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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
This is one of the more... uh... creative retellings I've read. It certainly does its own thing with the story of Sleeping Beauty. I liked it and it kept me guessing, so if you're looking for something different... give this a try.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Sleeping Beauty's story isn't one of my favorite fairy tales (especially the original tale which is problematic on many levels) but Dokey has a knack for taking the best parts of a tale and spinning it with a modern twist in its proper out of time setting. Aurore is a fabulous heroine who is not afraid to fight to change her fate, even if it means leaving behind all those who are trying to save her.
This is my second book by Cameron Dokey, and while I like it less than The Storyteller’s Daughter, it was still a charming retelling of a fairy tale. The first part of the book dragged a bit but the last 20% was interesting and a very unique take on the story of Sleeping Beauty.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Same bland fantasy romance as all of Dokey's works, but suddenly swerves romantic leads at the end, switching to a cute dork prince to her 100+ year-old cousin. It was weird throughout how much romantic hints they dropped for her cousin (who was raised as her adopted brother, which makes it worse). Like the first thing she notices about the prince who comes to save her has the same eyes as her cousin. But I kept thinking, no way she'll marry her cousin. They even did that whole part at the beginning saying how his nickname "Prince Charming" was a misnomer because he was awful. And he was already eight years older than her. And they talked about wanting to feel like a family, and I thought they meant in normal, healthy ways you are a family with your adopted brother. And they even set up another romantic lead, who was great, though lacked a little chemistry. Just for her to go back to the castle and kiss her 124 year-old cousin back to youth? And then they talk about his past wife and his great-grandchildren like it is nothing??? Like, I don't care that this man looks 24, which is already a weird age gap to 16. He has lived for 124 years. The oldest person to ever live only lived to 122! I just can't! The problem with Dokey's "you can't change love at first sight" mentality is that it often puts people into really unhealthy relationships and then says they can't change it because of love. And it is fantasy!! You can literally make them perfect for each other. And yet she persists with these really strange pairings, and it makes me wonder how much more is hiding under the surface in that brain of hers. . I liked Dokey before when I was just in a super sweet and sugary romance mood, but this might have turned me off her forever
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
I read The Storyteller's Daughter a long time ago and decided to give the whole series a go, by order of release. I was cheap and bought the more-than-one books and this one is in Once Again. I would be interested in getting each book individually if I could get all the covers with the cut-off heads. No success there. For the story itself:
Cute with a few twists and turns. I am bothered that she married her cousin, who was set up in the beginning as a mini villain. Before I got to Ironheart, I could see the Happily Ever After. Just this small piece kept me from fully enjoying the conclusion and I can say that I would have had the same mindset if I had read it closer to when I first read The Storyteller's Daughter (I was around fourteen.)
Cute with a few twists and turns. I am bothered that she married her cousin, who was set up in the beginning as a mini villain. Before I got to Ironheart, I could see the Happily Ever After. Just this small piece kept me from fully enjoying the conclusion and I can say that I would have had the same mindset if I had read it closer to when I first read The Storyteller's Daughter (I was around fourteen.)
"Never say a thing is simple, even if you know it is. Because as soon as you do, things get complicated. You might as well just come right out and invite something you'd rather not meet to rear its ugly head and bite you."
Even though I figured out one of the major plot turns in the end of the story way sooner than I would have liked, I still really enjoyed this book. It's nice to know that the "Once Upon a Time" series is as good as I heard. I really enjoy alternate versions of classic fairy tales, and this one is no exception.
Even though I figured out one of the major plot turns in the end of the story way sooner than I would have liked, I still really enjoyed this book. It's nice to know that the "Once Upon a Time" series is as good as I heard. I really enjoy alternate versions of classic fairy tales, and this one is no exception.
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
What a stupidly happy and gushy book. And yes, I did cry at the end. And yes, I enjoyed every moment of this. This was the pick-me-up I needed.
I love love butI can do without cousins being in love with each other...that part is weird .
I love love but
This was a fun, quick read. I didn't like it as much as the first one in the series that I read. But still cute.