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Curse of the Dark Kingdom #0.5
Princess of Thorns
Dark Kingdoms Curse Prequel Novella
At the moment tyrannical King Aegron the Cruel was assassinated, each of his children was struck by a different dark curse. Five years later, the Dark Kingdom is struggling to survive.
Princess Islyne's body sleeps undisturbed behind a wall of thorns. But her mind is awake and able to explore the kingdom unseen. And, within the bramble forest that's become her home, her spirit takes on a form that is almost real. For the first time in her sheltered, restricted life, Izzy knows what it's like to feel free.
Duke Conall will do whatever is necessary to protect his kingdom from the damage and chaos left in the curse's wake. Even if it means rescuing the bride he never wanted.
But Islyne's not the meek princess he remembers, and she has no intention of living her life as nothing more than a political pawn. So when Conall mistakes her for a servant, Izzy hatches a plan to keep him far from the Palace where her body sleeps.
As the danger grows, however, she realizes maybe there's more to Conall too. She's just not sure if the gentle kindness lurking beneath the arrogant mask is enough to risk spending the her life as nothing more than a political pawn.
It's going to take more than a simple kiss for Islyne and Conall to find their Happily-Ever-After.
This fairy tale inspired fantasy romance novella features a cursed princess, an arrogant duke, mistaken identity, and a mysterious magical cat.
At the moment tyrannical King Aegron the Cruel was assassinated, each of his children was struck by a different dark curse. Five years later, the Dark Kingdom is struggling to survive.
Princess Islyne's body sleeps undisturbed behind a wall of thorns. But her mind is awake and able to explore the kingdom unseen. And, within the bramble forest that's become her home, her spirit takes on a form that is almost real. For the first time in her sheltered, restricted life, Izzy knows what it's like to feel free.
Duke Conall will do whatever is necessary to protect his kingdom from the damage and chaos left in the curse's wake. Even if it means rescuing the bride he never wanted.
But Islyne's not the meek princess he remembers, and she has no intention of living her life as nothing more than a political pawn. So when Conall mistakes her for a servant, Izzy hatches a plan to keep him far from the Palace where her body sleeps.
As the danger grows, however, she realizes maybe there's more to Conall too. She's just not sure if the gentle kindness lurking beneath the arrogant mask is enough to risk spending the her life as nothing more than a political pawn.
It's going to take more than a simple kiss for Islyne and Conall to find their Happily-Ever-After.
This fairy tale inspired fantasy romance novella features a cursed princess, an arrogant duke, mistaken identity, and a mysterious magical cat.
112 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 22, 2022
198 people are currently reading
1368 people want to read
About the author
Amberlyn Holland
31 books63 followersAmberlyn grew up reading her older sister’s SFF collection and her mother’s category romances so it’s only natural her storytelling leans toward fantasy and paranormal romance.
She currently lives in Northern New York where her writing schedule, and life, revolve around the whims of her dog. When not catering to a demanding terrier or getting lost in books, she enjoys crafting, watching football and hockey, and hanging out with her husband.
If you want to keep up to date on new releases and special events, sign up for her newsletter.
She currently lives in Northern New York where her writing schedule, and life, revolve around the whims of her dog. When not catering to a demanding terrier or getting lost in books, she enjoys crafting, watching football and hockey, and hanging out with her husband.
If you want to keep up to date on new releases and special events, sign up for her newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
June 4, 2022
Basically, this prequel novella is about royal siblings being cursed because they have a cruel king as a father.
In this one, the only princess of those siblings is being cursed to be in an eternal slumber in a palace surrounded by thorns.
So, the sleeping beauty tale.
Except, the princess could traverse through portals to any place in the kingdom but as a ghost (astral projection actually) while her physical body stayed in the palace sleeping.
Then came the hero, coming to break the spell and take over her brother's throne.
There you go. You got yourself the story.
Steam level? None. But it does have intriguing plotline. Already I'm curious about the next brother (i.e. the Frog Prince retelling). It's a fun story overall.
In this one, the only princess of those siblings is being cursed to be in an eternal slumber in a palace surrounded by thorns.
So, the sleeping beauty tale.
Except, the princess could traverse through portals to any place in the kingdom but as a ghost (astral projection actually) while her physical body stayed in the palace sleeping.
Then came the hero, coming to break the spell and take over her brother's throne.
There you go. You got yourself the story.
Steam level? None. But it does have intriguing plotline. Already I'm curious about the next brother (i.e. the Frog Prince retelling). It's a fun story overall.
August 8, 2023
1.5 stars★★☆☆☆
im actually annoyed because this premise, this retelling is a good foundation for an entire book.
Prime example is To Wake a Kingdom where it has similar premises. The fmc is under a sleeping cure, the castle is surrounded by dangerous bramble and thorns and a prince guy tries to rescue her. Princess of Thorns feels unsure, and rushed. It isn't entirely sold on it's on premise, and feels timid. It has no belief in it reader to read between the lines. It must spell out every emotion, every reaction to a sentence and then when it switches p.o.v.'s it reiterates the same emotion and sentence to make sure no one missed anything. Yeah I get they feel this sudden connection and empathy when a person they met 3 hours ago. I would have ate this up when I was 14 but I have lived a little, and I have read a little and I have criticised even more. For the only girl in the family to have this piss-poor novella and the other boys get their own entire books feels weird. The fmc is constantly reiterating how she was simply seen as a pawn in her fathers tyrant eyes and how her up coming nuptials is seen as a means to an end for her fiance, a way for him to gain power and control. Gross that her agency is yet again fostered off to another man, and there is no actual empowerment given to her. Oh she can walk around in this spiritual mystic state and thats the only time she feels empowered is insane. She is invisible but only then feels like thats the most power she has held is diabolical. And what gives her brothers more of a right to have their tortured moody stories told and for their sister to be regulated with a below-par novella that rushes world-building and character development. We are constantly told her brothers care about her, but if feels superficial and isn't shown with any action. One remembers your birthday?? Bare minimum for someone who cares about you let alone your brother. This book gives all these men praises and expects us to simply expect that they all have good intentions and hearts. no thank you i'll stick to my cynicism.
hateraide is in my blood and i will continue to nurture it, one book (or novella) at a time.
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March 7, 2022
Princess Islyne is asleep under a curse in the remote winter palace, hidden in the middle of an impenetrable forest of vines and thorns. But her astral self is free to wander the palace grounds, which is far more freedom than she’s ever had in the past. Duke Conall of Lakentre, Islyne’s betrothed, who only met her once and didn’t bother to make eye contact with her, who only ever saw her as a weak, shy, awkward girl raised by a monster of a dictator king, has come to wake her with a kiss and claim the throne and usurp her brothers also trapped under curses.
This is, of course, a short re-telling of the Sleeping Beauty story with predictably all the royal siblings under the usual fairytale curses. It does feel like a retread of the Dragon Ever After series, also by this author, but without any dragon shifting. It has the same idea of royal siblings being caught under curses and the same overly complicated struggles for power around them orchestrated by some unknown force that’s staying hidden and doing it remotely, just like Aunt Velia did. The beginning of this story focuses on some very heavy-handed author orchestrating as Islyne travels through a series of magic circle portals to listen in on her brothers as they info-dump key background information of the crazy complicated political situation, led there by a cat, which also feels like a heavy-handed plot device used to push the characters into a direction the author wants them going in, instead of letting the characters naturally and organically find their own way. The portals didn’t serve any other function during the course of the book and were only used in the opening scenes, also to introduce us to her brothers as future starring characters.
Beyond those two heavy-handed plot devices to force characters into certain directions and hear key information, this is a fun romantic story. I did love the journey Conall took to the palace, stubbornly determined to do what he wanted and determined that what he wanted was the best for everyone. And I loved Islyne’s yearning to retain her freedom and horrified at the idea of being back under the thumb of someone who wanted to marginalize her and keep her trapped as just a pawn and a means to an end. He saw her as a means to legitimize his claim on the throne. So I loved when she decided to just lead him in circles and then lead him back out of the forest. It took a lot of character growth on Conall’s part to help him see things from Islyne’s point of view, when he had the outlook that he knew he was good looking and could charm women into doing what he wanted and realize that charm wasn’t really working on Islyne and for him to admire his courage and actually feel for her being trapped. I really would have loved this section following Islyne and Conall to have been longer.
This is, of course, a short re-telling of the Sleeping Beauty story with predictably all the royal siblings under the usual fairytale curses. It does feel like a retread of the Dragon Ever After series, also by this author, but without any dragon shifting. It has the same idea of royal siblings being caught under curses and the same overly complicated struggles for power around them orchestrated by some unknown force that’s staying hidden and doing it remotely, just like Aunt Velia did. The beginning of this story focuses on some very heavy-handed author orchestrating as Islyne travels through a series of magic circle portals to listen in on her brothers as they info-dump key background information of the crazy complicated political situation, led there by a cat, which also feels like a heavy-handed plot device used to push the characters into a direction the author wants them going in, instead of letting the characters naturally and organically find their own way. The portals didn’t serve any other function during the course of the book and were only used in the opening scenes, also to introduce us to her brothers as future starring characters.
Beyond those two heavy-handed plot devices to force characters into certain directions and hear key information, this is a fun romantic story. I did love the journey Conall took to the palace, stubbornly determined to do what he wanted and determined that what he wanted was the best for everyone. And I loved Islyne’s yearning to retain her freedom and horrified at the idea of being back under the thumb of someone who wanted to marginalize her and keep her trapped as just a pawn and a means to an end. He saw her as a means to legitimize his claim on the throne. So I loved when she decided to just lead him in circles and then lead him back out of the forest. It took a lot of character growth on Conall’s part to help him see things from Islyne’s point of view, when he had the outlook that he knew he was good looking and could charm women into doing what he wanted and realize that charm wasn’t really working on Islyne and for him to admire his courage and actually feel for her being trapped. I really would have loved this section following Islyne and Conall to have been longer.
July 23, 2023
It is not bad at all! I will definitely read the sequels
February 24, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this, it was a wonderfully done sleeping beauty inspired tale. The characters were what I wanted from this type of book and enjoyed the storyline. It was a lot of fun and I look forward to more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 6, 2023
DNF. Another free book from stuff your kindle day. A lot of info dumping and little story.
March 10, 2024
4.5✨
I feel so cheated that this is a novella! I feel so attached to these characters and it pained me when I saw the next book is not about them!
This was a very cute and short romance, and I felt that it was so emotional and so so so CUTE!
I feel so cheated that this is a novella! I feel so attached to these characters and it pained me when I saw the next book is not about them!
This was a very cute and short romance, and I felt that it was so emotional and so so so CUTE!
March 29, 2024
This was a prequel to a book that I will not be reading. A sleeping beauty retelling. It was OK, I got it for free on stuff your kindle day. It was a light read but I don’t care to continue on.
February 3, 2023
Princess of Thorns
Curse of the Dark Kingdom 0.5
Fantasy
Amberlyn Holland
⭐️⭐️⭐️
After reading the other books in this series, I was curious about Princess Islyne as she is mentioned a few times but not a lot of information is given.
I found the magic system and the curse keeping Princess Islyne trapped very interesting, especially the mushroom rings/portals that she was able to use to travel to see her brothers for a limited time.
There weren't any new characters introduced. Instead it had multiple POVs from 3 characters. One of them featured in the first book, Prince of Frogs, and was suspicious then but now it has been confirmed that he is working behind the scenes for his mysterious employer.
The pacing was slow and there were paragraphs of dialogue that were copied and pasted from the first book as Princess Islyne was watching her brothers and so it became repetitive.
I still like this series so I'm looking forward to the release of the next book.
Curse of the Dark Kingdom 0.5
Fantasy
Amberlyn Holland
⭐️⭐️⭐️
After reading the other books in this series, I was curious about Princess Islyne as she is mentioned a few times but not a lot of information is given.
I found the magic system and the curse keeping Princess Islyne trapped very interesting, especially the mushroom rings/portals that she was able to use to travel to see her brothers for a limited time.
There weren't any new characters introduced. Instead it had multiple POVs from 3 characters. One of them featured in the first book, Prince of Frogs, and was suspicious then but now it has been confirmed that he is working behind the scenes for his mysterious employer.
The pacing was slow and there were paragraphs of dialogue that were copied and pasted from the first book as Princess Islyne was watching her brothers and so it became repetitive.
I still like this series so I'm looking forward to the release of the next book.
December 21, 2022
Content:
Language: None
Violence: None.
Sexual: None.
CW: This deals with a lot of emotional/mental trauma from a downright awful parent. Abandonment and isolation TW. I'd say it's on the higher end of mild to low moderate on the intensity of it. It's the after effects of said trauma now that it's over.
I read this to see if I'd enjoy the author and the series, and I've already read all the books available in the series, so that should tell you a lot.
There's a deeper psychological aspect to this series, because it centers on the royal family of a tyrannical, cruel, evil king who was assassinated and follows his children who were cursed the day he was killed. This prequel follows the only daughter, who is the sleeping beauty of the story. We see how she learns about her brothers and begins to understand what is really going on as she experiences freedom for the first time in her life.
The author does an excellent job at showing the inner workings of the main character's minds and hearts, and how they're trying to change and heal. There's a lot of exposition, which got in the way at times of the dialogue (I lost what the asked aloud question was by the time the exposition was done and the conversation came back into play), but it was interesting to see the conflict laid bare before us as readers. I do wish it had been more 'show' instead of 'tell', but I still heartily enjoyed it, and it's rather minor for how well the characters' emotional wounds were expounded upon.
Solid intro into the series that I'm looking forward to continuing reading. (The first book is about Alastair, the frog prince and it was pretty awesome in case you're wondering).
Language: None
Violence: None.
Sexual: None.
CW: This deals with a lot of emotional/mental trauma from a downright awful parent. Abandonment and isolation TW. I'd say it's on the higher end of mild to low moderate on the intensity of it. It's the after effects of said trauma now that it's over.
I read this to see if I'd enjoy the author and the series, and I've already read all the books available in the series, so that should tell you a lot.
There's a deeper psychological aspect to this series, because it centers on the royal family of a tyrannical, cruel, evil king who was assassinated and follows his children who were cursed the day he was killed. This prequel follows the only daughter, who is the sleeping beauty of the story. We see how she learns about her brothers and begins to understand what is really going on as she experiences freedom for the first time in her life.
The author does an excellent job at showing the inner workings of the main character's minds and hearts, and how they're trying to change and heal. There's a lot of exposition, which got in the way at times of the dialogue (I lost what the asked aloud question was by the time the exposition was done and the conversation came back into play), but it was interesting to see the conflict laid bare before us as readers. I do wish it had been more 'show' instead of 'tell', but I still heartily enjoyed it, and it's rather minor for how well the characters' emotional wounds were expounded upon.
Solid intro into the series that I'm looking forward to continuing reading. (The first book is about Alastair, the frog prince and it was pretty awesome in case you're wondering).
July 6, 2023
King Aegron was a tyrant and a bully. He was so paranoid that he bullied other neighboring kingdoms so much so that they stopped trading with the kingdom of Darkhar. This only hurt the kingdom of Darkhar and its citizens. This also caused an enemy soldier to kill the king, and at the same time, a witch cursed the king. The curse was keyed to the king’s blood, but because the king was no longer alive, the curse settled for the king’s children. The curse affected each of the children differently. For Princess Islyne, Izzy, she fell to sleep, or her body did, but when she awoke, she was able to look down upon her own body. She was free to walk around the Winter Palace but not able to interact with anything. She soon found she could walk the castle grounds and even through the woods of thorns that grew around the castle the day of the curse. Then a cat appeared and led her to fairy circles that whisked her spirit away to different parts of the kingdom, where she learned about how her brothers were affected by the curse and how the kingdom was affected by her brothers. But now, five years later, her betrothed, Duke Conall of Lakentre, was here, and he had a plan to free Izzy, but first, he needed to get through the forest of thorns.
This series starter, this prequel, this adaptation of sleeping beauty is just the beginning of adapted tales in this series. The physical world-building is done very well, as is the ethereal world-building. The character interaction leaves me to believe that there is only one personality, the heroine, with a solid foundation.
This story’s retelling of sleeping beauty gives the heroine a stronger personality than the original tale. I give this tale four stars out of five stars.
This series starter, this prequel, this adaptation of sleeping beauty is just the beginning of adapted tales in this series. The physical world-building is done very well, as is the ethereal world-building. The character interaction leaves me to believe that there is only one personality, the heroine, with a solid foundation.
This story’s retelling of sleeping beauty gives the heroine a stronger personality than the original tale. I give this tale four stars out of five stars.
January 28, 2025
Five years have past since the assassination of King Aegron the cruel. all of his children have been the target of a curse and nothing has changed since then. The Kingdom is mismanaged and in chaos and each prince has setup residence in a different palace. where they try to get out of the curse,save the kingdom and save their sister Islyn who has been asleep in the winter palace surrounded by a wall of thorns.
What nobody knows is that Islyn's body is sleeping while Isolyn's spirit roams the castle and the grounds with the occasional portal crossing under the supervision of Cat, a magic filled feline.
Islyn, to the king, was nothing more than a means to consolidate his power by expanding or annexing rival borders using his daughter as the object of a marriage contract. She, therefore, was betrothed to Duke Conall at a young age without her consent.
Years later Conall searches for the winter palace and Islyn to honor the marriage contract and through the union,gain power and the crown in order to save the kingdom
The author writes a masterful sequel to the beginning of the "Curse of the Dark Kingdom" series where Mystical beings, Adventure, love, treachery, determination, a well planned search for a way to lift a curse, and a series of twists and turns that make this book a page-turner that I rate with 5 Stars and that I highly recommend.
What nobody knows is that Islyn's body is sleeping while Isolyn's spirit roams the castle and the grounds with the occasional portal crossing under the supervision of Cat, a magic filled feline.
Islyn, to the king, was nothing more than a means to consolidate his power by expanding or annexing rival borders using his daughter as the object of a marriage contract. She, therefore, was betrothed to Duke Conall at a young age without her consent.
Years later Conall searches for the winter palace and Islyn to honor the marriage contract and through the union,gain power and the crown in order to save the kingdom
The author writes a masterful sequel to the beginning of the "Curse of the Dark Kingdom" series where Mystical beings, Adventure, love, treachery, determination, a well planned search for a way to lift a curse, and a series of twists and turns that make this book a page-turner that I rate with 5 Stars and that I highly recommend.
March 2, 2022
This story intrigued me from the beginning with its plot and fairytale like vibe.
This sleeping princess is able to wander around the palace and surrounding area in a ethereal state while stuck in her cursed slumber.
The only hope for her to wake is apparently her betrothed who seems to think very little of her and have his own motives.
A loveless marriage is her future but being asleep has given her a sense of freedom.
Will it be taken from her again?
This story was paced well with enough intrigue to really make the reader wonder how this would go.
I liked the idea of each sibling having their own version of the curse which means I will need to read every single book after this.
I did wish for slightly more romance between the main characters but this was still a well written and very pleasant read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This sleeping princess is able to wander around the palace and surrounding area in a ethereal state while stuck in her cursed slumber.
The only hope for her to wake is apparently her betrothed who seems to think very little of her and have his own motives.
A loveless marriage is her future but being asleep has given her a sense of freedom.
Will it be taken from her again?
This story was paced well with enough intrigue to really make the reader wonder how this would go.
I liked the idea of each sibling having their own version of the curse which means I will need to read every single book after this.
I did wish for slightly more romance between the main characters but this was still a well written and very pleasant read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 15, 2024
Best sleeping beauty retelling ever
This. Is. So. Good. It's unique and brilliant. Perfectly paced even though it's short. The characters are complex, slightly flawed, yet lovable. Fascinating world building with the curse and her brothers that make me really excited to read the next book. Plus it is clean, great for all she's to enjoy! Aurora is my favorite princess, I adore every sleeping beauty retelling, but this one is special. Her curse is different and unique in a way that enhances the original fairy tale like no other. Plus the curse extending to her brothers makes a really fascinating mystery that I can wait to watch unravel. I have read her dragon fairest series as well and it is so cool to see how her writing has improved. Definitely some of her best work in this book. Highly recommend
This. Is. So. Good. It's unique and brilliant. Perfectly paced even though it's short. The characters are complex, slightly flawed, yet lovable. Fascinating world building with the curse and her brothers that make me really excited to read the next book. Plus it is clean, great for all she's to enjoy! Aurora is my favorite princess, I adore every sleeping beauty retelling, but this one is special. Her curse is different and unique in a way that enhances the original fairy tale like no other. Plus the curse extending to her brothers makes a really fascinating mystery that I can wait to watch unravel. I have read her dragon fairest series as well and it is so cool to see how her writing has improved. Definitely some of her best work in this book. Highly recommend
February 24, 2022
Intriguing Sleeping Beauty retelling
Conall thinks he can save the kingdom by waking the princess, marrying her, and taking over the kingdom. Islyne has felt freedom for the first time in her life and doesn’t want to lose it by being domineered by another man. There are mysterious forces at work and mysterious curses in play. I liked the world building and changes in Conall and Islyne. They seem to make a good working team, once they set aside their differences. This is not a typical true love’s kiss retelling. This book clearly sets up the universe for each of the Princes to have their own fairytale, which sounds very interesting. Oh, and there appears to be a mysterious cat, which is obviously more than it seems.
Conall thinks he can save the kingdom by waking the princess, marrying her, and taking over the kingdom. Islyne has felt freedom for the first time in her life and doesn’t want to lose it by being domineered by another man. There are mysterious forces at work and mysterious curses in play. I liked the world building and changes in Conall and Islyne. They seem to make a good working team, once they set aside their differences. This is not a typical true love’s kiss retelling. This book clearly sets up the universe for each of the Princes to have their own fairytale, which sounds very interesting. Oh, and there appears to be a mysterious cat, which is obviously more than it seems.
February 6, 2022
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This story is an exciting, breath holding revision of an old fairytale. A kingdom silenced by a curse, a Princess whose spirit roams the grounds of the castle while her physical body lies sleeping. Her only freedom is her roaming spirit, but is trapped by a barrier of heavily thorned trees and vines. A prince, betrothed to the sleeping princess, is given a way to break the curse. Will seeing her spirit lead him to his death, or become part of the means to set her free. There are many twists and turns, and surprises that make one’s heart race. Be prepared for a late night, reading cover to cover.
February 23, 2022
A delightful tale. Izzy (Islyne) is wonderful, practical, feisty, demure, and so much more. Forced into an endless sleep by a curse, she endures. Conall is deep into his responsibility as the Duke of Lakentre. Weighed down by the erratic actions of the heirs to the throne after their King and father's death, he seeks to wake Islyne. This retelling is but a part of a larger story briefly hinted to at the end.
Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Great world building. Haunting. Romantic. Scary. Tragic. Twisted. Unpredictable. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.
I received a review copy of this book from a third party. This is my honest review.
Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Great world building. Haunting. Romantic. Scary. Tragic. Twisted. Unpredictable. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.
I received a review copy of this book from a third party. This is my honest review.
February 25, 2022
Princess of Thorns is the introduction to a wonderful new series Curse of the Dark Kingdom by Amberlyn Holland. This novella is told through the eyes of Princess Islyne. She and her brother have been cursed. It seems that their one joint fault is that they were the offspring of a cruel, ruthless, power hungry late King Aegron.
Original work based on the fairytale of Sleeping Beauty. I had never considered if the princess could be aware of anything happening while she slept. This tale was quite intriguing while also being an extremely enjoyable read. I am looking forward to the next in the series.
I highly recommend Princess of Thorns which is a clean and wholesome read.
Original work based on the fairytale of Sleeping Beauty. I had never considered if the princess could be aware of anything happening while she slept. This tale was quite intriguing while also being an extremely enjoyable read. I am looking forward to the next in the series.
I highly recommend Princess of Thorns which is a clean and wholesome read.
July 6, 2023
2.5 stars
Meh. This was pretty repetitive and info dumpy. If it wasn't so short, I wouldn't have finished it. All of the lore and world building was explained in monologues. I also didn't vibe with the characters. I don't understand why he felt so betrayed by the "ghost" being Izzy, and his whole "I'm a good guy" vibe was obnoxious. Neither of them really had personalities or chemistry. Also the end was predictable. I guess it was sweet though. Short and sweet. And boring... Like you had an entire cursed maze to work with and all you did was walk in circles and drop the man in a mud pit... there was so much potential to do something cool but nope.
Meh. This was pretty repetitive and info dumpy. If it wasn't so short, I wouldn't have finished it. All of the lore and world building was explained in monologues. I also didn't vibe with the characters. I don't understand why he felt so betrayed by the "ghost" being Izzy, and his whole "I'm a good guy" vibe was obnoxious. Neither of them really had personalities or chemistry. Also the end was predictable. I guess it was sweet though. Short and sweet. And boring... Like you had an entire cursed maze to work with and all you did was walk in circles and drop the man in a mud pit... there was so much potential to do something cool but nope.
February 16, 2022
Clean fantasy romance novella.
This is a sleeping beauty retelling and the start to a new series of retellings.
In this story we meet the only daughter of the now deceased cruel king, who had no use for a daughter than as a political pawn. She has four older brothers that are also cursed, all five siblings have a different curse. This is a brief glimpse into the world.
It's a cute quick read that makes you wish the next in the series is available 😉.
I received this as an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I will definitely be reading the next in series.
This is a sleeping beauty retelling and the start to a new series of retellings.
In this story we meet the only daughter of the now deceased cruel king, who had no use for a daughter than as a political pawn. She has four older brothers that are also cursed, all five siblings have a different curse. This is a brief glimpse into the world.
It's a cute quick read that makes you wish the next in the series is available 😉.
I received this as an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I will definitely be reading the next in series.
July 4, 2023
I'm impressed that I continued to read this book... It was boring. It was rushed, even though nothing really happened. The characters were annoying.
I think the only good thing about this was the cat.
The overall plot is basically like sleeping beauty.
The Girl (and her brothers) is cursed. She is trapped behind a wall of thorns. The time has stopped at the Palace. The Prince (whose a duke) comes to save her. She wakes up by herself.
Apparently there's a cat with Violet eyes and the princess is able to travel through a circle portal.
But that's pretty much it.
I think the only good thing about this was the cat.
The overall plot is basically like sleeping beauty.
The Girl (and her brothers) is cursed. She is trapped behind a wall of thorns. The time has stopped at the Palace. The Prince (whose a duke) comes to save her. She wakes up by herself.
Apparently there's a cat with Violet eyes and the princess is able to travel through a circle portal.
But that's pretty much it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2023
This book is a short novella and a sleeping beauty retelling of sorts. I really enjoyed how it constantly had something happening which kept me engaged with the book! The length of it was perfect for me and I have a lot of unanswered questions which make me want to read the rest of the series! It’s the perfect amount of action, romance and suspense. It wasn’t a 5⭐️ read for me due to the fact I always pick up on grammar issues (just the kind of person I am🤣) however I would most definitely recommend this book!
February 17, 2022
This was such an exciting and different retelling of Sleeping Beauty. The story is well narrated and fast paced that keeps the reader intrigued. A clean YA story that touches the heart. The character of princess Islyne and the way her character developed really appealed to me. Her relationship with Duke Conall was also quite interesting. I received a free copy of the book and this is my voluntary and honest review.
February 22, 2022
Amberlyn Holland is a new author to me and Princess of Thorns was a great fairy-tale romance. This is a great version of Sleeping Beauty revised that I have read in years. Izzy and Conall are both strong characters that fate paired well. I was so glad to have journeyed with them on a magical, spooky, Happily Ever After ride.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 24, 2022
This is a fantastic short retelling of sleeping beauty. The world building is amazing, the storyline gripping and exciting and I just loved how the princess was asleep but her spirit could wonder freely. There’s also a magical cat and an arrogant duke who is trying to rescue her for his owns means. It’s intriguing how the author has written this and I cannot wait to meet the princesses siblings to see what their fairytales will be.
July 16, 2022
great start rushed ending
I really enjoyed the premises of this book. It was well written and the world was built well, a heroine who was finding her inner strength and a hero you understood but perhaps didn’t like… it could have been a beautiful enemies to lovers book, but suddenly when it felt like we were only half way through the story there was a resolution that felt too soon for both characters development and left me unsatisfied, not believing it, and wanting more
I really enjoyed the premises of this book. It was well written and the world was built well, a heroine who was finding her inner strength and a hero you understood but perhaps didn’t like… it could have been a beautiful enemies to lovers book, but suddenly when it felt like we were only half way through the story there was a resolution that felt too soon for both characters development and left me unsatisfied, not believing it, and wanting more
July 3, 2023
Good: I could see this series being very good, with the right amount of romantic tension for the brothers. Each brother seems to struggle with something different, and I am excited to see where that could lead.
Bad: I think it wanted to be two different types of fantasy. One that spun tales and one that was a bit more modern.
Recommend: This was a great prequel. It gave me just enough to know and care about the characters without giving me anything that would make me not want to read about their characters.
Bad: I think it wanted to be two different types of fantasy. One that spun tales and one that was a bit more modern.
Recommend: This was a great prequel. It gave me just enough to know and care about the characters without giving me anything that would make me not want to read about their characters.
August 17, 2023
I love a good sleeping beauty retelling and I see great potential with this series. I enjoyed reading of the newfound freedom the princess was able to claim through the curse. I wish the book was a little longer especially considering the cliffhanger at the end of the book. The romance between the FMC and MMC felt rushed due to the length of the book so I hope their relationship will be more fleshed out in the following books.
September 5, 2023
It's just a Sleeping Beauty retelling but less exciting. I didn't really love the characters; they were kind of boring. The backstory and world-building wasn't well developed so I don't fully understand what's going on in the kingdom for these characters to be important. There's no resolution and it didn't build any excitement for continuing with the series. I think this would be a great first draft but it definitely doesn't hold up as a complete product.
January 8, 2024
I haven't read this authors other books so I don't really have alot to go on, besides what was in this novella. The story itself was nice and short, it had everything a story could want, to a sleeping pricess and a Prince. However the writing was basic, the plot had enough that it drew me it and I continued to read.
This is perfect for anyone wanting something simple to amused yourself with for a few hours. It was free on google play so I'm pretty happy with this read.
This is perfect for anyone wanting something simple to amused yourself with for a few hours. It was free on google play so I'm pretty happy with this read.
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