I simply adored this medieval 'fairy tale' and no one can write them quite like Melanie Dickerson! With a feisty heroine, a charming hero, an intriguing plot, and amazing descriptive imagery, I found myself totally lost back in the 14th century with not much desire to return! The author's amazing expertise in medieval prose and ambiance made me truly feel as though I, too, was a character in the quaint village of Glynval. To keep her identity from being discovered Evangeline pretends to be mute, but what will happen if her secret comes to light? Will her deceit shatter any hope of a happily ever after with Wesley? And how do the two of them find themselves tangled in a web of intrigue and a plot to overthrow her cousin the King? Refusing to marry the old and ugly Lord Shively, Evangeline runs away to Glynval with a group of servants and their handsome leader, Wesley le Wyse. Then her worst nightmare becomes a reality when she becomes betrothed against her will to the sinister Lord Shively, her cousin's closest advisor. Ever the hopeless romantic, Evangeline dreams of one day marrying the handsome man of her dreams and living happily-ever-after. The feisty Evangeline, cousin to the King, is gifted with a heart of gold, a beautiful face, and a heavenly singing voice. With a sweep of her magical pen.er, quill, that is, author Melanie Dickerson takes the reader away on an enchanting medieval journey - replete with sword-wielding feudal lords, lovely maidens, ancient castles surrounded by exotic wildflowers and sparkling rivers - where intrigue and danger lurk behind every stone wall! I received a copy of this book from BookLookBloggers and have written an honest review. This is a great story for the teen age girl but is also very enjoyable for the mature woman as well. I especially appreciate how the author has written into the story Evangeline's desire to read the Bible and how that becomes something she and Westly do together. The story is so well written it is easy to get pulled into the story and not want to put it down. This is a very easy story to get lost in. The story also has humor written into it as well. The characters are very well developed and even through there are many characters in the story, they are introduced in such a way it is easy to follow along. It is a very good story with suspense and mystery woven through out the story. This is a good clean romance written for young adults. Her singing voice is what she is known for at the King's castle and she fears she will be recognized. Glyncal village is having a celebration that will include a singing contest and Evangeline is told she will be taking part in it. It is quickly found out that she is was not a servant as she can read and has not servant skills.Įvangeline's story is eventually revealed and she begs Westley to not let the men looking for her to take her back to the King to be married to Lord Shiveley. Evangeline is then moved into the castle to work. Westley comes to her rescue and with discussion, finds out that Sabina caused the problem. When this is discovered, Evangeline is taken out to be flogged. One day she gives poisonous mushrooms to Evangeline to put into the soup. Sabina, a local girl who has her eyes on Westley, comes to help her. To avoid being recognized, she pretends to be mute, but when she witnesses an attack on Westley's life, she yells for help. They travel with Westley le Wyse to his parents home and become servants for them in the village of Glynval. She is caught by Muriel and they both run away together. After spending the evening with them, she packs a bag of servant's clothing and decides to run away. That day she is informed the the King has chose his closest advisor, Lord Shiveley as the man she will marry. One morning while looking out her window singing, she watches the servants talking and laughing while doing their work. She feels like she is no better than a prisoner in the dungeon, not being able to talk to or interact with who ever she wants. Evangeline is the cousin and ward to King Richard II.

The Silent Songbird is a medieval fairy tale that takes place in 1384 in Hertfordshire, England.

Songbird reviews 2016