Ohhh my gosh, but I LOVED this book! My mom knows me so well. She got it for me for Easter (yep, this review’s a little late!), and I loved it so much. I may just have to let her pick out all of my books for me! Dauntless reminded me of Melanie Dickerson’s books (check out my reviews for The Princess Spy and The Captive Maiden), but longer – which of course, I loved!
Christian//Medieval times/Love story books are just the best. They’re always so intense. Like chocolate is for chocoholics is this genre for romantics. (Aka, me.) I was pretty impressed with Dauntless.
It was the perfect length. I hate it when books like Dauntless are too short. It was so intense, and things in the book kept taking a turn from good to bad from better to worse. I’ve noticed that other books in the same genre as this one can either be too short or drag on forever, and Dauntless was a great balance!
The main character, Merry, definitely had a lot on her shoulders. Heck, I felt stressed and nervous for her. It was definitely a lot for one book! I was wondering how in the world all of the problems in the book could be solved in those short pages, but the ending turned out beautifully. Actually, it looked like things were going to end one way, which was still a fantastic ending, but then it ended a completely other way, which was even better!
Alright so the romance.
It was just so. Good. The timing and development of the romance in Dauntless was rather impeccable. As a writer writing a love story at the moment myself, relationships are HARD to write – especially ones that need time to develop as the book goes on. But in Dauntless, this was done wonderfully. Plus, this is a Christian fiction, so all the romance was light but just enough to get my heart fluttering. Like “EEKK! They kissed! Just… be together FOREVER, okay??! Never mind the war or the fact that at any moment, you could have your heads cut off. Just LOVE.” Agh.
Dauntless gets 4 stars!
Have you read Dauntless? Do want to?
Ahh.. Fluttery and fluffy romance is the best. My OTP’s trample me with feels but also make me really happy! 🙂
YES THEY DO. Ahhh… 😀
I’ll have to read that! I loved Melanie Dickerson’s books (I’ve read all six and am planning on reading her next) so if its like that I think it’ll be great!
6? I know she has a new one coming out, in a new series, but I thought there were only five!
I’ll have to look into this book. It sounds interesting.
Did you send the letter today? I can’t wait to get it. How long are you going to be on your trip? Are you excited?
I get the Heir tomorrow! Can’t wait. I need to start rereading…
I’m reading City of Ember at the moment. I read Ella Enchanted last week and ohmygosh. It had been a while since I’ve read it and it was liek I was reading it for the first time. I forgot how awsomely amazing it was!! Have you read Fairest?
Hope your having a great day!
Yeah, you would like it!
Yes, I put it in the mail this morning. You’ll probably get it Thursday. 🙂
Letter! All in the letter! I am really excited! We’re leaving tomorrow morning. First to my great-grandmother’s funeral. 🙁
I think we’re going to be staying until the 11th or 12th. I’ll send you some post cards!
ME TOO. I am seriously freaking out.
I know! I’ve re-read it so many times, but I need to again. It’s been awhile. How’s City of Ember?? I haven’t read Fairest! I need to. I have read her one book that has a lot of smaller fairy tale stories. I forget what it’s called. Anna and I both love that one!
Thanks, Brooke! You, too. I’ve got lots of packing to do today!
I’ll definately check it out.
Yay! Can’t wait.
🙁 I’ve never even met my great gradparents. I thought she was your grandma.
Okay. I would ask what you plan to do there but I bet that’s in the letter 🙂 . Can’t wait to get them.
Hipervenalating…. I jusy hope.its good. If it doesn’t live up to the selection expectation I’ll be very disapointed.
I forgot how good it was! Its on my favorite book shelf. Its good so far. I’m only about half way. I would have probably finished it faster if I hadn’t had an idea on what’s going to happen next( I’ve seen the movie). You need to read Fairest! I would recommend reading Ella Enchanted and then Fairest because they are tied together( I won’t give anything else away) 🙂
Don’t forget to pack books! I can’t read in the car( it makes me sick) but I always pack books for the hotel or when we get there.
Yeah. I was glad to have met my two great-grandmas on my mom’s side and three of my great-grandparents on my dad’s. Pretty special. 🙂
ME TOO! Have you been to unlocktheheir.com?? So far it’s pretty good!
Ooh, I will. I also want to read Palace of Lies, the third book in the Palace Chronicles. (Just Ella and Palace of Mirrors were the first two.) It just came out.
I can’t really, either, but I’ll definitely pack plenty of books! I’m going to listen to Peter & The Starcatchers on audio. 🙂
You are pretty luck . I’ve never met any of my great grandarents.
I have! I only read chapters 1-3 though. It looks good so far. The one thng I don’t like is that she seems a little whiney. Like your the heir so deal with it. I get how she can get upset about the selection though. But really girl. Suck it up. Okay rant over. Still it looks good though. I guess America was a bit whiney at the beginning too.
I need to get my hands on Just Ella. it sounds pretty good. Is Just Ella very romancy? Is there action too? Is it sort of like Ella Enchanted?
That’s too bad. Peter and the Starchaters is an amazing series. What other books are you bringning?
I just wanted to say hi, and I’m so glad you enjoyed the book. Loved the fun pictures!!!
Hi, Dina!!! Thanks so much for visiting my blog! It’s made my day! The book was so good. 😀
Hi Does anyone know how to contact Cynthia Rylant by email?
I’ve never heard of Cynthia Rylant?
Oh she’s an author. She wrote a few books. You can look her up, butI can’t seem to find an email for her..
I might read this book! I might try it out.
THE HEIR IS COMING OUT TOMORROW!!! I AM SO EXCITED!!!! FANGIRL MODE ON!!!
You should!! It was super good.
I KNOW. HYPERVENTILATING. I’m getting on my family’s nerves talking about it so much! I JUST CAN’T WAIT!!!!
Ooh, this looks so good!!!! I love love stories… 😉
By the way, I’m finally back to posting again after taking April off! 😀 For some reason the thing that shows your most recent post isn’t working, so I just decided to tell you in a comment.
I am so excited to read this book! I love it when books feature strong female characters, and this book sounds like it does just that. Besides, it’s a retelling, and I can NEVER pass up retellings. Oh, and Christian fiction is always awesome, too. Basically I have no reason not read this book.
Hi Emily, would you be interested in being on my launch team for my next book, Chivalrous??? If so, please email me soon at dinasleiman at gmail dot com.