The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson

The Healer's Apprentice (Fairy Tale Romance, #1)

by Melanie Dickerson

A realistic, fast-paced reimagining of the Sleeping Beauty fairytale full of royalty, romance, and danger. This masterful combination of love and heartbreak—combined with the novel’s surprise ending—is everything fans of fantasy, historical, and medieval fiction yearn for.

Rose has been appointed as a healer’s apprentice at Hagenheim Castle, a rare opportunity for a woodcutter’s daughter like her. While she often feels uneasy at the sight of blood, Rose is determined to prove herself capable. Failure will mean returning home to marry the aging bachelor her mother has chosen for her—a bloated, disgusting merchant who makes Rose feel ill.

When Lord Hamlin, the future duke, is injured, it is Rose who must tend to him. As she works to heal his wound, she begins to understand emotions she’s never felt before and wonders if he feels the same.

But falling in love is forbidden, as Lord Hamlin is betrothed to a mysterious young woman in hiding. As Rose’s life spins toward confusion, she must take the first steps on a journey to discover her own destiny.

The Healer's Apprentice:

  • An award-winning historical romance—a creative retelling of the Sleeping Beauty fairytale—by author Melanie Dickerson
  • Perfect for readers ages 13-18 and adults who enjoy historical romances similar to Eva Ibbotson’s
  • A romantic, fast-paced read—sure to entrance fans of fairytale retellings

Reviewed by ladygrey on

3 of 5 stars

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This was a cute, sweet book. The writing was a bit simplistic which generally isn't bad until those moments where it's glaringly so. I liked the romance of it and the conflicted emotions from divided loyalties. The bad guy was definitely dangerous but not present enough for us to really be threatened by him.

I liked how it ended up, though. No matter how obvious it was (and it's a fairy tale retelling, obvious is to be expected).

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 7 December, 2011: Finished reading
  • 7 December, 2011: Reviewed