by Rhiannon Thomas
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: February 24th 2015
Rhiannon Thomas's dazzling debut novel is a spellbinding reimagining of Sleeping Beauty and what happens after happily ever after.
One hundred years after falling asleep, Princess Aurora wakes up to the kiss of a handsome prince and a broken kingdom that has been dreaming of her return. All the books say that she should be living happily ever after. But as Aurora understands all too well, the truth is nothing like the fairy tale.
Her family is long dead. Her "true love" is a kind stranger. And her whole life has been planned out by political foes while she slept.
As Aurora struggles to make sense of her new world, she begins to fear that the curse has left its mark on her, a fiery and dangerous thing that might be as wicked as the witch who once ensnared her. With her wedding day drawing near, Aurora must make the ultimate decision on how to save her kingdom: marry the prince or run.
Rhiannon Thomas weaves together vivid scenes of action, romance, and gorgeous gowns to reveal a richly imagined world … and Sleeping Beauty as she’s never been seen before.
The first half of the book is more of Aurora adjustment to life 102 years after the one she originally lived. Everything is different, everyone she cared about is dead and now she feels like a stranger in her own land. I can’t say I felt like I connected with Aurora and I’m not sure if it was because of the third person perspective but it also really didn’t bother me. I thought she was interesting and wanted to know what was going to happen to her regardless. I kept thinking what would it be like to wake up in the situation she does. I liked how she really changes from the beginning of the book to the end. I was frustrated with her naivety but also what was she supposed to do. This poor girl is constantly kept under lock and key, I think she doesn't even know how reclaim herself at first.
There are three boys involved but it’s not really a love triangle. Although Aurora might be intrigued and care about each one she isn’t really focused on finding true love. She seems more concerned about finding her place and finding a way to restore her kingdom.
Finnegan is definitely my favorite out of the three. He tells things how they are and seems to always be honest. He does have a roguish way about him but it’s more about the political game then it is about him being a player. He is a people reader and therefore can mold himself into who he needs to be to get what he wants.
Tristan is the boy who lives in the village. He is fun and adventurous but also clearly has his own agenda. He will not be swayed by affections.
Of course then there is Rodric, the prince who woke Aurora up. What a sweet and caring boy his is. I feel sorry for him because he is thrust into a position of expectations. He seems like genuinely good guy. Aurora might not love him but I think even she finds it difficult to not care about him.
The second half of the book really picks up as we uncover more of what has actually happened to the kingdom while Aurora was sleeping. I think people really start to begin their true colors and there are some things that I was not expecting. The book sets itself up to continue on and definitely sets up the framework.
As far as a Sleeping Beauty retelling, I really enjoyed this one and thought the premise is so unique. It manages to keep that haunting feeling of a fairy tale while creating a new tale. This is definitely a story for fans of retellings to check out.
Aurora
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Hannah New
Prince Rodric
Steven R. McQueen
Prince Finnegan
Ben Barnes
Tristan
Chris Sheffield
I tried to pick more girl power songs for the playlist because I feel like that is what Aurora needs.
I also tossed a Sleeping Beauty song in there.
I also tossed a Sleeping Beauty song in there.
As well as reading and writing YA fiction, she runs the blog FeministFiction.com, where she discusses TV, books, and all kinds of fannish things from a feminist perspective.
I don't hang out on Goodreads much, so if you want to contact me, please swing by my personal website or message me on Twitter.
