Scan barcode
cmitchell2781's review
4.0
Brilliant
Brilliant. Such a week written story, it's easy to set it apart from sleeping beauty and let it stand on its own. I also loved the ending, I didn't see it coming and that's always such a thrill. Part of me hopes that the author takes the opportunity to write a sequel, as I would love to see what she does with it.
Brilliant. Such a week written story, it's easy to set it apart from sleeping beauty and let it stand on its own. I also loved the ending, I didn't see it coming and that's always such a thrill. Part of me hopes that the author takes the opportunity to write a sequel, as I would love to see what she does with it.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
4.0
Another series I've almost finished. This was the pre-last book I still had to read and I was quite excited to read this twist on the story of Sleeping Beauty, especially because I always think that Sleeping Beauty is the hardest tale to twist and change and make interesting. However, Disney's Maleficent has always been one of my favorite villains and I was therefore even more excited to dive into this version and retelling!
I have to admit that I'm not entirely sure if the book really follows the concept. Yes, in the original story the caster of the sleeping spell is the villain, but it's quite clear that in this book the roles are reversed. The author crafted an original, unique and thrilling tale, but I think absolutely no one will argue that Carabosse was quite clearly the good girl in this story, while Aurora is very much the evil witch need to be dealt with.
However, Mercedes makes the story that interesting and compelling that the original concept of the series is easily forgotten. Even though the story is relatively short she manages to build a layered world with an even more fascinating form of magic. I especially loved how there were clearly different forms of magic and how the author showed that brute strength isn't always the kind winning in the end.
I also really enjoyed getting to know these characters. Carabosse might not really be a villain and she might have little in common with Maleficent, but it was easy to like her and therefore it was even easier to root for her. I have to admit that Aurora was a little too villainy for my taste, but after the epilogue of the story I somehow hope that the author will return to this world and will come back to tell us her tale and her side of the story. I'd love to read it!
I have to admit that I'm not entirely sure if the book really follows the concept. Yes, in the original story the caster of the sleeping spell is the villain, but it's quite clear that in this book the roles are reversed. The author crafted an original, unique and thrilling tale, but I think absolutely no one will argue that Carabosse was quite clearly the good girl in this story, while Aurora is very much the evil witch need to be dealt with.
However, Mercedes makes the story that interesting and compelling that the original concept of the series is easily forgotten. Even though the story is relatively short she manages to build a layered world with an even more fascinating form of magic. I especially loved how there were clearly different forms of magic and how the author showed that brute strength isn't always the kind winning in the end.
I also really enjoyed getting to know these characters. Carabosse might not really be a villain and she might have little in common with Maleficent, but it was easy to like her and therefore it was even easier to root for her. I have to admit that Aurora was a little too villainy for my taste, but after the epilogue of the story I somehow hope that the author will return to this world and will come back to tell us her tale and her side of the story. I'd love to read it!
ameserole's review
3.0
Carabosse and the Spindle Spell is the twelfth installment within the A Villain's Ever After series. Not sure if there will be another book or not but I'm happy to say that I finished this series.
This is definitely a sleeping beauty retelling, and it was kind of cute. It was a nice twist to see Aurora being the evil one. I also really enjoyed the action throughout this because it kept the pages turning. Or maybe that's just me? The only thing that bothered me was the romance. It just didn't seem to be on par with the other books in this series. Still, I enjoyed this one.
In the end, I kind of want to see a take on this in a movie. Especially since we rarely see Aurora being the evil one. Heck, I would even love a fuller and darker book if the movie idea was a no-go.
This is definitely a sleeping beauty retelling, and it was kind of cute. It was a nice twist to see Aurora being the evil one. I also really enjoyed the action throughout this because it kept the pages turning. Or maybe that's just me? The only thing that bothered me was the romance. It just didn't seem to be on par with the other books in this series. Still, I enjoyed this one.
In the end, I kind of want to see a take on this in a movie. Especially since we rarely see Aurora being the evil one. Heck, I would even love a fuller and darker book if the movie idea was a no-go.
shelvedthoughts's review
5.0
Sleeping Beauty
Reader’s Notes:
– this is part of a series, but meant to be read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Cara’s (Carabosse) point of view
Review:
I absolutely loved this Sleeping Beauty retelling!
Reader’s Notes:
– this is part of a series, but meant to be read as a stand-alone
– this is told from Cara’s (Carabosse) point of view
Review:
I absolutely loved this Sleeping Beauty retelling!
fiction_gryphon's review
5.0
I just loved this story! That little twist at the end caught me by surprise… and I wonder if we’ll be seeing a future installment set in this world
jessyhayward's review
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
I hate this. It’s a great idea and has brilliant writing, but the execution sucks. It’s super boring. I’ve never felt more bored by a book with only around 100 pages.
melb876's review
4.0
Good, but felt rough and unfinished
This twist on the Sleeping Beauty tale was well done. I especially liked that there were dragons.
The story felt like it was missing parts, which made it somewhat choppy. It didn't detract too much from the overall story arc, but it was still noticeable.
This is the first book I have reas by this author. I will probably give her other books a try.
**SPOILERS**
The romantic feelings between Cara and Torvald seemed forced into this story, it didn't feel natural, it just was there.
Aurora killing her father was too easy, and why didn't she do it sooner if she hated him so much and had so much power herself?
This twist on the Sleeping Beauty tale was well done. I especially liked that there were dragons.
The story felt like it was missing parts, which made it somewhat choppy. It didn't detract too much from the overall story arc, but it was still noticeable.
This is the first book I have reas by this author. I will probably give her other books a try.
**SPOILERS**
The romantic feelings between Cara and Torvald seemed forced into this story, it didn't feel natural, it just was there.
Aurora killing her father was too easy, and why didn't she do it sooner if she hated him so much and had so much power herself?
alice_w_greenfield's review
adventurous
medium-paced
3.0
A Fairytale retelling. Can be read as a stand-alone, but is the twelfth book in a series that reimagines classic fairytale stories from the "villains" perspective. Single POV. HEA.
A fun story that reimagines Sleeping Beauty, and tells it from the villains side. I enjoyed the story, but felt like there was quite a bit of missing information that would have enhanced the story and made it more enjoyable as well as helped it make more sense.
Carabosse is the princess and next in line for the throne of her land. Torald is one of the twelve dragon lords. When Cara's realm is under attack, the dragon lords go to help her father fend off the intruders. Thanks to the warlock king, everything goes awry.
A fun story that reimagines Sleeping Beauty, and tells it from the villains side. I enjoyed the story, but felt like there was quite a bit of missing information that would have enhanced the story and made it more enjoyable as well as helped it make more sense.
Carabosse is the princess and next in line for the throne of her land. Torald is one of the twelve dragon lords. When Cara's realm is under attack, the dragon lords go to help her father fend off the intruders. Thanks to the warlock king, everything goes awry.