Review-The Fairest Beauty by Melanie Dickerson

So, as I promised in my last post, here is a review on the most recent book by Melanie Dickerson, "The Fairest Beauty."

This book is a Christian retelling of Snow White. I have always been a Disney fan, especially in the past four or so years. And so being a fan of Disney, it's not hard to guess that I love fairy tales. Even though some of them can be a little...grim...they are all very interesting, and I haven't found one that I haven't liked. So when I first heard of this author and her Fairy Tale retellings, I was very interested to say the least.

This book is the third in the series. It is a continuation of the first book, "The Healer's Apprentice," but you don't have to read it for this book to make since. But to get more out of it, I would encourage you to read that one first.

This book is about a young seventeen year old girl named Sophie. She is living under the crewel care of her evil stepmother, the Duchess Ermengard. In her stepmother's eyes, Sophie can't seem to do anything right. The reason, because Sophie is beautiful, and she makes her stepmother very nervous for reasons I won't spoil for you.

Around the same time in another kingdom miles and miles away, the King and his second oldest son, Gabe receive news that a young duchess was in trouble, and at risk of death. The news surprised the King, because this duchess had presumably died when she was a baby. She was betrothed to Valten, the King's oldest son. Valten would have gone to rescue her right then, but a recent injury left him lying in bed, unable to do anything to help.

Gabe knew it was the wrong thing to do. He knew that this "damsel in distress" was his brother's betrothed, but he knew his reputation given to him by his family wasn't something to boast about. He knew he was immature, so he decided to try to prove his family wrong, and secretly go off to save his brother's future wife before it was too late.

And if you guessed that girl in danger was Sophie, you were correct.

The rest of the story is how both Gabe and Sophie find who they really are through many obstacles and dangers. Both have to learn to be brave, strong, mature, trusting, and most importantly, rely on God to get them both where they need to be.

I personally really enjoyed this book. When reading the first two books by this author, it took me the first four or five chapters to really get into it. But with this one, I couldn't put it down after the first sentence. I have never been one for romance, because they always seem so predictable. You meet a girl in chapter one, you meet a guy in chapter two. You know right then they're going to get together at the end, and everyone is going to live happily ever after.

With this book though, I thought I knew what was going to happen, but I think my mind changed about a dozen time in the process of reading it. I had no idea how it was going to end. And thankfully, I was very content with the way things turned out for the characters.

If you already know the original story of Snow White, you may think that you know what's going to happen. The part I like about these books, is that there is no magic involved. I like that everything that happens is realistic. So when I was about halfway through this book, I started thinking about the end of the real Snow White story, and I was a little unsure how the author was going to pull off the poison apple, and the true love's awakening kiss without using any magic. But the way she did was very well done. She was able to use a Christian theme in that chapter, which I would have never guessed.

The only part that I didn't appreciate about this book, was the fact that the ending seemed much too rushed. If it would have been spread out just a chapter or two longer, it would have been much better. I just felt that the story kept building and building, but when it finally got to the top, it was quickly over.

But besides all that, The Fairest Beauty was a wonderful story. It left me in deep thought for several days. I had never read something that had been so personal before. The way the author writes, it feels that if something happened to one of the characters, it happened to you also.

And that's something that only a very talented author can do.

Writing, not Reading.

I'm sad to say it's been awhile since I've been able to sit down and read a good book. But, I think I have a good excuse...I haven't had time to read, because I've been writing. In fact, as of April 1st, I became a published author!

It was a great experience for me! I wrote this 230 page book in 27 days. I had never written so much before, so let's say my mind was pretty tired by the end of the month, but once I had time to sleep, I realized that I had just written an entire book. (Just thinking about it is making me exhausted.)

Anyway, I am not going to do a review on my book, (because that's just weird) But, I thought I'd give you the opportunity to...

In the next few months, I will be holding a book giveaway on my other blog, Saved by Grace. When I do, I will direct everyone on that blog over here to my review one. I plan on giving away a few copies, so you'll have a better opportunity of winning.

If you have a book review blog like I do, please let me know. I will look it over, and if I like what I see, I will send you a book for a very cheap price so that you can read it, and review it on your blog.

Or, if you'd like to buy it now in paperback form, or on the kindle, you can do so here.

You can also buy it from me. You'd send me the money, and I'd send you an autographed copy. It is the same price to do it that way, it will just take a little longer for you to get it. If you're interested, please email me at SammySleuth@gmail.com

Well, I know I say this a lot, but I am hoping that I will be back reviewing on here soon. I hope to read a lot this summer, so when I do, I will hopefully put reviews for the books up on here.

I did read a book last month called "Fairest Beauty" by Melanie Dickerson. I am planning on writing a review for that one soon.

Alright! See you guys later! ~Sam

Retired Doll Outfit Giveaway!

Hello Everyone!!

I know what you're thinking...2 posts in the same week?? What on earth is going on?? Well actually, I just wanted to let you all know about a giveaway that is going on, on one of my friend's blogs. In celebration of her blog's 3rd birthday, Quinlyn is giving away a retired American Girl outfit!




And all you have to do is sign up here.

Well...I guess that is it!!! ~Sam

5,000 Page Summer

I know, it's been a year and a half since I have been on here. I guess writing reviews was more challenging than I thought. But since it is Memorial Day, I know that summer is going to be here very soon. Some of the schools here in Monroe are already done for the summer. I finished my school about a month ago, so my summer has already begun.

But when summer comes, so dose a lot of reading. I feel like I haven't been reading books the way a sixteen year old homeschooler should. So, I am going to challenge myself to read 5,000 pages before school starts back up in the fall.

Now, that might not seem like a lot to some of you. But that is my goal, and I encourage you to do it with me. Maybe you want to do 10,000 pages. Or, maybe just 1,000. But I would love to have someone do this with me.

I will try to keep you all updated with my reading. Once I finish a book, I will put it on here, along with the number of pages in the book. Then, when I read more books, I will add the page numbers up, until I read 5,000 pages. It is going to be hard, but I think I can do it.

So...who want to join me?

~Sam

Camp Rock!

Hey Everyone!

Well, I have done reviews on books, games, CD's, but I have never done a review on a movie. Well, here it is...



Today, I am going to review "Disney's Camp Rock"


This is a really cute movie that came out in 2008. In the movie, Mitchie Torris is living a pretty normal life. Her mother is a cater, and her father owns a hardware store. Mitchie loves music, and really want to go to Camp rock. But, her parents can't affored to have her go-until her mom gets a catering job there, which means that Mitchie get to go and help her, while enjoying the great outdoors and music. :)

When she gets there, she relizes that she dosn't fit in at all. Everyone is so rich, and talented, and she so...plain. But when Mitchie gets an oppertunity to become friends with the popular girls, Tess, Ella, and Peggy, she decides to tell a little lie, which turns into a bunch of really big lies to make her look popular.

At the same time, Shane Gray, the lead singer of "Connect 3" is sent to Camp Rock as a punishment for being to full of himself. While he is there, he hears a girl (Mitchie) sing, and decides that he want to figue out who this singer is. He meets Mitchie, and they soon become friends, but Shane never thinks that Mitchie is the girl that he is looking for.

Soon, everything seams to go bad for Mitchie, when the whole camp finds out that she had been telling lie after lie.

If you want to figues out what happens next...You gotta watch the movie.

This movie is very cute. I would recomend it to anyone looking for a good clean, family movie.

I will give it 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Thanks for reading!! ~Sammy

Owl City: Ocean Eyes

I know! I have not been on in FOREVER!!! But well, I have been pretty bussy latly. :) Anyway, today, I am going to review not a book, but a CD. I am going to review the newest Owl City CD, Ocean Eyes.



I got the cd at the beginning of the year, and I am SO glad I did. I wasn't sure if I would like OC or not. I only knew Fireflies, and I thought that if all the songs were as weird as that one, I would not like it. But we were going on vacation that week, and I had some money that was burning a hole in my pocket, so when we were at Target, I gave in and bought it for $10.00. Well, that night, I was packing for vacation, and I put it on in my CD player. And to tell you the truth, I felt like I was going to fall asleep. The OC music dose that to you! :) I think Vanilla Twilight did it the most. :) Anyway, we brought the CD with us on vacation, and I was surprised how much my dad liked it! :) He really isn't into "New Age" Music like this, but he liked it so much, he put it on his ipod. :) Anyway, the CD has 12 songs on it including "Fireflies" and "Hello Seattle" My favorite is "On the Wing"

The CD is not really a Christian CD, but the song "Meteor Shower" is a short song which mainly says these words.

"I can finally see, that you're right there beside me. I am not my own, for I have been made new. Please don't let me go, I desperately need you."

Those are the only words in the whole song. It is very pretty, and could easily make you fall asleep while packing. :) lol

There are other songs on the CD which don't make much since at all, like "Dental Care"

"I've been to the dentist a thousand times so I know the drill. I smooth my hair sit back in the chair, and somehow, I still get the chills"
"Golf and Alcohol don't mix, that why I don't drink and drive. Because good grief, I'd knock out my teeth and have to kiss my smile goodbye."

And then there are other songs which are mainly about love :) lol

"Saltwater Room" "Time together is never quite enough, when you and I are alone, I never felt so at home."

"The Bird and the Worm" "If I'm your boy, we'll take a shortcut we remember, and we'll enjoy picking apples in last September like, we've done for years, then we'll take a long walk thew the corn Field and I'll kiss you, between the ears."

"Vanilla Twilight" "The Stars lean down to kiss you, and I lie awake and miss you. Pour me a heavy dose of atmosphere." "The silence isn't so bad, till I look at my hands and feel sad. Because the spaces between my fingers are right where yours fit perfectly"


The CD is full of all sorts of different kinds of music. But they all sound the same, if you know what I mean. Like, they are all very "Computerish" Well, if you don't get it, look up OC on YouTube, and you will get what I mean. :) Anyway, I think this CD is AWESOME! And if you like good music, this CD is for you!

Well, that's my review, and I hope you enjoied it!!! Thanks for reading!!!~Sammy

The Promsied Land Diaries

Hey guys!! Sorry I haven't been on here in a while. And, sorry that I finished eight cousins without you. :) I was going to do it chapter by chapter, but I kinda forgot to post on here, so...yeah. Anyway, I am reading another book now. My friend let me borrow it, and I LOVE it! Actually, she let me borrow the first one, first, and I read it, and LOVED it. So, she let me borrow books 2 and 3. I'm working on book 2 now. But you are asking, WHAT ARE THE BOOKS??? Well, they are called the Promised Land Diaries. They are written by someone named Anne Tyra Adams. Anyway, they are books about Women of the bible, but they are told by a fictional friend of theirs. Like, in the first book, It tells the story of Esther. But the "Diary" is "Written" By Esther's servant girl. It is a great book. It is called, Persia's Brightest Star"



The one I'm reading now, is called, "The Laughing Princess of the Desert" And it is "written" by Sarah's Traveling Companion. So far, it is really good.



I will write about the book as I read it.

Their are 4 other books in the series.

The Diary of Rebekah's Nursemaid,
The Diary of Debroah's Armor Bearer
The Diary of Ruth's Fellow Harvester
The Diary of Miriam's Best Friend

I am looking forward to reading them all. I can't wait to finish book 2. My friend said that her favorite out of all the books was #3, so, I am looking forward to that. I will try to post on here as often as I can.

Thanks for reading!!! ~Sammy