Book Review: The Princess Spy

Source

Review by Elinor and Marianne

Author: Melanie Dickerson

Title: The Princess Spy

Rating: 5/5

Age Recommendation: 12+

Plot: Lady Margaretha Gerstenberg has been of age to accept suitors for some time, but none of them seem worth leaving Hagenheim and her family. However, the newest one, Lord Claybrook, seems to be the most promising yet. But when a young, injured Englisher, Colin, arrives in Hagenheim, claiming that Lord Claybrook is a murderer, Margaretha attempts to discover the truth.

This book held our attention to the last page! There were so many plot twists and breakthroughs that were completely unexpected. There was never a dull moment. We loved that this book was exciting and romantic, but stayed focused on God.

Characters: We LOVE how Ms. Dickerson brings so many previous characters back (Valten!) and lets you see what happened to them after their happily-ever-after. The new characters in this book were just as easy to connect with as all of her previous ones have been. Margaretha seemed so real, and Colin was so sweet!

Emotions: The many emotions wrapped up in this book were described in a way that made you feel as though you were feeling them yourself. Although, the feelings weren't described in as much depth as we would have preferred, that may have been just because the book was so fast-paced.

Elinor's Thoughts: This book was simply amazing. Melanie Dickerson continues to please, and this book did not fall short in any way! This book stayed focused on God the entire time, and I really appreciated the character's standards in guarding their hearts. Margaretha was hilarious and just like my sister. Colin was so sweet and is somebody that I would make an amazing friend.

I think my favorite thing about this book was the suspense. I wouldn't go so far to say that it was Ms. Dickerson's most suspenseful (The Fairest Beauty and The Captive Maiden were both pretty suspenseful), but it really kept us on the edge of our seats. Thank you Ms. Dickerson for writing such beautiful, romantic, exciting, and God-honoring novels for young women!

Marianne's Thoughts: Ok, guys... I have been a BIG fan of Melanie Dickerson for a long time, and so I had really high expectations for this book. Let me just say... it did not disappoint me one bit! I enjoyed this book so, so much it was ridiculous! I love it when a romance is unique and fresh enough that it keeps you turning pages. I love it when I don't even realize how much of it I have read and I look down and have already zoomed through half of it. I love the feeling (however twisted this sounds) of seeing only a few pages left and thinking "that's not enough for everything that needs to happen", but deep down knowing that everything will turn out fine, because after all, it is a Melanie Dickerson novel, right?

    I have to be honest, one of the reasons I enjoyed The Princess Spy so much is because Margaretha reminded me so much of myself. And one of the reasons she reminded me so much of myself is because she is insanely talkative and really hopes that it's her worst fault. Like Margaretha, I can chatter on annoyingly about something without even realizing it. I talk even more when I'm nervous or stressed out and I kind of stop talking when I'm sad or mad about something. While reading the book I related with her so much that I felt almost as if I was Margaretha. That's another reason I why enjoy Dickerson's books so much, she writes it in such an understandable and easy-to-relate way. I also really loved that we finally got to see some more of the Le Wyse family again! Don't get me wrong I adore the Gerstenbergs, but I did wonder about the Le Wyse's from time to time. I loved seeing past characters or children or grandchildren of past characters.

   So at this point, you can probably tell I enjoyed this novel quite extensively. There is, however, one con in The Princess Spy. In a section of their journey, Margaretha and Colin are traveling alone. They sleep alone in the same vicinity. Of course they always slept with the fire between them, and nothing inappropriate occurred, but it did make me the slightest bit uncomfortable. Like, if he hadn't been a good dude, he could have easily taken advantage of her because she was kind of stuck alone in the dark in the woods with him. But aside from that, this book was the bomb and I would highly recommend it! If you are a fan of Medieval Romance, this is right up your alley! If you are a fan of even just Christian Fiction in general I would tell you to read this and all of Dickerson's other books, they are all so worth it!
(I do apologize for the length of my thoughts... I just had a lot to say about this book! And I didn't even get started on Colin! :) Any dude who can say "My life is more cheerful when you're talking to me" steals my heart like that!)