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Heart of the Moors: An Original Maleficent: Mistress of Evil Novel
From New York Times bestselling author Holly Black comes a captivating original novel set between Disney's Maleficent and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, in which newly-queened Aurora struggles to be the best leader to both the humans and Fair Folk under her reign; her beau, Prince Phillip, longs to get to know Aurora and her kingdom better; and Maleficent has trouble letting go of the past.
310 pages, Hardcover
First published October 8, 2019
244 people are currently reading
8875 people want to read
About the author
Holly Black
222 books127k followersHolly Black is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of over thirty fantasy novels for kids and teens. She has been a finalist for an Eisner Award and the Lodestar Award, and the recipient of the Mythopoeic Award, a Nebula, and a Newbery Honor. Her books have been translated into 32 languages worldwide and adapted for film. She currently lives in New England with her husband and son in a house with a secret library.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 460 reviews
April 19, 2020
me at 6: why does nobody talk about Maleficent?? she's like the coolest??
me at 21: people still disrespect our queen Maleficent like some ungrateful peasants they are sth
Holly Black: *feels like she has to step up and decides to write this*
me: thank you mistress I owe you my life
me at 21: people still disrespect our queen Maleficent like some ungrateful peasants they are sth
Holly Black: *feels like she has to step up and decides to write this*
me: thank you mistress I owe you my life
Want to read
May 9, 2019Oh, I'm EXCITED about this one!
own-tbr
August 11, 2020Yes to a new Holly Black book
Yes to Maleficent
YES YES YES!!!!!
Yes to Maleficent
YES YES YES!!!!!
April 4, 2020
My review
I feel like this book was written purely for the sake of easing my bitter disappointment after watching the second Maleficent movie because that heart-wrenching experience of butchering my favorite movie for the sake of a sequel was demeaning. Someone tell Disney, if they were going to make a sequel, they should have used Black’s book as a script. I think I’m just going to pretend the movie never happened, and this marvelous piece of work is the only story of life in the Moors.
I usually dislike doing movie/TV show comparisons in my reviews, (I don’t know why but probably because this is, well a book blog and there are a lot of layers which need to be regarded in order to proclaim an adaptation “good”), but I think it is inevitable to bring some elements from the movies because the foundation of the book was, in fact, a movie. The thing is, while reading this book, it felt like the Maleficent movie never ended at all – the continuation and adaptation of the magnificent tale into a story of recovery were perfect, to the point of my mind equalizing the two parts as the same thing, as they, in truth, should be.
Holly Black managed to amaze me with her stunning writing and intricate storytelling, pulling me once again and hopefully not the last time, in her world of faeries and stories of wicked things and broken souls. This book is full of beautiful things, from politics and union of human and faerie world and messages about love and union, but the heart of the story remained the same – the love between Maleficent and Aurora. It never wavered or faltered and their bond only grew stronger, unifying two worlds and bringing out the best of them both. Maleficent is one of my favorite characters of all time, especially from non-book media; so thoroughly developed and captivated – a force risen from the depths of her despair to seek vengeance, finding love instead which saved her from her own relentless rage. Black picked her character up right where the movie left it and took her to another journey without missing a thing. I even started liking Aurora, whom I found boring and annoying through the course of both movies.
So thank you, Holly Black, for creating a sequel worthy of Maleficent and bringing back these wholesome characters back in the manner they deserve.
“Would you like to know what it’s like to have your wings again?
Imagine falling, except instead of hitting the ground, you soar.
Imagine beginning to believe that love is never a lie, even if there are liars.
Imagine recalling that cracked bone grows back stronger.
That scars are beautiful.
You might not be quite who you were when you lost the power of flight.
But it is only in having your wings resting heavy on your back again that you realize you always and forever belonged to the sky.
You were always strong and fierce and full of magic.
Even when you were stranded on the ground.”
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I feel like this book was written purely for the sake of easing my bitter disappointment after watching the second Maleficent movie because that heart-wrenching experience of butchering my favorite movie for the sake of a sequel was demeaning. Someone tell Disney, if they were going to make a sequel, they should have used Black’s book as a script. I think I’m just going to pretend the movie never happened, and this marvelous piece of work is the only story of life in the Moors.
I usually dislike doing movie/TV show comparisons in my reviews, (I don’t know why but probably because this is, well a book blog and there are a lot of layers which need to be regarded in order to proclaim an adaptation “good”), but I think it is inevitable to bring some elements from the movies because the foundation of the book was, in fact, a movie. The thing is, while reading this book, it felt like the Maleficent movie never ended at all – the continuation and adaptation of the magnificent tale into a story of recovery were perfect, to the point of my mind equalizing the two parts as the same thing, as they, in truth, should be.
Holly Black managed to amaze me with her stunning writing and intricate storytelling, pulling me once again and hopefully not the last time, in her world of faeries and stories of wicked things and broken souls. This book is full of beautiful things, from politics and union of human and faerie world and messages about love and union, but the heart of the story remained the same – the love between Maleficent and Aurora. It never wavered or faltered and their bond only grew stronger, unifying two worlds and bringing out the best of them both. Maleficent is one of my favorite characters of all time, especially from non-book media; so thoroughly developed and captivated – a force risen from the depths of her despair to seek vengeance, finding love instead which saved her from her own relentless rage. Black picked her character up right where the movie left it and took her to another journey without missing a thing. I even started liking Aurora, whom I found boring and annoying through the course of both movies.
So thank you, Holly Black, for creating a sequel worthy of Maleficent and bringing back these wholesome characters back in the manner they deserve.
“Would you like to know what it’s like to have your wings again?
Imagine falling, except instead of hitting the ground, you soar.
Imagine beginning to believe that love is never a lie, even if there are liars.
Imagine recalling that cracked bone grows back stronger.
That scars are beautiful.
You might not be quite who you were when you lost the power of flight.
But it is only in having your wings resting heavy on your back again that you realize you always and forever belonged to the sky.
You were always strong and fierce and full of magic.
Even when you were stranded on the ground.”
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Tumblr
December 1, 2024
Holly Black was the PERFECT author to write a Sleeping Beauty/Maleficent novel based upon the live action characters. This was so well delivered and absolutely breath taking in every way!
Want to read
August 7, 2019EDIT: LORD HAVE MERCY. LOOK AT THIS COVER Y'ALL
Holly Black waving to the competition as they struggle to keep up with her
But in all seriousness, I cannot wait for October!
Holly Black waving to the competition as they struggle to keep up with her
But in all seriousness, I cannot wait for October!
Want to read
August 7, 2019aaaaaahhh omggg!
Can't.
Control.
My.
Excitement!
A new book by HOLLY BLACK!!!
And as iff that wasn't enough- it's about MALEFICENT (my 2nd fav Disney character, believe it or not! She is such a queeeeeeen)
(Also how did I not know about this till now?!)
Can't.
Control.
My.
Excitement!
A new book by HOLLY BLACK!!!
And as iff that wasn't enough- it's about MALEFICENT (my 2nd fav Disney character, believe it or not! She is such a queeeeeeen)
(Also how did I not know about this till now?!)
October 6, 2019
I don’t read middle grade often, but Maleficent written by Holly Black was not something I was going to pass up.
I loved getting POVs from everyone. Of course I expected to be in Aurora’s head, so seeing things from Maleficent’s view was fantastic. There were also mini chapters from a few other people and I like how it rounded things out.
Plot wise it was good. Things moved quickly as there are a few plot threads and several moving pieces. It was a bit more detailed and layered than I was expecting and I really enjoyed how everything played out. Even with knowing how Sleeping Beauty ends, I was wondering if there would be a different outcome.
Overall, it was a quick read with a satisfying ending and this books just helps solidify my decision to read any faerie book that Holly writes.
**Huge thanks to Disney Press for providing the arc free of charge**
I loved getting POVs from everyone. Of course I expected to be in Aurora’s head, so seeing things from Maleficent’s view was fantastic. There were also mini chapters from a few other people and I like how it rounded things out.
Plot wise it was good. Things moved quickly as there are a few plot threads and several moving pieces. It was a bit more detailed and layered than I was expecting and I really enjoyed how everything played out. Even with knowing how Sleeping Beauty ends, I was wondering if there would be a different outcome.
Overall, it was a quick read with a satisfying ending and this books just helps solidify my decision to read any faerie book that Holly writes.
**Huge thanks to Disney Press for providing the arc free of charge**
May 2, 2022
4.5⭐'s
Want to read
August 7, 2019Cover reveal is gorgeous! Also excerpt has been shared on Entertainment Weekly =D
https://ew.com/books/2019/08/07/holly...
https://ew.com/books/2019/08/07/holly...
June 2, 2022
Darum gehts:
Das Buch erzählt eine ergänzende Geschichte zu Dornröschen und wir erfahren mehr darüber, was passiert, als Maleficents Fluch gebrochen ist. Denn auch wenn Aurora den langen Schlaf überlebt hat und eigentlich alles wieder in Ordnung sein sollte, ist nichts wie vorher. Seitdem gibt es für Sie nichts schlimmeres als einzuschlafen und sie wird Nacht für Nacht von schlimmen Ängsten heimgesucht...
Meine Meinung:
Maleficient gehört für mich definitiv mit zu den faszinierendsten Disney-Charakteren und daher war ich unheimlich gespannt auf die Geschichte. Holly Black kannte ich als Autorin schon von der Elfenkrone Reihe und auch hier habe ich ihren Schreibstil absolut geliebt. Die Beschreibungen der Welt waren wundervoll bildhaft und das Buch ließ sich angenehm und schnell lesen. Das Setting war märchenhaft, magisch und ein wenig düster und hat mich gleich in seinen Bann gezogen. Die Verbindung von neuen Ideen mit der bekannten Geschichte fand ich total gelungen und auch die so bekannten Figuren haben neue Seiten gezeigt. Während mich das Setting und die Figuren absolut verzaubern konnten, hätte ich mir bei der Handlung stellenweise noch ein wenig mehr Spannung gewünscht. Dennoch hab ich das Lesen aber absolut genossen und muss sagen, dass dies bisher mein liebstes Buch aus der Disney Reihe war.
Noch ein wichtiger Hinweis: Wenn euch das Buch interessiert, empfehle ich auf jeden Fall den Film „Maleficent – Die dunkle Fee“ zu kennen, denn das Buch baut darauf auf. Ansonsten kann man das Buch aber auch komplett unabhängig von der Reihe lesen.
Fazit:
Eine tolle Ergänzung zu Dornröschen und Maleficent und für Disney Fans daher ein absolutes Muss.
Das Buch erzählt eine ergänzende Geschichte zu Dornröschen und wir erfahren mehr darüber, was passiert, als Maleficents Fluch gebrochen ist. Denn auch wenn Aurora den langen Schlaf überlebt hat und eigentlich alles wieder in Ordnung sein sollte, ist nichts wie vorher. Seitdem gibt es für Sie nichts schlimmeres als einzuschlafen und sie wird Nacht für Nacht von schlimmen Ängsten heimgesucht...
Meine Meinung:
Maleficient gehört für mich definitiv mit zu den faszinierendsten Disney-Charakteren und daher war ich unheimlich gespannt auf die Geschichte. Holly Black kannte ich als Autorin schon von der Elfenkrone Reihe und auch hier habe ich ihren Schreibstil absolut geliebt. Die Beschreibungen der Welt waren wundervoll bildhaft und das Buch ließ sich angenehm und schnell lesen. Das Setting war märchenhaft, magisch und ein wenig düster und hat mich gleich in seinen Bann gezogen. Die Verbindung von neuen Ideen mit der bekannten Geschichte fand ich total gelungen und auch die so bekannten Figuren haben neue Seiten gezeigt. Während mich das Setting und die Figuren absolut verzaubern konnten, hätte ich mir bei der Handlung stellenweise noch ein wenig mehr Spannung gewünscht. Dennoch hab ich das Lesen aber absolut genossen und muss sagen, dass dies bisher mein liebstes Buch aus der Disney Reihe war.
Noch ein wichtiger Hinweis: Wenn euch das Buch interessiert, empfehle ich auf jeden Fall den Film „Maleficent – Die dunkle Fee“ zu kennen, denn das Buch baut darauf auf. Ansonsten kann man das Buch aber auch komplett unabhängig von der Reihe lesen.
Fazit:
Eine tolle Ergänzung zu Dornröschen und Maleficent und für Disney Fans daher ein absolutes Muss.
October 25, 2023
4★ | beautiful, beautiful, BEAUTIFUL ♡
Want to read
August 20, 2019
*kicks door open*
WHY WAS I NOT INFORMED OF THIS THE MOMENT IT WAS APPROVED FOR PUBLICATION??? BUT BLESS NETGALLEY FOR BLESSING ME
also if this doesn't have plenty of Diaval in here I'm gonna riot
WHY WAS I NOT INFORMED OF THIS THE MOMENT IT WAS APPROVED FOR PUBLICATION??? BUT BLESS NETGALLEY FOR BLESSING ME
also if this doesn't have plenty of Diaval in here I'm gonna riot
August 31, 2024
tfw you’re trying really hard to hate your goddaughter’s boyfriend but he’s too silly to be mad at him
September 16, 2022
A few things to start off with: Disney's Sleeping Beauty is actually my least favourite of their fairy tale movies (and I'm a big Disney fan). However, I love Maleficent and had very mixed feelings when I heard about its movie sequel. Disney did not disappoint: it was even worse than I thought it would be. As much as I love Disney, there hasn't been a single sequel I have enjoyed beyond The Lion King II. Now enter Holly Black - an author I have only discovered recently but have so far really enjoyed - and add yet another sequel that actually sits between the two Maleficent movies. I actually think it sits pretty well where it is: it's nowhere near as good as the original movie but it's infinitely better than the movie sequel.
Holly Black's take on Maleficent is perfectly fine. There's not a single thing about it I would point out and say it wasn't any good, and I think it would work better for some than for others such as myself. While there is nothing wrong with it, it was only an ok read for me personally mainly for two reasons: Aurora is a very boring character. That's probably already why I don't like the classic movie as much as I love others and her role wasn't that big in Maleficent. I mean, sure, she was a key character and she was a sweet little girl, but it wasn't so much about her as it was about Maleficent. In this sequel, I would say Aurora is the biggest focus of the story. It mainly focuses on her dealing with the aftermath of her curse and being a young queen ruling over two peoples divided. It also deals with her conflicting feelings about Philip whom she clearly loves but thinks it cannot be so as his kiss did not wake her. These are actually all good and interesting subjects and they are all well-handled - I just simply don't care to read about Aurora.
The other thing is that this reads very much like a Middle Grade book, in fact, I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be Middle Grade. I actually really like middle grade but every now and again I come across books that just don't seem to be one or the other. The writing is very much middle grade yet the story has some pretty dark undertones, the characters are all in their late teens, adults or immortals and I always felt that the original Maleficent movie was much more suitable for young adults than middle graders. So all in all, it feels like it's a bit of both and I'm not a big fan of that, I like reading one or the other.
Aside from not caring about Aurora as a character and the blurred genre lines, I liked most of the rest. The story took a little while to get going but I read the second half in one go as I wanted to know how things played out. I liked that we had shifting perspectives and thus got to see different characters' thoughts and fears. I particularly appreciated Diaval's point of view because I am most definitely one of those who'd love to see him with Maleficent and while his chapter doesn't imply anything romantic, it leaves some room for interpretation. Philip only had a little screen time during the original movie and I actually really like him. Funnily enough, while his budding romance with Aurora is a core part of this book, my favourite parts were actually his interactions with Maleficent. I loved how they bickered and eventually found some form of common ground.
This was a fun enough book and a comparatively good sequel to the movie (I shall pretend the actual sequel movie does not exist). I won't be reading it again but I'm glad to have read it and would recommend it to fans of the movie.
September 22, 2020
“Love was as unpredictable and powerful as any magic. But maybe it was also as marvelous.”
I absolutely loved this telling of Aurora's journey to bring peace between Perceforest and the Moors.
One of my favourite things about this story is how it’s told – this story is told from various perspectives, despite it not stating who the chapter is about it was always immediately clear and never confusing.
I got lost while reading this. The descriptions were incredible, I think Holly captured the spirit of the folk perfectly, Maleficent especially.
The pace was just right, and I love how it ended. The epilogue made my heart feel all mushy.
It was charming, funny, exciting and intense. I’ll definitely reread this. I really enjoyed it.
“You are my heart,” Maleficent said softly. “And you are right that I guard it fiercely.”
I absolutely loved this telling of Aurora's journey to bring peace between Perceforest and the Moors.
One of my favourite things about this story is how it’s told – this story is told from various perspectives, despite it not stating who the chapter is about it was always immediately clear and never confusing.
I got lost while reading this. The descriptions were incredible, I think Holly captured the spirit of the folk perfectly, Maleficent especially.
The pace was just right, and I love how it ended. The epilogue made my heart feel all mushy.
It was charming, funny, exciting and intense. I’ll definitely reread this. I really enjoyed it.
“You are my heart,” Maleficent said softly. “And you are right that I guard it fiercely.”
October 12, 2019
Holly Black + Maleficent = awesomeness!!!
Do I really need to say more? Just go read it before you see the movie, okay?
Do I really need to say more? Just go read it before you see the movie, okay?
Read
November 20, 2019br w/ my favorite human, alana <3
After attempting to read this for such a long time, I'm giving up. It just wasn't holding my interest and I don't know but Holly Black just keeps disappointing me :(
//
Maleficent is my Queen as well as Holly Black so this is going to be Great.
After attempting to read this for such a long time, I'm giving up. It just wasn't holding my interest and I don't know but Holly Black just keeps disappointing me :(
//
Maleficent is my Queen as well as Holly Black so this is going to be Great.
August 10, 2019
"It is foolish of the wicked not to be afraid of the good."
I enjoyed 'Heart of the Moors" more than I thought I would. I did not think it could rival the 2014 Disney blockbuster, but I was as entertained with this book as the film.
While the film focused on deliciously malicious Angelina Jolie's Maleficent, (who's face is as beautiful as the cover of this book), Heart of the Moors centers around kind but strong Aurora. We're able to gain insight in her thought process as she takes on huge changes in her life: meeting a suitor, rising to power as queen, and losing her parents.
Holly Black strongly develops main characters Aurora, Prince Phillip and Maleficent so that we grow closer and more concerned for their well-being as the much-anticipated sequel approaches.
Her dialogue and description paint pictures of Aurora's sweetness and Maleficent's sarcasm, just as we enjoyed it on screen.
Heart of the Moors is a lovely precursor that all Maleficent fans will enjoy, as it questions that age-old fable trope of love at first sight.
I enjoyed 'Heart of the Moors" more than I thought I would. I did not think it could rival the 2014 Disney blockbuster, but I was as entertained with this book as the film.
While the film focused on deliciously malicious Angelina Jolie's Maleficent, (who's face is as beautiful as the cover of this book), Heart of the Moors centers around kind but strong Aurora. We're able to gain insight in her thought process as she takes on huge changes in her life: meeting a suitor, rising to power as queen, and losing her parents.
Holly Black strongly develops main characters Aurora, Prince Phillip and Maleficent so that we grow closer and more concerned for their well-being as the much-anticipated sequel approaches.
Her dialogue and description paint pictures of Aurora's sweetness and Maleficent's sarcasm, just as we enjoyed it on screen.
Heart of the Moors is a lovely precursor that all Maleficent fans will enjoy, as it questions that age-old fable trope of love at first sight.
December 30, 2019
After reading Maleficent and diving straight into Heart of the Moors, I found myself a little disappointed. I know that the books were obviously written by two different author’s, with different point of views but I felt as though Heart of the Moors feel short for me.
Looking at the characters, they were pretty similar to what you find in the movie as well as other books but at points of the book I think the personalities of Aurora and Maleficent in this were too similar. There were certain parts of the book were there wasn’t much different between their tones, way they spoke and I just found that it didn’t add value to the story, considering they are not only two different people but have two wildly different personalities as well.
The plot was interesting but I think there could have been a lot more behind it as well, and I found that the dramatization of the smallest obstacles just wasn’t for me.
Maybe if I didn’t read this straight after another Maleficent book my opinion would have been different??
Looking at the characters, they were pretty similar to what you find in the movie as well as other books but at points of the book I think the personalities of Aurora and Maleficent in this were too similar. There were certain parts of the book were there wasn’t much different between their tones, way they spoke and I just found that it didn’t add value to the story, considering they are not only two different people but have two wildly different personalities as well.
The plot was interesting but I think there could have been a lot more behind it as well, and I found that the dramatization of the smallest obstacles just wasn’t for me.
Maybe if I didn’t read this straight after another Maleficent book my opinion would have been different??
August 12, 2019
The Heart of the Moors by Holly Black pulled you into the story so hard that you had to finish it. The story is full of action and drama with a little bit of romance on the side. There are parts of the original story with a new and extended twist. I loved the Aunts, which do not get enough attention or credit that they think they deserve. If you are in need of a great story, pick this one. Thanks to NetGalley I was able to read a book that I enjoyed very much.
Want to read
August 7, 2019I'M SO EXCITED FOR THIS, OH MY GOD.
I LOVE ALL THINGS SLEEPING BEAUTY AND MALEFICENT IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE FILMS AND I'M NOT READY FOR THE NEW MOVIE BUT THIS WILL BE SUCH A GREAT BRIDGE.
Holly Black is blessing us.
I LOVE ALL THINGS SLEEPING BEAUTY AND MALEFICENT IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE FILMS AND I'M NOT READY FOR THE NEW MOVIE BUT THIS WILL BE SUCH A GREAT BRIDGE.
Holly Black is blessing us.
January 20, 2021
“Love was as unpredictable and powerful as any magic. But maybe it was also as marvelous.”
I absolutely loved this telling of Aurora's journey to bring peace between Perceforest and the Moors.
One of my favourite things about this story is how it’s told – this story is told from various perspectives, despite it not stating who the chapter is about it was always immediately clear and never confusing.
I got lost while reading this. The descriptions were incredible, I think Holly captured the spirit of the folk perfectly, Maleficent especially.
The pace was just right, and I love how it ended. The epilogue made my heart feel all mushy.
It was charming, funny, exciting and intense. I’ll definitely reread this. I really enjoyed it.
“You are my heart,” Maleficent said softly. “And you are right that I guard it fiercely.”
This book was a fast read, the only reason I didn’t finish it sooner was because other books I had bought got in the way. Since I just purchased two more books I figured I’d get this off my list. Aurora desperately wants peace between the humans and the fair folk, but there is someone who doesn’t, someone who is as foolish and pig headed as Stefan once was. Some people are only interested in war and profit, some aren’t interested in peace. I loved reading from Maleficent's point of view, She’s a very misunderstood character. But it is because of Stefan's betrayal that we see Maleficent as the guarded and cautious person that she is. She loves Aurora with all her heart and she's determined that Aurora doesn’t make the same mistakes with her heart as she once did. I love reading about all the mysterious and magical fair folk from the moors, it sounds as if the moors would be a wonderful place to grow up. I certainly thought so when I watched the first movie. This book was is a quick read with lots of magic and cute critters who can’t help but make you smile at their mischievous ways. A good book, I hope there will be more in the future.
I absolutely loved this telling of Aurora's journey to bring peace between Perceforest and the Moors.
One of my favourite things about this story is how it’s told – this story is told from various perspectives, despite it not stating who the chapter is about it was always immediately clear and never confusing.
I got lost while reading this. The descriptions were incredible, I think Holly captured the spirit of the folk perfectly, Maleficent especially.
The pace was just right, and I love how it ended. The epilogue made my heart feel all mushy.
It was charming, funny, exciting and intense. I’ll definitely reread this. I really enjoyed it.
“You are my heart,” Maleficent said softly. “And you are right that I guard it fiercely.”
This book was a fast read, the only reason I didn’t finish it sooner was because other books I had bought got in the way. Since I just purchased two more books I figured I’d get this off my list. Aurora desperately wants peace between the humans and the fair folk, but there is someone who doesn’t, someone who is as foolish and pig headed as Stefan once was. Some people are only interested in war and profit, some aren’t interested in peace. I loved reading from Maleficent's point of view, She’s a very misunderstood character. But it is because of Stefan's betrayal that we see Maleficent as the guarded and cautious person that she is. She loves Aurora with all her heart and she's determined that Aurora doesn’t make the same mistakes with her heart as she once did. I love reading about all the mysterious and magical fair folk from the moors, it sounds as if the moors would be a wonderful place to grow up. I certainly thought so when I watched the first movie. This book was is a quick read with lots of magic and cute critters who can’t help but make you smile at their mischievous ways. A good book, I hope there will be more in the future.
November 2, 2019
I really loved this book it will lead well into the movie when I finally get to see it. I really liked the characters especially Aurora and Maleficent they are so wonderfully written with Aurora being a young Queen trying to get two sides to get along and make peace and I really liked how true to the character Maleficent was being wicked in her own ways and loving Aurora with a fierce bit of protectiveness. I really liked the slow romance between Aurora and Phillip it was gradual as it should be love needs time to grow it does not happen in a day. I loved the plot of this book it started with Aurora trying to get her people humans that is to see eye to eye and get along peacefully with the faire folk of the Moors. Some things happen and I really loved how this will lead into the film that I will watch sometime soon. So overall I really loved this book and I will always read books by Holly Black.
April 13, 2021
You might not be quite who you were when you lost the power of flight.
But it is only in having your wings resting heavy on your back again that you realize you always and forever belonged to the sky.
You were always strong and fierce and full of magic.
Even when you were stranded on the ground.
But it is only in having your wings resting heavy on your back again that you realize you always and forever belonged to the sky.
You were always strong and fierce and full of magic.
Even when you were stranded on the ground.
April 2, 2020
I didn't expect to like Maleficent, but here we are. This book wasn't a top notch read, but it had an interesting take on Maleficent, her motivations, her relationship with Aurora, and the power of love. I enjoyed it just fine.
Want to read
May 5, 2019First we get spoilt with the wonderful news Queen of Nothing is coming out earlier and then this. My Holly Blackened heart can't take it. Roll on Autumn.
May 11, 2020
I absolutely adore Holly Black so I was completely excited to dive into her Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil novel! Heart of the Moors follows Aurora as she grapples with having to rule two kingdoms and trying to maintain peace between the Faerie Kingdom and the Human Kingdom. However, when a young human boy vanishes from the kingdom, mortals are quick to point fingers towards the fair folk and tensions start to run all the more high between both kingdoms!
This was such an immersive read! Holly Black writes the most wonderfully descriptive and atmospheric Fae fantasy novels so her depiction of The Moors was an utter joy to behold. In turn, I absolutely adored her portrayal of both Maleficent and Aurora. I love how Holly Black stayed true to both characters, especially Maleficent, giving her that wonderfully menacing, threatening tone against anyone who she deems unworthy towards Aurora or anyone she doesn’t trust, but she’s completely so tender hearted towards Aurora, it’s just so beautiful! In turn, Holly Black’s portrayal of Aurora and Phillip was completely believable too, I loved how much Phillip was love struck by Aurora and how she loved him too but she didn’t realise it, it’s just completely endearing! I absolutely loved Aurora’s determined attitude towards ruling both the human kingdom as well as being Queen of the Fair Folk too, she’s just a great ruler who’s so kind towards all of her people and they just adore her in turn!
Anyone who loves Disney knows that there’s always a ruthless, selfish, evil villain and the villain in this story wasn’t an exception! Though he was more power hungry than anything and wanted Aurora’s hand in marriage so he can rule and subdue the Fair Folk, especially Aurora’s own Godmother, the wonderful Maleficent. Sufficed it to say, Heart of the Moors is definitely a book that I recommend to anyone who loves not only the Maleficent lore, but anything Disney! Thank you so much to the team at Scholastic Books Australia for sending me a copy of Heart of the Moors to read and review.
This was such an immersive read! Holly Black writes the most wonderfully descriptive and atmospheric Fae fantasy novels so her depiction of The Moors was an utter joy to behold. In turn, I absolutely adored her portrayal of both Maleficent and Aurora. I love how Holly Black stayed true to both characters, especially Maleficent, giving her that wonderfully menacing, threatening tone against anyone who she deems unworthy towards Aurora or anyone she doesn’t trust, but she’s completely so tender hearted towards Aurora, it’s just so beautiful! In turn, Holly Black’s portrayal of Aurora and Phillip was completely believable too, I loved how much Phillip was love struck by Aurora and how she loved him too but she didn’t realise it, it’s just completely endearing! I absolutely loved Aurora’s determined attitude towards ruling both the human kingdom as well as being Queen of the Fair Folk too, she’s just a great ruler who’s so kind towards all of her people and they just adore her in turn!
Anyone who loves Disney knows that there’s always a ruthless, selfish, evil villain and the villain in this story wasn’t an exception! Though he was more power hungry than anything and wanted Aurora’s hand in marriage so he can rule and subdue the Fair Folk, especially Aurora’s own Godmother, the wonderful Maleficent. Sufficed it to say, Heart of the Moors is definitely a book that I recommend to anyone who loves not only the Maleficent lore, but anything Disney! Thank you so much to the team at Scholastic Books Australia for sending me a copy of Heart of the Moors to read and review.
November 3, 2019
Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. Thanks! All options are my own.
Author: Holly Black
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3.5/5
Publication Date: October 8, 2019
Recommended Age: 13+ (the past comes back to haunt and I don't think some of it is appropriate for younger kids especially since in the first movie Maleficent losing her wings was an analogy for rape. Nothing is really that bad in this one but I worry about the context younger kids might get from watching the movies then reading the book).
Genre: MG (ehhhh) Fantasy
Publisher: Disney Press
Synopsis: From New York Times bestselling author Holly Black comes a captivating original novel set between Disney's Maleficent and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, in which newly-queened Aurora struggles to be the best leader to both the humans and Fair Folk under her reign; her beau, Prince Phillip, longs to get to know Aurora and her kingdom better; and Maleficent has trouble letting go of the past.
Review: Overall, this book was pretty good. It had a lot of detail that were in the movies and some that wasn't. It had a lot of great insights as well.
However, I didn't really like the writing style of it and the book was a little weird to read. It's basically marketed as an MG book but the movies were definitely PG 13 and up. Like... There was a lot of stuff in it that would be a bit scary or over the head of younger children. Kinda confused about the marketing but it's whatever. The characters felt flat to me too and Maleficent just didn't feel like Maleficent to me.
Verdict: It's an okay book, just watch it around youngers.
Author: Holly Black
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3.5/5
Publication Date: October 8, 2019
Recommended Age: 13+ (the past comes back to haunt and I don't think some of it is appropriate for younger kids especially since in the first movie Maleficent losing her wings was an analogy for rape. Nothing is really that bad in this one but I worry about the context younger kids might get from watching the movies then reading the book).
Genre: MG (ehhhh) Fantasy
Publisher: Disney Press
Synopsis: From New York Times bestselling author Holly Black comes a captivating original novel set between Disney's Maleficent and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, in which newly-queened Aurora struggles to be the best leader to both the humans and Fair Folk under her reign; her beau, Prince Phillip, longs to get to know Aurora and her kingdom better; and Maleficent has trouble letting go of the past.
Review: Overall, this book was pretty good. It had a lot of detail that were in the movies and some that wasn't. It had a lot of great insights as well.
However, I didn't really like the writing style of it and the book was a little weird to read. It's basically marketed as an MG book but the movies were definitely PG 13 and up. Like... There was a lot of stuff in it that would be a bit scary or over the head of younger children. Kinda confused about the marketing but it's whatever. The characters felt flat to me too and Maleficent just didn't feel like Maleficent to me.
Verdict: It's an okay book, just watch it around youngers.
April 3, 2020
4.5/5 stars!
This was such a fun book about the relationship between Maleficent and Aurora after the curse was broken. Prince Philip couldn’t end the curse but it was broken and Aurora is queen, attempting to rule both of her kingdoms peacefully. However there has been conflict between the humans and fairies for so long Aurora is uncertain how to peaked everyone.
Again, this was a fun cute story about Aurora trying to bring both of her kingdoms together to live peacefully while bad guys plot in the background to destroy her plans.
This was such a fun book about the relationship between Maleficent and Aurora after the curse was broken. Prince Philip couldn’t end the curse but it was broken and Aurora is queen, attempting to rule both of her kingdoms peacefully. However there has been conflict between the humans and fairies for so long Aurora is uncertain how to peaked everyone.
Again, this was a fun cute story about Aurora trying to bring both of her kingdoms together to live peacefully while bad guys plot in the background to destroy her plans.
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