Especially the few moments with Valten and his wife. I loved visiting Hagenheim and these characters from the very first book on. This one, I had muddled feelings about, and I will explain later.

Fairy-tale re-tellings are a favorite of mine. I have enjoyed all of Melanie Dickerson's books. It is up to her to save her father and Hagenheim itself from Claybrook's wicked plot. Though when Margaretha overhears Claybrook one day, she discovers her romantic notions may have been clouding her judgment about not only Colin but Claybrook as well. Margaretha knows she could never be a spy-not only is she unable to keep anything secret, she's sure Colin is completely wrong about her potential betrothed. Then Colin retrieves an heirloom she lost in a well, and asks her to spy on Claybrook as repayment. Margaretha finds herself unable to pass Colin's message along to her father, the duke, and convinces herself 'Lord Colin' is just an addled stranger. And only Margaretha-one of the few who speaks his language-understands the wild story. But then an injured man is brought to Hagenheim Castle, claiming to be an English lord who was attacked by Claybrook and left for dead. It is up to her to save her father and Hagenheim itself from Claybrook’s wicked plot.Margaretha has always been a romantic, and hopes her newest suitor, Lord Claybrook, is destined to be her one true love. Margaretha knows she could never be a spy-not only is she unable to keep anything secret, she’s sure Colin is completely wrong about her potential betrothed.

Margaretha finds herself unable to pass Colin’s message along to her father, the duke, and convinces herself “Lord Colin” is just an addled stranger. Margaretha has always been a romantic, and hopes her newest suitor, Lord Claybrook, is destined to be her one true love.

The Princess Spy by Melanie Dickerson