Loved the cover and thought the prose was very beautiful. The plot was sweet and a very fun and romantic retelling of Snow White. I would definitely read more of the series.

Could it be true? Could Sophie be the daughter of a Duke? All Sophie has ever known is life as a servant girl and the hatred of the Duchess. Escaping from the castle is the only way that Sophie can imagine to find happiness, but the Duchess has eyes everywhere and escaping seems impossible. That is until Gabe shows up, claiming to be a traveller although he has quite the story for Sophie. The truth of who she is, that she is betrothed to his brother and that he can take her to a place where she can be happy.

Now Gabe and Sophie are on the run with the Duchess close behind, Sophie and Gabe are getting closer and Sophie must learn to accept who she is in God and that the things the Duchess has said about her in the past are not true.

Fairest Beauty is a beautiful retelling of Snow White, Dickerson has a way of rewriting fairy tales that we have known for years in a new and fresh way. The character Sophie struggles with issues that each of us has dealt with, from being alone to discovering who you are in God’s eyes, she fights to push away the thoughts and negativity that she has heard all of her life.

Melanie Dickerson has done an amazing job with her third fairy tale and I cannot wait to see more in the future.

-Elle

I received this book complimentary from Zondervan via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Award-winning Melanie Dickerson pens her third young adult novel loosely based on the story of Snow White.

In The Fairest Beauty, Duchess Ermengard fakes the death of her stepdaughter Sophie, driving her husband, Duke Baldewin, to disappear in despair. For over fifteen years, she convinces everyone the scullery maid Sophie she torments, is only an orphan girl. Even Sophie is unaware of her true identity. A former nurse, the only one left with knowledge of the deception, fakes her own death and travels to Sophie’s betrothed. But Valten is laid up with a broken leg and unable to come. His impulsive younger brother, Gabe, decides to rescue Sophie on his own.

He tells Sophie of her true identity, and convinces Sophie to escape with him because her life is in danger. When Gabe is severely injured by pursuing guards, they take refuge in the Cottage of the Seven. While he recuperates, Sophie and Gabe discover they are falling in love, but they are both betrothed to others. News reaches Gabe that Sophie’s father is not dead but alive, and he leaves to find out the truth. While he is away, the Duchess, in the guise of an old woman, visits Sophie in the Cottage of Seven with the intent of killing her.

Like her earlier books, the faith element is clearly evident. Sophie prays for her stepmother instead of hating her. Both Gabe and Sophie struggle with past hurts needing God’s healing. They also struggle to seek God’s will and act honorably with others.

Dickerson is a masterful storyteller with a carefully crafted plot, richly drawn characters, and detailed medieval setting. The reader is pulled into the story, forgetting it is based on a familiar tale. All of her books are a delightful retelling, but this one is her best so far!

The Fairest Beauty
By Melanie Dickerson

Hidden away by lies, deceptions and a jealous step-mother, Sophie lives as a scullery maid in the very castle she should be mistress of. Presumed dead since she was 2 years of age the truth of who Sophie is has been hidden away from everyone. But two servants within the castle's walls know the truth!

Pinnosa is traveling to Hagenheim Castle and Duke Wilhelm hoping that she can live long enough to save Sophie from the death that Duchess Ermengard is planning for her. With her last breath she is able to tell Duke Wilhelm and his youngest son Gabe about Sophie and her danger.

Years ago Sophie was betrothed to Valten, Duke Wilhelm's oldest son. But Valten is unable to rescue the young woman who is to become his bride as he has broken his leg and unable to even walk at present.

Gabe, is headstrong and unwilling to wait until Valten is healed, as he has a feeling that makes him determined to discover the truth about Sophie and rescue her.

Duchess Ermengard enraged that Sophie has taken food to Roslind in the dungeon and has saved 5 puppies that she had ordered drowned has the young scullery maid thrown into the dungeon. While Sophie sits in the dungeon, her step-mother orders her huntsman Lorencz to befriend and then kill Sophie when she is released.

When Gabe discovers the young woman who is Sophie he is further drawn to her and wants to protect her. When Gabe makes a mistake Ermangard is enraged and his life as well as Sophie's are in even greater danger. As Gabe makes his escape to rescue Sophie, the words of kindly Petra ring in his ear, Ask for Dominyk the Wise and to take refuge at the Cottage of the Seven.


When Gabe locates Sophie they head north towards Hagenheim Castle. But less than a day into their seven day journey they are being pursued by Ermangard's archers. Though he is determined to bring Sophie home to his brother, Gabe's heart betrays him when Sophie begins to touch his heart in ways he never though she could. But does Sophie feel the same or is she pleased with her betrothal to his brother? And if she does have feelings for him, how can they break two betrothals and not incur the king's wrath?

When an arrow finds a mark can the two of them make their way to the safety promised at the Cottage of the Seven? Or will Ermengard destroy them both before the truth of who Sophie is be made known?

The Fairest Beauty is a thoroughly delightful retelling of Snow White that is Biblical based. Melanie Dickerson has created another beautiful story that you want to read again and again!

I was provided a digital loan of this title by the publisher for the purpose of this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I didn't get a chance to read this before it expired on my nook. I'm sorry! I did purchase this and hope to eventually read it!