The Fairest Beauty

"A Daring Rescue.

A Difficult Choice."

Bookworm's Ranking - 3.5 Worms

Storyline - Sophie has always lived a simple but tortured life, working as a scullery maid, for Duchess Ermengarde. When a strange young man, Gabe, arrives, telling her she is truly the dead Duke's daughter and betrothed to his older brother, she can't help but want to believe it. But the Duchess has plans for Sophie's death. Soon, Sophie and Gabe are on the run and hiding at the Cottage of the Seven. As they hide, they can't help but fall in love with each other. Can Sophie and Gabe find a way to be together despite her being promised to another? Can they both find the plans God has for them?

Author - Melanie Dickerson

Publisher - Zondervan

Age Group - 15 and up

Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Sophie is kind and giving and is learning to trust after being betrayed and lied to all her life. Gabe is rebellious but an event in his past that causes him guilt which contributes. He is also learning to be responsible and learning what his actions cost him. Both are going against their betrothals. Duchess Ermengarde is just a bit creepy, wanting to kill Sophie and happy about the idea of her dying. The Seven are open but one doesn't mind facing the issue at hand and trying to have Sophie and Gabe see it the problems of their relationship.

Personal Opinion - The Fairest Beauty was a story of love, adventure, and overcoming obstacles. The action scenes were really good and exciting. Sophie was sweet and helped others however she could and Gabe's rebelliousness reminded me of Han Solo in the original Star Wars film. I also liked how each of the Seven had a distinct thing about him that made him easy to remember and spot. But there were a couple of things I was not very fond of. Gabe was very rebellious in the beginning but then had a quick change of heart, almost too quick for me but I think it would have been a bit more believable if some information about his past had been hinted at earlier. I had also thought there would be more information on the personal stories of the Seven but there wasn't much of that. Most of the time, Sophie or Gabe was wondering about their feelings or how they were going to be together which was fine but I felt it happened a little too much (then again, it might just be my action side talking). All in all, The Fairest Beauty was good but not my favorite. If someone really wants to read it, they should because they might really like it.

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Special Notes - The Healer's Apprentice - Review
                         The Merchant's Daughter - Review

Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the publisher.

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