A Wingless Hope

by Sydney Winward

Can one find hope when the pixies’ survival depends on the return of their lost princess?

When Briar Firewillow was just a small pixie within a seed, she was bonded to young Prince Quinn Thistlethorn. But the day took a terrible turn when the Shade King was killed and her seed was stolen. When the world is so much bigger than her, she grows up not knowing who or what she is. At least until she’s rescued by pixies just like her, who reveal a shocking secret—that she’s married to the King of the Shades.

Briar must navigate an unexpected relationship with a handsome pixie and learn her new role as Queen. But when a dangerous outside enemy threatens to tear them apart once again, they need to decide what they must sacrifice—love or duty. And hearts will break as they learn the cost of true love.

Genres: Fantasy, Retellings, Fairy Tale Retellings, Fairy Tales, Romance

198 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 26, 2024

Reviews

[Jasmine (Lady Bookmont Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You are more to me than life itself.”

♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《Now playing: Tightrope from The Greatest Showman》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪

»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼❀°-🎀-★–—►
To be honest, for most of this book I thought it would be a 4 or 4.5 star read, but those last few chapters really sent this book over the top for me, earning it the 5 star rating for sure!

So, for those of y'all who don't know me, I typically am able to figure out plot twists and who the villains are in books pretty easily, like literally, it isn't often that an author stumps me, but Sydney did it so well I actually got who the villain was wrong. Well, one of them. Then one of them I never suspected and one I suspected but then decided couldn't have been the villain, but then I turned out to have originally been right. Like, seriously, Sydney had me so convinced that this one character was the villain that I was so, sooooo close to going on a full on rant about this character after a certain something that would have prevented true love had happened, and then to read a couple more chapters and find out what I now know had me in shock, like, literally after finding stuff out I had to stare at a wall for a good minute.

But still, as disappointed as I probably should be at an author stumping me with a plot twist, I am actually super happy because I have been waiting so long for this moment to happen, and to have it happen with what is now one of my newest favorite books is just the cherry on top! (This was also my very first 5 star read of 2026, which just made it so much better, too!!)

I have literally no complaints about this book, everything was just done so well! Like, for example, with novellas one of my more common complaints is that the book wasn't long enough and that I thought it would have been better and I probably would have liked it more had it just had more to it to just make it a more complete book, but that was not the case with A Wingless Hope. The pacing, the storytelling, just everything with it was just so well done in my opinion that I could not ask for more. Now, if the author wanted to write some short stories or something longer on these characters, I wouldn't say no, though. 😉

Y'all, the romance though. 🤭🥰 Like, honestly a full star or maybe even more is dedicated to just the romance because it's just sooooo good and sweet!! 🥰

Just, y'all, this book!! 🤭🥰

Also, just a note, but if you want an even more detailed content review, I'd highly recommend checking out Lindsey from BFCG's review!

♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《Hand in my hand and we promised to never let go》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪

»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼❀°-🎀-★–—►
⤷ Briar:
Honestly, I kept thinking of Sleeping Beauty whenever I read her name, you'll know, because of the whole “Briar Rose” name thing, lol, but this Briar was such a great character! I loved how she's strong and courageous, yet still loved pretty dresses and hoped to fall in love! I just really loved her!!

⤷ Quinn:
I love how protective he is over his people and Briar, especially after finding out that he originally didn't like being a prince. It was a really good arc, although I will admit it would have been nice to have seen some of the arc play out, but just the aftermath was really good too. Lowkey it was really weird imagining him due to how he looks, but it didn't bother me, probably due to his amazing and super caring personality! 🤭

♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《We're walking the tightrope》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪

»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓒𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰❀°-🎀-★–—►
10/10 Pink is my favorite color, so of course this cover would have gotten a high rating just for that, but then it's also just so gorgeous in general, especially the dress!!! 🤭

♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《High in the sky》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪

»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓒𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓷𝓽 𝓦𝓪𝓻𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼❀°-🎀-★–—►
(Warning! 🚨 Before you go any further, there is a chance that something I've said about the content will possibly be a bit spoilerish, so please proceed with caution! Also, if I missed any content, please let me know so I can add it!)

☆Trigger Warnings:
None

☆Faith based/Christian:
A mention of a miracle.

☆Other Religious Content:
Briar sends a prayer of gratitude to a fairy for helping her; a mention of joining family members in the afterlife;

☆Violence:
Battle fighting; a character is murdered on page; mentions of other characters being murdered off page; mentions of assassins; characters get stabbed; a character falls and breaks his wing; attempted assassination; a character almost gets eaten by an animal; mentions of blood, pain, and injuries; Goblins are brutal to pixies, including many mentions of them killing pixies or cutting off their wings; mentions and rememberings of deaths and near-deaths of loved ones; a character has flashbacks to a goblin attack that killed his mother; a character kills someone in a fight; near-death experiences (including almost being stabbed, drowned, suffocated, and attacked by other creatures or animals); saving someone from drowning; characters are held at knife-point;
mentions of wars; mentions of poisons & a death due to a poison; mentions of prisons & exile;

☆Sexual Content/Romance:
Kissing (up to semi-detailed); it is said that a pixie starts in his or her mother’s womb, becomes a seed to be planted in the ground, and then is born in a flower; mentions of divorces; Mentions of miscarriages & parents taking a long time to have a seed; touches and embraces; hand holding; noticing the nearness of someone they are attracted to; wanting to touch, embrace, & kiss; remembering kisses; some almost kisses.

☆Magic:
Majority of the characters are pixies; there's a cat that can talk (and might be a fairy); mentions of goblins, orcs, and other magical creatures; a couple of characters must use magic to keep up a magical barrier that hides their land from humans and other dangerous creatures; a couple of characters have a special bond that puts like, a birthmark on each of them that allows them to see if the other person is still alive and stuff; mentions of warlocks, breaking a magical bond with someone, & a spell; mentions of fate controlling lives; a mention of fairy godmother intervention; Many scenes of magic, feeling magic, & using magic (such as for a bonding ceremony, holding a barrier to protect others, sharing a lifeforce, blasting magic at others in a fight, making a fire, making a light/lantern); a mention of a husband saying his wife’s womb was cursed due to being unable to have another child

☆Bad Language:
None

☆LGBTQ+:
None

☆Drugs/Alcohol:
Mentions of drugs and being drugged; no alcohol.

☆Miscellaneous:
A character says he hates another character.

♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《We can see the whole world down below》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪

»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓜𝔂 𝓐𝓰𝓮 𝓡𝓮𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓭𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷❀°-🎀-★–—►
15 years old and older.

♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《We're walking the tightrope》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪

»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓟𝓪𝓻𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓪 𝓼𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓼?❀°-🎀-★–—►
Yes, this is the seventeenth book in the Hope Ever After multi-author book series. They can all be read as standalones.

♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《Never sure, never know how far we could fall》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪

»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓦𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓘 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓻𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓼/𝓶𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓶 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓪𝓾𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓻?❀°-🎀-★–—►
I plan to do so!

♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《But it's all an adventure》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪

»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓦𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓘 𝓻𝓮-𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴?❀°-🎀-★–—►

Absolutely!!

♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《That comes with a breathtaking view》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪

»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴𝓼 𝓼𝓲𝓶𝓲𝓵𝓪𝓻 𝓽𝓸 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓸𝓷𝓮❀°-🎀-★–—►
If you want another Thumbelina retelling, I recommend Snapdragon by Sarah Beran!

♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《Walking the tightrope》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪


*I received a free copy of this book from the author. A review was not required. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars ⭐️ Clean Fiction - Fairytale Retelling

The Pixie Hollow franchise gives a romantic view of fairies and pixies, but in this book, it’s a bit more realistic. That storm with heavy rain? Those drops are half the size of a pixie. A leaf in the middle of a path? That’s a giant obstacle in the way. Birds can be trained to be helpful, but the goblins? Well, I’m sure you can figure that one out—they’re not good and to be avoided at all costs.

I thought instantly knew who the villain/culprit was, so I was pretty shocked at who it was because I totally didn’t even consider anyone else.

I will note that a word I honestly can’t stand was used and made me drop my rating half a star. Some might think that’s a bit much, but the book was clean else wise besides some normal fantasy content (fighting and deaths), so I was very disappointed in that word being used.

Quinn and Briar were absolutely adorable together and I loved how much he loved her. They did have some longing/yearning with touches and kisses that while sweet would make me suggest this for 16+ at least because it gave me some flutters with them. 😅

Maybe not as G or even PG compared to the Tinkerbell movies or even the Barbie fairy movies, but I did enjoy many aspects of it and it reminded me of those at times—just with some harrowing events.



Main Content-
A pixie starts in his or her mother’s womb, becomes a seed to be planted in the ground, and then is born in a flower; One kind of pixies do not have wings and the other does; The royal families have magical abilities & have to learn/practice it to be able to use it well (seen on-page); Many scenes of magic, feeling magic, & using magic (such as for a bonding ceremony, holding a barrier to protect others, sharing a lifeforce, blasting magic at others in a fight, making a fire, making a light/lantern);

A talking cat (that is possibly a fairy); Goblins are seen on-page as well and they are brutal to pixies (including many mentions of them killing pixies or cutting off their wings).

Briar sends a prayer of gratitude to a fairy for helping her.

Mentions of warlocks, breaking a magical bond with someone, & a spell; A couple mentions of fate controlling lives; A mention of joining family members in the afterlife; A mention of a miracle; A mention of fairy godmother intervention; A mention of orcs.



Language: Other than ‘prick’ being said once, nothing stronger than ‘stupid’ or the fictional curse ‘pixie dust’; A couple mentions of curses (said, not written, including by Quinn); Eye rolling & Sarcasm.

Killing someone in a fight, Near-death experiences (including almost being stabbed, drowned, suffocated, and attacked by other creatures or animals), Saving someone from drowning, Being held at knife-point, Fighting, Injuries, major Pain, Blood/Bleeding, & Passing out (up to a handful of sentences).

Seeing murders/assassinations, & deaths and near-deaths of loved ones (up to a few sentences); Quinn has flashbacks to a goblin attack that killed his mother.

A young Quinn plans to disappear because he hates being a prince.

Many mentions of deaths/assassinations, wars, bodies, assassins, attacks, fighting, & grief; Mentions of poisons & drugs/being drugged (& a death due to a poison); Mentions of injuries, pain, & blood/bleeding; Mentions of hatred; Mentions of miscarriages & parents taking a long time to have a seed (also a mention of a husband saying his wife’s womb was cursed due to being unable to have another child); A few mentions of prisons & exile; A few mentions of divorces; A mention of vomit;



1 fingers-to-lips touch,
4 fingers/hand kisses,
2 cheek kisses,
2 forehead kisses,
1 eye kiss,
1 ear kiss,
2 almost kisses (lasting a couple sentences),
1 kiss with no details,
3 kisses lasting a sentence,
1 kissing session lasting a few sentences,
1 kiss lasting 5 sentences,
Remembering kisses & almost kisses (a sentence or two).

Touches, Embraces, Dancing, Hand holding, Warmth, Shivers, Nearness, Smelling, & Noticing (up to a handful of sentences); Wanting to touch, embrace, & kiss (up to a couple sentences).

Quinn instantly takes a liking to Briar and wishes to be more than just friends.

Mentions of kisses & kissing.

[Tiny Dragon Books~ Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Wingless Hope by Sydney Winward
Thank you to Silver Forge Book, Booksirens & the author for the opportunity to review this lovely story and provide my unbiased opinion.

The day that 6 year old Prince Quinn Whistlethorn was betrothed to Princess Briar Firewillow, was the worst day of his life. Destined to unite their pixie peoples of Mapleborough & Shadowfalls, Quinn is more interested in flying to the moon on his iridescent wings than the little seed that will someday bloom into his wife. But the ceremony meets a brutal end, when Quinn’s father is assassinated and, despite permanently injuring his wing in Quinns efforts to save her, Briars seed is stolen by a bluejay and never found.
Nineteen years later, Briar, who lives alone in her golden bloom by the river, finds herself exhausted by the dangers the world poses and stumbles into a fairy house, owned by human girl, Priscilla, who offers her safety.
But Quinn is still searching for his bonded Princess, and desperately needs to find her and join their powers to keep the pixies of Eliandor safe from the goblins who are only too eager to wipe them out entirely, and the assassins still at large.

A Wingless Hope is a sweet Thumbelina retelling, full of lush floral imagery and whimsical settings, reminding me of a Shirley Barber fairy book, or the Tinkerbell animated movies. There wasn’t a huge amount of world building, and lots of plot points were just ‘accepted’ but for a young adult romance, it was a light and sweet read, and bursting with positive vibes.
I love that the proceeds of this book for the first two years is donated to help stamp out human trafficking and the ‘Hope Ever After’ series is full of fairytale retellings by authors who have the same goal. What a great example of artists using their expertise to better the world.

[Lisa Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wingless Hope by Sydney Winward is a retelling of "Thumbelina" from the Hope Ever After series, which supports Operation Underground Rescue to help fight against child sex trafficking. This is the fourth book I've read from this series and the second adaptation I've read of "Thumbelina." One reason authors tend to shy away from this story could be that it contains more high fantasy than the average fairy tale, which makes it perfect for Hope Ever After. All the books I've read in this series so far plant additional magic lore into the fabric of the stories they tell, and this book is no exception. Where the original fairy tale was simple and doesn't always make sense, this version creates an entire culture around Thumbelina's race including two different types of pixies to explain why she was born without wings.

Briar is a lost princess whose flower seed was stolen away by a bird before she was born, causing her to grow up alone in the wild without knowing her true identity. Quinn, her betrothed, injured one of his wings trying to rescue her seed and devotes the rest of his life to finding her and bringing her home. Relations are not well between the Shades and the Flares due to an unknown enemy that seeks to rob both pixie courts of their powers. Where Quinn's life is surrounded by paranoia and political intrigue, Briar spends her days learning to survive in a big world that seems to have no place for her kind. The Shades and Flares have a similar dynamic to the Seelie and Unseelie courts of fae lore. Quinn and Briar's marriage was meant to unite the two races in an alliance. Due to the interfering forces, Briar grows up ignorant of all of this and is overwhelmed and confused when she is discovered by the other pixies later in life.

This story does not follow the original fairy tale as closely as the beloved Don Bluth movie. It places more focus on the pixie courts than it does on animal kidnappers, but there are several tasteful references to the film version for readers who enjoyed it during their childhoods. My favorite parallel between the book and the fairy tale is the human mother who finds Briar and takes care of her for a short time. Instead of an old lady, this book introduces an imaginative little girl named Priscilla who likes to build pixie houses and sew doll clothes for stray pixies to try on. When she discovers Briar, she is delighted to invite her into her home and asks her father to let her keep her. Though this behavior could have come off as toxic, Priscilla is given a positive portrayal as a caring girl who is too naive to understand the politics behind Briar's world and the ramifications of keeping her. Her character is perfect for a series meant to support captive children because she represents the innocence and hope of freedom.

The romance in this book is charming, though not ideal. There are many princess stories about finding love in arranged marriages due to the nature of the role. Briar's desire to love someone her own age and species is no different from any other princess story. Since Quinn uses a proxy for himself at their wedding, Briar falls for him before realizing that he is her husband, allowing the two to have a "meet cute" despite their arranged marriage. However, the lack of honesty in their relationship is mildly concerning. Although Briar is insecure about growing up apart from the pixie courts, it's incredible how much she understands in such a short time. I was a little surprised there was no language barrier despite her growing up in the wild, but that is common in fantasy stories like this. In the end, I supported her relationship with Quinn aside from a few rough patches that were quickly ironed out.

A Wingless Hope by Sydney Winward is a charming retelling of "Thumbelina" that brings a fresh perspective to the classic fairy tale. With its richly detailed world-building, engaging characters, and sweet romance, this book is a must-read for fans of fantasy and fairy tale retellings. The author's careful attention to detail and creative additions to the original story make this book a standout in the Hope Ever After series. Moreover, the book's themes of hope, freedom, and the power of innocence make it a fitting contribution to the series' mission to support Operation Underground Rescue and the fight against child sex trafficking. Overall, A Wingless Hope is a delightful and inspiring read that will leave you feeling uplifted and hopeful.

[Chantel · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a sweet retelling of this rarely retold tale! I loved the interaction and the way that the theme of hope was woven within.

[funkelbunt.liest · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5 stars, rounded to 5

A Wingless Hope is a sweet retelling of Thumbelina, although I have to admit I only know a very different version of the fairytale and not the movie that is mentioned by other reviewers and I think the only common elements between the fairytale I knew as a kid and this retelling are the main character being very small in comparison to humans and coming out of a flower.

So for me it definitely felt like a new story and I enjoyed discovering this world with different kinds of pixies.

I absolutely enjoyed reading this fast paced story which was filled with intrigue and danger but also included a sweet romance. I loved the “marriage of convenience” trope in this book, especially because it was clear for both characters that they would enter a real marriage and honor not only their vows, but also the other one’s hopes and wishes.

Especially how thoughtful and supportive Quinn was was endearing to read and he was easily my favorite character of the book. He is selfless, understanding and ready to make sacrifices not only for Briar but also for his people. Where he could have been bitter and resentful, he was kind and empathetic and just a really great character.

I wish there would have been a bit more backstory for Briar, who grew up completely alone and still was able to speak and mostly behave like the other Pixies. How quickly she adapted to her new surroundings and situation felt a bit unbelievable sometimes.

I had no problem diving into this world and the different situations were painted vividly. I did however still had questions about the political situation and the magical system. It didn’t really came clear to me why the magic was only passed through the male line or why there wasn't any form of prevention to stop the scenario that happened when Quinn’s mother died. When the joint magic for the royal couple is too much for only one to handle, shouldn’t there be some sort of regulation, magical mechanism, … prevent this exact situation since it will happen with almost every couple eventually?

So I still enjoyed this book a lot, but I think some aspects like the magical and political situation or Briars child and teenage years could have been a bit more fleshed out.

* Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of this book. I received a copy of this book via BookSirens and I leave this review voluntarily. The expressed opinions are my own.

[Magdalena Metzger · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a girl who spent her childhood searching for fairy doors in trees, this is the Thumbelina fairytale retelling you never knew you needed. Sydney's storytelling is beautifully poetic, bringing a pixie sized world to life, where hope blooms among the thorns of tragedy.

Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down! The world building of Shadowfalls was so realistically enchanting, that you wished you could accidentally stumble upon it in your own backyard.

The plot and storyline was richly detailed and very well developed, as was the romance between Quinn and Briar. This is a clean, sweet romance with no spice, but plenty of sweet tender moments to make you sigh as you watch their love for each other grow and unfurl in spite of their own fears, insecurities and obstacles.

The story, though drawing inspiration from Thumbelina, was such a rich and unique retelling, that I prefer it over the original! I was immensely impressed with how Sydney breathed fresh life into this story while keeping elements from Hans Christian Anderson's original fairytale! She created a world that was uniquely her own and then wove them together in a vibrant tapestry that is true storytelling at its best.

If you love sweet clean romantic stories with themes like:

✨ Resiliant Hope

✨ Found Family

✨ Overcoming insecurities and low self esteem

… all told within a Pixie sized Fairytale, then you need this book! I highly recommend this book with 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

"A Wingless Hope, a retelling of Thumbelina, is a standalone novella, complete with tropes like lost princess, arranged marriage, and stranded together. It is part of the “Hope Ever After” series, a collection of twenty hopeful and uplifting fairy tale retellings. Each book is written by a different author so it can be enjoyed in any order. The proceeds from this series are donated to the O.U.R. (Operation Underground Rescue) to rescue children from exploitation and trafficking."

*I was honored to receive an advanced review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rosalyn Nightshade · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wingless Hope is my absolute favourite Thumbelina retelling. I love how Sydney incorporated elements from the original Thumbelina story but also created a whole new world. Briar was an amazing character. She was strong, brave and resilient and while she could have easily given up in despair because of her situation, she didn't. She allowed her experiences to teach her and make her grow into an independent and capable person. Briar learned so much throughout her journey. She learned how to make herself vulnerable and put her trust in Quinn. Quinn was also an amazing character and I loved how he didn't allow the burden that had been placed upon his shoulders at a young age make him bitter and angry. The romance between Briar and Quinn was so sweet and I loved how they really seemed like two halves of a whole, the way they fit so perfectly together. I love the way that they are both willing to sacrifice themselves for each other and I really like that it isn't just Quinn saving his wife but Briar saving Quinn as well. My favourite part of the book was when they were in the tree alone together, as they really learned how to depend on each other and they grew closer together, becoming more than just friends. The part where Briar rejects Quinn was heartbreaking and the way that the author brings out the emotions really makes the reader feel it. Overall, this was an amazing book and if the rating could go above 5 stars, I would definitely rate it 10/5. The plot is easy and simple to follow, as it is a standalone story that readers can enjoy while the characters are well fleshed out and the worldbuilding is great. There is absolutely no spice in the book and there are only two kisses at the end (after they are married). I think that Sydney Winward is a great author and I will definitely be reading more of her books.

[Clarice · Rating 4 out of 5]

BookSirens ARC Review:

A Wingless Hope: A Thumbelina Retelling by Sydney Winward

4/5 Stars
0/5 Spice

If you loved the movie Thumbelina growing up, you might enjoy this cute retelling of the story. A Wingless Hope is a quick easy read, and great for younger readers who especially might struggle with a more complicated plot or too much world building but want a romantasy book with a hearty helping of mystery. This retelling of the classic Thumbelina gives us a great backstory to how Thumbelina came to be separated from her family and people (and also why she doesn’t have any wings like all the other fairies). And then as we move to modern day, we see the struggles that Thumbelina faced growing up all on her own and then having to learn her own people’s culture once reunited with them so that she might save them all.

I enjoyed how they gave Thumbelina a backstory so you know WHY she was living with a human and was the only one her size as far as she knew. I also enjoyed the twist of mystery and political intrigue and murder in this novel as both Briar and Quinn must navigate assassins in their midst while also trying to determine if their arranged marriage can be more than just a union of two people’s to put an end to the war.

[Charley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wingless Hope is #17 in the Hope Ever After Series. The story is a retelling of the Thumbelina fairy tale and is one I am not as familiar with, but wow, what a story! It involves pixies, orcs, a king who lost his wings, and a future queen who had been alone for most of her life. There is plenty of action, and a love so sweet. There were times I couldn't put the book down, not knowing what was going to happen next. The story is so well written, you feel like you are part of it. When Princess Briar doesn't choose her prince, you feel so sad, and then when she does, it gives you such a wonderful feeling. And as the ending approaches, it leaves you sitting at the edge of your chair, wondering how it was going to end. This is a clean fairytale, and yes, we get our happily ever after! Although I received an ARC copy, these comments are my own. I do recommend this book, and not only do you get a wonderful story to read, but the purchase of this book goes to support Operation Underground Rescue to help and protect children from trafficking. A wonderful fairy tale, and helping children? What could be better!

[Moni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. This is book 17 in the Hope Ever After Series, a multi-author complete standalone series about hopeful and uplifting fairytale retellings. The book's blurb lets you know what to expect. A Wingless Hope is told through Briar and Quinn's third person pov and is a wonderful Thumbelina retelling.

Though Briar has survived on her own for years, she can't deny that she longs for companionship and the call to a life much more than the one she is currently living. When she discovers her identity and her marriage to Quinn, King of the Shades, her uncertainty begins to slowly be replaced by the feeling of belonging. While Quinn knows that part of those feelings of belonging that they share are due to their bond, he is genuinely interested in getting to know Briar. As they spend more time together, they both bring comfort to each other giving them hope that their marriage could be one full of true love.

While their romance was insta love, it made sense because of the length of the story and the situation that Briar and Quinn faced. I liked that although they faced mutual attraction towards each other they took the time to become friends. Quinn was careful with Briar's feelings and wanted her to feel welcomed, and cared for, and that her choices were important. Their romance was a clean one consisting of kisses that were descriptive, but not overly detailed, no curse words were used, and the violence is that of a pg-13 level. Aside from the romance, I enjoyed the conflict and was eager to read how things were resolved. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and think other readers will also love it.

[Kelly C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thumbelina is one of my favourites, and this retelling was so good.
I was hooked from the first chapter. The flare pixies and shade pixies have been at war for years. To end the war, the Shade prince, Quinn, and the Flare princess, Briar are bonded to be married when they come of age. During an attack, the Shade king is killed, and Briar's seed is lost.
Nineteen years later, Quinn finally finds her and brings her home. He tries to win her trust and love so they can complete the bond and protect their kingdoms.
Quinn is so sweet and patient with Briar. He didn't try to rush her decision and made it clear it was her choice.
Having been alone for 19 years, Briar is trying to learn to trust everyone around her, including her own family. She is such a strong character, and she adapted to everything so well. I love how excited she was to get her first pair of shoes.
This is my favourite O.U.R. book in the series.

[Tanja Glavnik · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received and advance review for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A Thumbelina retelling? Sign me up! That cartoon is still one of my favourites to this day (and if you don't sing along with the frogs, who even are you?)

Overall I liked this. Briar and Quinn are well-suited and well-matched, both yearning for love and family after having lost so much on each side.

I saw one of two shocks coming, was wrong about the second and the third was unexpected! So kudos to the author.

However I will say that I really do NOT like Briar's brother. There had to have been a better way than all the dramatics that ensued after his meddling. PLUS how did Briar go and trust a person she's spent 5 minutes with rather than someone who saved her life??

Anyway, that's why I docked one star, but otherwise the story flows well, the characters are likeable, and it's a quick read!

[Fay J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is part of a multi author series covering well known fairytales. This is a fantastic retelling of Thumbelina, which I think is very often overlooked fairytale however it has definitely been done justice here.

Despite the start seeming to rush a connection between Briar and Quinn, there is a reason behind it and it is just the beginning of their relationship. They are both trying to deal with things not being quite right in their own world. They are very enjoyable characters and I genuinely liked them. They are a very sweet couple and I loved the romance of it all. The way in which this tale took its own path while melding with the traditional was also so well done. It had its own whimsy and the world building was beguiling. Allow yourself to be drawn in and I promise you will not regret it.

I now feel that I need to go find the rest of the series and read those too!.

[Isobel (Semi-Hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The “Hope Ever After” series is a collection of twenty hopeful, sweet and adorable fairy tale retellings stories. All the money made by this series will go to O.U.R., an organisation that fights sex trafficking. Each book is written by a different author. 'A Wingless Hope' the 19th book of this series is a retelling of Thumbelina and author Sydney Winward's story in the ‘Hope Ever After’ series was simply perfect.

The world this story is set in is enchanting and very compelling. The reader will be pulled to read voraciously this intriguing and compelling story. I liked immediately the premise of this book. Also I love rettellings.

The main characters had good chemistry from the begging and their love story is both adorable and charming.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I recommend it!

[Grinning Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thumbellina is a fairy tale that isn’t often retold, so I was delighted to find this adaptation. It’s very well done and involved me in the story right away. Quinn and Briar are the pixies whose magic must protect the pixie kingdom. They are bonded in marriage when she is just a seed (pixies grow from flowers in this ficton). There’s adventure, drama, intrigue, and a gentle love that makes itself known when Quinn first sacrifices to protect Briar. Their love story is sweet, and this is a clean romance appropriate for middle graders and teens, but also enjoyable for adults. The proceeds go to an organization that fights against human trafficking, and I can’t imagine a more compelling cause.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Chandaly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The novel was a great discovery to me. Apparently it is part of a series of fairy tale retellings but each retelling is written by a different author.

Here, the novel proposes a retelling of Thumbelina. While I liked the story written by the author, I don't know if I can call it a retelling. The story was completely different. I recognized very few elements linking it to the original fairy tale.

Still, I would recommend this because the story was interesting and well-written. It was for me a brand new fairy tale that was worth reading. The characters were endearing, the romance was moving and the plot was easy to follow. It is definitely a good book for lovers of the genre.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Thumbelina retelling, part of the Hope Ever After Series.

The story follows two pixies - Briar, the future Queen, and the handsome Quinn. This is a clean romance novella, so there's no spice, but it's a super sweet romantic read with lots of pretty imagery. It warmed my heart a little, and if you enjoy fantasy romance with fairies, pixies or goblins, this might appeal to you. I think each story in the Hope Ever After series can be read as a standalone, so if you're keen on fairy tale retellings, you may like this series.

Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[JoAnn W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed "A Wingless Hope" by Sydney Winward. I have been on a fairytale retelling kick for sure! So this book is a retelling of Thumbelina, which is a new one for me. I kind of expected this book to be light hearted and "fluffy" but it really touches on some dark topics. Within this novella the author created an intricate world, lovable characters and a storyline full of love, hope and beautiful creatures. Also, this story is one in a series of books written by several authors which are uplifting and hopeful and support O.U.R. (Operation Underground Rescue) which is an organization to rescue children from human trafficking.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars. Modern day retelling of Thumbelina.

The story starts when Quinn, Prince Thistlethorn, is six. On that day, Quinn is bonded with princess Briar Firewillow. Briar is just a seed at the time and unfortunately is kidnapped, separated from Quinn and all the pixies. Briar grows up far away from Pixie land and has to learn to fend for herself. Just before Briar’s, flower is about to die, she’s rescued.

The story is very fast paced, and easy to read. I loved every minute of it. It has mystery, intrigue, adventure, and romance. This is definitely a happily ever after story. This is a standalone, novella and part of the Hope ever after series. I definitely recommend it.

[Megan Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up watching Thumbelina. It was one of my favorites. This book gave me nostalgia for that movie. I loved it so much.

It was sweet, intriguing, mysterious version of the beloved tale. It was a unique twist that you don’t want to miss. I love the bonding, the magic, the relationships, the twists, the dual POV, everything about this story. Just when I thought I had it figured out, it threw me another twist.

If you like fairytales, the 90s Thumbelina movie, or sweet clean romantasy, add this to your TBR right now!

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hope Ever After series has been a joy to read from start to finish, it had everything that I was hoping for from a Thumbelina retelling. The characters worked in this fairy tale element and enjoyed the world going on. I enjoyed the way Sydney Winward wrote this and created characters were everything that I wanted. I was engaged with the concept and enjoyed the fantasy romance elements in this. I can't wait to read more in this series and from Sydney Winward.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Magical Tale

Wow! This retelling of Thumbelina is absolutely magical and heartwarming. Quinn, the King of the shade pixies, is the perfect hero, and his chemistry with Briar is adorable and believable. Winward did a terrific job of creating a unique and captivating take on the classic story, with no spice to detract from the overall sweetness of the story. I was completely enchanted by the world and characters, and would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Thumbelina. Winward did this beloved tale justice 🩷

[Ceej · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review*

This book was a bit of a mixed bag for me. The writing style was good when it came to descriptions and grammar. However, this book fell a bit flat for me in the plot department. As far as fantasy romance novels go, I’m not searching for anything too complex, but the predictability of this particular plot really made it difficult for me to finish. It was a quick, easy read though, and would be perfect for readers looking for something light and cute.

[SI Vann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a cute and original retelling of Thumbelina, I love the book and the world it’s set in and totally adore the main characters.

That said, if the author ever decides to expand on it and delve more into the details of everything that happened with both Briar and Quinn as well as give more background on the differences between the kinds of pixies and the rift, the story would not suffer for it.

Thank you, Sydney Windward, for a wonderful book and its lovely characters.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lj · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wingless Hope is a delightful Thumbelina retelling that deftly incorporates many elements of the original tale so often left out of other retellings. Indeed, there are details that I had completely forgotten that brought back memories of reading the story in a book of fairy tales when I was very young. Despite the nostalgia of the story, it stands well on it's own as a sweet and swoony story suitable for all ages with themes of sacrifice, hope, personal growth and love.

[Abbie Riddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fall in love with the retelling of Thumbelina - a retelling that is overlooked in this age of retellings.

This whimsical, cute and absolutely endearing story will captivate readers. I enjoyed the characters and writing. This is the type of read that makes you feel good and is easily devoured in a lazy weekend.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Carolyn Mahoney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. From the minute I opened it I was sucked in. Normally, I am bored by books other than realistic fiction, but this grabbed my attention. There are so many plot twists and things I never would have seen coming. The story comes together so cohesively and by the end, you feel good because you know how the story ends. I would 110% recommend this book to anyone looking to try something new or interesting.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know much about the original thumbalina fairy tale but I did enjoy this version! It is an adventurous love story with betrayal and heartbreak, but that of course comes to a very satisfying ending. Very cute, relatively quick read read. The series also supports the fight against human trafficking therfore if you love fairy tales, I would consider purchasing not just for a fun pov but also to support this cause.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book in less than 8 hours! It was so sweet and cute and then the twists made my jaw drop multiple times. It's a retelling of Thumbelina, and while I know that I've read the story long, long ago - don't remember enough to make comparisons and so this was a newish story to me and have I mentioned the twists!
A Wingless Hope tells the story of Briar and Prince Quinn, the two are bound or bounded when they are children. An attack on the kingdoms leads to Briar disappearing for 19 years. Everyday Quinn has searched for her while everyone else - her family included - has stopped. Once she has been found the attacks begin again and they must discover by whom and why they are being targeted. I knew I had it figured out only to discover I was wrong. And the reveal left my jaw on the floor. The end of the story - okay most of the book had a goofy, sappy smile on my face. This book made my heart happy.
The writing was right on and a perfect complement to the story. An authors note in the back of the book states that a portion of the proceeds goes to human trafficking victims.
If you like sweet, borderline sappy stories this is the book for you. There is no spice in this book so would be appropriate for readers as young as 15. Though honestly, I'd let my 8-year-old niece read it.