Dina Sleiman's Dance of the Dandelion ~ Reviewed

Dance of the Dandelion
by Dina Sleiman
WhiteFire Publishing
ISBNs:
DIGITAL:
9780983455622
PRINT:
9780983455608
296 pages


Back Cover:

Love's quest leads her the world over.

Dandelion Dering was born a peasant in the English village of Arun, but her soul yearned for another life, another world. One filled with color and music, with adventure and passion . . . with more. Haunted by childhood memories, Dandelion determines to find a better existence than the life every peasant in the village contents themselves with. Even if her sweetheart William’s predictions prove true, and her journey leads straight to heartache.

From her sleepy hamlet to the intrigue of castle life, from the heart of London to the adventurous seas, Dandelion flees from the mistakes of her past, always seeking that something, that someone who will satisfy her longings.

Will Dandelion ever find the rhythm to her life's dance . . . or did she leave her chance for true love at home in Arun Village?

Review:

In Dance of the Dandelion, Dina Steiman writes with a beautiful, romantic prose perfectly suited for the time period she presents. From the first chapter, I was swept away to a world of dancing ladies and doting gentlemen, courting in the shade of a luxurious castle. I could visualize the sloping hills beneath the mythical castle, and young Dandelion nestled beneath it, staring longingly upon its towers.

I love stories that show the inner strength of women who long to rise above their circumstances. Dandelion’s challenges are further exasperated by the love she feels for William, a man who doesn’t share her ambitious desires.

Dandelion lives among peasants, destined to a life of poverty, yet she longs for more. She loves William, a young man so familiar he may as well have been etched in her hand, and by all accounts he is quite a catch—for a peasant. But Dandelion is determined to rise above her lowly status and desperately wants William to concur.

What haunts her most is not her lowly state, but fear of hunger—a sensation she’s all too familiar with. Living in the shadow of the castle, she longs to find employment among the royals, where food is plenty and life is easy. William tries to talk her out of it, knowing either her hopes and heart will be dashed, or her dreams will be realized and the glimmer of discontent already pervading her heart will spark into flame, devouring her love for him.

Dandelion doesn’t listen to William, and charges off to the castle, soon proving William’s fears true when she is rejected as a lowly, saucy peasant. She returns expecting to find a compassionate ear only to encounter a distant shoulder instead. Seeing her determination to fight for a better life, William begins to realize he will never be the man she desires. He is perfectly content to remain in the village, working his family’s land. Can Dandelion accept him and the life he offers, or will she throw it all away to chase after her dreams for better?

As I mentioned before, Dina writes beautifully, her voice so appropriate to the time period, I actually felt like a beautiful maid skipping through flowery meadows. Through Dandelion, she evokes dreams for better—for achievement and significance in her reader. I look forward to reading more of Dina’s work in the future.


Reviewed by: Jennifer Slattery
Broken Lives Saturated by Grace
JenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.com
ClashOfThetitles

Bonus Review:

Review by Michelle Griep

Dandelion Dering was born a peasant in the English village of Arun, but her soul yearned for another life, another world. One filled with color and music, with adventure and passion…with more.

Haunted by childhood memories, Dandelion determines to find a better existence than the life every peasant in the village contents themselves with. Even if her sweetheart William’s predictions prove true, and her journey leads straight to heartache.

From her sleepy hamlet to the intrigue of castle life, from the heart of London to the adventurous seas, Dandelion flees from the mistakes of her past, always seeking that something, that someone who will satisfy her longings.

If you like to hang out in castles with noblemen, or rub shoulders with peasants in a cozy village, then this is the book for you. Heroine Dandelion manages to lead a life that is all encompassing, from dirt-poor starvation to tapestry-filled luxury…and everything in between.

What I enjoyed most was the history lesson. Dance of the Dandelion is a visit to the chivalrous days of yore—in all its non-sanctimonious and smelly glory. Author Dina Sleiman doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to detailing what life was really like before indoor plumbing.

The plot keeps you guessing, wondering how in the world a happy ending will be accomplished. Without giving anything away, though, let me just say that the reader is ultimately satisfied.

This is Dina’s debut novel. I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.