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Dreaming Princesses #1
Dreaming Beauty
Sleeping Beauty was asleep for one-hundred years. What did she dream about?
Princess Emerald of Somnus planned the perfect ball for her sixteenth birthday. She even modeled it after the midnight masquerades that she and her sisters secretly attended. Everything was perfect…until a poisoned spindle threw her into a deep sleep with vivid dreams of an unknown land: modern England.
In a world of smart phones and cockney, Emerald knows she must be dreaming, especially with her hypoesthesia and strange power over plants. Lost and confused, Emer is welcomed by the Honorables Caden Seaver and Mica Wright. These two sons of lords and best friends went looking for one final adventure to inspire their creative hobbies before family obligations ruled their lives. They never expected to find a lost princess who claimed to be dreaming. Emer’s stories about Somnus might be the perfect solution to Caden’s writer’s block until she starts to influence his heart more than his writing.
The longer that Emer dreams, the more she wonders what’s happening in Somnus, which world is her true home, and how much time she has before the poison spreads through her body. Emer must find a way to wake up and trust her heart before the poison numbs it forever.
Book 1 in a series of fairytale retellings, coming June 30th, 2022.
Princess Emerald of Somnus planned the perfect ball for her sixteenth birthday. She even modeled it after the midnight masquerades that she and her sisters secretly attended. Everything was perfect…until a poisoned spindle threw her into a deep sleep with vivid dreams of an unknown land: modern England.
In a world of smart phones and cockney, Emerald knows she must be dreaming, especially with her hypoesthesia and strange power over plants. Lost and confused, Emer is welcomed by the Honorables Caden Seaver and Mica Wright. These two sons of lords and best friends went looking for one final adventure to inspire their creative hobbies before family obligations ruled their lives. They never expected to find a lost princess who claimed to be dreaming. Emer’s stories about Somnus might be the perfect solution to Caden’s writer’s block until she starts to influence his heart more than his writing.
The longer that Emer dreams, the more she wonders what’s happening in Somnus, which world is her true home, and how much time she has before the poison spreads through her body. Emer must find a way to wake up and trust her heart before the poison numbs it forever.
Book 1 in a series of fairytale retellings, coming June 30th, 2022.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 30, 2022
114 people are currently reading
714 people want to read
About the author
C. Rae D'Arc
13 books34 followersC Rae D'Arc has been involved in every stage of a book's life. As a writer, editor, retailer, reader, and reviewer, she has worked four part-time jobs at once. Thankfully, one of them actually paid her. She received her Bachelor's in English from Brigham Young University and now lives in the Tri-Cities of Washington with her husband and Aussie dog.
Next Release: "Spirit of Suspense: Dead and Back Again #2"
PS. To save you from hiccups, D'Arc only has one syllable.
Next Release: "Spirit of Suspense: Dead and Back Again #2"
PS. To save you from hiccups, D'Arc only has one syllable.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
October 25, 2022
4.5*
I'm a hopeless fairytale lover! I have been since I was a young girl. I mean, who doesn't want to come off as conquerer of their own struggles and demons and at the end, have a happily ever after awaiting them? I loved reading fairytale retellings and seeing how different authors create their own spinoff of these classic stories I love.
C. Rae D'Arc did a great job in her creative world building, and her portrayal of Sleeping Beauty's dreaming world. I was very pleasantly surprised to watch as Princess Emerald, or Emer, navigates and tries to sort out what's happening and searching for a way to "return" to her waking state. She needs to help her sisters and warn them. But she's dreaming, and dying.
Thankfully she is found and aided by a couple hikers. She definitely has an adventure "waking" or should I say, "dreaming," in the modern world. I loved her trying to figure out what everything around her was and how she described items. When you read it, can you guess what everything is?
If you're a hopeless romantic, don't worry, there's plenty of a very sweet romance budding. But it is written in such a way that any age group can read and enjoy the whole of this book. The adventures, the dreaming, the waking, both the modern and ancient world, the characters and so much more.
The ending had a fun surprise that I wasn't expecting. No, I'm not going to tell you what it is, you need to read it to enjoy the journey for yourself. But I will tell you that the second book is coming in a few months and you're going to want to read it! I read an early copy and was hooked! You'll see a lot more of Princess Emerald, her sisters, and a couple hikers *winks*.
Content: Clean. I would recommend this book for all ages. I enjoyed but know it is one that my teenagers and younger kids would enjoy a lot! There is nothing content-wise that wouldn't be suitable for all ages.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
I'm a hopeless fairytale lover! I have been since I was a young girl. I mean, who doesn't want to come off as conquerer of their own struggles and demons and at the end, have a happily ever after awaiting them? I loved reading fairytale retellings and seeing how different authors create their own spinoff of these classic stories I love.
C. Rae D'Arc did a great job in her creative world building, and her portrayal of Sleeping Beauty's dreaming world. I was very pleasantly surprised to watch as Princess Emerald, or Emer, navigates and tries to sort out what's happening and searching for a way to "return" to her waking state. She needs to help her sisters and warn them. But she's dreaming, and dying.
Thankfully she is found and aided by a couple hikers. She definitely has an adventure "waking" or should I say, "dreaming," in the modern world. I loved her trying to figure out what everything around her was and how she described items. When you read it, can you guess what everything is?
If you're a hopeless romantic, don't worry, there's plenty of a very sweet romance budding. But it is written in such a way that any age group can read and enjoy the whole of this book. The adventures, the dreaming, the waking, both the modern and ancient world, the characters and so much more.
The ending had a fun surprise that I wasn't expecting. No, I'm not going to tell you what it is, you need to read it to enjoy the journey for yourself. But I will tell you that the second book is coming in a few months and you're going to want to read it! I read an early copy and was hooked! You'll see a lot more of Princess Emerald, her sisters, and a couple hikers *winks*.
Content: Clean. I would recommend this book for all ages. I enjoyed but know it is one that my teenagers and younger kids would enjoy a lot! There is nothing content-wise that wouldn't be suitable for all ages.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
August 31, 2022
I loved this take on Sleeping Beauty so much!
It had me hooked from the very first page:
"I never liked needles. Whether sewing, knitting, mending, or embroidering, I disliked the frustration of stabbing the thread through the eye, the tediousness of weaving back and forth, and the piercing pain of accidental pricks. All the same, I never expected a single prick from a spindle to be my demise."
Isn't that an amazing opening? It just got better.
Emerald (Emer for short) is a princess and has four sisters (Garnet, Aquamarine-Marin, Pearl, and Tanzanite-Tanzie). I loved their names! Emer is planning her 16th birthday at the start of the book and through a series of events, is poisoned and falls into a deep sleep, but while she sleeps, she's awake in a contemporary world with all kinds of things she's unfamiliar with, surroundings that confuse her, and no one knows where her kingdom is, plus she can't figure out how to wake up from her deep sleep.
This book is very creative and clever and I'm looking forward to future books about more 'sleeping princesses' that are in the works.
My only criticism is that I read this at night and reading about sleep made me awfully sleepy when I wanted to stay awake to see what would happen next!
Disclaimer: The author is one of my employees, but this review is completely honest and uncompensated. ;)
It had me hooked from the very first page:
"I never liked needles. Whether sewing, knitting, mending, or embroidering, I disliked the frustration of stabbing the thread through the eye, the tediousness of weaving back and forth, and the piercing pain of accidental pricks. All the same, I never expected a single prick from a spindle to be my demise."
Isn't that an amazing opening? It just got better.
Emerald (Emer for short) is a princess and has four sisters (Garnet, Aquamarine-Marin, Pearl, and Tanzanite-Tanzie). I loved their names! Emer is planning her 16th birthday at the start of the book and through a series of events, is poisoned and falls into a deep sleep, but while she sleeps, she's awake in a contemporary world with all kinds of things she's unfamiliar with, surroundings that confuse her, and no one knows where her kingdom is, plus she can't figure out how to wake up from her deep sleep.
This book is very creative and clever and I'm looking forward to future books about more 'sleeping princesses' that are in the works.
My only criticism is that I read this at night and reading about sleep made me awfully sleepy when I wanted to stay awake to see what would happen next!
Disclaimer: The author is one of my employees, but this review is completely honest and uncompensated. ;)
May 17, 2022
An original take on the “Sleeping Beauty,” tale! Modern mixes with medieval, a princess with a skeptical prince, enjoyable to the very end!
July 28, 2022
C. Rae D’Arc’s Dreaming Beauty has all the elements of a fairy tale retelling as well as several surprises. The first in a series, Dreaming Beauty combines the fantasy and romance of a fairy tale with the snark and modern sensibility of a contemporary.
Princess Emerald (“Emer”) of Somnus has been put in a deep sleep after pricking her finger on a needle of a spinning wheel.. Sound familiar? The reader departs from the standard narrative when the book explores what happened to Emer while she’s dreaming.
She has a vivid and astonishing dream of a world with metal ships that fly overhead, electronic boxes that tell you everything you want to know, and scandalous clothing. In other words, she lands in twenty-first century United Kingdom. Funny and poignant, Emer’s experiences are an adventure in themselves though most of the plot doesn’t revolve around a fairytale land.
Well-written and carefully plotted, Dreaming Beauty is a solidly constructed novel that starts with Sleeping Beauty but springs into a narrative all its own. I’m excited to find out where C. Rae D’Arc will take the Dreaming Princesses series next.
Princess Emerald (“Emer”) of Somnus has been put in a deep sleep after pricking her finger on a needle of a spinning wheel.. Sound familiar? The reader departs from the standard narrative when the book explores what happened to Emer while she’s dreaming.
She has a vivid and astonishing dream of a world with metal ships that fly overhead, electronic boxes that tell you everything you want to know, and scandalous clothing. In other words, she lands in twenty-first century United Kingdom. Funny and poignant, Emer’s experiences are an adventure in themselves though most of the plot doesn’t revolve around a fairytale land.
Well-written and carefully plotted, Dreaming Beauty is a solidly constructed novel that starts with Sleeping Beauty but springs into a narrative all its own. I’m excited to find out where C. Rae D’Arc will take the Dreaming Princesses series next.
July 1, 2022
I had so much fun beta reading this! It’s a clever take on the classic fairytale, and Emer and all the characters are so charming.
September 21, 2023
Cute sleeping beauty retelling from stuff your kindle day!
September 24, 2023
I bought this on stuff your kindle day. Was skeptical at first going into this especially because I went in blind. All around pleased with the book though and loved the
Modernism take on Sleepy Beauty. From the very beginning I loved Emer. Would read other books by this author.
Modernism take on Sleepy Beauty. From the very beginning I loved Emer. Would read other books by this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2023
Enjoyment: 4.5⭐
Characters: 4.5⭐
Writing: 4.5⭐
Plot and Pacing: 4.5⭐
Worldbuilding: 4.5⭐
ABOUT
Princess Emerald of Somnus is one of many princesses who seeks to prove her worth, and she does so by planning the perfect sixteenth birthday ball. Except it doesn't go perfectly. All is going well until she pricks herself on a poisoned spindle, sending her to a deep sleep that has her dreaming about modern-day England. There, she meets Caden and his friend, Mica, who go on an adventure to bring her back home.
Dreaming Beauty is a fantasy retelling of the story Sleeping Beauty with its own unique twists and turns, and multi-layered worldbuilding. I couldn't put the book down once I started.
CHARACTERS
Emer is a well-written main character who has complexities that makes reading her perspective a joy. She comes off as a neurotic perfectionist in the beginning, but it's all within reason. Stubborn, willful, and intelligent, she is a good mix of all those traits, which make her balanced. Have I said she was intelligent? Some of her quips and comments were quite good too.
Caden and Mica were such a delight to read too. Something about seeing Caden take notes and expand on the thought process of a writer feels so validating. He's a realist who considers the truth and is a bit rough around the edges, but his desire for adventure and barely-hidden fascination with Emer was cute to watch. Not to mention their banter. It had me laughing out loud a few times.
Mica was such a delight to read about too. He was polite, patient, and also had a good sense of humor that played really well with the dynamics of the trio. Honestly, I'd even go as far as saying he's my favorite. Maybe a little part of me wants to see him take a more prominent role on another book... who knows? *flushed* My bias aside, I wish we got to know more about Mica, since we were able to get quite a bit of info from Jessie and Thachuma.
Even the side characters were written well with their own goals, desires, and conflicts, which made me root for them despite only appearing for bits and bits of the book. The romance was good. It developed fairly well, not too fast or too slow. And it definitely felt like teenagers who started to have feelings for each other, which got me kicking my feet.
WRITING
Due to the story being in Emer's perspective, the prose were quite formal, especially with the vibes in fantasy. I've found myself either glossing over some text or looking up some words, though it was something very simple like trousers. That's on my part for not knowing it. I did appreciate the choice of prose in terms of setting. In Somnus, it was to be expected because Emer was in a fantasy world. In modern England, it was a contrast to the expected casual way people addressed each other.
PLOT AND PACING
In the first third of the book, the plot seemed fairly simple. The typical Sleeping Beauty story, except our main character gets thrusted into modern-day England as she dreams. From thereon, C. Rae D'Arc shows us her own creativity. There was enough foreshadowing to hint into future twist and turns, but not so much that it spoiled anything. It was a sufficient amount that made me want more. During the last third of the book, I couldn't put it down. There were so many questions to answer and nothing was as it seemed. You'd think that waking up and returning to Somnus was the Happily Ever After, but no. It was just the beginning.
WORLDBUILDING
I loved that there was more to the story than just Somnus and England. The fantasy world wasn't just some faraway land you'd read about in stories. No, it had its own politics and geography that made it even more complex. The Sleeping Beauty retelling was just a portion of the whole thing, and the establishment of there being more made me even more curious. The telling was more of a summary rather than in-depth exposition, which made it feel like I was learning more as I read rather than being info-dumped. Rooting for Emer to go on an adventure, or at least some other character exploring the land so I can read about it too.
FINAL THOUGHTS
When I tell you I was excited learning that this was a series, I mean it. I loved the concept of the story and the depth to which the characters have been established made me want to learn even more about them and this world. I look forward to reading more books in this series and would totally recommend it!
Characters: 4.5⭐
Writing: 4.5⭐
Plot and Pacing: 4.5⭐
Worldbuilding: 4.5⭐
ABOUT
Princess Emerald of Somnus is one of many princesses who seeks to prove her worth, and she does so by planning the perfect sixteenth birthday ball. Except it doesn't go perfectly. All is going well until she pricks herself on a poisoned spindle, sending her to a deep sleep that has her dreaming about modern-day England. There, she meets Caden and his friend, Mica, who go on an adventure to bring her back home.
Dreaming Beauty is a fantasy retelling of the story Sleeping Beauty with its own unique twists and turns, and multi-layered worldbuilding. I couldn't put the book down once I started.
CHARACTERS
Emer is a well-written main character who has complexities that makes reading her perspective a joy. She comes off as a neurotic perfectionist in the beginning, but it's all within reason. Stubborn, willful, and intelligent, she is a good mix of all those traits, which make her balanced. Have I said she was intelligent? Some of her quips and comments were quite good too.
Caden and Mica were such a delight to read too. Something about seeing Caden take notes and expand on the thought process of a writer feels so validating. He's a realist who considers the truth and is a bit rough around the edges, but his desire for adventure and barely-hidden fascination with Emer was cute to watch. Not to mention their banter. It had me laughing out loud a few times.
Mica was such a delight to read about too. He was polite, patient, and also had a good sense of humor that played really well with the dynamics of the trio. Honestly, I'd even go as far as saying he's my favorite. Maybe a little part of me wants to see him take a more prominent role on another book... who knows? *flushed* My bias aside, I wish we got to know more about Mica, since we were able to get quite a bit of info from Jessie and Thachuma.
Even the side characters were written well with their own goals, desires, and conflicts, which made me root for them despite only appearing for bits and bits of the book. The romance was good. It developed fairly well, not too fast or too slow. And it definitely felt like teenagers who started to have feelings for each other, which got me kicking my feet.
WRITING
Due to the story being in Emer's perspective, the prose were quite formal, especially with the vibes in fantasy. I've found myself either glossing over some text or looking up some words, though it was something very simple like trousers. That's on my part for not knowing it. I did appreciate the choice of prose in terms of setting. In Somnus, it was to be expected because Emer was in a fantasy world. In modern England, it was a contrast to the expected casual way people addressed each other.
PLOT AND PACING
In the first third of the book, the plot seemed fairly simple. The typical Sleeping Beauty story, except our main character gets thrusted into modern-day England as she dreams. From thereon, C. Rae D'Arc shows us her own creativity. There was enough foreshadowing to hint into future twist and turns, but not so much that it spoiled anything. It was a sufficient amount that made me want more. During the last third of the book, I couldn't put it down. There were so many questions to answer and nothing was as it seemed. You'd think that waking up and returning to Somnus was the Happily Ever After, but no. It was just the beginning.
WORLDBUILDING
I loved that there was more to the story than just Somnus and England. The fantasy world wasn't just some faraway land you'd read about in stories. No, it had its own politics and geography that made it even more complex. The Sleeping Beauty retelling was just a portion of the whole thing, and the establishment of there being more made me even more curious. The telling was more of a summary rather than in-depth exposition, which made it feel like I was learning more as I read rather than being info-dumped. Rooting for Emer to go on an adventure, or at least some other character exploring the land so I can read about it too.
FINAL THOUGHTS
When I tell you I was excited learning that this was a series, I mean it. I loved the concept of the story and the depth to which the characters have been established made me want to learn even more about them and this world. I look forward to reading more books in this series and would totally recommend it!
November 2, 2023
At first, I had a hard time with the book because the two characters went from hating each other to being in love within a couple chapters, which I didn't find realistic, but this book kinda made me want to keep reading and that twist toward the end was just awesome! I just gotta get book two NOW
September 21, 2024
Great story telling
I loved this story!! It was a totally different story from Sleeping Beauty. The heroine was strong and very independent. It was so good, I could not put it down till I finished it. It had a little romance, suspense and even a little of a thriller.
I loved this story!! It was a totally different story from Sleeping Beauty. The heroine was strong and very independent. It was so good, I could not put it down till I finished it. It had a little romance, suspense and even a little of a thriller.
October 23, 2023
adorable
This is a beautiful retelling. Unexpected magic and love found keeps the story moving and delightful. On to book two.
This is a beautiful retelling. Unexpected magic and love found keeps the story moving and delightful. On to book two.
November 21, 2024
I really enjoyed this version of the classic fairy tale. Any fairytale lover would enjoy this read. Would recommend.
March 31, 2024
a new twist to an old tale
It was a very refreshing way to look at sleeping beauty. Similar to the Disney version, but enough differences it kept my attention
It was a very refreshing way to look at sleeping beauty. Similar to the Disney version, but enough differences it kept my attention
July 4, 2024
Such a unique story
telly enjoyed reading and listening to Dreaming Beauty. The author is a gifted writer and I am looking forward to the next one in the series..
telly enjoyed reading and listening to Dreaming Beauty. The author is a gifted writer and I am looking forward to the next one in the series..
August 6, 2024
Fantastic
I loved this retelling of sleeping beauty and the twists and turns. I cannot wait to read the second one of the series.
I loved this retelling of sleeping beauty and the twists and turns. I cannot wait to read the second one of the series.
January 10, 2024
I tried to like this book, but I just couldn’t finish. The number of times she said everything feels like wool was ridiculous. I’m not stupid, I can remember that one fact longer than a single chapter. Sleeping beauty’s dream world is our world, London to be precise. The story was slow in the first place, and then started to not make sense when the MC just decided to go find the people that suddenly said they know her in this strange world. And then her romantic interest happens to find her in the middle of a castle ruin. But what made me decide I was fine with this book is the story didn’t stop there. No, she somehow goes back to her own world and we have to learn the names of all these new characters 75% of the way through the book. But not all the characters are new, some are just versions of the people she met in her dream. At this point I was as lost as the MC.
January 1, 2025
A fun retelling by itself, as it retells the entire Sleeping Beauty story instead of ending shortly after the wake-up kiss, but this book also makes for a compelling start to the series. Read now for a princess who's thrown from her world but who lands on her feet by way of her personal interests and strengths (with a little help from dashing princes), a minor character who tosses around a lot of Cockney, and an exploration of the changes to one's personality as a result of magic gained. Plus swoony romances that are more than physical attraction. Y'know. If you like characters who actually get to know each other or something. xD Clean insofar as language, romance, and violence are concerned. The only thing I can think of as a trigger warning would be the use of a medium portrayed as a positive.
May 5, 2025
This book caters to readers who appreciate intricate, emotionally resonant fantasy narratives that unfold gradually, allowing for deep immersion in the world and character development. It skillfully blends familiar motifs and structures from classic fairytales with modern sensibilities and unexpected deviations, offering a fresh yet comforting reading experience. The heart of the story lies in the nuanced and evolving connections between the characters, exploring their individual journeys and how they intertwine, making their relationships a central and compelling aspect of the plot.
July 4, 2025
Meh. It wasn't bad. But there wasn't really anything good either.
The fmcs nickname legitimately makes me mad. It's also my name, and the thought of Emer as a nickname is just terrible. There's so many other cute options, why go with that? In my mind it's like calling a Madison, Iso. Like yes... It's in the name... But it sounds really stupid.
The story moves incredibly fast, so it's lacking a lot of detail and descriptors. The writing itself is fine. The premise of the story is interesting, but the execution left a lot to be desired.
The fmcs nickname legitimately makes me mad. It's also my name, and the thought of Emer as a nickname is just terrible. There's so many other cute options, why go with that? In my mind it's like calling a Madison, Iso. Like yes... It's in the name... But it sounds really stupid.
The story moves incredibly fast, so it's lacking a lot of detail and descriptors. The writing itself is fine. The premise of the story is interesting, but the execution left a lot to be desired.
September 25, 2024
3.5⭐️— really enjoyed the first 75% of this book, the last 25% things started switching up and i wasn’t a super huge fan of it. nonetheless was a fun, cute read and will probably check out the next book in the series because I enjoyed the author’s writing. i’m a sucker for fairytale retellings with lighthearted romance.
December 5, 2024
I really liked the concept of the sleeping princess. I do think the book was too long. I had to skim the last 10 chapters maybe because it was redundant and a bit boring. The first half of the book was great, cute, a bit of romance, mystery and funny. I would say definitely still read it as it is very interesting and the characters are sweet.
September 21, 2023
This was a unique sleeping beauty retelling. I liked the twist of having part of it take place modern day and all the dream references. A lot happens in the end, almost felt like too much. But It was good and kept me engaged the whole time.
September 28, 2023
I felt like some parts were rushed where other parts of the story we didn’t need. Overall I kinda enjoyed the read but I had to force myself to finish. I do like the version the author went with it was different and unique but like I said I felt some parts were just rushed.
February 8, 2026
Cute fairytale retelling. I love the idea of telling about Sleeping Beauty's dream, and I love how in her dream all she can feel is wool. I am so intrigued as to how the rest of the series is going to go!
January 6, 2024
Beautiful retelling of a classic! Love the modern integration
March 18, 2024
Cute
I thought it was a really cute book, but i felt a little too old for it
Obviously thats just my problem, still really recommend it to teens
I thought it was a really cute book, but i felt a little too old for it
Obviously thats just my problem, still really recommend it to teens
May 9, 2024
(3.5 stars would be more accurate) A cute quick read! i will say i do feel that some parts were a bit rushed but either way it was an easy read and kept me captivated. 💗
July 9, 2024
I feel like I should know what beshrews means.
July 12, 2024
DNF
It was just boring. I only got 20% in and couldn't finish. I usually love a retelling.
It was just boring. I only got 20% in and couldn't finish. I usually love a retelling.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews