The Golden Braid Hardcover – November 17, 2015

For girls longing to be the protagonist, this offers the heroine who saves the knight. For romantics, this offers the knight who saves the heroine. A story rife with kidnapping, treachery, and sweet unsuspecting nobles, The Golden Braid is a fun read.More than once, the heroine asks, “Where is your Christian charity?” as she wrestles with her own fears, others’ reluctance to get involved, and the call of Christ to genuinely care.Shy peasants, arrogant nobles, and a single girl willing to risk all to chase her dream fill this medieval fairytale. Yes, some characters are traditional, and there’s always the bully. However, I became engaged in Rapunzel’s inner struggles as she sought her own path, separate from her controlling mother.It was my curiosity about what the mother would do that kept me reading. She forms an interesting, complicated character.One of the messages of this book is that every person has value and is worthy of respect. I felt stirred to caution my assumptions about people via my impressions. I liked that the author did not take a simple-minded approach to love all people and assume they were good, but her writing demonstrated how to compassionately give people room to show who they really are. With that said, she also modeled that our choices pack consequences.This is a fun read, as I said, flavored with spiritual reflections.

I wanted to read this book for the cover alone but the story is fantastic too! I love how the original fairytale is woven into this new story, as well as the twist in God's direction in this story. A fantastic read.

So I loved this book! Read it in one day! I adore Melanie Dickerson's medieval fairytale retellings, and should seriously think about collecting them all! ^_^ Anyway, The Golden Braid did not disappoint in any way. Another five-star rating for Melanie's sweet romances!This one is a retelling of Rapunzel, one of my favorite fairytales. Rapunzel is a nineteen-year-old young woman living with her rather reclusive stepmother. Though innocent and a bit naive, she's skilled at knife-throwing and other odd hobbies; but nevertheless, her mother warns her again and again not to trust people; especially not men. And she must not show anyone her long, golden-blonde hair. It's simply indecent.Devoted to the woman she calls 'mother' - who found her, abandoned, when she was just a baby - Rapunzel strives to please her, and turns away many a suitor.But then, on yet another journey to a new home, they meet a brave young knight, Sir Gerek. He, along with many secrets, are about to change Rapunzel's life forever.*Squeal* I just loved it! Fairytale retelling, adorable romance, wonderful heroine, heartfelt faith themes, exciting action ... eep! <3 I love it when I find a fairytale retelling like The Golden Braid. It keeps you smiling with lots of nods to the original tale, yet thrills you with spectacular additions and amazing characters, and pleases you with refreshing depth. Set in the medieval era (which is a favorite for me), Melanie Dickerson's stories need no magic. They are fairytale retellings at some of their best!Let me take a moment to talk about Rapunzel. She is such a likable heroine ... and sometimes that's hard to find in books these days. At first, she's a little nervous, and attached to her mother. But over the course of the story, she learns new strength and independence. (And she's epic at knife-throwing. *grins*) But she's also very sweet, compassionate, and sensitive. She's courageous and has an admirable inner strength; but the thought to be "as good as the men" or belittle men doesn't cross her mind. She's just ... wonderful. I think she kind of exudes that gentle and quiet spirit that the Bible talks about, while still being strong in the Lord! I hope I can be more like Rapunzel! ^_^ Also, I found it rather funny how she wished a certain young man would stay grumpy, because she didn't know how to deal with her feelings for him when he was being extra gallant and sweet. Hehe. Rapunzel's innocence is refreshing. Seeing her "young love" story is so gently sweet.Of course, this being part of the HAGENHEIM series (the 6th book), we see Rose and Lord Hamlin (from The Healer's Apprentice), and some of their children, including Margaretha (from The Princess Spy). Sir Gerek is one of Lord Hamlin's knights. I love the mysteries and everything, and how The Golden Braid is cleverly and closely tied in with the rest of the series. I guessed some things fairly early on, but that didn't lessen the thrill any! Also, The Golden Braid's story in intertwined with the story of The Princess Spy. Having recently read The Princess Spy, I was able to remember certain parts, and it was exciting to see it all from Rapunzel and Sir Gerek's perspective! What fun! This a lovely tale to be sure!The romance, as I mentioned above, is adorable. I recommend for about sixteen and up. It was just, so sweet and beautiful! *huggles book* I love Rapunzel. And I love Sir Gerek. And I love them together. *grins* They're perfect. <3 And their story is just so ... ahhh. You must read it for yourselves! Probably my favorite romance from Melanie Dickerson yet! And the faith of each of these characters ... the lessons they learn. The trust they show. The putting aside of their own feelings to serve the other. It really had depth! Beautiful! There were so many good lines in The Golden Braid. I should write some down and start quoting this book! *grins* But truly, there were some profound moments.That being said, I loved the faith aspect of The Golden Braid too!! I feel like these main characters really strived to know and love God, and His people! And to do what He would want them to do. They talked to Him, and trusted Him. There was uncommon respect and restraint in their love story that must come from a more godly outlook on romance. There was also a scene of miraculous spiritual intervention. All in all, the Christian part of The Golden Braid wasn't just a few preachy scenes added in ... it was a theme that enveloped the story. I really, really appreciate that.Ah. What else? I simply loved this tale. It combines my favorite story elements: Faith, Romance, Action and Adventure in two of my favorite genres: Fairytale Retelling and Medieval Historical. A lovely novel! I'm so very excited to read more!

Loved it!

Just like them because it was different

Rapunzel's mother has taught her to stay unnoticed and to regard men with suspicion, but Rapunzel finds herself trusting Sir Gerek, who saved her from bandits and is teaching her to read, while growing to fear her increasingly irrational mother.(Though reviews are inherently subjective, I prefer to provide some organization to my opinions through the use of a personal rubric. The following notes may contain spoilers.)Plot and Setting: 4 -- Plot has many unique elements and no major holes. I really enjoyed this take on the Rapunzel fairytale--lots of unique elements, but enough of the classic story, too. I was impressed with the tower of fear that Gothel created for Rapunzel, and was actually a tiny bit disappointed when the literal tower also appeared. Setting is clear and believable. Timeline is somewhat unclear. We get a starting point of about half a year since Michaelmas (so it's March), and then it gets hard to follow. There are 4 weeks of reading lessons, 6 weeks of Gerek's search, and 4 weeks from betrothal to wedding, but in between those specified chunks are days or weeks or whatever, and I really wasn’t sure how much time has passed by the end.Characters: 5 -- Relatable, realistic, interesting, dynamic characters. Lots of complex issues explored, and lots of growth for our main characters. Injustices and emotional injuries in Gothel's youth drove her a bit mad, and she did her best to pass on some of her skewed beliefs to Rapunzel--who is finally recognizing Gothel's issues. Gerek also had some traumatic emotional injuries, resulting in skewed goals and visions of himself, but his interactions with Rapunzel help him see how wrong he is. Even minor characters have depth, as do the relationships between characters. Some interesting interactions with Brother Andrew, Lady Rose, and others in Hagenheim.Mechanics and Writing: 5 -- Few, if any, typos or word errors. Intelligent use of POV (Rapunzel and Gerek). Skillful writing that adds to the story. A few slightly awkward phrases and minor continuity issues, but overall the writing is good. Interesting and clever how this book happens at the same time as The Princess Spy and covers some of the same events, but from a completely different angle. They are 2 independent stories, but they definitely compliment each other if you read them both.Redeeming Value: 5 -- Well-developed, central, uplifting themes. Gerek's rather classist opinions and strong ideas about what he's looking for in a wife are challenged, and he learns to trust himself and God. Rapunzel sets aside the fears Gothel taught her and learns to trust and forgive. She also delights in reading the Bible for the first time, and seeks to find her ultimate peace and protection from God. Sex, alcohol, violence, etc, are not glorified at all, though there are fights with usurpers and bandits, one of whom is quite eager to attack Rapunzel and ends up falling on her knife. And then there's Gothel, whose thoughts and actions are increasingly insane. But Gerek is scrupulously virtuous, and Rapunzel is very cautious around men.Personal Enjoyment: 4.5 -- I loved it. Highly enjoyable and very entertaining, with perhaps an issue or two that tempered my pleasure. One I'll definitely read again.

Fairytales and romance - great teen reading

Loved it so much. The characters are always so loveable and their interactions are wonderfully written. I love these books so much.

A little slow, and lacking in character and plot development

Wow. Awesome story

great