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The Barley Corn Girl: A Spicy Thumbelina Retelling
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
May 11, 2026
4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
Thumbalina retelling.. yes please!!!
She knocked it out of the park with this one!! Especially for a debut book.
I loved her writing style and almost poetry way she wrote. The words flowed beautifully.
The smexy scenes were more cracked door than explicit open door. I loved the adventure and growth of characters.
Would 💯 recommend if you loved Thumbalina especially
🌶️
Thumbalina retelling.. yes please!!!
She knocked it out of the park with this one!! Especially for a debut book.
I loved her writing style and almost poetry way she wrote. The words flowed beautifully.
The smexy scenes were more cracked door than explicit open door. I loved the adventure and growth of characters.
Would 💯 recommend if you loved Thumbalina especially
October 13, 2026
Thank you Mara Sand for sending me your debut book! I loved your story and hope it continues to another book! I gave it a 4.25 ⭐️ and 1.5 🌶️( slight spice).
This is a thumbelina retelling with a twist. It has a love triangle, a prophecy and a why choose between two fairy princes. The fmc is Ina, she is kind and helpful but also suspicious. She wants adventures and to see new places with people her size. The two mmcs are: Derran is a fairy prince from the sky court. He meets Ina first by crashing as a swallow and needing help from Ina to fix his wing. He teaches Ina about fairies and the different courts. Karai, who is a fairy prince from the burrow court. He is calm and patient with Ina. Teaching her that she is way more than just a human, while trying to keep her at a distance. They must put differences aside if they are to succeed and be happy. Will they be willing to put years of disagreements aside to have what they want? Will it end in a happily ever after?
This is a thumbelina retelling with a twist. It has a love triangle, a prophecy and a why choose between two fairy princes. The fmc is Ina, she is kind and helpful but also suspicious. She wants adventures and to see new places with people her size. The two mmcs are: Derran is a fairy prince from the sky court. He meets Ina first by crashing as a swallow and needing help from Ina to fix his wing. He teaches Ina about fairies and the different courts. Karai, who is a fairy prince from the burrow court. He is calm and patient with Ina. Teaching her that she is way more than just a human, while trying to keep her at a distance. They must put differences aside if they are to succeed and be happy. Will they be willing to put years of disagreements aside to have what they want? Will it end in a happily ever after?
September 26, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️½
Thank you so much to Mara Sands for sending me a copy of The Barley Corn Girl and giving me the opportunity to read and share my thoughts!
This was such an interesting take on a fairy-tale-style story, and I really enjoyed the parallels to Thumbelina. There were familiar elements woven throughout while still creating its own world and story. There is also some spice, although it isn’t a particularly spice-heavy read.
My biggest feeling when I finished was that I actually wanted more. There are a lot of events and relationship developments packed into 300+ pages, and at times it felt like months’ worth of story passed very quickly. I would have loved to spend more time watching those relationships and parts of the world develop.
The romance with Darren moved particularly fast for me. Things develop a little more gradually with Karian, but I still would have loved more time with both relationships before they reached the depth of feeling they eventually do.
I had similar feelings about the FMC’s journey. I really enjoyed the moments when she was observant, questioning, and suspicious of what was happening around her. There were other moments when some of her decisions surprised me given how perceptive she’d previously been, but overall I liked watching her try to navigate a world completely different from her own.
I especially wanted more from the larger fairy society and her path toward becoming queen. Most of her meaningful interactions are with the princes and a couple of servants, so I would have loved to see her forming relationships with more of the fairies and getting a stronger sense of why they would ultimately accept and support her as their queen.
Her desire for independence was another interesting part of her character, although I sometimes wished the story had given her more opportunities to demonstrate that independence outside of her relationships with the two men.
Overall, The Barley Corn Girl was an imaginative read with a fun fairy-tale foundation. Most of my criticisms actually come down to wishing there had been more book: more time with the characters, more development of the relationships, and more exploration of the fairy world and its people. There was a lot here that I would have happily spent another hundred pages exploring.
3.5 stars. 🧚📚
Thank you so much to Mara Sands for sending me a copy of The Barley Corn Girl and giving me the opportunity to read and share my thoughts!
This was such an interesting take on a fairy-tale-style story, and I really enjoyed the parallels to Thumbelina. There were familiar elements woven throughout while still creating its own world and story. There is also some spice, although it isn’t a particularly spice-heavy read.
My biggest feeling when I finished was that I actually wanted more. There are a lot of events and relationship developments packed into 300+ pages, and at times it felt like months’ worth of story passed very quickly. I would have loved to spend more time watching those relationships and parts of the world develop.
The romance with Darren moved particularly fast for me. Things develop a little more gradually with Karian, but I still would have loved more time with both relationships before they reached the depth of feeling they eventually do.
I had similar feelings about the FMC’s journey. I really enjoyed the moments when she was observant, questioning, and suspicious of what was happening around her. There were other moments when some of her decisions surprised me given how perceptive she’d previously been, but overall I liked watching her try to navigate a world completely different from her own.
I especially wanted more from the larger fairy society and her path toward becoming queen. Most of her meaningful interactions are with the princes and a couple of servants, so I would have loved to see her forming relationships with more of the fairies and getting a stronger sense of why they would ultimately accept and support her as their queen.
Her desire for independence was another interesting part of her character, although I sometimes wished the story had given her more opportunities to demonstrate that independence outside of her relationships with the two men.
Overall, The Barley Corn Girl was an imaginative read with a fun fairy-tale foundation. Most of my criticisms actually come down to wishing there had been more book: more time with the characters, more development of the relationships, and more exploration of the fairy world and its people. There was a lot here that I would have happily spent another hundred pages exploring.
3.5 stars. 🧚📚
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️½
Thank you so much to Mara Sands for sending me a copy of The Barley Corn Girl and giving me the opportunity to read and share my thoughts!
This was such an interesting take on a fairy-tale-style story, and I really enjoyed the parallels to Thumbelina. There were familiar elements woven throughout while still creating its own world and story. There is also some spice, although it isn’t a particularly spice-heavy read.
My biggest feeling when I finished was that I actually wanted more. There are a lot of events and relationship developments packed into 300+ pages, and at times it felt like months’ worth of story passed very quickly. I would have loved to spend more time watching those relationships and parts of the world develop.
The romance with Darren moved particularly fast for me. Things develop a little more gradually with Karian, but I still would have loved more time with both relationships before they reached the depth of feeling they eventually do.
I had similar feelings about the FMC’s journey. I really enjoyed the moments when she was observant, questioning, and suspicious of what was happening around her. There were other moments when some of her decisions surprised me given how perceptive she’d previously been, but overall I liked watching her try to navigate a world completely different from her own.
I especially wanted more from the larger fairy society and her path toward becoming queen. Most of her meaningful interactions are with the princes and a couple of servants, so I would have loved to see her forming relationships with more of the fairies and getting a stronger sense of why they would ultimately accept and support her as their queen.
Her desire for independence was another interesting part of her character, although I sometimes wished the story had given her more opportunities to demonstrate that independence outside of her relationships with the two men.
Overall, The Barley Corn Girl was an imaginative read with a fun fairy-tale foundation. Most of my criticisms actually come down to wishing there had been more book: more time with the characters, more development of the relationships, and more exploration of the fairy world and its people. There was a lot here that I would have happily spent another hundred pages exploring.
3.5 stars. 🧚📚
Thank you so much to Mara Sands for sending me a copy of The Barley Corn Girl and giving me the opportunity to read and share my thoughts!
This was such an interesting take on a fairy-tale-style story, and I really enjoyed the parallels to Thumbelina. There were familiar elements woven throughout while still creating its own world and story. There is also some spice, although it isn’t a particularly spice-heavy read.
My biggest feeling when I finished was that I actually wanted more. There are a lot of events and relationship developments packed into 300+ pages, and at times it felt like months’ worth of story passed very quickly. I would have loved to spend more time watching those relationships and parts of the world develop.
The romance with Darren moved particularly fast for me. Things develop a little more gradually with Karian, but I still would have loved more time with both relationships before they reached the depth of feeling they eventually do.
I had similar feelings about the FMC’s journey. I really enjoyed the moments when she was observant, questioning, and suspicious of what was happening around her. There were other moments when some of her decisions surprised me given how perceptive she’d previously been, but overall I liked watching her try to navigate a world completely different from her own.
I especially wanted more from the larger fairy society and her path toward becoming queen. Most of her meaningful interactions are with the princes and a couple of servants, so I would have loved to see her forming relationships with more of the fairies and getting a stronger sense of why they would ultimately accept and support her as their queen.
Her desire for independence was another interesting part of her character, although I sometimes wished the story had given her more opportunities to demonstrate that independence outside of her relationships with the two men.
Overall, The Barley Corn Girl was an imaginative read with a fun fairy-tale foundation. Most of my criticisms actually come down to wishing there had been more book: more time with the characters, more development of the relationships, and more exploration of the fairy world and its people. There was a lot here that I would have happily spent another hundred pages exploring.
3.5 stars. 🧚📚
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2026
I would like to say a quick thank you to Mara Sand the author and the wings and words community for giving me the opportunity to read this book. I especially enjoyed this book because I was given it an audio format and with the writers style and the fact it was in the third person I preferred and enjoyed the fact I could listen to it. It made it much more imaginative and enjoyable.
This was a fairytale retailing it was fast paced and a lot of fun.
Thumbelina, the female main character was so kind and sweet well also being stubborn and strong it was a good combination of personality traits.
As I said, I listened to this on audio so I do not know the spelling of the male main characters names so apologies the first male main character that we got introduced to was the kind and charming golden retriever but protective man the Prince of the sky Court he was kind and sweet and just amazing to read about. I really enjoyed him as a character.
Then you have the second male main character the Prince of the Burrow Court. He was more socially introverted but once you got to know him, he was loveable and protective and sweet to Thumbelina.
The writing in this book was fantastic. I don’t normally enjoy books that are written in the third person but it was that fluent and the descriptive writing was that good that I thoroughly enjoyed this book even if first person is usually my preferred preference as a reader.
To add one more point that the side characters Emmy and Velor were incredibly funny and they added so much life to the story and they were so important at times to go on the journey with the main characters. (again I do apologise if that’s not how you spell the names.)
If you want a quick easy good for the imagination fairytale retailing this is the perfect book for you and I highly recommend it had all the elements of the original fairytale well also being unique and special adding its own twist and turns to make the plot entirely its own bringing it to life I can’t wait to read the second book.
This was a fairytale retailing it was fast paced and a lot of fun.
Thumbelina, the female main character was so kind and sweet well also being stubborn and strong it was a good combination of personality traits.
As I said, I listened to this on audio so I do not know the spelling of the male main characters names so apologies the first male main character that we got introduced to was the kind and charming golden retriever but protective man the Prince of the sky Court he was kind and sweet and just amazing to read about. I really enjoyed him as a character.
Then you have the second male main character the Prince of the Burrow Court. He was more socially introverted but once you got to know him, he was loveable and protective and sweet to Thumbelina.
The writing in this book was fantastic. I don’t normally enjoy books that are written in the third person but it was that fluent and the descriptive writing was that good that I thoroughly enjoyed this book even if first person is usually my preferred preference as a reader.
To add one more point that the side characters Emmy and Velor were incredibly funny and they added so much life to the story and they were so important at times to go on the journey with the main characters. (again I do apologise if that’s not how you spell the names.)
If you want a quick easy good for the imagination fairytale retailing this is the perfect book for you and I highly recommend it had all the elements of the original fairytale well also being unique and special adding its own twist and turns to make the plot entirely its own bringing it to life I can’t wait to read the second book.
April 24, 2026
The Barley Corn Girl by Mara Sand is a fantasy novel by the author about a favorite story of mine, Thumbelina. Thumbelina is so small but wants to go on adventures of her very own. She can't wait to leave and when a swallow turns into a fairy prince after flying into her window, she wants to leave with him. And more fairy princes want her for her powers that they believe she has. The beginning of the book takes us through how Thumbelina gets to be 'born' into the world of people and to her 'mom' who does really love her and take care of her. Ina, as she is known tends to a bird with an injured wing. Only it isn't a bird, the bird shifts into something else, a human like fairy named Derran. Derran takes her into all the fairy worlds and shows her the worlds that are made for very small people like himself, and like Ina. Ina is taken to the Marsh kingdom where a cruel prince tries to keep her for a wife, until Derran rescues her. I really liked this book overall, the writing is so engaging and you can't help but root for Ina finding out who she is and where she belongs! I love the relationship between Ina and Derran, they are adorable and clearly belong together as he heals her and takes care of her. And then there is Karai, the prince of the burrow court, who is just sooo dreamy also. I honestly can't choose between Derran or Karai, they are both so nice and are not cruel in any measure to Ina. They both want her for themselves but because of her beauty and who she is, not because she has any 'power' or because of the fact she is unique. I loved her choice overall it made perfect sense to Ina and to both Derran and also Karai. I would love to see another book maybe to see where these three head in another adventure.
August 17, 2026
Such a great read!!! I was absolutely intrigued when I saw this book was a Thumbelina retelling!!! I love fairytale retellings so much and I’ve never seen one about Thumbelina, so I couldn’t resist!!! This book is full of adventure, self discovery, magic and love!! Ina is a sweet, sheltered girl who has a big destiny ahead of her and when a chance encounter with a swallow happens, her journey begins!! Derran is a charming, confident sky fairy prince, who falls in love with Ina and will do whatever it takes to protect her! Karai is a quiet, patient burrow fairy who will help Ina learn her magic and guide her to her she’s meant to be!! He will also fall in love with her!! They are both wonderful and kind to her, both very different from the other, loved both of their characters!! As for the other 2 princes, yeah we don’t like those guys!!!
This book is a sweet romance, with a few dark moments tossed in! It has what I would say is a mild spice level, but just enough passion and chemistry to keep it interesting!! The author did an amazing job with the world building, and describing the characters in such detail that they come to life!! A definite must read story!!
Includes:
A Thumbelina retelling
Slow burn romance
Fairies
Magic
Creature shifters
Self discovery
Magical surprises
Plot twists
Physical Assaults of MFC (not by MMCs)
Attempted SA of MFC (not by MMCs)
Animal friends
Fate/destiny
Adventures
🌶️🌶️🌶️ rating
4 different fairy courts
This book is a sweet romance, with a few dark moments tossed in! It has what I would say is a mild spice level, but just enough passion and chemistry to keep it interesting!! The author did an amazing job with the world building, and describing the characters in such detail that they come to life!! A definite must read story!!
Includes:
A Thumbelina retelling
Slow burn romance
Fairies
Magic
Creature shifters
Self discovery
Magical surprises
Plot twists
Physical Assaults of MFC (not by MMCs)
Attempted SA of MFC (not by MMCs)
Animal friends
Fate/destiny
Adventures
🌶️🌶️🌶️ rating
4 different fairy courts
October 17, 2026
Purchased during free purchase promo/ sort-of-ARC promo period
As a fan of both the original fairy tale and Don Bluths' animated version, I thought it would be fun to read this book and see what the author made of the story.
It's very straight-forward and is what it's meant to be; a quick paced adventure involving the fae. It's an easy, quick read and although it's not overly complicated or in-depth in the world-building, it's still enjoyable if you want an adult version of Thumbelina's traversal into the world beyond her human mothers' home. The author did provide a bit more world-building by giving the the fairy courts and the princes that Thumbelina finds herself entangled with more character as well as adding a little magic, but I don't think there is enough there for future books (this seems to book 1 in the series.)
Would I recommend? Yes, if you want a quick-read fictional fairy-tale book. I would recommend this to fans of authors like Demelza Carlton. It's not dark, there is a bit of tension, but it's not heavy in the triggers, but please only read if you like spicy books as there is a bit of adult stuff that happens between Thumbelina and a couple of the Princes.
As a fan of both the original fairy tale and Don Bluths' animated version, I thought it would be fun to read this book and see what the author made of the story.
It's very straight-forward and is what it's meant to be; a quick paced adventure involving the fae. It's an easy, quick read and although it's not overly complicated or in-depth in the world-building, it's still enjoyable if you want an adult version of Thumbelina's traversal into the world beyond her human mothers' home. The author did provide a bit more world-building by giving the the fairy courts and the princes that Thumbelina finds herself entangled with more character as well as adding a little magic, but I don't think there is enough there for future books (this seems to book 1 in the series.)
Would I recommend? Yes, if you want a quick-read fictional fairy-tale book. I would recommend this to fans of authors like Demelza Carlton. It's not dark, there is a bit of tension, but it's not heavy in the triggers, but please only read if you like spicy books as there is a bit of adult stuff that happens between Thumbelina and a couple of the Princes.
April 28, 2026
Thumbelina retelling… but spicy. And somehow I went in completely blind and didn’t even realize it was a why choose at first, which honestly made it even better.
I really loved this one.
The two MMCs were so different from each other, but that’s exactly what made it work. They each brought out something different in her, and I loved watching her grow into herself because of that. The dynamic between all three felt balanced and intentional, not forced.
My only real hang-up was the ending. I kept waiting for some kind of reconnection or closure with her mom, and when it didn’t happen, it felt like something was missing emotionally.
Also… this story in dual POV would have been incredible. I would’ve loved to get inside their heads a bit more.
Overall though, this was such a fun, spicy, and unique read. Definitely worth picking up if you like retellings with a darker edge.
I really loved this one.
The two MMCs were so different from each other, but that’s exactly what made it work. They each brought out something different in her, and I loved watching her grow into herself because of that. The dynamic between all three felt balanced and intentional, not forced.
My only real hang-up was the ending. I kept waiting for some kind of reconnection or closure with her mom, and when it didn’t happen, it felt like something was missing emotionally.
Also… this story in dual POV would have been incredible. I would’ve loved to get inside their heads a bit more.
Overall though, this was such a fun, spicy, and unique read. Definitely worth picking up if you like retellings with a darker edge.
May 6, 2026
I love fairy tell re-tellings and most of the ones I’ve read a very dark and I enjoy them. But this one just hit the spot for me.
This is a Thumbelina re-telling and It was so good. A fairy tell for adults. I was so immersed in this story and I’m so glad I read it. At times it had me holding my breathe and was afraid to breath, cause I didn’t know what was gonna happen. I felt like I was actually on the story and I have a new respect for creatures in nature, except frogs,and if you read this you will know why. This was such a great story and the world building is so good, it prepares you for the work you’re about to step into, so beautifully. I cannot wait to read more from this author!
You will get to meet Ina, Derran and Karai, Emmie and Velor. I have to say Ina and Derran are my favs, although I love them all.
This is a Thumbelina re-telling and It was so good. A fairy tell for adults. I was so immersed in this story and I’m so glad I read it. At times it had me holding my breathe and was afraid to breath, cause I didn’t know what was gonna happen. I felt like I was actually on the story and I have a new respect for creatures in nature, except frogs,and if you read this you will know why. This was such a great story and the world building is so good, it prepares you for the work you’re about to step into, so beautifully. I cannot wait to read more from this author!
You will get to meet Ina, Derran and Karai, Emmie and Velor. I have to say Ina and Derran are my favs, although I love them all.
July 7, 2026
I instantly became intrigued when I found out this book was a Thumbelina retelling!
I love her prose; it felt poetic and lyrical which instantly captivated me from start to finish.
Moreover, I just adore the plot and world-building! She crafted it so well where I could vividly experience the adventures and settings. Moving on to the characters, they changed and developed throughout the story, forging deep and rich relationships with each other. The character growth was immaculate, and the emotional connection between the characters made the romance all the more impactful. Wow, the romance was truly intense! The tension and chemistry went way above the roof and blew me away.
I definitely recommend this book for those who loved fairytales as a kid and want something more intense as an adult.
I love her prose; it felt poetic and lyrical which instantly captivated me from start to finish.
Moreover, I just adore the plot and world-building! She crafted it so well where I could vividly experience the adventures and settings. Moving on to the characters, they changed and developed throughout the story, forging deep and rich relationships with each other. The character growth was immaculate, and the emotional connection between the characters made the romance all the more impactful. Wow, the romance was truly intense! The tension and chemistry went way above the roof and blew me away.
I definitely recommend this book for those who loved fairytales as a kid and want something more intense as an adult.
May 2, 2026
3.75⭐️
Omg fairy book 🧚♀️ I loved this retelling so much. Thumbelina is born from a barley corn and lives her life with a human until she comes of age and is meant to return to the Burrow Court. But once the other fairy princes hear about her, they all want her for themselves. I really enjoyed how this stayed true to Thumbelina’s original character. She is gentle and kind, but also determined and hardworking when it comes to her goals, even with multiple princes trying to court her 👀Now the fairy princes. Some are cruel and nasty while others completely stole my heart. Throughout it all, Thumbelina is such a powerful character trying to find herself, her magic, and her wings while navigating the fairy world for the very first time.
Omg fairy book 🧚♀️ I loved this retelling so much. Thumbelina is born from a barley corn and lives her life with a human until she comes of age and is meant to return to the Burrow Court. But once the other fairy princes hear about her, they all want her for themselves. I really enjoyed how this stayed true to Thumbelina’s original character. She is gentle and kind, but also determined and hardworking when it comes to her goals, even with multiple princes trying to court her 👀Now the fairy princes. Some are cruel and nasty while others completely stole my heart. Throughout it all, Thumbelina is such a powerful character trying to find herself, her magic, and her wings while navigating the fairy world for the very first time.
July 7, 2026
A Charming Romantasy That Kept Me Reading
I had so much fun with this book. Taking the story of Thumbelina and turning it into a romantasy for adults was such a clever idea, and the author absolutely pulled it off.
The world building was beautiful and easy to get lost in. I loved exploring the fairy courts and seeing this classic story come to life in such a fresh way. Ina was easy to root for, and I found myself wanting to know what would happen to her next.
The story has all the great romantasy tropes with adventure, romance, danger, magic, and just the right amount of spice. It felt charming, whimsical, and exciting all at the same time. -Shawn
I had so much fun with this book. Taking the story of Thumbelina and turning it into a romantasy for adults was such a clever idea, and the author absolutely pulled it off.
The world building was beautiful and easy to get lost in. I loved exploring the fairy courts and seeing this classic story come to life in such a fresh way. Ina was easy to root for, and I found myself wanting to know what would happen to her next.
The story has all the great romantasy tropes with adventure, romance, danger, magic, and just the right amount of spice. It felt charming, whimsical, and exciting all at the same time. -Shawn
June 4, 2026
Beautifully written. The author describes everything really well without dragging it out. I could really see each court as she described it. I fell in love with every character. They all had their own personalities and individual wants and fears. This book isnt just for people who liked Thumbelina as kids, its for anyone craving a wonderfully cozy fantasy adventure. I can't wait for the second book.
July 6, 2026
★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
As a fellow fantasy author, I really enjoyed The Barley Corn Girl. Mara Sand brings a classic fairy tale to life with beautiful worldbuilding, a lovable heroine, and a story full of heart. Ina's journey is both magical and inspiring, and the romance and adventure are well balanced. A few moments felt a bit rushed for me, but overall it was a charming, imaginative read. I'm looking forward to seeing what Mara writes next.
As a fellow fantasy author, I really enjoyed The Barley Corn Girl. Mara Sand brings a classic fairy tale to life with beautiful worldbuilding, a lovable heroine, and a story full of heart. Ina's journey is both magical and inspiring, and the romance and adventure are well balanced. A few moments felt a bit rushed for me, but overall it was a charming, imaginative read. I'm looking forward to seeing what Mara writes next.
August 16, 2026
Great fairytale reimagined
Great retelling of Thumbelina. She is in love with a princess of one of the fairy courts, but desired by the Princess of the others, as they believe her to possess great powers. I admit, I was a bit surprised by the descriptive sexual relationship of Thumbelina (Ina) and prince Darran - I never imagined my fairytale characters as sexual creatures, lol. Great fantasy/romantic novel.
Great retelling of Thumbelina. She is in love with a princess of one of the fairy courts, but desired by the Princess of the others, as they believe her to possess great powers. I admit, I was a bit surprised by the descriptive sexual relationship of Thumbelina (Ina) and prince Darran - I never imagined my fairytale characters as sexual creatures, lol. Great fantasy/romantic novel.
September 30, 2026
Before I met Mara I had no idea who or what Thumbelina was and when I started the book that had not changed, but even lacking that information it was still a fun read with interesting characters and spice that was well written but not a massive part of the book. Thumbelina is an interesting protagonist being a good way to introduce the reader to a world she is also unaware of and her love interests are fun and I hope they fuck
May 14, 2026
What a fantastic and magical read. I wasn’t so sure I’d love this book when I first started it, my mind was quickly changed. As soon as you dive into the fairy worlds you fall so in love with the whimsical magical land Mara has created. I had such strong emotions for every character that was introduced. Such a fun read. I HOPE there will be more!
May 19, 2026
First off 6 stars!! SOOOO GOOD
I didn't know this was a why choose, till I talked to the author!! Who was so sweet and sent me the book! (no she isnt paying me to write this). I enjoyed the female rage she had. Especially towards the end. Also LOVED the spicy scene with Derran but LORDY with Karai UGH Obsessed. Loved this book!!
I didn't know this was a why choose, till I talked to the author!! Who was so sweet and sent me the book! (no she isnt paying me to write this). I enjoyed the female rage she had. Especially towards the end. Also LOVED the spicy scene with Derran but LORDY with Karai UGH Obsessed. Loved this book!!
May 23, 2026
What an incredible debut novel by Mara Sand! I loved this Thumbelina retelling. It’s a why choose, fantasy novel. I loved the writing style of the story and loved the two MMCs. They each brought something different out in Thumbelina, and I loved watching her growth throughout the story. Overall I really enjoyed how unique this story was. There’s magical elements, fairy courts and some spice! I would love to see more from this world and these characters! 🤍
August 24, 2026
Retelling of a childhood fairy tale
This was a wonderful book that brought back memories for me. I loved this retelling of Thumbalina with not one prince but two. Would love to read what happens next but content with this ending. Recommend to everyone and give kiddos to the author for a job well done.
This was a wonderful book that brought back memories for me. I loved this retelling of Thumbalina with not one prince but two. Would love to read what happens next but content with this ending. Recommend to everyone and give kiddos to the author for a job well done.
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September 10, 2026Grateful to have received a copy of this book from the author. Unfortunately this one was not the book for me for a few different reasons. But if you like insta-love (and I mean instant!), accurate Thumbalina lore, why-choose, and a story line that moves very quickly through the plot points, then this may be a better fit for you ❤️
June 26, 2026
Absolutely loved this! The writing and world building are phenomenal. The characters are flawed and relatable, and you can't help but root for them at every turn. The best part is it's a why choose and Ina gets everything she deserves and more. Can't wait for book 2!
July 12, 2026
This book develops gradually, highlighting the complex tension between Lina and the two fairy princes. I truly admire Mara's writing—it’s wonderful. I would give it five stars! The characters are beautifully crafted, and I deeply love them. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌶️
October 16, 2026
Again I found a good read in this book. I love the characters. I would not mind more stories in this series.
May 11, 2026
3.5 stars! A dreamy Thumbelina retelling!
-Fairytale retelling
-Spice
-Fairy courts
-Magic
-Standalone
-Ina & 2 Princes
This story was fast paced, dreamy, had some spice, and gave me all the fairytale feels!
I always enjoy a retelling, and this one did not let me down. The pull and tug between princes, the supporting characters- I really enjoyed it all.
Overall- I feel the whole story could have had a little more added, world building, or character back story - just to feel more connected to the characters.
Recommend for any romantasy, fairytale retelling, or fairy magic romance lovers!
-Fairytale retelling
-Spice
-Fairy courts
-Magic
-Standalone
-Ina & 2 Princes
This story was fast paced, dreamy, had some spice, and gave me all the fairytale feels!
I always enjoy a retelling, and this one did not let me down. The pull and tug between princes, the supporting characters- I really enjoyed it all.
Overall- I feel the whole story could have had a little more added, world building, or character back story - just to feel more connected to the characters.
Recommend for any romantasy, fairytale retelling, or fairy magic romance lovers!
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