What do you think?
Rate this book
Briarheart
From beloved fantasy author Mercedes Lackey comes a fresh and feminist reinterpretation of Sleeping Beauty. Miriam may be the daughter of Queen Alethia of Tirendell, but she's not a princess. She's the child of Alethia and her previous husband, the King's Champion, who died fighting for the king, and she has no ambitions to rule. When her new baby sister Aurora, heir to the throne, is born, she's ecstatic. She adores the baby, who seems perfect in every way. But on the day of Aurora's christening, an uninvited Dark Fae arrives, prepared to curse her, and Miriam discovers she possesses impossible power.
Soon, Miriam is charged with being trained in both magic and combat to act as chief protector to her sister. But shadowy threats are moving closer and closer to their kingdom, and Miriam's dark power may not be enough to save everyone she loves, let alone herself.
Soon, Miriam is charged with being trained in both magic and combat to act as chief protector to her sister. But shadowy threats are moving closer and closer to their kingdom, and Miriam's dark power may not be enough to save everyone she loves, let alone herself.
368 pages, Paperback
First published October 5, 2021
239 people are currently reading
5876 people want to read
About the author
Mercedes Lackey
441 books9,544 followersMercedes entered this world on June 24, 1950, in Chicago, had a normal childhood and graduated from Purdue University in 1972. During the late 70's she worked as an artist's model and then went into the computer programming field, ending up with American Airlines in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In addition to her fantasy writing, she has written lyrics for and recorded nearly fifty songs for Firebird Arts & Music, a small recording company specializing in science fiction folk music.
"I'm a storyteller; that's what I see as 'my job'. My stories come out of my characters; how those characters would react to the given situation. Maybe that's why I get letters from readers as young as thirteen and as old as sixty-odd. One of the reasons I write song lyrics is because I see songs as a kind of 'story pill' -- they reduce a story to the barest essentials or encapsulate a particular crucial moment in time. I frequently will write a lyric when I am attempting to get to the heart of a crucial scene; I find that when I have done so, the scene has become absolutely clear in my mind, and I can write exactly what I wanted to say. Another reason is because of the kind of novels I am writing: that is, fantasy, set in an other-world semi-medieval atmosphere. Music is very important to medieval peoples; bards are the chief newsbringers. When I write the 'folk music' of these peoples, I am enriching my whole world, whether I actually use the song in the text or not.
"I began writing out of boredom; I continue out of addiction. I can't 'not' write, and as a result I have no social life! I began writing fantasy because I love it, but I try to construct my fantasy worlds with all the care of a 'high-tech' science fiction writer. I apply the principle of TANSTAAFL ['There ain't no such thing as free lunch', credited to Robert Heinlein) to magic, for instance; in my worlds, magic is paid for, and the cost to the magician is frequently a high one. I try to keep my world as solid and real as possible; people deal with stubborn pumps, bugs in the porridge, and love-lives that refuse to become untangled, right along with invading armies and evil magicians. And I try to make all of my characters, even the 'evil magicians,' something more than flat stereotypes. Even evil magicians get up in the night and look for cookies, sometimes.
"I suppose that in everything I write I try to expound the creed I gave my character Diana Tregarde in Burning Water:
"There's no such thing as 'one, true way'; the only answers worth having are the ones you find for yourself; leave the world better than you found it. Love, freedom, and the chance to do some good -- they're the things worth living and dying for, and if you aren't willing to die for the things worth living for, you might as well turn in your membership in the human race."
Also writes as Misty Lackey
Author's website
"I'm a storyteller; that's what I see as 'my job'. My stories come out of my characters; how those characters would react to the given situation. Maybe that's why I get letters from readers as young as thirteen and as old as sixty-odd. One of the reasons I write song lyrics is because I see songs as a kind of 'story pill' -- they reduce a story to the barest essentials or encapsulate a particular crucial moment in time. I frequently will write a lyric when I am attempting to get to the heart of a crucial scene; I find that when I have done so, the scene has become absolutely clear in my mind, and I can write exactly what I wanted to say. Another reason is because of the kind of novels I am writing: that is, fantasy, set in an other-world semi-medieval atmosphere. Music is very important to medieval peoples; bards are the chief newsbringers. When I write the 'folk music' of these peoples, I am enriching my whole world, whether I actually use the song in the text or not.
"I began writing out of boredom; I continue out of addiction. I can't 'not' write, and as a result I have no social life! I began writing fantasy because I love it, but I try to construct my fantasy worlds with all the care of a 'high-tech' science fiction writer. I apply the principle of TANSTAAFL ['There ain't no such thing as free lunch', credited to Robert Heinlein) to magic, for instance; in my worlds, magic is paid for, and the cost to the magician is frequently a high one. I try to keep my world as solid and real as possible; people deal with stubborn pumps, bugs in the porridge, and love-lives that refuse to become untangled, right along with invading armies and evil magicians. And I try to make all of my characters, even the 'evil magicians,' something more than flat stereotypes. Even evil magicians get up in the night and look for cookies, sometimes.
"I suppose that in everything I write I try to expound the creed I gave my character Diana Tregarde in Burning Water:
"There's no such thing as 'one, true way'; the only answers worth having are the ones you find for yourself; leave the world better than you found it. Love, freedom, and the chance to do some good -- they're the things worth living and dying for, and if you aren't willing to die for the things worth living for, you might as well turn in your membership in the human race."
Also writes as Misty Lackey
Author's website
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 335 reviews
July 1, 2021
I got this book thinking it was young adult, but I would definitely classify it as middle grade or early teen. Although the protagonist Miri is 15 years old, she seems much younger and the book itself is written in a way that would appeal to a younger audience.
Mercedes Lackey does a great job of world building without too much information dumping (there are a few information dumps, but for the most part they don't seem out of place and they aren't boring). I also loved all of the descriptions. The Fae were especially well described and the author went into great detail when illustrating the setting.
My main complaint is the pace and overall arc of the story. Almost the entire book is just Miri and her friends training with Sir Delacar and Brianna and the climax of the story isn't much of a climax at all. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I was expecting a much more exciting book and I was left unsatisfied. I also thought the characters weren't very well developed. I honestly couldn't tell you the difference between Anna and Elle, and Miri didn't have many distinct characteristics, either. It's hard to get pulled into a story without compelling characters.
Overall, I think this would be a great book for middle schoolers looking for a light-hearted fantasy read, but not for someone looking for a more intense young adult book. Although I didn't love it, I think it can definitely be enjoyed by the right audience.
Mercedes Lackey does a great job of world building without too much information dumping (there are a few information dumps, but for the most part they don't seem out of place and they aren't boring). I also loved all of the descriptions. The Fae were especially well described and the author went into great detail when illustrating the setting.
My main complaint is the pace and overall arc of the story. Almost the entire book is just Miri and her friends training with Sir Delacar and Brianna and the climax of the story isn't much of a climax at all. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I was expecting a much more exciting book and I was left unsatisfied. I also thought the characters weren't very well developed. I honestly couldn't tell you the difference between Anna and Elle, and Miri didn't have many distinct characteristics, either. It's hard to get pulled into a story without compelling characters.
Overall, I think this would be a great book for middle schoolers looking for a light-hearted fantasy read, but not for someone looking for a more intense young adult book. Although I didn't love it, I think it can definitely be enjoyed by the right audience.
October 25, 2021
While this is not Lackey's first stab at doing her own take on "Sleeping Beauty," this is probably her best attempt so far. Previously, she incorporated "Sleeping Beauty" in her Elemental Masters series, creating a character in historical England with water powers and an affinity for air, following roughly the same narrative structure as all the other Elemental Masters books.
I've said it before and I'll say it again-- Lackey has been phoning it in for the better part of the last 15, 20 years. Some of her original works were very, very good, and cultivated a loyal fan base that now reads anything she writes. The majority of the recent books are paper thin, following a specific formula with only minor deviation. Lackey is good at comfort reads that focus on the foods and sensory details as the protagonist learns to embrace work and a practical attitude toward life, often learning a great deal about managing one's neuroses at the same time as one's magic.
This book still describes meals, as is normal for any Lackey novel. It still describes the main character exhausting herself in combat training. But the tone of this novel is just as refreshing as Lackey's older works, even while maintaining a slightly younger tone. This book is not set in any of Lackey's tried-and-true universes (usually, Valdemar, the Elemental Masters universe, or the Serrated Edge universe). That gives Lackey a little more freedom with the magic system, which is admittedly less precise than some of Lackey's other works.
Still, there was enough conflict that I felt satisfied. There have been some Lackey novels that were concluded in a rush, with a solution as simple as-- the main characters got a gun and shot the looming threat. Done. But this novel is not as one-and-done, and I am here for it.
Also, props for featuring a protagonist whose primary goal is protection of an infant sister, rather than yet another done-to-death romance. The most recent novel, Jolene, was a tad too saccharine with the insta-love and infatuation.
The protagonist of this novel, Miriam, is both a knight and a mage. She is related to royalty, but we are reminded frequently that she is not spoiled. She has a humble background as an apprentice baker, although this apprenticeship is soon abandoned in favor of learning magic and combat. She has her own tidy income from her own estate that she must manage, even as only a teenager; this is a daunting but impressive scenario that most modern middle-class readers probably can't relate to at all. But, good for her.
There is friendship and camaraderie with the other squires, and conflict with an old-fashioned governess. There are descriptions of bread dough. There is a late-night ride to save a dying infant.
It's all just the good kind of comfort one hopes for with Lackey.
I've said it before and I'll say it again-- Lackey has been phoning it in for the better part of the last 15, 20 years. Some of her original works were very, very good, and cultivated a loyal fan base that now reads anything she writes. The majority of the recent books are paper thin, following a specific formula with only minor deviation. Lackey is good at comfort reads that focus on the foods and sensory details as the protagonist learns to embrace work and a practical attitude toward life, often learning a great deal about managing one's neuroses at the same time as one's magic.
This book still describes meals, as is normal for any Lackey novel. It still describes the main character exhausting herself in combat training. But the tone of this novel is just as refreshing as Lackey's older works, even while maintaining a slightly younger tone. This book is not set in any of Lackey's tried-and-true universes (usually, Valdemar, the Elemental Masters universe, or the Serrated Edge universe). That gives Lackey a little more freedom with the magic system, which is admittedly less precise than some of Lackey's other works.
Still, there was enough conflict that I felt satisfied. There have been some Lackey novels that were concluded in a rush, with a solution as simple as-- the main characters got a gun and shot the looming threat. Done. But this novel is not as one-and-done, and I am here for it.
Also, props for featuring a protagonist whose primary goal is protection of an infant sister, rather than yet another done-to-death romance. The most recent novel, Jolene, was a tad too saccharine with the insta-love and infatuation.
The protagonist of this novel, Miriam, is both a knight and a mage. She is related to royalty, but we are reminded frequently that she is not spoiled. She has a humble background as an apprentice baker, although this apprenticeship is soon abandoned in favor of learning magic and combat. She has her own tidy income from her own estate that she must manage, even as only a teenager; this is a daunting but impressive scenario that most modern middle-class readers probably can't relate to at all. But, good for her.
There is friendship and camaraderie with the other squires, and conflict with an old-fashioned governess. There are descriptions of bread dough. There is a late-night ride to save a dying infant.
It's all just the good kind of comfort one hopes for with Lackey.
September 20, 2022
It was fun, but definitely middlegrade, with so many descriptions, explicitly stating something and then going over it, not leaving anything to imagination. And well the main character was this amazing hero that did everything so much better than everyone and good at everything. I am sure if i was 9 and was reading this, i would have loved it. Being a grumpy old woman, i am not the right sort of reader.
January 6, 2022
DNF at 100 pages. Nothing much is happening still this far in and I can’t even see the plot. There’s nothing to anticipate to keep me going.
I am surprised as this is a very well seasoned author with numerous titles over decades….
I am surprised as this is a very well seasoned author with numerous titles over decades….
October 13, 2021
When I started reading this book I didn’t realise it had such a young age recommendation. Amazon states that it is for ages 7 up, and while it is perfectly suitable for this age group, do not think that as an adult you can’t enjoy it either. I loved, loved, loved this story. It had everything you could want from a fairy tale, dragons, trolls, talking animals and a strong female protagonist. There was no romance as the main characters were children, good kids who were on a mission to protect the baby princess from the dark fae, led by the baby’s sister. What I really found refreshing in this story is that the family, court and people of the kingdom were all good and trustworthy, coming together to thwart an outside enemy. The main protagonist, Miriam, sadly loses her father at a young age and her father’s best friend (who happens to be the king) marries her widowed mother and they have a daughter of their own. However, this is no wicked stepfather, favouring his own child over another’s type of story. The king genuinely misses his best friend and, while in love with the widow, cares deeply for the grieving daughter. He is kind, loving and responsible and I loved that. Miriam, in turn loves her step-father and adores her new baby sister. When she vows to do everything in her power to protect the infant, the King supports her and also does his utmost to keep her safe. I found this such a nice change from the stereotypical wicked step-parent role. In fact there is nobody within the kingdom that turns out to be untrustworthy or secretly evil. That does not mean that this story is lacking in mystery and adventure, just that throughout it all you feel wrapped up in a safe and heart-warming and magical tale of bravery, strength and strong family ties.
Highly recommended for children and adults alike
Highly recommended for children and adults alike
June 12, 2022
I’ve been feeling a tad disappointed in some of Lackey’s writing lately but I think Briarheart is pure Lackey at her best. A strong female lead gathering a lively cohort of young people around her for a noble enterprise, protecting her princessly baby half sister. Sure Miriam makes mistakes but she owns them and follows through. We have fae godmothers, talking animals, dark fae, wizards and witches. I loved every moment. Then there’s the question of her dead father, the King’s Champion. What was his background? I feel a sense of one of my favorite series hovering underneath, Kerowyn’s Tale and the Vows and Honor titles. (All of which I’ve reread numerous times.) Although this is completely different sort of story, Miri’s voice has a familiar tone. I loved this.
January 31, 2022
Mercedes Lackey's YA take on the classic Sleeping Beauty fairy tale was quite entertaining.
Fourteen-year-old Miriam is content with her quiet life. Her father, the King's Champion, died trying to save another soldier but Miriam is happy living with her mother. Then, the King marries her mother, the family moves into the castle ... and the King and Queen have a baby of their own.
Luckily, Miriam instantly adores Aurora. So, when a Dark Fae tries to curse Aurora during the baby's christening, Miriam throws herself in the way of the spell -- and discovers she has magic of her own.
This sets Miriam and her friends on numerous adventures -- both good and bad -- as they train to protect the infant princess.
There's nothing too bloody or terrible here; it is, after all, marketed to the YA crowd. And while it doesn't follow the classic tale perfectly (nor need it do so) the essential elements are present. The overarching theme of the book is that different people have different skills, and that those from disparate backgrounds can work together for the greater good.
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy fairy tale retellings, regardless of their age.
Fourteen-year-old Miriam is content with her quiet life. Her father, the King's Champion, died trying to save another soldier but Miriam is happy living with her mother. Then, the King marries her mother, the family moves into the castle ... and the King and Queen have a baby of their own.
Luckily, Miriam instantly adores Aurora. So, when a Dark Fae tries to curse Aurora during the baby's christening, Miriam throws herself in the way of the spell -- and discovers she has magic of her own.
This sets Miriam and her friends on numerous adventures -- both good and bad -- as they train to protect the infant princess.
There's nothing too bloody or terrible here; it is, after all, marketed to the YA crowd. And while it doesn't follow the classic tale perfectly (nor need it do so) the essential elements are present. The overarching theme of the book is that different people have different skills, and that those from disparate backgrounds can work together for the greater good.
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy fairy tale retellings, regardless of their age.
June 24, 2022
This retelling of Sleeping Beauty is told from the POV of Miriam, Aurora’s sister. What if Sleeping Beauty had had a sister who was willing to be her Champion in both blade and magic? In this retelling we see Aurora’s early years through her sister’s adventure. It was a fun, light read that came to a rather abrupt end. I was left wondering if there was more.
December 20, 2021
DNF Read about 4 chapters
I was really looking forward to this book. Sleeping Beauty is one of my favorite fairy tales, and I love retellings of it. I also, for the most part, enjoy Lackey's books. This though fell really flat for me.
Of the little I read, this book seemed really bogged down in describing rules and protocol. Almost all of the first 30 pages talked about nothing but the rules between Light Fae and Dark Fae. If it wasn't talking about that it was discussing, over and over, what was required of Miriam to manage her own estate. I didn't want to read a book on Fae etiquette, or land rules, I wanted to read a fairy tale retelling.
I will say, I really liked the character of Miriam, she was smart, spunky and likeable. I think, if this book had been written differently, she would have really flourished. She might have, as the book progressed, I just was not in the mood to slog through so much detail to find out.
I was really looking forward to this book. Sleeping Beauty is one of my favorite fairy tales, and I love retellings of it. I also, for the most part, enjoy Lackey's books. This though fell really flat for me.
Of the little I read, this book seemed really bogged down in describing rules and protocol. Almost all of the first 30 pages talked about nothing but the rules between Light Fae and Dark Fae. If it wasn't talking about that it was discussing, over and over, what was required of Miriam to manage her own estate. I didn't want to read a book on Fae etiquette, or land rules, I wanted to read a fairy tale retelling.
I will say, I really liked the character of Miriam, she was smart, spunky and likeable. I think, if this book had been written differently, she would have really flourished. She might have, as the book progressed, I just was not in the mood to slog through so much detail to find out.
December 8, 2021
I can understand the criticisms from other reviews that this book has a lot of unnecessary detail and maybe is higher on the action, but frankly I love Lackey's writing and it's very comforting to me. I have severe anxiety, so sometimes I do just want to read a book about magic that has very little stakes and descriptions of garments, ok? This book manages to contain the Far, dragons, unicorns, trolls, and a whole other host of fantasy cliches and I ate up every minute of it. Can we also just appreciate a story about a sister trying to save her baby sister without a romance plot? I would have loved this book as a middle grade or teen reader, but even adult me fell under its spell.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2022
I am devastated that this a new series and I have to wait until the next book comes out! I love it already. Fun retelling of Sleeping Beauty that focuses on Aurora's older half-sister: a fierce girl who wants to keep her little sibling safe. Here's the excerpt from the back:
"Behind me, I sensed my family escaping. NOW Brianna could run; Aurora was safe. Specific curses like that take a long time to prepare--days, in fact. And by the time the Dark Fae had another one ready, the Archbishop would have given Aurora a new name and she'd be in hiding with Brianna.
And besides, the Dark Fae didn't care about Aurora right now. She had another target.
Me."
"Behind me, I sensed my family escaping. NOW Brianna could run; Aurora was safe. Specific curses like that take a long time to prepare--days, in fact. And by the time the Dark Fae had another one ready, the Archbishop would have given Aurora a new name and she'd be in hiding with Brianna.
And besides, the Dark Fae didn't care about Aurora right now. She had another target.
Me."
June 28, 2022
This was a really sweet story, but it wasn’t at all what I expected it to be. I had expectations of a powerful YA story about Sleeping Beauty’s fierce sister. Instead, I got a cutesy middle grade about a girl with magic whose sister has vague similarities to Sleeping Beauty, but it definitely doesn’t feel like a Sleeping Beauty retelling. If you go into this wanting a cute middle grade, you have more of a chance of enjoying it than I did!
February 2, 2022
I really loved this! Judging by the low average rating and small number of total ratings it seems not a lot of people are - which makes me sad, since I enjoyed this a lot and think it's one other people could really like too, though I get what some of the hang-ups might be:
-Miri the main character is REALLY good at pretty much everything. This didn't bother me because we still had to see her work to understand and develop her abilities, but it might really bug some readers.
-The ending was kind of fast in terms of the resolution. Again, this didn't bother me: I actually really liked how things played out, but YMMV.
-Also, no romance - I love a good romance subplot, but not every book needs one, and I like that this book didn't shoehorn one into the story but still slightly addressed things like crushes and possible future relationships. Also, I can't help but notice that despite the many reviewers who complain about not having enough romance-free books (often directed at YA as if they're the only, or biggest, offender), those books...don't seem to do that well in terms of reviews 🤷🏻♀️
On to other things I liked:
I really liked Miriam / Miri as a character, and I LOVED her friend group she forms. And I appreciate that any time it seemed like she was venturing too far into Generic Spunky Tomboy territory, Lackey would avert it: like, Miri (of course) loves to run around and climb trees instead of do embroidery or other proper lady things, but she always remembers to change into her plain clothes to avoid making so much work for the laundresses. Or the fact that when several other girls end up training with Miri in defense and weaponry, they're elated about it because, (which makes sense!), they were selected partly based on their interest in learning, instead of Miri having to win them over with her Superior Tomboy Interests.
I really enjoyed the worldbuilding, magic, and Fae elements as well, though there were a couple places I think it could have been explained more clearly.
My biggest issue was that I wish Miri was seen more on her own terms in addition to her responsibility for her baby sister. Miri didn't mind that so many people thought of her almost solely as Aurora's protector, but I did! I get that the whole book is centered on this, and I love Miri's devotion to her sister, but it bothered me that later in the book it seemed even her parents were viewing her this way. This was a big contrast to early in the book, when I really liked the family dynamic between all of them, including the way their blended family was written.
All in all, a really engaging, fun, and clever take on the Sleeping Beauty story that I hope finds its audience.
CW: Grief, violence, kidnapping
-Miri the main character is REALLY good at pretty much everything. This didn't bother me because we still had to see her work to understand and develop her abilities, but it might really bug some readers.
-The ending was kind of fast in terms of the resolution. Again, this didn't bother me: I actually really liked how things played out, but YMMV.
-Also, no romance - I love a good romance subplot, but not every book needs one, and I like that this book didn't shoehorn one into the story but still slightly addressed things like crushes and possible future relationships. Also, I can't help but notice that despite the many reviewers who complain about not having enough romance-free books (often directed at YA as if they're the only, or biggest, offender), those books...don't seem to do that well in terms of reviews 🤷🏻♀️
On to other things I liked:
I really liked Miriam / Miri as a character, and I LOVED her friend group she forms. And I appreciate that any time it seemed like she was venturing too far into Generic Spunky Tomboy territory, Lackey would avert it: like, Miri (of course) loves to run around and climb trees instead of do embroidery or other proper lady things, but she always remembers to change into her plain clothes to avoid making so much work for the laundresses. Or the fact that when several other girls end up training with Miri in defense and weaponry, they're elated about it because, (which makes sense!), they were selected partly based on their interest in learning, instead of Miri having to win them over with her Superior Tomboy Interests.
I really enjoyed the worldbuilding, magic, and Fae elements as well, though there were a couple places I think it could have been explained more clearly.
My biggest issue was that I wish Miri was seen more on her own terms in addition to her responsibility for her baby sister. Miri didn't mind that so many people thought of her almost solely as Aurora's protector, but I did! I get that the whole book is centered on this, and I love Miri's devotion to her sister, but it bothered me that later in the book it seemed even her parents were viewing her this way. This was a big contrast to early in the book, when I really liked the family dynamic between all of them, including the way their blended family was written.
All in all, a really engaging, fun, and clever take on the Sleeping Beauty story that I hope finds its audience.
CW: Grief, violence, kidnapping
August 27, 2021
BRIARHEART is an intriguing twist on Sleeping Beauty that asks what if Aurora had an older half-sister. Miriam is the stepdaughter to the king and afforded a lot of rights because of it. She can barely remember her father, who died in a war when she was young. At 15, she adores her new baby sister and wants to help with everything, even the christening. It's quite the event, particularly making sure none of the Dark Fae are slighted, because if they are, they can break the covenant and harm humans.
When a Dark Fae bends the rules and tricks them, ready to place some sort of curse on Aurora, Miriam steps in the way to defend her sister. After she defeats the dark fae, everyone is abuzz. It seems Miriam must have some fae in her from her father, unbeknownst to everyone. Now, she is training as a night in the morning and as a fae in the afternoon with the ultimate goal of being able to protect her sister.
I appreciated the fairytale twist in the story as well as the intricate rules around the fae in the book. Miriam is a really fun character, and I loved seeing her passion and sisterly love that drive her to excel. However, it seemed like most things came really easy to her, and the answers are pretty slow in coming. The rules around the fae were not terribly clear, as it seems they weren't to anyone but the fae, and it felt like many things were arbitrary. I think this would appeal to a middle grade or young YA group, with younger main characters, simpler plot lines, and easier acceptance of happenstance. On the plus side, there is a lot of fun characters, adventure, and magic along with some humor that made it reminiscent of ELLA ENCHANTED.
Overall, BRIARHEART was an intriguing fairytale retelling that would be great for middle grade and young YA readers who enjoy light-hearted plots and fun characters. Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
When a Dark Fae bends the rules and tricks them, ready to place some sort of curse on Aurora, Miriam steps in the way to defend her sister. After she defeats the dark fae, everyone is abuzz. It seems Miriam must have some fae in her from her father, unbeknownst to everyone. Now, she is training as a night in the morning and as a fae in the afternoon with the ultimate goal of being able to protect her sister.
I appreciated the fairytale twist in the story as well as the intricate rules around the fae in the book. Miriam is a really fun character, and I loved seeing her passion and sisterly love that drive her to excel. However, it seemed like most things came really easy to her, and the answers are pretty slow in coming. The rules around the fae were not terribly clear, as it seems they weren't to anyone but the fae, and it felt like many things were arbitrary. I think this would appeal to a middle grade or young YA group, with younger main characters, simpler plot lines, and easier acceptance of happenstance. On the plus side, there is a lot of fun characters, adventure, and magic along with some humor that made it reminiscent of ELLA ENCHANTED.
Overall, BRIARHEART was an intriguing fairytale retelling that would be great for middle grade and young YA readers who enjoy light-hearted plots and fun characters. Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
February 14, 2022
If Miriam thought for herself, this book might've been good. She is only concerned with her sister, who is a BABY and has done NOTHING except be born. And Miriam is just like, "oh my gosh, look at how awesome Aurora (baby sister) is! She forged an alliance between humans and trolls and she's not even a year old! Wow!" Uhhhhhhhhhhh, the baby didn't do anything, Miriam did EVERYTHING. And nobody (not even herself) gives her credit. It makes me angry. Moving on, none of the other characters had any development!!!!! At all!!!! The Companions had so much potential, but no time was taken to flesh them out and give them their own goals and personalities. I can't even remember the names of most of them. And then it was soooooooo slow until like the last fifty pages. Even then, I couldn't bring myself to care that much. I didn't feel connected to any of the characters or to the plot. It was boring. Most of the book was training, and it didn't even lead up to anything. It would've been better if Miriam didn't kill the Dark Fae in the beginning and then she came back to kill Aurora at the end. Instead the trolls came out of nowhere (I didn't even know they existed!!!) and kidnapped Aurora. It's annoying to have an entire species appear and become a major part of the plot without any warning. This book did have a good concept, but the execution was just.... meh. Overall, I wouldn't recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2022
My favorite re-telling of one of my favorite fairytales. The storyline is so phenomenal I dare say I like it better than the Disney version. I can't explain it without giving too much away. The audiobook is atmospheric and has some sound effects that are very subtle and very spread out so it's not often and overwhelming, it's very tastefully done. It's content is PG, my 10 year old son giggled a lot at the forest animals conversations which were hilarious at times. I will definitely be reading more from this author!
Happy reading! 📚
Happy reading! 📚
April 12, 2024
I loved this book because it actually got me out of my slump!
This book was really entertaining and did not focus mainly on romance, which I haven't seen in a longggg time.
Mercedes Lackey really wrapped up this book well, and quickly and left it open.
This book was really entertaining and did not focus mainly on romance, which I haven't seen in a longggg time.
Mercedes Lackey really wrapped up this book well, and quickly and left it open.
January 23, 2023
Omg I literally cannot read Mercedes Lackey. She's as bad as Tolkien with 9 chapters of empty information before the story starts. I tried so hard to read this because the story sounded so interesting, but I couldn't get past pages and pages of her talking about bread and the color of everyone's dress and the shape of the stones of every wall like MY GOD
February 22, 2022
Absolutely wonderful story!! Shame on me for not reading more of Mercedes Lackey's stand alone work, I knew all along she was working with one of my favorites, Marian Zimmer Bradley, but I just never got to it.
This is a beautifully built story and world, full of strong female characters and brimming with noble ways to deal with situations. I assume we'll see more of Miriam and her friends and I can't wait!
This is a beautifully built story and world, full of strong female characters and brimming with noble ways to deal with situations. I assume we'll see more of Miriam and her friends and I can't wait!
October 14, 2021
Actual rating: 3.5 stars (I always round up in favor of the author for Goodreads)
I have never read a book by Mercedes Lackey before - which honestly is kind of shocking given my age and my love of fantasy - so I was excited to sign up for the tour of Briarheart, a retelling of Sleeping Beauty that focuses not on Aurora herself but on her older half-sister, Miriam. In fact, Aurora is just a baby in this book, and when a Dark Fae shows up to her christening to curse her, fifteen year old Miriam vows to become her protector. The story is thus about Miriam’s love for her little sister, training with her newfound friends to become Aurora’s Companions, and discovering that she has both fae and human magic.
While Miriam is supposed to be fifteen, I did feel she read a little younger than that, and I think upper middle grade readers would really enjoy this story. It definitely feels like a book on the cusp of middle grade and young adult, and in this way actually reminds me of Holly Black’s Sleeping Beauty retelling that released in 2019, Heart of the Moors. I think younger readers will love the descriptions of the Light and Dark Fae, the magical talking animals, and the friendship that blossoms between Miri and the rest of the Companions. It’s also a quick read and not too difficult for middle grade readers. There was just a little something missing for me, something more that I wanted from the story.
I have a feeling this will end up being a series, as there’s so much left open and, obviously, Aurora hasn’t grown up to become Sleeping Beauty yet. Put this one in the hands of middle grade readers who want to venture into YA and young readers who love fairy tale retellings!
Rating: 3.5 stars
**Disclosure: I received a copy of the book from the publisher for purpose of this blog tour. This review is voluntary on my part and reflects my honest rating and review of the book.
I have never read a book by Mercedes Lackey before - which honestly is kind of shocking given my age and my love of fantasy - so I was excited to sign up for the tour of Briarheart, a retelling of Sleeping Beauty that focuses not on Aurora herself but on her older half-sister, Miriam. In fact, Aurora is just a baby in this book, and when a Dark Fae shows up to her christening to curse her, fifteen year old Miriam vows to become her protector. The story is thus about Miriam’s love for her little sister, training with her newfound friends to become Aurora’s Companions, and discovering that she has both fae and human magic.
While Miriam is supposed to be fifteen, I did feel she read a little younger than that, and I think upper middle grade readers would really enjoy this story. It definitely feels like a book on the cusp of middle grade and young adult, and in this way actually reminds me of Holly Black’s Sleeping Beauty retelling that released in 2019, Heart of the Moors. I think younger readers will love the descriptions of the Light and Dark Fae, the magical talking animals, and the friendship that blossoms between Miri and the rest of the Companions. It’s also a quick read and not too difficult for middle grade readers. There was just a little something missing for me, something more that I wanted from the story.
I have a feeling this will end up being a series, as there’s so much left open and, obviously, Aurora hasn’t grown up to become Sleeping Beauty yet. Put this one in the hands of middle grade readers who want to venture into YA and young readers who love fairy tale retellings!
Rating: 3.5 stars
**Disclosure: I received a copy of the book from the publisher for purpose of this blog tour. This review is voluntary on my part and reflects my honest rating and review of the book.
October 21, 2021
A nice retelling of Sleeping Beauty, I think the review by Cece is excellent, although I gave it one more star than she did. I like focusing on the "what if" Aurora had an older sister, and how she might react to her baby sister being cursed. The story is definitely aimed at younger readers, and while it was fun, I found myself hoping for more. More complexity in Miriam-would her mother and step-father (the King and Queen) really just turn over the protection of their baby to 6 teenagers, even if one had untrained Fae magic that had defeated a dark Fae? More growth of the Companions through struggles they worked to overcome. There were so many tantalizing possibilities, the Goblin Market, where they are saved by the dragon; the poisoning where they are rescued by the King animals, Tantalizing bits of what could make for an epic series, that were left undeveloped in order to keep the story at the desired reader level.
December 6, 2021
This was a good concept but had poor execution in my opinion. Granted, I had not read Lackey’s work prior to this and had no idea what I was getting myself into. The book is a Sleeping Beauty retelling told from the perspective of Aurora’s half sister,Miriam. Miriam is a knight and mage in training who is tasked to protect her younger sibling from the Dark Fae. While the book does a good job at world building, it has a lot of info dumps in my opinion. I also found the pacing to be slow and dull with mundane tasks such as making bread, going through guest lists, etc. This book was marketed as YA at my library but fits better with MG or young teens. It wasn’t a complex fantasy piece like Lord of the Rings, but it wasn’t a black/white fairytale either. I did like how Lackey’s magic system worked in this book with consequences and explaining the Rules that the Fae followed.
I would pick this up only if you are a major fan of Sleeping Beauty.
I would pick this up only if you are a major fan of Sleeping Beauty.
March 7, 2022
I rounded up to 4* because, on the whole I liked it. Don’t be put off by the first chapter, which goes into far too much detail. It’s almost at the level of ‘I decided to go upstairs, so I climbed them, first lifting my right leg, bending it at the knee, then placing it upon the first step. This achieved, I transferred my weight, lifting my left leg and, again, bending it at the knee, set down my foot on the second step’. Eventually, after some back story and scene-setting, the pace picks up and something big happens in each chapter.
The story is described as a retelling of Sleeping Beauty, but the events happen when Aurora is just a baby. Her older half-sister Miriam, discovers she has both human and fae magic and vows to use it to protect the baby, along with a group of Companions all about 15 years old. There are enough loose ends to warrant a sequel, which might explain why the Dark Fae want Aurora and what Miriam’s lineage is, to explain her magic. I’d probably read it too.
The story is described as a retelling of Sleeping Beauty, but the events happen when Aurora is just a baby. Her older half-sister Miriam, discovers she has both human and fae magic and vows to use it to protect the baby, along with a group of Companions all about 15 years old. There are enough loose ends to warrant a sequel, which might explain why the Dark Fae want Aurora and what Miriam’s lineage is, to explain her magic. I’d probably read it too.
October 12, 2021
This book was fine, but I was hoping for more. There was no real sense of danger or excitement.
Tweens and young teens who like a "girl training as a knight story" will probably enjoy this, but just as the story is getting exciting, it all sort of fizzles out with an easy resolution. I may have loved this when I was 11 or 12 and just getting into Tamora Pierce, but as an adult, I was hoping for more to the story than a lot of training (both physical and magical) for some potential future threat that never materializes (at least not in this book). It seems like there should be more to the story, but I'm not sure if there are plans for another book or not.
Tweens and young teens who like a "girl training as a knight story" will probably enjoy this, but just as the story is getting exciting, it all sort of fizzles out with an easy resolution. I may have loved this when I was 11 or 12 and just getting into Tamora Pierce, but as an adult, I was hoping for more to the story than a lot of training (both physical and magical) for some potential future threat that never materializes (at least not in this book). It seems like there should be more to the story, but I'm not sure if there are plans for another book or not.
October 11, 2021
I loved it
It was clean but not childish. I loved the imagination & pace - a cozy story with light hearted times interspersed with the adventures and magic. It wasn't all grim darkness and courage, honor, hard work & loyalty were present in all the companions. I loved the King's faithfulness.
It was clean but not childish. I loved the imagination & pace - a cozy story with light hearted times interspersed with the adventures and magic. It wasn't all grim darkness and courage, honor, hard work & loyalty were present in all the companions. I loved the King's faithfulness.
October 12, 2021
I loved this twist on the sleeping beauty tale. This tales features not Aurora but her older half sibling Miriam. Miriam loves her new baby sister and will do what it takes to protect her. Giving up societal norms of a woman’s place Miriam trains using all her gifts and skills to protect the little princess. I LOVED THIS STORY though it left me wanting more.
April 23, 2022
Beautiful, wondrous tale
I loved Mercedes Lackey decades ago, and decided to pick this up because I needed something simple, comforting, and captivating. Most of what I read these days is nonfiction, and I truly enjoy it, but this finely spun tale was just exactly right, tonight.
I loved every minute of it and want to read more, please.
I loved Mercedes Lackey decades ago, and decided to pick this up because I needed something simple, comforting, and captivating. Most of what I read these days is nonfiction, and I truly enjoy it, but this finely spun tale was just exactly right, tonight.
I loved every minute of it and want to read more, please.
October 5, 2021
A thoroughly enjoyable read.
January 3, 2022
A great YA novel, that feels like a unique fairy tale, filled with magic and fantastical creatures. I definitely want to enjoy more adventures of Aurora’s companions.
January 23, 2022
Clever retelling. Well done audio version.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 335 reviews