The Silent Songbird


The Silent Songbird
Melanie Dickerson
Thomas Nelson

Evangeline is gifted with a heavenly voice, but she is trapped in a sinister betrothal—until she embarks on a daring escape and meets brave Westley le Wyse. Can he help her discover the freedom to sing again?

Desperate to flee a political marriage to her cousin King Richard II’s closest advisor, Lord Shiveley—a man twice her age with shadowy motives—Evangeline runs away and joins a small band of servants journeying back to Glynval, their home village.

Pretending to be mute, she gets to know Westley le Wyse, their handsome young leader, who is intrigued by the beautiful servant girl. But when the truth comes out, it may shatter any hope that love could grow between them.

More than Evangeline’s future is at stake as she finds herself entangled in a web of intrigue that threatens England’s monarchy. Should she give herself up to protect the only person who cares about her? If she does, who will save the king from a plot to steal his throne?

     This was a book I was both really looking forward to...and not looking forward to. Being that it's a retelling of The Little Mermaid, and Ms. Dickerson's books are usually based on the Disney version (which I don't normally mind) I was afraid that the main character might retain much of the Disney character's rebelliousness, which I don't care for. On the other hand, my all-time favorite Melanie Dickerson book is The Merchant's Daughter, and The Silent Songbird is the sequel to that one.

     When I began, I admit my fears seemed to have some foundation. I had sympathy for Evangeline's plight, but I still didn't particularly like her attitude and her character at times annoyed me. However, as the book continued on I felt it got better and I enjoyed seeing more of Westley's parents...the two main characters from The Merchant's Daughter. Though the fairytale elements in this retelling weren't quite as immediately recognizable as in the author's other books, it did contain a lot of plot points taken from the fairy tale, and it had some nice history woven into it. My favorite character was probably Reeve Folsham, as I found his relationship with Evangeline funny and rather sweet.

Rating: 7

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. 

Comments

  1. English LadyNovember 6, 2016 at 7:05 AM

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  2. English LadyNovember 6, 2016 at 7:06 AM

    I agree. I skimmed the first chapter and wanted to cringe. All the usual nonsense about 'forced marriage' and women having no rights to refuse unwanted suitors- which they did, in fact, have every right to do.

    And Evangeline came across as so shallow and self-centred, regarded age as an insrperable impediment to 'happy' marriage. As if no woman has ever found happiness with an older guy, or vice versa. Oh, and of course, no pontential mate can ever be 'ugly' or 'disgusting'.

    I only hope it does improve later on, as you say.

    ReplyDelete
  3. reenaMay 24, 2020 at 10:28 PM

    thanks for really good post worldforpcapp

    ReplyDelete

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