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The Ealdspell Cycle #1
Æroreh
THIS BOOK IS NO LONGER IN RETAIL DISTRIBUTION. New title is "Of Dreams and Shadows.
Her reality is a dream. His is a nightmare.
Beauty. Gentleness. Obedience. Grace. Good cheer.
Faerie blessed at birth, Princess Æroreh Rosen was molded into feminine perfection for the queen’s agenda of a New Dawn Era.
But the realm of Rothlín is far from perfect.
Hunger and sickness plague the factory-choked land. Æroreh, however, is oblivious to the plight of her people. Or her mother’s cruelty. Plugged into The Dream, she is programmed to remain awake and only see a prospering realm through illusions of beauty and contentment. But all that changes when a rebel sect of faeries releases her mind and unleashes her magic—the power to weave new realities while dreaming.
Now on the run, Æroreh’s unspooling world collides with Félip Batten McKinley’s, a shadow walker and the surviving heir to the throne of faerie. The very throne the queen maneuvers to annihilate. And why the faeries hid him as a child in the factory slums of Rothlín. But an uprising pushes Félip from the shadows of his life and into the hauntingly beautiful light of Æroreh Rosen—a young woman who represents every nightmare he knows.
Yet only she has the power to awaken a new dream.
Æroreh is a gritty dystopian mythpunk spin on the romantic tale of Sleeping Beauty, blending faerie magic and pagan ritual with high technology. Guaranteed to please readers who love angsty, enemies-to-lovers slow-burn romances, twisted faerie tales, and strong found family themes.
STANDALONE in a connected series / shared world
Guaranteed happily ever after
Name pronounced like Aurora.
Her reality is a dream. His is a nightmare.
Beauty. Gentleness. Obedience. Grace. Good cheer.
Faerie blessed at birth, Princess Æroreh Rosen was molded into feminine perfection for the queen’s agenda of a New Dawn Era.
But the realm of Rothlín is far from perfect.
Hunger and sickness plague the factory-choked land. Æroreh, however, is oblivious to the plight of her people. Or her mother’s cruelty. Plugged into The Dream, she is programmed to remain awake and only see a prospering realm through illusions of beauty and contentment. But all that changes when a rebel sect of faeries releases her mind and unleashes her magic—the power to weave new realities while dreaming.
Now on the run, Æroreh’s unspooling world collides with Félip Batten McKinley’s, a shadow walker and the surviving heir to the throne of faerie. The very throne the queen maneuvers to annihilate. And why the faeries hid him as a child in the factory slums of Rothlín. But an uprising pushes Félip from the shadows of his life and into the hauntingly beautiful light of Æroreh Rosen—a young woman who represents every nightmare he knows.
Yet only she has the power to awaken a new dream.
Æroreh is a gritty dystopian mythpunk spin on the romantic tale of Sleeping Beauty, blending faerie magic and pagan ritual with high technology. Guaranteed to please readers who love angsty, enemies-to-lovers slow-burn romances, twisted faerie tales, and strong found family themes.
STANDALONE in a connected series / shared world
Guaranteed happily ever after
Name pronounced like Aurora.
246 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 2019
427 people are currently reading
3641 people want to read
About the author
Jesikah Sundin
21 books607 followersJESIKAH SUNDIN is a multi-award winning Fae Romantasy, Dystopian Punk Lit, and Historical Fantasy writer, a mom of three nerdlets, a faeriecore and elfpunk geek, tree hugger, nature photographer, and a helpless romantic who married her insta-love high school sweetheart. In addition to her family, she shares her home in Seattle, Washington with a rambunctious husky-chi and a collection of Doc Martens boots. She is addicted to coffee, GIFs, memes, potatoes, cheese, kilts, mossy forests, eyeliner on men, and artsy indie alt rock.
AUTHOR NAMES:
Jesikah Sundin: fae fantasy romance, dystopian
J. Sundin: reverse harem fantasy romance
Jae Dawson: contemporary new adult romance
AUTHOR NAMES:
Jesikah Sundin: fae fantasy romance, dystopian
J. Sundin: reverse harem fantasy romance
Jae Dawson: contemporary new adult romance
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
May 7, 2024
3.75 stars.
Sleeping Beauty retelling with faes? I'm in!
Sleeping Beauty retelling with faes? I'm in!
Read
June 24, 2020*This is one of the #SPFBO books in my batch this year*
I DNF-ed this book at 43% (end of Ch 10) after I found it tricky to really get into and a little confusing. I feel like there's a lot of potential here with a mashup between magic and technology being at the forefront of the plot, but it never really paid off for me. I felt as though instead of clashing or complimenting one another, they just got a bit tangled and muddled together and there was a bit too much exposition for my personal liking.
This story focuses on the perfect princess Æroreh and seems to be heavily inspired by mythology of Scotland, Wales and Ireland folktales. There are resemblances to Sleeping Beauty too, but this tries to take a more techy strand and weave that through everything.
It seems that the Princess has been conditioned to believe certain things must be dine so the realm doesn't fall apart. When she's kidnapped by a rival group that try to show her the 'real' world and the fae world she is baffled by the explainations and expectations (or lack of).
As mentioned, the writing is what didn't quite work for me here. I actually adore the cover and the premise drew me in, but the plot was the sticking point for me as it felt a bit too disordered and tangled. Personally I wanted to 'know' Æroreh more than I did, and she felt more robotic and brainwashed to me than I wanted.
Overall, this just wasn't the book for me and sadly it won't be a finalist for me, but if you like fae stories and technology blends and royal families you may prefer it.
I DNF-ed this book at 43% (end of Ch 10) after I found it tricky to really get into and a little confusing. I feel like there's a lot of potential here with a mashup between magic and technology being at the forefront of the plot, but it never really paid off for me. I felt as though instead of clashing or complimenting one another, they just got a bit tangled and muddled together and there was a bit too much exposition for my personal liking.
This story focuses on the perfect princess Æroreh and seems to be heavily inspired by mythology of Scotland, Wales and Ireland folktales. There are resemblances to Sleeping Beauty too, but this tries to take a more techy strand and weave that through everything.
It seems that the Princess has been conditioned to believe certain things must be dine so the realm doesn't fall apart. When she's kidnapped by a rival group that try to show her the 'real' world and the fae world she is baffled by the explainations and expectations (or lack of).
As mentioned, the writing is what didn't quite work for me here. I actually adore the cover and the premise drew me in, but the plot was the sticking point for me as it felt a bit too disordered and tangled. Personally I wanted to 'know' Æroreh more than I did, and she felt more robotic and brainwashed to me than I wanted.
Overall, this just wasn't the book for me and sadly it won't be a finalist for me, but if you like fae stories and technology blends and royal families you may prefer it.
July 10, 2021
I am a big fan of fairy tale retellings and YA, so I really thought this book would be right up my alley. Unfortunately, it fell short for me. While the prose was good, the story itself felt bland and confusing. The author tries to weave in so many different elements that nothing really sticks. The character development was lacking and the relationship pacing felt especially awkward as well. The names of characters are also extremely misspelled, to the point that it really distracts from the story. I have read many books with creative spellings, but none that were as extreme as this. When I tried to focus on how the author said they said the name, I kept loosing track of what was going on in the confusing puzzling plot. Because the writing style itself was still enjoyable, I was able to finish it, but it definitely wasn't for the plot.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 11, 2022
“People who know their own mind aren’t controlled by pretty lies.”
This book is the pure embodiment of the "Grumpy one is soft for the sunshine one" trope, and it's WONDERFUL.
It's a beautiful mashup of the Sleeping Beauty faerie tale and the Matrix in the Victorian Revolution. It's a world where magic and technology are one in the same and I can't put into words just how well thought-out this world is. Every detail of how things work has been thought of, and explained in a detail that's not overwhelming. It simply is the way things are in this world.
I loved the characters. I find it's always difficult to relate to characters when mind-control themes are involved, but Æroreh's journey into discovering what it is she wants in life is truly inspiring. The scene with her and Félip learning to shadow walk was both beautiful and hilarious (the humour in general is great throughout the book!). It really showed off who these characters were, what their growth would look like, and how well they work together. Their growing relationship felt so natural. They love because they need each other and fit together emotionally.
I enjoyed the hints to the next book, based off Snow White. I'm so looking forward to seeing how this mythpunk world will adapt to her tale next.
This book is the pure embodiment of the "Grumpy one is soft for the sunshine one" trope, and it's WONDERFUL.
It's a beautiful mashup of the Sleeping Beauty faerie tale and the Matrix in the Victorian Revolution. It's a world where magic and technology are one in the same and I can't put into words just how well thought-out this world is. Every detail of how things work has been thought of, and explained in a detail that's not overwhelming. It simply is the way things are in this world.
I loved the characters. I find it's always difficult to relate to characters when mind-control themes are involved, but Æroreh's journey into discovering what it is she wants in life is truly inspiring. The scene with her and Félip learning to shadow walk was both beautiful and hilarious (the humour in general is great throughout the book!). It really showed off who these characters were, what their growth would look like, and how well they work together. Their growing relationship felt so natural. They love because they need each other and fit together emotionally.
I enjoyed the hints to the next book, based off Snow White. I'm so looking forward to seeing how this mythpunk world will adapt to her tale next.
October 15, 2019
I had the absolute pleasure of beta reading this beautiful book and guys. You are in for a treat.
Æroreh (Aurora) is a mythpunk Sleeping Beauty retelling; meaning that while you see a lot of the traditional fantasy elements, there's also high technology and Sundin blends these worlds seamlessly. As per her trademark, the writing style is deep and lyrical, taking its time to wend through the story. I've never read another author who reminds me of Sundin, in a very good way.
And Félip! I love Félip. He's the best kind of prince.
Anywho, I devoured Æroreh. I'm not honestly much of a Sleeping Beauty person; I don't dislike her, but I've never been drawn to her. That said there's always been something about the princess being rescued from the tower that spoke to my romance loving heart. But Sundin . . . she made it even better! I'm not going to spoil. But if you want a retelling that fights the patriarchal views of the original, and that encourages strength and emotions in both genders? Give this one a shot. ;)
Æroreh (Aurora) is a mythpunk Sleeping Beauty retelling; meaning that while you see a lot of the traditional fantasy elements, there's also high technology and Sundin blends these worlds seamlessly. As per her trademark, the writing style is deep and lyrical, taking its time to wend through the story. I've never read another author who reminds me of Sundin, in a very good way.
And Félip! I love Félip. He's the best kind of prince.
Anywho, I devoured Æroreh. I'm not honestly much of a Sleeping Beauty person; I don't dislike her, but I've never been drawn to her. That said there's always been something about the princess being rescued from the tower that spoke to my romance loving heart. But Sundin . . . she made it even better! I'm not going to spoil. But if you want a retelling that fights the patriarchal views of the original, and that encourages strength and emotions in both genders? Give this one a shot. ;)
September 30, 2022
Princess Aroreh Rosen is beautiful and graceful, delicate and kind, docile and gentle. She was made this way at birth by the faeries who blessed her, and for her entire existence, she’s been living in a perfect, dreamlike state of bliss. Aroreh has never known anything else, but the harsh reality is that her kingdom is not as perfect as her mother makes it seem. Rothlín is afflicted with hunger, sickness, and poverty, and Aroreh has no idea. Aroreh has been rogrammed to view the world through rose colored glasses, a tool forged for the cruel queen’s malevolent plans.
But when a spell is cast on Aroreh that allows her to see the world as it is, everything changes. Now on the run from her mother and her forces, Aroreh must learn to cope with all of the things she had never been aware of. In the process, she runs into Félip Batten MacKinley, the shadow walker who also happens to be the last surviving heir to the throne of faerie, a throne her mother is actively trying to destroy. Félip has always hated Aroreh for what she represents, but once he actually gets to know her, he finds himself drawn to her gentle spirit and inherent goodness. Together, they might be able to stop the queen, if she doesn’t stop them first…
Oh. My. God. This is my first Jesikah Sundin book, and I absolutely loved it. I love how unique the world of Rothlín is, and all the different politics that are happening. The world building was absolutely exquisite, and I loved how I got sucked into this world and this story from the very first page. I also loved all the side characters, but especially Gellynor. This world is amazing, and I’m so pleased to have discovered it, and Jesikah Sundin as an author. I will definitely be continuing the series and looking into her other work!
Let’s talk about Aroreh and Félip for a second. First of all, I love how pure their relationship is. At first, Félip hated Aroreh because she came from a kingdom that annihilated his, but as soon as he realized that she was not like her mother, the queen, his opinion of her changed. I loved how he went from being disgruntled at her presence to slowly craving the time he spent with her. As for Aroreh, I think she is one of the strongest heroines I’ve ever read about. At the age of sixteen, she finds out her entire life has been a lie, and she handles it with so much grace. Yes, she’s confused at times, and yes, she has moments where she’s upset or anxious, but that just makes her all the more relatable. Aroreh chooses to continue to be good and try to help her people and Félip’s, even if it meant losing her mother’s favor and being branded as a traitor. I think that’s very powerful, and I loved that aspect of this novel. I completely recommend!
But when a spell is cast on Aroreh that allows her to see the world as it is, everything changes. Now on the run from her mother and her forces, Aroreh must learn to cope with all of the things she had never been aware of. In the process, she runs into Félip Batten MacKinley, the shadow walker who also happens to be the last surviving heir to the throne of faerie, a throne her mother is actively trying to destroy. Félip has always hated Aroreh for what she represents, but once he actually gets to know her, he finds himself drawn to her gentle spirit and inherent goodness. Together, they might be able to stop the queen, if she doesn’t stop them first…
Oh. My. God. This is my first Jesikah Sundin book, and I absolutely loved it. I love how unique the world of Rothlín is, and all the different politics that are happening. The world building was absolutely exquisite, and I loved how I got sucked into this world and this story from the very first page. I also loved all the side characters, but especially Gellynor. This world is amazing, and I’m so pleased to have discovered it, and Jesikah Sundin as an author. I will definitely be continuing the series and looking into her other work!
Let’s talk about Aroreh and Félip for a second. First of all, I love how pure their relationship is. At first, Félip hated Aroreh because she came from a kingdom that annihilated his, but as soon as he realized that she was not like her mother, the queen, his opinion of her changed. I loved how he went from being disgruntled at her presence to slowly craving the time he spent with her. As for Aroreh, I think she is one of the strongest heroines I’ve ever read about. At the age of sixteen, she finds out her entire life has been a lie, and she handles it with so much grace. Yes, she’s confused at times, and yes, she has moments where she’s upset or anxious, but that just makes her all the more relatable. Aroreh chooses to continue to be good and try to help her people and Félip’s, even if it meant losing her mother’s favor and being branded as a traitor. I think that’s very powerful, and I loved that aspect of this novel. I completely recommend!
July 12, 2023
This was such a cute YA sleeping beauty retelling!
This mixes fairytale with technology and it actually worked out pretty well! The sleeping beauty main character is actually programmed- she was created to bring others joy. Or so she thought…
The main love interest digs deeper into her story and dreams to figure out the truth and together they figure out nothing is as it seems!
Definitely reading more from this author 🤍
This mixes fairytale with technology and it actually worked out pretty well! The sleeping beauty main character is actually programmed- she was created to bring others joy. Or so she thought…
The main love interest digs deeper into her story and dreams to figure out the truth and together they figure out nothing is as it seems!
Definitely reading more from this author 🤍
September 2, 2023
What a fun story! This is Mythpunk, which is a new genre for me. It has some foreign words, though there's a glossary (Thank You Jesikah!). I struggled at the beginning a little with remembering the words but it all came together in the first third of the book. It's written with dual perspectives, which was really well done. The magic system is mixed with technology, which was super cool!
Æroreh kind of reminded me of Rapunzel from Tangled. Fun and silly, but also that internal struggle to please her mother. I love Æroreh and Félip's chemistry. They are so cute together.
Two of my favorite lines: 💕
"She was going to murder him, one smile at a time."
"His humor softened and their gazes locked. 'Lass, if I were to corrupt ye, there'd be no suffering, ye ken? Only sighs and smiles.' "
Looking forward to book 2!
Æroreh kind of reminded me of Rapunzel from Tangled. Fun and silly, but also that internal struggle to please her mother. I love Æroreh and Félip's chemistry. They are so cute together.
Two of my favorite lines: 💕
"She was going to murder him, one smile at a time."
"His humor softened and their gazes locked. 'Lass, if I were to corrupt ye, there'd be no suffering, ye ken? Only sighs and smiles.' "
Looking forward to book 2!
April 29, 2021
I really enjoyed the world-building of this author and soon after starting found myself thoroughly immersed in the descriptions and expertly constructed scenes. However, although I liked the merging of the technology and magical lore, I found some of it unclear and confusing, and this, alongside the male leads heavily accented dialogue, left me feeling wrenched out of the story too often for me to get lost in it. I have not read a book of this type before (merging fantasy with technology), so perhaps I am just unused to this. The re-telling of the traditional tale 'sleeping beauty' and the research done into the story was fantastic. A really interesting re-telling and absolutely something a little bit different.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 20, 2021
I received an ARC of this book and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Aeroreh is the perfect princess.
Coded from birth to usher in the New Dawn Era, Aeroreh is the personification of beauty, grace, kindness, and obedience. The only world Aeroreh has ever known, however, is about to crumble at her feet and lay bare its secrets. For years the Kingdom of Ealdspell has suffered from a blighting illness. The princess, plugged into a program called The Dream, only sees the illusion that all is well so long as she dutifully performs for the goddess.
That is, until, a scarred young man named Felip comes to awaken Aeroreh from the illusion of her life.
This book belongs to a genre that is new to me - Mythpunk - and it reads to me like a retelling of Sleeping Beauty, albeit in a Fae-like land complete with high tech.
Author Jesikah Sundin creates a lush tale bursting with sensory language that reads beautifully. Aeroreh is heartbreakingly lovely under the coding of her mother the Queen. She is everything a young girl strives in her deepest desires to be … only to find out later that nothing is as it really seems.
Felip is a young man with a secret past who has suffered every humiliation due to the frostbite scar on his face. But when he’s offered a way out of poverty and debasement, he crosses paths with the perfectly coded princess and changes everyone’s lives.
The only criticism I can offer here is that the exposition was a bit lengthy and confusing. Rather than reveling in Sundin’s stunning prose, part of my brain was trying to figure out what exactly was going on. I would love to have seen more world building or explanation about where and when and why we were where we were.
I am, however, looking forward to the next installment of the series!
Aeroreh is the perfect princess.
Coded from birth to usher in the New Dawn Era, Aeroreh is the personification of beauty, grace, kindness, and obedience. The only world Aeroreh has ever known, however, is about to crumble at her feet and lay bare its secrets. For years the Kingdom of Ealdspell has suffered from a blighting illness. The princess, plugged into a program called The Dream, only sees the illusion that all is well so long as she dutifully performs for the goddess.
That is, until, a scarred young man named Felip comes to awaken Aeroreh from the illusion of her life.
This book belongs to a genre that is new to me - Mythpunk - and it reads to me like a retelling of Sleeping Beauty, albeit in a Fae-like land complete with high tech.
Author Jesikah Sundin creates a lush tale bursting with sensory language that reads beautifully. Aeroreh is heartbreakingly lovely under the coding of her mother the Queen. She is everything a young girl strives in her deepest desires to be … only to find out later that nothing is as it really seems.
Felip is a young man with a secret past who has suffered every humiliation due to the frostbite scar on his face. But when he’s offered a way out of poverty and debasement, he crosses paths with the perfectly coded princess and changes everyone’s lives.
The only criticism I can offer here is that the exposition was a bit lengthy and confusing. Rather than reveling in Sundin’s stunning prose, part of my brain was trying to figure out what exactly was going on. I would love to have seen more world building or explanation about where and when and why we were where we were.
I am, however, looking forward to the next installment of the series!
September 28, 2023
I have had this on my TBR list for a while - THAT COVER!! Love it.
But I’ve listened to almost half of it, and…. it’s just a LOT of world building through very long info dumps that I can’t follow because 1) the thick Scottish brogue is, well, thick. And 2) all these names and places and various groups of elves with various motivations doing various things…. Yeah, it’s losing me. And I’m getting bored.
Outside of all this overly complex world building, there is very little character or plot development. I wish I felt more connected to the characters. And the writing is a bit flowery for my taste.
Dual perspective doesn’t help, either. Being privy to Felipe’s inner thoughts weakens the chemistry and tension between him and Aurora. There’s no mystery to this man that she is instantly attracted to. I really don’t like dual perspective for that reason.
The narrator adds little laughs and chuffs and sighs as she reads, which I don’t really enjoy. It makes it seem kinda cheesy to me. :/
Sadly, I’m calling it quits and moving on.
It has a great cover, tho!
But I’ve listened to almost half of it, and…. it’s just a LOT of world building through very long info dumps that I can’t follow because 1) the thick Scottish brogue is, well, thick. And 2) all these names and places and various groups of elves with various motivations doing various things…. Yeah, it’s losing me. And I’m getting bored.
Outside of all this overly complex world building, there is very little character or plot development. I wish I felt more connected to the characters. And the writing is a bit flowery for my taste.
Dual perspective doesn’t help, either. Being privy to Felipe’s inner thoughts weakens the chemistry and tension between him and Aurora. There’s no mystery to this man that she is instantly attracted to. I really don’t like dual perspective for that reason.
The narrator adds little laughs and chuffs and sighs as she reads, which I don’t really enjoy. It makes it seem kinda cheesy to me. :/
Sadly, I’m calling it quits and moving on.
It has a great cover, tho!
February 24, 2021
Æroreh by Jesikah Sundin is a beautifully twisted Sleeping Beauty retelling that injects a hint of dystopian sci-fi into a lush fantasy landscape. The intriguing combination of technology and faery lore makes this a stand-out in a sea of fairytale reimaginings.
Félip is the perfectly imperfect contrast to our heroine, Æroreh. He is charming, humble, and pleasantly real in a world where people are programed to behave "ideally". I loved him from the first page he is mentioned. Æroreh took a bit more time to see through all the glamour, but once she started revealing her true nature, I enjoyed seeing her character flourish.
This is the first in The Ealdspell Cycle. Though this book reaches a nice resolution, it does a fair job of introducing the premise of book 2, which appears to follow different characters set in the same world. I look forward to the continuation of this tale and recommend book 1 for fans of The Lunar Chronicles and Praetorian Rising.
The audiobook is narrated by Olivia King, who does a fantastic job creating two distinct characters that bring this book to life. Her mastery of accents was evident in her seamless delivery.
I'd like to thank the author for providing a free audio book of Æroreh in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Find this review and others like it on www.myheartisbooked.com
Félip is the perfectly imperfect contrast to our heroine, Æroreh. He is charming, humble, and pleasantly real in a world where people are programed to behave "ideally". I loved him from the first page he is mentioned. Æroreh took a bit more time to see through all the glamour, but once she started revealing her true nature, I enjoyed seeing her character flourish.
This is the first in The Ealdspell Cycle. Though this book reaches a nice resolution, it does a fair job of introducing the premise of book 2, which appears to follow different characters set in the same world. I look forward to the continuation of this tale and recommend book 1 for fans of The Lunar Chronicles and Praetorian Rising.
The audiobook is narrated by Olivia King, who does a fantastic job creating two distinct characters that bring this book to life. Her mastery of accents was evident in her seamless delivery.
I'd like to thank the author for providing a free audio book of Æroreh in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Find this review and others like it on www.myheartisbooked.com
September 15, 2022
Perfect Retelling
This book is wonderful! It is a perfect retelling of Sleeping Beauty but in a more modern way. I really enjoyed the growing relationship between the two main characters and how their personalities were so good together.
This book is wonderful! It is a perfect retelling of Sleeping Beauty but in a more modern way. I really enjoyed the growing relationship between the two main characters and how their personalities were so good together.
February 25, 2023
Intriguing spin to an old classic
I am so glad this book was recommended to me. The mashup of genres and the twists to the old fairytale were amazingly carried out. I really enjoyed the story and can't wait to explore the rest of the series!
I am so glad this book was recommended to me. The mashup of genres and the twists to the old fairytale were amazingly carried out. I really enjoyed the story and can't wait to explore the rest of the series!
February 14, 2024
This would’ve been 1 star but Aroreh and Felip were cute together
August 19, 2022
Ebook and Audio
This book was beautiful. It’s a retelling of The Sleeping Beauty but has a much different spin to it. If you’re a fan of twisted faerie tales you’ll love this one. The world created and the plot behind all these beautifully written words take you on an adventure like no other. I was not expecting what I read but I was DEFINITELY not disappointed. I hadn’t read the blurb, I went in slightly blinded.
I absolutely loved all of the not so hidden messages Jesikah added to her story and how Aeroreh played it out so wonderfully with her sweet and lovely self. Oh and Felip, he’s a dream. I would love to hear more about him. He’s snarky and sarcastic and I freaking loved it! The way he is towards the princess is so loving and adoring. He truly is a good one 💙.
I read along while listening to the audio. The narrator has an amazing voice. It was so soothing while she read as Aeroreh and when she read for Felip is was awesome! I loved her Scottish accent for him. 🏴
All around this book was pure magic an I can not wait for the third book in The Ealdspell Cycle. 🍄 🧚🏻♀️🍃
This book was beautiful. It’s a retelling of The Sleeping Beauty but has a much different spin to it. If you’re a fan of twisted faerie tales you’ll love this one. The world created and the plot behind all these beautifully written words take you on an adventure like no other. I was not expecting what I read but I was DEFINITELY not disappointed. I hadn’t read the blurb, I went in slightly blinded.
I absolutely loved all of the not so hidden messages Jesikah added to her story and how Aeroreh played it out so wonderfully with her sweet and lovely self. Oh and Felip, he’s a dream. I would love to hear more about him. He’s snarky and sarcastic and I freaking loved it! The way he is towards the princess is so loving and adoring. He truly is a good one 💙.
I read along while listening to the audio. The narrator has an amazing voice. It was so soothing while she read as Aeroreh and when she read for Felip is was awesome! I loved her Scottish accent for him. 🏴
All around this book was pure magic an I can not wait for the third book in The Ealdspell Cycle. 🍄 🧚🏻♀️🍃
June 30, 2020
Wow... This book was phenomenal. Jesikah Sundin has a way with words unlike any other author I know. She perfectly blended the fantasy and sci-fi aspects of this story, weaving a tale that made you wonder if what was happening was magic or technology. This was the most unique fairytale retelling I've ever read. I honestly can't say enough about this story or the gorgeous package it comes in. (That cover is to die for!)
I can't wait to read more from this author. I was truly transported with each page. I also might be in love with Felip... *swoons in Scottish rogue*
I can't wait to read more from this author. I was truly transported with each page. I also might be in love with Felip... *swoons in Scottish rogue*
November 15, 2019
I absolutely love a good fairytale retelling so when I read this - Æroreh is a gritty spin on the romantic tale of Sleeping Beauty and blends faerie magic and pagan ritual with high technology, I knew I had to read it and OMG am I glad I did cause it was amazing! A well written , fun yet unique take of a favourite fairytale that had me on the edge of my seat the whole read! Full of adventure, twists and turns, this mythpunk tale is definitely well worth a read!
June 28, 2024
“Of Dreams and Shadows" by Jesikah Sundin is an absolute gem in the realm of fantasy literature. This novel masterfully combines elements of magic, mystery, and richly layered characters to create an unforgettable reading experience.
From the moment I began reading, I was captivated by Sundin's ability to craft a world that feels both wondrously fantastical and deeply grounded in reality. The setting is meticulously detailed, immersing the reader in a universe where dreams and shadows hold untold power. Sundin’s descriptive prose is nothing short of enchanting, painting vivid images that leap off the page and pull you into her imaginative landscape.
The story follows a protagonist whose journey is as compelling as it is heart-wrenching. She is a beautifully complex character, filled with strength, vulnerability, and a determination that makes her incredibly relatable. Her personal growth throughout the novel is a testament to Sundin's skill in character development, making her someone readers can root for wholeheartedly.
The supporting characters are equally well-crafted, each bringing their own unique flavor to the narrative. Their interactions are authentic and rich with emotional depth, adding layers of complexity to the story. The relationships, whether based on friendship, love, or rivalry, are portrayed with a nuance that adds to the overall richness of the novel.
The plot is intricately woven, with a perfect balance of action, suspense, and introspection. Sundin expertly builds tension, leading to moments of breathtaking excitement and profound revelation. Just when you think you have the story figured out, unexpected twists and turns keep you on your toes, making for a gripping read from start to finish.
One of the standout aspects of "Of Dreams and Shadows" is the underlying themes it explores. Sundin delves into the nature of dreams, the shadows we all carry, and the courage it takes to confront them. These themes resonate on a deeply personal level, inviting readers to reflect on their own journeys and the dreams and shadows that shape their lives.
In addition to its compelling narrative, the book is beautifully written. Sundin's lyrical prose flows effortlessly, making for an immersive and engaging reading experience. Her ability to evoke emotion through her words is truly remarkable, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.
"Of Dreams and Shadows" is a must-read for fans of fantasy and anyone who appreciates a well-told story. Jesikah Sundin has crafted a novel that is not only entertaining but also profoundly moving and thought-provoking. This is a book that will linger in your mind and heart, a testament to Sundin's talent as a storyteller. I wholeheartedly recommend it and am excited to read “Of Heart and Stone.”
From the moment I began reading, I was captivated by Sundin's ability to craft a world that feels both wondrously fantastical and deeply grounded in reality. The setting is meticulously detailed, immersing the reader in a universe where dreams and shadows hold untold power. Sundin’s descriptive prose is nothing short of enchanting, painting vivid images that leap off the page and pull you into her imaginative landscape.
The story follows a protagonist whose journey is as compelling as it is heart-wrenching. She is a beautifully complex character, filled with strength, vulnerability, and a determination that makes her incredibly relatable. Her personal growth throughout the novel is a testament to Sundin's skill in character development, making her someone readers can root for wholeheartedly.
The supporting characters are equally well-crafted, each bringing their own unique flavor to the narrative. Their interactions are authentic and rich with emotional depth, adding layers of complexity to the story. The relationships, whether based on friendship, love, or rivalry, are portrayed with a nuance that adds to the overall richness of the novel.
The plot is intricately woven, with a perfect balance of action, suspense, and introspection. Sundin expertly builds tension, leading to moments of breathtaking excitement and profound revelation. Just when you think you have the story figured out, unexpected twists and turns keep you on your toes, making for a gripping read from start to finish.
One of the standout aspects of "Of Dreams and Shadows" is the underlying themes it explores. Sundin delves into the nature of dreams, the shadows we all carry, and the courage it takes to confront them. These themes resonate on a deeply personal level, inviting readers to reflect on their own journeys and the dreams and shadows that shape their lives.
In addition to its compelling narrative, the book is beautifully written. Sundin's lyrical prose flows effortlessly, making for an immersive and engaging reading experience. Her ability to evoke emotion through her words is truly remarkable, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.
"Of Dreams and Shadows" is a must-read for fans of fantasy and anyone who appreciates a well-told story. Jesikah Sundin has crafted a novel that is not only entertaining but also profoundly moving and thought-provoking. This is a book that will linger in your mind and heart, a testament to Sundin's talent as a storyteller. I wholeheartedly recommend it and am excited to read “Of Heart and Stone.”
March 31, 2021
I LOVED this book! I absolutely love retellings, and was excited to get the opportunity to read this Sleeping Beauty retelling!
In this retelling, we follow Aeororah who has been programmed(like literally) to be the perfect princess of her kingdom and is basically plugged into this system called The Dream that makes everything seem perfect and happy. She is about to be purified and offered to their goddess when the ceremony is disrupted by elves who steal away the princess and wake her up from this program to help her see the reality of her life and everyone else’s lives in her kingdom. And this is done with the help of a man named Felip who is considered a Blight because of a scar on his face. He and the elves help Aerorah learn to be her own person and to think for herself so that she can save her kingdom.
This was such an interesting and unique take on the story of Sleeping Beauty. I loved the mix of steampunk with fantasy and magic mixed with science, it was utterly fascinating! I loved how the author mixed history with fantasy in this world. It made it very unique and I would have loved more details about the magic and technology because that confused me at times, but what I did understand I loved!
I loved watching Aerorah learn to be her own person and to see how Felip and the elves helped her see that she has thoughts, feelings, and opinions and that she has the right to voice those thoughts and opinions. At first, I found her a bit annoying, but I thought about being in her position and being as young as she is, and realized, I’m pretty sure I would have acted the same way. I mean she’s been brainwashed her whole life and has to learn how to think for herself, not to mention to figure out who to trust. That wouldn’t have been easy by any means! And Felip, who I just adore, my heart went out to. It was terrible to read how cruel people were to him because he had a scar on his face. Living in a world where everyone expected everyone to be perfect and have no blemishes, and viewed those with scars as monsters was just awful. He was bitter for good reason, but has such a good heart, and with Aerorah’s help really focused on being the better person to help the people stuck in The Dream.
The romance in this book was also perfect! I love slow burn romances, and this one delivered!
If you love retellings, I highly recommend this book! I can hardly wait for the next book that is supposed to be a retelling of Snow White! I received an advance review copy for free(thank you to BookSirens and the author), and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In this retelling, we follow Aeororah who has been programmed(like literally) to be the perfect princess of her kingdom and is basically plugged into this system called The Dream that makes everything seem perfect and happy. She is about to be purified and offered to their goddess when the ceremony is disrupted by elves who steal away the princess and wake her up from this program to help her see the reality of her life and everyone else’s lives in her kingdom. And this is done with the help of a man named Felip who is considered a Blight because of a scar on his face. He and the elves help Aerorah learn to be her own person and to think for herself so that she can save her kingdom.
This was such an interesting and unique take on the story of Sleeping Beauty. I loved the mix of steampunk with fantasy and magic mixed with science, it was utterly fascinating! I loved how the author mixed history with fantasy in this world. It made it very unique and I would have loved more details about the magic and technology because that confused me at times, but what I did understand I loved!
I loved watching Aerorah learn to be her own person and to see how Felip and the elves helped her see that she has thoughts, feelings, and opinions and that she has the right to voice those thoughts and opinions. At first, I found her a bit annoying, but I thought about being in her position and being as young as she is, and realized, I’m pretty sure I would have acted the same way. I mean she’s been brainwashed her whole life and has to learn how to think for herself, not to mention to figure out who to trust. That wouldn’t have been easy by any means! And Felip, who I just adore, my heart went out to. It was terrible to read how cruel people were to him because he had a scar on his face. Living in a world where everyone expected everyone to be perfect and have no blemishes, and viewed those with scars as monsters was just awful. He was bitter for good reason, but has such a good heart, and with Aerorah’s help really focused on being the better person to help the people stuck in The Dream.
The romance in this book was also perfect! I love slow burn romances, and this one delivered!
If you love retellings, I highly recommend this book! I can hardly wait for the next book that is supposed to be a retelling of Snow White! I received an advance review copy for free(thank you to BookSirens and the author), and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 9, 2023
The first thing that I enjoyed about this book was the contrasting colored pages! Dark chapter header pages really enforce the fact that you are beginning a new section of the book. This novel also has what every good fantasy book has...a good map!
Before the reader begins the book, they are met with a welcome page. This talks a little bit about the Kingdom of Ealdspell and even gives us an idea of how to pronounce the character names. This was something I referred back to as the names are a little atypical, not in a bad way but it does make the reader take a second to remember to pronounce them correctly. The end of the book provides some historical notes and more books by the author as well as information about their Etsy seller page.
Now, diving into the book we are met with a letter from a character pleading us for help. This I feel was an attempt to pull the reader in, a hook so to speak. It did work for me. I really wanted to know what the heck was going on in the kingdom and learn about the author of the letter.
The worldbuilding was good but I did feel that the author tried to cram a little too much in at times. Between the magick, technology, dream walking, and rune whispering...it became a little too much to keep track of at times. It could have been my ADHD mind wanting to know more about everything but I just was not given enough information about any of these subjects to really feel confident I knew what was happening at all times.
The characters are wonderful. I did want more fleshing out and development but overall I enjoyed them. My only real complaint is the accent Félip spoke in. It was very very thick and took away from the story at times. I enjoy a character where the accent is explained but I am not reading a thick wordy text every time they speak.
The pace felt fast at some points and slower at others, overall not bad. I was able to enjoy the book and finish it in two days. Two days of night reading that is, I am a mom of three boys and a business owner so I do not find much time for reading these days. I am changing that though, slowly.
Overall, I did enjoy this book and I think it is a good foundation that could use some work but it was a wonderful retelling with many historical and magical aspects. I loved the idea of Rune Whispering and hope to see more of that in the author's other works. I will be reading the second book in the series in the near future and I will post the review when I am finished.
Before the reader begins the book, they are met with a welcome page. This talks a little bit about the Kingdom of Ealdspell and even gives us an idea of how to pronounce the character names. This was something I referred back to as the names are a little atypical, not in a bad way but it does make the reader take a second to remember to pronounce them correctly. The end of the book provides some historical notes and more books by the author as well as information about their Etsy seller page.
Now, diving into the book we are met with a letter from a character pleading us for help. This I feel was an attempt to pull the reader in, a hook so to speak. It did work for me. I really wanted to know what the heck was going on in the kingdom and learn about the author of the letter.
The worldbuilding was good but I did feel that the author tried to cram a little too much in at times. Between the magick, technology, dream walking, and rune whispering...it became a little too much to keep track of at times. It could have been my ADHD mind wanting to know more about everything but I just was not given enough information about any of these subjects to really feel confident I knew what was happening at all times.
The characters are wonderful. I did want more fleshing out and development but overall I enjoyed them. My only real complaint is the accent Félip spoke in. It was very very thick and took away from the story at times. I enjoy a character where the accent is explained but I am not reading a thick wordy text every time they speak.
The pace felt fast at some points and slower at others, overall not bad. I was able to enjoy the book and finish it in two days. Two days of night reading that is, I am a mom of three boys and a business owner so I do not find much time for reading these days. I am changing that though, slowly.
Overall, I did enjoy this book and I think it is a good foundation that could use some work but it was a wonderful retelling with many historical and magical aspects. I loved the idea of Rune Whispering and hope to see more of that in the author's other works. I will be reading the second book in the series in the near future and I will post the review when I am finished.
April 10, 2022
I combined listening to chapters of the audiobook in the evening and reading the paperback during the day.
It's nice to see how elements of a classic fairytale (of the original version, not the disney one) are intertwined with modern elements, like the existence of an AI and runic technology. The same goes for all Ealdspell books. For the characters, I really liked Félip, Ærorah a little bit less because I like the MC to be a bit more sassy, but she was still a lovely character (the personal growth she experiences throughout the book was amazing). Having read Eirwen already, I was soooo happy to see some familiar faces return in this book too (it's nice to see how they help in connecting all the books together). A small downside in my opinion is that you barely get to know why the villain (won't call them by name here to avoid spoilers) does what they do, what the bigger plan is. But this becomes much more apparent in Eirwen, so I'd just suggest you pick up that one as soon as possible so you can dive even deeper into the world of Ealdspell, because there is so much more yet to be discovered.
Both the writing style and the narration were very pleasant to read and listen to. As English isn't my maternal language, it took some time for me to adjust to Félips accent in the audiobook, but it made me hear his voice in the same way while reading the paperback, so in fact it was a really nice touch once I got used to it.
The historical notes at the end of the paperback were also very informative and a big upside to this book.
So if you like amazing fantasy worlds, with characters that will just steal you heart, lots of bantering, the innovative combination of both fairy tales and modern stuff, I'd really suggest you check out the Ealdspell Cycle.
It's nice to see how elements of a classic fairytale (of the original version, not the disney one) are intertwined with modern elements, like the existence of an AI and runic technology. The same goes for all Ealdspell books. For the characters, I really liked Félip, Ærorah a little bit less because I like the MC to be a bit more sassy, but she was still a lovely character (the personal growth she experiences throughout the book was amazing). Having read Eirwen already, I was soooo happy to see some familiar faces return in this book too (it's nice to see how they help in connecting all the books together). A small downside in my opinion is that you barely get to know why the villain (won't call them by name here to avoid spoilers) does what they do, what the bigger plan is. But this becomes much more apparent in Eirwen, so I'd just suggest you pick up that one as soon as possible so you can dive even deeper into the world of Ealdspell, because there is so much more yet to be discovered.
Both the writing style and the narration were very pleasant to read and listen to. As English isn't my maternal language, it took some time for me to adjust to Félips accent in the audiobook, but it made me hear his voice in the same way while reading the paperback, so in fact it was a really nice touch once I got used to it.
The historical notes at the end of the paperback were also very informative and a big upside to this book.
So if you like amazing fantasy worlds, with characters that will just steal you heart, lots of bantering, the innovative combination of both fairy tales and modern stuff, I'd really suggest you check out the Ealdspell Cycle.
June 10, 2021
Right from the start, Æroreh is gritty, dark, and compelling. Rothlin is a dank, depressing place, full of starving children and overworked subjects. The queen is obviously twisted and evil. Æroreh’s thoughts are bright and cheerful, but eerily oblivious to the pain around her. Even the other main character, Felip, is painfully wounded and sarcastic. This kind of world had me instantly hooked.
The book focuses heavily on Æroreh’s journey to independence, but I love that Felip’s journey and character is equally as important. Thanks to his rough and grumpy nature, Felip balances out Æroreh’s cheerfulness and innocence. I was inlove with the characters and heavily invested in their fates.
Downsides?
The author's writing style is beautiful and she paints a very vivid picture of Ealdspell. Having said that, sometimes I found myself breezing through some sections or re-reading scenes because they didn’t make sense.
Also, while I loved the blend of magic and technology, sometimes it was very confusing. I think I just needed a little more explanation of how things worked or more firm "rules."
Overall, I loved Æroreh. It's a unique, gripping retelling of Sleeping Beauty that I couldn't put down. It's a great pick for lovers of Holly Black's Cruel Prince series and Maas's Throne of Glass.
I'm very excited for the sequel!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The book focuses heavily on Æroreh’s journey to independence, but I love that Felip’s journey and character is equally as important. Thanks to his rough and grumpy nature, Felip balances out Æroreh’s cheerfulness and innocence. I was inlove with the characters and heavily invested in their fates.
Downsides?
The author's writing style is beautiful and she paints a very vivid picture of Ealdspell. Having said that, sometimes I found myself breezing through some sections or re-reading scenes because they didn’t make sense.
Also, while I loved the blend of magic and technology, sometimes it was very confusing. I think I just needed a little more explanation of how things worked or more firm "rules."
Overall, I loved Æroreh. It's a unique, gripping retelling of Sleeping Beauty that I couldn't put down. It's a great pick for lovers of Holly Black's Cruel Prince series and Maas's Throne of Glass.
I'm very excited for the sequel!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 22, 2023
A Sleeping Beauty retelling in a Victorian like setting. Felip is a prince hiding among the the commoners and workers for as long as he can remember. He understands what it means to scrape by and survive. Aroreh is a princess who is blinded by magic and doesn't truly grasp what dangers she is in until she is freed from it's grasps. They crash into each others lives as war is started and help each other start to learn and heal.
This is a start to a connected series but each piece can stand alone. The prologues caught my attention in understanding the backstory to each of these characters. Some of the world building confused me at the beginning because of the amount of information being given to me at once. However, it is explained to both of the characters as they learn about themselves that it becomes clearer.
This takes classic elements from the fairy tale (which each part begins with establishing which elements we will see, I quite enjoyed that) but makes it so it isn't stereotypical. Definitely giving off cozy vibes and the chapter with them learning about magic was adorable fluff for sure.
I think my favorite character would have to be the prince. He has a great accent that is clearly present in the text. It took me a bit to place some of the words but I absolutely enjoyed the regal prince being a street kid who swears at everything in a harsh accent, I was giggling at times. And I also enjoyed the fact he was a rougher version of a prince.
This is a start to a connected series but each piece can stand alone. The prologues caught my attention in understanding the backstory to each of these characters. Some of the world building confused me at the beginning because of the amount of information being given to me at once. However, it is explained to both of the characters as they learn about themselves that it becomes clearer.
This takes classic elements from the fairy tale (which each part begins with establishing which elements we will see, I quite enjoyed that) but makes it so it isn't stereotypical. Definitely giving off cozy vibes and the chapter with them learning about magic was adorable fluff for sure.
I think my favorite character would have to be the prince. He has a great accent that is clearly present in the text. It took me a bit to place some of the words but I absolutely enjoyed the regal prince being a street kid who swears at everything in a harsh accent, I was giggling at times. And I also enjoyed the fact he was a rougher version of a prince.
May 24, 2022
The magic, tech, writing & narration in this book raised my review to ⭐⭐⭐⭐.
Meanwhile, the plot and characters brought it down to ⭐⭐⭐⭐.
I was expecting steampunk, but this was more technology-focused. The story is one we all know (Sleeping Beauty) with a slightly different interpretation, more of a dream state than actually sleeping.
Complete story–No cliffhanger. Thank you!
THE GOODS
Worldbuilding: pagan inspiration
The use of nanotech
Narration: adored the Scots accent for Philip
Writing: some amazing turns of phrase
Male MC: Much deeper than Æroreh. Nice backstory and arc.
COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER
Plot (classic Sleeping Beauty plot with dreams in place of full sleep)
Female MC. I must say… I really did NOT like Æroreh. Sniveling nitwit comes to mind. I know, it’s hard to have a strong FMC who falls victim to the female villain from such a young age. And Sundin used that to her advantage in the story by making her representative of the idea that women have been belittled, told to sit down and look pretty for a long, long time. However, it just doesn’t endear me to the character.
Full review here: https://susanstradiotto.com/book-revi...
June 30, 2021
This is a must read if you love a mixture of diffferent fantasy types. It has technology or steampunk type, romance, strong female characters, fantasy, happily ever after. Take your pic and you have it in this book.
Let's just say that Aeroreh is a bit crazy and I love it! I was almost scared off by the technology mixed with magic idea as it is presented in the description, but I'm so glad I read it. The technology really played such a tiny role that it as almost didn't matter, but it still did.
This book is a beautifully twisted Sleeping Beauty retelling that injects a hint of dystopian sci-fi into a lush fantasy landscape. The intriguing combination of technology and faery lore makes this a stand-out in a sea of fairytale reimaginings.
Félip is the perfectly imperfect contrast to our heroine, Æroreh. He is charming, humble, and pleasantly real in a world where people are programed to behave "ideally". I loved him from the first page he is mentioned. Æroreh took a bit more time to see through all the glamour, but once she started revealing her true nature, I enjoyed seeing her character flourish.
Jesikah is such a creative writer. If you are looking for a unique fairytale then this book is for you. Im looking forward to reading more by this author.
4 stars
January 24, 2023
Of Dreams and Shadows is a Sleeping Beauty retelling where a mashup of magic and technology, and a battle between humans and fae at its core. Because in the world of Rothlín, the two of them are the same thing. This world had enough depth to it that kept the story from being confusing, but I wouldn’t say no to a more detailed world-building.
Luckily the main focus of the story, the characters, are the best part of it. Princess Aroreh is a darling, and Félipe is a precious grump. Seriously, this book is the very embodiment of the Grumpy x Sunshine trope. Aside from that, Aroreh's journey to self-discovery and self-acceptance really hit a chord with me. I can’t even begin to explain exactly how happy it made me to see a soft and caring character being described as “strong”. Too often gentleness is portrayed as a weakness, as a bad thing, which it isn’t. The book literally states that there are as many different kinds of strengths as there are stars in the sky, and that all of them are equally good. Which is what made Gellynor my favourite side character.
I had a good time with this book. It’s a quick and fun read. It’s pretty surface level, but it doesn’t matter. Because sometimes all you want is the fantasy version of a beach read. There’s a great cast of characters and a super sweet romance. If you like fairytale retellings, then you should check it out.
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Thank you to Book of Matches Media and Jesikah Sundin for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Luckily the main focus of the story, the characters, are the best part of it. Princess Aroreh is a darling, and Félipe is a precious grump. Seriously, this book is the very embodiment of the Grumpy x Sunshine trope. Aside from that, Aroreh's journey to self-discovery and self-acceptance really hit a chord with me. I can’t even begin to explain exactly how happy it made me to see a soft and caring character being described as “strong”. Too often gentleness is portrayed as a weakness, as a bad thing, which it isn’t. The book literally states that there are as many different kinds of strengths as there are stars in the sky, and that all of them are equally good. Which is what made Gellynor my favourite side character.
I had a good time with this book. It’s a quick and fun read. It’s pretty surface level, but it doesn’t matter. Because sometimes all you want is the fantasy version of a beach read. There’s a great cast of characters and a super sweet romance. If you like fairytale retellings, then you should check it out.
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Thank you to Book of Matches Media and Jesikah Sundin for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
May 5, 2022
Beautifully written and unexpected
I picked this book because I saw the book box on Etsy and it looked fantastic, so I wanted to know if I liked the story before buying the amazing box. I'm definitely getting the box because I adored the story. It is a teen story without any steam at all, but it was so beautifully written I didn't care for the nonexistence of hot scenes. The author kept the core of sleeping beauty and span the story in a high tech, yet medieval, industrial setting. This dystopian society worked in a dream state and a bunch of stuff happens until Prince Filip, a bunch of fairies and Aurora get stuff sorted. It was confusing at times and I had to re-read the first few chapters a couple of time to fully understand what was happening, also the variation of the pronunciation of some words made it hard to keep up in the beginning. I did a hybrid reading (audio and kindle simultaneously) and it was awesome because the performances were outstanding (the accents were done in a way we could understand all quite easily). Totally recommend , off to get the second book and the book box now.
I picked this book because I saw the book box on Etsy and it looked fantastic, so I wanted to know if I liked the story before buying the amazing box. I'm definitely getting the box because I adored the story. It is a teen story without any steam at all, but it was so beautifully written I didn't care for the nonexistence of hot scenes. The author kept the core of sleeping beauty and span the story in a high tech, yet medieval, industrial setting. This dystopian society worked in a dream state and a bunch of stuff happens until Prince Filip, a bunch of fairies and Aurora get stuff sorted. It was confusing at times and I had to re-read the first few chapters a couple of time to fully understand what was happening, also the variation of the pronunciation of some words made it hard to keep up in the beginning. I did a hybrid reading (audio and kindle simultaneously) and it was awesome because the performances were outstanding (the accents were done in a way we could understand all quite easily). Totally recommend , off to get the second book and the book box now.
May 28, 2021
There was a lot to love in this book by Jesikah Sundin. Being the first story by this author that I've had the pleasure of reading, this book really blew me away. (No wonder Jesikah received so many writing awards. You can easily tell why when you read her works). First off, I really loved the world-building and the ideal of different sects in the fae world controlling how people see the 'world'. I thought it was quite a unique storyline and not your average read.
There's just so much to unpack within this story. You want romance? You got it with Aeroeh and Felip. You like fairytale retellings? You got a hint of sleeping beauty with the idea of illusions and dreams throughout the storyline. You like supernatural and fantasy? No problem, it's set in a fae world but pagan overtones and new technology. This book has it all and will surely peak anyone's interest! I look forward to reading the next book of this amazing duology.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
There's just so much to unpack within this story. You want romance? You got it with Aeroeh and Felip. You like fairytale retellings? You got a hint of sleeping beauty with the idea of illusions and dreams throughout the storyline. You like supernatural and fantasy? No problem, it's set in a fae world but pagan overtones and new technology. This book has it all and will surely peak anyone's interest! I look forward to reading the next book of this amazing duology.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 9, 2021
This is a unique book. I can honestly say I've never read one like it before. It mixes magic and technology where sometimes you are going which is it!? The author does great with the story because it never gets boring and you don't want to stop reading it. The Narrator does an amazing job with the voices. I was so impressed!
This is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty and I love a good fairy tale retelling. This one was just so unique that I can't get over it. It says book 1 and set up for book 2 so I cannot wait to hear more. Aeroreh and Felip are some awesome characters that have some characteristics from the 'typical' telling of Sleeping Beauty, but also so much more and some so different. I recommend this for anyone who likes new and original fairy tale retellings!
5/5 for me.
Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
This is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty and I love a good fairy tale retelling. This one was just so unique that I can't get over it. It says book 1 and set up for book 2 so I cannot wait to hear more. Aeroreh and Felip are some awesome characters that have some characteristics from the 'typical' telling of Sleeping Beauty, but also so much more and some so different. I recommend this for anyone who likes new and original fairy tale retellings!
5/5 for me.
Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
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