Description: She lost everything to the scheme of an evil servant. But she might just gain what she’s always wanted…if she makes it in time.
The impossible was happening. She, Magdalen of Mallin, was to marry the Duke of Wolfberg. Magdalen had dreamed about receiving a proposal ever since she met the duke two years ago. Such a marriage was the only way she could save her people from starvation. But why would a handsome, wealthy duke want to marry her, a poor baron’s daughter? It seemed too good to be true.
On the journey to Wolfberg Castle, Magdalen’s servant forces her to trade places and become her servant, threatening not only Magdalen’s life, but the lives of those she holds dear. Stripped of her identity and title in Wolfberg, where no one knows her, Magdalen is sentenced to tend geese while she watches her former handmaiden gain all Magdalen had ever dreamed of.
When a handsome shepherd befriends her, Magdalen begins to suspect he carries secrets of his own. Together, Magdalen and the shepherd uncover a sinister plot against Wolfberg and the duke. But with no resources, will they be able to find the answers, the hiding places, and the forces they need in time to save both Mallin and Wolfberg?
My Thoughts: This was a really disappointing read following The Beautiful Pretender, which had actually been one of my favorites of Melanie's. Where as the last was fun and held intrigue, this... didn't.
What put me off the most was how selfish both Magdalen and Staffen were. While their characters did improve somewhat toward the end of the story, they spent most of the first part thinking only of themselves. Both constantly disparage the positions they have been placed in (goose girl, servant, shepherd, ect.) as though these are jobs lowly and beneath them, making it clear that they think the same of those people who normally hold those positions. And yet they are described as being kind and caring people.
Maybe this wouldn't bother me so much if they didn't constantly daydream about how their enemies would receive their comeuppance. While I understand wanting to be avenged, it is frustrating to read characters who want vengeance... but not real vengeance. They want to see the expressions of horror on their enemies' faces when they are found out, but don't want the attempted murderers imprisoned or executed. Because somehow, only wanting the "Aha" moment makes the heroes good people.
There were a few moments between the couple that were cute to read, and I guess that in the end, they did help the people they were supposed to. But those moments were far fewer than I cared for.
I have provided an honest review after having received a copy of this book through the Fiction Guild.
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