Although this 14th century Germanic historical pays proper homage to elements of the Disney version of Snow White, Dickerson has most certainly made it her own. This reviewer has personally taken to calling it: Snow White and the Seven Differently-abled Misfits. >.> 
 The hero, Gabe, is no Prince Charming. Instead he's more of an endearing beta-male anti-knight determined to rise to the occasion. (His horse's name is Gingerbread. That pretty much says it all. >.>) As the aimless second son of a Duke, he has little to bring to the table and he knows it. When word reaches his family that his hotshot older brother's betrothed--long thought dead--is both alive and in danger, no one but Gabe seems to take the information with urgency. While his brother delays an investigation to allow his broken leg to mend, Gabe seizes the opportunity to not-so-nobly show up his brother and prove himself heroic. But he faces a great deal more than he'd bargained for. 
 Thankfully, Sophie also bears little resemblance to the trilling, waifish Disney princess. Initially, she has no idea that she's anything but a spiteful Duchess's particularly reviled scullery maid. And even when her possible identity is presented, she's hesitant to entertain the idea. Sweet, virtuous, and brave, she's too concerned with finding a way to free her adopted 'family' from tyranny to consider waiting around for a prince. And while this reviewer tends to like a bit more fire in her heroines, this one did have her moments. 
 Favorite Sophie quote: 
 "Please God, don't let him be about to try to take advantage of me. I would hate to have to cut him." 
 Dickerson flexes a bit more romantic capacity in this book than I'd noted in her previous two fairytale adaptations. The pacing is steady, the dialogue smooth, the character growth believable--and there's an ever-present depth of detailing in both the character's surroundings and their inner lives. The concepts emotional abuse and self-worth come to the forefront of the story with some frequency, along with the more nebulous idea of what is and isn't God's will. 
 Which brings me to a disclaimer which I feel shouldn't be necessary, but given a few of the reviews I've skimmed, I feel the need to bring it up: Yes, this is a Christian historical romance. The publisher name, Zondervan, SHOULD be a dead giveaway. If you have something against this particular faith, you need not spend your time reading and then hating on this book for being what it is. Also, if the historical accuracy of women in the 14th century having few rights or say in whom they marry or how they live offends you...I'm really not sure why you're picking up a historical at all, frankly. I've never understood the point of judging bygone eras by the ever-shifting modern day standards of morality.