The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest: A low-spice Robin Hood reimagining historical romance (A Medieval Fairy Tale)

So I cannot tell you how much I have loved this book. Agh!! I want to get to the juice of it all but right now at the mere thought of the book am I all squeals and smiles. The moment I got it I couldn't wait to dig in as I have adored Melanie's previous books and I mean, the cover and description are both to die for. I mean really. I was still taken aback by how beautiful the story was, though, from the writing style to the characters. I am total girl when it comes to loving a good romance and trust me, this book gets your heart racing! There was just so much more to this story, though. There were actually several moments in reading in which I was just stunned by how much I related to Odette concerning some of the emotions she was going through. (I only wish I could say they were concerning Jorgen....<3;]) Her struggles and search of meaning in life were so real and they just made her so relatable. And the answers and realizations that she came to just hit so close to home as well. Although crushed when the story finally came to an end, I actually found myself several days later thinking about some of the conclusions Odette had come to, and found them applicable to myself. I just love this. So dang much! And I truly hope that all who reads it can relate to me on this as well. <3 I can go on and on about how stunning the writing was and how the plot was full of the perfect amount of twists but the bottom line of things is this isn't just a book I will be picking up again, this is a book I have already "picked up again." I adored it and although I know I have said it once before, I really have to say again that I adored Odette and Jorgen. Ahhh! Although I don't want go spoiling anything for you, if you do decide to check this book out which I ENTIRELY recommend you do, tell me if you do not just want to go and give the margrave the biggest hug ever once you're done. And that deserves at least several exclamation marks - !!!!!!! I know phrases like, "This book doesn't deserve 5 stars...it deserves 10 stars!!!" are oh-so common but I really have to say I sincerely wish I could give this book ten stars because it completely wowed me in on so many different levels. Loved it and as I said before, entirely recommend it. <3<3<3

I had read all of the books in Melanie's fairy tale series and loved them, but I had wanted to save this series for later instead of reading all of her books too fast and not having any new ones left. But since the third book in this series is coming out soon I figured it was the perfect time to start the series. This was not quite my favorite of her books, but that's a lot of competition. I still really enjoyed this story, but it didn't resonate as much emotionally with me as her other books have in the past. I liked the characters, Jorgen was my favorite, and the margrave was very interesting to me so I'm looking forward to reading about him in book 2. While this is a retelling of a couple different stories, I'm not real familiar with the source material, so I can't really comment on those aspects. Overall I do recommend this if you're looking for a clean historical romance and like fairy tales.

I must begin with this beautiful cover! I'm a visual person and when I see a cover like this, it draws me in, makes me curious about what the story is behind the young woman on the front, and takes me to another place. I love it. Melanie Dickerson's books are like a breath of fresh air. Each time I've read one, it has been a refreshing reminder of how sweet young love can be. In a day where books geared towards adults are filled with profanity and freely giving themselves physically to someone else, not to mention what books for young adults have in them, it's nice to read a book that is romantic but still keeps the innocence of the main characters intact. Another aspect of this story that stood out to me was the theme of integrity. Even though Odette truly felt that her lawbreaking was justified because she was helping others, the story takes her on a journey to see how important it is to have integrity with all things. For Jorgen, he also had to have integrity and stand for what was right even if it might hurt the one he cares about the most. Several of the characters had to be held accountable for their actions. The margrave, who was seen as very harsh and often cold, didn't abuse his position, but administered fair justice as well as grace to those he was in authority over. What a great message in a day and age that often encourages to do just the opposite: lie, steal and cheat to get what you can to get ahead. This is the sixth book of Melanie's that I've read, and I have yet to be even a bit disappointed! When I finished the last page of The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest, I had so many good things to take with me to think about beyond just a lovely romance. Jorgan and Odette's desire to risk almost all they had to help the outcasts and low in their community made me think of how my attitude should be for those in my own path in life. So many people we come in contact with have a history that we may know nothing about, and a small, or big, act of kindness towards them can change their life. I was reminded that wealth is a blessing, and it can be there one minute and gone the next. We must be thankful and use the provisions God has given us wisely. These things and so many more have stuck with me. I would definitely recommend this book!

Dickerson specializes in retelling fairy tales substituting Christian faith for magic. This latest work combines elements of Robin Hood with Swan Lake. While I enjoyed the tale, it seemed a little more predictable than her other work, and some of the resolution, particularly the discovery of Rutger's lost goods, was too much "telling" as opposed to "showing," violating a cardinal rule of creative writing. I particularly liked the flawed characters Dickerson introduces here, people who do wrong things for right reasons.

I am joyful to say this is the perfect book for my fellow sisters in Christ. Melanie Dickerson does not make it spicy or inappropriate, so as a younger reader, I can read her books without worrying about having to drop in the middle of a chapter. Dickerson has a style of writing that reminds you of your mother reading to you as a kid. She contrasts many twists and mysteries that makes you always excited for what will happen next. And though this may not be a book that you will read quickly in a week, it’s like a book that you can pick up when you travel or a little bored. Odette’s character really is wonderful and brilliant. She, in the book, is Christian which I respect and Dickerson has very juicy scenes but again, not spicy so honestly it’s in my opinion as almost teen, could probably be ages 10+? Depends on what you do and don’t want your kids reading, (they describe what a kiss feels like). I like this book. It’s basically the girl version of Robbin Hood. I’m lovin’ It!

Odette Menkels has a soft spot for orphans. After all, she is one herself. She feels gratitude towards her Uncle Rutger who took her in after she lost her parents. She has been loyal to him since. Odette notices all the orphans and decides that it is her Christian duty to help take care of them. Since she is good with a longbow, she decides that she can help feed the children. So by day she teaches them how to read and by night, she hunts deer to feed them. In Robin Hood style, she takes from the rich to give to the poor. When she meets Jorgan Hartman and finds that he is the margraves forester, she wishes to avoid him. But he is handsome and she does enjoy his company and finds herself in his company more and more. Then he discovers that there is a poacher in Thornbeck Forest and he must find him. After all, he is stealing from the king. Odette asks questions and he tells her all. They seem to be building a relationship until the night of the margraves ball, where Odette dresses as a swam. Back and forth, Odette has to decide what is best for everyone and what she must do with her life. In true Melanie Dickerson style, the author weaves a tale that both entertains and worries the reader. Will Odette find true love or will she marry for the sake of caring for the orphans? Will Jorgan discover that she is the poacher? And if so, what will her punishment be? The story is intended to be an adult book, but my pre-teen sons enjoyed it too. We are looking forward to more from this author, and in this series.

I was interested in this book because I have German heritage and am interested in Robin Hood stories. It seems geared towards a YA audience but the heroine is a bit older than is typical for that genre. Odette and Jorgen are likeable as main characters. The romance is sweet and there turns out to be a bit of mystery going on, as well. The historical details seem accurate but I am no expert. I did have a problem with the use of the term "maiden." A maiden is a young, female virgin. The word is frequently used to describe a young girl who was definitely not a virgin. It was also a bit annoying when characters answered yes or no, the German "ja" or "nein" was used. That was basically the only time the German language was used. I think that if the author/editors wanted to do that, they could have interspersed a little more of the language to give it a more authentic feel. Overall, I enjoyed the book, especially the last 20%. I am definitely considering reading more from this author.

Odette Menkels knows it is wrong to poach deer from the margrave's hunting grounds, but she rationalizes it must be done to feed the poor children in her town. If she doesn't give them venison, they will go hungry. Her uncle, who is her guardian, supports this idea. At the Midsummer festival, Odette meets Jorgen Hartman, the handsome new forester. Things become a bit trickier as she learns he has discovered poaching, but, of course, he has no idea that the lovely young woman he is drawn to is the poacher he seeks. Odette also very much enjoys Jorgen's company but knows she can't really consider him as a potential husband since he is just a lowly forester and she is of a higher class. There is a wealthy young man, Mathis Papendorp, the Burgomeister's oldest son, who will stop at almost nothing to make Odette is wife. There are quite a few twists and turns in this story as secrets are revealed. There is plenty of adventure and a sweet romance that comes to a very satisfactory conclusion. There are many authors who I consider "must read" but Melanie Dickerson is a "must buy" author for me. She takes an old fairy tale and puts a new spin on it that makes it even more enchanting. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series; I believe the margrave needs a good wife. It will be interesting to find out who the author has in mind for this stern, yet kind, man.

What can I say, Melanie Dickerson has done it again, this is a new series and this is the first book, I read this one and then bought The Beautiful Pretender and can't wait for book 3. Melanie's books, although based on Fairy tales, and advertised for the young adult - don't be put off by that, I am in my sixties and I can't put Melanie's books down. They are full of romance, intrigue, suspension, excitement you just read on and on and then don't want the book to finish as you miss the people in it. But the best part of Melanie's writing is that the books can be read as stand alone books, they are, but in the next book you come across the people you grew to know and love in her next suspenseful book. Melanie is one of my favourite writers, I can't get enough of her books, so buy this book and the next one and I promise you however old or young you are you will LOVE it.

Great story with a lot of heart! I don't usually read romance stories, but this was more than just a story about romance. I loved the main character's feisty personality, but also the subtly interwoven spiritual truths. In particular, how sometimes it can be easy to think you know God's will in a situation, only to discover that you were way off course. This story's ability to make me ponder my own spiritual walk, plus the tension in wondering if/when/how Odette would be caught added interest and suspense that kept me reading. Well-done!

Bought this as a fi=gift for my sister who expressed it was a great book. Great service.

The premise sounds fun but, I didn't love it so it was kinda a slow read. I think it does some things good and I liked the mmc.

I found the idea interesting. But the solutions to the problem were very unsatisfactory and the romance had very little to make it interesting. I’ll definitely try a few more of this authors books. I hope they’re better!