Sheer Delight - The Healer's Apprentice

Well, I haven't done a book review in a while. In fact, I haven't been completely swept away since The Passion of Mary-Margaret earlier this year. I did read one amazing secular novel in the interim called A Thousand Splendid Suns about the troubled lives of two Afghani women. It's not for the faint of heart, but it will definitely change the way you view the world, and as many of you know, I love that sort of book. I also truly enjoyed What the Bayou Saw by Patti Lacy, which deals with racism, sexual abuse, and the secret's women keep. Not easy books to read by any means, but well worth the effort.

But today I would like to recommend a new novel from Zondervan that is sheer delight: The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson. Melanie is a friend of mine and fellow medieval author. This book was a real treat, from the medieval German setting, to the fairy tale elements, to the heart stopping romance. I adored everything about it.

When this book arrived in the mail, my fifteen-year-old daughter hi-jacked it and insisted she read it first. She loved it and finished it in under twenty-four hours (oh, to be young again.) The cover is exquisite and the story line compelling. When the former peasant girl falls in love with the betrothed future duke, things kick off to a strong start. The Healer's Apprentice was released as a teen fiction novel, but I think any romance lover will adore this book. I was surprised and pleased that while geared to a younger audience, it did not shy away from tough issues like abuse, attempted seduction, and the corruption of the clergy at that time. While these topics are dealt with delicately, it is good for young women to learn to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves as the Bible instructs.

This book is well executed all around. Great characters, strong plot, good pacing. The story took some fun twists and turns that will be sure to charm you, and the history was accurate and engaging. Most importantly, though, it contained very strong spiritual elements. The hero and heroine must face the forces of darkness and battle them not with their own strength, but through the power of the name of Jesus. They also learn lessons about trusting God, listening to his voice, and their worth in him. Melanie Dickerson portrayed the right and godly sort of love in this book that will stand the test of time.

So if you are looking for a book that will both entertain you and simultaneously enrich your life, I highly recommend The Healer's Apprentice. Great job Melanie. I look forward to more.