Review: The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson

Book Description via Goodreads:

Two Hearts. One Hope.Rose has been appointed as a healer's apprentice at Hagenheim Castle, a rare opportunity for a woodcutter's daughter like her. While she often feels uneasy at the sight of blood, Rose is determined to prove herself capable. Failure will mean returning home to marry the aging bachelor her mother has chosen for her---a bloated, disgusting merchant who makes Rose feel ill.When Lord Hamlin, the future duke, is injured, it is Rose who must tend to him. As she works to heal his wound, she begins to understand emotions she's never felt before and wonders if he feels the same. But falling in love is forbidden, as Lord Hamlin is betrothed to a mysterious young woman in hiding. As Rose's life spins toward confusion, she must take the first steps on a journey to discover her own destiny.

Source: Melanie Dickerson (Thanks!)

My Thoughts:

Set in Germany during the Middle Ages, The Healer’s Apprentice had a beautiful setting. I’ve always been fond of Europe. I found myself enjoying Hagenheim. The research done concerning the culture and customs of the Middle Ages were enough to make the story as realistic as possible. There was attention to detail.

Rose, a woodcutter’s daughter was chosen by Frau Geruscha, the town’s healer, to be her apprentice. Her worries revolved around being the next town healer and pleasing her constantly complaining and angry mother. Belonging to the lower class of society opened her eyes to the disadvantages of being poor such as being forced to marry a man she didn’t love. Her mother has been pushing her to marry men, to improve their life as a family. But she could not do this without love. When Lord Hamlin, the son of the duke was brought to Frau Geruscha’s chamber after being attacked by a wild boar, her worries suddenly started to shift. She found herself longing for the impossible and the inappropriate.

The characters were quite well developed. They reflected various personalities and at the same time the differences between the ideologies of the upper class and lower class of society. The thoughts about certain topics also magnified these differences.

It has elements of magic and responsibility, successfully infusing faith and lessons of life within the story. Light versus darkness was also reflected – a constant battle that still continues until today. Slightly predictable but enjoyable nonetheless, The Healer’s Apprentice was a great YA historical novel.

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