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Briar Pryce has the power to change the emotions of others by handing them a rose. It is a talent that has done surprisingly little for her, besides landing her a dead-end enchantment delivery job and killing any chance she had with her childhood-crush-turned-roommate. Worst of all, her ability might be responsible for getting her best friend transformed into a cat via a cursed muffin basket. Needless to say, Briar is nowhere near happily-ever-after. But that’s just life as a twenty-something in the Poisoned Apple, New York City’s lost borough of fairy-tale wonder and rent-controlled magic.
When Briar reluctantly agrees to help find a princess’s kidnapped boyfriend in exchange for reversing the curse on her friend, she gets the heroic quest she never really wanted. Unfortunately, the life of a noble heroine is not all it’s cracked up to be – the hours blow, and Briar suspect that the Royal family employing her might be evil, Republican, or both. To complete the suckage, a killer smoke magician is stalking Briar as she searches both the Poisoned Apple and Manhattan for the missing boy. As tensions between the Poisoned Apple royalty ignite and civil war looms, Briar must figure out how to write her own happy ending--or she’ll just be ending.
When Briar reluctantly agrees to help find a princess’s kidnapped boyfriend in exchange for reversing the curse on her friend, she gets the heroic quest she never really wanted. Unfortunately, the life of a noble heroine is not all it’s cracked up to be – the hours blow, and Briar suspect that the Royal family employing her might be evil, Republican, or both. To complete the suckage, a killer smoke magician is stalking Briar as she searches both the Poisoned Apple and Manhattan for the missing boy. As tensions between the Poisoned Apple royalty ignite and civil war looms, Briar must figure out how to write her own happy ending--or she’ll just be ending.
330 pages, Hardcover
First published August 13, 2019
42 people are currently reading
224 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
October 3, 2019
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Pricked was a really funny and easy book to read. It's set in a fantasy world based off of NYC, aka the Poisoned Apple. In this, you will meet Briar Pryce. She has an interesting job that definitely kept her and myself on my toes. Other than that, she's pretty unique in her own magical way. Think of her has a trusty bloodhound. She's no lapdog kind of person but she can easily sniff you a person's emotions out.
Sounds kind of weird but I was instantly intrigued.
Of course this book had a smidge of mystery shoved into it and Briar just happened to be the best person for the job. I honestly loved and enjoyed meeting every character in this book BUT I really could have gone without the little hints of a possible love triangle. If there is a next book I pray that there is no love triangle. Just squash that dream because I want no part in it.
Pricked was a really funny and easy book to read. It's set in a fantasy world based off of NYC, aka the Poisoned Apple. In this, you will meet Briar Pryce. She has an interesting job that definitely kept her and myself on my toes. Other than that, she's pretty unique in her own magical way. Think of her has a trusty bloodhound. She's no lapdog kind of person but she can easily sniff you a person's emotions out.
Sounds kind of weird but I was instantly intrigued.
Of course this book had a smidge of mystery shoved into it and Briar just happened to be the best person for the job. I honestly loved and enjoyed meeting every character in this book BUT I really could have gone without the little hints of a possible love triangle. If there is a next book I pray that there is no love triangle. Just squash that dream because I want no part in it.
August 14, 2019
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 Stars
Pricked, by new author Scott Mooney, is a really fun idea. It sorta falls into the realm of Shrek, where we are in a fantasy world that makes fun of fairytale tropes while also giving us a brand new story.
Briar Pryce is just one of the twenty-something girls living in the Poisoned Apple trying to make her way as one of the less magical people in the city. Her current job as delivery girl is interesting. Briar's magic allows her to enchant roses with feelings that transfer to the recipient for a short time. She also can scent people based on their emotions, making her like a magical bloodhound and a likely choice to find a missing person tied to the royal family with the help of a literal knight in shining armor.
I enjoyed the storybook world set up and all the pop culture references intertwine with fairy tale satire. I could tell this was the author's first book and could have done with a little polishing in a few areas. The imagination that went into this is top notch though, so I can forgive the small issues.
The mystery was fun and this is definitely a solid opening book to set up to a potential new series. It looks like there might be a little bit of a love triangle that could happen in future books and I know who I'll be rooting for if that happens.
Overall this is a very cool idea executed decently. I liked the side characters and how some of the fairy tales we know so well have been flipped on their head. I'll be looking for the next book in the
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
3.5 Stars
Pricked, by new author Scott Mooney, is a really fun idea. It sorta falls into the realm of Shrek, where we are in a fantasy world that makes fun of fairytale tropes while also giving us a brand new story.
Briar Pryce is just one of the twenty-something girls living in the Poisoned Apple trying to make her way as one of the less magical people in the city. Her current job as delivery girl is interesting. Briar's magic allows her to enchant roses with feelings that transfer to the recipient for a short time. She also can scent people based on their emotions, making her like a magical bloodhound and a likely choice to find a missing person tied to the royal family with the help of a literal knight in shining armor.
I enjoyed the storybook world set up and all the pop culture references intertwine with fairy tale satire. I could tell this was the author's first book and could have done with a little polishing in a few areas. The imagination that went into this is top notch though, so I can forgive the small issues.
The mystery was fun and this is definitely a solid opening book to set up to a potential new series. It looks like there might be a little bit of a love triangle that could happen in future books and I know who I'll be rooting for if that happens.
Overall this is a very cool idea executed decently. I liked the side characters and how some of the fairy tales we know so well have been flipped on their head. I'll be looking for the next book in the
Molly Whuppie, one of the few worthwhile classic fairy tale heroines, and a personal role model of mine. The sculpture showed her holding up the ring she stole from a giant, after tricking him into beating his wife and killing his children . So she wasn’t the nicest fairy tale figure. At least she had spunk. Better than those boring , lay-on-my-back-until-I-get-rescued Sleeping Beauty types.
“So you’ve been snatched by monsters, held for three days, and you’re now on a heroic quest to rescue your true love? Do I understand that correctly?” Horace said to Rick.
“Uh…” Rick looked to me, and I gave him a swift nod. “I guess. Yeah.”
“Well. With that track record, you’ll be a full Apple citizen by the end of the week."
October 7, 2019
"Pricked" is an intriguing blend of modern times and fairy tale lore — happening at the same time and almost the same places.
Read full review in the 2019 September issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2019 September issue of InD'tale Magazine.
August 14, 2019
I loved this book! It's engaging, well-paced and absolutely hilarious. The clever pop-culture quips were nicely balanced with genuine characters and excellent world-building. It's seriously a delight to read, from the NYC gone pear-shaped with magic to the beautifully sardonic main character Briar (the glimpses we get into her inner monologue deserve to be voiced by Claire Danes circa My So-Called Life). Overall, I found Pricked to be smart, heartfelt, and a total cover-to-cover joy to read.
June 30, 2019
It’s been a loong time since I’ve had a fairy tale fantasy book capture my attention like this one did. There’s also an urban fantasy vibe to it as well. I enjoyed that because it made for a fun read! The author has built this magical world with such creativity that you feel transported to another realm. THAT is a good sign of a good book. There’s tons of fairy tale references and it was fun to see how the author would put their twist on them. Briar was a fave. She isn’t perfect but tries to do the right thing when she can. A totally relatable character. This author is new to me and I enjoyed his style of writing and storytelling. I do hope there’s another book! I give this 5 stars.
July 31, 2019
You can also read my review here: https://devouringbooks2017.wordpress....
It has been a while since I've read an urban fantasy novel, and as soon as I saw this title I knew I had to have it. Pricked is set in a fairy tale version of NYC, called The Poisoned Apple, that is within the normal NYC and can be accessed through a magical door. The Poisoned Apple holds elements of NYC, but is also a fairy tale world. Pricked is not a re-telling, but has its own original plot and characters. This entire book was incredibly funny and almost felt like a spoof on fairy tales, but it had a real plot, great world building and interesting characters.
"I thought you guys had to sing happy-go-lucky nonsense songs when you did these magical makeovers?" I said as the cloth spun lazily above Crea's head.
"Oh, please," Crea scoffed. "That's all Disney's idea. If you ever catch me saying any Mary Poppins bullshit, just punch me in the face.
The world building was done really well. Scott Mooney wrote vivid descriptions of The Poisoned Apple so it could be easily pictured by the readers. I loved the magical elements to it all. The Poisoned Apple was a place where you shouldn't trust step mothers and had to be wary of curses, anything that was common in fairy tales was also common in The Poisoned Apple. Pricked included so many fairy tale elements, but also felt incredibly unique. Briar's magic was so interesting and one of my favorite aspects of the story. She could put her emotions into a rose and then give them to someone else and she could also smell how people were feeling. The myriad of ways that Briar used her magic was entertaining and creative.
It was my second break-in during the last eighteen hours. What happened to my life? It was like my high school counselor had been right about me all along.
My favorite part of this book was how much it made me laugh or smile. The dialogue is filled with banter, the internal thoughts of Briar made me laugh and even aspects of the world were funny. I also really enjoyed the plot. It felt like a combination of a mystery and a fairy tale. The pacing of the novel was really fast and it was a very light read, so it was a perfect read after I had finished a dense epic fantasy, and a perfect choice if you are in search of a lighter fantasy read.
If I was going to be devoured by flesh-eating wolves, my last thoughts were definitely not going to be, 'Does he like me, or does he like me like me?'
I almost passed this one by and I am so glad that I gave it a chance. The world was so immersive, I really enjoyed the characters, it made me laugh over and over and I enjoyed the plot. The ending left me wanting to read the sequel, but also didn't feel like a cliffhanger. It clearly set up for the next book, but left me feeling happy and satisfied. I can't wait for the sequel to come out so I can return to these characters and The Poisoned Apple.
December 6, 2019
Originally published on The Nerd Daily | Review by Emma Knight
Amazing how a simple flower can have such an effect on someone. When you receive a rose from Briar Pryce, you are in for more than a nice smelling flower. And no, this is not another dystopian version of The Bachelorette. With a gift that she never really wanted, Briar delivers roses that contain emotion. Once pricked or attacked by a flurry of petals, you are overwhelmed with the feelings attached to the particular coloured coded roses.
Briar, flower delivery girl turned private investigator, goes on a wild goose chase for the Princesses Know-not (very creative name for us humans) boyfriend Rick who has been mysteriously kidnapped. After being selected because of her ability to track people by their emotional tracks that they leave behind, Briar takes the job almost immediately. Completing this mission may be the only opportunity to turn her cat roommate human again after she ate from a cursed muffin basket which was supposedly meant for Briar. Paired with Antoine, a moral compass in the form of a Knight, they follow Rick’s trail around the New York and The Apple in search of clues before the magical kingdom breaks into all-out war.
Pricked is based in a world where fairy-tale magic exists and lurks in the shadows. What the kingdom lacked in origin and basic fantasy, it made up in sensory overload. When you first enter The Apple, you feel like you enter a theme park with places like Ballgown District and Lovers’ Lane, the Gingerbread Tenements and Havmercy Park. It can feel like you are supposed to already know this place so you are bombarded with information instead of being shown the city.
From flirtatious royal ex’s to fashionista fairy godmothers and hungry mountain ogres, Pricked has a wide range of characters who you barely get to scratch the surface with. Jumping into this book I felt like I was missing bits of important information as well as backstories. Briar’s relationship with Cade, her ex-boyfriend now housemate, is obviously a big influence on her attitude towards her powers and is very touchy at time, yet it feels like you had to be there for their problem to really understand what is going through her head. It would have been nicer to see more depth in the main characters so I got to know them and their motivations more. They all seem to be very stereotypical people that you find in every book which makes putting ideas together to guess what is happening next fun.
Though the magical side of this book can also lose it after a while with Briar’s ‘I really don’t want to be here’ attitude and Antoine’s positive attitude brings some well needed overenthusiastic ‘we can do this’ vibes.
For a book about emotion, Pricked ironically lacks real emotion at some points. I started to assume by the end of the book, as Briar learns to control the balance between her powers and emotions, that the more emotions and memories she gives away, the less feelings she will have. Or she will just get super overwhelmed by everyone’s emotions and turn into a giant rose
You know you have stumbled on to a good book when you immediately look up if there is a sequel coming. Pricked is a fun read for when you want to dive into a little fantasy but don’t have the brainpower to concentrate on a magnitude of details. Scott Mooney has truly written a great novel with some great twists and a little bit of heart.
Amazing how a simple flower can have such an effect on someone. When you receive a rose from Briar Pryce, you are in for more than a nice smelling flower. And no, this is not another dystopian version of The Bachelorette. With a gift that she never really wanted, Briar delivers roses that contain emotion. Once pricked or attacked by a flurry of petals, you are overwhelmed with the feelings attached to the particular coloured coded roses.
Briar, flower delivery girl turned private investigator, goes on a wild goose chase for the Princesses Know-not (very creative name for us humans) boyfriend Rick who has been mysteriously kidnapped. After being selected because of her ability to track people by their emotional tracks that they leave behind, Briar takes the job almost immediately. Completing this mission may be the only opportunity to turn her cat roommate human again after she ate from a cursed muffin basket which was supposedly meant for Briar. Paired with Antoine, a moral compass in the form of a Knight, they follow Rick’s trail around the New York and The Apple in search of clues before the magical kingdom breaks into all-out war.
Pricked is based in a world where fairy-tale magic exists and lurks in the shadows. What the kingdom lacked in origin and basic fantasy, it made up in sensory overload. When you first enter The Apple, you feel like you enter a theme park with places like Ballgown District and Lovers’ Lane, the Gingerbread Tenements and Havmercy Park. It can feel like you are supposed to already know this place so you are bombarded with information instead of being shown the city.
From flirtatious royal ex’s to fashionista fairy godmothers and hungry mountain ogres, Pricked has a wide range of characters who you barely get to scratch the surface with. Jumping into this book I felt like I was missing bits of important information as well as backstories. Briar’s relationship with Cade, her ex-boyfriend now housemate, is obviously a big influence on her attitude towards her powers and is very touchy at time, yet it feels like you had to be there for their problem to really understand what is going through her head. It would have been nicer to see more depth in the main characters so I got to know them and their motivations more. They all seem to be very stereotypical people that you find in every book which makes putting ideas together to guess what is happening next fun.
Though the magical side of this book can also lose it after a while with Briar’s ‘I really don’t want to be here’ attitude and Antoine’s positive attitude brings some well needed overenthusiastic ‘we can do this’ vibes.
For a book about emotion, Pricked ironically lacks real emotion at some points. I started to assume by the end of the book, as Briar learns to control the balance between her powers and emotions, that the more emotions and memories she gives away, the less feelings she will have. Or she will just get super overwhelmed by everyone’s emotions and turn into a giant rose
You know you have stumbled on to a good book when you immediately look up if there is a sequel coming. Pricked is a fun read for when you want to dive into a little fantasy but don’t have the brainpower to concentrate on a magnitude of details. Scott Mooney has truly written a great novel with some great twists and a little bit of heart.
August 24, 2019
It is so refreshing to pick up a book with a strong female protagonist, that was written by a man, passes the Bechedel test, and isn't a completely ridiculous take on women and how they view themselves (check out #menwritingwomen on Twitter). To top all that off, this was an incredibly fun story that kept my attention through to the end, and I finished it in one sitting.
Pricked is an Urban Fantasy novel, taking place in The Poisoned Apple, a parallel dimension of Fey, and NYC. Briar is hired by a member of the court to find his daughter's kidnapped boyfriend to stop a war between two different Fey courts. Obviously, not everything is as it seems, and there is oodles of shady dealings happening behind the scenes that Briar and her hired Knight are kept in the dark from.
There is a small love triangle, but I use that for lack of a better term. There are a few errant thoughts spattered here and there throughout the story, but it is not the focus. Briar's character is strong and most definitely not one-dimensional. She is relatable and likable. She has her flaws, but they're not overly done.
Pricked is full of angst and laughs. Laugh out loud moments were abundant, and Mooney was delivered some of the best names for places and things that mirrored our own world. Briar shopped for groceries at Troll Foods. I wish I would have thought to highlight all those little nuances while I was reading to refer back to, because that small aspect of the story really pulled things together. It really is the small things that can make or break the success of a novel, and Mooney is clearly a master.
My favorite aspect of the story is that it can be enjoyed by all: men, women, children, and teens. It is PG13 and not too campy (just the right amount of campy). It seems to be marketed toward adults, but it is more a mature YA. I'm assuming the target audience is adults because of the 90's pop culture references scattered through the story. The characters aren't fresh out of high school, but they are young (Briar is 21), and they all definitely have to room to grow. But that works because this is the start of a new series.
All-in-all, I absolutely loved this fresh take on fairy tales and fey, and cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in this series. Scott Mooney's writing style is unique and entertaining, and he has a new fan for life.
Pricked is an Urban Fantasy novel, taking place in The Poisoned Apple, a parallel dimension of Fey, and NYC. Briar is hired by a member of the court to find his daughter's kidnapped boyfriend to stop a war between two different Fey courts. Obviously, not everything is as it seems, and there is oodles of shady dealings happening behind the scenes that Briar and her hired Knight are kept in the dark from.
There is a small love triangle, but I use that for lack of a better term. There are a few errant thoughts spattered here and there throughout the story, but it is not the focus. Briar's character is strong and most definitely not one-dimensional. She is relatable and likable. She has her flaws, but they're not overly done.
Pricked is full of angst and laughs. Laugh out loud moments were abundant, and Mooney was delivered some of the best names for places and things that mirrored our own world. Briar shopped for groceries at Troll Foods. I wish I would have thought to highlight all those little nuances while I was reading to refer back to, because that small aspect of the story really pulled things together. It really is the small things that can make or break the success of a novel, and Mooney is clearly a master.
My favorite aspect of the story is that it can be enjoyed by all: men, women, children, and teens. It is PG13 and not too campy (just the right amount of campy). It seems to be marketed toward adults, but it is more a mature YA. I'm assuming the target audience is adults because of the 90's pop culture references scattered through the story. The characters aren't fresh out of high school, but they are young (Briar is 21), and they all definitely have to room to grow. But that works because this is the start of a new series.
All-in-all, I absolutely loved this fresh take on fairy tales and fey, and cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in this series. Scott Mooney's writing style is unique and entertaining, and he has a new fan for life.
March 10, 2023
This is author Scott Mooney's debut book, but you wouldn't know that by reading it! He has written a tale that is so well written, so detailed and complex that the reader would think that this is his 10th book. The writing style is fun, the characters are well written and fun and the plot is simply magical.
We meet Briar in this story who has a bit of a magical ability...but is in a dead end job with no excitement in sight. Enter a missing person, a request from royalty and a twisting, turning, looping, curving adventure in the "poisoned" apple known as NY.
This book will grab the readers attention right from the start and will never let it go! There is no good stopping point for this book - once you start you will zoom through it and immediately want to start reading it again! It is that good!
Just a little warning - there will be a book 2 (because there is a bit of a cliffhanger)...but another book means more adventure with Briar! A must read and a must read now, even if this isn't your typical genre, you will love it!
** Review done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our fan site at http://www.facebook.com **
We meet Briar in this story who has a bit of a magical ability...but is in a dead end job with no excitement in sight. Enter a missing person, a request from royalty and a twisting, turning, looping, curving adventure in the "poisoned" apple known as NY.
This book will grab the readers attention right from the start and will never let it go! There is no good stopping point for this book - once you start you will zoom through it and immediately want to start reading it again! It is that good!
Just a little warning - there will be a book 2 (because there is a bit of a cliffhanger)...but another book means more adventure with Briar! A must read and a must read now, even if this isn't your typical genre, you will love it!
** Review done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our fan site at http://www.facebook.com **
June 3, 2019
I am an avid reader of fantasy, and I am always craving another novel that will suck me in and make me excited to read every night, and this book was one of those! I devoured it in about 2 weeks.
The main character is the most badass chick (think like a Katniss with a WAY better sense of humor) and her powers are not like anything in any other novel I’ve read. The world they are in is an upside-down New York, which gives it the grit to stay grounded and real, while also being totally believable fantasy. I would bet good money there are sorcerers living in New York.
I digress. If you love books like the Hunger Games, The Magicians, Harry Potter, The Martian, Children of Blood and Bone....I would put this book on par with those. It’s an incredibly fun world with twists and turns along the way that always keep you guessing. I can’t wait to read the next one!!!
The main character is the most badass chick (think like a Katniss with a WAY better sense of humor) and her powers are not like anything in any other novel I’ve read. The world they are in is an upside-down New York, which gives it the grit to stay grounded and real, while also being totally believable fantasy. I would bet good money there are sorcerers living in New York.
I digress. If you love books like the Hunger Games, The Magicians, Harry Potter, The Martian, Children of Blood and Bone....I would put this book on par with those. It’s an incredibly fun world with twists and turns along the way that always keep you guessing. I can’t wait to read the next one!!!
May 5, 2020
Briar Pryce is one of my new favorite characters. I'm a fantasy lover. I love the old fairy tales and our new fantasy retellings, and this is no exception. This takes New York as you know it, and gives it a nice poisoned twist, "the Poisoned Apple, New York City’s lost borough of fairy-tale wonder and rent-controlled magic" according to the book, and it was just what I needed. If you're looking for something that can hook you with magic, mystery, and all wrapped in an urban fantasy type setting then you're in for a ride. I love a good, we gotta find a missing person story, and this delivers with a few twists I didn't expect and also, excellent writing. I enjoyed it so much, I was lucky enough to get my hands on book two right away. Bryce has got her unique magic, which kinda reminds me of how in some stories magical creatures like werewolves can sniff your emotions, well that's Bryce too, she can find people kinda like a scenthound, and that's pretty cool! I love the twists on common tales and the lack of "waiting to be rescued" females. This is a smart book, with funny jokes and good pacing that I couldn't recommend more! Bring on many more books!
April 25, 2020
| Reader Fox Blog |
Pricked by Scott Mooney was a delightful, unique, and rather impressive story that admittedly was not without its own flaws. The truth is that, after beginning this novel, I very quickly found myself under the impression that I wouldn't like it all that much. Thus, as I continued through the story I was incredibly amazed to find that I actually enjoyed it quite a lot. Pricked impressed me more than I thought it would. Despite not being the best story and despite having a few cringe moments for me, I've left this book happy to have read it.
Now let's dive right in, shall we?
Our story begins with a young adult called Briar who is definitely the sort I would consider rough around the edges. She's got a magical power that allows her to change the emotions of those around her merely by giving them a flower--a power that will grow throughout the course of the novel--and she has been using that power to make money. Basically, she's on call to change the emotions of whomever the ones with money ask her to. Of course, though the emotions wear off eventually, it's no surprise that someone ended up angry enough to send a basket of cursed goodies to her apartment. Since Briar wasn't home, it was her unfortunate roommate, however, who was cursed to take the form of a cat.
So, when an offer is made to pay for the rather expensive de-cursing that her best friend requires if Briar uses her abilities to find the kidnapped boyfriend of a rich royal's daughter, it's really no surprise that an adventure will soon be underway. And the best part about this novel? It takes place in a world parallel to our own, called the Poison Apple, conveniently located right beside (sort of) the Big Apple we all know as New York City. And naturally, the inhabitants of the fairy world intermingle throughout both.
Now while I say I loved this story, I also mentioned flaws. The biggest of the flaws for me came with the rather underdeveloped and nearly one-dimensional main love interest who I just grew exceedingly frustrated with throughout the course of the novel and the main character herself. I didn't like them. While Briar had brief moments where I did enjoy her character, a lot of it was outshone by pettiness and immaturity. Antoine was just flat as an overcooked pancake.
Briar was sardonic, crude, and bitter to the point of being annoying. She had all these beliefs and ideas and yet pettily influenced the emotions of a girl she didn't know merely because she grew annoyed with how obsessed the girl was with her looks and the somewhat mean-girl-esque presentation of her personality. Though this is probably more to the author than the character, she also incorrectly associated Jung with Freud's beliefs and work (not a big deal, but as I majored in Psychology it was an inconsistency that I couldn't help but notice). A plot point with one of her roommates made the enchantment of her special dagger, amusingly named Prick, an annoying plot hole. She was immature and annoying on numerous occasions. And I didn't care one whit about her.
Antoine? Well, he lacked personality. He often felt like an accessory to Briar's rather overbearing one. And the love connection? Aside from the rather eye-roll-inducing inner thoughts of, "Do I like him? Does he like me?" that I've just grown to absolutely hate, I never really felt convinced of their interest in one another. This isn't a huge deal for me, ultimately, mainly because I just didn't care about them at all.
Which brings me to my main point here; the story was brilliant. I didn't have to like the main characters to be wowed by the plot and entranced with the expertly weaved tale as it slowly unfolded before my eyes. I was captivated. And while I 100% saw one of the plot twists coming a mile away, the other one took me completely by surprise. Regardless, I enjoyed both immensely. And while I may not have liked the main characters in the slightest, I loved many of the side ones. My favorite, Tarris alongside Miranda, Rick, and even Alice were utterly wonderful in so many ways.
So, while I probably wouldn't read a sequel that centered around Briar and Antoine--ugh--I can guarantee I would eagerly read anything that delved further into the stories of Tarris, Ric, Miranda, or even Alice. As for the writing, it was good. Admittedly the New York/Fairytale puns were sometimes a bit cheesy, but overall enjoyable. I left the story happier with it than I entered. And really, that leaves me with only one last thing to say about the piece; they probably should have marketed the LGBTQ inclusivity because I can definitely see readers who'd enjoy this novel not getting a chance to do so simply because they were unaware of it.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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Pricked by Scott Mooney was a delightful, unique, and rather impressive story that admittedly was not without its own flaws. The truth is that, after beginning this novel, I very quickly found myself under the impression that I wouldn't like it all that much. Thus, as I continued through the story I was incredibly amazed to find that I actually enjoyed it quite a lot. Pricked impressed me more than I thought it would. Despite not being the best story and despite having a few cringe moments for me, I've left this book happy to have read it.
Now let's dive right in, shall we?
Our story begins with a young adult called Briar who is definitely the sort I would consider rough around the edges. She's got a magical power that allows her to change the emotions of those around her merely by giving them a flower--a power that will grow throughout the course of the novel--and she has been using that power to make money. Basically, she's on call to change the emotions of whomever the ones with money ask her to. Of course, though the emotions wear off eventually, it's no surprise that someone ended up angry enough to send a basket of cursed goodies to her apartment. Since Briar wasn't home, it was her unfortunate roommate, however, who was cursed to take the form of a cat.
So, when an offer is made to pay for the rather expensive de-cursing that her best friend requires if Briar uses her abilities to find the kidnapped boyfriend of a rich royal's daughter, it's really no surprise that an adventure will soon be underway. And the best part about this novel? It takes place in a world parallel to our own, called the Poison Apple, conveniently located right beside (sort of) the Big Apple we all know as New York City. And naturally, the inhabitants of the fairy world intermingle throughout both.
Now while I say I loved this story, I also mentioned flaws. The biggest of the flaws for me came with the rather underdeveloped and nearly one-dimensional main love interest who I just grew exceedingly frustrated with throughout the course of the novel and the main character herself. I didn't like them. While Briar had brief moments where I did enjoy her character, a lot of it was outshone by pettiness and immaturity. Antoine was just flat as an overcooked pancake.
Briar was sardonic, crude, and bitter to the point of being annoying. She had all these beliefs and ideas and yet pettily influenced the emotions of a girl she didn't know merely because she grew annoyed with how obsessed the girl was with her looks and the somewhat mean-girl-esque presentation of her personality. Though this is probably more to the author than the character, she also incorrectly associated Jung with Freud's beliefs and work (not a big deal, but as I majored in Psychology it was an inconsistency that I couldn't help but notice). A plot point with one of her roommates made the enchantment of her special dagger, amusingly named Prick, an annoying plot hole. She was immature and annoying on numerous occasions. And I didn't care one whit about her.
Antoine? Well, he lacked personality. He often felt like an accessory to Briar's rather overbearing one. And the love connection? Aside from the rather eye-roll-inducing inner thoughts of, "Do I like him? Does he like me?" that I've just grown to absolutely hate, I never really felt convinced of their interest in one another. This isn't a huge deal for me, ultimately, mainly because I just didn't care about them at all.
Which brings me to my main point here; the story was brilliant. I didn't have to like the main characters to be wowed by the plot and entranced with the expertly weaved tale as it slowly unfolded before my eyes. I was captivated. And while I 100% saw one of the plot twists coming a mile away, the other one took me completely by surprise. Regardless, I enjoyed both immensely. And while I may not have liked the main characters in the slightest, I loved many of the side ones. My favorite, Tarris alongside Miranda, Rick, and even Alice were utterly wonderful in so many ways.
So, while I probably wouldn't read a sequel that centered around Briar and Antoine--ugh--I can guarantee I would eagerly read anything that delved further into the stories of Tarris, Ric, Miranda, or even Alice. As for the writing, it was good. Admittedly the New York/Fairytale puns were sometimes a bit cheesy, but overall enjoyable. I left the story happier with it than I entered. And really, that leaves me with only one last thing to say about the piece; they probably should have marketed the LGBTQ inclusivity because I can definitely see readers who'd enjoy this novel not getting a chance to do so simply because they were unaware of it.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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June 6, 2020
I have a confession to make, when someone asks me who my favorite princess is, (What? No one has ever asked you?!?) I always say Belle, followed closely by Ariel. But, I have always been obsessed with Briar Rose.
My father used to tell me the real Grimm Fairy Tales when I was a kid. Cinderella’s step-sister cutting off her heal, trying to get the glass slipper on. And the princes who scaled the castle walls, trying to get to Sleeping Beauty (aka Briar Rose), becoming blind after having their eyes stabbed out by the rose’s thorns that were growing on the outside walls.
The Briar Rose story always scared me the most for some reason, but fascinated me as well. Maybe it bothered me more because I thought of the princes as nice people and Cinderella’s step-sisters as not so nice. I have dreams about the spinning wheel as well, not so much now, but a lot more when I was younger. Briar is woven deep into my psyche.
So all of that back story leads to me stumbling across Pricked on NetGalley. As soon as I read Briar and then rose in the first sentence of the synopsis, I knew I would be reading it. And I am happy I did since Scott Mooney’s debut novel is excellent.
As with any good fantasy series there has to be in depth world building, and Mooney accomplishes this very well, especially for the first book in what I hope becomes a series. Some fantasy series, while still excellently written, have taken longer to flesh out the worlds. Seanan McGuire’s, October Daye series, is one that comes to mind. Not to say that the first book, Rosemary and Rue, didn’t have fantastic world building, just that McGuire didn’t leave the book feeling as complete as this one. Probably because she already had a series in mind, and had other parts of the world planned for future books.
With, Pricked, even if Mooney only writes this book, I feel like the world is complete, but he still has lots of ways to incoporate even more areas into this world in future books. The village where the commoners live is one area that instantly comes to mind.
The characters are written pretty well, some needing more development than others, but that’s what future books are for! I enjoyed Briar’s sass and realistic outlook on the world. Antoine, the knight/bodyguard, doesn’t seem to say much, but I think there are a lot of layers to him that will be coming out. I do like the strong, silent type. And many of the supporting characters were given distinct personalities as well.
As with a lot of fantasy, this takes place in a short period of time. Because of that, the action scenes usually come hard and fast. I thought Mooney did a great job with the pace of the book and the writing of the action. I didn’t need to pause my reading because something I needed to question if something could be physically done. Although, since this is a world with magic, doing the impossible is possible.
The thing I do question is how this is being marketed. It is in the adult genre, but it reads more YA to me. Not that adults wouldn’t enjoy it too though.
Briar and her roommates are not that far out of high school, in fact a huge story plot is something that happened in high school. And the relationships all feel less mature. Briar even mentions it feel like a pissing match everytime Antoine and Cade are in the same room.
Maybe it was decided to be marketed for adults becausse of the pop culture references? Two that I remember, although there were more, are Alias and Buffy. Maybe teens will know about Buffy because it’s a cult TV show, but I’m thinking not so much on Alias. And the other ones had me smiling, but since I’m not a teen, maybe that was their reasoning?
But I don’t market books, I just read and review them! So in ending my review, I say grab yourself a copy and get to reading.
My father used to tell me the real Grimm Fairy Tales when I was a kid. Cinderella’s step-sister cutting off her heal, trying to get the glass slipper on. And the princes who scaled the castle walls, trying to get to Sleeping Beauty (aka Briar Rose), becoming blind after having their eyes stabbed out by the rose’s thorns that were growing on the outside walls.
The Briar Rose story always scared me the most for some reason, but fascinated me as well. Maybe it bothered me more because I thought of the princes as nice people and Cinderella’s step-sisters as not so nice. I have dreams about the spinning wheel as well, not so much now, but a lot more when I was younger. Briar is woven deep into my psyche.
So all of that back story leads to me stumbling across Pricked on NetGalley. As soon as I read Briar and then rose in the first sentence of the synopsis, I knew I would be reading it. And I am happy I did since Scott Mooney’s debut novel is excellent.
As with any good fantasy series there has to be in depth world building, and Mooney accomplishes this very well, especially for the first book in what I hope becomes a series. Some fantasy series, while still excellently written, have taken longer to flesh out the worlds. Seanan McGuire’s, October Daye series, is one that comes to mind. Not to say that the first book, Rosemary and Rue, didn’t have fantastic world building, just that McGuire didn’t leave the book feeling as complete as this one. Probably because she already had a series in mind, and had other parts of the world planned for future books.
With, Pricked, even if Mooney only writes this book, I feel like the world is complete, but he still has lots of ways to incoporate even more areas into this world in future books. The village where the commoners live is one area that instantly comes to mind.
The characters are written pretty well, some needing more development than others, but that’s what future books are for! I enjoyed Briar’s sass and realistic outlook on the world. Antoine, the knight/bodyguard, doesn’t seem to say much, but I think there are a lot of layers to him that will be coming out. I do like the strong, silent type. And many of the supporting characters were given distinct personalities as well.
As with a lot of fantasy, this takes place in a short period of time. Because of that, the action scenes usually come hard and fast. I thought Mooney did a great job with the pace of the book and the writing of the action. I didn’t need to pause my reading because something I needed to question if something could be physically done. Although, since this is a world with magic, doing the impossible is possible.
The thing I do question is how this is being marketed. It is in the adult genre, but it reads more YA to me. Not that adults wouldn’t enjoy it too though.
Briar and her roommates are not that far out of high school, in fact a huge story plot is something that happened in high school. And the relationships all feel less mature. Briar even mentions it feel like a pissing match everytime Antoine and Cade are in the same room.
Maybe it was decided to be marketed for adults becausse of the pop culture references? Two that I remember, although there were more, are Alias and Buffy. Maybe teens will know about Buffy because it’s a cult TV show, but I’m thinking not so much on Alias. And the other ones had me smiling, but since I’m not a teen, maybe that was their reasoning?
But I don’t market books, I just read and review them! So in ending my review, I say grab yourself a copy and get to reading.
March 13, 2021
*4.5 Stars-- I requested this on Net Galley*
I really, really, really enjoyed this book. Based on the synopsis I figured it would be my type of book and, even with thinking that, "Pricked" exceeded my expectations and did such a wonderful job of being more than just a magic story. This is also a story about consent, romantic and platonic relationships, homophobia, blind obedience, sexism, classism and aristocracy, as well as being a really fun adventure/romance story.
Briar is such a fun protagonist and her magic is a very uniquely original twist on the magic associated with fairy tales and roses. Briar can deliver roses to people and imbue the roses with emotions that are then transferred to the intended recipient temporarily. This is such a fun idea and it was so interesting to watch her navigate the journey of her powers and how they define her. I really like how Briar calls out the toxic masculinity around her-- she isn't hostile about it but she has no time for love triangle nonsense and jealousy.
This book revolves around Briar and her assigned bodyguard Antoine searching for the boyfriend of Miranda-- the daughter of a powerful Count. Within this search many secrets are revealed as to how The Poisoned Apple (their magical land) functions and the political intrigues that seek to destabilize it. It was really well-written and the climax is very telling and respectful about the consequences of oppression and ignorance and how the oppressed are not solely at fault when they become oppressors themselves.
I hope for a sequel!
I really, really, really enjoyed this book. Based on the synopsis I figured it would be my type of book and, even with thinking that, "Pricked" exceeded my expectations and did such a wonderful job of being more than just a magic story. This is also a story about consent, romantic and platonic relationships, homophobia, blind obedience, sexism, classism and aristocracy, as well as being a really fun adventure/romance story.
Briar is such a fun protagonist and her magic is a very uniquely original twist on the magic associated with fairy tales and roses. Briar can deliver roses to people and imbue the roses with emotions that are then transferred to the intended recipient temporarily. This is such a fun idea and it was so interesting to watch her navigate the journey of her powers and how they define her. I really like how Briar calls out the toxic masculinity around her-- she isn't hostile about it but she has no time for love triangle nonsense and jealousy.
This book revolves around Briar and her assigned bodyguard Antoine searching for the boyfriend of Miranda-- the daughter of a powerful Count. Within this search many secrets are revealed as to how The Poisoned Apple (their magical land) functions and the political intrigues that seek to destabilize it. It was really well-written and the climax is very telling and respectful about the consequences of oppression and ignorance and how the oppressed are not solely at fault when they become oppressors themselves.
I hope for a sequel!
June 2, 2019
Approaches urban fantasy kind of from the back - the entrance marked "Fairy-Tale Universe, with Mystery Plot". But the protagonist, Briar, is the familiar kickass, smartass woman of urban fantasy, though with a somewhat fresh magical power: she can enchant roses to change people's emotions.
This is a power that grows during the story, disturbingly for her. Despite her noir-detective manner, she's good-hearted; she gets involved in the story problem because it looks like the only way to get her friend disenchanted from a curse that appeared to have been meant for Briar. This is a good approach to motivating the character based on her relationships without fridging anyone (since the friend is still around and able to interact, though she doesn't play a big role in the story).
A motivated character in a dynamic situation is always going to work for me, and I was quickly swept up. There were some issues; as is common for American authors, this author conflates nobility and royalty, and doesn't know the correct terms of address for them either. He capitalises terms that don't need it, and the past perfect tense is frequently conspicuous by its absence, which always interrupts the flow of the story for me. He uses "besides" when he means "apart from" (which could be a dialect difference), and has a tendency to said bookisms. In the pre-release version I read from Netgalley, some of the apostrophes were misplaced. The fairy-tale (and New York) references get a bit cutesy or cheesy at times, too. But some lovely phrases partly make up for this: "Do not pass denouement, do not collect happily ever after," or "an ostentatious gown with more blue ribbon in it than Michael Phelps’s bedroom."
I could take or leave the love triangle aspect, personally, but apart from that the plot and character interactions worked well for me, and I was surprised by the twist.
Far from a perfect book, but showing definite strengths, and promise as a series. I really hope the author learns to use the past perfect tense, though.
This is a power that grows during the story, disturbingly for her. Despite her noir-detective manner, she's good-hearted; she gets involved in the story problem because it looks like the only way to get her friend disenchanted from a curse that appeared to have been meant for Briar. This is a good approach to motivating the character based on her relationships without fridging anyone (since the friend is still around and able to interact, though she doesn't play a big role in the story).
A motivated character in a dynamic situation is always going to work for me, and I was quickly swept up. There were some issues; as is common for American authors, this author conflates nobility and royalty, and doesn't know the correct terms of address for them either. He capitalises terms that don't need it, and the past perfect tense is frequently conspicuous by its absence, which always interrupts the flow of the story for me. He uses "besides" when he means "apart from" (which could be a dialect difference), and has a tendency to said bookisms. In the pre-release version I read from Netgalley, some of the apostrophes were misplaced. The fairy-tale (and New York) references get a bit cutesy or cheesy at times, too. But some lovely phrases partly make up for this: "Do not pass denouement, do not collect happily ever after," or "an ostentatious gown with more blue ribbon in it than Michael Phelps’s bedroom."
I could take or leave the love triangle aspect, personally, but apart from that the plot and character interactions worked well for me, and I was surprised by the twist.
Far from a perfect book, but showing definite strengths, and promise as a series. I really hope the author learns to use the past perfect tense, though.
April 28, 2020
I am a huge fan of urban fantasy but an even bigger fan fairy tale retellings! Soooooo I was thrilled to read Scott Mooney's fairy tale mash up!!
.
In Pricked we have Briar Pryce who has the power to change emotions by enchanted rose, a best friend turned cat, dead end job making deliveries and her childhood crush turned roommate. Try saying that 5 times really fast and we may give Rumplestilskin a run for the money.
.
True to fairy tale form our main character makes a heroic deal to find the missing boyfriend of a princess so her BFF can stop being a kitty and be turned back into a human. AND madness ensues!!! What madness? Well that is for you to find out. Grab your copy today and join Briar's journey!!
.
5 stars and a tip of my Nerd Girl Hat!
*This review was done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
.
In Pricked we have Briar Pryce who has the power to change emotions by enchanted rose, a best friend turned cat, dead end job making deliveries and her childhood crush turned roommate. Try saying that 5 times really fast and we may give Rumplestilskin a run for the money.
.
True to fairy tale form our main character makes a heroic deal to find the missing boyfriend of a princess so her BFF can stop being a kitty and be turned back into a human. AND madness ensues!!! What madness? Well that is for you to find out. Grab your copy today and join Briar's journey!!
.
5 stars and a tip of my Nerd Girl Hat!
*This review was done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
June 1, 2019
Fun start to a (I assume) new fantasy series. Briar Pryce lives in the Bad Apple, a sort of magic second city hidden from New York's primarily non-fey population. Briar has a talent that is unique in her already magic-rich world -- she can implant emotions into roses and, upon giving them to another, change the moods and feelings of others. Her work usually involves odd jobs, but when she's hired to find the missing non-fey of a fey princess, she quickly finds herself entangled in surprising intrigue.
The narrative is fun, light, and heavy on puns and references to a broad body of fairy tale lore. My only complaint is that the book was condensed into approximately three days, which made some of the latter plot development seem highly unlikely (even in a world of wisps, fairy grandmothers, and trolls). Nonetheless I very much enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the next in the series (I hope! I hope!).
ARC via NetGalley
The narrative is fun, light, and heavy on puns and references to a broad body of fairy tale lore. My only complaint is that the book was condensed into approximately three days, which made some of the latter plot development seem highly unlikely (even in a world of wisps, fairy grandmothers, and trolls). Nonetheless I very much enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the next in the series (I hope! I hope!).
ARC via NetGalley
September 11, 2019
So this was honestly just a fun novel to read.
A new spin on old classics, this novel has everything you could ever need from a tongue in cheek fairytale set in a hidden part of New York.
The main character Briar was the perfect mix of concerned citizen and passive aggressive sass while her supporting cast run the gamut of personalities.
The pace was divine, full off ebbs in the action, but only for so long as to allow the reader to catch their breath before the adventure started again.
For a story that could have well and truly felt 'Disney', Mooney has injected enough action and adventure to well and truly make this a fun read for most ages (don't be giving it to your kids people, that could definitely turn out badly)
Overall it was just a really enjoyable fast paced read, that resurrected my inner child and left me wanting more.
A new spin on old classics, this novel has everything you could ever need from a tongue in cheek fairytale set in a hidden part of New York.
The main character Briar was the perfect mix of concerned citizen and passive aggressive sass while her supporting cast run the gamut of personalities.
The pace was divine, full off ebbs in the action, but only for so long as to allow the reader to catch their breath before the adventure started again.
For a story that could have well and truly felt 'Disney', Mooney has injected enough action and adventure to well and truly make this a fun read for most ages (don't be giving it to your kids people, that could definitely turn out badly)
Overall it was just a really enjoyable fast paced read, that resurrected my inner child and left me wanting more.
May 5, 2020
First book I finished after my 2nd kid was born. Really flew by!
August 23, 2019
*I received a free ARC of this book, with thanks to the author, Bleeding Ink Publishing and NetGalley. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
If you love urban fantasy and old-fashioned fairytales then this book is the mashup for you. Personally, having read this book, I would happily read anything Scott Mooney writes!
Briar Rose’s magical talent is one of the most fascinating and versatile I have encountered, with so much plot potential and room for developing characters in so many directions too. I got very excited as she gained greater control and strength and we saw her abilities begin to evolve in unexpected ways!
The plot is a classic PI-style mystery; well-constructed and nicely paced and the supporting characters are funny, flawed, fragile, heroic and complex. The writing style is unobtrusive and immersive – I completely forgot I was reading a book at all as I followed Briar and Antoine in their investigation.
Scott Mooney effortlessly blends the modern world of New York with the fairytale world of the Poisoned Apple; numerous modern pop culture references with a classic detective noir vibe. The worldbuilding is clever and has infinite potential for further stories, even without ending on a teaser (that also functions as a punchline to a running joke AND the clue to a bigger, ongoing mystery)!
In short:
1. I recommend this book wholeheartedly.
2. It’s right up my street, as a firm fan of The Dresden Files, Grimm, Once Upon a Time, Fables and similar.
3. I have set an alert for future books by Scott Mooney and recommend you do the same.
Places like this always have many names. The Lost Borough, Fairyland, Pucktown, The City that Always Dreams. Lately, it’s been going by the Poisoned Apple.
Me? I just call it home.
– Scott Mooney, Pricked
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
If you love urban fantasy and old-fashioned fairytales then this book is the mashup for you. Personally, having read this book, I would happily read anything Scott Mooney writes!
Briar Rose’s magical talent is one of the most fascinating and versatile I have encountered, with so much plot potential and room for developing characters in so many directions too. I got very excited as she gained greater control and strength and we saw her abilities begin to evolve in unexpected ways!
The plot is a classic PI-style mystery; well-constructed and nicely paced and the supporting characters are funny, flawed, fragile, heroic and complex. The writing style is unobtrusive and immersive – I completely forgot I was reading a book at all as I followed Briar and Antoine in their investigation.
Scott Mooney effortlessly blends the modern world of New York with the fairytale world of the Poisoned Apple; numerous modern pop culture references with a classic detective noir vibe. The worldbuilding is clever and has infinite potential for further stories, even without ending on a teaser (that also functions as a punchline to a running joke AND the clue to a bigger, ongoing mystery)!
In short:
1. I recommend this book wholeheartedly.
2. It’s right up my street, as a firm fan of The Dresden Files, Grimm, Once Upon a Time, Fables and similar.
3. I have set an alert for future books by Scott Mooney and recommend you do the same.
Places like this always have many names. The Lost Borough, Fairyland, Pucktown, The City that Always Dreams. Lately, it’s been going by the Poisoned Apple.
Me? I just call it home.
– Scott Mooney, Pricked
Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog
https://bookshineandreadbows.wordpres...
May 29, 2019
https://wittyandsarcasticbookclub.hom...
Briar Pryce has the power to change the emotions of others by handing them a rose. It is a talent that has done surprisingly little for her, besides landing her a dead-end enchantment delivery job and killing any chance she had with her childhood-crush-turned-roommate. Worst of all, her ability might be responsible for getting her best friend transformed into a cat via a cursed muffin basket. Needless to say, Briar is nowhere near happily-ever-after. But that’s just life as a twenty-something in the Poisoned Apple, New York City’s lost borough of fairy-tale wonder and rent-controlled magic.
When Briar reluctantly agrees to help find a princess’s kidnapped boyfriend in exchange for reversing the curse on her friend, she gets the heroic quest she never really wanted. Unfortunately, the life of a noble heroine is not all it’s cracked up to be – the hours blow, and Briar suspect that the Royal family employing her might be evil, Republican, or both. To complete the suckage, a killer smoke magician is stalking Briar as she searches both the Poisoned Apple and Manhattan for the missing boy. As tensions between the Poisoned Apple royalty ignite and civil war looms, Briar must figure out how to write her own happy ending–or she’ll just be ending. (Netgalley)
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review. It will be available on August 13th.
I’m a bit confused, to be honest: the book described above and the book I read are very different. The description made it sound like this book was going to be a a satirical fantasy, one full of puns and witty names. Not so much. Let me write my own description below, and then compare and contrast. That sounds very “middle school book report”, but it’s the best way I can think of to sort my muddled opinions into a coherent post.
Briar Pryce lives in the Poisoned Apple, a fairy-tale version of NYC, with her three roommates. There’s Alice, who didn’t play into this book too much; Cade, her long-time crush that she sort of accidentally be-spelled, causing no end of drama; and Jacqui , her best-friend-turned cat. Briar has an unusual gift: she can enchant roses to change people’s emotions. She’s roped into helping recover a kidnapped boyfriend to a royal, in exchange for a reversal in the whole “my best friend is now a cat” issue. There’s also Antoine, a knight sent with Briar to help her in her quest.
It was much more straightforward storytelling, with less quippiness than I expected, given the description. I still enjoyed it, but I do wish the blurb had been worded differently so that I went into it without expectations of a certain comedic type.
I really liked Antoine. He had a great sense of humor underneath his serious demeanor, and he tried really, really hard to protect and aid Briar, even though at times she really was a brat to him. Of course he ended up having a crush on her, which resulted in a rather annoying love triangle, what with the whole Cade situation (by the way, Cade was incredibly one dimensional. He might as well have been a block of wood). Antoine also adapted to strange situations quickly and kept the story moving at a good pace.
I loved Briar’s magical ability! It was incredibly unique, and the uses the author put it to were incredibly creative. I didn’t love Briar all that much as a character, but she had her moments. Her need to finish a crossword puzzle before she died made me giggle. I’m curious about why her power was so different than any others in the magical kingdom. I’m guessing that will be explored more in the next installment.
The adventure was fun, if a bit predictable, the writing was solid, and it was well set-up for a sequel. All in all, it was pretty darn enjoyable, but expect a YA fantasy, as opposed to a fairy tale satire.
Briar Pryce has the power to change the emotions of others by handing them a rose. It is a talent that has done surprisingly little for her, besides landing her a dead-end enchantment delivery job and killing any chance she had with her childhood-crush-turned-roommate. Worst of all, her ability might be responsible for getting her best friend transformed into a cat via a cursed muffin basket. Needless to say, Briar is nowhere near happily-ever-after. But that’s just life as a twenty-something in the Poisoned Apple, New York City’s lost borough of fairy-tale wonder and rent-controlled magic.
When Briar reluctantly agrees to help find a princess’s kidnapped boyfriend in exchange for reversing the curse on her friend, she gets the heroic quest she never really wanted. Unfortunately, the life of a noble heroine is not all it’s cracked up to be – the hours blow, and Briar suspect that the Royal family employing her might be evil, Republican, or both. To complete the suckage, a killer smoke magician is stalking Briar as she searches both the Poisoned Apple and Manhattan for the missing boy. As tensions between the Poisoned Apple royalty ignite and civil war looms, Briar must figure out how to write her own happy ending–or she’ll just be ending. (Netgalley)
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this book in exchange for an honest review. It will be available on August 13th.
I’m a bit confused, to be honest: the book described above and the book I read are very different. The description made it sound like this book was going to be a a satirical fantasy, one full of puns and witty names. Not so much. Let me write my own description below, and then compare and contrast. That sounds very “middle school book report”, but it’s the best way I can think of to sort my muddled opinions into a coherent post.
Briar Pryce lives in the Poisoned Apple, a fairy-tale version of NYC, with her three roommates. There’s Alice, who didn’t play into this book too much; Cade, her long-time crush that she sort of accidentally be-spelled, causing no end of drama; and Jacqui , her best-friend-turned cat. Briar has an unusual gift: she can enchant roses to change people’s emotions. She’s roped into helping recover a kidnapped boyfriend to a royal, in exchange for a reversal in the whole “my best friend is now a cat” issue. There’s also Antoine, a knight sent with Briar to help her in her quest.
It was much more straightforward storytelling, with less quippiness than I expected, given the description. I still enjoyed it, but I do wish the blurb had been worded differently so that I went into it without expectations of a certain comedic type.
I really liked Antoine. He had a great sense of humor underneath his serious demeanor, and he tried really, really hard to protect and aid Briar, even though at times she really was a brat to him. Of course he ended up having a crush on her, which resulted in a rather annoying love triangle, what with the whole Cade situation (by the way, Cade was incredibly one dimensional. He might as well have been a block of wood). Antoine also adapted to strange situations quickly and kept the story moving at a good pace.
I loved Briar’s magical ability! It was incredibly unique, and the uses the author put it to were incredibly creative. I didn’t love Briar all that much as a character, but she had her moments. Her need to finish a crossword puzzle before she died made me giggle. I’m curious about why her power was so different than any others in the magical kingdom. I’m guessing that will be explored more in the next installment.
The adventure was fun, if a bit predictable, the writing was solid, and it was well set-up for a sequel. All in all, it was pretty darn enjoyable, but expect a YA fantasy, as opposed to a fairy tale satire.
August 28, 2019
Pricked is a really fun read! I loved this. It reminded me of the Sarah Maas Throne of Glass series - but this is lighter and had way more humor. You feel transported really quickly and get caught up in the life of Briar who is magical, charming, and a little snarky! The author really has a way of immersing you in the Poisoned Apple borough underneath NYC. It starts to feel like a reality that you just suddenly had become aware of....very fun indeed. Also, I won't spoil the ending but I was pretty sure of the direction it was going in....and was wrong! Very unpredictable in a way that makes me want to read more in this series. Can't wait for the next one!
August 30, 2019
Utterly charming. Can't wait for the next one!
August 18, 2019
I could NOT put Pricked down. I stayed up very late finishing it because I was so captivated. I can't adequately express how much I loved this book and Scott Mooney's writing is simply awesome! There were sections that I read again just because I loved the way he described a scene or a turn of phrase. I fell in love with the main characters, my mind's eye has a complete visualization of the world he created and I'm so excited for the next volume!!!!!
Everyone needs to read this book!!!
Everyone needs to read this book!!!
June 16, 2019
*I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.*
I have to be honest, at the start I wasn't sure I was going to like it, came SO close to DNF. The only reason I didn't was because I had a slow day at work, and I didn't really feel like reading much else, it was one of those days, so I kept reading. I am pretty glad I did, once I got past the fist few chapters, I really enjoyed this book.
The bad: So in the beginning, it had a lot of vague references to things in the past, i looked the author up on goodreads thinking maybe this was book 2 of a series, and in my kindle version there was a different author name, so I'm thinking this author is either a penname or the other one is, cause the books under the other author are kinda of the fairy tale variety too. The questions I had in the first chapters were answered later, but I really wasn't understanding what I was reading, which made it hard to get through.
The Good: The creativity! The world building! It was magical, it was charming! I can't express enough how impressed I was with the creative thought process that went into this book, I can honestly say that I loved it, I feel like it was unique in its own way, similar to what JKR did with Harry Potter, this world was unique, yet believable as you were reading it. I was really impressed with all of it, once I got past the beginning, I dived right into it, and I wanted to go up to my coworkers rose and do some magic of my own. I loved the MC and how her name was Briar and her magic was with the rose, I love the fairy tale aspect of all of it. I like all the little references and ties to the various fairy tales there were in here, even the subtle ones. I loved how I was eager to turn the page. I really enjoyed this book.
I would definitely read the authors next book, and am eagerly awaiting it, I hope it comes out. If I find out that the author other I came across is one in the same, I definitely would check the other books out as well. Thank you for letting me read this book!
I have to be honest, at the start I wasn't sure I was going to like it, came SO close to DNF. The only reason I didn't was because I had a slow day at work, and I didn't really feel like reading much else, it was one of those days, so I kept reading. I am pretty glad I did, once I got past the fist few chapters, I really enjoyed this book.
The bad: So in the beginning, it had a lot of vague references to things in the past, i looked the author up on goodreads thinking maybe this was book 2 of a series, and in my kindle version there was a different author name, so I'm thinking this author is either a penname or the other one is, cause the books under the other author are kinda of the fairy tale variety too. The questions I had in the first chapters were answered later, but I really wasn't understanding what I was reading, which made it hard to get through.
The Good: The creativity! The world building! It was magical, it was charming! I can't express enough how impressed I was with the creative thought process that went into this book, I can honestly say that I loved it, I feel like it was unique in its own way, similar to what JKR did with Harry Potter, this world was unique, yet believable as you were reading it. I was really impressed with all of it, once I got past the beginning, I dived right into it, and I wanted to go up to my coworkers rose and do some magic of my own. I loved the MC and how her name was Briar and her magic was with the rose, I love the fairy tale aspect of all of it. I like all the little references and ties to the various fairy tales there were in here, even the subtle ones. I loved how I was eager to turn the page. I really enjoyed this book.
I would definitely read the authors next book, and am eagerly awaiting it, I hope it comes out. If I find out that the author other I came across is one in the same, I definitely would check the other books out as well. Thank you for letting me read this book!
August 9, 2019
For the most part, I really enjoyed Pricked. It’s clever and imaginative, with shades of Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia. I love fantasy novels set in our world, especially those with secret entrances. It makes me think I can stumble across one if I just look hard enough. Briar’s ability is intriguing (and I appreciate the fact that she enchants people with roses) and I really want to know more – especially if it’s tied to the parents she’s never met. Mooney is pretty skilled at infusing humor into his writing; there were a lot of neat references and metaphors. And while this is a complete story – in that the mystery is solved by the end – there is also a perfect setup for the next book in the series.
Read the full review HERE @ The Geekiary.
Read the full review HERE @ The Geekiary.
September 12, 2019
Wonderful story with a great balance of punchy parody, delightful romance, magic fights and genuine heart. I am enthusiastically recommending this to both my 70 year old mom and my 13 year old cousin, I think they'd both love it (maybe for different reasons, but who knows).
Such a cool concept, so excited for the next book and more stories inside the Poisoned Apple and beyond!
Such a cool concept, so excited for the next book and more stories inside the Poisoned Apple and beyond!
August 9, 2019
Briar is summoned to meet with Count Grimmour and hired to find his daughter's boyfriend, a Know Not that doesn't know about the fairy tale world hidden from view in New York City. The boyfriend, Rick, has been kidnapped, and Briar is tasked with using her unique magic to find him as all the wizards have failed. At her side is the knight Antoine, who both protects her and divulges important information about the Royals. With time working against them (they only have three days to find Rick, and it's actually less than that as some of that time was taken up with wizards failing to locate him), they must work fast to prevent a war between two Royal families that has the power to wipe out fairy tale world.
This is heavily fantasy with a good dash of mystery, the mystery being, of course, the questions of where Rick is and who has him and why. The fantasy was well done with a unique world parallel to our own, magic, and fairy tale elements. I was a little disappointed that there were only fairy tale elements and no real fairy tale retellings, but I suppose it's simply a world where fairy tales exist and it still must be a self-contained city with more than princes, princesses, and the commoners turned royals with their wicked stepmothers and stepsisters trying desperately to stop them. The mystery part was strong, but also lacking as neither Briar nor Antoine had any real clue of what they were doing, kind of like bumbling detectives. It was amusing, had plenty of action, and kept the plot moving, but they felt more like elephants trampling into the mystery.
What bothered me the most was the mystery part. It was well laid out, and I expected a fair amount of breaking and entering, lying to gain access to information, danger around every corner, and a fair amount of exciting action. Yes, all that was there. But what bothered me were the roles Briar and Antoine played. They both leapt headlong into the mystery and were seemingly on a never ending dive into finding Rick. They kept going forward, pushing onwards even when they should have stopped to think. If they had stopped to think, they probably wouldn't have gotten themselves in so much unnecessary trouble. All the clues were right in front of their noses. Ironically, Briar caught literal whiffs of it, but was unable to put it together. But I suppose it was fair for a character in her young adult years who wasn't going to be a crime solver at all and a character who was a knight and more used to fighting and defending that deep thinking.
I find myself on the fence about Briar's magic. On one hand, it's unique. It involves emotions and roses, and I haven't read anything like it before. At first, it was a little hard to understand, but, as the book went along, the idea of imbuing a rose with emotions to cast something like a spell on people became easier to understand and swallow. On the other hand, it makes her out to be a dog who can sniff out emotions. It was a little bizarre and kind of too ordinary for someone with such unique magic. I did like that her abilities grew, but it felt like it was done more to help the plot and ensure the good guys prevail. There was also a lot left unexplained, which was frustrating and annoying, though I suppose a second book could help explore it as the end leaves it open to possibilities.
I would have loved to get to know the fairy tale world a little more. We get excellent glimpses of an interesting place heavily influenced by fairy tales while also being entirely self-contained. But, since so much of the story took place in our world and the characters referenced pop culture rather than fairy tales, it felt like an odd patchwork of stories plunked down next to each other.
Overall, this was an intriguing mix of fantasy and mystery with a healthy number of red herrings thrown in and conflicts galore between the characters. The magic was interesting, if a bit bizarre, and the setting was imaginative, though could have used more development. There were hints at romance, including some triangles, but it clearly wasn't a focus, which I liked.
This is great for someone who enjoys fairy tales, but wants to create one for themselves. Not so great for someone looking for a retelling.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bleeding Ink Publishing for an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
This is heavily fantasy with a good dash of mystery, the mystery being, of course, the questions of where Rick is and who has him and why. The fantasy was well done with a unique world parallel to our own, magic, and fairy tale elements. I was a little disappointed that there were only fairy tale elements and no real fairy tale retellings, but I suppose it's simply a world where fairy tales exist and it still must be a self-contained city with more than princes, princesses, and the commoners turned royals with their wicked stepmothers and stepsisters trying desperately to stop them. The mystery part was strong, but also lacking as neither Briar nor Antoine had any real clue of what they were doing, kind of like bumbling detectives. It was amusing, had plenty of action, and kept the plot moving, but they felt more like elephants trampling into the mystery.
What bothered me the most was the mystery part. It was well laid out, and I expected a fair amount of breaking and entering, lying to gain access to information, danger around every corner, and a fair amount of exciting action. Yes, all that was there. But what bothered me were the roles Briar and Antoine played. They both leapt headlong into the mystery and were seemingly on a never ending dive into finding Rick. They kept going forward, pushing onwards even when they should have stopped to think. If they had stopped to think, they probably wouldn't have gotten themselves in so much unnecessary trouble. All the clues were right in front of their noses. Ironically, Briar caught literal whiffs of it, but was unable to put it together. But I suppose it was fair for a character in her young adult years who wasn't going to be a crime solver at all and a character who was a knight and more used to fighting and defending that deep thinking.
I find myself on the fence about Briar's magic. On one hand, it's unique. It involves emotions and roses, and I haven't read anything like it before. At first, it was a little hard to understand, but, as the book went along, the idea of imbuing a rose with emotions to cast something like a spell on people became easier to understand and swallow. On the other hand, it makes her out to be a dog who can sniff out emotions. It was a little bizarre and kind of too ordinary for someone with such unique magic. I did like that her abilities grew, but it felt like it was done more to help the plot and ensure the good guys prevail. There was also a lot left unexplained, which was frustrating and annoying, though I suppose a second book could help explore it as the end leaves it open to possibilities.
I would have loved to get to know the fairy tale world a little more. We get excellent glimpses of an interesting place heavily influenced by fairy tales while also being entirely self-contained. But, since so much of the story took place in our world and the characters referenced pop culture rather than fairy tales, it felt like an odd patchwork of stories plunked down next to each other.
Overall, this was an intriguing mix of fantasy and mystery with a healthy number of red herrings thrown in and conflicts galore between the characters. The magic was interesting, if a bit bizarre, and the setting was imaginative, though could have used more development. There were hints at romance, including some triangles, but it clearly wasn't a focus, which I liked.
This is great for someone who enjoys fairy tales, but wants to create one for themselves. Not so great for someone looking for a retelling.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bleeding Ink Publishing for an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
April 9, 2023
This fractured fairy-tale was a lot of fun. A great blend of original world-building and quirky characters, sprinkled with the well loved fairy-tale lore and breadcrumbs. Quick and easy read. Have already added the sequel to my TBR pile.
Recommended for fans of The Shadow in the Glass, The Guinevere Deception, Darkwood, A Blade So Black, The Lunar Chronicles, The Rumpelstiltskin Problem, Melissa Bashardoust, Christina Henry, Naomi Novik
Thank you to Netgalley and Bleeding Ink Publishing for the reading copy.
Recommended for fans of The Shadow in the Glass, The Guinevere Deception, Darkwood, A Blade So Black, The Lunar Chronicles, The Rumpelstiltskin Problem, Melissa Bashardoust, Christina Henry, Naomi Novik
Thank you to Netgalley and Bleeding Ink Publishing for the reading copy.
June 8, 2019
I was quite pumped to read this book sounded right up my alley.
Pricked had an intriguing premise with creative world building and fleshed out characters, and a good mystery but in a nutshell, I found the story quite underwhelming.
Pros
We get the relevant backstory of the characters and the history they shared, which I really liked about this book. We see their struggle with jobs, life, relationships making us warm up to our MC.
I would have appreciated if the Book came with more info about its content like its not only fantasy category but falls into Queer category as well.
The mystery unravelling was quite entertaining with phrases derived from fairytales for instance (Let down your hair whose counter is Gothel is here) and the interesting layout of Bad Apple with their ambiguous politicals system further adding to the supernatural element.
Cons
The mystery was rather simple, it had the air of complexity at the beginning but it fell to the common mystery-solving pattern towards the end.
_Little bit of continuity problem in the first chapter
_ There were moments were relationship developments were rushed, Antioine developing feeling in less than 12 hours, and that too being a knight? LiL unbelievable.
Thank you NetGAlley and Bleeding Ink Publishing for providing this E-Arc
There was just feeling, lighting the sky like fireworks in the summer night.I felt the roses below and with a beckoning gesture, I called two of them up to me...In my right hand was a slender red rose, its bloom just barely opening at the top. This was a rose with possibilities, its power red and dark...
Pricked had an intriguing premise with creative world building and fleshed out characters, and a good mystery but in a nutshell, I found the story quite underwhelming.
Pros
We get the relevant backstory of the characters and the history they shared, which I really liked about this book. We see their struggle with jobs, life, relationships making us warm up to our MC.
The mystery unravelling was quite entertaining with phrases derived from fairytales for instance (Let down your hair whose counter is Gothel is here) and the interesting layout of Bad Apple with their ambiguous politicals system further adding to the supernatural element.
Cons
The mystery was rather simple, it had the air of complexity at the beginning but it fell to the common mystery-solving pattern towards the end.
_Little bit of continuity problem in the first chapter
_ There were moments were relationship developments were rushed, Antioine developing feeling in less than 12 hours, and that too being a knight? LiL unbelievable.
Thank you NetGAlley and Bleeding Ink Publishing for providing this E-Arc
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