Maleficent

Maleficent Novelization #1

by Elizabeth Rudnick (Adaptor), Scott A. Piehl (Design)

A deluxe novelization of the Walt Disney Studios film Maleficent, starring Angelina Jolie. This visually dazzling live action film explores the origins of one of the most iconic Disney villains: Maleficent, the infamous fairy who curses Princess Aurora in Disney's animated classic Sleeping Beauty. This 'origin' story is told from Maleficent's perspective, intersecting with the classic in both familiar and unexpected ways. The movie stars Academy Award-winning actress Angelina Jolie as Maleficent, and is directed by two-time Oscar-winning production designer Robert Stromberg ( Avatar, Alice in Wonderland). The film co-stars Elle Fanning ( Super 8) as the Princess Aurora, and features Sharlto Copley ( District 9), Imelda Staunton ( Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix), and Juno Temple ( Atonement).

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Fiction, Fairy Tales, Retellings, Magic, Middle Grade

259 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

his is the part I'm always the worst at—talking about myself! So as you've figured out, my name is Elizabeth Rudnick and I'm a young adult author. I'm also a Senior Editor at Disney Press in New York City. I've edited books based on movies like Pirates of the Caribbean and Prince of Persia as well as Miley Cyrus's memoir, Miles to Go, which was a New York Times bestseller (imagine if Tweet Heart was too!) and a total blast to work on.

When I'm not working, I live in Connecticut with a big mutt named Jack Dyson (because he has the ability to suck up anything in his way) and have a habit of watching hours of mindless television. I like to think of it as research!

Reviews

[AMEERA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow 💜✨'

[Nayra.Hassan · Rating 5 out of 5]

جاء الي ارضها؛بحثا عن الثروة
القي بخاتمه الوحيد لكي لا يحرقها

عاد اليها مرارا
منحها: قبلة الحب الصادق
ثم
ثم قص اجنحتها🦇🦋


و كل جريمتها كانت: انها صدقت ان حبه صادق! ا
لماذ يتعجبون دوما من عنف الوحوش مع انهم صانعيها؟

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok - so the book wasn't the most epic, award winning thing in the world but it really set up the premise for the movie greatly!

I only gave it 4 stars because it was very rushed - like most movie to book adaptations since it's derived mostly from the movie script.

This is a whole different perspective of the story like you've never heard before.

I cannot WAIT to see this movie.

[Sabrina Grafenberger · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maleficent is a fast and easy read for people who love the movie and want to dive into Maleficent's world once more. Just don't expect too much of the writing style itself, it's very simple and reads more like a screenplay than an actual novel.

It's not often that I say this, but the movie is much better than the book and I'd recommend you skip this book and watch the movie instead.

[E. Mellyberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This rating is given by my 7 yo daughter, who, despite struggling over some big words, manages to finish the whole book by herself.

There was Maleficent's past, which was intriguing.
The plot twist was predicatble because, hey, it is a fairy tale after all :) No complaint here.
There was this feeling of "being betrayed" throughout the book, both from Maleficent' POV and Aurora's. The latter one made my daughter cry.

Overall, it's a nice little journey I have with my kid and it's priceless.
That's been said, we cannot wait for the movie to hit theathers.

Helloooo, Angelina Jolie ♥

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful story, adapted from the movie of the same name. It is a different take on the story of Sleeping Beauty. I enjoyed it so much, I went to the library to get the movie.
Maleficent is a faerie who, after her parents are killed, is raised by the Fair Folk. She finds goodness in everything until one day she meets a human and falls in love with him. All is well until he betrays her and she begins her life of darkness and revenge.

[Lau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Las novelizaciones no suelen ser el tipo de libro que más me atrae, pero amé tanto la película Maleficent que no pude resistirme. Obviamente no es lo mismo, y la adaptación está pensada para que sea apto también para el público infantil, así que no está hecha con gran profundidad.
De todos modos, si les gustó la película es muy probable que disfruten también del libro.

No voy a entrar en detalles sobre el argumento porque si ya vieron Maleficent lo conocen, y sino, les sacaría la sorpresa. Ésta es la historia de la famosa hada malvada de la Bella Durmiente, ahora contada desde su punto de vista y siguiendo la moda actual de probar que los malos no siempre son tan malignos. Vamos a ver a Maleficent antes de volverse oscura y echar la maldición sobre Aurora, la razón por la que se obra ese cambio en su corazón y finalmente cómo lo que se nos contó inicialmente no es totalmente cierto. Esto se explica brevemente en un texto muy lindo antes de comenzar la historia:

«Esta es la historia del hada Maleficent. No la historia que crees conocer. No la que comienza con una maldición y finaliza con un dragón. No. Esto es lo que ocurrió realmente. Y si bien puede tener una maldición y un dragón, tiene mucho más. Porque es una historia de amores perdidos, amistades encontradas, y, finalmente, el poder de un solo beso...»

Hubo dos cosas que me gustaron particularmente de este librito: una son las descripciones de los lugares y seres mágicos, y otra es que la escritora agregó algunas cositas de cosecha propia. La historia comienza antes de la película, vemos a un niño pastor con su padre (cada vez que hablaban lo leía en mi mente con acento escocés) y también conocemos a Maleficent de bebé, poco antes de la muerte de sus padres.
Un detalle tierno que no se puede dejar pasar es que el padre de Maleficent se refiere a ella como 'su bella durmiente'.

Los diálogos son casi calcados de la película, y salvo por algún que otro detalle que omitieron o narraron diferente, prácticamente no hay diferencia. El mensaje feminista de la película no está tan presente ahora, probablemente porque ocurre todo rápido. Ésto probablemente sea para no aburrir a los más chicos, pero la verdad es que hay ciertos fragmentos donde hubiera quedado mucho mejor que se les dedicara más tiempo, y en los que honestamente me quedé con las ganas de más. De todos modos es suficiente como para ver la transformación de Maleficent y llegar a conocer a los personajes, pero no en profundidad. Un gran cambio es que ahora vemos sus pensamientos y sentimientos, contrario a la película en la que simplemente se mantiene callada.

Es un libro bonito, simple, ideal quizás para chicos que comienzan a embarcarse en lecturas largas, y para leer una historia en la que se muestran con claridad muchas emociones muy humanas en un personaje de fantasía.


Libros junto al mar

[Maliha Tabassum Arna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a beautiful fairy (or evil!) tale......

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is movie tie-in for the Maleficent movie, which I loved. The book didn't add anything to the film, though, other than a prologue about Maleficent's parents. After that it was minute for minute with the movie, and the language was overly simplified, like the author assumed that very, very young readers would be the only ones interested in this book. So that was a bit disappointing; I'd kind of hoped that it would stand out on its own as a novel.

But I will give it extra bonus points for presentation. This book is GORGEOUS. It's a hardcover, but small, and the edges of the pages are black. The dust jacket has that velvet feel, and the cover of the book itself has a pattern of thorns on it. The typeface and chapter headings are also fancy. If you're a fan of the movie or just Maleficent/Sleeping Beauty in general, this is worth buying as a collectible.

[Sandy Southern · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this one BECAUSE I want to see the movie and it always seems better to me if I read the book first.

I really enjoyed this story a lot. It as compelling and written for easy reading. I believe anyone from 10 up would like it.

The only thing I really didn't like was that it didn't go along with Sleeping Beauty at all. Sleeping Beauty was my first movie in a theater and one that I sincerely loved. I can't seem to mesh the two in my mind.

That being said, it shouldn't take away from Maleficent, but it really does for me. All in all it's a great read!!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a HUGE fan of Maleficent, so when I heard they were coming out with a movie about her, I about blew up. I was so excited! I was even more excited when they announced that Angelina Jolie was going to play her, an excellent actress playing one of my most favorite Disney villains, it was almost too much for me. I was at a Target store when I found the book, I got it for a good price and to me, it was a very good book. It explained a lot of her character of what we already knew, and what we didn't know. It starts off with the explanation of her parents, who wanted peace between humans and the fair folk. Maleficent was only a baby at that time, when she grew to be a child, her parents had met an unfortunate end. Maleficent had trustworthy wings that could carry her wherever she wanted to go, and the book describes her wings as beautiful with horns at the tips.

Then she meets Stefan, who I automatically knew he was trouble. We know Maleficent hates Stefan, but the old Disney film never explained in full detail why she hated him so much to put a spell on his daughter. This book explains it, and very well. It also explains what happened to her wings, and I feel so sorry for her, and I felt the same emotions toward Stefan as Maleficent did. I hated him too. But as all good stories have their bad moments, this book too has some.

It was different than the movie, I know it's an adaptation from the movie, it didn't add everything from the movie. It did add still a lot, but not all of what the book told. Maybe that's just me, it could be different for many others. But that didn't stop me from loving the book as much as I did the movie. Which I recommend you all go watch the movie, it's so good. So, read the book, and watch the movie. It's well worth it.

[Miss Clark · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 stars

Another film tie-in, but even less interesting than the MG version.

This has more from Maleficent growing up, talks about her mum and dad, being raised by the other fairies and playing tricks, and much more about her and Stefan's relationship.

But after Stefan betrays her, it essentially just follows the film and again adds no depth or insight into Maleficent's character or any other character. No POV from Diaval :( Nothing about Aurora's mum, other than at least we learn in this one that she died and was indeed brokenhearted at the loss of her daughter. Stefan ignored her completely and just brooded and obsessed over Maleficent's wings instead of going to her as she lay dying. I felt so sorry for Aurora that she was deprived of ever knowing her mum. I also wish Maleficent would have expressed some sorrow or regret for putting the mum through all that pain just to get revenge on Stefan. Maleficent may learn to love Aurora and thus open her heart again, but I wanted to see some concrete evidence of her treating others with respect and concern. I wanted to see her making amends for what she did and to everyone that she injured and hurt.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

maleficent.. while reading the beginning of the book the first chapter or so felt slow to me, and didnt quite grab my attention. perhaps because there was so much going on around me while I was trying to read it, but then I sat down again and gave it another shot and from what ive always known from sleeping beauty, maleficent was cruel and just pure evil. im glad this book was published to show us another side to maleficent that we never knew. how love and betrayal can damage us whom were once happy and innocent to the fact that then it changes and fills us with a bitterness that we all can relate to. im glad that this was different than the original true loves kiss with a prince that awakens aurora. to maleficent losing hope that there ever really is such a thing as true love to coming to grips that over time and surprising herself that she had grown to truly loving aurora and that her love ended the curse. I really loved this book and how it turned out to be.

[Shelley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible. I quit reading after a couple chapters. It looks like most people rated the story/movie and not the book. There is probably nothing wrong with the story but the writing is horrible. The "author" is "telling" the reader a movie. I had to look pretty far into the book to find the authors name, and the only mention is "adapted by". This is what happens when a film company "writes" a book. Strip away the imagery and music, don't add any depth to the characters and this is what you get. Save your energy and just watch the movie.

[Romane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so epic! I've watched the movie first and then I discovered this novelization, and then of course I read it. There's a story behind all of us. Maybe there are things that we do not know and people who don't seem to look bad as they appear to be.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a rarity in this world. I just don't really enjoy watching television. I have to force myself to watch movies and series. I just don't enjoy watching movies and series. I prefer a book. So, if there are novelizations of movies and series I prefer reading those over watching the movie or series. And ever since I saw the trailer for this movie I was quite curious about it. So, today I decided to finally pick up this book. It had been waiting on my shelves for long enough after all.

I really loved how magical this story was. It was almost impossible not to fall in love with this place, with the place the fairies want to protect so desperately. The descriptions were very vivid and I could almost see, smell and feel the place. I can only imagine how pretty this must look on screen! Although, I'm also a little afraid that it might not look as amazing as I imagined it while reading it. At some point I will watch the movie and let you all know.

I also quite enjoyed the relationship between Maleficent and Aurora, mostly because it develops so naturally. Of course, a lot has happened between them and Maleficent is clearly keeping some secrets from Aurora that could have changed the relationship in a big way, but the love, especially the love from Maleficent towards Aurora, is so pure. And it's even more beautiful because it's not romantic love, but parental love, even if it's not her own daughter.

I was quite surprised by the ending though. Up until the moment Aurora discovers the truth about who she is the story seems to follow the original Disney tale quite well. Most of the dialogue has been kept, the situations are the same and it feels as if we only get to see a different side of the story. The ending however takes a completely different turn. However, considering this story and the protagonist of this one, I quite liked the change.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

My cousin sister gave this book to me, and it was a lot more indulging than what I had in mind. It was also quite different from the movie, and had more information/details about Maleficent. I think that I enjoyed the book way more than the movie as well.

[angela ✧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally get to read this book after the movie, and I say, it has a lot and much more info about Maleficent compared to the movie

[Rettiysa Tarigan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, let's just say I'm very much disappointed, but it was a good book.

It was a good book, honestly. Quickest book reading I ever did. Two hours in wee hour. I am quite proud of myself (ha!). As the title stated, it was the story of Maleficent. Who was she, where she lived, her friends, her first love, her trust, her confusion, her naivety, and most importantly, the story of the seed of darkness that was planted in her heart. It was the anti-hero Maleficent instead of the infamous evil, evil, evil, dragon Maleficent. We get to the story of “Sleeping Beauty” we knew halfway to the end. Well, the twist began here. How did we expect three pixies incompetent to cook, to sew without magic could raise a baby from the start? I always wondered, too, after watching Disney’s classic “Sleeping Beauty”. Both the film adaptation and the novel provided the answer, even more entertaining in the film, of course, but nothing was too disappointing. I was delighted to know more characters, especially the respectable names for magical creatures in The Moors. I loved Robin, which turned out to be the source of Maleficent’s playful side. It was good, too, to know what Knotgrass meant when she said, “Humans here. I hope it’s not another war.” (yep, one might not notice it, but they clearly hinted that there had been a war before, which I guessed Maleficent’s parents were involved—I was right!). Therefore, I am still disappointed.

Honestly, the only reason I was intrigued to read this was that I loved the film (actually, I am quite… obsessed with it, but let’s just pretend that I am a bit more normal), and I expected an extra from the book, but then I realised that I was wrong to seek that here. Whilst more untold stories took place in the book, the characters are somehow shallow and dull. Maleficent was dull (and apparently, she is the main character here, how come she let her become dull? No, I have no idea as well). Diaval was dull. Not to mention Aurora. Dull, dull, dull. The depth was not enough explored and developed. My personal favourite character is Diaval for he was Maleficent's moral anchor, and he was supposed to be more daring, vain, and proud because he was a raven! He has been reduced to melancholic man-raven servant of Maleficent's, instead of companion and confidant (and a friend).

What a shame, really, because it has so much potential to become a perfect, epic story.

I really doubt if it were really meant for young adult. I reckon it is more suitable for younger children, yet, then, it has not met its initial purpose to put adult-twist in it. And in the end, when I thought I could not be more disappointed, I found that the grand finale, the ending, did not offer extra privilege. It was almost exactly as it was on the motion picture adaptation, of course without mentioning the closing scene in the film, which is now more satisfying than the book. I was hoping a few glimpses of their future like most fairy tales ended. Perhaps a full paragraph that goes and ends with something like “And they lived side by side for years to come, peacefully,” as I had already interpreted it as a fairytale book. Just not my luck.

Or maybe watching the film before reading the book is just a terrible idea.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a fantastic read. I was entranced from the very first page, something that not a lot of books have the power to do. Maleficent is just like the movie, the scenery in it is beautiful and the faeries in it are adorable. Maleficent's parents only wanted peace with the human kingdom, but the king and his soldiers were greedy and wanted all the treasure and resources that the moors possessed. The moors were home to all the fairfolk and faeries and magical creatures where Maleficent was born. There are all kinds of faeries, dew drop faeries, and stone faeries and wind faeries and even snow faeries. They keep nature in balance and make sure that the water continues to flow through their streams. I loved Maleficent from the very first page when she was just a baby. She lost her parents in the very beginning, they were trying to keep war at bay and they were trying to make peace with the king and his greedy soldiers. Maleficent meets Stefan while he is trying to steal a precious jewel from their jewel pond. They immediately fall in love and Maleficent learns to trust the human, despite all the fairfolk saying that humans are nothing but trouble. But she is betrayed by him in the most horrific way possible, the king is dying and he needs to name a successor. Stefan tricks Maleficent and when she wakes up she discovers to her utmost horror that her beautiful wings have been taken from her. Stefan takes them to the king and is rewarded..kind of. He did something terrible to become king, besides stealing Maleficent's wings i mean. This sends Maleficent into a journey of revenge and hatred towards Stefan. Maleficent hears from her beloved raven Diaval informs her that king Stefan's wife has given birth to a baby girl named Aurora. Maleficent shows up at her christening to bestow a gift on the child, before the sun sets on her sixteenth birthday she will prick her finger on a spindle and fall into a sleep like death. The only thing to wake her from this sleep is true loves kiss. After that Maleficent watches little baby Aurora grow up with the three faeries, Thistlewit, Knotgrass and Flittle. Maleficent comes to love Aurora over the years and she regrets putting the curse on her in the first place. This story shows just how low some humans will sink just to have some jewels and some precious resources like water and wood and all that. King Stefan is evil to Maleficent and he gets what he deserves eventually. It's despicable what people will go to war over. Especially against such peaceful faeries who are only interested in keeping their home safe and pure. I loved this book, it was exactly like the movie. Only in the movie Maleficent's raven was named Diablo and not Diaval. But besides that it's the same. This book definitely deserves five stars from me!

[Majs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Den var fast-paced och egentligen inte jätte speciell
Men jag tycker ändå om den. Den är ju skriven ur maleficents perspektiv, och hon är inte bara en elak häxa om ni fattar.

Återigen, den var bra men inget speciellt. Skulle inte rekommendera den om någon frågade om bokrekomentarioner, men ja skulle inte heller nämna den som en bok man inte borde lösa.

[Brad Sells · Rating 4 out of 5]

But if I know you, I know what you'll do - you'll love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream.

THIS MOVIE IS GOING TO BE AWESOME, YOU GUYS. While the writing wasn't the best and everything was rushed (then again, it's a screenplay-to-book adaptation, so what can you expect?), it was still good nonetheless. Can't wait for the movie!

[Trae Stratton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fun reading a classic fairy tale from the "villain's" point of view. I'm rather certain that many purists are/will be disappointed in it, but I really enjoyed the new spin this story put on the characters and the ending.

[Alex Kramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

After seeing the movie and now reading the book the story of Maleficent is still as amazing as when I first saw the movie. This book was super amazing and I loved it, and it even pulled at my heartstrings just like the movie. I recommend everyone read this book.

[Dominika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Książka zdecydowanie dla młodszego czytelnika. Dość przewidywalna i oczywista , zwłaszcza jeśli widziało się przedtem film 😅
Nie zmienia to faktu, że czytało się to przyjemnie.

[Teresa Barrera · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The difference between a hero and a villain often depends on perspective."
I'm sure many have seen the film with Angelina Jolie as Maleficent, but if you haven't, it's a good movie to watch. As well as the 2nd movie. The details in scenery of The Moors, golly, I'd love to live in a place like that.
Anyhow, getting off topic there.
This book is pretty much the movie version with extension.
I really enjoy getting a background on Maleficent. And while of course it's different how Aurora's story plays out from the original Disney animation, I still enjoyed it.
The one thing I kinda didn't like were the way the three fairies were portrayed. While it did create some humorous moments in the book and movie, I really wished the fairies were portrayed as the loving caretakers like the original Disney version.
But all in all, I great quick read.

[baguette · Rating 3 out of 5]

characters - 6
atmosphere - 6
writing - 5
plot - 5
intrigue - 7
logic - 6
enjoyment - 6
TOTAL - 5.86 (3 stars)

notes:
- the writing honestly reminded me of my own writing, which is not a good thing. there was a lot of showing and not telling.
- there were some changed/added things that differed from the movie and i was okay with most of them.
- just watch the movie instead. maleficent's character is so much better shown in the movie. i feel like this adaptation was too short and i feel like maleficent could've been more scary/morally gray.

[Tiffany Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Hello Beasty"...and, I loved it!

Maleficent is my favorite Disney villain who isn't, to me, an actual villain. Stefan is the more worthy villain and his betrayal of friendship and love is unimaginable!

What a magnificent story about betrayal, friendship, family, loss of innocence and true love. I really adore the relationship that develops between Aurora and Maleficent throughout this story. And Maleficent's desire to protect the Moor and those she cares about is truly admirable.

I most certainly recommend this one! It was a quick, fun, and magical journey!

[Christopher W.]

Very good book there is 24 chapters and at least 300 something pages. In the beginning it talks about her family more than the movie does which I admire. Most people may wonder "When did the movie come out?" or "Was the movie made before the book?". The answer is that the movie was made in 2014 and so was the book. The movie came out before the book. I would definitely read the first part of the book and then see the movie. All in all it was a good book.

[Monika ♡ Na luzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Czarownica. Prawdziwa historia Diaboliny" to druga z książek, które znalazłam w Disney Box od Magical suitcase.
I jest to historia, która zdecydowanie bardziej do mnie przemówiła. Porwała mnie od pierwszych stron, tak jak w filmowej Diabolinie, w tej również zakochałam się bez reszty.
Powieść jest świetnym odwzorowaniem adaptacji filmowej, więc jeśli film przypadł Ci do gustu, książka również powinna :).