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carlyhearts's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Sleeping Beauty, but with fae courts and way more dragons. The second half went a bit off the rails, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
vintageclaire_'s review against another edition
2.25
➳ 2.25 stars
Special thanks to netgalley, publishers, and R.L. Perez for providing me with an eARC. As always, all thoughts are my own and are in no way influenced by early access to this title.
Growing up Sleeping Beauty was one of my favorite Disney fairytales so going into this I was very excited. To say I was disappointed would unfortunately be an understatement 😔.
To start off this book didn’t have the initial intrigue that the original fairytale had. While the vibes intrigued me a bit it just had a bit of a messy feel to it. The world building was one of the things that this book lacked. Plus there wasn’t much background and character development to go off of the world building.
Then the writing was both repetitive and cringey. Some of it I was going to look past but it just kept on happening. And for a book that’s five hundred pages it just stuck out.
I did enjoy some of our main couples banter and romance but I just wasn’t obsessed. I also wasn’t crazy about the plot. At the beginning I was intrigued but it eventually fell flat. Overall I was pretty bored and just didn’t connect much with the characters and the story sadly.
carlybrooke's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This was a unique retelling of Sleeping Beauty, and I enjoyed some of the other aspects added into the plot to make it original. This book contained some twists that I didn’t see coming and that made the story more interesting. R.L. Perez really made sure to put her own spin on things and make the story deeper than just a sleeping curse. The female main character, Aurelia, did come off as naive and immature. Her indecisiveness was annoying at times, but I think this was just meant to be part of her character. The male main character, Fenn, was charming and likable but he also had his flaws. While I did enjoy the story and the romance, I felt like the romance aspect happened too quickly. And this was supposed to be enemies to lovers but it didn’t happen in a way that made you really feel the angst of that trope. There was more telling by way of internal thoughts from the characters rather than showing how they were enemies and slowly falling for each other. I felt this could have been executed better. I did love the dragons, especially Mal of course, and I also loved how magic was incorporated. There was some spice but due to how immature the relationship between the main characters felt (and how childish Aurelia acted), it made the spicy scenes feel a bit cringy. The character development was lacking and I wish there had been more world building. As a whole this book wasn't horrible, but it didn't get me excited either. I loved the ideas the author had and I enjoyed some aspects of the story, but overall it was just a decent read for me.
Thank you to the author, R.L. Perez, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
ashleybarnes's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Fae! Dragons! Spice! Enemies to lovers! Fake betrothal! This book really has it all.
Crown of Slumber is a Sleeping Beauty retelling, where Princess Aurelia finds herself having to begrudgingly align with Prince Fenn to save both her family and their kingdom. Things escalate quickly, and the pair fake an engagement with the hopes of accomplishing both of their goals.
At times, I found the enemies to lovers element to feel a bit out of place, with both characters’ actions kind of blown out of proportion to make the trope happen. This was especially true for Aurelia. I liked their back and forth, and the chemistry was clear to me as a reader. Fenn was a charming MMC and I found myself enjoying the chapters from his POV a bit more. Mal the dragon was also a highlight.
Even though it was a retelling of a classic story, there was enough characterization and added fantasy elements to keep it fresh. I found the middle section of their quest to drag on a bit, but the pace picked up a lot at in the last quarter of the book. I wish we had spent more time there, digging into the secondary characters and important plot points instead of fighting ogres.
Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Blood, and Death of parent
catherine_reads_'s review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Sleeping Beauty was my favourite fairy tale as a kid so I was really excited to read this book ✨
I enjoyed the nods towards the movie like the fairies, Mal the dragon & the sleeping curse. However, it was still its own original story. The movie is very Knight in shining armour, but I enjoyed how Aurelia can hold her own in this story.
This book for the most part felt more YA to me than new adult. The smut felt out of place with the rest of the book and it was added to make it New Adult.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read
Thanks, Willow Haven Press & NetGalley for the eARC
I enjoyed the nods towards the movie like the fairies, Mal the dragon & the sleeping curse. However, it was still its own original story. The movie is very Knight in shining armour, but I enjoyed how Aurelia can hold her own in this story.
This book for the most part felt more YA to me than new adult. The smut felt out of place with the rest of the book and it was added to make it New Adult.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read
Thanks, Willow Haven Press & NetGalley for the eARC
ellieschaben's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
*Many thanks to RL Perez and Willow Haven Press for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review!*
4.25/5 stars
I love a good retelling of a fairy tale, and this was done well! If you love Fourth Wing and dragons and royalty and magic with a small bit of fairytales, then this book is for you!
This book didn’t keep me up at night wanting to read, but it did keep me coming back. Once we were in the Star Court, I was FULLY on board. I cannot wait for the next book!
4.25/5 stars
I love a good retelling of a fairy tale, and this was done well! If you love Fourth Wing and dragons and royalty and magic with a small bit of fairytales, then this book is for you!
This book didn’t keep me up at night wanting to read, but it did keep me coming back. Once we were in the Star Court, I was FULLY on board. I cannot wait for the next book!
sundragonscrolls's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Tropes:
*Sleeping Beauty retelling
*betrayal and trust
*sacrifice and duty
*enemies to lovers
*fake relationship
*court intrigue
*dragons
*magic
Themes:
*Betrayal and Trust
*Sacrifice and Duty
*Family and Loyalty
Language: yes
Spice: 3/5
This Sleeping Beauty retelling is a mix of fantasy, romance, and adventure with a fae twist and some spice added. I enjoyed this dual POV story and the refreshing take on the Sleeping Beauty story. I also loved the dragons and am excited to see more of them in future installments.
Plot: The plot was interesting and engaging. Kept me wanting to know what would happen and how it would be resolved.
Pacing: Fairly fast-paced. Sometimes things felt a bit rushed in terms of the FMC's and MMC's relationship. The plot/adventure aspect was good pacing.
World-building: Lots of details and information given about the world, the lore of the world, and even some of the creatures.
Characters: I enjoyed the FMC and MMC. However, there are times when the FMC can seem a bit more juvenile than the age she is written to be. There is a bit of banter back and forth, but the MMC falls first and is more soft and playful than your typical broody MMC.
Overall Rating: 9.5/10 or 4/5 stars
plot: 1
pacing: 1
themes: 1
setting: 1
originality: 1
characters: 1
writing style: 1
emotional impact: .5
ending: 1
overall enjoyment: 1
*Sleeping Beauty retelling
*betrayal and trust
*sacrifice and duty
*enemies to lovers
*fake relationship
*court intrigue
*dragons
*magic
Themes:
*Betrayal and Trust
*Sacrifice and Duty
*Family and Loyalty
Language: yes
Spice: 3/5
This Sleeping Beauty retelling is a mix of fantasy, romance, and adventure with a fae twist and some spice added. I enjoyed this dual POV story and the refreshing take on the Sleeping Beauty story. I also loved the dragons and am excited to see more of them in future installments.
Plot: The plot was interesting and engaging. Kept me wanting to know what would happen and how it would be resolved.
Pacing: Fairly fast-paced. Sometimes things felt a bit rushed in terms of the FMC's and MMC's relationship. The plot/adventure aspect was good pacing.
World-building: Lots of details and information given about the world, the lore of the world, and even some of the creatures.
Characters: I enjoyed the FMC and MMC. However, there are times when the FMC can seem a bit more juvenile than the age she is written to be. There is a bit of banter back and forth, but the MMC falls first and is more soft and playful than your typical broody MMC.
Overall Rating: 9.5/10 or 4/5 stars
plot: 1
pacing: 1
themes: 1
setting: 1
originality: 1
characters: 1
writing style: 1
emotional impact: .5
ending: 1
overall enjoyment: 1
lexysbookcorner's review against another edition
4.5
“Even when the stars go dark, still I will burn for you, filling the night sky to guide you back home to me.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Thank you MTMC and R.L. Perez for the gifted book!
This book had me hooked from the first line! I absolutely devoured it and had such a blast 🤭 the enemies to lovers romance was full of banter, the plot was twisty and fast paced, annnnnd there are dragons!
The world building was so well done and wasn’t too heavy. We don’t see a ton of this world in this book, but I look forward to exploring it more in the rest of this series! The plot had me in such a chokehold bc I couldn’t put this down 😩 plenty of political intrigue, betrayal, bargains, and twists!
Aurelia is the princess and heir to the summer court. She is very passionate about the dragons in her care, especially Mal 🖤 She’s feisty and fiercely protective of her people and dragons. I really loved seeing her embrace herself and slowly heal throughout this book 🥹
“You are a firebird. Magnificent and fierce. No one will quell your flame.”
Fenn is the cocky prince and heir to summer’s enemy court, the midnight court. Fenn has a carefully practiced mask in place to appear cocky and arrogant, but he’s truly the sweetest and most protective guy 😭 I absolutely adored him and how much he was willing to do for his people and Aurelia.
“That dress is far more dangerous than any dagger you’ve threatened me with.”
Ummmm the romance?? Amazing 😌 Fake betrothal? Check. Enemies to lovers? Check. Amazing banter? Check. Absolutely obsessed with the back and forth between the two of them 🤭 there was so much tension and I was dyingggg over it!
“I loathe you more intensely than a thousand burning suns.”
“So what you’re saying is… you have strong feelings for me?”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Thank you MTMC and R.L. Perez for the gifted book!
This book had me hooked from the first line! I absolutely devoured it and had such a blast 🤭 the enemies to lovers romance was full of banter, the plot was twisty and fast paced, annnnnd there are dragons!
The world building was so well done and wasn’t too heavy. We don’t see a ton of this world in this book, but I look forward to exploring it more in the rest of this series! The plot had me in such a chokehold bc I couldn’t put this down 😩 plenty of political intrigue, betrayal, bargains, and twists!
Aurelia is the princess and heir to the summer court. She is very passionate about the dragons in her care, especially Mal 🖤 She’s feisty and fiercely protective of her people and dragons. I really loved seeing her embrace herself and slowly heal throughout this book 🥹
“You are a firebird. Magnificent and fierce. No one will quell your flame.”
Fenn is the cocky prince and heir to summer’s enemy court, the midnight court. Fenn has a carefully practiced mask in place to appear cocky and arrogant, but he’s truly the sweetest and most protective guy 😭 I absolutely adored him and how much he was willing to do for his people and Aurelia.
“That dress is far more dangerous than any dagger you’ve threatened me with.”
Ummmm the romance?? Amazing 😌 Fake betrothal? Check. Enemies to lovers? Check. Amazing banter? Check. Absolutely obsessed with the back and forth between the two of them 🤭 there was so much tension and I was dyingggg over it!
“I loathe you more intensely than a thousand burning suns.”
“So what you’re saying is… you have strong feelings for me?”
cglibraryy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
styngrae's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Crown of Slumber will take you through a roller coaster of emotion. You will laugh, cry, get angry. If a book can make me feel everything under the sun then I say it's a phenomenal book! I can't find words to tell you how exceptional this novel is!
I recieved an ARC of Crown of Slumber in exchange for an honest review.
I recieved an ARC of Crown of Slumber in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault