Book Review: "The Silent Songbird" by Melanie Dickerson


To avoid a forced marriage as her cousin King Richard's politcial pawn, Evangeline runs away and joins a group of servants going home to Glynval. In order to avoid detection, she pretends to be mute.

Westley le Wyse feels protective of the new servant girl, but when he learns the truth, will it be the end to their budding relationship?

"The Silent Songbird" is the 7th book in Melanie Dickerson's "Hagenheim/Fairy Tale Romance" series, but the 3rd book that deals with the le Wyse family. Of those three, this one is actually 2nd in chronology, though, since we meet their son in "The Princess Spy". I really liked this book. I liked how even though Evangeline didn't know how to do any of the tasks, she threw herself into them without complaining, even when she got hurt. I liked Westley's gentle, caring nature. The spiritual thread was woven easily into the story. I found it interesting how Melanie Dickerson tied the book into real history with the inclusion of King Richard and his marriage to Anne at the age of 15, the Peasants' Revolt, and the plague. There were several "bad guys" that Evangeline and Westley had to deal with. I was very glad that the interactions with them was not just running away from them through the woods. I found this retelling of "Little Mermaid" to be cute and a good rendition with Evangeline's beautiful singing voice, being "mute", rescuing the "prince" and someone else taking credit for it. I enjoyed being back in Glynval and seeing Ranulf and Annabel again.

I made this picture to show the relationship between the 7 books in the Hagenheim/Fairy Tale Romance series (Click to enlarge):

"The Silent Songbird" is available in hardcover:

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (November 8, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0718026314
• ISBN-13: 978-0718026318
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 1 x 8.7 inches

and Kindle edition:

• File Size: 2432 KB
• Print Length: 302 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Up to 5 simultaneous devices, per publisher limits
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (November 8, 2016)
• Publication Date: November 8, 2016
• Sold by: HarperCollins Publishing
• Language: English
• ASIN: B01CXE9L1O

I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received.