Books With Bean ~ The Healer's Apprentice

Title: The Healer’s Apprentice 

Author: Melanie Dickerson

Published: 2010

Genre: Romance/Young Adult/ Fairytale Retelling

Summary: Rose is the daughter of a woodcutter but has been taken in to apprentice to the castle Healer. Rose feels really blessed because this means she doesn't have to get married and can learn to read and write. There is just one problem, Rose gets queasy at the sight of blood. While she is learning the sons of the local Duke of Hagenheim come home from studying at university. One day while the castle healer is out Lord Hamlin, the next Duke of Hagenheim comes in injured and it is up to Rose to take care of him. As she does so, Rose finds herself discovering new feelings and becoming attracted to to future Duke. There are however several problems, Rose is just a healer's apprentice and besides that Lord Hamlin is already betrothed to the mysterious Lady Salomea. 

What I liked about it: Historical medieval fairytale retelling? Count me in! I loved this book and all of her other books (yes I’ve read them all). Melanie’s books are  so interesting. The medieval world of this series is amazing and I can't wait for her next book to come out.  

Language: I cannot remember any.

Romance: Well it is a romance book so yes, there is romance. Kissing is kept to the normal kiss on the back of the hand for greeting a lady until the end of the book when they live happily ever after, but even then it is kissing but nothing detailed. 

While Rose is working she also becomes introduced to the Duke’s younger son who becomes infatuated with Rose. He is wild and loves to follow his whims and not his parent's orders, but as a younger son he inherits nothing so he must either become a Priest or marry a heiress. While he believes he will soon become a Priest, he knows he won't be able to get married so he asks Rose to become his mistress. However Rose is greatly appalled by his offer and immediately refuses him and leaves the situation. 

Violence: There is a little bit of violence but nothing gory.

Magic: Lord Hamlin is not yet married because his betrothed is under attack by a man who wishes her harm. The man finds her and tries to sprinkle a powder on her. This is the only magic-like thing in Ms. Dickerson’s books because she writes them to be realistic in their real world setting. So this man is portrayed as dealing with some dark power however its not really gone into. 

Recommended Age: Well since it is a romance I would say 14 or 15 to start.