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Thornspell
Helen Lowe reimagines the Sleeping Beauty story from the point of view of the prince who is destined to wake the enchanted princess in this lush, romantic fantasy-adventure.
Prince Sigismund has grown up hearing fantastical stories about enchantments and faie spells, basilisks and dragons, knights-errant and heroic quests. He'd love for them to be true—he's been sheltered in a country castle for most of his life and longs for adventure—but they are just stories. Or are they?
From the day that a mysterious lady in a fine carriage speaks to him through the castle gates, Sigismund's world starts to shift. He begins to dream of a girl wrapped, trapped , in thorns. He dreams of a palace, utterly still, waiting. He dreams of a man in red armor, riding a red horse—and then suddenly that man arrives at the castle!
Sigismund is about to learn that sometimes dreams are true, that the world is both more magical and more dangerous than he imagined, and that the heroic quest he imagined for himself as a boy . . . begins now.
Prince Sigismund has grown up hearing fantastical stories about enchantments and faie spells, basilisks and dragons, knights-errant and heroic quests. He'd love for them to be true—he's been sheltered in a country castle for most of his life and longs for adventure—but they are just stories. Or are they?
From the day that a mysterious lady in a fine carriage speaks to him through the castle gates, Sigismund's world starts to shift. He begins to dream of a girl wrapped, trapped , in thorns. He dreams of a palace, utterly still, waiting. He dreams of a man in red armor, riding a red horse—and then suddenly that man arrives at the castle!
Sigismund is about to learn that sometimes dreams are true, that the world is both more magical and more dangerous than he imagined, and that the heroic quest he imagined for himself as a boy . . . begins now.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published September 9, 2008
11 people are currently reading
3565 people want to read
About the author
Helen Lowe
15 books220 followersI am a novelist, poet, blogger, interviewer, and lover of story.
My first novel "Thornspell", (Knopf) was published to critical praise in 2008, and in 2012 "The Heir Of Night", The Wall Of Night Book One, won the David Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Fantasy Newcomer and the Sir Julius Vogel Award 2011 for Best Novel.
"The Gathering of The Lost", (The Wall Of Night Book Two), was shortlisted for the David Gemmell Legend Award in 2013. I have recently completed the manuscript for "Daughter Of Blood", (The Wall Of Night Book Three)and have commenced work on the fourth and final novel in the series.
My first novel "Thornspell", (Knopf) was published to critical praise in 2008, and in 2012 "The Heir Of Night", The Wall Of Night Book One, won the David Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Fantasy Newcomer and the Sir Julius Vogel Award 2011 for Best Novel.
"The Gathering of The Lost", (The Wall Of Night Book Two), was shortlisted for the David Gemmell Legend Award in 2013. I have recently completed the manuscript for "Daughter Of Blood", (The Wall Of Night Book Three)and have commenced work on the fourth and final novel in the series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
November 21, 2008
Growing up in West Castle, on the outer edge of his father’s kingdom, Prince Sigismund has always dreamed of noble knights on valiant quests. He yearns to follow in their footsteps—even as he knows that he is destined to follow in his father’s, and rule the kingdom.
And then Sigismund starts having the dreams. In his dreams, he is traversing the forbidden wood that lies on the edge of West Castle. In his dreams, he is exploring a castle where time seems to have stopped altogether. And he keeps seeing a girl—a girl bound by thorns.
Before long, Sigismund realizes that he has a part to play, a part in a story that is nearly a hundred years old—a legend about a curse and a sleeping princess. Sigismund will have the chance to realize all his dreams—but the forces against him are powerful and insidious, and he will have to use all of his courage to defeat them.
This is, obviously, a fairy tale retelling. It’s well-done—it recreates a compelling quest-style story that turns into the classic Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. It’s an enjoyable read in the old, medieval-esque fantasy way, the kind with made-up kingdoms and heroic princes.
What it isn’t is anything new. It doesn’t bring a new element to the table at all. The thing about fairy tales that I find so compelling is that they always feel like we’re only getting the bare bones of the tale, and there’s still so much missing from a full understanding of the story. Who the characters are, how they got there. How the fairy tale bones create a skeleton for a lush and fully-realized story. That’s what makes a fantastic fairy tale retelling--A Curse Dark as Gold is a classic example of that sort of thing. Something that takes the old story and makes it fresh and new and compelling, and still true to the old tale.
Thornspell is compelling, but it’s not fresh and new. The writing is good, and the story moves, but it lacks teeth. It feels familiar, and that’s sometimes comforting, but it’s rarely memorable. Read it if you like fairy tale retellings, but don’t expect anything surprising.
And then Sigismund starts having the dreams. In his dreams, he is traversing the forbidden wood that lies on the edge of West Castle. In his dreams, he is exploring a castle where time seems to have stopped altogether. And he keeps seeing a girl—a girl bound by thorns.
Before long, Sigismund realizes that he has a part to play, a part in a story that is nearly a hundred years old—a legend about a curse and a sleeping princess. Sigismund will have the chance to realize all his dreams—but the forces against him are powerful and insidious, and he will have to use all of his courage to defeat them.
This is, obviously, a fairy tale retelling. It’s well-done—it recreates a compelling quest-style story that turns into the classic Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. It’s an enjoyable read in the old, medieval-esque fantasy way, the kind with made-up kingdoms and heroic princes.
What it isn’t is anything new. It doesn’t bring a new element to the table at all. The thing about fairy tales that I find so compelling is that they always feel like we’re only getting the bare bones of the tale, and there’s still so much missing from a full understanding of the story. Who the characters are, how they got there. How the fairy tale bones create a skeleton for a lush and fully-realized story. That’s what makes a fantastic fairy tale retelling--A Curse Dark as Gold is a classic example of that sort of thing. Something that takes the old story and makes it fresh and new and compelling, and still true to the old tale.
Thornspell is compelling, but it’s not fresh and new. The writing is good, and the story moves, but it lacks teeth. It feels familiar, and that’s sometimes comforting, but it’s rarely memorable. Read it if you like fairy tale retellings, but don’t expect anything surprising.
May 29, 2015
I appreciate Helen Lowe’s work in building a lore and a magic around the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. It was, for the most part, developed well with Arthurian and other classic influences entwined with all the faie stuff. Sigismund is like a young Arthur himself (he’s even called the Young Dragon, which raises obvious connections to Arthur’s Pendragon).
However, not even the lore could pull me into this book. I thought that it took entirely too long for the Sleeping Beauty part to even begin, and I was utterly confused as to why the Margravine wanted the princess in the first place. It’s hard to enjoy reading a quest when you don’t understand what people’s motivations are.
In addition, some of the stuff at the end of the novel was just weird. Perhaps it would have affected me differently if I had really been immersed in the story, but for the most part throughout the book I thought Lowe was trying too hard with her prose. So the ending didn’t mesh with me because nothing in the book meshed with me. Part of the problem was that I simply could not get into the book, so half the time my mind was on other things while I was reading and I didn’t process as much as I would have liked to.
Finally, some of the character/plot reveals are really obvious, and most of the characters are very flat and stale. Sigismund is an okay hero, I guess, but he does entirely too much internal monologuing.
Overall, Thornspell builds a nice (and possibly interesting) world around the Sleeping Beauty fairytale, but unfortunately I just could not get into the book enough to enjoy it. The prose was weak at times, the characters were flat, some of the plot elements (especially at the end) were confusing and/or strange, and I just could not immerse myself into the world.
However, not even the lore could pull me into this book. I thought that it took entirely too long for the Sleeping Beauty part to even begin, and I was utterly confused as to why the Margravine wanted the princess in the first place. It’s hard to enjoy reading a quest when you don’t understand what people’s motivations are.
In addition, some of the stuff at the end of the novel was just weird. Perhaps it would have affected me differently if I had really been immersed in the story, but for the most part throughout the book I thought Lowe was trying too hard with her prose. So the ending didn’t mesh with me because nothing in the book meshed with me. Part of the problem was that I simply could not get into the book, so half the time my mind was on other things while I was reading and I didn’t process as much as I would have liked to.
Finally, some of the character/plot reveals are really obvious, and most of the characters are very flat and stale. Sigismund is an okay hero, I guess, but he does entirely too much internal monologuing.
Overall, Thornspell builds a nice (and possibly interesting) world around the Sleeping Beauty fairytale, but unfortunately I just could not get into the book enough to enjoy it. The prose was weak at times, the characters were flat, some of the plot elements (especially at the end) were confusing and/or strange, and I just could not immerse myself into the world.
January 4, 2011
Sigismund has always suspected that there's more than meets the eye with the Wood that's just outside his castle. What he didn't realize was how entangled his part would be and how much magic would be involved. Sigismund is a prince with ties to the faie, hence his father sets up a tutor for him by the name of Balisan. Through him, Sigismund learns more about the fairy realm, swordsmanship, family history and dreamwalking. The Prince learns of a sleeping princess on the inside of the enchanted wood, the protection of which was set in place by his grandfather, many years ago. Only one of his family can break the spell and make his way through the magic to rescue the girl and thwart the evil faie.
As you may have guessed, this is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty, but from the prince's point of view. This plot-driven story is filled with excitement, wonderful characters (many who are multi-dimensional) and a happy (but not sickly sweet) ending. It is a faced paced read, but I found I had to stop and catch my breath a few times because it is action packed. The only problem I have with the whole story is the kissing between Aurora and Sigismund at the end. It feels off kilter and not convincing. I don’t know how the author could have fixed this, though, so I’ll keep my nitpicking to a minimum.
This book will appeal to many readers. Those that love King Arthur stories, The Warrior Heir (Chima) or books by Melissa Marr will gobble this up. What to read next? Try handing them Dealing with Dragons (Wrede) or Beast (Napoli).And you may feel a little nostalgic and want to watch the Disney version again.
August 1, 2016
Eh. The book was fine – I got through it – but it never quite grabbed my attention. This is evidenced by it taking me close to two weeks to read a 300-page book. The writing is confusing – it’s written as if for a very young audience, yet the characters are either in their late teens or full-fledged adults. Lowe also has a really dreadful tendency to tell instead of show. There is rarely ever an actual conversation on the pages - instead, someone will make an opening remark, and then Lowe summarizes what was said in a paragraph. The dearth of dialogue was not only annoying, it was puzzling.
It’s a retelling of Sleeping Beauty that doesn’t add very much. Some moments work – in particular the boar hunt in the middle of the book. The ending is disappointing, as the whole Sigismund-saves-the-day bit is cut short by a lot of very powerful beings (dragons, fairies, fairy queens, etc.) talking it out while the hero stands and listens.
It’s a perfectly serviceable book that I won’t deter anyone from reading… but I can’t think of a reason to recommend it either.
It’s a retelling of Sleeping Beauty that doesn’t add very much. Some moments work – in particular the boar hunt in the middle of the book. The ending is disappointing, as the whole Sigismund-saves-the-day bit is cut short by a lot of very powerful beings (dragons, fairies, fairy queens, etc.) talking it out while the hero stands and listens.
It’s a perfectly serviceable book that I won’t deter anyone from reading… but I can’t think of a reason to recommend it either.
January 16, 2011
Sleeping Beauty from the point of view of the prince.
September 7, 2015
I walked away from Thornspell with a really neutral feeling about the whole thing. It a retelling, which I'm a sucker for those, but it was unique in a lot of ways.
First off it's from the POV of the prince and the story starts after the curse has been cast(because this is the original 100 year long curse and the prince wasn't around for the pre-cursing or the enactment of said curse), but several years before it's time to break the curse.
This gave me time to get to know Sigismund(argh, I hate that name, so awkward to read frequently) and what he went through in the years prior to breaking the curse.
While I liked Sigismund's personality and the insight into his life, I found myself disconnected in a lot of ways. The characters(from villains to friends) that comprised this book were very ... flat. I didn't have much of an opinion or connection to anyone except Sigismund. Even Rue felt bleh. I appreciate the fact she and Sigismund weren't all insta-love and that Sigismund wasn't thinking of her every waking second of his life. The romance was well played, but lacking in enough screen time and feeling to make much of an impact.
There's a handful of characters but even the ones you should hate, or who are meant to play an emotional role, did not invoke the feeling from me that I would've liked.
So a unique twist on Sleeping beauty, a refreshing pov, a believable romance that doesn't make you sick, and just enough surprises to make an old story shock and enthrall you. But very flat characters outside of Sigismund(and horrible names for most of the characters).
First off it's from the POV of the prince and the story starts after the curse has been cast(because this is the original 100 year long curse and the prince wasn't around for the pre-cursing or the enactment of said curse), but several years before it's time to break the curse.
This gave me time to get to know Sigismund(argh, I hate that name, so awkward to read frequently) and what he went through in the years prior to breaking the curse.
While I liked Sigismund's personality and the insight into his life, I found myself disconnected in a lot of ways. The characters(from villains to friends) that comprised this book were very ... flat. I didn't have much of an opinion or connection to anyone except Sigismund. Even Rue felt bleh. I appreciate the fact she and Sigismund weren't all insta-love and that Sigismund wasn't thinking of her every waking second of his life. The romance was well played, but lacking in enough screen time and feeling to make much of an impact.
There's a handful of characters but even the ones you should hate, or who are meant to play an emotional role, did not invoke the feeling from me that I would've liked.
So a unique twist on Sleeping beauty, a refreshing pov, a believable romance that doesn't make you sick, and just enough surprises to make an old story shock and enthrall you. But very flat characters outside of Sigismund(and horrible names for most of the characters).
January 7, 2012
I guess I didn't really look at the cover, because it was only after I'd gotten to the foreshadowed story of a sleeping princess in the fourth chapter or so that I realized the similarity of this book to Sleeping Beauty. From then on, I described it as the story of Sleeping Beauty from the prince's perspective. I think the idea was great, but the execution could have been dealt with more smoothly. For instance, the extreme focus on the intricate workings and layers of magic was interesting, but it was confusing and not as exciting as actual plot would have been. Although the plot was there, I just think that there was too much set up in the form of how the magic worked and what rules it had to follow. Because of all this training and explanation, most of the book felt like a long wait. Therefore, probably my favorite part of the book was the end, because that was when the action finally unfolded. I won't give away the ending, but let me just say that it nicely set up a connection to the more well known story of the Sleeping Beauty.
April 20, 2012
The tale of Sleeping Beauty is usually about a baby princess who is cursed to die by an evil witch because her parents 'forgot' to invite the nasty old lady to the babe's christening. Fortunately, her good fairy godmother twists the spell to a 'sleep of a hundred years' rather than death, and just for good measure, she throws in a clause about 'only waking when kissed by the chosen prince'. No one ever wondered how the prince felt about this whole arrangement.
Now, finally, we get to read Prince Sigismund's side of the story. Having finished the book, I am left wondering how the original story could ever have been told from the princess' point of view, as she spends most of the story asleep!
In all seriousness, however, Thornspell is a great fantasy. Targeted at children and young adult, author Helen Lowe keeps her story true to the fairy tale while incorporating likeable characters, old English myth and a vivid setting full of magic. For a story I thought I knew, Thornspell still managed to pleasantly surprise.
Now, finally, we get to read Prince Sigismund's side of the story. Having finished the book, I am left wondering how the original story could ever have been told from the princess' point of view, as she spends most of the story asleep!
In all seriousness, however, Thornspell is a great fantasy. Targeted at children and young adult, author Helen Lowe keeps her story true to the fairy tale while incorporating likeable characters, old English myth and a vivid setting full of magic. For a story I thought I knew, Thornspell still managed to pleasantly surprise.
May 24, 2013
As much as I love reading fairytales, there's always the sense that I'm only getting half of the story. There's never any character development, explanations on where those magical artifacts come from, or why the bad guys act so villainous beyond the fairly rudimentary: "they're evil." In fairytales, things just happen, with little or no back-story.
Which is why I've always appreciated authors who consider the missing pieces to any fairytale and fill them accordingly with their own ideas. Donna Jo Napoli has built her career on this technique, with wonderful fleshed-out fairytales such as Spinners and Zel, retellings of the Rumplestiltskin and Rapunzel stories, among others.
And now Helen Lowe gives similar ... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
Which is why I've always appreciated authors who consider the missing pieces to any fairytale and fill them accordingly with their own ideas. Donna Jo Napoli has built her career on this technique, with wonderful fleshed-out fairytales such as Spinners and Zel, retellings of the Rumplestiltskin and Rapunzel stories, among others.
And now Helen Lowe gives similar ... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
December 2, 2013
New Zealand writer Helen Lowe reimagines the Sleeping Beauty story from the point of view of the prince in this beautiful, romantic fantasy for young adults. Prince Sigismund has grown up in a castle whose gardens and parklands are surrounded by a deep, tangled forest. He is kept locked away from the world, and so longs for adventures like the ones in the stories he loves so much – fantastical tales of knights-errant and heroic quests, faie enchantments and shape-shifting dragons.
One day a beautiful and mysterious lady in a fine carriage speaks to him through the castle gates, and Sigismund's world begins to change. He dreams of a raggedy girl trapped in thorns, and a castle that lies sleeping … soon he is caught up in an adventure as perilous and strange as that of any story he had ever heard …
I absolutely adored this book! I love fairy tale retellings, especially ones that are full of magic, peril, and romance, and ‘Thornspell’ is one of the best I’ve ever read. It reminded me of Robin McKinley’s early books, which are still among my favourite fairy tale retellings. ‘Thornspell’ very deservedly won the Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best YA Novel – it’s a must red for anyone who loves fairy-tale-inspired YA fantasy.
One day a beautiful and mysterious lady in a fine carriage speaks to him through the castle gates, and Sigismund's world begins to change. He dreams of a raggedy girl trapped in thorns, and a castle that lies sleeping … soon he is caught up in an adventure as perilous and strange as that of any story he had ever heard …
I absolutely adored this book! I love fairy tale retellings, especially ones that are full of magic, peril, and romance, and ‘Thornspell’ is one of the best I’ve ever read. It reminded me of Robin McKinley’s early books, which are still among my favourite fairy tale retellings. ‘Thornspell’ very deservedly won the Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best YA Novel – it’s a must red for anyone who loves fairy-tale-inspired YA fantasy.
March 11, 2012
Jennica Munden
Traditional Literature
Critical analysis: It is, in its own characteristic ways, different from the original fairytale. It includes entirely new characters never seen in before, and remasterd old characters with a number of twists.
Opinions: It is delightful to see the story retold from the mysterious prince’s point of view. More than that, it is expounded upon with many details.
Summary: Thornspell is a retelling of the Sleeping Beauty story, but it is told from prince Sigismund's point of view in a prose form. We begin with a lad who has seen little, and knows just as much, about the world outside his father’s kingdom, but who dreams of fantasy and adventure, especially in the strange and restricted woods outside of the castle. What we end with is a man who is living his dreams, expanding his horizons, pursuing fairytales, adventure, and love with all his heart.
Traditional Literature
Critical analysis: It is, in its own characteristic ways, different from the original fairytale. It includes entirely new characters never seen in before, and remasterd old characters with a number of twists.
Opinions: It is delightful to see the story retold from the mysterious prince’s point of view. More than that, it is expounded upon with many details.
Summary: Thornspell is a retelling of the Sleeping Beauty story, but it is told from prince Sigismund's point of view in a prose form. We begin with a lad who has seen little, and knows just as much, about the world outside his father’s kingdom, but who dreams of fantasy and adventure, especially in the strange and restricted woods outside of the castle. What we end with is a man who is living his dreams, expanding his horizons, pursuing fairytales, adventure, and love with all his heart.
August 7, 2012
Short & Sweet: Thornspell is the tale of Sleeping Beauty, only from the Prince's point of view. And some added elements. This one had a bit of a slow start for me, but about 100 pages in, the adventure picks up and the characters really made me keep reading. Sigismund is an interesting character, having been born as a prince but grown up away from the mainland, and closer to the enchanted forest. He starts dreaming of a sleeping princess after a lady visits and tries to give him a token of affection. Soon, after Sigismund has grown up he finds out there is more to this story than just rescuing a girl, an adventure with magic awaits him and he must figure out who is the villian and who to save.
Final Verdict: An interesting spin on Sleeping Beauty that brought more adventure to the tale.
Final Verdict: An interesting spin on Sleeping Beauty that brought more adventure to the tale.
August 15, 2009
I really liked this book at first. I almost always love retellings of fairy tales, and I love when the prince gets a story. This prince's story was good. It was the princess who lacked depth. And the ending felt rushed and unresolved. It also had a taste of the classic "Hi, my name's Prince Charming, let's get married!" to it, when I would have preferred the prince and princess to get to know one another. So, this book was good. But the ending made me take away a star.
September 28, 2010
I found this book "enchanting" . It is loosely based on Sleeping Beauty, but it is so much more and different from that story. Helen wrote a wonderful fantasy about the boy, Sigismund, who is destined to break the 100 year curse. My favorite character is Bal'san, the boy's protector/teacher. He has a secret too that surprised me. There are fae, dragons, beasts, death and magic at play in this Young Adult book that even adults can enjoy. Helen Lowe is a great story teller.
October 21, 2008
A nice story (I guess it was supposed to be like a re-telling/backstory of Sleeping Beauty), but it was sort of slow and there wasn't enough dialogue. Also, I wish there were more actual scenes - instead she just mentioned events and things sometimes, so if you weren't paying attention you could miss something important.
August 10, 2012
A recommended addition to the reading pile of anyone interested in well-done fairytale retellings. Lowe does very nice things with Sleeping Beauty, written beautifully, with a strong fantasy bent. It pushed my butons as being aimed at middle grade readers (10+) but was nicely satisfying as an adult read as well - not easy!
November 1, 2008
I didn't finish this one as I thought it moved way to slow and nothing much was happening.
Maybe I missed something....
Maybe I missed something....
December 18, 2008
I always like fairy tale novels... but, this one was a bit slow at times. Also, the magical element was a little strange and sureal. It seemed out of place in the book.
October 12, 2008
Great, I read this as an ARC. I think your Twilight kids might like this too.
July 20, 2017
Really enjoyed this retelling of Sleeping Beauty. It was different and reasonably well done. I enjoyed the fact we got to know the prince a bit more - and that he wasn't just a 'side' character who happens to show up. He still seemed a little flat, but far far better than a lot of the retellings.
I also liked that he and the princess were able to at least meet before the whole 'happily ever after' thing. However, I would have enjoyed seeing a bit *more* interaction between them before "I love you" was said. I mean, she shows up a few times. . .and he spends the rest of the time LOOKING for her. That's not exactly a solid basis for a lasting relationship! Added to the fact she couldn't talk. . .how COULD he love her? I see she might have fallen for him, *if* she was around more than he was aware, but that wasn't mentioned if she was.
But, yeah. All in all, an enjoyable retelling. I would like to see more.
I also liked that he and the princess were able to at least meet before the whole 'happily ever after' thing. However, I would have enjoyed seeing a bit *more* interaction between them before "I love you" was said. I mean, she shows up a few times. . .and he spends the rest of the time LOOKING for her. That's not exactly a solid basis for a lasting relationship! Added to the fact she couldn't talk. . .how COULD he love her? I see she might have fallen for him, *if* she was around more than he was aware, but that wasn't mentioned if she was.
But, yeah. All in all, an enjoyable retelling. I would like to see more.
December 28, 2019
Helen Lowe carries us away to a world of magic and fairytales in this gorgeous retelling of one if my favourite tales, Sleeping Beauty.
In this story we follow the prince as he grows into a warrior and faces magic and fae alike to wake sleeping beauty.
The writting was captivating and the story kept pulling me in. There was mystery and adventure and heartache. All in all the best book I read in 2019!
In this story we follow the prince as he grows into a warrior and faces magic and fae alike to wake sleeping beauty.
The writting was captivating and the story kept pulling me in. There was mystery and adventure and heartache. All in all the best book I read in 2019!
March 21, 2023
Wow. I did not expect that ride, when I got on the fairy-tale retelling roller coaster. This is Helen Lowe's first novel, and I look forward to more of her work!
A lot more serious, and definitely more tragic than one usually gets from these sort of stories, the characters feel real and have real problems and victories. I particularly loved his man of arms, and the love story that was so sweetly woven in.
A lot more serious, and definitely more tragic than one usually gets from these sort of stories, the characters feel real and have real problems and victories. I particularly loved his man of arms, and the love story that was so sweetly woven in.
July 18, 2025
This is a decent junior fiction retelling of sleeping beauty. It was interesting with the elements of the faerie realm, dragons, magical swords, and magic. The book focuses on the prince and weaves in friendships, tutoring, mysteries, betrayals, and plenty of twists and turns. I wasn't always clear on what was going on, but typically things cleared up or was explained shortly after. Overall, a decent book that I feel older kids and younger teens would enjoy.
July 7, 2021
2.5 Enjoyable read. This is the prince's side of sleeping beauty. His life and journey to find the princess behind the wall of Thorns. The enemy is a powerful faie, hungry for power.
And while the back and forth between Sigismund and the Margravine was well written, the book dragged for me. I was so excited for the prince to find his princess, but it took way too long.
And while the back and forth between Sigismund and the Margravine was well written, the book dragged for me. I was so excited for the prince to find his princess, but it took way too long.
December 17, 2018
A promising opening, but then it dragged slower and slower. Insulting repetition and then the once cool red knight becomes more and more pedantic and lame. Ditto for the prince.
Not worth the time.
Not worth the time.
January 22, 2019
Wonderful adaptation of the class "Sleeping Beauty" tale. This time we experience the story through the experience of the Prince. Full of magic, intrigue, twists, and turns, I fully enjoyed this book. I would recommend it to both young and old.
did-not-finish
March 25, 2021DNF. Took me three evenings to read 60 pages. Just could NOT stay focused on narrative. My mind wandered off nearly every page. I thought I liked the initial *feel* of this book, but it's turning out to be...kinda boring.
December 22, 2023
Pure fairytale!! I did enjoy the story from the original point of view. Lowe built a wonderful mythology and addressed how the events shape our eventual hero. Lowe leaned into the classic fairytale narration style, which was great. Yet it did make our main protagonist seem a bit flat.
July 31, 2017
Interesting take and more like a 3.5.
July 6, 2022
It was a good book, it's a little over the top towards the end, but still worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews