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randomperson1223's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
brandypainter's review against another edition
4.0
Fairy Tale retellings are a dime a dozen and, while I love reading them, I am the first to admit that few are done well. Thornspell is one of the exceptions and is fantastic in every sense of the word. It is a retelling of the tale of The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood. This retelling is unique in that the story follows the life of the prince, not the princess.
As a boy, Prince Sigismund longs for adventure and something interesting to happen in his life. He lives sequestered in an obscure castle at the edge of a mysterious wood his great grandfather placed an interdict over. When a mysterious encounter causes Sigismund to fall ill his father sends him a master-at-arms to train and guard him. Suddenly Sigismund's life is not so boring anymore and he discovers that he is a pivotal player in a web of magic spun by two powerful Faeries nearly one hundred years previously involving the mysterious wood and an enchanted princess. But Sigismund is no pawn and through the training of his new companion discovers he posses a powerful magic of his own. This is a valuable asset as the success or failure of his quest will determine the fates of both the mortal and the Fae worlds.
The novel is a combination of the original tale, Arthurian legend, Faerie myth and eastern dragon lore. The world building is excellent and the characters engaging. The author left me wanting to know more about the world she created and that is a job well done.
As a boy, Prince Sigismund longs for adventure and something interesting to happen in his life. He lives sequestered in an obscure castle at the edge of a mysterious wood his great grandfather placed an interdict over. When a mysterious encounter causes Sigismund to fall ill his father sends him a master-at-arms to train and guard him. Suddenly Sigismund's life is not so boring anymore and he discovers that he is a pivotal player in a web of magic spun by two powerful Faeries nearly one hundred years previously involving the mysterious wood and an enchanted princess. But Sigismund is no pawn and through the training of his new companion discovers he posses a powerful magic of his own. This is a valuable asset as the success or failure of his quest will determine the fates of both the mortal and the Fae worlds.
The novel is a combination of the original tale, Arthurian legend, Faerie myth and eastern dragon lore. The world building is excellent and the characters engaging. The author left me wanting to know more about the world she created and that is a job well done.
tehani's review against another edition
5.0
A recommended addition to the reading pile of anyone interested in well-done fairytale retellings. Lowe does very nice things with Sleeping Beauty, written beautifully, with a strong fantasy bent. It pushed my butons as being aimed at middle grade readers (10+) but was nicely satisfying as an adult read as well - not easy!
elentarien's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this retelling of Sleeping Beauty. It was different and reasonably well done. I enjoyed the fact we got to know the prince a bit more - and that he wasn't just a 'side' character who happens to show up. He still seemed a little flat, but far far better than a lot of the retellings.
I also liked that he and the princess were able to at least meet before the whole 'happily ever after' thing. However, I would have enjoyed seeing a bit *more* interaction between them before "I love you" was said. I mean, she shows up a few times. . .and he spends the rest of the time LOOKING for her. That's not exactly a solid basis for a lasting relationship! Added to the fact she couldn't talk. . .how COULD he love her? I see she might have fallen for him, *if* she was around more than he was aware, but that wasn't mentioned if she was.
But, yeah. All in all, an enjoyable retelling. I would like to see more.
I also liked that he and the princess were able to at least meet before the whole 'happily ever after' thing. However, I would have enjoyed seeing a bit *more* interaction between them before "I love you" was said. I mean, she shows up a few times. . .and he spends the rest of the time LOOKING for her. That's not exactly a solid basis for a lasting relationship! Added to the fact she couldn't talk. . .how COULD he love her? I see she might have fallen for him, *if* she was around more than he was aware, but that wasn't mentioned if she was.
But, yeah. All in all, an enjoyable retelling. I would like to see more.
jasmyn9's review against another edition
5.0
Prince Sigismund has grown up sheltered and protected while his father's kingdom is at war. He has fallen in love with all the stories of enchanted creatures and heroes rescuing princesses. Then one day it all becomes real. A not-so-chance encounter with a sorceress sets events in motion that will change his life forever.
Hearing the tale of Sleeping Beauty from the prince's point of view was fantastic. He wasn't a hero, but had to learn how to be one. With several teachers to help him along the way, he must face powers that he could never imagine, even after reading all the old tales. He finds himself drawn to the enchanted forest, a place that is forbidden to all. When he discovers that his dreams of a princess trapped in the forest are all real, he knows what his destiny is.
Sigismund is not perfect, and this is one of the many things that makes the story so good. He is trustworthy to a fault and has to learn that not everyone is what they seem to be. Caught up in events that seem to be spinning out of control, and taken away to fantastic realms that are not his, he learns the lessons and skills that it will take to save the princess.
The resolution had everything you ask for in a fairy tale, along with a few extra surprises thrown in to keep things a little interesting.
Hearing the tale of Sleeping Beauty from the prince's point of view was fantastic. He wasn't a hero, but had to learn how to be one. With several teachers to help him along the way, he must face powers that he could never imagine, even after reading all the old tales. He finds himself drawn to the enchanted forest, a place that is forbidden to all. When he discovers that his dreams of a princess trapped in the forest are all real, he knows what his destiny is.
Sigismund is not perfect, and this is one of the many things that makes the story so good. He is trustworthy to a fault and has to learn that not everyone is what they seem to be. Caught up in events that seem to be spinning out of control, and taken away to fantastic realms that are not his, he learns the lessons and skills that it will take to save the princess.
The resolution had everything you ask for in a fairy tale, along with a few extra surprises thrown in to keep things a little interesting.
curiouslibrarian's review
5.0
Some adults really delight in reading fantasy for children or young adults. Those adults should quickly snatch up this book! Which is not to say that it's not good for children, just that it's one of the special class of youth fantasy that should not get overlooked by adult [b:fantasy lover|84136|Fantasy Lover (Dark-Hunter, #1)|Sherrilyn Kenyon|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171050604s/84136.jpg|2384]s.
It is nominally an expansion of "Sleeping Beauty" from the perspective of Price Sigismund, but it's so much more than that. This book takes many scattered elements -- enchanted and forbidden forests, The Fay both good and evil, dragons, fighting, hunting, the magic of dreams, dragons, good friends, servants, mysterious girls, people who are not what they seem, and on and on -- and weaves them into a coherent and absorbing narrative. And while it does all tie into the "Sleeping Beauty" story, it's really all about Sigismund, not the Princess or that castle/court.
Wonderful book. For grades 5-8 (and adults!)
It is nominally an expansion of "Sleeping Beauty" from the perspective of Price Sigismund, but it's so much more than that. This book takes many scattered elements -- enchanted and forbidden forests, The Fay both good and evil, dragons, fighting, hunting, the magic of dreams, dragons, good friends, servants, mysterious girls, people who are not what they seem, and on and on -- and weaves them into a coherent and absorbing narrative. And while it does all tie into the "Sleeping Beauty" story, it's really all about Sigismund, not the Princess or that castle/court.
Wonderful book. For grades 5-8 (and adults!)
mrs_merdle's review
3.0
This was pretty good. Maybe not quite on a par with Robin McKinley's best works, but certainly right up there with some of her lesser novels. I liked that this one was told from the perspective of the prince (which is the active role, after all - I guess Sleeping Beauty from the perspective of the princess would be pretty boring), and I liked that this prince, while certainly prone to the impatience of a young hero type, was also capable of thinking before he acted.
bkwrm127's review
4.0
A Sleeping Beauty story told from the point of view of the prince ~and the sleeping beauty isn't a total wuss! Woo hoo! I love it!