Review:
*I received a free ecopy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Given that this is a Sleeping Beauty retelling and has such a fantastical (and gorgeous) cover, I went into the book expecting it to be very light and airy and fairy tale-esque, like many retellings are. I was pleasantly surprised to find it was actually very modern, realistic, and relatable!
Yes, it is a sci-fi/fantasy book, so it does have fairies, dark sorceresses, magic mirrors, teleportation, etc., but the characters, the way they think and act, the relationships—those were the realistic, relatable things. And to me, that’s the perfect way of doing things because it’s all the fun of a fantastical world and plot but with characters I can connect with.
My favorite thing though was the relationship between Apolline and Allard. The whole they’re-betrothed-to-each-other-but-don’t-realize-it thing was so much fun, and I loved the dynamic between the two of them. There was clearly interest at first sight, but things progressed at a nice pace. The way they got to know each other, flirted with and teased each other, tried to squash their feelings and be just friends with each other, protected each other, respected each other, etc. was all adorable. I especially loved when Allard repeated Apolline’s words about how important the “commoners” are because it showed how much she meant to him and how much he respected her.
The non-romantic relationships were great and kind of adorable too in their own ways. I adored the relationship between Allard and his father, and even the way Charlie was like a father to Apolline was sweet.
The story leaned a little more to the fairy tale, random magic side near the end, but it was still a nice, action-packed climax.
Overall, I would say this is one of my favorite retellings so far, and it was a fun read that had me smiling throughout at the characters and their relationships!
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes fantasy/sci-fi fairy tale retellings but with realistic, relatable characters.
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It’s great to hear that you enjoyed Princess of Tyrone. I’ve read a few of Katie Hamstead’s books and she’s probably one of my favourite authors now. Hopefully, I can read this soon too.
This was actually the first book I’ve read by her, so I’ll have to check out her others! But I imagine if you already like her writing, you’ll probably like this one since it was good 🙂
ohhh I.. don’t… know… how I feel about the cover 😉
and I’m not into retellings but I’m glad YOU liked it 🙂
Coincidentally [because that is how connected we are! :)] I JUST posted the review for the Sleeping Beauty retelling I had recommended to you.
I know… I know.. I KNOW! 🙂 You already said no to the Rumpelstiltskin short story! 🙂
BUT the Sleeping Beauty retell is a full book. 🙂 just saying 🙂
I used to not like retellings, so I get it that some people don’t, but I love them now!
Isn’t the Sleeping Beauty retelling you’re talking about only like 90 pages? That is not a full book lol. You’re killin’ me here 😛 But that is funny that we both just read similar stories!
Hahahaha is it l only 90 pages?? Omg I go from one book to the other zooom so they are just a blur now 🙂 the results it feels like one big book of 10000 pages lol
Haha I didn’t double check, but I know I’ve looked at it before and it was too short for me, however many pages it was. But you crack me up 😛
I haven’t read a ton of re-tellings – at least not many that were marketed as such. I do like the sound of this one as it seems to mix the fantasy with the perfect amount of realism. AND I love your description of the relationship between Allard and Apolline. It sounds fantastic. AND their relationships with their fathers (or father figure, in Apolline’s case). It always makes me happy to have strong parental figures in a story…even a fantasy one. I’d already seen your review on GR so I’ve already added this to my tbr, Kristen. Wonderful review!
It really was so surprisingly realistic with the relationship! I loved that. And yes, the more strong family relationships I’ve read about, the more I’ve realized I really like them in books, so they make me happy too! You’ll have to let me if you end up reading and liking this one 🙂
Fairies and other planets- that’s an interesting combo. I would think the same thing based on the cover, glad to hear it was actually not all fluffy! The Appoline/ Allard thing sounds fun, I take it they think they’re betrothed to others but it’s actually themselves they’re promised to? Sounds like the characters are the best part.
I like it when sci fi and fantasy are mixed if it’s done right. I haven’t read many retellings but this does look like a fun read.
Yeah, mixing sci-fi and fantasy seems to go wrong for me more often than not, and I never even read space books, but it turned out really well in this one! And yes, they think they’re betrothed to others but they’ve never met the others, so they don’t realize they’re actually betrothed to each other. Which is not a spoiler btw lol since its pretty much in the official blurb.
Retellings have really grown on me, and this was definitely one that suited me.