Book Review: Dauntless by Dina L. Sleiman

Book Details:
Title: Dauntless (Valiant Hearts Series)
Author: Dina L. Sleiman
2015, Bethany House
ISBN: 9780764213120
Genre: YA Christian Historical Fiction

Book Summary:
Though once a baron's daughter, Lady Merry Ellison is willing to go to any lengths to protect the orphaned children of her former village. Dubbed "The Ghosts of Farthingale Forest," her band of followers soon become enemies of the throne when they hijack ill-gotten gold meant for the king. 

Timothy Grey, ninth child of the Baron of Greyham, longs to perform some feat so legendary that he will rise from obscurity and earn a title of his own. When the Ghosts of Farthingale Forest are spotted in Wyndeshire, where he serves as assistant to the local earl, he might have found his chance. But when he comes face-to-face with the leader of the thieves, will he choose fame or love?

My Review:
This book is set in the time period of King John - think Robin Hood. It is told from the POV of Lady Merry Ellison, Timothy Grey and Allen, one of Merry's "men". You also hear from the villain of the story, but you are unsure who he is until near the end of the book.

I liked this book. It didn't really grab me and keep me reading in rapt attention throughout the whole story, but it was good. Merry is an outlaw and is trying to keep a band of orphans safe from being killed by King John. They are a fun group and I felt like the author did a really good job with them. 

There is a love triangle that goes on between Merry, Timothy and Allen. Unfortunately it's pretty obvious what's going to happen from very early on in that situation. For the most part the story is fairly predictable except I wasn't able to guess who the bad guy was until he was revealed. 

It was a clean read, but I was a little surprised with the amount of kissing in it. It wasn't bad, but for a YA Christian book, I was a little surprised. I really appreciated all the historical references and the effort the author obviously made to make a fictional novel as historically accurate as she could.

Update: Want a little explanation on the kissing scenes from the author? Read her view here.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, Bethany House, for an honest review. No other compensation was received and all thoughts and opinions are strictly my own.