The Barley Corn Girl

by Mara Sand

337 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2026

Reviews

[Julie Simpkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Country Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Mary Lydick · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Shay loves books · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Hala · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Camis.little.library · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Tabatha · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Genevieve Del Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!!