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Fairytale Galaxy Chronicles #1
Princess of Tyrone
Apolline is happy hunting magical creatures on her pirate infested outer-perimeter planet. She is a fantastic shot, and doesn’t flinch at the blood and guts of her kills. Never once did she consider she could be the missing Princess of Tyrone.
All her life, she has heard the story of the Princess, cursed to sleep for eternity, unless her betrothed, the Prince of Oran, gave her true love’s kiss. Although Apolline knows she is betrothed, she thinks her fairy guardians arranged it out of ignorance of human ways. The thought she could be a princess is inconceivable.
Then Allard appears. Handsome, charming—but he’s not hers to have. He’s betrothed, too. Her guardians warn her against her new found friendship, but she and Allard meet in secret anyway. Despite her rough exterior, he sees beyond her gun-slinging bravado, and their love blossoms.
But the deadline for the sleeping curse is approaching. If Apolline falls in love with the wrong person, she could end up sleeping forever.
A quirky, adventurous retelling of Sleeping Beauty, with a less than princess-ly princess!
All her life, she has heard the story of the Princess, cursed to sleep for eternity, unless her betrothed, the Prince of Oran, gave her true love’s kiss. Although Apolline knows she is betrothed, she thinks her fairy guardians arranged it out of ignorance of human ways. The thought she could be a princess is inconceivable.
Then Allard appears. Handsome, charming—but he’s not hers to have. He’s betrothed, too. Her guardians warn her against her new found friendship, but she and Allard meet in secret anyway. Despite her rough exterior, he sees beyond her gun-slinging bravado, and their love blossoms.
But the deadline for the sleeping curse is approaching. If Apolline falls in love with the wrong person, she could end up sleeping forever.
A quirky, adventurous retelling of Sleeping Beauty, with a less than princess-ly princess!
First published March 28, 2016
17 people are currently reading
941 people want to read
About the author
Katie Hamstead
24 books216 followersBorn and raised in Australia, Katie's early years of day dreaming in the "bush," and having her father tell her wild bedtime stories, inspired her passion for writing.
After graduating High School, she became a foreign exchange student. Now she lives in Idaho with her daughters and their collection of animals.
When her debut novel, Kiya: Hope of the Pharaoh, climbed into bestselling status, she believed she was onto something, and now has a slew of novels available, and is published through REUTS Publishing and Soul Mate Publishing.
Katie loves to out sing her friends and family, play sports, and be a mother. She now works as a Special Education Paraprofessional to help support her family while she studies Education and English. She loves to write, and takes the few spare moments in her day to work on her novels.
After graduating High School, she became a foreign exchange student. Now she lives in Idaho with her daughters and their collection of animals.
When her debut novel, Kiya: Hope of the Pharaoh, climbed into bestselling status, she believed she was onto something, and now has a slew of novels available, and is published through REUTS Publishing and Soul Mate Publishing.
Katie loves to out sing her friends and family, play sports, and be a mother. She now works as a Special Education Paraprofessional to help support her family while she studies Education and English. She loves to write, and takes the few spare moments in her day to work on her novels.
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March 9, 2017
About: Princess of Tyrone is a fiction novel written by Katie Hamstead. It was published on 3/31/16 by Curiosity Quills Press. The genres are fantasy, science fiction, romance, fairy tales, retellings, and young adult. This is book 1 in the Fairytale Galaxy Chronicles and book 2 is expected to be published on 3/14/17 called Myths of Mish. Please see below for more info about the author.
My Experience: I started reading Princess of Tyrone on 1/23/17 and finished it on 1/25/17. This book is an awesome read! It captures me right from the beginning and I just couldn’t put it down. I abandon work and sleep just so I can have extra time to read this book! The characters are amazing and the plot flows smoothly. The writing is easy to read and very captivating. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I would highly recommend it to everyone. This book is under hyped and underrated and it shouldn’t be. It will definitely be in the list of my favorite reads of 2017 for sure!
In this book, readers will follow the point of view of Apolline, a yuckah huntress of planet Mish. She lives in the outer perimeter with 3 fairies. She grows up thinking she’s an orphan and accepts her life as is in a small town with drunks and pirates. Everyday the fairies tells her tales about Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty. She loves hearing these fairytales. In another point of view, is Prince Allard. The media doesn’t know how he looks like because of an incident that happened when he was younger. His future has already been carved out for him. He knows that he is to rescue a princess by giving her a true love’s kiss to save her from the sorcerer’s curse. He doesn’t know how the princess looks like or what her personalities is because she has been in hiding for her safety from the sorcerer. In this story, the retelling takes place in the galaxy with different planets. Prince Allard lives in planet Oran. Cinderella and her husband known as Queen Cytheria and King Hernan lives in planet Tyrone. The sorcerer Bryanna/Bree lives in Mahkba, a sunless lightless planet.
“Allard! Is that your friend out there?”
“Yes, she locked me in my shuttle–”
“Is she crazy?”
“Most likely.”
“I need you to help me get her back in here.”
“Oh geez, Allard!” “She’s ballsy, I’ll give her that.” 55%
The twists and turns in this book is fun to read. I like the cleverness of Ashlan, one of the 3 fairies that helped raise Apolline. I like Apolline’s spunk, witty, clever, brave, and independent personality. Reading about her was so much fun. I also like Prince Allard. His reaction to Apolline’s use of guns is funny. I also like his friends Beau and Nathaniel. The scene in planet of Latveydos with the ogres is so fun to read. Beau’s reactions to Apolline is priceless! I find myself re-reading paragraphs as I read this book because this book is that good! I like it when supporting characters make an impression in the book. The main characters are likable too so it makes this book a total package. I really can’t wait to read book 2 of this series. This book does pull a few tears from me but it was happy tears. The only slight thing I didn’t like from this book are the names. They are so unique that either I can’t pronounce or I can’t remember. I only grasp onto their names as I reach the last few chapters of the book. I’m not a big fan of strange names. This hardly plays a big role so I will definitely be re-reading this book again in the future.
Pro: humor, brave & independent protagonist, witty, page turner, fast paced, retellings, lighthearted, family, friends, twists & turns, couldn’t put down
Con: unique names of places and characters makes it hard to remember
I rate it 5 stars!
***Disclaimer: Many thanks to the author, Katie Hamstead, for inviting me to read in an exchanged for an honest review.
xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com
My Experience: I started reading Princess of Tyrone on 1/23/17 and finished it on 1/25/17. This book is an awesome read! It captures me right from the beginning and I just couldn’t put it down. I abandon work and sleep just so I can have extra time to read this book! The characters are amazing and the plot flows smoothly. The writing is easy to read and very captivating. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I would highly recommend it to everyone. This book is under hyped and underrated and it shouldn’t be. It will definitely be in the list of my favorite reads of 2017 for sure!
In this book, readers will follow the point of view of Apolline, a yuckah huntress of planet Mish. She lives in the outer perimeter with 3 fairies. She grows up thinking she’s an orphan and accepts her life as is in a small town with drunks and pirates. Everyday the fairies tells her tales about Snow White, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty. She loves hearing these fairytales. In another point of view, is Prince Allard. The media doesn’t know how he looks like because of an incident that happened when he was younger. His future has already been carved out for him. He knows that he is to rescue a princess by giving her a true love’s kiss to save her from the sorcerer’s curse. He doesn’t know how the princess looks like or what her personalities is because she has been in hiding for her safety from the sorcerer. In this story, the retelling takes place in the galaxy with different planets. Prince Allard lives in planet Oran. Cinderella and her husband known as Queen Cytheria and King Hernan lives in planet Tyrone. The sorcerer Bryanna/Bree lives in Mahkba, a sunless lightless planet.
“Allard! Is that your friend out there?”
“Yes, she locked me in my shuttle–”
“Is she crazy?”
“Most likely.”
“I need you to help me get her back in here.”
“Oh geez, Allard!” “She’s ballsy, I’ll give her that.” 55%
The twists and turns in this book is fun to read. I like the cleverness of Ashlan, one of the 3 fairies that helped raise Apolline. I like Apolline’s spunk, witty, clever, brave, and independent personality. Reading about her was so much fun. I also like Prince Allard. His reaction to Apolline’s use of guns is funny. I also like his friends Beau and Nathaniel. The scene in planet of Latveydos with the ogres is so fun to read. Beau’s reactions to Apolline is priceless! I find myself re-reading paragraphs as I read this book because this book is that good! I like it when supporting characters make an impression in the book. The main characters are likable too so it makes this book a total package. I really can’t wait to read book 2 of this series. This book does pull a few tears from me but it was happy tears. The only slight thing I didn’t like from this book are the names. They are so unique that either I can’t pronounce or I can’t remember. I only grasp onto their names as I reach the last few chapters of the book. I’m not a big fan of strange names. This hardly plays a big role so I will definitely be re-reading this book again in the future.
Pro: humor, brave & independent protagonist, witty, page turner, fast paced, retellings, lighthearted, family, friends, twists & turns, couldn’t put down
Con: unique names of places and characters makes it hard to remember
I rate it 5 stars!
***Disclaimer: Many thanks to the author, Katie Hamstead, for inviting me to read in an exchanged for an honest review.
xoxo,
Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com
March 8, 2018
See my FULL review of this book on my blog along with others at: shesgoingbookcrazy.com
Oh, Apolline, you made me laugh with your bluntness.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was entertaining, well written (and not overdone), creative, and refreshing. It followed the story line of the original Sleeping Beauty without changing its vital points and, in my opinion, gave the story a face-lift. Combined with the traditional tale were aspects of interstellar space travel, modern technology, fairies and magical creatures.
Apolline grew up an orphan, memorizing (very real) fairy tale stories told by her fairy foster parents. She didn't know her parents, or why she they had abandoned her. From birth, she was betrothed to someone she had never met---which hadn't been an issue until she met Allard.
The charming, yet persistent Allard, happened across the huntress Apolline at a shop, and immediately took a liking to her. It just so happens that Allard is also betrothed---to the lost Princess of Tyrone. No one knows who she is, what she looks like, and where she's been since birth. Her parents sent her way for her protection against the evil and jealous Bryanna, who placed a curse on her at birth.
Little did Apolline and Allard know, that they are betrothed to each other.
Besides the insta-love (which every fairy tale and fairy tale retelling has a bout of,) I had very few issues with this book. I truly enjoyed it, and wanted more. I found Apolline's unassuming, self-sustaining qualities to be appropriate to her role. Allard's charm and persistence to woo Apolline was sweet, to say the least. However, the one issue I had with their romance was the fact that I as the reader, knew of their betrothal before they did. We must wait in stress until they finally discover this fact.
Overall, this was a great read and my favorite retelling yet. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys fairy tale retellings, or science fiction-lite books.
My Rating: ★★★★½
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Allard: "I'll tell you a secret."
Apolline: "Nope, you're fine."
Oh, Apolline, you made me laugh with your bluntness.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was entertaining, well written (and not overdone), creative, and refreshing. It followed the story line of the original Sleeping Beauty without changing its vital points and, in my opinion, gave the story a face-lift. Combined with the traditional tale were aspects of interstellar space travel, modern technology, fairies and magical creatures.
Apolline grew up an orphan, memorizing (very real) fairy tale stories told by her fairy foster parents. She didn't know her parents, or why she they had abandoned her. From birth, she was betrothed to someone she had never met---which hadn't been an issue until she met Allard.
The charming, yet persistent Allard, happened across the huntress Apolline at a shop, and immediately took a liking to her. It just so happens that Allard is also betrothed---to the lost Princess of Tyrone. No one knows who she is, what she looks like, and where she's been since birth. Her parents sent her way for her protection against the evil and jealous Bryanna, who placed a curse on her at birth.
Little did Apolline and Allard know, that they are betrothed to each other.
Besides the insta-love (which every fairy tale and fairy tale retelling has a bout of,) I had very few issues with this book. I truly enjoyed it, and wanted more. I found Apolline's unassuming, self-sustaining qualities to be appropriate to her role. Allard's charm and persistence to woo Apolline was sweet, to say the least. However, the one issue I had with their romance was the fact that I as the reader, knew of their betrothal before they did. We must wait in stress until they finally discover this fact.
Overall, this was a great read and my favorite retelling yet. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys fairy tale retellings, or science fiction-lite books.
My Rating: ★★★★½
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March 27, 2016
4 Stars
Full Review:
*I received a free ecopy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Given that this is a Sleeping Beauty retelling and has such a fantastical (and gorgeous) cover, I went into the book expecting it to be very light and airy and fairy tale-esque, like many retellings are. I was pleasantly surprised to find it was actually very modern, realistic, and relatable!
Yes, it is a sci-fi/fantasy book, so it does have fairies, dark sorceresses, magic mirrors, teleportation, etc., but the characters, the way they think and act, the relationships---those were the realistic, relatable things. And to me, that's the perfect way of doing things because it's all the fun of a fantastical world and plot but with characters I can connect with.
My favorite thing though was the relationship between Apolline and Allard. The whole they're-betrothed-to-each-other-but-don't-realize-it thing was so much fun, and I loved the dynamic between the two of them. There was clearly interest at first sight, but things progressed at a nice pace. The way they got to know each other, flirted with and teased each other, tried to squash their feelings and be just friends with each other, protected each other, respected each other, etc. was all adorable. I especially loved when Allard repeated Apolline's words about how important the "commoners" are because it showed how much she meant to him and how much he respected her.
The non-romantic relationships were great and kind of adorable too in their own ways. I adored the relationship between Allard and his father, and even the way Charlie was like a father to Apolline was sweet.
The story leaned a little more to the fairy tale, random magic side near the end, but it was still a nice, action-packed climax.
Overall, I would say this is one of my favorite retellings so far, and it was a fun read that had me smiling throughout at the characters and their relationships!
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes fantasy/sci-fi fairy tale retellings but with realistic, relatable characters.
Original Review on Blog
Full Review:
*I received a free ecopy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Given that this is a Sleeping Beauty retelling and has such a fantastical (and gorgeous) cover, I went into the book expecting it to be very light and airy and fairy tale-esque, like many retellings are. I was pleasantly surprised to find it was actually very modern, realistic, and relatable!
Yes, it is a sci-fi/fantasy book, so it does have fairies, dark sorceresses, magic mirrors, teleportation, etc., but the characters, the way they think and act, the relationships---those were the realistic, relatable things. And to me, that's the perfect way of doing things because it's all the fun of a fantastical world and plot but with characters I can connect with.
My favorite thing though was the relationship between Apolline and Allard. The whole they're-betrothed-to-each-other-but-don't-realize-it thing was so much fun, and I loved the dynamic between the two of them. There was clearly interest at first sight, but things progressed at a nice pace. The way they got to know each other, flirted with and teased each other, tried to squash their feelings and be just friends with each other, protected each other, respected each other, etc. was all adorable. I especially loved when Allard repeated Apolline's words about how important the "commoners" are because it showed how much she meant to him and how much he respected her.
The non-romantic relationships were great and kind of adorable too in their own ways. I adored the relationship between Allard and his father, and even the way Charlie was like a father to Apolline was sweet.
The story leaned a little more to the fairy tale, random magic side near the end, but it was still a nice, action-packed climax.
Overall, I would say this is one of my favorite retellings so far, and it was a fun read that had me smiling throughout at the characters and their relationships!
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes fantasy/sci-fi fairy tale retellings but with realistic, relatable characters.
Original Review on Blog
February 7, 2017
Finally, finally, finalllllllllllllllly. I have found the elusive Sleeping Beauty retelling that is good - more than good: great. I read quite a few Sleeping Beauty retellings last year, and all of them failed me. Every single one. I DNF'd two, and the third? It was majorly problematic. My heart was hurting for one of my favorite Princesses. But now, we can thank Princess of Tyrone for saving the day.
I hold the Sleeping Beauty story near and dear to my heart. Well, the Sleeping Beauty story that Disney told. Some of the other ones can get a little, um, dark and gross and just plain weird. I'm looking at you, Anne Rice. *officially traumatized forever* Anyway, while I thought this might finally be a good Sleeping Beauty retelling, I did not realize that this would be the Sleeping Beauty retelling that I would have to hold all other SB retellings to.
Let's get into the nitty gritty, though. I absolutely loved the world that Hamstead created. It was this weird combination of scifi future planets and the old school usual fairytale setting of the small town in the woods with the quaint little cottages. It was an odd contrast, but I loved it. I thought the setting was so beautiful and it was perfect. I can't wait to continue her other Myths of Mish books, because the setting is just so ridiculously cool.
I also loved Apolline. She was a feisty, strong heroine. She was smart, and I liked how she approached things. Yes, she might have had her whiny teen moments - but they were called for. I would have been kicking and upset too. I definitely enjoyed her, and I think she was perfect for fitting the role of Aurora...although I was a bit glad she was around for more than just 18 minutes of the book unlike Aurora.
I also loved how well and amazing Hamstead incorporated the Sleeping Beauty story in. I liked the beginning part well enough, but about the last 30 - 40% of the book had me in heaven. It was soooo good. Hamstead took the story in the original and her own directions and I thought my phone might have been permanently damaged from how fast I was whipping through her pages. I couldn't stop reading it, and it honestly felt like I was watching the movie I loved so much in my childhood - or, cough, yesterday, cough, cough. I was so impressed with this ending and if I could give more than five crowns, I definitely would.
I also enjoyed her elements of the original story. Her fairies were fantastic, and I loved the magic mirror edition. She created such an unique mythology, and I was dazzled by the little quirks she added in.
The only issue I had with the story was a little bit with Allard. I wasn't completely sold on him at the beginning. He seemed a bit too pushy for me, and I kind of didn't like him. I definitely did grow to like him in the end, but the beginning definitely didn't sell me as much as I wanted it to.
Overall, I knew I would probably enjoy this book, but I had no clue I would enjoy it this much. It was the Sleeping Beauty retelling I had always wanted but never found. This book was fantastic and although I may have had a little bit of a rough part in the beginning, it more than made up for it. This was a fantastic read, and I can't wait for book 2! An Aurora rating (!!), and five crowns for this dazzling scifi Princess book! I might be needing to be picking up an actual copy soon!
Check out more of my reviews here!
I hold the Sleeping Beauty story near and dear to my heart. Well, the Sleeping Beauty story that Disney told. Some of the other ones can get a little, um, dark and gross and just plain weird. I'm looking at you, Anne Rice. *officially traumatized forever* Anyway, while I thought this might finally be a good Sleeping Beauty retelling, I did not realize that this would be the Sleeping Beauty retelling that I would have to hold all other SB retellings to.
Let's get into the nitty gritty, though. I absolutely loved the world that Hamstead created. It was this weird combination of scifi future planets and the old school usual fairytale setting of the small town in the woods with the quaint little cottages. It was an odd contrast, but I loved it. I thought the setting was so beautiful and it was perfect. I can't wait to continue her other Myths of Mish books, because the setting is just so ridiculously cool.
I also loved Apolline. She was a feisty, strong heroine. She was smart, and I liked how she approached things. Yes, she might have had her whiny teen moments - but they were called for. I would have been kicking and upset too. I definitely enjoyed her, and I think she was perfect for fitting the role of Aurora...although I was a bit glad she was around for more than just 18 minutes of the book unlike Aurora.
I also loved how well and amazing Hamstead incorporated the Sleeping Beauty story in. I liked the beginning part well enough, but about the last 30 - 40% of the book had me in heaven. It was soooo good. Hamstead took the story in the original and her own directions and I thought my phone might have been permanently damaged from how fast I was whipping through her pages. I couldn't stop reading it, and it honestly felt like I was watching the movie I loved so much in my childhood - or, cough, yesterday, cough, cough. I was so impressed with this ending and if I could give more than five crowns, I definitely would.
I also enjoyed her elements of the original story. Her fairies were fantastic, and I loved the magic mirror edition. She created such an unique mythology, and I was dazzled by the little quirks she added in.
The only issue I had with the story was a little bit with Allard. I wasn't completely sold on him at the beginning. He seemed a bit too pushy for me, and I kind of didn't like him. I definitely did grow to like him in the end, but the beginning definitely didn't sell me as much as I wanted it to.
Overall, I knew I would probably enjoy this book, but I had no clue I would enjoy it this much. It was the Sleeping Beauty retelling I had always wanted but never found. This book was fantastic and although I may have had a little bit of a rough part in the beginning, it more than made up for it. This was a fantastic read, and I can't wait for book 2! An Aurora rating (!!), and five crowns for this dazzling scifi Princess book! I might be needing to be picking up an actual copy soon!
Check out more of my reviews here!
April 5, 2016
Review originally posted on The Book Adventures of Annelise Lestrange :)
I received this copy from YA Bound Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. Let's go :D
The Story
Apolline is the kind of girl that you wouldn’t call feminine. Raised by her three fairy aunts on a very small and far away planet, Apolline knows her way around hunting, self-defense and cursing just like the galactic pirates that often stop by the planet for trading. She knows that she’ll have to marry some guy when she reaches her 21th birthday, but she tries to not give it too much thought. It’s not like her aunts would tell her anything anyway.
Allard is the kind of prince that is perfect for his place in the world. Well-mannered, dutiful, highly educated and handsome, Allard has been prepared all his life to rule when the time comes. He knows he’ll have to marry princess Elpida when she reaches her 21th birthday, but tries to not give it too much thought. It’s not like he can break the arrangement.
Allard and Apolline had never questioned their fates until meeting each other. Apolline had never met a man like Allard, so clean, schooled and handsome, and Allard had never known a girl that didn’t faint on his presence – or didn’t know at all that he was that Prince Allard.
They know that their days are counted, as both are betrothed to other people, but how can they simply walk back into their old lives after what they experienced with each other?
Can they walk away and fulfill their fates or will their passion end their worlds forever?
The Analysis
Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader:)
I make no secret that Sleeping Beauty is my current favorite princess (come on, her life is too #goals, haha!), so I knew I’d like reading Princess of Tyrone. I just didn’t expect to fall madly in love with it and it was great! I loved the world building, the writing, the switching narrators and styles, how Katie rebuilt Sleeping Beauty’s world and tangled it up with a ton of other fairy tales! It’s just too good to be true ❤ I honestly loved everything on this book, I can’t say a thing! FIVE BEAUTIFUL STARS!
The narrative style switched between first person from Apolline’s point of view and third person from the POVS of Allard and Bryanna. It worked so wonderfully, omg! I already had loved this technique in Slumber [a Sleeping Beauty retelling that you should totally check out!], so it was nice to see it in good use again!
The plot was simple and, as anyone that knows Sleeping Beauty’s story, I already knew how things would end. The catch here is how Hamstead managed to entwine other fairy tales on the story, like Cinderella, Snow White, Hansel and Gretel and Rapunzel. I loved this tying up to the core and thought that this added the mystery that the reader needs to keep going through the book. Once again, it wasn’t about finding out what happens, but how it happens. If you don’t like predictable stories in general, this book may disappoint you, just as any other fairy tale retelling.
The characters were easily the strongest point in this book, along with the technical stuff. Apolline is another strong female main character, THANK GOD, and Allard is perfect on his imperfection. He is a prince for good and bad and Apolline compensates that, haha! I loved everyone in the book, included evil sorceress Bryanna. It was so good to hate her, haha!
Allard and his best friendwhom I imagine several hot gay scenes with during the reading as I’m a sick person Beau White were the perfect double and both made it to My Bookish Boyfriends list! I know, two at once. I really need to start that new religion that allows girls to have thousands of husbands now, haha! Bookish girls all over the world will support me, I’m sure lol
Ahem, back to business. This is my third Sleeping Beauty retelling that I can recall and, by far, my favorite. I can’t wait to read the next volumes on The Fairytale Galaxy Chronicles and see just who Beau and Nathaniel, his younger brother, shall marry! Even though I’d love for Beau to fall in love with another man. *sigh*
Sorry, I can’t seem to hold myself these days. More yaoi reading may be in order…
Overall, if you love Sleeping Beauty, kick ass females, swoon worthy boys, beautiful writing, futuristic and high-tech worlds and fairy tales, Princess of Tyrone is your book
I received this copy from YA Bound Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. Let's go :D
The Story
Apolline is the kind of girl that you wouldn’t call feminine. Raised by her three fairy aunts on a very small and far away planet, Apolline knows her way around hunting, self-defense and cursing just like the galactic pirates that often stop by the planet for trading. She knows that she’ll have to marry some guy when she reaches her 21th birthday, but she tries to not give it too much thought. It’s not like her aunts would tell her anything anyway.
Allard is the kind of prince that is perfect for his place in the world. Well-mannered, dutiful, highly educated and handsome, Allard has been prepared all his life to rule when the time comes. He knows he’ll have to marry princess Elpida when she reaches her 21th birthday, but tries to not give it too much thought. It’s not like he can break the arrangement.
Allard and Apolline had never questioned their fates until meeting each other. Apolline had never met a man like Allard, so clean, schooled and handsome, and Allard had never known a girl that didn’t faint on his presence – or didn’t know at all that he was that Prince Allard.
They know that their days are counted, as both are betrothed to other people, but how can they simply walk back into their old lives after what they experienced with each other?
Can they walk away and fulfill their fates or will their passion end their worlds forever?
The Analysis
Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader:)
I make no secret that Sleeping Beauty is my current favorite princess (come on, her life is too #goals, haha!), so I knew I’d like reading Princess of Tyrone. I just didn’t expect to fall madly in love with it and it was great! I loved the world building, the writing, the switching narrators and styles, how Katie rebuilt Sleeping Beauty’s world and tangled it up with a ton of other fairy tales! It’s just too good to be true ❤ I honestly loved everything on this book, I can’t say a thing! FIVE BEAUTIFUL STARS!
The narrative style switched between first person from Apolline’s point of view and third person from the POVS of Allard and Bryanna. It worked so wonderfully, omg! I already had loved this technique in Slumber [a Sleeping Beauty retelling that you should totally check out!], so it was nice to see it in good use again!
The plot was simple and, as anyone that knows Sleeping Beauty’s story, I already knew how things would end. The catch here is how Hamstead managed to entwine other fairy tales on the story, like Cinderella, Snow White, Hansel and Gretel and Rapunzel. I loved this tying up to the core and thought that this added the mystery that the reader needs to keep going through the book. Once again, it wasn’t about finding out what happens, but how it happens. If you don’t like predictable stories in general, this book may disappoint you, just as any other fairy tale retelling.
The characters were easily the strongest point in this book, along with the technical stuff. Apolline is another strong female main character, THANK GOD, and Allard is perfect on his imperfection. He is a prince for good and bad and Apolline compensates that, haha! I loved everyone in the book, included evil sorceress Bryanna. It was so good to hate her, haha!
Allard and his best friend
Ahem, back to business. This is my third Sleeping Beauty retelling that I can recall and, by far, my favorite. I can’t wait to read the next volumes on The Fairytale Galaxy Chronicles and see just who Beau and Nathaniel, his younger brother, shall marry! Even though I’d love for Beau to fall in love with another man. *sigh*
Sorry, I can’t seem to hold myself these days. More yaoi reading may be in order…
Overall, if you love Sleeping Beauty, kick ass females, swoon worthy boys, beautiful writing, futuristic and high-tech worlds and fairy tales, Princess of Tyrone is your book
October 1, 2020
Because of the problematic setup that eventually led to Apolline and Prince Allard falling in love with each other (elaborated in my full review), I could not enjoy the romance aspect of the story at all. In my eyes, their relationship was toxic and potentially harmful, especially given the kind of message it sends to readers. It was such a letdown on my part that I was unable to support the love story in Princess of Tyrone, considering how fundamentally significant romance is in fairytales.
However, despite the frustratingly awful love story and heaps of sexism in Princess of Tyrone, I somehow miraculously liked a lot of the other elements. My favorite aspect of this book was its incredible, imaginative world-building: a universe where technology is magically enhanced, where space pirates exist and roam the cosmos, where fairy magic is strengthened by human emotions like love, hope and faith, and where science mixes with fantasy in the most fascinating of ways. The world in Princess of Tyrone was utterly amazing and held so much promise! It was the perfect setting for thrilling adventures, and for the most part, I did really like the plot sans romance. The twists in the original fairytale of Sleeping Beauty as well as the minor references to other fairytales (e.g. Cinderella, Snow White, Hansel and Gretel) that were sprinkled throughout the story were particularly brilliant and inventive.
Somewhat surprisingly, I really adored the supporting characters, including the antagonist of the story. The back stories of Queen Cyntheria and Ashlan were the ones I found to be most interesting, but generally, the smooth manner in which the backgrounds and narratives of the supporting roles complemented each other, forming a mishmash of creative fairytale retellings, was remarkable. I did feel a tinge of awe once I finished reading. I just wish the romance in Princess of Tyrone could be completely removed from the narrative because the story would have been a better read without it.
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of Princess of Tyrone (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to the publishers!
🌻🍃 More bookish content on Shut up, Shealea 🍃🌻
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However, despite the frustratingly awful love story and heaps of sexism in Princess of Tyrone, I somehow miraculously liked a lot of the other elements. My favorite aspect of this book was its incredible, imaginative world-building: a universe where technology is magically enhanced, where space pirates exist and roam the cosmos, where fairy magic is strengthened by human emotions like love, hope and faith, and where science mixes with fantasy in the most fascinating of ways. The world in Princess of Tyrone was utterly amazing and held so much promise! It was the perfect setting for thrilling adventures, and for the most part, I did really like the plot sans romance. The twists in the original fairytale of Sleeping Beauty as well as the minor references to other fairytales (e.g. Cinderella, Snow White, Hansel and Gretel) that were sprinkled throughout the story were particularly brilliant and inventive.
Somewhat surprisingly, I really adored the supporting characters, including the antagonist of the story. The back stories of Queen Cyntheria and Ashlan were the ones I found to be most interesting, but generally, the smooth manner in which the backgrounds and narratives of the supporting roles complemented each other, forming a mishmash of creative fairytale retellings, was remarkable. I did feel a tinge of awe once I finished reading. I just wish the romance in Princess of Tyrone could be completely removed from the narrative because the story would have been a better read without it.
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of Princess of Tyrone (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to the publishers!
🌻🍃 More bookish content on Shut up, Shealea 🍃🌻
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May 21, 2016
*I received this book from netgallery in exchange for an honest and fair review*
WOW WOW WOW !!!!!
I absolutely LOVED this book.
This is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty -- not one of my favorite stories-- but this... THIS was so good! The author made Apolline so kickass I loved it. I wish the White siblings had been able to see more of her personality earlier in the story. And speaking of Whites-- the grandchildren of Snow white?!!? TELL ME ONE OF THEM IS THE PROTAGONIST FOR THE SEQUEL!
I digress though, Apolline is kickass but, still needs help from her love here and there. It doesn't make her less though even when the story has to play out. She is still in charge of her life and he loves her for it. While it was kinda inst-love, I'm letting go because I thought the relationship developed pretty well.
As for the ending of the conflict
Hmmm what else can I speak of. The book cover??? absolutely stunning. That's what drew me to the book in the first place.
Really loved the characters and I'm hoping against hope that we get a book about Nathaniel --although isn't it weird he has one of the only normal-ish looking names?? --
Anyhow, loved the book. Looking forward to the sequel and definitely will recommend this to other people.
WOW WOW WOW !!!!!
I absolutely LOVED this book.
This is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty -- not one of my favorite stories-- but this... THIS was so good! The author made Apolline so kickass I loved it. I wish the White siblings had been able to see more of her personality earlier in the story. And speaking of Whites-- the grandchildren of Snow white?!!? TELL ME ONE OF THEM IS THE PROTAGONIST FOR THE SEQUEL!
I digress though, Apolline is kickass but, still needs help from her love here and there. It doesn't make her less though even when the story has to play out. She is still in charge of her life and he loves her for it. While it was kinda inst-love, I'm letting go because I thought the relationship developed pretty well.
As for the ending of the conflict
Hmmm what else can I speak of. The book cover??? absolutely stunning. That's what drew me to the book in the first place.
Really loved the characters and I'm hoping against hope that we get a book about Nathaniel --although isn't it weird he has one of the only normal-ish looking names?? --
Anyhow, loved the book. Looking forward to the sequel and definitely will recommend this to other people.
June 6, 2016
I received a review copy through the publisher.
Princess of Tyrone was a really fairy-tale retelling. I loved the way it combined both Snow White and Sleeping Beauty into one novel. I enjoyed the sci-fi/fantasy twist in this as well. It was beautiful written with amazing characters, but at the same time it was a bit predictable when it came to both the prince and the princess. I definitely want to continue with the next book.
Apolline has been raised by her three fairy god-mothers for the past 20 years. She believed herself to be a huntress and an orphan. She never thought her life was anything special. It wasn't until her 21st birthday approached that things started becoming hectic and everyone started acting strange that she knew something was off. I loved Apolline! She was bold, sarcastic, daring, kind and knew how to fight. She never allowed anyone to kick her down and when they did she kept her head held high. She was beautiful and humorous. I absolutely loved her!
Allard was a nice young man. He was in the military, but no one knew he was actually the prince. He was sweet, kind, adventurous, humorous and sarcastic when need be. When he meets Apolline he falls for her because of how direct she is, but he is betrothed to someone and knows that he nor she can break their engagement. Even with that his heart basically melts for Apolline. I love Allard!
The romance between them was absolutely perfect. I love how Ashland (one of the fairies) had Apolline and Allard come together to meet before her 21st birthday. Even though neither one knew they were betrothed to one another they knew they couldn't and shouldn't overstep their boundaries which was amazing. I love that when things finally came to light they fully embraced one another with so much love. The romance was just amazing!
Bryanna, the evil sorceress and Apolline's aunt, was a piece of work. She frustrated me with how jealous she was. She couldn't even be happy for anyone. The fact that she was determined to kill her niece to cause pain to her sister and ex is just ridiculous. That ending through me for a loop though! What does she have up her sleeve?
I'm definitely interested in reading more to find out what else goes in on this series. It seems really awesome.
Princess of Tyrone was a really fairy-tale retelling. I loved the way it combined both Snow White and Sleeping Beauty into one novel. I enjoyed the sci-fi/fantasy twist in this as well. It was beautiful written with amazing characters, but at the same time it was a bit predictable when it came to both the prince and the princess. I definitely want to continue with the next book.
Apolline has been raised by her three fairy god-mothers for the past 20 years. She believed herself to be a huntress and an orphan. She never thought her life was anything special. It wasn't until her 21st birthday approached that things started becoming hectic and everyone started acting strange that she knew something was off. I loved Apolline! She was bold, sarcastic, daring, kind and knew how to fight. She never allowed anyone to kick her down and when they did she kept her head held high. She was beautiful and humorous. I absolutely loved her!
Allard was a nice young man. He was in the military, but no one knew he was actually the prince. He was sweet, kind, adventurous, humorous and sarcastic when need be. When he meets Apolline he falls for her because of how direct she is, but he is betrothed to someone and knows that he nor she can break their engagement. Even with that his heart basically melts for Apolline. I love Allard!
The romance between them was absolutely perfect. I love how Ashland (one of the fairies) had Apolline and Allard come together to meet before her 21st birthday. Even though neither one knew they were betrothed to one another they knew they couldn't and shouldn't overstep their boundaries which was amazing. I love that when things finally came to light they fully embraced one another with so much love. The romance was just amazing!
Bryanna, the evil sorceress and Apolline's aunt, was a piece of work. She frustrated me with how jealous she was. She couldn't even be happy for anyone. The fact that she was determined to kill her niece to cause pain to her sister and ex is just ridiculous. That ending through me for a loop though! What does she have up her sleeve?
I'm definitely interested in reading more to find out what else goes in on this series. It seems really awesome.
April 1, 2016
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Review can be found on *Milky Way of Books*
Princess of Tyrone was quite an interesting story. For the fans of the Lunar Chronicles mostly. In a sci-fi world in a galaxy far away, where magic co-exists with technology, a princess is born. And she is cursed by a witch.
We are introduced in many characters each one with his or her funny moments. Though it is obvious who the princess is, it was still amazing to see how Apolline and Allard met and got to know each other.
The world building was good and the stories of the classic fairy tales mix up in a unique way! Recommended if you want an easy and enjoyable read. ;)
Princess of Tyrone was quite an interesting story. For the fans of the Lunar Chronicles mostly. In a sci-fi world in a galaxy far away, where magic co-exists with technology, a princess is born. And she is cursed by a witch.
We are introduced in many characters each one with his or her funny moments. Though it is obvious who the princess is, it was still amazing to see how Apolline and Allard met and got to know each other.
The world building was good and the stories of the classic fairy tales mix up in a unique way! Recommended if you want an easy and enjoyable read. ;)
September 5, 2023
Book 1 of The Fairytale Galaxy Chronicles.
Note: This is a clean read. If you want sex, you won't find it here.
Princess of Tyrone was so fun to write. Apolline really came to life for me, and each of the characters is so vibrant. I hope you have as much fun reading as I did writing, because that's my goal with this puppy, to make you smile!
Apolline will return in book 5 with Allard and Nathaniel, but until then I hope you enjoy meeting Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, and Cinderella aka Cytheria with Miriam and Bryanna.
Note: This is a clean read. If you want sex, you won't find it here.
Princess of Tyrone was so fun to write. Apolline really came to life for me, and each of the characters is so vibrant. I hope you have as much fun reading as I did writing, because that's my goal with this puppy, to make you smile!
Apolline will return in book 5 with Allard and Nathaniel, but until then I hope you enjoy meeting Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, and Cinderella aka Cytheria with Miriam and Bryanna.
April 2, 2017
Thanks to Netgalley and Curiosity Quills Press for giving this book to review.
Princess of Tyrone is a very enjoyable, fun and cute sci-fi retelling of sleeping beauty. It is fast paced and has lots of references to other fairy-tales. However, I did find it predicable and needed a bit more world building.
Apolline is strong, daring and is able to stand up for herself, but she is also sarcastic, a tomboy, honest and honourable. Allard is genuine, friendly and charming, he is also really relatable as he wants to be the best king he could possibly be.
I liked the villain Bryanna as she was understandable and I could see how she became who she was. There are lots of supporting characters like the fairies, Sophronia, Fantine and Ashlan, the father figure, Charlie, and Beau and Nathanial who I hope we get to see more of in future books.
I am looking to reading the next book in the Fairytale Galaxy Chronicles, Myths of Mish. I would recommend Princess of Tyrone to fans of The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer.
This and my other reviews can be found at Amethyst Bookwyrm
Princess of Tyrone is a very enjoyable, fun and cute sci-fi retelling of sleeping beauty. It is fast paced and has lots of references to other fairy-tales. However, I did find it predicable and needed a bit more world building.
Apolline is strong, daring and is able to stand up for herself, but she is also sarcastic, a tomboy, honest and honourable. Allard is genuine, friendly and charming, he is also really relatable as he wants to be the best king he could possibly be.
I liked the villain Bryanna as she was understandable and I could see how she became who she was. There are lots of supporting characters like the fairies, Sophronia, Fantine and Ashlan, the father figure, Charlie, and Beau and Nathanial who I hope we get to see more of in future books.
I am looking to reading the next book in the Fairytale Galaxy Chronicles, Myths of Mish. I would recommend Princess of Tyrone to fans of The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer.
This and my other reviews can be found at Amethyst Bookwyrm
February 26, 2017
I’m a sure sucker for any kind of fairy tale retelling; the blurb for this one had me sucked in. Then I read Jasmine’s review @ How useful it is and I knew I just had to read this book!! I am glad I did, while it did carry some of the typical tropes that usually put me off the author twisted them in such a way that I wasn’t upset about them being in the book. Those wicked little fairies… especially Ashlan.. I never saw half the stuff she had planned until the very ending. Well played little fairy.
This story follows a young lady called Apolline growing up in a little town called Mish, which is located in an outer-perimeter planet. She is relatively happy living out here, she has three fairy’s to take care of her. Even though they may drive her slightly insane every once in a while. All they can seem to talk about lately is her upcoming betrothal, and all Apolline wants to do is stay in Mish and hunt. When you start this story you realize that Apolline is Sleeping Beauty, however she is much more than that. She is told the stories of Snow White and Cinderella? Why? Because these stories are much more than stories they are important pieces of information that she needs to know in order to survive the future. While being prepared for her marriage Apolline makes an unexpected friend in a traveling solider named Allard. While of course she is attracted to this young man she has set herself up to marry her betrothed. I loved that Apolline had such a strong sense of self worth. She was not going back on her word to anyone, not matter who it was. She is also someone young people could look up to. Apolline can stand on her own two feet, does not need a young man to save her, loves with her whole heart, and forgives people when necessary.
Allard was also a great character, I feel like I didn’t get to connect to him as much as I would’ve liked to. He is also betrothed but I think he is coming from a different place than Apolline is coming from. He is from the good side of galaxy, he hasn’t had a rough child hood he has known who he is all of his life. Everything has been set up in an x,y, z pattern, no guess work. However Allard feels the need to branch out and see more of the galaxy hence the reason for going on tour with the military unit. He wants to see how everyone is surviving, during such a tumultuous time. Which in the end just shows how amazing of a leader he will be when he eventually becomes King. I loved how sweet and respectful he was of Apolline and her wishes, when she says she just wants to stay friends he says okay. I truly liked how he wasn’t intimidated by the fact that she could stand up for herself and even protect him sometimes instead of him protecting her. They work well as a team instead of him being the main protector, or the alpha male.
All in all I really enjoyed this story, I enjoyed how there were multiple fairy tales in this one book instead of just one. I loved seeing all of the friendships between Allard and his friends and Apolline and her town “family”. The dialogue within the characters was really well written sometimes my heart was breaking and sometimes I was laughing out loud.
Thank you to Katie Hamstead for my copy in lieu of my honest review. I honestly cannot wait to see what is in the next book!!
This story follows a young lady called Apolline growing up in a little town called Mish, which is located in an outer-perimeter planet. She is relatively happy living out here, she has three fairy’s to take care of her. Even though they may drive her slightly insane every once in a while. All they can seem to talk about lately is her upcoming betrothal, and all Apolline wants to do is stay in Mish and hunt. When you start this story you realize that Apolline is Sleeping Beauty, however she is much more than that. She is told the stories of Snow White and Cinderella? Why? Because these stories are much more than stories they are important pieces of information that she needs to know in order to survive the future. While being prepared for her marriage Apolline makes an unexpected friend in a traveling solider named Allard. While of course she is attracted to this young man she has set herself up to marry her betrothed. I loved that Apolline had such a strong sense of self worth. She was not going back on her word to anyone, not matter who it was. She is also someone young people could look up to. Apolline can stand on her own two feet, does not need a young man to save her, loves with her whole heart, and forgives people when necessary.
Allard was also a great character, I feel like I didn’t get to connect to him as much as I would’ve liked to. He is also betrothed but I think he is coming from a different place than Apolline is coming from. He is from the good side of galaxy, he hasn’t had a rough child hood he has known who he is all of his life. Everything has been set up in an x,y, z pattern, no guess work. However Allard feels the need to branch out and see more of the galaxy hence the reason for going on tour with the military unit. He wants to see how everyone is surviving, during such a tumultuous time. Which in the end just shows how amazing of a leader he will be when he eventually becomes King. I loved how sweet and respectful he was of Apolline and her wishes, when she says she just wants to stay friends he says okay. I truly liked how he wasn’t intimidated by the fact that she could stand up for herself and even protect him sometimes instead of him protecting her. They work well as a team instead of him being the main protector, or the alpha male.
All in all I really enjoyed this story, I enjoyed how there were multiple fairy tales in this one book instead of just one. I loved seeing all of the friendships between Allard and his friends and Apolline and her town “family”. The dialogue within the characters was really well written sometimes my heart was breaking and sometimes I was laughing out loud.
Thank you to Katie Hamstead for my copy in lieu of my honest review. I honestly cannot wait to see what is in the next book!!
June 9, 2022
Breathtaking writing for the world building. Great characters, with a plot that flows nicely. I'm going to definitely be on the lookout for sequels because I'm in need of finding out how it's going to all come together.
May 5, 2016
**Thanks to the publisher, I received a copy of this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
Where do I start? Does the word "awesome" sum it up enough for a full review?
I could simply write "awesome" and nothing else, and that would convey how I feel about Princess of Tyrone.
When I first saw the description, I hoped to be approved for this book. I waited eagerly to hear back, and when I was approved, I almost did a backflip. Then I worried, "This won't be like the description...it'll disappoint." But it didn't.. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute, was not impeded by poor grammar or editing errors, and got sucked into Hamstead's awesome futuristic fairy-tale world.
Apolline (I don't mind this name, unlike some names in books nowadays) has a mediocre life on the planet Mish: she hunts, trades, and...oh, yeah...is watched over by three fairies instead of parents. Told she is an orphan, the fairies bring her up and let her know she is betrothed to be married at 21 (Better than 16 like some of the fairy-tale books out there). Parallel to this, we see the point of view of Allard, Prince of Oran, a planet that has aligned with the planet Tyrone in an arranged marriage. Just like the Sleeping Beauty story, Allard's future wife has been kept from him: she was cursed on the day of her birth to prick her finger on a spinning-wheel (on her 21st birthday) and sleep until true love's kiss awakens her.
Apolline is raised on fairy-tales and knows they are real...magic exists and she is familiar with it. She knows nothing of the man she is to marry, only that she will be married at 21. In the meantime, she meets Allard on his supply trip and the two start a tenuous friendship. Both are betrothed....but that shouldn't keep them from being friends, right?
With a mix of Cinderella, Snow White, and predominately Sleeping Beauty, Princess of Tyrone is surprising and original (well, it reminds me Lunar Chronicles, but the author started writing this when she was in high school, so it's merely a coincidence). I plan on getting the next installment in this wonderfully fascinating story world Hamstead's has created. I have a new favorite, and though it is in New Adult, I would consider this book completely YA friendly.
Awesome. Just awesome.
As I said, that pretty much sums it up for me.
★★★★★ for me. And possibly, a new favorite author.
Where do I start? Does the word "awesome" sum it up enough for a full review?
I could simply write "awesome" and nothing else, and that would convey how I feel about Princess of Tyrone.
When I first saw the description, I hoped to be approved for this book. I waited eagerly to hear back, and when I was approved, I almost did a backflip. Then I worried, "This won't be like the description...it'll disappoint." But it didn't.. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute, was not impeded by poor grammar or editing errors, and got sucked into Hamstead's awesome futuristic fairy-tale world.
Apolline (I don't mind this name, unlike some names in books nowadays) has a mediocre life on the planet Mish: she hunts, trades, and...oh, yeah...is watched over by three fairies instead of parents. Told she is an orphan, the fairies bring her up and let her know she is betrothed to be married at 21 (Better than 16 like some of the fairy-tale books out there). Parallel to this, we see the point of view of Allard, Prince of Oran, a planet that has aligned with the planet Tyrone in an arranged marriage. Just like the Sleeping Beauty story, Allard's future wife has been kept from him: she was cursed on the day of her birth to prick her finger on a spinning-wheel (on her 21st birthday) and sleep until true love's kiss awakens her.
Apolline is raised on fairy-tales and knows they are real...magic exists and she is familiar with it. She knows nothing of the man she is to marry, only that she will be married at 21. In the meantime, she meets Allard on his supply trip and the two start a tenuous friendship. Both are betrothed....but that shouldn't keep them from being friends, right?
With a mix of Cinderella, Snow White, and predominately Sleeping Beauty, Princess of Tyrone is surprising and original (well, it reminds me Lunar Chronicles, but the author started writing this when she was in high school, so it's merely a coincidence). I plan on getting the next installment in this wonderfully fascinating story world Hamstead's has created. I have a new favorite, and though it is in New Adult, I would consider this book completely YA friendly.
Awesome. Just awesome.
As I said, that pretty much sums it up for me.
★★★★★ for me. And possibly, a new favorite author.
May 11, 2016
I received an advanced reading copy of this publication in exchange for an honest review.
4/5 Stars
There seems to be a recurring theme of fairytale retellings for me in 2016. I'm not disappointed. Princess of Tyrone is yet another in this pattern, this time with a heavy focus on Sleeping Beauty, but wholly encompassing a few of our favorite tales.
Apolline is a young woman who lives on a faraway planet with her three fairy "aunts". Raised within a small cottage in an enchanted forest, Apolline spends her days hunting and selling her kills to the owner of her village's general store. During one of her trips to town she meets Allard. Allard is a man from the royal military, and the two are drawn to each other immediately.
But Allard is not who he appears. In fact, Allard is a prince destined to marry the Princess Elpida on her 21st birthday to unite two kingdoms and rule the planets harmoniously. Allard has been groomed for his marriage his entire life, but as the time draws closer, he's having second thoughts. Due to a curse put on the princess as an infant, she's been hidden away in the galaxy, and nobody has seen her since her birth. When Allard meets Apolline he starts to worry about his betrothal to the princess among his feelings for Apolline.
Apolline has a secret, too. She is also betrothed to a man she's never met, and is to wed upon her 21st birthday. The two bond over their betrothals to people they have never met, but the tension is high when they start to feel things they know they shouldn't.
The story is written very well, and it kept hold of my attention throughout, even if it was a bit predictable. Though I suppose it's a bit hard to keep your audience guessing when you're rehashing a popular story.
I enjoyed Apolline. She was a very strong female lead in the way she took care of herself, and held true to her beliefs. She's not perfect, but she doesn't need to be. Allard was an alright character, but nothing special really as far as love interests go. It started to bother me a little that he started to waver from his betrothal to Elpida (even though I knew how everything was going to play out), and that's probably not really fair considering he dealt with the fact of being married to a stranger so well for most of his life.
If you're a fan of Sleeping Beauty, consider giving this book a try!
4/5 Stars
There seems to be a recurring theme of fairytale retellings for me in 2016. I'm not disappointed. Princess of Tyrone is yet another in this pattern, this time with a heavy focus on Sleeping Beauty, but wholly encompassing a few of our favorite tales.
Apolline is a young woman who lives on a faraway planet with her three fairy "aunts". Raised within a small cottage in an enchanted forest, Apolline spends her days hunting and selling her kills to the owner of her village's general store. During one of her trips to town she meets Allard. Allard is a man from the royal military, and the two are drawn to each other immediately.
But Allard is not who he appears. In fact, Allard is a prince destined to marry the Princess Elpida on her 21st birthday to unite two kingdoms and rule the planets harmoniously. Allard has been groomed for his marriage his entire life, but as the time draws closer, he's having second thoughts. Due to a curse put on the princess as an infant, she's been hidden away in the galaxy, and nobody has seen her since her birth. When Allard meets Apolline he starts to worry about his betrothal to the princess among his feelings for Apolline.
Apolline has a secret, too. She is also betrothed to a man she's never met, and is to wed upon her 21st birthday. The two bond over their betrothals to people they have never met, but the tension is high when they start to feel things they know they shouldn't.
The story is written very well, and it kept hold of my attention throughout, even if it was a bit predictable. Though I suppose it's a bit hard to keep your audience guessing when you're rehashing a popular story.
I enjoyed Apolline. She was a very strong female lead in the way she took care of herself, and held true to her beliefs. She's not perfect, but she doesn't need to be. Allard was an alright character, but nothing special really as far as love interests go. It started to bother me a little that he started to waver from his betrothal to Elpida (even though I knew how everything was going to play out), and that's probably not really fair considering he dealt with the fact of being married to a stranger so well for most of his life.
If you're a fan of Sleeping Beauty, consider giving this book a try!
May 19, 2016
DISCLAIMER - I was sent a free ecopy in exchange for an honest review.
So I am a big fan of fairytale retellings and this retelling of Sleeping Beauty did not disappoint. I loved the futuristic spin on it and how it's set on various planets. Although it was a bit predicable in places and I'm not always a fan of instant love, I throughly enjoyed reading this story. Apolline is not you typical princess because she was brought up away from that however she was a really strong character and I enjoyed reading more to see how her character developed. I was a big fan of the fairies, I loved there own little quirks that was brought to the story. I also love Allard and I totally ship him and Apolline. Bryanna was an excellent villain but it was a good addition that you got to see her weaker side and find out how she became the way she did. I also enjoyed the other fairytales that were included, which was snow white and cinderella.
Over all this was an enjoyable read and I recommend it to anyone who loves fairytale retellings with a sci-fi twist.
So I am a big fan of fairytale retellings and this retelling of Sleeping Beauty did not disappoint. I loved the futuristic spin on it and how it's set on various planets. Although it was a bit predicable in places and I'm not always a fan of instant love, I throughly enjoyed reading this story. Apolline is not you typical princess because she was brought up away from that however she was a really strong character and I enjoyed reading more to see how her character developed. I was a big fan of the fairies, I loved there own little quirks that was brought to the story. I also love Allard and I totally ship him and Apolline. Bryanna was an excellent villain but it was a good addition that you got to see her weaker side and find out how she became the way she did. I also enjoyed the other fairytales that were included, which was snow white and cinderella.
Over all this was an enjoyable read and I recommend it to anyone who loves fairytale retellings with a sci-fi twist.
April 30, 2016
Rating 2.5
From previous experience I tend to like retellings, most of the ones I've read have been either okay or really good. This falls more into the okay category.
But I think one reason I feel that way is because I don't really think this book should be aimed at young adults - for me it seems more like a middle grade sort of book. The sentence structure, overall descriptions and character development were pretty basic. Nothing jumped out at me.
The book incorporates aspects from quite a few different the classic fairytales: Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Cinderella, at some points it even reminded me of Wicked. The issue this book suffers most from is for trying to do too much. It tried to for fairy tale retelling, fantasy, sci-fi, magic etc., and it doesn't particularly excel at anything.
Despite all this I personally did not mind reading it. It was fun enough, and it isn't terribly long, so if you're looking for a quick, simple read to pass the time you could certainly do worse.
From previous experience I tend to like retellings, most of the ones I've read have been either okay or really good. This falls more into the okay category.
But I think one reason I feel that way is because I don't really think this book should be aimed at young adults - for me it seems more like a middle grade sort of book. The sentence structure, overall descriptions and character development were pretty basic. Nothing jumped out at me.
The book incorporates aspects from quite a few different the classic fairytales: Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Cinderella, at some points it even reminded me of Wicked. The issue this book suffers most from is for trying to do too much. It tried to for fairy tale retelling, fantasy, sci-fi, magic etc., and it doesn't particularly excel at anything.
Despite all this I personally did not mind reading it. It was fun enough, and it isn't terribly long, so if you're looking for a quick, simple read to pass the time you could certainly do worse.
April 4, 2016
There is something different and refreshing about The Princess of Tyrone, book one of the Fairytale Galaxy Chronicles. As the series title suggests, there is a subtle sci-fi element in the story. A fantastic re-telling! Read our full review at http://wp.me/p5s62b-H0
April 25, 2016
One of my favorite types of books are fairy-tale retellings. Especially when they are re-imagined as science fiction. When the Princess of Tyrone showed up in my email, I jumped at the opportunity to review it. Literally.
First, look at that cover. Just soak in the beauty. Lovely, right?
Princess of Tyrone is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty with all the fantasy and science fiction/ galactic goodness. With the exception of a few other retellings, most I've come across have been mostly fluff. So, I wasn’t expecting such depth in Princess of Tyrone. There was not only a complex plot line, but Hamstead intertwined other Grimm Brother tales into the history of this universe, as well as, included a varied cast of fairy tale characters in the current time of Princess of Tyrone.
Apolline is one of my favorite protags that I’ve read this year. She’s exactly how I imagined a girl raised in an enchanted wood on some distant planet to behave. I love her tomboy side:
“Are you telling me she misses out on the best part?” I lifted the heart in front of Ashlan’s face and squeezed it, making blood ooze down my arm. – Princess of Tyrone, Katie Hamstead
And how she’s interested in weird stuff:
“I loved her lab; it appealed to my gory side. She, like Sophronia, had animal parts on shelves, but Fantine’s were in jars and cans to be sued for her potions.” – Princess of Tyrone, Katie Hamstead
She had legit reasons for not wanting to be pretty and it wasn’t just “to be different than other girls”:
“I had no desire to look pretty. We lived on an outer perimeter planet where girls who made themselves look pretty usually were whores.” – Princess of Tyrone, Katie Hamstead
Apolline’s snarky sense of humor was refreshing. Especially when Allard came into the picture. She didn’t just fall over her feet at the sight of some handsome guy.
“That was… impressive. Very classy.” I rolled my eyes. “Look around you. This isn’t a ballroom.” – Princess of Tyrone, Katie Hamstead
Speaking of Allard… I loved him. His and Apolline’s romance story arc is my favorite part of this book. The tension of the “I’m betrothed to someone else, but I’m really starting to like you” was amazing. Although, going into the story, if you ever watched Sleeping Beauty, you know the outcome of their romance. BUT it doesn’t deter the intense feels as you watch the two of them struggle with their own emotions.
“Opening them quickly, I forced my feelings aside. I couldn’t have feelings for him, it was breaking a vow. A vow I didn’t make, but a vow all the same.” – Princess of Tyrone, Katie Hamstead
I loved how over time Apolline allowed herself the freedom to be more than just a huntress who lives with three eccentric ladies in the woods. She opens herself up to the idea of being attached to someone else. To explore the idea of wearing dresses or visiting with people her own age.
“The slight smile, and twinkle in his eyes told me he felt he’d accomplished something. My heart melted, and I didn’t feel like I needed to be so tough around him.” – Princess of Tyrone, Katie Hamstead
All of the supporting characters were amazingly written with their own background story’s that gave them depth and a realism that added to the overall story. I especially liked the background story between Apolline’s parents and the antagonist – Bryanna.
“Happily ever after is something you have to make yourself, it won’t just be handed to you. I think the king and queen are happy, despite all their tragedy. So just imagine how much happier they will be when their daughter returns.” – Princess of Tyrone, Katie Hamstead
You will love Princess of Tyrone if you’re a fan of the Grimm Brothers, Firefly (I mean – who isn’t), a huntress who is also a princess, a relentless prince, and a love story that is half angst and half so sweet your teeth may hurt.
First, look at that cover. Just soak in the beauty. Lovely, right?
Princess of Tyrone is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty with all the fantasy and science fiction/ galactic goodness. With the exception of a few other retellings, most I've come across have been mostly fluff. So, I wasn’t expecting such depth in Princess of Tyrone. There was not only a complex plot line, but Hamstead intertwined other Grimm Brother tales into the history of this universe, as well as, included a varied cast of fairy tale characters in the current time of Princess of Tyrone.
Apolline is one of my favorite protags that I’ve read this year. She’s exactly how I imagined a girl raised in an enchanted wood on some distant planet to behave. I love her tomboy side:
“Are you telling me she misses out on the best part?” I lifted the heart in front of Ashlan’s face and squeezed it, making blood ooze down my arm. – Princess of Tyrone, Katie Hamstead
And how she’s interested in weird stuff:
“I loved her lab; it appealed to my gory side. She, like Sophronia, had animal parts on shelves, but Fantine’s were in jars and cans to be sued for her potions.” – Princess of Tyrone, Katie Hamstead
She had legit reasons for not wanting to be pretty and it wasn’t just “to be different than other girls”:
“I had no desire to look pretty. We lived on an outer perimeter planet where girls who made themselves look pretty usually were whores.” – Princess of Tyrone, Katie Hamstead
Apolline’s snarky sense of humor was refreshing. Especially when Allard came into the picture. She didn’t just fall over her feet at the sight of some handsome guy.
“That was… impressive. Very classy.” I rolled my eyes. “Look around you. This isn’t a ballroom.” – Princess of Tyrone, Katie Hamstead
Speaking of Allard… I loved him. His and Apolline’s romance story arc is my favorite part of this book. The tension of the “I’m betrothed to someone else, but I’m really starting to like you” was amazing. Although, going into the story, if you ever watched Sleeping Beauty, you know the outcome of their romance. BUT it doesn’t deter the intense feels as you watch the two of them struggle with their own emotions.
“Opening them quickly, I forced my feelings aside. I couldn’t have feelings for him, it was breaking a vow. A vow I didn’t make, but a vow all the same.” – Princess of Tyrone, Katie Hamstead
I loved how over time Apolline allowed herself the freedom to be more than just a huntress who lives with three eccentric ladies in the woods. She opens herself up to the idea of being attached to someone else. To explore the idea of wearing dresses or visiting with people her own age.
“The slight smile, and twinkle in his eyes told me he felt he’d accomplished something. My heart melted, and I didn’t feel like I needed to be so tough around him.” – Princess of Tyrone, Katie Hamstead
All of the supporting characters were amazingly written with their own background story’s that gave them depth and a realism that added to the overall story. I especially liked the background story between Apolline’s parents and the antagonist – Bryanna.
“Happily ever after is something you have to make yourself, it won’t just be handed to you. I think the king and queen are happy, despite all their tragedy. So just imagine how much happier they will be when their daughter returns.” – Princess of Tyrone, Katie Hamstead
You will love Princess of Tyrone if you’re a fan of the Grimm Brothers, Firefly (I mean – who isn’t), a huntress who is also a princess, a relentless prince, and a love story that is half angst and half so sweet your teeth may hurt.
May 22, 2016
Thank you to YA Bound Book Tours and author Katie Hamstead for providing me with a copy of this in exchange for an honest review!
Find this review and more on my blog The Rest Is Still Unwritten!
Princess of Tyrone by Katie Hamstead is a delightful retelling of the fairytale classic Sleeping Beauty and is perfect for fans of Marissa Meyer and those who love a well told fairytale!
Apolline has lived her whole life on the planet of Mish, happily hunting in the forest and living with her three fairy guardians. Believing herself to be an orphan, there’s no way she ever considered she might be the missing princess of Tyrone, kept in hiding lest an evil sorceress force her to sleep for eternity due to a long ago placed curse, unless her betrothed, the Prince of Oran can wake her with true love’s kiss. Apolline knows she’s betrothed and that’s never been an issue….until she meets Allard. Handsome, intelligent and charming, Allard is betrothed too, but neither can fight the pull they feel for each other, and as their friendship grows and develops into something deeper, both Apolline and Allard are in for some unexpected surprises as danger arises and they must fight for all they love…..
My goodness was Princess of Tyrone a thrilling tale! Honestly, I just devoured it. Told through both Apolline and Allard’s POV’s, Princess of Tyrone was fun, adventurous and romantic; a brilliant reciting of Sleeping Beauty with a sci-fi twist. There’s pirates and ogres and magic galore as Katie Hamstead draws readers into a sweeping tale of romance, butt kicking heroines and a beautiful and addictive romance.
Apolline was a really fierce heroine to follow. She was as far from a typical princess as you could get and was the first one to jump into the fray; fighting, shooting and taking things down. With her huntress background, a gun in her holster and an often disheveled appearance, Apolline was a character you found yourself cheering for. She was sweet, but sassy and I loved her attitude. I couldn’t fault her as a main character—especially in a fairytale retelling. Apolline managed to be very strong in character and kick-ass as a heroine.
As Apolline’s love interest and leading man, Allard was a worthy match for Apolline. Sure he was charming and handsome, but he was also kind and honest and genuine. Allard was a good guy and someone swoon worthy. If I had to pick a fairytale prince; Allard is definitely someone I’d choose—he was just everything I could have wanted.
Now, I don’t want to give too much away, but Apolline and Allard were such a fabulous couple and I really enjoyed their romance. Hamstead writes their building friendship and budding romance in such a way, you actually feel the chemistry and the tension between them. Stolen glances and soft caresses keep their feelings growing and they manage to bring out the best in each other; as well as a smile to this readers face.
Princess of Tyrone was a very fun and fresh fairytale retelling and I’m very intrigued by the sci-fi world Katie Hamstead has introduced. We met plenty of fairytale characters in Princess of Tyrone and Hamstead clearly has a vivid idea of the twists she’s put on the classics. I’m very much looking forward to more and I highly recommend Princess of Tyrone!
Find this review and more on my blog The Rest Is Still Unwritten!
Princess of Tyrone by Katie Hamstead is a delightful retelling of the fairytale classic Sleeping Beauty and is perfect for fans of Marissa Meyer and those who love a well told fairytale!
Apolline has lived her whole life on the planet of Mish, happily hunting in the forest and living with her three fairy guardians. Believing herself to be an orphan, there’s no way she ever considered she might be the missing princess of Tyrone, kept in hiding lest an evil sorceress force her to sleep for eternity due to a long ago placed curse, unless her betrothed, the Prince of Oran can wake her with true love’s kiss. Apolline knows she’s betrothed and that’s never been an issue….until she meets Allard. Handsome, intelligent and charming, Allard is betrothed too, but neither can fight the pull they feel for each other, and as their friendship grows and develops into something deeper, both Apolline and Allard are in for some unexpected surprises as danger arises and they must fight for all they love…..
My goodness was Princess of Tyrone a thrilling tale! Honestly, I just devoured it. Told through both Apolline and Allard’s POV’s, Princess of Tyrone was fun, adventurous and romantic; a brilliant reciting of Sleeping Beauty with a sci-fi twist. There’s pirates and ogres and magic galore as Katie Hamstead draws readers into a sweeping tale of romance, butt kicking heroines and a beautiful and addictive romance.
Apolline was a really fierce heroine to follow. She was as far from a typical princess as you could get and was the first one to jump into the fray; fighting, shooting and taking things down. With her huntress background, a gun in her holster and an often disheveled appearance, Apolline was a character you found yourself cheering for. She was sweet, but sassy and I loved her attitude. I couldn’t fault her as a main character—especially in a fairytale retelling. Apolline managed to be very strong in character and kick-ass as a heroine.
As Apolline’s love interest and leading man, Allard was a worthy match for Apolline. Sure he was charming and handsome, but he was also kind and honest and genuine. Allard was a good guy and someone swoon worthy. If I had to pick a fairytale prince; Allard is definitely someone I’d choose—he was just everything I could have wanted.
Now, I don’t want to give too much away, but Apolline and Allard were such a fabulous couple and I really enjoyed their romance. Hamstead writes their building friendship and budding romance in such a way, you actually feel the chemistry and the tension between them. Stolen glances and soft caresses keep their feelings growing and they manage to bring out the best in each other; as well as a smile to this readers face.
Princess of Tyrone was a very fun and fresh fairytale retelling and I’m very intrigued by the sci-fi world Katie Hamstead has introduced. We met plenty of fairytale characters in Princess of Tyrone and Hamstead clearly has a vivid idea of the twists she’s put on the classics. I’m very much looking forward to more and I highly recommend Princess of Tyrone!
April 15, 2016
"The face in the mirror smiled at me, "Ask the question."So most of us know who Sleeping Beauty is right? Well...WRONG!! Hamstead does such a fantastic job of reimagining and yet staying wonderfully true to the essence of a classic fairytale that I was so hooked I had to finish this book in one day. I simply couldn't bear to not know how it ended.
"What question?"
"Who is the bravest of them all?""
The magic of this book is that it weaves together so many fairytales that many of us have already heard and know so well, but puts some new twist on them that feels authentic and yet exciting and interesting. I've read retelling stories before and the authors usually change too much for it to be recognizable or change too little so it is basically the exact same story. But by deviating just enough in the form of a space pirate, utterly rich, riddled with magic universe, this author imbues the world with crackling authenticity and a sense of wonder you just have to keep reading to find out more about.
The characters of this book were just so fabulous as well. Apolline was a fantastic and wholly wonderful character. She was crafted to be a strong heroine from the get go, but I liked the fact that the author never made her seem unfeminine in any way, a lot of authors like to think that a girl who behaves in a way deemed "manly" must not be interested in "girly" things anymore. But Apolline was written wonderfully to show the falseness of that belief. Just because she was a skilled huntress and self-sufficient didn't mean she wasn't still interested in romance and listening to fairytales.
And Allard...talk about swoon worthy. Somehow I have never read about a more charming prince who is so dorky and awkward at the same time. He was such a likable love interest from the start and their moments together were so well done that I kept going back to reread them over and over. Fairytale romance can often come off as super cheesy, but Hamstead really sold the developing relationship between the two and I'm one of those readers who loves being in on a secret before the characters are so it was smart how she played that back and forth with the slow-burning and yet intensely desired connection between Apolline and Allard.
Everything about this book is worth praising, so much so that my review would have to be way longer to include all of the magnificent things in it. This is the kind of book that should be at the top of everyone's to-read list. It has dynamic characters, a beautiful, poetic love story, a hero and heroine who complement each other and really spark off the pages and it even has a villain you can't help but sympathize with at times. I know that I will certainly be back for as many books as Hamstead wants to write for this series, especially if Apolline and Allard appear in future ones ;)
*I was given a free copy of this book through NetGalley from Curiosity Quills Press in exchange for an honest review.*
April 4, 2016
-ARC kindly offered by YA Bound Book Tours and the author in exchange for an honest review -
This is the second retelling of Sleeping Beauty that I read in a few months and it is a record. I read retelling at full blast, but it had never happened to read so soon after the same fairy tale/classic. At least from what I can remember XD Take off from head the sweet and tender Aurora you know, here we would have a rough huntress who does not certainly problems in getting her hands and dresses dirty. In fact the story of Sleeping Beauty will be the base, but this is going to intersect other famous stories such as Cinderella, Snow White and others that I invite you to find out by reading this book.
Apolline is a young woman who was raised by three fairies. Since she was a child to have told the stories and have educated to make her into a huntress. She earns her living killing magical creatures and trading along with an old shopkeeper named Charlie. It will be just one of those days of "business" that she will meet Allard, a charming military with a jovial character and an irresistible smile. From the first moment they fall in something but unfortunately it may not have followed. Both are engaged with people never seen that in a few months should marry. However there would be nothing wrong with being just friends. They will meet in secret despite the disapproval of the fairies and Charlie and the love can not help but knock to their hearts. What they do not know is that she is the lost princess of Tyrone, and the betrothed to Allard. Their love would be the right thing in the world but they are unaware of the truth, and until the time comes, their relationship arouses feelings of guilt and problems for the curse.
You know the story, Apolline was taken away from her parents and raised and protected by fairies because of a curse that launched when she was an infant. At the completion of her 21 years, she will fall into an eternal sleep where only the kiss of true love can break it. And guess who would be her true love? ;) She and Allard are a wonderful couple who made me daydreaming. They all are very realistic and well characterized characters and I really enjoyed reading about a princess so tough.
A fairy tale in sci-fi key that I recommend to people like me who like to read about more and different versions of classics from the immortal charm. The magic of this story of love and fate remains unchanged and lives more than ever in this masterpiece of Hamstead. A story that will make you want the Charming Prince again.
My review in italian here:
http://angeltany.blogspot.it/2016/03/...
This is the second retelling of Sleeping Beauty that I read in a few months and it is a record. I read retelling at full blast, but it had never happened to read so soon after the same fairy tale/classic. At least from what I can remember XD Take off from head the sweet and tender Aurora you know, here we would have a rough huntress who does not certainly problems in getting her hands and dresses dirty. In fact the story of Sleeping Beauty will be the base, but this is going to intersect other famous stories such as Cinderella, Snow White and others that I invite you to find out by reading this book.
Apolline is a young woman who was raised by three fairies. Since she was a child to have told the stories and have educated to make her into a huntress. She earns her living killing magical creatures and trading along with an old shopkeeper named Charlie. It will be just one of those days of "business" that she will meet Allard, a charming military with a jovial character and an irresistible smile. From the first moment they fall in something but unfortunately it may not have followed. Both are engaged with people never seen that in a few months should marry. However there would be nothing wrong with being just friends. They will meet in secret despite the disapproval of the fairies and Charlie and the love can not help but knock to their hearts. What they do not know is that she is the lost princess of Tyrone, and the betrothed to Allard. Their love would be the right thing in the world but they are unaware of the truth, and until the time comes, their relationship arouses feelings of guilt and problems for the curse.
You know the story, Apolline was taken away from her parents and raised and protected by fairies because of a curse that launched when she was an infant. At the completion of her 21 years, she will fall into an eternal sleep where only the kiss of true love can break it. And guess who would be her true love? ;) She and Allard are a wonderful couple who made me daydreaming. They all are very realistic and well characterized characters and I really enjoyed reading about a princess so tough.
A fairy tale in sci-fi key that I recommend to people like me who like to read about more and different versions of classics from the immortal charm. The magic of this story of love and fate remains unchanged and lives more than ever in this masterpiece of Hamstead. A story that will make you want the Charming Prince again.
My review in italian here:
http://angeltany.blogspot.it/2016/03/...
June 9, 2016
For some reason, I didn’t get the memo that this is basically a retelling of a classic fairytale story – the Sleeping Beauty. I think I was just out of it or something because now that I reread the synopsis, it’s like a duh of course it’s about Sleeping Beauty… With that being said, I did enjoy this retelling mainly because it’s so unique from the others. There are so many modern retellings and whatnot but this is literally the first them where space travelling is part of the story. I think adding that sci-fi aspect made this book (and series) really different and interesting.
I especially like the Aurora in this book or should I say, Apolline, because she’s so much more of a badass than the original Disney character is. I mean, she can shoot, fight and hunt. The one thing that I didn’t really get was her ignorance of the fact that she was actually the princess of Tyrone. I mean, she lived with fairies all her life and they basically told her the “fairytale story” every day till it was ingrained in her. How many people live with fairies or even get the chance to meet with fairies on a regular basis? I feel like she was a bit slow in connecting the two dots together. Plus, how did she not know that the Allard she was meeting was Prince Allard? He was obviously wealthy and of good social status and was best friends with that guy (I forget his name…) and yet she didn’t put the two together. I suppose her only downside was that she was a bit slow at times.
Allard was an interesting character. However, there were times when I found him to be too perfect other than the fact that he felt that he was betraying his intended by falling in love with Apolline. It was sweet to see the effort he would make just to go see her despite knowing he was engaged and that she was also engaged.
I actually really liked the plot especially with the other fairytale story that were meshed in. It kind of reminded me of the TV show, Once Upon A Time, where somehow every single fairytale were linked to one another in one way or another rather than completely separate stories. I feel like that shows a lot of genuine thought in the story weaving and I find that incredibly difficult. I suppose this is why I’m a reader not a writer.
Overall, I was quite satisfied with this book and I’m excited to read the next book (whenever it comes out).
To read more: http://holedupinabook.blogspot.com/20...
I especially like the Aurora in this book or should I say, Apolline, because she’s so much more of a badass than the original Disney character is. I mean, she can shoot, fight and hunt. The one thing that I didn’t really get was her ignorance of the fact that she was actually the princess of Tyrone. I mean, she lived with fairies all her life and they basically told her the “fairytale story” every day till it was ingrained in her. How many people live with fairies or even get the chance to meet with fairies on a regular basis? I feel like she was a bit slow in connecting the two dots together. Plus, how did she not know that the Allard she was meeting was Prince Allard? He was obviously wealthy and of good social status and was best friends with that guy (I forget his name…) and yet she didn’t put the two together. I suppose her only downside was that she was a bit slow at times.
Allard was an interesting character. However, there were times when I found him to be too perfect other than the fact that he felt that he was betraying his intended by falling in love with Apolline. It was sweet to see the effort he would make just to go see her despite knowing he was engaged and that she was also engaged.
I actually really liked the plot especially with the other fairytale story that were meshed in. It kind of reminded me of the TV show, Once Upon A Time, where somehow every single fairytale were linked to one another in one way or another rather than completely separate stories. I feel like that shows a lot of genuine thought in the story weaving and I find that incredibly difficult. I suppose this is why I’m a reader not a writer.
Overall, I was quite satisfied with this book and I’m excited to read the next book (whenever it comes out).
To read more: http://holedupinabook.blogspot.com/20...
May 4, 2016
So I made a mistake. The mistake wasn’t reading this book, because this book was anything but a mistake. The mistake was starting this book at midnight and staying up until three in the morning to finish it, during finals week. Yes, I am full of bad choices during finals week. Every time I would look at the clock and notice it getting later, but I just couldn’t put this book down, it was so good.
Princess of Tyrone was what I needed in my life. I was in the mood for a princess book and sure did I get one. Well, not quite, but still, it had everything I was looking for and more. The plot was very fast-paced and I couldn’t stop myself from continuing to read, if you couldn’t tell by my staying up until all hours of the night reading. I was never bored, sure there were times when I wanted it to speed up a little and to stop keeping me in suspense, but other than that, I loved all the aspects of this book.
Apolline is such a badass. She lives out in the words with her three fairy protectors (who she calls her aunts) and instead of just sitting around doing nothing, she learned to hunt and make herself useful. She is a strong independent women who don’t need no man and she was absolutely great. She never backed down, was stubborn as hell, and could protect herself if need be. She was also sweet, kind, and intelligent, but she didn’t show it off. I want to either be Apolline or have a friend like her in my life.
Allard is a little deceiver. All he wanted was a normal friend and he found that in Apolline, sure he was betrothed, but he never betrayed his vow with her. He just wanted to talk to someone who didn’t know about his title and that was Apolline. He was strong, kind, intelligent, and all those other things that a prince should be, but he didn’t act like a stuck up royal. He was very down to earth and charming as hell. I loved reading from his point of view.
Okay, this book is freaking great. If you don’t have a thing for New Adult, I would try this one out. It’s not your typical new adult book. The only thing really new adult about it is the fact that the characters are in their twenties. Other than that, it’s pretty close to a YA. Go pick this one up as soon as possible, you won’t regret it.
Princess of Tyrone was what I needed in my life. I was in the mood for a princess book and sure did I get one. Well, not quite, but still, it had everything I was looking for and more. The plot was very fast-paced and I couldn’t stop myself from continuing to read, if you couldn’t tell by my staying up until all hours of the night reading. I was never bored, sure there were times when I wanted it to speed up a little and to stop keeping me in suspense, but other than that, I loved all the aspects of this book.
Apolline is such a badass. She lives out in the words with her three fairy protectors (who she calls her aunts) and instead of just sitting around doing nothing, she learned to hunt and make herself useful. She is a strong independent women who don’t need no man and she was absolutely great. She never backed down, was stubborn as hell, and could protect herself if need be. She was also sweet, kind, and intelligent, but she didn’t show it off. I want to either be Apolline or have a friend like her in my life.
Allard is a little deceiver. All he wanted was a normal friend and he found that in Apolline, sure he was betrothed, but he never betrayed his vow with her. He just wanted to talk to someone who didn’t know about his title and that was Apolline. He was strong, kind, intelligent, and all those other things that a prince should be, but he didn’t act like a stuck up royal. He was very down to earth and charming as hell. I loved reading from his point of view.
Okay, this book is freaking great. If you don’t have a thing for New Adult, I would try this one out. It’s not your typical new adult book. The only thing really new adult about it is the fact that the characters are in their twenties. Other than that, it’s pretty close to a YA. Go pick this one up as soon as possible, you won’t regret it.
March 31, 2016
First and foremost, I am an absolute sucker for fairy tales. Yes, I’m that kinda girl. The one who believes in Prince Charming and his white horse and being swept off of their feet. So, yes, the prospect of fairy tales naturally excites me and that just makes this story all the more better.
In this retelling of Sleeping Beauty, there’s elements of Hansel and Gretel and Cinderella and The Red Riding Hood and Snow White, which is, without a doubt, my most favorite part about the story. I love it. I absolutely freakin’ love it! There are no other words.
My favorite character is without a doubt, Appoline. She’s smart and brave and kind hearted and head strong and I love her. She never backs down from a challenge and she’s always on top when it comes to helping people. She’s totally unafraid and brave. She’s also a kickass huntress which gives her a billion points. She’s cute and adorable and easily embarrassed, but she can dish it out just as well and have you turn into a puddle of goo (not the swoony, I’m – in – love – with – you – kind, but the embarrassing kind) in seconds. So, yeah, she’s like a walking paradox but she’s the most amazing thing ever!
And then, there’s Allard. Sweet, sexy and absolutely delicious Allard. He, as you guessed, is the hero. He’s smart and brave and intelligent. He’s like super intelligent and genius which is what saves his life. Yeah, he’s alive because of his quick thinking and an ability to solve riddles, so that is extremely important. Other than that, he’s funny and determined and doesn’t back down without a fight. He’s the most kind hearted man ever. He loves and loves and loves. And, he’s respectful and duty bound and just the most amazing man ever. I love him. I seriously totally love him.
This story is a definite must read for all you romance fans out there! Especially if you believe in fairy tales.
Full review available at - https://inkdin.wordpress.com/2016/03/...
In this retelling of Sleeping Beauty, there’s elements of Hansel and Gretel and Cinderella and The Red Riding Hood and Snow White, which is, without a doubt, my most favorite part about the story. I love it. I absolutely freakin’ love it! There are no other words.
My favorite character is without a doubt, Appoline. She’s smart and brave and kind hearted and head strong and I love her. She never backs down from a challenge and she’s always on top when it comes to helping people. She’s totally unafraid and brave. She’s also a kickass huntress which gives her a billion points. She’s cute and adorable and easily embarrassed, but she can dish it out just as well and have you turn into a puddle of goo (not the swoony, I’m – in – love – with – you – kind, but the embarrassing kind) in seconds. So, yeah, she’s like a walking paradox but she’s the most amazing thing ever!
And then, there’s Allard. Sweet, sexy and absolutely delicious Allard. He, as you guessed, is the hero. He’s smart and brave and intelligent. He’s like super intelligent and genius which is what saves his life. Yeah, he’s alive because of his quick thinking and an ability to solve riddles, so that is extremely important. Other than that, he’s funny and determined and doesn’t back down without a fight. He’s the most kind hearted man ever. He loves and loves and loves. And, he’s respectful and duty bound and just the most amazing man ever. I love him. I seriously totally love him.
This story is a definite must read for all you romance fans out there! Especially if you believe in fairy tales.
Full review available at - https://inkdin.wordpress.com/2016/03/...
May 11, 2016
A solid 3 stars!!!
This was a fairly nice retelling of Sleeping Beauty but I had a really hard time trying to give a rating for this book mainly because there were parts that I liked and some which I didn't. So, I will list them.
Pros:
- I loved Apolline. She was a real bad-ass. Not your average princess. She's a huntress and has a strong but kind personality.
- Allard: The Prince of Oran. I adored his parts in the book and longed for them when he wasn't there. I loved his relationship with Apolline.
- The magical bits with the sorceress, fantastical creatures as well as the pirates. I didn't mind it being meshed with the hi-tech stuff. The story was set in another galaxy.
- The various fairytales that were woven throughout with references made to Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella and others.
Now for the cons:
- The worldbuilding or most importantly the inconsistencies in it. Like for example, sometimes while reading I forgot that the characters were in space, on other planets. Like the author used words like "park" and "shopping mall" which made me think they were in the United States. That was very confusing.
- Bryanna's actions throughout the story. I felt like she took a backseat throughout the first half of the novel. I mean, come on, she is a powerful sorceress but the author made her seem silly and weak. It was only towards the end that we truly see her come into her element. But, then I longed to see more of her plotting :(
- Inconsistencies with character names. We see names like "Brencis" and "Cytheria". Then all of a sudden there is a "Donald" and "Charles". Those didn't sound fantastical at all. Like I said with the world building, I felt like I was on Earth not Tyrone or in another galaxy for that matter.
Overall, I did enjoy the story regardless of the negatives. This book is part of a series. So, I can't wait to see how things pan out.
This was a fairly nice retelling of Sleeping Beauty but I had a really hard time trying to give a rating for this book mainly because there were parts that I liked and some which I didn't. So, I will list them.
Pros:
- I loved Apolline. She was a real bad-ass. Not your average princess. She's a huntress and has a strong but kind personality.
- Allard: The Prince of Oran. I adored his parts in the book and longed for them when he wasn't there. I loved his relationship with Apolline.
- The magical bits with the sorceress, fantastical creatures as well as the pirates. I didn't mind it being meshed with the hi-tech stuff. The story was set in another galaxy.
- The various fairytales that were woven throughout with references made to Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella and others.
Now for the cons:
- The worldbuilding or most importantly the inconsistencies in it. Like for example, sometimes while reading I forgot that the characters were in space, on other planets. Like the author used words like "park" and "shopping mall" which made me think they were in the United States. That was very confusing.
- Bryanna's actions throughout the story. I felt like she took a backseat throughout the first half of the novel. I mean, come on, she is a powerful sorceress but the author made her seem silly and weak. It was only towards the end that we truly see her come into her element. But, then I longed to see more of her plotting :(
- Inconsistencies with character names. We see names like "Brencis" and "Cytheria". Then all of a sudden there is a "Donald" and "Charles". Those didn't sound fantastical at all. Like I said with the world building, I felt like I was on Earth not Tyrone or in another galaxy for that matter.
Overall, I did enjoy the story regardless of the negatives. This book is part of a series. So, I can't wait to see how things pan out.
July 30, 2019
A retelling of Sleepy Beauty in space. That just pretty much sums up this entire book. I was pretty hesitant to pick up this book because of many reasons 1) not really a big fan of space books 2) not one of my favorite fairytales and 3) I have not found a single retelling of Sleeping Beauty that I have ever enjoyed. But this book definitely surprised me in the best way possible.
What I really liked about the book is that it was very realistic. We see get to see how Apolline was living as well as how she and the prince, Allard, met. This really makes the whole "true-love's" kiss way more realistic since Apolline and Allard actually were able to meet for more than one time for them to develop into a romantic relationship. Also, the fact that Allard and Apolline didn't know each others' true identity made the book even more enjoyable than it already is.
The world was very remarkable as well. It takes place in space, but it has some fantasy elements in it, like fairies and magic. I really liked this aspect of the book because I have not read anything like it.
Apolline is probably one of my favorite characters. She is headstrong, brave, and very confident about herself. She grew up being different from others around her, but that didn't stop her from being this amazing person that she turned out to be, so I really liked her.
The relationships with every one of these characters were amazing. One of my favorite realtionships is with Apolline and the fairies. The fairies have very different personalities so their interactions with each other are very interesting and I was smiling every time there is a moment between them.
As far as retellings go, I really enjoyed this one. It is a definitely unique and interesting take in Sleeping Beauty and I was enthralled in it the entire time. It was a fairly quick read and the pace was decent so I was never bored.
What I really liked about the book is that it was very realistic. We see get to see how Apolline was living as well as how she and the prince, Allard, met. This really makes the whole "true-love's" kiss way more realistic since Apolline and Allard actually were able to meet for more than one time for them to develop into a romantic relationship. Also, the fact that Allard and Apolline didn't know each others' true identity made the book even more enjoyable than it already is.
The world was very remarkable as well. It takes place in space, but it has some fantasy elements in it, like fairies and magic. I really liked this aspect of the book because I have not read anything like it.
Apolline is probably one of my favorite characters. She is headstrong, brave, and very confident about herself. She grew up being different from others around her, but that didn't stop her from being this amazing person that she turned out to be, so I really liked her.
The relationships with every one of these characters were amazing. One of my favorite realtionships is with Apolline and the fairies. The fairies have very different personalities so their interactions with each other are very interesting and I was smiling every time there is a moment between them.
As far as retellings go, I really enjoyed this one. It is a definitely unique and interesting take in Sleeping Beauty and I was enthralled in it the entire time. It was a fairly quick read and the pace was decent so I was never bored.
May 23, 2017
In a universe of magic, space travel and fairy-tale creatures, our once beloved stories are retold in a science fiction setting that brings that brings them back to life again. Princess of Tyrone takes the old classic of sleeping beauty and throws it into a intergalactic love story to be remembered. Apolline is the reincarnated princess Aurora. As Apolline travels through her classic story with a modern twist, she is sucked into a world of danger and espionage.
I enjoyed Princess of Tyrone. I love science fiction and fairy-tales, so the merger just seemed naturally fantastic. Princess of Tyrone did a great job at honoring the original story, while at the same time becoming it's own thing. I loved the characters in this novel. Apolline was very well developed and she was a refreshingly independent and kick-butt take on a very passive and dependent princess. Aurora was never one of my favorite princesses, but Princess of Tyrone made me actually enjoy her story. Besides Apolline, the were her fairies and her true love. Allard plays the role of her prince in this novel and his characters was also fun to read about. The romance between Allard and Apolline was very well written and had plenty of romantic tension, but it also did not take away from the other aspects of the story. Overall, I enjoyed Princess of Tyrone and I recommend it to fairy-tale lovers for a fun read. I give Princess of Tyrone FOUR OUT OF FIVE STARS!
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September 19, 2016
This was very fun. A cute retelling of Sleeping Beauty, with enough of it's own flavor that it wasn't predictable or cliched.
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