The Golden Braid - Hardcover

Dickerson, Melanie

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0718026268 ISBN 13: 9780718026264

Publisher: Thomas Nelson, 2015

Synopsis

From New York Times bestselling author comes The Golden Braid, a Rapunzel retelling that proves the one who needs rescuing isn’t always the one in the tower.

Rapunzel can throw a knife better than any man. She paints beautiful flowering vines on the walls of her plaster houses. She sings so sweetly she can coax even a beast to sleep. But there are two things she is afraid her mother might never allow her to do: learn to read and marry.

Fiercely devoted to Rapunzel, her mother is suspicious of every man who so much as looks at her daughter and warns her that no man can be trusted. After a young village farmer asks for Rapunzel’s hand in marriage, Mother decides to move them once again—this time, to the large city of Hagenheim.

The journey proves treacherous, and after being rescued by a knight—Sir Gerek—Rapunzel in turn rescues him farther down the road. As a result, Sir Gerek agrees to repay his debt to Rapunzel by teaching her to read. Could there be more to this knight than his arrogance and desire to marry for riches and position?

As Rapunzel acclimates to life in a new city, she uncovers a mystery that will forever change her life. In this Rapunzel story unlike any other, a world of secrets and treachery is about to be revealed after seventeen years of lies. How will Rapunzel finally take control of her own destiny? And who will prove faithful to a lowly peasant girl with no one to turn to?

“The Golden Braid is a delightful, page-turning retelling of the story of Rapunzel. Dickerson brings this familiar fairy tale to life with a fresh and unique plot that is full of complex characters, a sweet romance, and danger at every turn. Rapunzel’s search to understand her place in the medieval world is a timeless identity struggle that modern readers will relate to. Her growing courage and faith are inspirational and will have readers cheering her on and sad to see the story come to an end.” —Jody Hedlund, bestselling author of An Uncertain Choice

About this title

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 at MelanieDickerson.com; Facebook: MelanieDickersonBooks; Twitter: @MelanieAuthor.

 

From School Library Journal:

Gr 9 Up—Rapunzel and her "mother" are always on the move, but this time they have a specific destination, the city of Hagenheim. As they journey, they are attacked by strangers. But luck is on their side when Sir Gerek, loyal knight of Duke Wilhelm of Hagenheim, comes to their rescue. He is injured in the attack and forced to depend on Rapunzel and her mother to return him to the city. Rapunzel is intrigued by this handsome but boorish savior, even though her mother has warned her to never trust any man. Sir Gerek is equally captivated by Rapunzel's beauty, but his future plans are driven by a desire for wealth and status, something a peasant girl can never provide. Once in Hagenheim, Rapunzel secretly sets out to fulfill her lifelong dream of learning to read, which reestablishes a connection with Sir Gerek, who becomes her teacher. Rapunzel starts to question why Mother has always taught her to fear others, and she decides she must leave to pursue her destiny. As a servant to the royal family, Rapunzel soon begins to unravel family secrets. This retelling, set in the Holy Roman Empire in 1413, incorporates elements of romance, deceit, and revenge through a Christian fiction lens. VERDICT Fans of the author's previous works will adore this new tale.—Susan Harris, Ridgeway High School, TN

About this edition

• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 0718026268
• ISBN 13: 9780718026264
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 320