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Book Description
From New York Times bestselling author Melanie Dickerson comes a fresh reimagining of the classic Mulan tale.
“When it comes to happily-ever-afters, Melanie Dickerson is the undisputed queen of fairy-tale romance, and all I can say is—long live the queen!” —Julie Lessman, award-winning author
She knew a woman was expected to marry, cook, and have children, not go to war. Can she manage to stay alive, save her mother, and keep the handsome son of a duke from discovering her secret?
When Mulan decides to take her father’s place in battle against the besieging Teutonic Knights, she realizes she has been preparing for this moment her whole life—and that her life, and her mother’s, depends on her success. As the adopted daughter of poor parents, she has little power in the world. If she can’t prove herself on the battlefield, she could face death—or, perhaps worse, marriage to the village butcher.
In her disguise as a young man, Mulan meets Wolfgang, the German duke’s son who is determined to save his people even if it means fighting against his own brother. Wolfgang is exasperated by the young soldier who seems to be one step away from disaster at all times—or showing Wolfgang up in embarrassing ways.
From rivals to reluctant friends, Mulan and Wolfgang begin to share secrets with one another. But war is an uncertain time and dreams can die as quickly as they are born. When Mulan receives word of danger back home, she must make the ultimate choice. Could she be the son her bitter father never had? Or would she become the strong young woman she has been created to be?
This fresh reimagining of the classic tale takes us to fifteenth-century Lithuania where both love and war challenge the strongest of hearts.
My Thoughts:
Melanie Dickerson books tend to be a hit or miss with me, but I am pleased to say that this one was most certainly a hit! I figured it would be, I love Mulan and even if this story didn't have Mushu, I still enjoyed it so much!
The characters were great. Wolfgang was awesome. He was a tough and fearless warrior, but don't let that fool you. Wolf was just a soft little squishy sensitive spring roll. He was absolutely adorable. Mulan was kick butt without even trying. She did what she needed to do and she did it awesomely. Nothing about her character seemed forced as I have found that these "kick butt" heroines tend to be. She was honest and shy and not ruthless, but still able to do what she had to do. And her mother was just an all around awesome human being.
The battle scenes and medieval detail really drew me in. Dickerson has certainly become a master at crafting these worlds. The fighting was so tense that I actually jumped when my dog started barking while I was reading one scene. I half thought I was going to get shot with arrows!
This book has VERY strong Christian elements. I think that it might have been a little bit too forced, but I know that many of my other Christian friends will probably enjoy that aspect most of all.
My only other complaint is that I'm not quite pleased about Mulan's identity being discovered so early in the story. I laughed so hard at the mistaken identity scenes and I really felt like it could have lasted longer.
But still, I enjoyed the story and I look forward to more books in this series. Is the next book going to be a retelling of the Pied Piper??? I am SO curious.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
Reviewed by Nicki
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