Castle of Refuge

 Title: Castle of Refuge

Series: Dericott Tales #2

Author: Melanie Dickerson

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Genre: Fairy Tale Retelling/Christian Fiction/Romance 

My Review:

"Audrey hid behind a tree and watched a knight and his squire riding down the lane." From the first line to the last, Castle of Refuge captivated me. It is Gripping. Compelling. Powerful.  And faith is as natural as breathing.

"That was what Audrey wished for her life to be-a burst of light. An intense color."

Audrey is the viscount's daughter, and as such, high expectations are put upon her. But when her sister Maris acts maliciously against her, scarring her, her father gives up the ideals of a good marriage for her. Audrey makes the best of the situation and always has a positive outlook, and a healthy fear of her sister. Audrey shows great courage and resilience, including a desire to do something extraordinary.

"Love had always seemed to be the highest ideal, a noble goal, since the opposite of love was what caused so much evil in life."

Maris is also the viscount's daughter. However, due to the cruelty from a nurse when she is younger, she is vengeful and mad. She takes great pleasure in seeing others suffer. When her father sends her to a convent it incenses her more. Once she is released from the convent she sets out to ruin any chance of Audrey having happiness.

"She was only a girl, not worthy of respect."

Lord Edwin Dericott has scars of his own.  Edwin is a good man who never intended to be "Lord" so young. He is one of the good guys, always tries to do the right thing, and willing to fight for what he believes in. He is intrigued by Audrey from the moment she enters his castle.

"Edwin was being defended. From a badger. By a girl."

This is my first book by Melanie Dickerson and it will not be my last. I have resisted reading anything by her because I was not sure that I would enjoy a fairy tale retelling, it's never been my thing. But, I read this book and I want so much more!!! While it is the second book in the series I do not feel that I missed anything (although I probably did!), so I feel it can be read as a stand-alone. Fans of fairy tale retellings, Melanie Dickerson, and historical fiction will enjoy this book. 

Thank you to Net Galley, Thomas Nelson, and the author for the opportunity to read this book. I was not expected to give a glowing review, but am happy to do so. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

★★★★/5

Synopsis:

In this Ugly Duckling retelling, New York Times bestselling author Melanie Dickerson brilliantly crafts a high-stakes, encouraging tale about the power of love.

Audrey is a viscount’s daughter who has suffered her sister Maris’s cruel, jealous behavior all her life. An act of malice led their father to send Maris to a convent, but Audrey was still left with scars. Three years later, Audrey’s father is determined to marry off his damaged daughter, and Maris is returning. Desperate, Audrey sneaks away.

However, life outside her home is dangerous, and she soon finds herself attacked, injured, and in dire straits. She is taken in at Dericott Castle to be nursed back to health. While there, she decides to keep her identity a secret and work as a servant in the castle. But she doesn’t count on falling in love with the young and handsome Lord Dericott, who lost his arm several months earlier.

Meanwhile, Edwin—Lord Dericott—is curious about the new, well-educated servant’s identity. When the man Audrey’s father wanted her to marry comes looking for her, each must make a life-changing decision about what to believe and whether or not love is truly worth trusting.

In this Ugly Duckling retelling, New York Times bestselling author Melanie Dickerson brilliantly crafts a high-stakes, encouraging tale about the power of love.