My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it
A plague of rats. Children going missing. A giant beast attacking just outside the walls of Hamlin. And one young woman determined to save her town.
Katerina’s stepfather, Hennek, is neither a good father nor a good husband, but he is the mayor of Hamlin. Could he somehow be causing the misfortunes that have befallen her beloved town? The evidence points to a beast of unusual size—a wolf, perhaps, or a large dog—killing people who venture too far from town. But does that explain the disappearance of so many children, many of whom seem to have gone missing from inside the town walls?
Steffan knows he must reconcile with his father, the Duke of Hagenheim, but he’s not sure he’s ready. In the meantime, he roams from town to town seeking adventure and reward. When he hears of a giant beast terrorizing the town of Hamlin and an equally giant reward that includes gold, money, and the mayor’s daughter in marriage, he heads to Hamlin. Steffan plans to kill the beast, rid the town of its rat infestation, and take the reward—everything except the girl in marriage. However, when he meets Katerina, he’s not so sure. Perhaps his plans need changing.
Katerina is hunting the Beast of Hamlin for herself, determined to win liberation from her conniving and controlling stepfather. When she finds one of the children who has been missing for many months, dirty and wandering around the woods, the mystery only seems to deepen. Katerina will have to team up with Steffan, the handsome but brash duke’s son who infuriates her—he’s the only one in town who isn’t controlled by the mayor. Danger dogs them from both man and beast. Can Katerina and Steffan stop the “Pied Piper” from stealing every last child from Hamlin? Or will their interference create an even worse fate?
My Review
I really enjoyed seeing Steffan's path to redemption and getting to know Katerina- these characters really came to life as they worked together to solve the mystery of the beast and the disappearing townspeople and children. Katerina is complex, with major trust issues and a defensive exterior, while inside she is full of compassion for those being abused and willing to fight for them. We see Steffan's rebellious nature in The Warrior Maiden, but in this book we begin to understand where his head was and why he made the choices he did. I liked him much better as he seeks to become a better man and realizes the folly of his past. There is plenty of suspense and action, and the romantic tension slowly grows as Steffan proves himself worthy of Katerina's trust. I wish I could have envisioned the setting better, and would have loved more description of the town especially. Overall, an exciting and satisfying escape into this creative retelling of The Pied Piper.
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
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About the Author
Melanie Dickerson is the New York
Times bestselling author who combines her love for history, adventure, and
romance. Her books have won a Christy Award, two Maggie Awards, The National
Reader’s Choice Award, the Christian Retailing’s Best Award, the Book Buyer’s Best
Award, the Golden Quill, and the Carol Award. She earned her bachelor’s degree
in special education from The University of Alabama and has taught children and
adults in the U.S., Germany, and Ukraine. Now she spends her time writing
stories of love and adventure near Huntsville, Alabama.
GIVEAWAY
Prize: 1 finished copy of The Piper’s Pursuit by Melanie
Dickerson (USA)
Starts: 11/18/19
Ends: 11/28/19
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