Blog Tour| The Piper’s Pursuit Review + Giveaway

Hi everyone! Today I’m excited to be on the stop for The Piper’s Pursuit blog tour hosted by The FFBC. Keep reading for my thoughts and a giveaway for a copy of The Pipers Pursuit!

Title:The Piper’s Pursuit

Author: Melanie Dickerson

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release date: December 3, 2019

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retelling

Synopsis: A plague of rats. A giant beast outside the village walls. A host of missing children. And one young woman determined to save her people.

In 1424 Hamlin, Katerina faces threats from all sides. An outbreak of rats has overtaken the village, a mysterious beast is on a killing rampage of the village’s children, and her evil stepfather is a dark presence inside the walls of her own home. Katerina is determined to hunt and kill the Beast of Hamlin herself before more lives are lost.

When Steffan, the handsome but brash duke’s son, comes to town seeking glory and reward, Katerina decides he might be the ally she’s been looking for—even though the sweet music he plays on his pipe seems the only gentle thing about him. But there’s more to Steffan than she suspects, and she finds drawn to him despite her misgivings.

Can Katerina and Steffan stop the enemy from stealing every child of Hamlin? Or will their interference create a worse fate for them all? Melanie Dickerson delivers another exciting fairy tale journey of intrigue and romance in this reimagining of the classic Pied Piper story.

This is the first book I’ve read by Melanie Dickerson but definitely won’t be the last! The Piper’s Pursuit is book number 10 in the Hagenheim series but it can easily be read as a standalone. It follows Steffan and Katerina as they band together despite their differences, in hopes of ridding Katerina’s village of an unknown beast that has been stealing children.

Steffan is the rebellious son of a duke and is now trying to redeem himself for past mistakes and seeking glory. When Steffan hears of the town that has been plagued with rats and has had children going missing, he finally finds the means for his glory. The mayor of Hamlin(also Katerina’s stepfather) has put out a reward for the individual who can slay the beast- riches AND Katerina’s hand in marriage. Steffan is not really wanting a wife but the riches and fame on the other hand- yaaaaaas sign him up. Katerina has been working hard trying to determine what is going on in her town. She is a strong, fearless woman and has no desire to wed any man. When the two of them finally meet, things do not go smoothly. Katerina despises Steffan and his pompous ways and the two clash. They both eventually realize that they must work together to solve whats happening in Hamlin and kill the beast. And in doing that they begin to learn more and more about each other.

This is told from alternating points of view between Steffan and Katerina. It was so fun getting to peek inside each of their minds and see what they were thinking. I thought the pacing was wonderful and kept me on my toes the entire time. There was lots of humor in this( the banter between Steffan and Katerina was excellent) and twists and turns that will keep you on your toes. I loved the romance between the two, it was very sweet! I read this far too late into the late but just couldn’t put it down once I started! Recommended for fans of great adventures, The Pied Piper, retellings, and Happily Ever Afters!

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Thomas Nelson Pub for the copy of The Piper’s Pursuit and The FFBC for including me on the tour!

Melanie Dickerson is the New York Times bestselling author who combines her love for history, adventure, and romance. Her books have won a Christy Award, two Maggie Awards, The National Reader’s Choice Award, the Christian Retailing’s Best Award, the Book Buyer’s Best Award, the Golden Quill, and the Carol Award. She earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from The University of Alabama and has taught children and adults in the U.S., Germany, and Ukraine. Now she spends her time writing stories of love and adventure near Huntsville, Alabama.