A review by becandbooks
Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher

adventurous medium-paced

4.0

A fantastic retelling novella of Sleeping Beauty, Thornhedge is perfectly instilled with a fairy-tale atmosphere. The princess is not the main character. Toadling was raised by fairies and then was also asked to bless a child. Now, she guards a tower covered in brambles lost to folklore. All that changes when a knight comes to break a rumoured curse.

Kingfisher brings this small story to life, building a world and story readers think they know through the memories and background of Toadling. Despite its length, there is a depth to the storytelling that will hook readers and cause them to wonder how the real tale transpires. The book introduces fantastical characters with a grounded authenticity – these aren’t the ever-beautiful characters heroic or in-distress characters of fairytales gone by. And while the story travels down a path unknown to the classic, it has the recognised blend of fantasy and ugly reality.

For readers chasing a short read and that fairytale atmosphere, this is the perfect book to pick up. 

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