The Captive Maiden by Melanie Dickerson

The Captive Maiden is a retelling of the Cinderella story but without the magic.  If you have read my previous posts on Dickerson's fairytale based books you will notice that they have all been favorable.  I am loathe to say it, but this one just wasn't as good.  I found it to be really cheesy and not as realistic as the other stories but more over the top.  Since this is the first paperback copy of Dickerson's writing that I have purchased, I can not speak to the other e-novels I read, but I noticed after finishing this book, on the back cover it says it is Teen Fiction.  This may explain the lean towards cheesy and perfectionist type characters.  As a Teen book maybe this is more in line with that age group.

I did find that Dickerson was quiet handy at retelling the tale and that part was interesting.  My issue was more with the characters and how I felt that the Author continued to try to impress upon you, their perfection.  Perfect hero, perfect heroine and perfect ending.  I did not like how I was continually reminded of the hero's goodness and his strengths.  I would rather let the story and his actions within tell me that, than it be written in repeatedly. 

The only fault that was put in, was the hero's battle with pride.  Not haughty pride but that he was prideful in wanting to always be the best and in wanting to rely on his own strengths and not God.

Don't get me wrong, I like a good romance and a little mush is fine but I love character development!  Seeing the characters in their weaknesses and strengths.  Seeing the development and growth of not just their relationship/romance but also of themselves.  I just didn't really find that in this novel. 

For some out there this might just be the perfect read for you... For me it left me wanting more.