The tale of Sleeping Beauty is usually about a baby princess who is cursed to die by an evil witch because her parents 'forgot' to invite the nasty old lady to the babe's christening. Fortunately, her good fairy godmother twists the spell to a 'sleep of a hundred years' rather than death, and just for good measure, she throws in a clause about 'only waking when kissed by the chosen prince'. No one ever wondered how the prince felt about this whole arrangement.
Now, finally, we get to read Prince Sigismund's side of the story. Having finished the book, I am left wondering how the original story could ever have been told from the princess' point of view, as she spends most of the story asleep!
In all seriousness, however, Thornspell is a great fantasy. Targeted at children and young adult, author Helen Lowe keeps her story true to the fairy tale while incorporating likeable characters, old English myth and a vivid setting full of magic. For a story I thought I knew, Thornspell was a pleasant surprise.
Now, finally, we get to read Prince Sigismund's side of the story. Having finished the book, I am left wondering how the original story could ever have been told from the princess' point of view, as she spends most of the story asleep!
In all seriousness, however, Thornspell is a great fantasy. Targeted at children and young adult, author Helen Lowe keeps her story true to the fairy tale while incorporating likeable characters, old English myth and a vivid setting full of magic. For a story I thought I knew, Thornspell was a pleasant surprise.
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