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3.42 AVERAGE
3.42 AVERAGE
This is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty but it just didn’t hit right. It feels like it’s trying to hard to be like every other dystopian YA novel.
I was really intrigued by this YA fantasy retelling of Sleeping Beauty, but I thought the execution was just okay. It was a very quick read, but it left me wanting more world and character development. The fast pacing from the start just never had me feeling fully invested in the tale. Overall, it was a good read, and I think it’s more successful for a YA audience getting into the fantasy genre.
Thank you to Kaitlyn Davis and NetGalley for the audio copy in exchange for my honest review.
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really enjoyed this take on sleeping beauty. It is definitely a version I've never heard of. It was very good. I enjoyed the people and the relationships between them. The relationship between mother and son is sad, and I felt bad for him. I do like that Jade fell in love and was able to get a happy ending. I can't wait to read the next book as the ending is so cute and makes you want to read more.
I received a copy via NetGalley for an honest review.
First, any reference to the name Jade and you make the chick a fighter.... Kudos. (Mortal Kombat, anyone?!) Keeping up with the theme of "I'm a chick and I can take on all you guys...." Yeah. Points.
I read this book in one shot, so it's an easy, faced read. What more could you ask for?? Maybe a bit more character insight. Asher was a little vague, I felt, so it felt hard to get into their eventual relationship. Parts of the book felt rushed and I think that also made me feel it was lacking in the genuineness. I would have enjoyed being able to invest more in the characters a little more, but with the action in the book, I get why it was done that way.
I loved the card scene and the photos with the older lady. It really felt like Jade was evolving into someone different.... It was moments like that that I felt I learned more about her character and needed more.
I would probably read the second one. I enjoyed this one quite a bit.
First, any reference to the name Jade and you make the chick a fighter.... Kudos. (Mortal Kombat, anyone?!) Keeping up with the theme of "I'm a chick and I can take on all you guys...." Yeah. Points.
I read this book in one shot, so it's an easy, faced read. What more could you ask for?? Maybe a bit more character insight. Asher was a little vague, I felt, so it felt hard to get into their eventual relationship. Parts of the book felt rushed and I think that also made me feel it was lacking in the genuineness. I would have enjoyed being able to invest more in the characters a little more, but with the action in the book, I get why it was done that way.
I loved the card scene and the photos with the older lady. It really felt like Jade was evolving into someone different.... It was moments like that that I felt I learned more about her character and needed more.
I would probably read the second one. I enjoyed this one quite a bit.
I just couldn't connect to the characters or the story... Sad, as this was said to be a retelling of my favorite fairy tale..oh well. It is a typical YA novel, if you want the instalove romance, you might like this.
This is really a 3.5 star review. I enjoyed this book, there were just some things that kept me from giving it a full 4 stars.
I loved the concept of the book - I think it was my favorite part. I love a good reimagined fairytale and this book delivered in quite a few ways. I love that “sleep” and the curse were actually them having their emotions taken away. This was very clever and I thought Davis did a great job displaying this.
The romance drove me crazy, and not in a good way. First of all, it was Stockholm syndrome, not love. Second of all: it happened so fast! I know, this is something that happens in a lot of young adult fiction, but oof.
Random thing that bugged me: she’s described as being multiracial and the cover is of a very pale white girl…
Also, I hate how Asher runs away at the end when he reveals he’s engaged! Like what the heck?! And the setup for the next book is a bit too on the nose if you ask me. It could’ve been more subtle for sure.
Lastly, am I the only one that noticed how much she loved to use the word “murmur”? Maybe because I listened to it in audio book form, I don’t know… she said it so many times LOL. Which Ellie Gossage narrating was great! She’s a little slow though so I played it at 1.2x speed.
I loved the concept of the book - I think it was my favorite part. I love a good reimagined fairytale and this book delivered in quite a few ways. I love that “sleep” and the curse were actually them having their emotions taken away. This was very clever and I thought Davis did a great job displaying this.
The romance drove me crazy, and not in a good way. First of all, it was Stockholm syndrome, not love. Second of all: it happened so fast! I know, this is something that happens in a lot of young adult fiction, but oof.
Random thing that bugged me: she’s described as being multiracial and the cover is of a very pale white girl…
Also, I hate how Asher runs away at the end when he reveals he’s engaged! Like what the heck?! And the setup for the next book is a bit too on the nose if you ask me. It could’ve been more subtle for sure.
Lastly, am I the only one that noticed how much she loved to use the word “murmur”? Maybe because I listened to it in audio book form, I don’t know… she said it so many times LOL. Which Ellie Gossage narrating was great! She’s a little slow though so I played it at 1.2x speed.
Jade's story captured me from the very beginning. I tend to like fairy tale based books as well as dystopian novels. I didn't realize this was a combo of the two but I was happily please because after the first couple of pages, I was completely hooked. Will I be continuing the series? Absolutely!
Listened to the audiobook. Was extremely curious how this story was similar to Sleeping Beauty. I enjoyed how different of a take it was.
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated