Things I Liked:This was a really fun and fairly unique retelling of Sleeping Beauty. The story doesn't go quite how it has been told before, and that makes it more enjoyable, I thought - a few surprises mixed in with a familiar story. I really liked Aurore and her spunky, no nonsense attitude. She narrates her story directly and I loved her somewhat cheeky voice throughout. There are glimpses of humor and wit throughout that make this overall an excellent read for those who can't get enough fairy tale retellings!
Things I Didn't Like:
I was disappointed that there didn't seem to be a lot of depth. There were so many things that could have been developed more, especially the "villains." I thought it was a really good story, but should have been more detailed and instead of simply hinting at other things that are dying to be told what, carrying that concept through. I wanted more.
Read-alikes:
Spindle's End by Robin McKinley
A Kiss in Time by Alex Flinn
Enchantment by Orson Scott Card
Thornspell by Helen Lowe
Briar Rose by Jane Yolen
BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none
mrg-factor: none
v-factor: none
Overall rating: ****
You know, I never really get tired of a good fairy tale retelling, even though the basic story is so familiar. Do you?
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Hi! I just stumbled across your blog and I am so happy I did! I have a similar book review blog, and I was wondering how your rating system works. I rate on a scale of 1-5, but how do you manage your ratings?
ReplyDeleteShaynie, there is an explanation of my ratings on the right sidebar, but in essence, s-factor is language, mrg-factor is sexual content, v-factor is violence and sometimes scary stuff. The overall rating is my subjective opinion of how much I liked it, not necessarily merit-wise (though I try to take that into consideration). Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I also can not get enough out of the fairy tale genre. I actually just read this book too. I happen to be an a fairy tale binge lately. Don't know why. :)
ReplyDeleteI've always liked Jane Yolen's Briar Rose as a Sleeping Beauty retelling and Helen Lowe's Thornspell was also good. But is 'Sleeping Beauty' getting overdone compared to some of the other fairytale retellings, I wonder?
ReplyDeleteJulie, I go in fairy tale cycles - a lot and then not many and then a lot again. Love them!
ReplyDeleteAndie, I KNEW I was forgetting some in my read-alikes! I can't believe I didn't put Thornspell on there! I don't think Sleeping Beauty is as overdone as Beauty and the Beast.