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Ash & Bramble #2
Rose & Thorn
This beauty isn’t sleeping! Discover the true story of Sleeping Beauty in Sarah Prineas’s bold YA fairy-tale retelling filled with thrilling adventure and romance, perfect for fans of The Lunar Chronicles and The Girl of Fire & Thorns trilogy.
After the spell protecting her is destroyed, Rose seeks safety in the world outside the valley she had called home. She’s been kept hidden all her life to delay the three curses she was born with—curses that will put her into her own fairy tale and a century-long slumber. Accompanied by the handsome and mysterious Watcher, Griff, and his witty and warmhearted partner, Quirk, Rose tries to escape from the ties that bind her to her story. But will the path they take lead them to freedom, or will it bring them straight into the fairy tale they are trying to avoid?
Set in the world of Sarah Prineas’s Ash & Bramble fifty years later, Rose & Thorn is a powerful retelling of the classic Sleeping Beauty tale where the characters fight to find their own Happy Ever After.
After the spell protecting her is destroyed, Rose seeks safety in the world outside the valley she had called home. She’s been kept hidden all her life to delay the three curses she was born with—curses that will put her into her own fairy tale and a century-long slumber. Accompanied by the handsome and mysterious Watcher, Griff, and his witty and warmhearted partner, Quirk, Rose tries to escape from the ties that bind her to her story. But will the path they take lead them to freedom, or will it bring them straight into the fairy tale they are trying to avoid?
Set in the world of Sarah Prineas’s Ash & Bramble fifty years later, Rose & Thorn is a powerful retelling of the classic Sleeping Beauty tale where the characters fight to find their own Happy Ever After.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 18, 2016
About the author
Sarah Prineas
45 books1,110 followersComing in April 2021 from Philomel, Trouble in the Stars! It's a middle grade science fiction adventure about a shapeshifter kid.
And Dragonfell is out in paperback in April 2020.
Happy reading!
My website: www.sarah-prineas.com
And Dragonfell is out in paperback in April 2020.
Happy reading!
My website: www.sarah-prineas.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
October 19, 2016
Once there was a girl who lived in a forest cottage.
Upon her wrist she bore a birthmark in the shape of a newly opening rose.
A ticking triple curse was cast at the moment of her birth, and her
Time is running out.
Retellings can be a hard thing to pull off. Sometimes they end up being phenomenal. Other times they fall flat. It is not exactly an issue here because it’s hard to call this just a retelling. Rose & Thorn as an individual novel is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty, though it follows the same idea of the series that Story is an evil entity forcing everyone to play their role in fairytales with the same inevitable ending over and over again. The series itself has many layers to it making these stories not just basic retellings.
Story sets out its cogwheels, its driving pistons. It plans its devices: a beauty and a castle, a rose and three curses. And thorns. Always thorns. And now, to set it all in motion…it needs a Godmother.
The first, Ash & Bramble, followed the story of Shoe & Pin. It was a retelling of Cinderella. It’s not necessary to have read the first before reading this one. It does give you a lot of details to the inner-workings of Story, so I would recommend it if you plan on reading this series.
Rose & Thorn picks up about 50 years later. Pin & Shoe are not forgotten and certainly present in this story (just so you know). Story is plotting to take another city and appoint a new Godmother. We jump in with Rose’s POV where she lives with her guardian Shoe in a valley protected by a magic boundary made to keep Rose safe. The boundary is broken no longer keeping Rose from her triple cursed fate.
That’s the way it was with stories - you went on because you needed to find out what happened next.
Our second POV is Griff. He’s a Watcher (those tasked with keeping Story from gaining hold on the City) and a curse eater (something extremely rare he was gifted with at birth). He struggles with emotions and isn’t exactly the most inviting person due to his upbringing. Clearly the opposite of Rose who is a bit naive due to her sheltered life. She is also beyond gorgeous, which apparently is unheard of. It gets her plenty of unwanted attention and a few close encounters with almost rape situations. Still not sure how I feel about that. Those weren’t present in the first book.
When Rose ends up in the City, it is clear she is cursed. Griff and his partner Quirk are tasked with guarding Rose to potentially draw the enemies of the City out. The problem is…they all don’t quite realize how vindictive and determined Story is itself. If Story has plans for you, how far do you have to go to release its hold? Will these characters be able to live stories of their own? Or will they be forced to live this pre-determined fate?
“We just have to be sure we’re living our own stories, Rosie, and not ones laid down for us by…well, by something else.”
The aforementioned fate is the story of Sleeping Beauty in this part of the series. I have to be honest here and say I may have enjoyed the plot line that continued the series story (involving Story’s evil plot) more than the actual Sleeping Beauty retelling aspect of the story. That part lacked for me. I can’t exactly go into detail on why without spoilers. For me it is more about the series concept than the individual retellings themselves. I’m excited to see where the series goes next if it continues. For those interested in a slightly darker take on fairy tale retellings, this is a good series to check out.
September 17, 2016
(Source: I was able to view a digital galley of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to HarperCollins and Edelweiss.)
This was a YA fantasy retelling of Sleeping Beauty.
Rose was an okay character if a little naïve. She could have very easily died in the forest just because she thought she could get through it when others had told her she couldn’t, and it was only magic that saved her.
The storyline in this was about Rose and her three curses, but I had the same problems with this book as I did with the first; I found the story quite strange, I got confused, and ultimately I felt quite bored too.
The ending to this was okay, and we did get a happy ending, I was just pleased that the book was finished though.
5 out of 10
“Once there was a girl who lived in a forest cottage.
Upon her wrist she bore a birthmark in the shape of a newly opening rose.
A ticking triple curse was cast at the moment of her birth, and her
Time is running out.”
This was a YA fantasy retelling of Sleeping Beauty.
Rose was an okay character if a little naïve. She could have very easily died in the forest just because she thought she could get through it when others had told her she couldn’t, and it was only magic that saved her.
The storyline in this was about Rose and her three curses, but I had the same problems with this book as I did with the first; I found the story quite strange, I got confused, and ultimately I felt quite bored too.
The ending to this was okay, and we did get a happy ending, I was just pleased that the book was finished though.
5 out of 10
October 6, 2016
3.5 stars
I'm a sucker for anything Sleeping Beauty, so I was quite eager to get this in my hands.
I liked this cast of characters. Rose and Griff and Quirk are complete opposites and it was entertaining reading them piece the entire situation together. There are a few twists and revelations I wasn't expecting and that was satisfying to see.
Parts of the story felt really rushed. I'm not sure if the e-arc was missing some {GR says its 400+ pages, my e-copy was 274} or that's just how the story flowed. Either way, could have been fleshed out a bit.
My main complaint is the several implied threats of rape. Rose gets attacked within the first few chapters. It's a paragraph or two of him forcefully kissing her and trying to shove his hand down her dress before someone walks in and he runs away. There are two other mentions later in the book from a man and woman who thrive off of torture and other "fun things." The word rape is never actually printed, but apparently Rose is so gorgeous, it makes everyone rapey.
Overall, I loved the fairy tale aspect and how the way this continues the series. It was a quick read and I'll definitely be reading the next book, if there is one.
**Huge thanks to Harper Teen and Edelweiss for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review**
I'm a sucker for anything Sleeping Beauty, so I was quite eager to get this in my hands.
I liked this cast of characters. Rose and Griff and Quirk are complete opposites and it was entertaining reading them piece the entire situation together. There are a few twists and revelations I wasn't expecting and that was satisfying to see.
Parts of the story felt really rushed. I'm not sure if the e-arc was missing some {GR says its 400+ pages, my e-copy was 274} or that's just how the story flowed. Either way, could have been fleshed out a bit.
My main complaint is the several implied threats of rape. Rose gets attacked within the first few chapters. It's a paragraph or two of him forcefully kissing her and trying to shove his hand down her dress before someone walks in and he runs away. There are two other mentions later in the book from a man and woman who thrive off of torture and other "fun things." The word rape is never actually printed, but apparently Rose is so gorgeous, it makes everyone rapey.
Overall, I loved the fairy tale aspect and how the way this continues the series. It was a quick read and I'll definitely be reading the next book, if there is one.
**Huge thanks to Harper Teen and Edelweiss for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review**
July 5, 2016
Omg I loved this! This was better than Ash & Bramble IMO! I loved Griff and Rose! Ooh and Quirk too! I will admit I was sad it jumped ahead 50 years I missed Pen and Shoe.
November 13, 2016
It was like watching a train wreck. I just couldn't look away or stop reading. I kept thinking it might get better but it never did.
Was there a plot? Um, sort of but very thin.
Were the characters well developed? One dimensional is not well developed. Stick figures have more life than these characters.
Did the book stick to the premise? Well, it took over half the book before even getting anywhere near it (Sleeping Beauty retold) and still barely touched it and even then it maybe filled a few pages. Mostly it was tramping through the forest.
Anything good in the book? SPOILER ALERT: Quirk's bobble hat. I really like the hat and I don't know why. That's what the stars are for, that bobble hat.
Was there a plot? Um, sort of but very thin.
Were the characters well developed? One dimensional is not well developed. Stick figures have more life than these characters.
Did the book stick to the premise? Well, it took over half the book before even getting anywhere near it (Sleeping Beauty retold) and still barely touched it and even then it maybe filled a few pages. Mostly it was tramping through the forest.
Anything good in the book? SPOILER ALERT: Quirk's bobble hat. I really like the hat and I don't know why. That's what the stars are for, that bobble hat.
Want to read
February 21, 2016
June 13, 2018
For more reviews like this one, check out my blog, Reading Recluses
A mediocre, ultimately forgettable retelling of sleeping beauty. It was way too long, repetitive, and predictable. The idea of 'story' cursing people and forcing them to follow a certain plot could've been interesting if only the characters weren't quite so bland. Also Rose and Griff were so freaking annoying and had as much personality as a vegan omelette with no vegetables or fruit in it.
Rating: 65/100
Age: 13& up
Warnings: sexual assault, really repetitive scenes, boring characters
Pages: ≈ 400
A mediocre, ultimately forgettable retelling of sleeping beauty. It was way too long, repetitive, and predictable. The idea of 'story' cursing people and forcing them to follow a certain plot could've been interesting if only the characters weren't quite so bland. Also Rose and Griff were so freaking annoying and had as much personality as a vegan omelette with no vegetables or fruit in it.
Rating: 65/100
Age: 13& up
Warnings: sexual assault, really repetitive scenes, boring characters
Pages: ≈ 400
December 28, 2016
Actual rating - 2.5
Definitely not as good as the first one. Much of the story was meandering and hard to follow.
I didn't like Rose as a heroine as much as I liked Pen from the first one. Rose was very naive. I also didn't buy the romance as much in this one either. The guy barely spoke so how could they be in love?
It did pick up by the end, but this could have been much shorter and still told the same story.
Definitely not as good as the first one. Much of the story was meandering and hard to follow.
I didn't like Rose as a heroine as much as I liked Pen from the first one. Rose was very naive. I also didn't buy the romance as much in this one either. The guy barely spoke so how could they be in love?
It did pick up by the end, but this could have been much shorter and still told the same story.
October 10, 2016
Originally posted here at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.
Last year's Ash & Bramble was one of my favorite books of the year. I was very much anticipating its follow-up Rose & Thorn so when author Sarah Prineas offered to send me an ARC, I said YES very quickly. I'm happy to say it is excellent and my favorite Sleeping Beauty reworking yet.
Rose has lived her entire life with her guardian Shoe in a valley protected by the Penwitch's power. When the protection is broken, Rose's circumstances change overnight and she must venture into the world on her own. The Forest brings her to the City where the Watchers carefully guard against the power of story. Instantly recognized as Cursed by Story, Rose is taken to the Citadel to have her curse removed.
Griff is the son of the Protector of the city and lives an austere life. The Watchers fight Story by living rational lives that leave no room for anything other than duty. As a Watcher and a Curse Eater, it is Griff's task to remove Rose's curse. When he can't do that due to its actually being three curses braided together, he is tasked with guarding her and using her to draw out the rebellious Breakers working in the City to fight Story's power through stories of their own.
Rose is determined to flee the city with the help of the Breakers and ends up dragging Griff reluctantly along. Forced to take refuge in a castle during a storm, Rose, Griff, and their companions find themselves caught in Story's web but are willing to fight its power with every weapon they have.
Rose & Thorn takes place several decades after the end of Ash & Bramble. It is very much its own story and I think it can stand well on its own from a plot standpoint. A lot of the world building is done in Ash & Bramble, but the world has changed a bit for this story too. Ash & Bramble is a perfect blend of fairy tale and dystopia. Rose & Thorn is likewise an interesting mix, though different in some aspects. In the City there is a perfect picture of what happens when you try to avoid one danger and up ending in a different one entirely. The lives of the City people are desolate and sad and lacking vibrancy. There is more than one way to enslave a person and though the City is mostly free of Story, they are now enslaved to Rationality. I loved this contrast and how both are dangerous. It's also interesting that the rational austerity of the Watchers actually make them, particularly Griff who longs for light and love, more vulnerable to Story.
Rose and Griff are main characters it is easy to like and feel sympathetic toward. Rose is beautiful. She is a fairly tale princess after all, but she is really oblivious to this. She has lived her entire life with an old man who loved her for being Rose so her first venture into the outer world is fraught with danger. It doesn't take long for her to discover that her looks are dangerous to her. Rose has a core of steel though and she works hard to forge her own path. She is a vivacious chatterbox who wants to see the good and possibility in everything. She is naive but not stupid, optimistic but not oblivious. Griff is the strong silent type. I usually don't really like this type of hero (mainly because it tends to get in the way of good banter which is what I like best in romantic pairings), but Griff really works for me. He is incredibly dedicated to duty and doing what he is ordered. At every turn in this story, he is confronted with something new that changes how he has to see himself and the world. His austere upbringing did not equip him for that. It certainly didn't equip him to deal with Rose, who is constantly bouncing up to him and breaking through his reserve. I really loved the two of them together. As in most tales of this nature, their relationship develops incredibly fast but they do know each other well. Rose being Rose is even able to fantastically banter with his silences. So that's fun. I loved how she was the one who took most of the initiative in their relationship too. They are very much opposites but not in a way that puts them in opposition. It's in a way that they work well together side by side and need each other to thrive. (Ahem. See title and cover imagery.)
Rose and Griff are joined by Griff's Watcher partner Quirk and a Breaker woman named Timothy. These two are equally as important as Rose and Griff and I loved them just as much. They have really good chemistry and fill in the banter when needed. Quirk and Timothy are both connected to the story in Ash & Bramble so they have more knowledge of what the group is fighting and how to do it, but even they are blind when it comes to much of what is going on under the surface. There knowledge also prejudices them in ways that are sometimes detrimental.
Many of themes from Ash & Bramble are revisited here though from a different angle and I appreciated that. I liked how Prineas flipped a lot of things around that I can't get into because of spoilers. Above everything though I enjoyed the look at what happily ever after looks like outside of Story. That it is full of heartache, joy, and the memories of a life well lived.
I read an ARC sent to me by the author. Rose & Thorn goes on sale October 18.
Last year's Ash & Bramble was one of my favorite books of the year. I was very much anticipating its follow-up Rose & Thorn so when author Sarah Prineas offered to send me an ARC, I said YES very quickly. I'm happy to say it is excellent and my favorite Sleeping Beauty reworking yet.
Rose has lived her entire life with her guardian Shoe in a valley protected by the Penwitch's power. When the protection is broken, Rose's circumstances change overnight and she must venture into the world on her own. The Forest brings her to the City where the Watchers carefully guard against the power of story. Instantly recognized as Cursed by Story, Rose is taken to the Citadel to have her curse removed.
Griff is the son of the Protector of the city and lives an austere life. The Watchers fight Story by living rational lives that leave no room for anything other than duty. As a Watcher and a Curse Eater, it is Griff's task to remove Rose's curse. When he can't do that due to its actually being three curses braided together, he is tasked with guarding her and using her to draw out the rebellious Breakers working in the City to fight Story's power through stories of their own.
Rose is determined to flee the city with the help of the Breakers and ends up dragging Griff reluctantly along. Forced to take refuge in a castle during a storm, Rose, Griff, and their companions find themselves caught in Story's web but are willing to fight its power with every weapon they have.
Rose & Thorn takes place several decades after the end of Ash & Bramble. It is very much its own story and I think it can stand well on its own from a plot standpoint. A lot of the world building is done in Ash & Bramble, but the world has changed a bit for this story too. Ash & Bramble is a perfect blend of fairy tale and dystopia. Rose & Thorn is likewise an interesting mix, though different in some aspects. In the City there is a perfect picture of what happens when you try to avoid one danger and up ending in a different one entirely. The lives of the City people are desolate and sad and lacking vibrancy. There is more than one way to enslave a person and though the City is mostly free of Story, they are now enslaved to Rationality. I loved this contrast and how both are dangerous. It's also interesting that the rational austerity of the Watchers actually make them, particularly Griff who longs for light and love, more vulnerable to Story.
Rose and Griff are main characters it is easy to like and feel sympathetic toward. Rose is beautiful. She is a fairly tale princess after all, but she is really oblivious to this. She has lived her entire life with an old man who loved her for being Rose so her first venture into the outer world is fraught with danger. It doesn't take long for her to discover that her looks are dangerous to her. Rose has a core of steel though and she works hard to forge her own path. She is a vivacious chatterbox who wants to see the good and possibility in everything. She is naive but not stupid, optimistic but not oblivious. Griff is the strong silent type. I usually don't really like this type of hero (mainly because it tends to get in the way of good banter which is what I like best in romantic pairings), but Griff really works for me. He is incredibly dedicated to duty and doing what he is ordered. At every turn in this story, he is confronted with something new that changes how he has to see himself and the world. His austere upbringing did not equip him for that. It certainly didn't equip him to deal with Rose, who is constantly bouncing up to him and breaking through his reserve. I really loved the two of them together. As in most tales of this nature, their relationship develops incredibly fast but they do know each other well. Rose being Rose is even able to fantastically banter with his silences. So that's fun. I loved how she was the one who took most of the initiative in their relationship too. They are very much opposites but not in a way that puts them in opposition. It's in a way that they work well together side by side and need each other to thrive. (Ahem. See title and cover imagery.)
Rose and Griff are joined by Griff's Watcher partner Quirk and a Breaker woman named Timothy. These two are equally as important as Rose and Griff and I loved them just as much. They have really good chemistry and fill in the banter when needed. Quirk and Timothy are both connected to the story in Ash & Bramble so they have more knowledge of what the group is fighting and how to do it, but even they are blind when it comes to much of what is going on under the surface. There knowledge also prejudices them in ways that are sometimes detrimental.
Many of themes from Ash & Bramble are revisited here though from a different angle and I appreciated that. I liked how Prineas flipped a lot of things around that I can't get into because of spoilers. Above everything though I enjoyed the look at what happily ever after looks like outside of Story. That it is full of heartache, joy, and the memories of a life well lived.
I read an ARC sent to me by the author. Rose & Thorn goes on sale October 18.
May 11, 2016
Set decades after the events of ASH & BRAMBLE, ROSE & THORN returns readers to the world Sarah Prineas created, where we learn that Story wasn’t as effectively defeated as we thought. Rose has been stolen from Story’s grasp and raised, protected, by a kindly man named Shoe. But the spells protecting her have failed, and now the three curses woven into her fate seek to claim her. She journeys to the City, ruled by the Protector and his Watchers, who seek to keep Story’s foothold outside the walls. But Story is far more devious than anyone believes, and has definite plans for everyone involved – plans that end with Rose pricking her finger on a spindle.
Despite wanting to enjoy it, much of this book fell flat for me. What drew me to ASH & BRAMBLE was the fight to be in control of your own story; ROSE & THORN presents itself in a similar fashion, but ultimately is not as successful. The last third of the book (when most of the elements align and something actually starts to happen) is engaging; however, the journey to reach that portion of the story could have been undertaken in a much different (and much faster) way. The characters in the know hold on to that knowledge too tightly – all of the enigmatic, cryptic exchanges grew old quickly. It was fun to see characters from ASH & BRAMBLE make appearances, as well as to see elements and aspects of the world presented in the first book woven in (the thimbles are in play, people, this is not a drill!), but ultimately this was a disappointing follow-up to what was already a shaky first foray.
Despite wanting to enjoy it, much of this book fell flat for me. What drew me to ASH & BRAMBLE was the fight to be in control of your own story; ROSE & THORN presents itself in a similar fashion, but ultimately is not as successful. The last third of the book (when most of the elements align and something actually starts to happen) is engaging; however, the journey to reach that portion of the story could have been undertaken in a much different (and much faster) way. The characters in the know hold on to that knowledge too tightly – all of the enigmatic, cryptic exchanges grew old quickly. It was fun to see characters from ASH & BRAMBLE make appearances, as well as to see elements and aspects of the world presented in the first book woven in (the thimbles are in play, people, this is not a drill!), but ultimately this was a disappointing follow-up to what was already a shaky first foray.
April 8, 2017
Not my favorite. I kind of forced myself to read the last 100-150 pages.
August 1, 2016
*This review can also be found on YA Books Central! Special thanks to the publisher for the review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.*
Not Your Usual Fairy Tale Retelling!
Rose & Thorn is a captivating retelling. It's dark, gritty, and gives a new spin to Sleeping Beauty where Rose doesn't need to be saved by Prince Charming nor wait for true love's kiss.
What I Liked:
I haven't had the pleasure of reading Ash&Bramble, the first book in the series, but it was no trouble at all to read Rose&Thorn since it works perfectly as a standalone. From beginning to end, I was enraptured by its story and enamored with the whole concept of Story (an actual force) being the bad guy. It was fascinating how each fairy tale is product of Story to gain power and control over all the lands, and yet its characters rebel to make their own stories.
I adored all the characters that take part in Rose's story and their spirits. From the shoemaker (who later on I learned was one of the main characters from the first book) to the highly energetic Quirk! I also liked how every character seemed to be connected somehow and no one was ever not important.
Oh, but Griff stole my heart. Even though he's cold and unemotional thanks to his father's upbringing, his thoughts were the perfect window to his heart. That's why it's so great that the author allows us readers into his POV as well as Rose's. It wouldn't have been the same with just one.
And while Rose doesn't need saving from a Prince Charming, I did love her chemistry with Griff. Their relationship is sweet and innocent, and I loved how this time the lady is the one that takes the lead! Pretty darn cool if you ask me.
What Didn't Do It For Me:
Although I highly enjoyed Rose's character since she's definitely more than just a beauty, I felt that it took a bit too long for her to grow some backbone when it came to defending herself. She eventually gets there, but it would have been nice to have her more strong-willed in some parts of the story.
Another aspect that stopped me from fully enjoying the story was the big finale. We don't get to spend much time in the City at the end and I was strongly looking forward to it. It was a nice ending though, story-wise, yet there were a few questions left unanswered. Maybe they will be revealed in the next installment!
Final Verdict:
Rose & Thorn is more than a fine addition to the world of fairy tale retellings. Readers will surely enjoy reading about this beauty that doesn't let herself be defined by her supposed "happily ever after".
Not Your Usual Fairy Tale Retelling!
Rose & Thorn is a captivating retelling. It's dark, gritty, and gives a new spin to Sleeping Beauty where Rose doesn't need to be saved by Prince Charming nor wait for true love's kiss.
What I Liked:
I haven't had the pleasure of reading Ash&Bramble, the first book in the series, but it was no trouble at all to read Rose&Thorn since it works perfectly as a standalone. From beginning to end, I was enraptured by its story and enamored with the whole concept of Story (an actual force) being the bad guy. It was fascinating how each fairy tale is product of Story to gain power and control over all the lands, and yet its characters rebel to make their own stories.
I adored all the characters that take part in Rose's story and their spirits. From the shoemaker (who later on I learned was one of the main characters from the first book) to the highly energetic Quirk! I also liked how every character seemed to be connected somehow and no one was ever not important.
Oh, but Griff stole my heart. Even though he's cold and unemotional thanks to his father's upbringing, his thoughts were the perfect window to his heart. That's why it's so great that the author allows us readers into his POV as well as Rose's. It wouldn't have been the same with just one.
And while Rose doesn't need saving from a Prince Charming, I did love her chemistry with Griff. Their relationship is sweet and innocent, and I loved how this time the lady is the one that takes the lead! Pretty darn cool if you ask me.
What Didn't Do It For Me:
Although I highly enjoyed Rose's character since she's definitely more than just a beauty, I felt that it took a bit too long for her to grow some backbone when it came to defending herself. She eventually gets there, but it would have been nice to have her more strong-willed in some parts of the story.
Another aspect that stopped me from fully enjoying the story was the big finale. We don't get to spend much time in the City at the end and I was strongly looking forward to it. It was a nice ending though, story-wise, yet there were a few questions left unanswered. Maybe they will be revealed in the next installment!
Final Verdict:
Rose & Thorn is more than a fine addition to the world of fairy tale retellings. Readers will surely enjoy reading about this beauty that doesn't let herself be defined by her supposed "happily ever after".
January 2, 2017
Why was this story so short? Is it because I was enjoying it so much, Sarah just wanted to tease me? Because if it is, then that's not fair, I need more. Rose & Thorn is by far my favorite of this series. From the very beginning this story was compelling.
Rose has been living her entire life apart from the world. She's been protected by the Penwitch's power and been guarded by Shoe, yes that Shoe. She's very naive and has a lot to learn. But when the protection is broken, Rose must learn to survive the cruel world and get all three curses removed. Like Sleeping Beauty, Rose has been blessed by beauty but this makes the quest very challenging. And unlike Sleeping Beauty, Rose takes matter into her own hands.
What I love most about this story is how Rose composed herself throughout this challenging quest. The only person she knew died and instead of breaking down, this naive girl decided to take a journey to figure out who she is. Though it took a while, Rose learns she is headstrong, willing to learn and doesn't need Prince Charming to survive. She doesn't wait around and she takes action to her own destiny. This is very admiring -- Girl POWER.
Rose & Thorn is interesting, twisted and compelling. It deals with gender, power, and choosing your destiny. It's well paced, fun and simply admiring. The main character is charming, fierce and passionate. Her character development is very memorable and admiring. It's definitely an inspiring story which I recommend to every girl out there. Even to those wishing for someone to come to their rescue. You can chose your own fate, no matter your gender. Now, can Sarah write another book? I can't get enough of this series!
http://www.onceuponatwilight.com/2016...
Rose has been living her entire life apart from the world. She's been protected by the Penwitch's power and been guarded by Shoe, yes that Shoe. She's very naive and has a lot to learn. But when the protection is broken, Rose must learn to survive the cruel world and get all three curses removed. Like Sleeping Beauty, Rose has been blessed by beauty but this makes the quest very challenging. And unlike Sleeping Beauty, Rose takes matter into her own hands.
What I love most about this story is how Rose composed herself throughout this challenging quest. The only person she knew died and instead of breaking down, this naive girl decided to take a journey to figure out who she is. Though it took a while, Rose learns she is headstrong, willing to learn and doesn't need Prince Charming to survive. She doesn't wait around and she takes action to her own destiny. This is very admiring -- Girl POWER.
Rose & Thorn is interesting, twisted and compelling. It deals with gender, power, and choosing your destiny. It's well paced, fun and simply admiring. The main character is charming, fierce and passionate. Her character development is very memorable and admiring. It's definitely an inspiring story which I recommend to every girl out there. Even to those wishing for someone to come to their rescue. You can chose your own fate, no matter your gender. Now, can Sarah write another book? I can't get enough of this series!
http://www.onceuponatwilight.com/2016...
November 27, 2016
Very mixed feelings. Here's a retelling of Sleeping Beauty set in a world that would be more interesting, I think, were it not forced to follow the constraints of the fairy tale; Griff's story, as the lonely son trying to prove himself in a grim institution that just barely allows advancement based on merit, is much more compelling than the story that plots his new path.
Or should I say Story? It's a messy concept, the idea that there's a power that forces events to match specific fairy tales, and thus becomes stronger. Why? Why these stories? What does it matter if life matches fairy tales, and why are only certain stories dangerous?
The way the characters begin to separate Rose's beauty from Rose (much more effective when Rose herself is doing the separation) gives me Bone Gap flashbacks, and this doesn't work for me, either - even (once again) things that should work for me, like the idea that the way people respond to beauty is telling, or that good people are able to separate the appearance from the person. And there's pretty heavy foreshadowing that makes an aspect of the ending fall flat.
There's also some interesting gender commentary that doesn't work, mostly because it's mired in this mess: do I really care that when I'm screaming for both these interesting characters to follow less-charted paths?
It's quite something when a fairy tale retelling outdoes the more famous predecessor in a way that makes its characters feel condemned to terrible lives. Maybe that's the point - but this book isn't nuanced enough to make it.
Or should I say Story? It's a messy concept, the idea that there's a power that forces events to match specific fairy tales, and thus becomes stronger. Why? Why these stories? What does it matter if life matches fairy tales, and why are only certain stories dangerous?
The way the characters begin to separate Rose's beauty from Rose (much more effective when Rose herself is doing the separation) gives me Bone Gap flashbacks, and this doesn't work for me, either - even (once again) things that should work for me, like the idea that the way people respond to beauty is telling, or that good people are able to separate the appearance from the person. And there's pretty heavy foreshadowing that makes an aspect of the ending fall flat.
There's also some interesting gender commentary that doesn't work, mostly because it's mired in this mess: do I really care that when I'm screaming for both these interesting characters to follow less-charted paths?
It's quite something when a fairy tale retelling outdoes the more famous predecessor in a way that makes its characters feel condemned to terrible lives. Maybe that's the point - but this book isn't nuanced enough to make it.
December 3, 2016
This was a lovely retelling of Sleeping Beauty. Rose has been raised by Shoe in a protected valley. When she is a little past sixteen, the protection is broken, Shoe dies, and Rose needs to venture out into a world she knows nothing about.
Rose knows that she carries three curses but she doesn't know what they are. Her journey takes her through the Forest and into a city where the Protector is saving his people from Story by not allowing stories to be told. His son Griff is a Watcher along with his partner Quirk. Griff has never known love and has always been alone.
When Griff encounters Rose, both of their stories change and they have to fight not to be captured by Story and set on a course they haven't chosen. They escape the city and the Forest guides them to an isolated castle where Rose's story is set. It takes all of her will and all of her love for Griff to keep her out of Story's clutches.
This was a beautifully written story. I loved Rose, Griff and Quirk. I also enjoyed this new take on the classic Sleeping Beauty story.
Rose knows that she carries three curses but she doesn't know what they are. Her journey takes her through the Forest and into a city where the Protector is saving his people from Story by not allowing stories to be told. His son Griff is a Watcher along with his partner Quirk. Griff has never known love and has always been alone.
When Griff encounters Rose, both of their stories change and they have to fight not to be captured by Story and set on a course they haven't chosen. They escape the city and the Forest guides them to an isolated castle where Rose's story is set. It takes all of her will and all of her love for Griff to keep her out of Story's clutches.
This was a beautifully written story. I loved Rose, Griff and Quirk. I also enjoyed this new take on the classic Sleeping Beauty story.
January 5, 2017
I enjoyed the first book in this series but honestly some of it is just too complicated. The characters fall a little flat and the book falls prey to cliches and pretty cheesy writing. I really love her Magic Thief series for kids and think that might be a better genre for her.
March 2, 2019
As a lover of Sleeping Beauty, I found myself enjoying the retelling of a familiar story in a different way. While the retelling takes some time to come to fruition, it allows the reader to understand more about the world that exists at the start of the book. This is especially helpful to those, like myself, who were unaware that this book is the second in a current two-book series. The world itself may be one of the parts I found most interesting. The concept of a villain who feeds off of ensuring classic fairy tales follow their set path is a fascinating one which hooked me at the beginning. The juxtaposition of the lush world of Rose and the bleak world of Griff added to the overall dynamic of the plot as the narrative progressed.
As for the characters themselves, we see both the main characters evolve as their own stories unfold, though their development overall lacked true substance. In a story where love is a driving factor, feelings appeared suddenly, with only hints to their formation along the way. While I enjoyed the differential first person/third person points of view (and could see why the author chose to have one main character narrate as the other had their story told), I found that still I desired a bit more depth and insight into why the story moved as it did.
Overall this book used a lot of devices I had not seen before to a very effective manner. The changing points of view, the stark differences in setting, and the evolution of the retelling were intriguing and kept me wanting more. I finished the book and was sad to see the journey end, which is both a satisfying feeling and, as any reader knows, a forlorn one.
I recommend this book to lovers of fairy tales, younger adults, and anyone who wishes to see if love can truly conquer all.
As for the characters themselves, we see both the main characters evolve as their own stories unfold, though their development overall lacked true substance. In a story where love is a driving factor, feelings appeared suddenly, with only hints to their formation along the way. While I enjoyed the differential first person/third person points of view (and could see why the author chose to have one main character narrate as the other had their story told), I found that still I desired a bit more depth and insight into why the story moved as it did.
Overall this book used a lot of devices I had not seen before to a very effective manner. The changing points of view, the stark differences in setting, and the evolution of the retelling were intriguing and kept me wanting more. I finished the book and was sad to see the journey end, which is both a satisfying feeling and, as any reader knows, a forlorn one.
I recommend this book to lovers of fairy tales, younger adults, and anyone who wishes to see if love can truly conquer all.
November 22, 2017
A solid YA retelling of Sleeping Beauty that delivers plenty of twists on fairytale tropes and a couple of winks and nods to the Disney version ("Make it pink") while also telling an original story. Rose is a little cloyingly sweet, good, and innocent in places, but writing her as an ingenue makes her a refreshing contrast to the cynical and battle-hardened heroines that YA has accumulated recently. Griff was delightful, everything I wanted, but the narrative was overly harsh on him, and the way other characters so easily wrote him off made me like those characters less.
The minor characters, however, with the exception of Quirk, don't get much depth. Timothy is prominently featured in the story, but she always felt like a collection of traits, not a real person. My copy of the book, aside from a single line of "also by this author" inside the cover, acts as though this is a stand-alone story, but it quickly became obvious that it was a sequel, and I frequently felt like I was missing connections because I hadn't read the first book. I also felt like the climax of the story was extended far too long, and became anticlimatic as a result.
Overall, still a great retelling, even if it doesn't match up to old favorites like Ella Enchanted or Robin McKinley's Beauty
The minor characters, however, with the exception of Quirk, don't get much depth. Timothy is prominently featured in the story, but she always felt like a collection of traits, not a real person. My copy of the book, aside from a single line of "also by this author" inside the cover, acts as though this is a stand-alone story, but it quickly became obvious that it was a sequel, and I frequently felt like I was missing connections because I hadn't read the first book. I also felt like the climax of the story was extended far too long, and became anticlimatic as a result.
Overall, still a great retelling, even if it doesn't match up to old favorites like Ella Enchanted or Robin McKinley's Beauty
May 1, 2018
I didn't enjoy it as much as the first book. Though it was enjoyable, I wanted a little more development with the original characters. Still, the newer characters were just as powerful. However, the theme of this story were less obvious than before.
July 10, 2017
Really liked this a lot! Review to come :)
April 12, 2019
it was pretty good, but i've read better. it did keep me wanting to keep reading, so i guess that's good. i would recommend it if you like sci-fi or fantasy.
February 25, 2017
This is a cute story, though the issues I had with the first book are more prominent here. It took me a while to read only because I went through a huge reading slump and I kept putting it down. But if not for that, it actually was a fast read when I finally got my groove back. The characters were all connected to those we knew in Ash & Bramble, though the connections were not immediately obvious, and there were a few twists that surprised me, which is always nice. There was also an examination of the idea of beauty; it didn't go further than raise the old "beauty is only skin deep" question, but as our main character, Rose, was unaware she looked different until she left the cottage she grew up in, we see her growth as she learns just what it means to be unnaturally beautiful when many will see only the surface and care nothing for what is underneath.
"What was beauty, exactly? A sum of parts? A whole greater than that? Other people valued beauty, or wanted it, but it set me apart, too, made me different. It might not be an entirely a good thing."
As for the issues I mentioned, there seems to be no set pace, and the plot feels more like stumbling along a rocky path than riding smoothly. There were several big grammatical issues, including incorrect tense and verb usage, which as an editor I cannot look past. And finally, while I love the idea of a great power behind all the stories we know, an evil power that gains strength by eliminating free will and forcing the "happily-ever-after" outcomes it desires, once again it is not laid out very eloquently. Sometimes, just stating the facts is necessary and getting to the point is a lot better than fluff-writing. But writing still needs that creativity, and much of the explanations of what is going on in this world is just spit out without any organization or creative building. It gets the message across, yes, but in a less than graceful manner. Kind of like, as I said before, stumbling to a destination instead of walking confidently.
While I liked the characters of Rose And Thorn, I was more connected to those in Ash And Bramble, and felt their convictions were more believable. When Pin knew nothing of her Before and could not remember what her life had been, she knew herself, knew what kind of person she was without needing to know her name or title or occupation. I believed in her solid belief of self, and enjoyed the examination of human nature and free will. Rose And Thorn seems to just piggy-back on some of that strength.
"Her every move graceful, the girl in the mirror reached down and raised her skirts just enough to see the toe of a scuffed brown boot, incongruous amid the lace and finery. The girl smiled just a little. It was a small triumph, really. But the boots reminded her that she was not just the beauty. She had her own weapons. She was not just Story's construct. She was more than that."
I did enjoy the ending of Rose much better than Ash, though that could easily be my need for closure and to see a story end. The series could definitely continue, though instead of following the same pattern of picking up years in the future with a new "story," I think I'd rather follow these characters some more and see them figure out their new existences with what they now know.
"What was beauty, exactly? A sum of parts? A whole greater than that? Other people valued beauty, or wanted it, but it set me apart, too, made me different. It might not be an entirely a good thing."
As for the issues I mentioned, there seems to be no set pace, and the plot feels more like stumbling along a rocky path than riding smoothly. There were several big grammatical issues, including incorrect tense and verb usage, which as an editor I cannot look past. And finally, while I love the idea of a great power behind all the stories we know, an evil power that gains strength by eliminating free will and forcing the "happily-ever-after" outcomes it desires, once again it is not laid out very eloquently. Sometimes, just stating the facts is necessary and getting to the point is a lot better than fluff-writing. But writing still needs that creativity, and much of the explanations of what is going on in this world is just spit out without any organization or creative building. It gets the message across, yes, but in a less than graceful manner. Kind of like, as I said before, stumbling to a destination instead of walking confidently.
While I liked the characters of Rose And Thorn, I was more connected to those in Ash And Bramble, and felt their convictions were more believable. When Pin knew nothing of her Before and could not remember what her life had been, she knew herself, knew what kind of person she was without needing to know her name or title or occupation. I believed in her solid belief of self, and enjoyed the examination of human nature and free will. Rose And Thorn seems to just piggy-back on some of that strength.
"Her every move graceful, the girl in the mirror reached down and raised her skirts just enough to see the toe of a scuffed brown boot, incongruous amid the lace and finery. The girl smiled just a little. It was a small triumph, really. But the boots reminded her that she was not just the beauty. She had her own weapons. She was not just Story's construct. She was more than that."
I did enjoy the ending of Rose much better than Ash, though that could easily be my need for closure and to see a story end. The series could definitely continue, though instead of following the same pattern of picking up years in the future with a new "story," I think I'd rather follow these characters some more and see them figure out their new existences with what they now know.
November 9, 2016
3.5
Originally posted at Vampire Book Club
Once upon a time, there was a girl who carried a curse. The curse showed itself as a rose upon her wrist. Two protectors conspired to steal the girl away in the night when she was little more than a newborn. A magical spell keeps those who would do the girl harm from finding her, but it also forces the girl and her guardian to live away from civilization.
Not long after her sixteenth birthday, the girl, Rose, learns that the boundary that protected her has been breached. Fleeing from her home, Rose isn’t prepared for what she finds in the outside world. Happenstance brings Rose to the gates of the City where the Watch guards and the Lord Protector holds sway. But the City holds secrets of its own, and maybe it wasn’t happenstance that brought Rose to the City. Maybe something much more sinister is at work, and Rose has just stepped into a story where her curse could bring about catastrophic consequences if triggered.
Together, with the mysterious and taciturn Griff, a member of the Watch, and his partner Quirk, Rose will embark on a journey trying to change the landscape of her story. But is she already too far into her story to change anything?
I loved the idea of Story being this omnipotent entity kind of controlling all the people like pieces on a chess board. The end goal of course is to gain power through that reverence. The juxtaposition between stories and our destinies, coupled with our beliefs, was so incredibly clever. But I also wonder if this idea that the characters are in this world/story which in reality is a construct of Story was also the downfall of the book for me as well.
Meaning that all the characters seemed like stock characters. Everything is gray, there’s no vibrancy. All actions and reactions felt very convenient and generic. Characters end up exactly where they need to be, but is that because of Story’s intervention, or was that just the writing in general? Do the characters tend to lack depth because they’ve been living under the cowl of Story, or is it something else?
The book I’d like to read would have shown some of the after. I imagine the sun shining and the grass growing green with birds twittering in the sky.
The fact that I have to keep in mind so many possibilities as to why things might be represented the way they are, takes me out of the story. I wanted more growth for my characters, especially Rose and Griff, our Sleeping Beauty and Prince as the case may be. Rose holds on to her naiveté, and Griff abides by the rule that all story-telling is evil, for a little too long before they start to break out of their shells and actually start doing something about their plight.
Overall, I absolutely loved the idea with the villain being so seated within stories and fairytales in Rose & Thorn. If fairytale retellings are your cup of tea I’d say give this one a try. Sarah Prineas does great making the story of Sleeping Beauty identifiable, but twisting it into her own tale. For me, though, it just didn’t meet my preferences in terms of how it was executed.
Originally posted at Vampire Book Club
Once upon a time, there was a girl who carried a curse. The curse showed itself as a rose upon her wrist. Two protectors conspired to steal the girl away in the night when she was little more than a newborn. A magical spell keeps those who would do the girl harm from finding her, but it also forces the girl and her guardian to live away from civilization.
Not long after her sixteenth birthday, the girl, Rose, learns that the boundary that protected her has been breached. Fleeing from her home, Rose isn’t prepared for what she finds in the outside world. Happenstance brings Rose to the gates of the City where the Watch guards and the Lord Protector holds sway. But the City holds secrets of its own, and maybe it wasn’t happenstance that brought Rose to the City. Maybe something much more sinister is at work, and Rose has just stepped into a story where her curse could bring about catastrophic consequences if triggered.
Together, with the mysterious and taciturn Griff, a member of the Watch, and his partner Quirk, Rose will embark on a journey trying to change the landscape of her story. But is she already too far into her story to change anything?
I loved the idea of Story being this omnipotent entity kind of controlling all the people like pieces on a chess board. The end goal of course is to gain power through that reverence. The juxtaposition between stories and our destinies, coupled with our beliefs, was so incredibly clever. But I also wonder if this idea that the characters are in this world/story which in reality is a construct of Story was also the downfall of the book for me as well.
Meaning that all the characters seemed like stock characters. Everything is gray, there’s no vibrancy. All actions and reactions felt very convenient and generic. Characters end up exactly where they need to be, but is that because of Story’s intervention, or was that just the writing in general? Do the characters tend to lack depth because they’ve been living under the cowl of Story, or is it something else?
The book I’d like to read would have shown some of the after. I imagine the sun shining and the grass growing green with birds twittering in the sky.
The fact that I have to keep in mind so many possibilities as to why things might be represented the way they are, takes me out of the story. I wanted more growth for my characters, especially Rose and Griff, our Sleeping Beauty and Prince as the case may be. Rose holds on to her naiveté, and Griff abides by the rule that all story-telling is evil, for a little too long before they start to break out of their shells and actually start doing something about their plight.
Overall, I absolutely loved the idea with the villain being so seated within stories and fairytales in Rose & Thorn. If fairytale retellings are your cup of tea I’d say give this one a try. Sarah Prineas does great making the story of Sleeping Beauty identifiable, but twisting it into her own tale. For me, though, it just didn’t meet my preferences in terms of how it was executed.
October 20, 2016
'Rose & Thorn' is a beautifully imaginative retelling of Sleeping Beauty, and will have readers begging for more. I read and reviewed Ash & Bramble when it came out last year - and I absolutely loved it! When I found out this book was set in the same world as the other, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I admit I had sort of high hopes for this novel after reading the author's previous book - and I'm so happy to say that I was not disappointed! I really enjoyed every aspect of this novel - from the setting to the characters and the story line to the writing. The characters were well rounded and had their own personalities and traits that made them unique - especially the main characters, Rose and Griff. I really loved watching Rose come into her own and become a strong woman throughout the story. She faces a lot of hard situations in the book, but she's determined and stays her course. Of course there was some romance - but I thought it was a great addition to the main plot and didn't overshadow the story line.
The plot was a fantastic twist on the fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty. I was hooked from the beginning of the prologue and wouldn't stop reading until I finished the whole book. Rose's world is vividly detailed with lots of fantastic descriptions and imagery - it really brought the setting to life before my eyes. I had no problem envisioning myself alongside Rose and Griff throughout the story. One thing I want to note about the writing is the point of view used. The story is broken into two differing narratives - one told from Rose's perspective (the first person) as well as one detailing Griff's part (told from the third person). I'm a huge fan of the first person POV and strongly believe that it's the best writing style for a novel (at least the majority of the time). I loved Rose's part of the book since it's told from her viewpoint. We get to really know her character on a personal level - her thoughts, fears, dreams, emotions, and everything in between. The first person is the only POV that allows such a deep connection to the narrator. I found it odd that Griff's part of the story was told from the third person perspective - it didn't seem to fit with the rest of the story and was hard to really get into because of the impersonal narrative. The writing was consistently well done - it's just my own opinion about the point of views used. I think if Griff's part of the book was done in the first person POV as well, it would've been a home run for me. Again - this is my personal opinion and I'm sure other readers will have no issues with it. Overall, this was a magnificent fairy tale retelling and is one that fans of the trend and genre will want to get their hands on.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The plot was a fantastic twist on the fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty. I was hooked from the beginning of the prologue and wouldn't stop reading until I finished the whole book. Rose's world is vividly detailed with lots of fantastic descriptions and imagery - it really brought the setting to life before my eyes. I had no problem envisioning myself alongside Rose and Griff throughout the story. One thing I want to note about the writing is the point of view used. The story is broken into two differing narratives - one told from Rose's perspective (the first person) as well as one detailing Griff's part (told from the third person). I'm a huge fan of the first person POV and strongly believe that it's the best writing style for a novel (at least the majority of the time). I loved Rose's part of the book since it's told from her viewpoint. We get to really know her character on a personal level - her thoughts, fears, dreams, emotions, and everything in between. The first person is the only POV that allows such a deep connection to the narrator. I found it odd that Griff's part of the story was told from the third person perspective - it didn't seem to fit with the rest of the story and was hard to really get into because of the impersonal narrative. The writing was consistently well done - it's just my own opinion about the point of views used. I think if Griff's part of the book was done in the first person POV as well, it would've been a home run for me. Again - this is my personal opinion and I'm sure other readers will have no issues with it. Overall, this was a magnificent fairy tale retelling and is one that fans of the trend and genre will want to get their hands on.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
May 8, 2017
I kindly received this book from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Rose & Thorn is a re-telling of Sleeping Beauty, who is named Rose in this story. It's equal parts Sleeping Beauty and the myth of Oedipus. Not so much that a main character has children with her father, but that one should never try to circumvent the oracle. Or, in this case, circumvent Story.
Re-tellings of classic fairy tales/stories seem to be all the rage right now. We started with Cinder, then got Dorothy Must Die, and so on and so forth. This re-telling, unfortunately, doesn't do anything to make it stand out from the pack.
I think my problem with this story is that it felt unfinished. The characters didn't seem fully formed, nor did the plot. It read more like strands of plot were woven very loosely together, and the reader was supposed to smile and nod and just enjoy the journey. I'm still not sure why (or when, for that matter) the protagonists fell in love. I'm still not sure what the third curse is on Rose. I'm still not sure how the protagonists beat Story. I'm still not sure if Timothy was supposed to be the comic relief. And it goes on. While I don't expect every question I ever have about a book to be answered, if you're telling me a love story, I should at least understand why the characters love each other. Don't just tell me it's true love and expect me to smile and nod.
This story had a lot of potential; however, it simply never lived up to any of it. While not a horrible book by any means, there are a lot of better options out there if re-tellings are your jam.
Rose & Thorn is a re-telling of Sleeping Beauty, who is named Rose in this story. It's equal parts Sleeping Beauty and the myth of Oedipus. Not so much that a main character has children with her father, but that one should never try to circumvent the oracle. Or, in this case, circumvent Story.
Re-tellings of classic fairy tales/stories seem to be all the rage right now. We started with Cinder, then got Dorothy Must Die, and so on and so forth. This re-telling, unfortunately, doesn't do anything to make it stand out from the pack.
I think my problem with this story is that it felt unfinished. The characters didn't seem fully formed, nor did the plot. It read more like strands of plot were woven very loosely together, and the reader was supposed to smile and nod and just enjoy the journey. I'm still not sure why (or when, for that matter) the protagonists fell in love. I'm still not sure what the third curse is on Rose. I'm still not sure how the protagonists beat Story. I'm still not sure if Timothy was supposed to be the comic relief. And it goes on. While I don't expect every question I ever have about a book to be answered, if you're telling me a love story, I should at least understand why the characters love each other. Don't just tell me it's true love and expect me to smile and nod.
This story had a lot of potential; however, it simply never lived up to any of it. While not a horrible book by any means, there are a lot of better options out there if re-tellings are your jam.
August 14, 2018
🌹 sleeping beauty: Rose and Thorn is the second book in Sarah Prineas' series of dark fairy tale retellings. As with all stories that attempt to put a new spin on what is familiar, it's always a daunting and exciting task. I enjoyed the general premise of this retelling but found myself feeling detached from the characters. Rose was naive from being raised in a little bubble (literally) and while she wasn't as cardboard as they come, I didn't find much depth to her character. Griff on the other hand is out detached from everyone as you can get and while they make a cute couple they didn't stand out to me on their own.
��� story: Like Ash and Bramble, the main antagonist is Story who is this omnipresent thing that controls the lives of innocent individuals for its evil purpose of making fairy tales come true. I enjoyed the backstory of Story attempting to weasel the plot to its favor and the eerieness that come with its plotting.
🌹 ash and bramble: It has been so long since I've read the first book so it took me a bit of time before I pieced together what was going on. For that reason, I had a bit more trouble getting into the story. However, once things started making more sense, it was enjoyable to be reunited with characters and see how the story unfolded.
More Reviews At Le Petit Photograph.
��� story: Like Ash and Bramble, the main antagonist is Story who is this omnipresent thing that controls the lives of innocent individuals for its evil purpose of making fairy tales come true. I enjoyed the backstory of Story attempting to weasel the plot to its favor and the eerieness that come with its plotting.
🌹 ash and bramble: It has been so long since I've read the first book so it took me a bit of time before I pieced together what was going on. For that reason, I had a bit more trouble getting into the story. However, once things started making more sense, it was enjoyable to be reunited with characters and see how the story unfolded.
More Reviews At Le Petit Photograph.
July 29, 2016
A nice way of revisiting a popular fairy tale!
"Only the kiss of true love can stop the curse." A famous quote that remind you instantly of "Sleeping Beauty", her adventures and curse.
It was never my favorite as I found the princess too passive and innocent. In this story, I've appreciated Rose's spontaneity as well as her positive attitude. She wants to fight her fate and believes in love being able to overcome every troubles.
Much more darker, this story is interesting. To be honest, I've found some lengths and was not really fan of some of the secondary characters. Even Griff is a grumpy boring hero. But there is something in the author writing that forces you to turn the pages to learn what will happen next...
And the ending is interesting, even if the story focus too much about the first curse.
Some great potential in the imagination and creativity of the author.
Lucie
http://newbooksonmyselves.blogspot.fr...
"Only the kiss of true love can stop the curse." A famous quote that remind you instantly of "Sleeping Beauty", her adventures and curse.
It was never my favorite as I found the princess too passive and innocent. In this story, I've appreciated Rose's spontaneity as well as her positive attitude. She wants to fight her fate and believes in love being able to overcome every troubles.
Much more darker, this story is interesting. To be honest, I've found some lengths and was not really fan of some of the secondary characters. Even Griff is a grumpy boring hero. But there is something in the author writing that forces you to turn the pages to learn what will happen next...
And the ending is interesting, even if the story focus too much about the first curse.
Some great potential in the imagination and creativity of the author.
Lucie
http://newbooksonmyselves.blogspot.fr...
July 12, 2016
Rose & Thorn takes a familiar fairy tale and uses a unique concept (Story as an omniscient being that forces people into pre-planned lives and endings) to turn it inside out. I haven't read Ash & Bramble yet, but I certainly will now. Rose and Griff were both wonderfully fleshed out characters, and the element of self-discovery as a tool to fight against Story was well done. Recommended for fans of Cinder, Princess of Thorns, and Spindle's End
October 27, 2016
Picking up years after Ash and Bramble ended, Rose and Thorn thrusts readers back into that same world. One where the Story of this classic fairytale retelling is really alive. Things are definitely not quite the same as it was when Shoe and Pin's story ended......
FULL REVIEW http://mundiemoms.blogspot.com/2016/1...
FULL REVIEW http://mundiemoms.blogspot.com/2016/1...
Shelved as 'dnfs'
May 29, 2019The first two chapters were pretty good, and then the third chapter had three different sexual assault attempts that seemed to be all blamed on the woman, and while that's the product of the environment of this story and not the intention of the author, I was too uncomfortable to finish.
Going back and rephrasing this from its original incarnation because it cost me a friendship ):.
Going back and rephrasing this from its original incarnation because it cost me a friendship ):.
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