A Wicked Thing by Rhiannon Thomas Series: A Wicked Thing #1
Publisher: HarperTeen (2015)
eBook (337 pages)
Rating:
Reading Challenges: 2015 Fairytale Retelling, Read 2015
Synopsis
Rhiannon Thomas’s dazzling debut novel is a spellbinding reimagining of Sleeping Beauty and what happens after happily ever after.
One hundred years after falling asleep, Princess Aurora wakes up to the kiss of a handsome prince and a broken kingdom that has been dreaming of her return. All the books say that she should be living happily ever after. But as Aurora understands all too well, the truth is nothing like the fairy tale.
Her family is long dead. Her “true love” is a kind stranger. And her whole life has been planned out by political foes while she slept.
As Aurora struggles to make sense of her new world, she begins to fear that the curse has left its mark on her, a fiery and dangerous thing that might be as wicked as the witch who once ensnared her. With her wedding day drawing near, Aurora must make the ultimate decision on how to save her kingdom: marry the prince or run.
Rhiannon Thomas weaves together vivid scenes of action, romance, and gorgeous gowns to reveal a richly imagined world … and Sleeping Beauty as she’s never been seen before.
Find the book: Goodreads
My Review
This retelling of Sleeping Beauty takes a different spin on fairy tale retellings. It tells what happens after Sleeping Beauty wakes up.
Imagine for a moment being awoken by a strange boy kissing you. Imagine learning your entire family and everyone you knew is dead. Imagine then being told you are going to marry the strange boy who was kissing you when you woke up. That is basically the angle this book takes.
Aurora is awakened by Prince Rodric and has no idea that she has been asleep for over a hundred years. Time didn’t pass for her but it did pass to everyone and everything around her.
Aurora learns that there have been stories told about her since she first fell under the sleeping spell. The stories tell that everything will be better when Aurora awakens and marries the prince who woke her, her one true love.
Aurora also discovers that everyone wants something from her. The king and queen want to control her. The foreign Prince Finnegan wants Aurora’s alliance. The rebels want Aurora to overthrow the king. Everyone wants something from Aurora and Aurora doesn’t even know what she wants.
I really enjoyed this read. While there were three different guys interested in Aurora, it wasn’t really a triangle at all because Aurora didn’t really have feelings for some of them.
The way the story ends is amazing. I am definitely waiting for the next novel. It will be incredible with, hopefully, more Prince Finnegan.
Which Reading Challenges?
- You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge
- Fairytale Retelling Challenge
I love this idea of a “retelling” that picks up after the original fairy tale. How fun!!
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I think this is a great idea as well.
It was a very fun read.
I hope you have a great week!