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rokinjaguar's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This is a tricky book to review. I really enjoyed it while I was reading it and it’s done very well, but it kind of feels like either: this was written to be the first book of a long series, but then was wrapped up quickly and anticlimactically at the end to be a standalone, or the author had some points she wanted to make, but the story was really only a tool to make those points, like this was more of an essay using characters as mouthpieces than a story for its own sake. If this had been a first in a series, I probably would have given it 4.5 or 5 stars, but as a standalone it made me feel kind of weird.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Death of parent, Misogyny, and Death
Minor: Animal cruelty, Confinement, and Bullying
inmyhumbleopinion's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this twist on the sleeping beauty tale. This tales features not Aurora but her older half sibling Miriam. Miriam loves her new baby sister and will do what it takes to protect her. Giving up societal norms of a woman’s place Miriam trains using all her gifts and skills to protect the little princess. I LOVED THIS STORY though it left me wanting more.
seeinghowitgoes's review against another edition
3.0
Miriam is the younger sister of a somewhat more favours protagonist - Aurora, but it's the story of how she and her friends become Aurora's protectors and forge bonds of friendship. Much in the way that you'd expect a classic Lackey novel to do.
alexiachantel's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
4.0
A lovely, middle grade take on Sleeping Beauty. Aurora's sister takes center stage in this version and the fae and magical creatures she encounters are wonderful.
trippyotter's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
thindbooks's review against another edition
4.0
*this arc was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*
This was a wonderful book! Mariam born in a kingdom but is not a princess, possesses powers that she must use to protect her sister Aurora from the Dark Fae who cursed her. This is a twist on Sleeping Beauty which is one of my favorite stories. This book has great world building with faes and dragons with also a very detailed setting. The pacing was wonderfully done but I do have to say that there weren't many huge conflicts in the book like you would expect. I felt since the characters were young, it felt more like middle grade book then a YA book where you expect so many twists and turns.
The main character in this book is Mariam who is 15. I do have to say that I'm not a huge fan of characters that are young but I have to say that she was pretty mature for her age. I just wish she was older because they have more room for character development if the main character is over 17-18. There were also great side characters in this book that were very involved in the story. Sadly there is no romance in this book since the characters are very young. I do have to say that I enjoyed the family theme in this book as the royalty family cared so much for each other.
The ending was well done but a tad basic. I guess I expected it as I could tell the story was more middle grade which means everything is a little basic and not overcomplicated so young readers could understand. I guess now I can say that this is one of my favorite middle grade books! I totally recommend this book and have to say that this book should be read at school!
This was a wonderful book! Mariam born in a kingdom but is not a princess, possesses powers that she must use to protect her sister Aurora from the Dark Fae who cursed her. This is a twist on Sleeping Beauty which is one of my favorite stories. This book has great world building with faes and dragons with also a very detailed setting. The pacing was wonderfully done but I do have to say that there weren't many huge conflicts in the book like you would expect. I felt since the characters were young, it felt more like middle grade book then a YA book where you expect so many twists and turns.
The main character in this book is Mariam who is 15. I do have to say that I'm not a huge fan of characters that are young but I have to say that she was pretty mature for her age. I just wish she was older because they have more room for character development if the main character is over 17-18. There were also great side characters in this book that were very involved in the story. Sadly there is no romance in this book since the characters are very young. I do have to say that I enjoyed the family theme in this book as the royalty family cared so much for each other.
The ending was well done but a tad basic. I guess I expected it as I could tell the story was more middle grade which means everything is a little basic and not overcomplicated so young readers could understand. I guess now I can say that this is one of my favorite middle grade books! I totally recommend this book and have to say that this book should be read at school!
littlewhiterabbitreads's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
starrymynx's review against another edition
4.5
4.5/5. Mercedes Lackey was one of the first fantasy authors I ever read. I've loved so many of her books, and this one brought me back to feelings I had with her other standalone books (both within the world of Valdemar and without). It was comforting and kept me turning the pages to see what happened next and wishing there would be more books to continue the story. It was a very different take on Sleeping Beauty and I really enjoyed the new world the author has created outside of her usual ones. It did read a bit younger than her other books, but the main character is about 15 so I suppose that was to be expected.
taydtay's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I loved this book all the way up to the nonexistent ending. It feels like I finished a chapter, not the entire book. There was no resolution to the big main conflict that happened right in the beginning and none of the questions that were brought up throughout the story were answered. This book feels incredibly unfinished. Mercedes Lackey, I absolutely love you and your books, so please turn this into a trilogy WHERE WE CAN GET SOME ACTUAL ANSWERS!!!!