Title: The Orphan's Wish
Author: Melanie Dickerson
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Inspirational Young Adult Fantasy, Romance, Historical
From the streets to an orphanage in a faraway kingdom, Aladdin has grown up alone. Until he meets Kirstyn. With a father who is the duke of Hagenheim and a mother who is the patroness of the orphanage where Aladdin lives, Kirstyn is a member of the most powerful family in the land . . . and way out of his league. Despite the difference in their stations, Aladdin quickly becomes Kirstyn’s favorite companion for taking walks in the forest, and their childhood friendship grows along with them.
Through his scrappy skills, intelligence, and hard work, Aladdin earns a position serving in the duke’s house. But he knows it isn’t enough to grant him his one desire: Kirstyn’s hand in marriage. If he hopes to change his station in life and feel worthy of marrying Kirstyn, he must leave Hagenheim to seek his fortune.
But once Aladdin leaves, no one is around to protect Kirstyn, and the greedy men desperate to take advantage of her father’s wealth take notice. Now, more than Aladdin’s background stands in the way of the future he’s worked so hard to obtain. His only hope is to rescue Kirstyn and somehow manage to win her hand as well.
About Melanie Dickerson:
Melanie Dickerson is a New York Times bestselling author, a two-time Christy Award finalist, two-time Maggie Award winner, Carol Award winner, two-time winner of the Christian Retailing's Best award, and her book, The Healer's Apprentice, won the National Readers Choice Award for Best First Book. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). Melanie earned a bachelors degree in special education of the hearing impaired from The University of Alabama and has worked as a teacher in Georgia, Tennessee, and Ukraine. She lives with her husband and two children in Huntsville, Alabama.
My Thoughts:
To my knowledge I've read each of the Hagenheim stories and for some reason this book was a little difficult to follow at the beginning. However, once I got my footing I followed the story easily.
I really liked Ms. Dickerson's take on the story of Aladdin. Her take is definitely not the Disney version. It is a richer story that shows the the depth of Aladdin. The relationship between Aladdin and Kirstyn is fun. They become quick friends as children and the relationship blossoms from there.
My favorite character was Abu. I probably watched the Disney movie a hundred times in 1992, my kids were little then, and I totally forgot about the character, Abu until he showed up. While Abu in the movie was a monkey, in the book he is an adorable little boy, and as Aladdin's side-kick he adds so much to story.
My Bottom Line:
I love how Melanie Dickerson takes a fairy tale we either read as children or saw the Disney movie and puts a completely new spin on it. While this is book eight in the Hagenheim series it is creative, and fresh. The struggle Aladdin has of earning love and being perfect are true for most if not all people and definitely teenagers so showing a hero struggling with those same issues helps them see that they're not alone.
A theme of this book is friendship and is shown in both Aladdin and Kirstyn's relationship, and Aladdin and Abu's relationship.
I love how Ms. Dickerson conveyed the gospel message through the story.
I recommend this book!
Thank you, Melanie Dickerson, for the copy of this book. It was a fun read, and I always love going back to Hagenheim.
Thank you, Melanie Dickerson, for the copy of this book. It was a fun read, and I always love going back to Hagenheim.
2 comments:
Thanks, Andi! :-) Great review!
You are so welcome! Thanks for the gifted copy. It will be treasured!
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