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Enchanted Tales of Tír #1
Tested: A Princess and the Pea Retelling
Her only chance at escape is to win the hand of the prince—but her loathsome suitor will do whatever it takes to see her fail.
Aine harbors a fervent desire: to shield the land and its inhabitants from the negligence of her father. However, her aspirations are threatened when her parents scheme to barter her off to a neighboring lord. The Queen's invitation to compete in a contest to determine the prince's bride arrives just in time.
Prince Rian, ensnared by a curse demanding he win the affection of the "perfect princess" before his twenty-first birthday, grapples with dwindling prospects and fading optimism. With scant months remaining, his ambitions have dwindled to a single to enact even the slightest improvement on the world—or at least his country—before his death.
As Aine faces the queen's tests, fate entwines her destiny with Rian's. Unfortunately, the determined Lord Cleirigh will stop at nothing to thwart her ascent.
Tested is a sweet, clean retelling of The Princess and the Pea. While it can be read alone, the books of The Enchanted Tales of Tír are best enjoyed in order. The Enchanted Tales of Tír reading A Retelling of the Princess and the Pea (Book 1) A Retelling of The Wild Swans (Book 2)A Gentle A Beauty and the Beast Retelling (Book 2.5) - Part of the Hope Ever After series
Aine harbors a fervent desire: to shield the land and its inhabitants from the negligence of her father. However, her aspirations are threatened when her parents scheme to barter her off to a neighboring lord. The Queen's invitation to compete in a contest to determine the prince's bride arrives just in time.
Prince Rian, ensnared by a curse demanding he win the affection of the "perfect princess" before his twenty-first birthday, grapples with dwindling prospects and fading optimism. With scant months remaining, his ambitions have dwindled to a single to enact even the slightest improvement on the world—or at least his country—before his death.
As Aine faces the queen's tests, fate entwines her destiny with Rian's. Unfortunately, the determined Lord Cleirigh will stop at nothing to thwart her ascent.
Tested is a sweet, clean retelling of The Princess and the Pea. While it can be read alone, the books of The Enchanted Tales of Tír are best enjoyed in order. The Enchanted Tales of Tír reading A Retelling of the Princess and the Pea (Book 1) A Retelling of The Wild Swans (Book 2)A Gentle A Beauty and the Beast Retelling (Book 2.5) - Part of the Hope Ever After series
Kindle Edition
Published March 29, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
April 13, 2026
*3.5 stars rounded down*
“Then do it yourself. Nobody else can make your legacy for you.”
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《Now playing: Kingdom of my Heart from Princess and the Pea 2002》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼❀°-🎀-★–—►
Thank you so much to Jacquelyn for buddy reading this book with me!! You can read her review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I somewhat have mixed thoughts. Like, it's not that I didn't enjoy the book because I did for the most part, there's just minor things that have irked me. Plus, something that rarely ever happens happened, which is that I can barely remember what I read. Granted, I did read majority of the book either very early in the morning or late at night, but I can typically still remember more than I am, which makes me question how much I truly enjoyed Tested. Thankfully I highlighted any content concerns I had and messaged Jacquelyn with a lot of my thoughts, because if I hadn't, I have no idea how I would have written this review. 😅
The noticeable Princess and the Pea elements didn't come until the last few chapters, which was disappointing, but the additions of the princess competition and the curse were intriguing, although it would have been nice to have actually seen the person behind the curse on page, and not as just a brief mention in a conversation. Yet even with the actual villain(s) in Tested, I expected them to show up and be more of a problem than they actually were… Some things throughout the story as a whole also felt almost a little too convenient as well, but I honestly wasn't expecting too much from this book, so…
A few more thoughts on the princess contest; I mostly liked it because that's something I've greatly enjoyed in some other books, though I think this one maybe would have turned out better imo if it wasn't so focused on only 4 girls (yet even then there wasn't all that much focus on anyone but Aine), and if there were better tests, like they seemed very simple and easy. It would have been more entertaining if there were some tests similar to maybe what was in A Dance of Silver and Shadow by Melanie Cellier, or at least something that gave a similar feel to reading those tests.
I did love that the main characters wanted to help people, especially those who are struggling, but there are even some things with them that make me want to whack them in the head, which I'll get into in the section for the characters. I was pretty surprised by the fact that a main character took to finding out a certain character was sabotaging another character a lot better than I thought they would, like I thought the miscommunication trope or something like it would have happened, though I am glad that wasn't the case.
I thought the ending was sweet and I liked it, but at the same time I was a little disappointed by it, and I thought it was a little rushed, which essentially explains what I thought about the entire book too, so yeah… I think that The Princess Companion by Melanie Cellier just set the bar for Princess and the Pea retellings too high, so now unless the book is exceptional, it's going to leave me a bit disappointed.
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《People bowing gently》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼❀°-🎀-★–—►
⤷ Aine:
Heh…. um… so…. what to say about her?? Well… she had no compassion for my poor nerves, for one. Just her actions and some of her personality really aggravated me. Like, I really wish Aine would actually tell people stuff, especially the important life-threatening stuff, because it honestly made me like her less the more she refused to talk to people. Another thing that irked me with Aine is that she seemed to think that she couldn’t make friends because it was a competition. Like, you would think that she would know that alliances are crucial, and that not everyone would misuse a friendship with her for their personal gain, but apparently not…
⤷ Rian:
For someone who was supposed to be such an amazing, magnificent person, especially before the curse, he was rather lackluster. Somewhat flat, but not a bad character overall. One thing that aggravated me was that he only had a very short amount of time to accomplish something that people would remember him by, and he only chose to focus on one thing, even when it looked like he would fail at that too. Like, I would be doing everything I possibly could to better people's lives instead of only focusing on only one thing if I had that short of time. Also, as far as I can tell, he didn't even start his one and only pet project until not too long before the events of the book, yet he had known about the end date for years but apparently decided not to do anything until it was almost too late… 🙄😑
⤷ Colm:
I'm still somewhat iffy about him. There were so many mixed messages with him that even though he ended up being on a certain side, I still don't quite know what to think about him.
⤷ Finn:
I thought it was so neat that he crochets! I've never read that in a book before, so it was nice to see that now. He's the typical nice, younger brother, prince character. There's nothing much to say about him overall. I did somewhat hope, though, that he and Princess Lucia would fall in love, lol.
⤷ Princess Lucia's goose:
Why yes, I did give the goose a spot on my review 🤭 The goose was definitely the best part of the book and my favorite character! Along with it being the only part of the book to make me actually smile and laugh. Like, if a book for Princess Lucia and her goose isn't written, I'm going to have a conniption fit because I need more of the goose asap. 🙂↕️
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《Caring for each other》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓒𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰❀°-🎀-★–—►
6.5/10 It's not bad, it's just that that's not how I kept imagining Aine, lol 😅
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《Every man his brother》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀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:
Kidnapping
☆Faith based/Christian:
Mentions of churches and priests; characters go to a church for a wedding; there are both good and bad elements portrayed with the priest; a mention of heaven.
☆Other Religious Content:
Mention of a ghost (that some characters look at another character as if they have seen a ghost).
☆Violence:
A character has only a certain amount of time before they die; kidnapping (on page); characters are threatened; a character threatens to stab another character; a character attempts to force another character to marry him by threatening to harm her; a lady's parents attempt to force her to marry a man of their choosing by locking her in her room and starving her, she also wonders if they will starve her to death if she continues to refuse to marry the man; to that, her father says “I do not care if you starve to death in this house. We will tell the magistrate that you were concerned about the fit of your dresses and that we had not realized you were not eating”; mentions of duels; mentions of death and of off page characters’ deaths; a character thinks she will be killed after her wedding and is essentially told that too; a character tells another character that he will kill her parents and her friends; a character tells another character that he will hang if he does something he threatened; a character is told, “I have no objection to marring your pretty skin if that’s what it takes to get you to the altar”.
☆Sexual Content/Romance:
Kissing (up to semi-detailed); thinking about kisses/kissing someone; wanting to kiss someone; weddings and mentions of them; a character thinks about having to sleep next to a character every night; falling in love; characters are called pretty, beautiful, and handsome; mentions of characters have children together; blushing; a character is almost forced into marriage; a main character goes into a competition for the other main character to find the perfect princess to marry.
☆Magic:
Mentions of a sorceress; a character is cursed; a character uses magic for tests to help find the “perfect” princess; mentions of a magical academy.
☆Bad Language:
None but there are mentions of characters cursing, though it isn't written out on page.
☆LGBTQ+:
None
☆Drugs/Alcohol:
None
☆Miscellaneous:
Due to a curse, a character looks ugly and smells bad, so that character's body is talked about a lot, and usually not in a good way; some characters are fine with lying; mentions of gambling; mentions that a side character's brother had a club foot.
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《Every moment filled with grace》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓜𝔂 𝓐𝓰𝓮 𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 + 𝓓𝓸 𝓘 𝓡𝓮𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓭?❀°-🎀-★–—►
16 years old and older due to content (but if you are younger than that and are fine with reading the content I listed above, feel free to read this book!)
I recommend this book to anyone who thinks they will enjoy this and are fine with reading the content I listed. I also would recommend it to anyone who likes fairytale retellings and The Princess and the Pea, and also those who like princess competitions.
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《In my perfect place》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓟𝓪𝓻𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓪 𝓼𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓼?❀°-🎀-★–—►
Yes, it is the first book in the Enchanted Tales of Tír series by Sarah Carlisle. They can be read as standalones as far as I know.
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《Where songs will inspire》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓦𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓘 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓻𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓼/𝓶𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓶 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓪𝓾𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓻?❀°-🎀-★–—►
If the author writes a book for Princess Lucia and her goose? Oh absolutely!! If she doesn't? Well…. I don't know yet.
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《Every family blessed
With food on the fire》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓦𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓘 𝓻𝓮-𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴?❀°-🎀-★–—►
Maybe, and only because I own it on Kindle, but there isn't a super high chance of me doing that.
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《Every prince and pauper gets to play his part》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴𝓼 𝓼𝓲𝓶𝓲𝓵𝓪𝓻 𝓽𝓸 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓸𝓷𝓮❀°-🎀-★–—►
If you want another Princess and the Pea retelling:
The Princess Companion by Melanie Cellier 100%!!
If you want something with a princess competition:
A Dance of Silver and Shadow by Melanie Cellier
The Selection by Kiera Cass (there is some content that you may want to check into first before you read this one)
Not a princess selection, but a gilded age, wealthy heiress looking for a husband selection:
My Dear Miss Dupré by Grace Hitchcock
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《In my kingdom of the heart》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
“Then do it yourself. Nobody else can make your legacy for you.”
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《Now playing: Kingdom of my Heart from Princess and the Pea 2002》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓜𝔂 𝓣𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼❀°-🎀-★–—►
Thank you so much to Jacquelyn for buddy reading this book with me!! You can read her review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I somewhat have mixed thoughts. Like, it's not that I didn't enjoy the book because I did for the most part, there's just minor things that have irked me. Plus, something that rarely ever happens happened, which is that I can barely remember what I read. Granted, I did read majority of the book either very early in the morning or late at night, but I can typically still remember more than I am, which makes me question how much I truly enjoyed Tested. Thankfully I highlighted any content concerns I had and messaged Jacquelyn with a lot of my thoughts, because if I hadn't, I have no idea how I would have written this review. 😅
The noticeable Princess and the Pea elements didn't come until the last few chapters, which was disappointing, but the additions of the princess competition and the curse were intriguing, although it would have been nice to have actually seen the person behind the curse on page, and not as just a brief mention in a conversation. Yet even with the actual villain(s) in Tested, I expected them to show up and be more of a problem than they actually were… Some things throughout the story as a whole also felt almost a little too convenient as well, but I honestly wasn't expecting too much from this book, so…
A few more thoughts on the princess contest; I mostly liked it because that's something I've greatly enjoyed in some other books, though I think this one maybe would have turned out better imo if it wasn't so focused on only 4 girls (yet even then there wasn't all that much focus on anyone but Aine), and if there were better tests, like they seemed very simple and easy. It would have been more entertaining if there were some tests similar to maybe what was in A Dance of Silver and Shadow by Melanie Cellier, or at least something that gave a similar feel to reading those tests.
I did love that the main characters wanted to help people, especially those who are struggling, but there are even some things with them that make me want to whack them in the head, which I'll get into in the section for the characters. I was pretty surprised by the fact that a main character took to finding out a certain character was sabotaging another character a lot better than I thought they would, like I thought the miscommunication trope or something like it would have happened, though I am glad that wasn't the case.
I thought the ending was sweet and I liked it, but at the same time I was a little disappointed by it, and I thought it was a little rushed, which essentially explains what I thought about the entire book too, so yeah… I think that The Princess Companion by Melanie Cellier just set the bar for Princess and the Pea retellings too high, so now unless the book is exceptional, it's going to leave me a bit disappointed.
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《People bowing gently》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼❀°-🎀-★–—►
⤷ Aine:
Heh…. um… so…. what to say about her?? Well… she had no compassion for my poor nerves, for one. Just her actions and some of her personality really aggravated me. Like, I really wish Aine would actually tell people stuff, especially the important life-threatening stuff, because it honestly made me like her less the more she refused to talk to people. Another thing that irked me with Aine is that she seemed to think that she couldn’t make friends because it was a competition. Like, you would think that she would know that alliances are crucial, and that not everyone would misuse a friendship with her for their personal gain, but apparently not…
⤷ Rian:
For someone who was supposed to be such an amazing, magnificent person, especially before the curse, he was rather lackluster. Somewhat flat, but not a bad character overall. One thing that aggravated me was that he only had a very short amount of time to accomplish something that people would remember him by, and he only chose to focus on one thing, even when it looked like he would fail at that too. Like, I would be doing everything I possibly could to better people's lives instead of only focusing on only one thing if I had that short of time. Also, as far as I can tell, he didn't even start his one and only pet project until not too long before the events of the book, yet he had known about the end date for years but apparently decided not to do anything until it was almost too late… 🙄😑
⤷ Colm:
I'm still somewhat iffy about him. There were so many mixed messages with him that even though he ended up being on a certain side, I still don't quite know what to think about him.
⤷ Finn:
I thought it was so neat that he crochets! I've never read that in a book before, so it was nice to see that now. He's the typical nice, younger brother, prince character. There's nothing much to say about him overall. I did somewhat hope, though, that he and Princess Lucia would fall in love, lol.
⤷ Princess Lucia's goose:
Why yes, I did give the goose a spot on my review 🤭 The goose was definitely the best part of the book and my favorite character! Along with it being the only part of the book to make me actually smile and laugh. Like, if a book for Princess Lucia and her goose isn't written, I'm going to have a conniption fit because I need more of the goose asap. 🙂↕️
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《Caring for each other》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓒𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰❀°-🎀-★–—►
6.5/10 It's not bad, it's just that that's not how I kept imagining Aine, lol 😅
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《Every man his brother》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀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:
Kidnapping
☆Faith based/Christian:
Mentions of churches and priests; characters go to a church for a wedding; there are both good and bad elements portrayed with the priest; a mention of heaven.
☆Other Religious Content:
Mention of a ghost (that some characters look at another character as if they have seen a ghost).
☆Violence:
A character has only a certain amount of time before they die; kidnapping (on page); characters are threatened; a character threatens to stab another character; a character attempts to force another character to marry him by threatening to harm her; a lady's parents attempt to force her to marry a man of their choosing by locking her in her room and starving her, she also wonders if they will starve her to death if she continues to refuse to marry the man; to that, her father says “I do not care if you starve to death in this house. We will tell the magistrate that you were concerned about the fit of your dresses and that we had not realized you were not eating”; mentions of duels; mentions of death and of off page characters’ deaths; a character thinks she will be killed after her wedding and is essentially told that too; a character tells another character that he will kill her parents and her friends; a character tells another character that he will hang if he does something he threatened; a character is told, “I have no objection to marring your pretty skin if that’s what it takes to get you to the altar”.
☆Sexual Content/Romance:
Kissing (up to semi-detailed); thinking about kisses/kissing someone; wanting to kiss someone; weddings and mentions of them; a character thinks about having to sleep next to a character every night; falling in love; characters are called pretty, beautiful, and handsome; mentions of characters have children together; blushing; a character is almost forced into marriage; a main character goes into a competition for the other main character to find the perfect princess to marry.
☆Magic:
Mentions of a sorceress; a character is cursed; a character uses magic for tests to help find the “perfect” princess; mentions of a magical academy.
☆Bad Language:
None but there are mentions of characters cursing, though it isn't written out on page.
☆LGBTQ+:
None
☆Drugs/Alcohol:
None
☆Miscellaneous:
Due to a curse, a character looks ugly and smells bad, so that character's body is talked about a lot, and usually not in a good way; some characters are fine with lying; mentions of gambling; mentions that a side character's brother had a club foot.
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《Every moment filled with grace》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓜𝔂 𝓐𝓰𝓮 𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 + 𝓓𝓸 𝓘 𝓡𝓮𝓬𝓸𝓶𝓶𝓮𝓷𝓭?❀°-🎀-★–—►
16 years old and older due to content (but if you are younger than that and are fine with reading the content I listed above, feel free to read this book!)
I recommend this book to anyone who thinks they will enjoy this and are fine with reading the content I listed. I also would recommend it to anyone who likes fairytale retellings and The Princess and the Pea, and also those who like princess competitions.
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《In my perfect place》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓟𝓪𝓻𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓪 𝓼𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓼?❀°-🎀-★–—►
Yes, it is the first book in the Enchanted Tales of Tír series by Sarah Carlisle. They can be read as standalones as far as I know.
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《Where songs will inspire》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓦𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓘 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓻𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓼/𝓶𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓶 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓪𝓾𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓻?❀°-🎀-★–—►
If the author writes a book for Princess Lucia and her goose? Oh absolutely!! If she doesn't? Well…. I don't know yet.
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《Every family blessed
With food on the fire》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓦𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓘 𝓻𝓮-𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴?❀°-🎀-★–—►
Maybe, and only because I own it on Kindle, but there isn't a super high chance of me doing that.
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《Every prince and pauper gets to play his part》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
»»—–★-🎀-°❀𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴𝓼 𝓼𝓲𝓶𝓲𝓵𝓪𝓻 𝓽𝓸 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓸𝓷𝓮❀°-🎀-★–—►
If you want another Princess and the Pea retelling:
The Princess Companion by Melanie Cellier 100%!!
If you want something with a princess competition:
A Dance of Silver and Shadow by Melanie Cellier
The Selection by Kiera Cass (there is some content that you may want to check into first before you read this one)
Not a princess selection, but a gilded age, wealthy heiress looking for a husband selection:
My Dear Miss Dupré by Grace Hitchcock
♫·♪ ࣪˖⟡˚《In my kingdom of the heart》˚⟡˖ ࣪♫·♪
![Profile Image for Jacquelyn 💐 {This Rapunzel Reads} [Jesus Christ, my Living Hope].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1773263215i%2F169222098._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
March 7, 2026
Buddy read with Jasmine! 💕
Well, this book was interesting to say the least. At the first, I really didn’t know what to think at all. It was unlike any fairytale retelling I’ve ever read especially with the prince’s curse. 😳😬 Sarah Carlisle is very good at describing…I felt like I was right there at certain parts. Aine was a good character. I wish she had a little more personality. Rian was interesting. I definitely felt bad for him. That would be a terrible curse. The ending was a bit rushed and I wanted more. Overall, it wasn’t bad. 🤷🏼♀️
Well, this book was interesting to say the least. At the first, I really didn’t know what to think at all. It was unlike any fairytale retelling I’ve ever read especially with the prince’s curse. 😳😬 Sarah Carlisle is very good at describing…I felt like I was right there at certain parts. Aine was a good character. I wish she had a little more personality. Rian was interesting. I definitely felt bad for him. That would be a terrible curse. The ending was a bit rushed and I wanted more. Overall, it wasn’t bad. 🤷🏼♀️
December 19, 2024
Something about me is that I will always love princess books and that will never change. My favorite things to read are fairytales written by self published authors so I stalk Amazon’s list of new releases in the fairytale and folklore category so that I never miss a new fairytale release or an upcoming fairytale series. That’s how I found out about Tested and instantly added it to my tbr list for 2024 because, yay, a new fairytale author and series!
This first installment of this new fairytale series did not disappoint. The world building was fantastic, the writing was incredibly skilled, and the book was actually hilarious. I loved meeting some of the princesses of Tir and learning about their world, and I can’t wait to learn more about their kingdoms. As with every fairytale series, I hope for and look for hints that there will be a Snow White retelling somewhere in the series (my favorite princess, character, fairytale, self proclaimed alter ego) but even if there isn’t, I’ll be reading every installment in this series.
I love how there is a sizable community of self published fairytale retelling authors out there and that there is no shortage of indie authors writing in this genre, because I feel like fairytales are generally underrated and is such a niche interest. But it gives me so much hope to see that not only are there so many indie fairytale authors, many of them have achieved HIGH levels of popularity and their retellings have seen massive amounts of success! I’ve always felt that fairytales are such a niche interest so seeing fairytale retelling become popular gives me so much hope and joy, as well as seeing so many fairytale authors writing in this genre. And of course, new authors like Sarah coming in and joining the fairytale bandwagon! I love how there are so many fairytale authors out there now that I never feel deprived of books in this genre because with my sizable rotation of fairytale authors and their series, it feels like new books come out every month. And finding new fairytale series like this one is so exciting to me!
A fantastic new series to add to my repertoire of fairytale series to keep up with. Can’t wait for future books and fingers crossed for at least a novella about Snow White? 👸🏻
This first installment of this new fairytale series did not disappoint. The world building was fantastic, the writing was incredibly skilled, and the book was actually hilarious. I loved meeting some of the princesses of Tir and learning about their world, and I can’t wait to learn more about their kingdoms. As with every fairytale series, I hope for and look for hints that there will be a Snow White retelling somewhere in the series (my favorite princess, character, fairytale, self proclaimed alter ego) but even if there isn’t, I’ll be reading every installment in this series.
I love how there is a sizable community of self published fairytale retelling authors out there and that there is no shortage of indie authors writing in this genre, because I feel like fairytales are generally underrated and is such a niche interest. But it gives me so much hope to see that not only are there so many indie fairytale authors, many of them have achieved HIGH levels of popularity and their retellings have seen massive amounts of success! I’ve always felt that fairytales are such a niche interest so seeing fairytale retelling become popular gives me so much hope and joy, as well as seeing so many fairytale authors writing in this genre. And of course, new authors like Sarah coming in and joining the fairytale bandwagon! I love how there are so many fairytale authors out there now that I never feel deprived of books in this genre because with my sizable rotation of fairytale authors and their series, it feels like new books come out every month. And finding new fairytale series like this one is so exciting to me!
A fantastic new series to add to my repertoire of fairytale series to keep up with. Can’t wait for future books and fingers crossed for at least a novella about Snow White? 👸🏻
April 29, 2025
As far as retellings go, I thought this one was fantastic! It’s well written, has humorous dialogue, charming characters that you can’t help but root for and the sweetest romance!
If you like fairytales, this is the perfect book for you, and even though it’s inspired by ‘The Princess and The Pea’ it has elements that reminded me of ‘The Beauty and The Beast’ which made for an interesting twist in the story!
If you like fairytales, this is the perfect book for you, and even though it’s inspired by ‘The Princess and The Pea’ it has elements that reminded me of ‘The Beauty and The Beast’ which made for an interesting twist in the story!
March 19, 2024
I recently had the pleasure of picking up a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review--and let me tell you, I plan on adding this book to my physical library ASAP! It was such a wonderful surprise, both magical and grounded and so much more profound than I ever would have guessed.
Story: 5/5
Worldview: N/A (not Christian but amazing themes)
Aine and Rian are only a part of the stellar cast of Tested. I loved seeing their worldviews challenged and how they had to grow as people. They did challenge each other, but their personal growth was not done with the motivation of pleasing the other, which was awesome. The side characters shined between high-flying Colm and bird-loving Prince Finn. Even the other princesses were well-rounded young women: kind, courteous, and fair. The author's grasp of situational humor really made me laugh out loud at many points. The magic in this story wasn't weird at all, but rather the backdrop of the fairytale itself (e.g. a sorceress that curses the prince, a magic pea). Despite having so much information on the rest of the world, I never felt overwhelmed with the world building and the whole kingdom just felt rich and alive.
Worldview is not applicable because I rate books based on their Christian perspective. However, the themes for this novel were so profound and relatable. Aine is distrustful and guarded with everyone around her. As much as she wants to let people in, she struggles with getting burned and hurting herself, but in protecting her own interests, she hurts the people dearest to her. Meanwhile, Prince Rian really is a haughty, arrogant crown prince who needs to learn a thing or two about subtlety. He's so desperate to leave some kind of legacy that he doesn't even realize he's only cementing himself further into a self-righteous attitude--the same perspective that blinds him to the dangers right in front of him. Seeing Aine and Rian confront their shortcomings and grow individually was unexpected and spectacular.
All in all, a phenomenal novel that catapults Sarah Carlisle into being a preferred author of mine! I'm excited to read A Gentle Hope later!
Story: 5/5
Worldview: N/A (not Christian but amazing themes)
Aine and Rian are only a part of the stellar cast of Tested. I loved seeing their worldviews challenged and how they had to grow as people. They did challenge each other, but their personal growth was not done with the motivation of pleasing the other, which was awesome. The side characters shined between high-flying Colm and bird-loving Prince Finn. Even the other princesses were well-rounded young women: kind, courteous, and fair. The author's grasp of situational humor really made me laugh out loud at many points. The magic in this story wasn't weird at all, but rather the backdrop of the fairytale itself (e.g. a sorceress that curses the prince, a magic pea). Despite having so much information on the rest of the world, I never felt overwhelmed with the world building and the whole kingdom just felt rich and alive.
Worldview is not applicable because I rate books based on their Christian perspective. However, the themes for this novel were so profound and relatable. Aine is distrustful and guarded with everyone around her. As much as she wants to let people in, she struggles with getting burned and hurting herself, but in protecting her own interests, she hurts the people dearest to her. Meanwhile, Prince Rian really is a haughty, arrogant crown prince who needs to learn a thing or two about subtlety. He's so desperate to leave some kind of legacy that he doesn't even realize he's only cementing himself further into a self-righteous attitude--the same perspective that blinds him to the dangers right in front of him. Seeing Aine and Rian confront their shortcomings and grow individually was unexpected and spectacular.
All in all, a phenomenal novel that catapults Sarah Carlisle into being a preferred author of mine! I'm excited to read A Gentle Hope later!
April 20, 2024
Princess and the Pea Meets Beauty and the Beast
The Princess and the Pea is one of my favorite fairytale retellings. I love how Sarah Carlisle made it her own! Prince Rian has been cursed, if he doesn’t find a perfect princess by his 21st birthday, he will die. And his good looks and physical attributes were stripped away. Good luck, Rian!
I loved the tests, and Aine’s desire to win, but win fairly. She was clever and strong in the face of sabatoge. I loved watching her and Rian in all of the little moments. I stayed up far too late finishing this book! Don’t tell my husband. I couldn’t put it down.
I could see the set-up for so many more fairytales in the land of Tir, and I’m excited to go back.
My only complaint was the number of names and places in the pronunciation guide. I want to enjoy the story, and I felt like I had to think about every local name since none of them were recognizable or phonemic. It pulled me out of the delightful story.
The Princess and the Pea is one of my favorite fairytale retellings. I love how Sarah Carlisle made it her own! Prince Rian has been cursed, if he doesn’t find a perfect princess by his 21st birthday, he will die. And his good looks and physical attributes were stripped away. Good luck, Rian!
I loved the tests, and Aine’s desire to win, but win fairly. She was clever and strong in the face of sabatoge. I loved watching her and Rian in all of the little moments. I stayed up far too late finishing this book! Don’t tell my husband. I couldn’t put it down.
I could see the set-up for so many more fairytales in the land of Tir, and I’m excited to go back.
My only complaint was the number of names and places in the pronunciation guide. I want to enjoy the story, and I felt like I had to think about every local name since none of them were recognizable or phonemic. It pulled me out of the delightful story.
July 22, 2024
This is one of my favourite Princess and the Pea retellings that I have ever read! I loved Sarah Carlisle's take on the fairy tale and enjoyed seeing the tests that the princesses had to go through. Even though Aine's tests were sabotaged, she managed to complete them all. I loved Aine's character and how she was very good at relating to the common people and how much she cared for others. I loved her and Rian's relationship as it was all about what was in the heart and not outward appearances. Rian's relationship with his family is also very sweet and heart-warming and I loved Finn's bird crocheting. I will admit to being curious about Princess Shira's story, I can't wait for Nettled and her story to come out.
Great story!
Great story!
November 8, 2025
4.5 stars.
An engrossing and entertaining story that deals with some big issues without feeling heavy (perhaps because you know there's going to be a happy ending). The issues mentioned include domestic abuse, obesity/negative body image and terminal illness (described in terms of a curse). They are handled sensitively and well, though incompletely. Partly that is because this is a light fantasy but I would have liked to have a couple more angles covered and more depth in the resolution at the end. Nevertheless, this was a great read. The writing drew me in right away, I enjoyed it very much and found it hard to put down.
An engrossing and entertaining story that deals with some big issues without feeling heavy (perhaps because you know there's going to be a happy ending). The issues mentioned include domestic abuse, obesity/negative body image and terminal illness (described in terms of a curse). They are handled sensitively and well, though incompletely. Partly that is because this is a light fantasy but I would have liked to have a couple more angles covered and more depth in the resolution at the end. Nevertheless, this was a great read. The writing drew me in right away, I enjoyed it very much and found it hard to put down.
April 6, 2024
Really great!
Hadn’t known much about this author but this book was recommended in an email list from a different author I like, sounded good, and so J read it. I was not disappointed! Loved it!
Hadn’t known much about this author but this book was recommended in an email list from a different author I like, sounded good, and so J read it. I was not disappointed! Loved it!
March 29, 2024
"Tested" by Sarah Carlisle unfolds as a captivating narrative that reimagines the classic tale of "The Princess and the Pea" with a fresh and innovative twist. Transporting readers to the enchanting land of Roscrea, Carlisle introduces us to Aine, a spirited young woman with a fervent desire to shield her homeland and its inhabitants from the negligence of her father. However, her aspirations are swiftly threatened when her parents scheme to barter her off to a neighbouring lord.
Enter Prince Rian, ensnared by a curse demanding he win the affection of the "perfect princess" before his twenty-first birthday. What sets "Tested" apart is the unique nature of Rian's curse, which manifests as a constant odour and unattractive appearance. This twist challenges traditional notions of beauty and superficiality, prompting readers to reflect on the importance of inner character over outward appearance.
Through Rian's plight, Carlisle deftly explores themes of perception, empathy, and the impact of societal expectations. Aine's unwavering kindness and acceptance of Rian, despite his cursed state, serve as a poignant reminder that true love transcends physical attributes. As Aine and Rian navigate their budding relationship, they confront societal norms and learn to value each other for who they truly are, flaws and all.
The dynamics between Aine and Rian are beautifully portrayed, emphasising the importance of seeing beyond surface-level impressions and embracing the qualities that truly matter. Carlisle's meticulous attention to character development allows readers to witness the growth and transformation of both protagonists as they challenge each other's perspectives and navigate the complexities of their burgeoning romance.
Moreover, Carlisle's world-building is a standout feature of the novel, offering readers a richly imagined kingdom filled with history, magic, and intrigue. From the lush landscapes of Roscrea to the intricacies of courtly life, the author crafts a vivid and immersive setting that captivates the imagination.
Throughout "Tested," Carlisle seamlessly weaves together elements of humour, romance, and adventure, creating a narrative that is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. The princess tests, which serve as both plot devices and opportunities for character development, add depth and excitement to the story, keeping readers eagerly turning the pages.
In summary, "Tested" is a captivating tale that blends classic fairy tale elements with contemporary themes, delivering important lessons about empathy, acceptance, and the true nature of love. Carlisle's inventive portrayal of Prince Rian's curse adds depth and complexity to the story, making it a standout addition to the genre. With its engaging characters, richly imagined world, and thought-provoking themes, "Tested" is sure to enchant readers of all ages and leave them eagerly anticipating future installments in the series.
Enter Prince Rian, ensnared by a curse demanding he win the affection of the "perfect princess" before his twenty-first birthday. What sets "Tested" apart is the unique nature of Rian's curse, which manifests as a constant odour and unattractive appearance. This twist challenges traditional notions of beauty and superficiality, prompting readers to reflect on the importance of inner character over outward appearance.
Through Rian's plight, Carlisle deftly explores themes of perception, empathy, and the impact of societal expectations. Aine's unwavering kindness and acceptance of Rian, despite his cursed state, serve as a poignant reminder that true love transcends physical attributes. As Aine and Rian navigate their budding relationship, they confront societal norms and learn to value each other for who they truly are, flaws and all.
The dynamics between Aine and Rian are beautifully portrayed, emphasising the importance of seeing beyond surface-level impressions and embracing the qualities that truly matter. Carlisle's meticulous attention to character development allows readers to witness the growth and transformation of both protagonists as they challenge each other's perspectives and navigate the complexities of their burgeoning romance.
Moreover, Carlisle's world-building is a standout feature of the novel, offering readers a richly imagined kingdom filled with history, magic, and intrigue. From the lush landscapes of Roscrea to the intricacies of courtly life, the author crafts a vivid and immersive setting that captivates the imagination.
Throughout "Tested," Carlisle seamlessly weaves together elements of humour, romance, and adventure, creating a narrative that is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. The princess tests, which serve as both plot devices and opportunities for character development, add depth and excitement to the story, keeping readers eagerly turning the pages.
In summary, "Tested" is a captivating tale that blends classic fairy tale elements with contemporary themes, delivering important lessons about empathy, acceptance, and the true nature of love. Carlisle's inventive portrayal of Prince Rian's curse adds depth and complexity to the story, making it a standout addition to the genre. With its engaging characters, richly imagined world, and thought-provoking themes, "Tested" is sure to enchant readers of all ages and leave them eagerly anticipating future installments in the series.
March 21, 2025
“Uill, a charaid, bha sin na iongnadh!”
(No, this book isn’t written completely in Gaelic, but expect plenty of words that look similar to those above! I recommend a bit of Duolingo Scottish Gaelic to really get yourself into the vibes)
This book kept surprising me—in very good ways!
An ugly, smelly prince. A heroine smart enough to think ahead and avoid obvious traps. And a fantasy land heavily based on Wales/Scotland/Ireland.
All unique elements in this first book of the Enchanted Tales of Tír!
I was genuinely impressed with all of these elements
—typically princes aren’t perfect, but they also don’t usually smell like they have terrible hygiene and are pretty much never overweight. Even being part of a curse, I loved that the author didn’t apologize for it or hint at him becoming more physically attractive to Aine in any way just because they were becoming friends. It really emphasized that their relationship was based on getting to know each other instead of holding out a promise of beauty that they just had to persevere through the ugly to get to.
—there’s usually at least one if not a few instances where I can guess ahead and see the MC making an avoidable mistake, but Aine (AN-ya) was sharp and thought ahead. I LOVED how crafty the Queen and her tests were, and I loved even more that Aine stayed right on top of them as well as all the sabotage attempts 👌🏽 I would also have recommended being sus of Maeryn (ma-RIN), but also super appreciated Aine’s ability to communicate openly, avoid further drama, and build friendships through it all. Really well-written, strong and clever FMC!!
—most authors don’t go so far as to include a pronunciation guide at the beginning of their books because they have so many foreign words included (tbh could’ve done with a lot more in that pronunciation guide! Also, if there is an audiobook, it needs to be done by someone with a Celtic accent 🙏🏼)
A princess test is always a great first book in a series as it can introduce you to multiple characters quickly, and I loved finding all of the hints at other fairytales :)
I wasn’t expecting to be so impressed by this book—but now I’m dying to read more from Sarah Carlisle and wished she had more books published already!!
(No, this book isn’t written completely in Gaelic, but expect plenty of words that look similar to those above! I recommend a bit of Duolingo Scottish Gaelic to really get yourself into the vibes)
This book kept surprising me—in very good ways!
An ugly, smelly prince. A heroine smart enough to think ahead and avoid obvious traps. And a fantasy land heavily based on Wales/Scotland/Ireland.
All unique elements in this first book of the Enchanted Tales of Tír!
I was genuinely impressed with all of these elements
—typically princes aren’t perfect, but they also don’t usually smell like they have terrible hygiene and are pretty much never overweight. Even being part of a curse, I loved that the author didn’t apologize for it or hint at him becoming more physically attractive to Aine in any way just because they were becoming friends. It really emphasized that their relationship was based on getting to know each other instead of holding out a promise of beauty that they just had to persevere through the ugly to get to.
—there’s usually at least one if not a few instances where I can guess ahead and see the MC making an avoidable mistake, but Aine (AN-ya) was sharp and thought ahead. I LOVED how crafty the Queen and her tests were, and I loved even more that Aine stayed right on top of them as well as all the sabotage attempts 👌🏽 I would also have recommended being sus of Maeryn (ma-RIN), but also super appreciated Aine’s ability to communicate openly, avoid further drama, and build friendships through it all. Really well-written, strong and clever FMC!!
—most authors don’t go so far as to include a pronunciation guide at the beginning of their books because they have so many foreign words included (tbh could’ve done with a lot more in that pronunciation guide! Also, if there is an audiobook, it needs to be done by someone with a Celtic accent 🙏🏼)
A princess test is always a great first book in a series as it can introduce you to multiple characters quickly, and I loved finding all of the hints at other fairytales :)
I wasn’t expecting to be so impressed by this book—but now I’m dying to read more from Sarah Carlisle and wished she had more books published already!!
July 24, 2024
I've been wanting to read this book after I read A Gentle Hope, Sarah Carlisle's Beauty and the Beast retelling and also a part of her new fairy tale series. This book did not disappoint and I loved it so much! It was such a great Princess and the Pea retelling that was so different from any Princess and the Pea retelling I have ever read. I loved how Sarah Carlisle made circumstances really difficult for Aine to really love Rian, but that just made it so much nicer, as their romance was not built on physical attraction. Aine was such a great character who cared for everyone around her. She wanted to do everything in her power to make sure that the citizens could have the lives that they deserved. I loved Rian as well. He really cared for his people and wanted to make sure that they would be okay after his death. He sometimes came across as brash and pushy but his passion for what he did really shone through. His relationship with his family was also great. You could tell that they loved him and he loved them. Finn was such a great younger brother who never pushed Rian away because of the curse. I also love his hobby for crocheting birds and how he crochets under the dining table. I think that he and Princess Lucia would be a good match! Princess Shira intrigued me. She was always so cold and serene and perfect and she wasn't above telling tales on others to make sure that she was the winner. However, she felt the pea underneath her mattresses, which means she must possess the qualities of kindness, compassion and sound judgement. I look forward to reading her story. I also can't wait for Maeryn's story and Princess Lucia's story. I'm wondering if Princess Lucia might be the Goose Girl? Anyway, this was a great first book in the Enchanted Tales of Tír and I can't wait for the rest of the books in the series to be released.
July 25, 2024
I see potential.... **WARNING SPOILERS**
I see promise in Sarah Carlisle 1st book Tested. I really enjoyed the characters. They had a good balance of being flawed but still trying to do what's right and help others. I loved the quirky Prince Finn with his crocheting amigurumi birds passion. lol The book was very entertaining keeping me engaged for most of it.
The ending was very rushed though. Using a crochet analogy in honor of Prince Finn, not all the ends were woven in. A few tweeks here, a few more details there, would've made it much stronger.
SPOILERS: The twist with Father Piaras was clever. The first thing that needed tidied was Aine's wounds. She was stabbed and sliced with a knife. Jerked and hauled around by her arms and legs. Head cracked into objects as a result. Afterward these injuries do not effect her or Prince Rian's thoughts or actions during the rescue scene at all. They're not even why she decides to obey Prince Rian's command to run to his horse, leaving her unarmed true love to fight the knife welding villain alone. Not even a mention of soreness or healing for the ball that night. The second and third things are entwined. Prince Rian is transformed back into himself right before the rescue. It mentions how being in his normal body feels awkward, and his clothes are so ill fitting they are falling off (good humor to ease the tension) After the brief mention, it wasn't a consideration for the fight scene. But there's the problem, the fight scene was only implied. The author will want to research fighting styles for future fight scenes. It's a let down when you've been waiting for the villain to get theirs and the reader doesn't get to be part of it.
If she keeps striving to improve, I can easily see her books being as popular as the authors that inspired her.
I see promise in Sarah Carlisle 1st book Tested. I really enjoyed the characters. They had a good balance of being flawed but still trying to do what's right and help others. I loved the quirky Prince Finn with his crocheting amigurumi birds passion. lol The book was very entertaining keeping me engaged for most of it.
The ending was very rushed though. Using a crochet analogy in honor of Prince Finn, not all the ends were woven in. A few tweeks here, a few more details there, would've made it much stronger.
SPOILERS: The twist with Father Piaras was clever. The first thing that needed tidied was Aine's wounds. She was stabbed and sliced with a knife. Jerked and hauled around by her arms and legs. Head cracked into objects as a result. Afterward these injuries do not effect her or Prince Rian's thoughts or actions during the rescue scene at all. They're not even why she decides to obey Prince Rian's command to run to his horse, leaving her unarmed true love to fight the knife welding villain alone. Not even a mention of soreness or healing for the ball that night. The second and third things are entwined. Prince Rian is transformed back into himself right before the rescue. It mentions how being in his normal body feels awkward, and his clothes are so ill fitting they are falling off (good humor to ease the tension) After the brief mention, it wasn't a consideration for the fight scene. But there's the problem, the fight scene was only implied. The author will want to research fighting styles for future fight scenes. It's a let down when you've been waiting for the villain to get theirs and the reader doesn't get to be part of it.
If she keeps striving to improve, I can easily see her books being as popular as the authors that inspired her.
April 11, 2024
Aine’s only wish is to help the people of her grandfather’s estate escape the ruinous habits of her parents, but their greed has reached a peak, and she’s left with one choice: wed the cruel lord they’ve sold her to or accept the queen’s invitation to compete in the princess test to win the hand of the crown prince. She’s facing stiff competition and the struggle to be the perfect princess is hard, but can she withstand the challenges to become the princess?
Prince Rian has only until his twenty-first birthday to find the perfect princess who will fall in love with him to break the curse that’s ruined his life for the past three years. He had inspirations of being a leader who changed the world, but as he nears the deadline, his only hope is to make one small change to help his people.
As the princess test draws to a close, Aine and Rian must learn to trust each other if they’re to make it out alive.
This was such a great Princess and the Pea retelling! I love Carlisle’s writing and the world of Tír is delightful and expansive, and I can’t wait to read more — and find out about that cranky sorceress!
Aine and Rian were so sweet together. I loved how their romance grew naturally and didn’t stem from insta-attraction. The curse was so unique and I honestly read the story as a Frog Prince mash up, which I don’t think it is. And there’s an actually believable “only one horse” scenario!
I love how Carlisle draws inspiration from real places and cultures to build a unique and nuanced world with characters who match.
5 Roses
A few instances of where characters “curse” but no words on the page.
Mild violence, but no blood. Kidnapping and threat of bodily harm.
A couple sweet kisses.
Prince Rian has only until his twenty-first birthday to find the perfect princess who will fall in love with him to break the curse that’s ruined his life for the past three years. He had inspirations of being a leader who changed the world, but as he nears the deadline, his only hope is to make one small change to help his people.
As the princess test draws to a close, Aine and Rian must learn to trust each other if they’re to make it out alive.
This was such a great Princess and the Pea retelling! I love Carlisle’s writing and the world of Tír is delightful and expansive, and I can’t wait to read more — and find out about that cranky sorceress!
Aine and Rian were so sweet together. I loved how their romance grew naturally and didn’t stem from insta-attraction. The curse was so unique and I honestly read the story as a Frog Prince mash up, which I don’t think it is. And there’s an actually believable “only one horse” scenario!
I love how Carlisle draws inspiration from real places and cultures to build a unique and nuanced world with characters who match.
5 Roses
A few instances of where characters “curse” but no words on the page.
Mild violence, but no blood. Kidnapping and threat of bodily harm.
A couple sweet kisses.
December 15, 2024
very, very good!
I really liked this book. Aine is a refreshing heroine - smart AND well-educated in ladylike graces, compassionate AND shrewd, discreet without being a shy pushover, confident without being reckless. She's not perfect, of course, but all the more believable because of it, and you can see how her life experiences resulted in her flawed thinking and her personality flaws stem from traits that are also her strengths.
Rian was also multifaceted and highly likeable. I GREATLY appreciated that he wasn't physically attractive - so refreshing to have a romance with physical attraction truly taken off the table.
I do wish there was a touch more banter but that's really nit-picking. The story was light and there were some moments that made me chuckle internally (not quite LOL but good enough).
The plot was well thought through and well paced too. Not a lot of twists and turns, but not draggy or overly predictable. There were some new elements that kept it fresh.
I also liked that the story wrapped up nicely while setting the stage for other stories - I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next one more now that I've met Maeryn (wild swans isn't usually my favourite tale).
After reading the acknowledgements, I realised that Ms Carlisle reveres many of my favourite authors both traditional and indie (Gail Carson Levine, Tamora Pierce, Jessica Day George, KM Shea, Melanie Cellier, Deborah Grace White...) so it makes sense that her writing has much of what I love. Adding her to my favourite authors list!
I really liked this book. Aine is a refreshing heroine - smart AND well-educated in ladylike graces, compassionate AND shrewd, discreet without being a shy pushover, confident without being reckless. She's not perfect, of course, but all the more believable because of it, and you can see how her life experiences resulted in her flawed thinking and her personality flaws stem from traits that are also her strengths.
Rian was also multifaceted and highly likeable. I GREATLY appreciated that he wasn't physically attractive - so refreshing to have a romance with physical attraction truly taken off the table.
I do wish there was a touch more banter but that's really nit-picking. The story was light and there were some moments that made me chuckle internally (not quite LOL but good enough).
The plot was well thought through and well paced too. Not a lot of twists and turns, but not draggy or overly predictable. There were some new elements that kept it fresh.
I also liked that the story wrapped up nicely while setting the stage for other stories - I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next one more now that I've met Maeryn (wild swans isn't usually my favourite tale).
After reading the acknowledgements, I realised that Ms Carlisle reveres many of my favourite authors both traditional and indie (Gail Carson Levine, Tamora Pierce, Jessica Day George, KM Shea, Melanie Cellier, Deborah Grace White...) so it makes sense that her writing has much of what I love. Adding her to my favourite authors list!
October 29, 2024
A very exciting retelling of the Princess and the Pea, this book has endearing characters, fancy dresses, castles, palace intrigue, connections to other fairy tales (and cameos from other characters) and lots of princess tests. I was thoroughly invested from the beginning, where we meet Aine in a horrible arranged engagement situation. Her future husband is someone you will love to hate, and her parents aren't much better. Fortunately, the story quickly gets away from that dour situation and we are on the way to the princess tests. The prince's curse was quite unique, and I enjoyed having so much of the book written from his perspective. The focus on bettering the kingdom from both of our main characters was also refreshing as the story was not only about their love blooming but also about how they would be a great fit for each other in how they saw the world around them. This book often reminded me of the Selection series by Kiera Cass, with the different princess tests narrowing down the candidates throughout the story. I'm so glad to have discovered this wonderful author, and as there are other proposed books in the series, I will be looking forward to seeing where our side characters go and what other fairy tales will be retold.
April 12, 2026
[3.5 stars]
This is a fairy tale with a cursed prince, a princess tournament, and a magic pea. It doesn’t follow any specific fairy tale too closely, but it definitely has the feel. I admit to having a hard time getting into it, and I found the slower pace less than 100% engaging, but it’s entertaining enough.
The writing is smooth and I appreciated that the relationship/romance wasn’t based on physical attraction. I didn’t much love the FMC, however, and how she continually chose to protect herself at the expense of others. Her selfish and untrusting nature was at odds with the altruistic one that was also trying to be portrayed. And it also seemed highly unrealistic that she would refuse to admit the villain’s actions to anyone. It all combined for a character that felt forced and inconsistent, and definitely detracted from my enjoyment of the book.
Content:
There is no foul language or sex, and the violence is minimal. The romance is limited to a chaste kiss. There is magic. There is no mention of faith or God.
This is a fairy tale with a cursed prince, a princess tournament, and a magic pea. It doesn’t follow any specific fairy tale too closely, but it definitely has the feel. I admit to having a hard time getting into it, and I found the slower pace less than 100% engaging, but it’s entertaining enough.
The writing is smooth and I appreciated that the relationship/romance wasn’t based on physical attraction. I didn’t much love the FMC, however, and how she continually chose to protect herself at the expense of others. Her selfish and untrusting nature was at odds with the altruistic one that was also trying to be portrayed. And it also seemed highly unrealistic that she would refuse to admit the villain’s actions to anyone. It all combined for a character that felt forced and inconsistent, and definitely detracted from my enjoyment of the book.
Content:
There is no foul language or sex, and the violence is minimal. The romance is limited to a chaste kiss. There is magic. There is no mention of faith or God.
October 15, 2025
AMAZING!!!
So fun to read! I’m sad it’s over and so excited to read the second book in the series, Nettled. Aine is brave, kind, intelligent, resourceful, resilient, and compassionate. She cares for people and will do what it takes to fight for them even when she has been repeatedly betrayed herself and faces dangers all around her. Prince Rian also wants to make a difference while battling challenges of his own. Throw in a bunch of princesses, creative side characters (and animal side kicks), surprise tests, and sneaky sabotage and you get a rivetingly enjoyable read from beginning to end. Tested is the first book in a series of clean no spice romance fairy tale retellings. Unmasked technically comes first, but there aren’t any spoilers so it can be read at any time. An amazing start to an amazing series!
So fun to read! I’m sad it’s over and so excited to read the second book in the series, Nettled. Aine is brave, kind, intelligent, resourceful, resilient, and compassionate. She cares for people and will do what it takes to fight for them even when she has been repeatedly betrayed herself and faces dangers all around her. Prince Rian also wants to make a difference while battling challenges of his own. Throw in a bunch of princesses, creative side characters (and animal side kicks), surprise tests, and sneaky sabotage and you get a rivetingly enjoyable read from beginning to end. Tested is the first book in a series of clean no spice romance fairy tale retellings. Unmasked technically comes first, but there aren’t any spoilers so it can be read at any time. An amazing start to an amazing series!
March 17, 2024
I throughly enjoyed Tested, Sarah Carlisle wrote a delightful princess and the pea retelling! It was a sweet and funny story. I laughed a lot at some of the character’s antics (looking at you, Finn!). The story had the classic elements of the Princess and the Pea with touches of beauty and the beast woven in the story. Yet still stood out as its own story. The world building was well developed. I am a huge history nerd and loved that you learned so much about the rich history of Roscrea. Both Aine and Rian were admirable characters. I loved how both wanted to help improve the lives of those less fortunate than themselves. Looking forward to learning more about the land of Tìr in future books! The romance is clean with only kissing. Highly recommend if you love sweet fairytale retellings!
I received an ARC copy of the book and all thoughts are my own.
I received an ARC copy of the book and all thoughts are my own.
June 16, 2024
I have no real insights besides this is a well-written book.
The characters were fleshed-out and dynamic. The story was tense and compelling. The antagonist added just enough pressure to the main characters to ensure that the pace never dragged. The worldbuilding and attention to in-story politics was detailed and impressive. The totality of the curse was cool, a lot of authors don't make a curse affect a character that fully. I was invested and desperately rooting for the final reveal.
The only thing that bugged me was that the POV would switch between Rian and Aine during chapters, sometimes starting in Aine's, switching to Rian's after a decorative little icon, and then back to Aine. But it's not that deep and didn't distract from the story.
The characters were fleshed-out and dynamic. The story was tense and compelling. The antagonist added just enough pressure to the main characters to ensure that the pace never dragged. The worldbuilding and attention to in-story politics was detailed and impressive. The totality of the curse was cool, a lot of authors don't make a curse affect a character that fully. I was invested and desperately rooting for the final reveal.
The only thing that bugged me was that the POV would switch between Rian and Aine during chapters, sometimes starting in Aine's, switching to Rian's after a decorative little icon, and then back to Aine. But it's not that deep and didn't distract from the story.
October 7, 2024
This was really well done. I have to parse out fairytale retelling, so waited a while to read this one, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It has a contest, but there are reasons for the contest that make sense and aren’t just because some royal has a whimsical fit and decides to inflict this on everyone. The individual tests make sense too, both in terms of the reason they have a contest in the first place, and in terms of what might be necessary to function as a member of a royal family.
Both main characters are very likeable, and both are working to overcome huge obstacles. Hints for future stories are seeded throughout, and it will be interesting to see how they play out in future books.
Both main characters are very likeable, and both are working to overcome huge obstacles. Hints for future stories are seeded throughout, and it will be interesting to see how they play out in future books.
April 16, 2025
This was cute. There's only one thing I wish could have happened but it probably would have taken away from the story. There are also two things I wish could have had better closure but this is also the first book in a series. I plan to read the next book, but I have a TBR I am tackling so that will be awhile.
Overall, I loved how original it was. It was creative and enjoyable. It's been a good while since a book instantly sucked me in and this one did that. The suspense was good. It was a slow burn, closed door, squeaky clean romance. The best kind! It had nods to the original fairytale but they were subtle and I love it! It helped keep up the creativity of the story.
It's a great retelling, and I recommend it for anyone who enjoys a good retelling.
Overall, I loved how original it was. It was creative and enjoyable. It's been a good while since a book instantly sucked me in and this one did that. The suspense was good. It was a slow burn, closed door, squeaky clean romance. The best kind! It had nods to the original fairytale but they were subtle and I love it! It helped keep up the creativity of the story.
It's a great retelling, and I recommend it for anyone who enjoys a good retelling.
July 28, 2024
Clean fairytale
Great story with an unexpected twist to the original tale. Loved the Princess tests and the character of Rian the cursed prince - even though he only had months to live, stank badly and was short pimply and otherwise unattractive, he wanted to do something that had a lasting benefit to his people. Aine only entered the Princess tests to flee a forced marriage but was desperate to win, despite the sabotage. Her reliance only on herself and inability to trust others (with good reason) brings her undone, but her desire to help others even if it hurts her was admirable. Looking forward to the next book.
Great story with an unexpected twist to the original tale. Loved the Princess tests and the character of Rian the cursed prince - even though he only had months to live, stank badly and was short pimply and otherwise unattractive, he wanted to do something that had a lasting benefit to his people. Aine only entered the Princess tests to flee a forced marriage but was desperate to win, despite the sabotage. Her reliance only on herself and inability to trust others (with good reason) brings her undone, but her desire to help others even if it hurts her was admirable. Looking forward to the next book.
July 26, 2024
A sweet, slow and steady reimagining of The Princess and the Pea with shades of Beauty and the Beast. I wasn't sure at first, but as i came to know Aine and Rian, their odd princess contest story drew me in. The world is constantly hinted at in the way many of these interlinking retellings series do, but in context it didn't feel out of place. Some more editorial tidying may have helped (repeated phrases, words and sentiments in the same paragraph) but it is a smooth read. I would look out for more by this author if I wanted a sweet romance with a touch of magic.
June 15, 2024
This was a great retelling of The Princess and the Pea but with a bit of a Beauty and the Beast twist and a Princess contest thrown in. It was light and sweet and fun to read.
I really liked seeing the different princesses that I HOPE the author will be writing more books about in the future! Just please don’t ask me how to pronounce anyone’s name. I know there is a pronunciation guide but I gave up and just called them my own versions. Hopefully one day there will be an audiobook.
I really liked seeing the different princesses that I HOPE the author will be writing more books about in the future! Just please don’t ask me how to pronounce anyone’s name. I know there is a pronunciation guide but I gave up and just called them my own versions. Hopefully one day there will be an audiobook.
October 29, 2024
a unique idea for this retelling!
As the review title says, I really loved the whole “the curse prescribed tests for us” and “the prince is now unattractive” plot of this story. Even better was how both leads actually wanted to make a difference in the world and let that drive forward their actions — even at personal cost. Also, the revelation moment was quite epic. I really enjoyed this book!
As the review title says, I really loved the whole “the curse prescribed tests for us” and “the prince is now unattractive” plot of this story. Even better was how both leads actually wanted to make a difference in the world and let that drive forward their actions — even at personal cost. Also, the revelation moment was quite epic. I really enjoyed this book!
March 22, 2025
I loved this!!
Princess tests, new friends and somewhat enemies, a villain that I HATED, parents that were a poor excuse, and two people who desperately want to help those in their care.
This was such a cool twist on a curse, and I really, really hope we get a book about Princess Shira, too! I could totally see hers being a twist on Sleeping Beauty.
Windfall and Colm and Maeryn were awesome side characters, and I’m glad Maeryn has a book! I’ll be reading that soon!
Princess tests, new friends and somewhat enemies, a villain that I HATED, parents that were a poor excuse, and two people who desperately want to help those in their care.
This was such a cool twist on a curse, and I really, really hope we get a book about Princess Shira, too! I could totally see hers being a twist on Sleeping Beauty.
Windfall and Colm and Maeryn were awesome side characters, and I’m glad Maeryn has a book! I’ll be reading that soon!
March 25, 2026
I adore fairy tale retellings and this one was no different. No spice but the sweetness and tension between the Prince and Aine was amazing. I love how all the tests and everything wasn't to just find a perfect princess but a kind and compassionate girl, regardless of her rank. The queen and king were amazing too and I love how they believed Aine. I wish there would have been some repercussions for her parents but she's living her best life. Sometimes the best revenge is a life well lived
May 21, 2024
Great Story
I loved reading this version of the Princess and the Pea. I enjoyed the unique twists and turns, and I'm eager to read the stories of other fairytale characters that either appeared in this book or were referenced by characters. This author is new to me, but I look forward to seeing more of her work.
I loved reading this version of the Princess and the Pea. I enjoyed the unique twists and turns, and I'm eager to read the stories of other fairytale characters that either appeared in this book or were referenced by characters. This author is new to me, but I look forward to seeing more of her work.
July 2, 2024
Enjoyed the beginning and the end the most. The middle was a bit slow as I didn't care for the politics subplot. I would like to learn more about Lucia and her brothers and Finn so I hope we get books about them. There also were some loose ends and things that weren't explained. Who was the spy? What was the tonic?
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