JUSTREAD TOUR: THE PEASANT'S DREAM by Melanie Dickerson

Hey everyone!  Today I have a review for Melanie Dickerson's latest book in the Hagenheim series, The Peasant's Dream, thanks to JustRead Tours!  I was super excited to be involved in this tour, since I've been a huge fan of her series from the start, and was sad to learn that this would be the last in the series.  But at any rate -- onward!

BLURB

In this reverse Cinderella story, a poor farmer's son, who dreams of using his talent as a woodcarver to make a better life for himself, falls in love with a duke's daughter and must fight for a chance to win her heart.  

Adela is the youngest daughter of Duke Wilhelm of Hagenheim and is never allowed outside the castle walls.  She loves her family, but she sneaks away one day to the market in the town center.  There she meets a handsome young man and wonders what it might be like to fall in love with a poor farmer with a kind heart instead of marrying the man her family is suggesting for her.  

Frederick earns the income for his family and defends his mother from his father's drunken rages.  He also uses his talent and creativity to carve figures, animals, and scenes into wood, and he's asked to carve these scenes into cathedral doors when his talent is noticed.  Frederick is inspired by the sweet and beautiful Adela, but he has no knowledge of her true identity.  When he gets swept up in a plan to kidnap the duke's daughter, both are shaken by what they learn about the other. 

With the heartbroken Adela resigned to an arranged marriage with her noble suitor, Frederick must decide what he's willing to risk for love.  

Purchase on AMAZON now!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Melanie Dickerson is a New York Times bestselling author and a Christy Award winner.  Her first book, The Healer's Apprentice, won the National Readers' Choice Award for Best First Book in 2010, and The Merchant's Daughter won the 2012 Carol Award.  Melanie spends her time daydreaming, researching the most fascinating historical time periods, and writing stories at her home near Huntsville, Alabama, where she gathers dandelion greens for her two adorable guinea pigs between writing and editing her happily ever afters.  Visit her online: 

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM 

MY REVIEW

It was interesting to read a reverse Cinderella retelling, especially about Adela's character.  I've been excited to read her eventual story ever since meeting her character early in the series.  I do have to say that I was surprised to read that it was written as a 'reverse Cinderella' - I kind of mistook it as a sort of "Prince and the Pauper" type when I started reading it, but there are definite Cinderella hints in there as well.  I also have to admit that I was more taken by Frederick's story than Adela's; certainly, both characters have interesting character arcs, but Frederick's side has higher stakes and you just want to root for him to be happy in life.  Adela almost seemed a bit flat -- repetitive in her reasoning and dialogue, which I was a little disappointed in, but I can't give the book a very low rating because I enjoyed it quite a bit nonetheless thanks to Frederick's story and its twists.  The story was vivid and well-paced as usual, and I also enjoyed reading about Frederick's mother.  Loved seeing how every little loose end was tied in a neat bow by the end of the novel -- I can't explain without spoiling, but if you read it, you'll see what I mean.  Overall, it's a good book and one that I would consider re-reading.