Book Description from Goodreads:
“From the streets to an orphanage in a faraway kingdom, Aladdin has grown up alone. Until he meets Kirstyn. With a father who is the duke of Hagenheim and a mother who is the patroness of the orphanage where Aladdin lives, Kirstyn is a member of the most powerful family in the land . . . and way out of his league. Despite the difference in their stations, Aladdin quickly becomes Kirstyn’s favorite companion for taking walks in the forest, and their childhood friendship grows along with them.
Through his scrappy skills, intelligence, and hard work, Aladdin earns a position serving in the duke’s house. But he knows it isn’t enough to grant him his one desire: Kirstyn’s hand in marriage. If he hopes to change his station in life and feel worthy of marrying Kirstyn, he must leave Hagenheim to seek his fortune.
But once Aladdin leaves, no one is around to protect Kirstyn, and the greedy men desperate to take advantage of her father’s wealth take notice. Now, more than Aladdin’s background stands in the way of the future he’s worked so hard to obtain. His only hope is to rescue Kirstyn and somehow manage to win her hand as well.”
My review:
This absorbing story by Melanie Dickerson is exactly what you would expect it to be: A Christian fairytale with the author’s own imaginative retelling of the story of Aladdin. She sets Aladdin’s tale in Germany, instead of the Middle East, and he interacts with some of the other characters in the Hagenheim realm. It’s a sweet, clean tale of growing up, friendship, love, and hope.
If you want your fairytale to be “modern” and address specific issues from that viewpoint, then this isn’t the book for you. If you don’t want to read “flowery” phrases, then skip this one. But this is exactly what I hoped it would be: A lovely, captivating fairytale filled with action, suspense, and romance. Aladdin is portrayed as a young man of faith and honor who struggles at times with his own imperfections, but learns from his own mistakes. Aladdin and Kirstyn have to go through many struggles on their way to their happily-ever-after. But isn’t that one of the things that makes a good fairytale?
I always enjoy a good fairytale. I loved this book.
I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.