cherryblossommj
Written on Dec 14, 2016
In this thrilling, gender-swapped Robin Hood reimagining, a beautiful maiden poaches to feed the poor while a handsome forester is on a mission to catch her. A medieval historical romance from New York Times bestselling author Melanie Dickerson.
The margrave owns the finest hunting grounds for miles around--and Odette Menkels spends her nights poaching his deer to feed the hungry orphans of Thornbeck. By day, Odette is a simple maiden who teaches children to read, but by night this young beauty has become the secret lifeline to the poorest of the poor.
For Jorgen Hartman, the margrave's forester, tracking down a poacher is a duty he is all too willing to perform. Jorgen inherited his post from the man who raised him . . . a man who was murdered at the hands of a poacher.
When Jorgen and Odette meet at the Midsummer festival and share a connection during a dance, neither has any idea they are already adversaries.
The one man she wants is bound by duty to capture her; the one woman he loves is his cunning target . . . What becomes of a forester who protects a notorious poacher? What becomes of a poacher when she is finally discovered?
Join Jorgen and Odette on their thrilling adventure in The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest! This reimagining of Robin Hood is filled with danger, romance, and unexpected twists. With low-spice romance, this book is perfect for those who want a captivating read without explicit content. Don't miss out on this exciting tale of love and duty.
Praise for The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest:
"The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest reminds me of why adults should read fairy tales. Author Melanie Dickerson shoots straight to the heart with a cast of compelling characters, an enchanting story world, and romance and suspense in spades. Reaching The End was regrettable--but oh, what an ending!" --Laura Frantz, bestselling author of The Lacemaker
"Melanie Dickerson does it again! Full of danger, intrigue, and romance, this beautifully crafted story will transport you to another place and time." --Sarah E. Ladd, bestselling author of The Governess of Penwythe Hall
"Melanie Dickerson's The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest is a lovely, romantic read set during one of the most fascinating time periods. Featuring a feisty, big-hearted heroine and a hero to root for, this sweet medieval tale is wrapped in a beautiful journey of faith that had me flipping pages well after my bedtime. Delightful!" --Tamara Leigh, USA TODAY bestselling author of Baron of Godsmere
"Melanie Dickerson weaves a tantalizing Robin Hood plot in a medieval setting in The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest. She pits a brave heroine with unique talents against a strong, gentle hero whose occupation makes it dangerous to know him. Add the moral dilemma and this tale makes a compelling read for any age." --Ruth Axtell, author of She Shall Be Praised and The Rogue's Redemption
"For stories laden with relatable heroines, romantically adventurous plots, once-upon-a-time settings, and engaging writing, Melanie Dickerson is your go-to author. Her books are on my never-to-be-missed list." --Kim Vogel Sawyer, author of When Mercy Rains
- ISBN10 0718026241
- ISBN13 9780718026240
- Publish Date 4 July 2015 (first published 12 May 2015)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Thomas Nelson Publishers
- Format Paperback
- Pages 320
- Language English
Reviews
Joséphine
Written on Jul 1, 2016
Initial thoughts: I'm surprised I liked this as much as I did. There was so much talk of marriage, for most books I would've gotten tired of it after 5 chapters. Here it was so integral to their culture though, that it was interwoven with a multitude of other considerations, so I didn't mind too much. I liked how the plot unfolded in stages, allowing for secrets and twists to be drawn out. However, the medieval setting wasn't all too evident. There was little description of how readers are to imagine the living conditions or the layout of Thornbeck Forest. Also, the expansiveness of her hunts should've been enough to feed several towns, yet she burdened herself to hunt every night to feed the poor. Furthermore, she came from a rich household that could afford to donate, so that premise didn't even make much sense.
Artemis
Written on Mar 2, 2016
To start off I had no idea this was a romance novel. I really should have done more research, especially since the person who told me to read this loves romance novels. She pitched this to me as Swan Lake meets Robin Hood, set in 1300s Germany. I wish I had read the blurb before I started this.
The writing wasn’t bad. The plot moved fairly swiftly but it was your typical historical romance novel with a good dose of Christian preaching. Granted the religious overtones weren’t super present throughout, it did seem like a bit of an “after-the-fact” toss in. If you enjoy historical romance and retellings, then you will probably enjoy this book more than I did. It was a quick read (about 260 pages according to my iPad), and the characters are easy to understand.
The so called “twist” wasn’t really a twist at all, mostly because it was so underdeveloped. I felt like the story suffered because of the romance focus. I wanted more on the poacher that tried to kill Jorgen’s father – I mean he had similar arrows as Odette! Literally the only information we get about that mystery. The “bad guys” were really underdeveloped.
Two stars because I felt the writing was strong, and I liked the historical setting. But the characters were weak and that took a lot out of this for me. The relationships were absolutely cliche and at times really forced. Nothing felt real about Jorgen and Odette’s “love”.