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THE PRINCESS SPY by Melanie Dickerson

THE PRINCESS SPY

From the Hagenheim series, volume 5

by Melanie Dickerson

Pub Date: Nov. 1st, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-310-73098-9
Publisher: Zondervan

Lady Margaretha proves her mettle and her worth to the lord of her dreams in this romance set in Western Europe in 1413.

Despite a title and cover art screaming, “Read me, girls!” the prologue seems determined to lure in some male readers, as Colin witnesses the death of his friend John and reflects that he pressed John into a shared journey of vengeance against “the man who had murdered Philippa. But the heinous deed had filled Colin with outraged justice. Philippa had been his sister’s closest friend and had not deserved such a fate.” After Colin is beaten severely and left for dead, the story moves on to 18-year-old Margaretha, whose sole fault is being too talkative. She is currently being wooed by the foppish Lord Claybrook. Is he merely boring, or do his ridiculous garments hide the heart of a blackguard? The story is not intentionally tongue-in-cheek, but readers need make no effort in order to distinguish “good” characters from “bad” or noble-born physical appearances from lower-born. There is one chance for reflection, in a passage about the difference between vengeance and justice. Otherwise, there are pages of action scenes, wild plot twists and juicy almost-kissing moments, increasingly interjected with oddly post-Reformation prayers from Colin and Margaretha. Intentional humor does appear when Margaretha shows surprising fighting skill with ordinary household objects.

Light reading for those who like romantic medieval romps and who enjoy or easily tolerate Christian prayers and references.

(Historical fiction. 12-16)