand." - Steffan
"You must accept God's forgiveness even as the thief on the cross accepted our Lord's forgiveness as he hung there, and stop carrying your weight of guilt. Your guilt feelings are not serving any good purpose." - The priest
"Do not worry about being worthy. If you love the maiden, and if you submit to God and ask Him to make you worthy, then you will be worthy. Only God can make a man worthy, after all. You have a good heart. You just need to trust." - The priest.
This was such an interesting read! I personally never read the original story of the Pied Piper -- I only know a little bit about it and definitely plan to read it after having read this amazingly written re-imagining. Melanie Dickerson is such an awesome writer. The way she weaves in the word of God in her books is simply amazing.
This story follows Katerina in Hamlin during the time that they are suffering from three horrifying things: 1) an outbreak of rats, 2) a mysterious beasts that attacks the people and 3) missing children. Katerina is not your typical "princess" as she is headstrong, hunts and fights back against evil. She does not bite her tongue for anyone. I love how much she cared for the people in her town. She was a very prideful character and cut off all men. She seemed very mean at first, but as the story went on and her story was revealed things began to make sense. I enjoyed her snarky remarks as well. She was amazing -- almost as "loud" as Mulan.
Steffan is also featured in the this story. He's the brother of Wolfgang from The Warrior Maiden. I didn't care for him much in that book, but this book is definitely his redemption. I adored him in this book. He is a very sweet guy that protects those he loves. He doesn't let women and children fend for themselves, he helps them whenever and however he can. He doesn't flaunt his power and authority, but he can be stuck up about his looks. Seeing more of his heart in this book made me really come to like him. That reunion with his parents towards the end was amazing.
The romance was everything! Slow-burn, angst and comical. You could see they were both attracted to one another immediately but it was more of Steffan chasing Katerina and her pushing him away. I adored their banter with one another. I enjoyed seeing them work together. They were the cutest thing ever...my second fav couple after Wolfgang and Mulan.
I could not stand the Hennek -- he annoyed me. He was an evil twisted man that treated those beneath him like trash. He was a horrible mayor, despicable man as a father and husband. He was simple pure evil. So concerned with money and wealth and not the hearts of the people. His idea of godly was so wrong. As for Hans, I was disappointed and hurt by his mindset and actions towards the end of the story. What he did was completely unforgivable, but he got what he deserved!
The whole outbreak with the rats was connected to the missing children. The whole beast situation shocked me when things are revealed about the beast and the "owner" -- I was just shocked the whole story and cracked up a lot from the silliness of Steffan and Katerina.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next installment to this series.
About the Author
Melanie Dickerson is the New York Times bestselling author who combines her love for history, adventure, and romance. Her books have won a Christy Award, two Maggie Awards, The National Reader’s Choice Award, the Christian Retailing’s Best Award, the Book Buyer’s Best Award, the Golden Quill, and the Carol Award. She earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from The University of Alabama and has taught children and adults in the U.S., Germany, and Ukraine. Now she spends her time writing stories of love and adventure near Huntsville, Alabama.
Giveaway
Prize: 1 finished copy of The Piper’s Pursuit by Melanie Dickerson (USA)
Starts: 11/18/19
Ends: 11/28/19
Thank you to Fantastic Flying Book Club for having me on this tour!
This story follows Katerina in Hamlin during the time that they are suffering from three horrifying things: 1) an outbreak of rats, 2) a mysterious beasts that attacks the people and 3) missing children. Katerina is not your typical "princess" as she is headstrong, hunts and fights back against evil. She does not bite her tongue for anyone. I love how much she cared for the people in her town. She was a very prideful character and cut off all men. She seemed very mean at first, but as the story went on and her story was revealed things began to make sense. I enjoyed her snarky remarks as well. She was amazing -- almost as "loud" as Mulan.
Steffan is also featured in the this story. He's the brother of Wolfgang from The Warrior Maiden. I didn't care for him much in that book, but this book is definitely his redemption. I adored him in this book. He is a very sweet guy that protects those he loves. He doesn't let women and children fend for themselves, he helps them whenever and however he can. He doesn't flaunt his power and authority, but he can be stuck up about his looks. Seeing more of his heart in this book made me really come to like him. That reunion with his parents towards the end was amazing.
The romance was everything! Slow-burn, angst and comical. You could see they were both attracted to one another immediately but it was more of Steffan chasing Katerina and her pushing him away. I adored their banter with one another. I enjoyed seeing them work together. They were the cutest thing ever...my second fav couple after Wolfgang and Mulan.
I could not stand the Hennek -- he annoyed me. He was an evil twisted man that treated those beneath him like trash. He was a horrible mayor, despicable man as a father and husband. He was simple pure evil. So concerned with money and wealth and not the hearts of the people. His idea of godly was so wrong. As for Hans, I was disappointed and hurt by his mindset and actions towards the end of the story. What he did was completely unforgivable, but he got what he deserved!
The whole outbreak with the rats was connected to the missing children. The whole beast situation shocked me when things are revealed about the beast and the "owner" -- I was just shocked the whole story and cracked up a lot from the silliness of Steffan and Katerina.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next installment to this series.
About the Author
Giveaway
Prize: 1 finished copy of The Piper’s Pursuit by Melanie Dickerson (USA)
Starts: 11/18/19
Ends: 11/28/19
Thank you to Fantastic Flying Book Club for having me on this tour!
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