If I'm being honest, this one exceeded my expectations but still was not my favorite by any means.
While I never go into these books expecting masterpieces, I expect that I'll get a quick and easy read that can just take me of whatever I'm worrying about at the moment. This book did just that.
I was not overly fond of the plot with the sister being the villain. To me, it always screams weak and somewhat unbelievable.
The only really big complaint that I have is the cover. If Aubrey is scarred, PLEASE for the love of cheese and crackers make the cover reflect what she looks like.
All in all, fans of Melanie Dickerson will like this one.

3/5

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required. ( )

"Castle of Refuge" by Melanie Dickerson is the second book in the “Dericott Tales” series. This is a young adult “Ugly Duckling” retelling. I was very excited to read more about one of my favorite side characters in the first book of the series, Edwin.

Audrey and Edwin are the main characters of this story. I really appreciated that this tale includes someone with scars (Audrey has a deformity), someone physically disabled (Edwin lost one arm) and someone who struggles with a mental disability (Audrey’s sister). It is wonderful to follow along with Edwin and Audrey and see how they grieve and learn to live with their scars and deformities. One does not see a lot of main characters with disabilities.

Besides overcoming hardships, the characters also encounter adventure, danger and romance. I love the faith aspects in Dickerson’s books and how the characters truly rely on and grow in their faith. The lessons are always so beautiful. Edwin wrestles with blaming and being angry with God for the bad things that happened to him. He realizes God does not cause evil, but may have plans to use it in ways we cannot understand. God brings the beautiful from the ugly. Audrey learns scars are what make her beautiful--the things she has overcome and how she stayed gentle and kind despite it all.

As with all Melanie’s books, I think readers of middle grade and young adult novels will love this newest addition. It’s a fun, clean, faith-filled and heartwarming adventure!

Content: I give this book a PG rating. Some examples of the content are: there is an emotionally and physically abusive and mentally ill sister; people drink ale; a girl was physically abused in the past; mention of the devil and of being possessed by a demon; mention of a large-busted woman; mention of other masters taking advantage of their servants; mention of a concubine.

Rating: I give this book 5 stars.

I want to thank Melanie Dickerson and Thomas Nelson for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255. ( )

Based on the fairytale, The Ugly Duckling, this is a medieval tale of a wronged heroine and a flawed hero who comes to her rescue.
While both are dependent on God, they still have some healing to do.
For Audrey: “ She wanted to fulfill a purpose...she felt very strongly that there was something she was supposed to do, a good work God had planned for her to do since before she was born.”
For Edwin: Striving to be the best lord for the people under his domain, to be a better ruler than his father.
For both: calling on God for help when all looked bleak and finding refuge in Him.
It is told in an easy to understand, fairytale-like way, with recognizable evil, a touching romance, some danger and a happily ever after.
*I won this book from Goodreads in April 2021. All opinions are my own.* ( )

Overcoming!

Medieval romance based on the Ugly Duckling is idealistic despite the rawness it portrays. Two people who have suffered, both with visible and invisible scars come together. Set in fourteenth century England it is a tale of persecution and forgiveness. Audrey, the daughter of a Viscount was badly scared to the face by the actions of her malicious sister Maris. Maris was sent away. She returns!
Edwin, Lord Dericott has lost an arm and carries scars of his own.
Audrey flees her father’s home when Maris threatens her. She’s attacked outside Dericott Castle, and taken there to recover when found. Of course Audrey and Edwin eventually are attracted to each other. Danger though lies not to far away.
Under all, the story explores the behaviour of victims of abuse, and how for some, their responses to their world are through the prism of their treatment.
Despite all this I felt somewhat removed from the story. The tone of the characters just seems flat despite all that happens. The wicked sister actually is the one I felt more sympathy for—scarred as she’s been, invisible damage leaving her twisted.
Redemption comes for all three in various ways. Love just might conquer all.

A Thomas Nelson ARC via NetGalley ( )

Castle of Refuge was a great book that helped me forget about my own stresses and worries for a little bit. Audrey and Edwin have many more stressors than I have ever had! It was a fun book to escape into for a little while.

Audrey's sister, Maris, suffers from mental health issues. Many called her crazy or mad, which would have been appropriate for the time period. Maris is jealous and seeks to make Audrey just as miserable as she is. In a moment Audrey's life is forever changed and her options limited.

Edwin comes from a loving home, but things change when he and his brothers are charged with treason. His life is altered as well and his options also become limited. This is a story of two people who have been broken. Their friendship helps to mend both of them. The world is open to them as they heal together. Their life isn't perfect, there are many obstacles that they must overcome and danger is always near. Maris is still out for revenge and trying to destroy Audrey's life.

This story is a loosely based retelling of the Ugly Duckling. It is a friend to more romance that is squeaky clean. The story contains Christian-based themes. It is entertaining and engaging.

Source: I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. ( )