Thornhedge
By T. Kingfisher

This Novella took Sleeping Beauty and turned it on its head. I really enjoyed the main character and her journey, from sweet and naive to starting to come in to her own. The descriptions were fantastic, I really got immersed into the little world. If anything, it ended too soon! I definitely need to keep reading Kingfisher.

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this arc in exchange for an honest review

I absolutely adored this. I've read several from this author, both in the fantasy and horror genres, and was expecting this to be quirky along the lines of Nettle and Bone, but it was deeply moving and sort of sad and and also sweet and very poignant and I loved it for that. A story of a Toadling human/other and the load she carries and a hesitant knight with a large heart, for want of a better way to phrase it right now. I'm going to sit with this one longer. But know that I adore it. I loved the characters, I loved the pacing, I loved that it was sweet and sad and Toadling was dealing with her internal self-image, which was so relatable. And I love novellas! This was such a great one. I feel like this was a version of the Sleepy Beauty retelling I've really not encountered before. I liked that the author mentioned a sensitivity reader in the acknowledgments for the character of Halim, which is something I'd wondered about, and this I appreciate. I'll be recommending this to others for sure. Full review to come.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance reader copy!

Many thanks to both Tor Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Thornhedge.

Expected publication August 15, 2023

Welcome to Thornhedge, the dark reimagined fairytale where Toadling lives. She was once a human child before being taken by the fairies and replaced with a changeling fairy child. Then, a disaster left Toadling trying to make up for her error and doing the best she could, for centuries!

Enter a kind knight named Halim...

Thornbridge was an interesting novella, although I could have done without the animal cruelty.

Toadling is not your princess in the fairytale. She is taken at birth by fairies and replaced with a changling. This changling is such a viscous child that no one can bare her. Don’t worry the princess will not get the prince, but he does meet our sweet Toadling.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. The official pub date of this novel is on August 15, 2023.

Thornhedge is a quirky and cute book that readers will easily read in one sitting because a) it’s short and b) they’ll just want to see what happens next. This is a unique little fairytale where readers will be questioning who the villain is and who the hero is throughout the story. T. Kingfisher is masterful at creating characters readers love with huge hearts and a self-deprecating humor that is endearing and relatable. I gave Thornhedge 3.5 stars because it was heartwarming and creative. As I mentioned, this is a quick little cozy read, so there isn’t a ton of depth here, but it was very enjoyable!

T. Kingfisher has written another winning novella, this one taking the familiar tale of Sleeping Beauty and turning it in a truly delightful way to follow a very lonely fairy tasked with keeping the princess sleeping. Because the alternative would be a disaster...

Toadling's story is well worth reading, and the way in which the witty writing, incredible characters, and story catches you makes this an easy recommendation for fans of Kingfisher's previous work and for other lovers of shorter fantasy pieces.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor books for an advanced copy of Thornhedge in exchange for an honest review. This opinions are my own. I was truly excited to dig into this one. Reading T. Kingfisher, does something to you. I started with What Moves the Dead and immediately needed to experience all of her work. Thornhedge was a dark fairytale about a toadling, a knight, and an evil girl who was put to sleep to stop her from doing harm. this book read like a bedtime story which added to the experience and I hope that makes sense. Coming in an about 128 pages or so, the only complaint I have here is that I wish this would have been longer. It was over far too soon and I need more. Thornhedge could have easily been a full length novel and I would have devoured it just the same.

4.5 stars

I absolutely adored this story. It was short and quick but so full and complete as well. I loved the characters, and I loved the twisted tale or reimagining or sleeping beauty. I found it to be very unique and wholesome. It had such a satisfying ending as well. Perfect for any age.

What has two thumbs and loves a frog-fairy woman, this guy!

T. Kingfisher is on my auto-request list for authors and I cannot get enough of her writing! Kingfisher dazzles again with the whimsy, cleverness, and heart that is Thornhedge. A shy and unexcitable Toadling is switched at birth with a fairy changeling and taken to the swamps of Fairieland. Not one to cause a fuss, Toadling is safe and loved with her swampy found family, with just enough magic to enjoy living the green life. This quiet existence comes to an abrupt end when she is forcefully brought back to the human world and ordered to bestow a gift on the child who replaced her. When her orders fail and her plans amuck, she is the only thing standing between what sleeps in the tower and the safety of everything outside of it.

Thumbs up: Its a completely ribbiting novel, I fell in love so quickly with Toadling and devoured this sweet novella in one sitting. A totally reimagined take on "Sleeping Beauty" that one has never seen, Toadling is the quiet hero that we may not know we so desperately needed. A little cozy, a little macabre, and a whole lot of love.

Thumbs down: I have nothing! I loved this book and fought with my e-reader every step of the way trying to get the format to work. It was well worth it.

Was it a nail biter? Absolutely, you will want to get right down in the mud with Thornhedge for your next cozy novella read.

CW: suicide, animal torture (both are mentioned, neither described)
T. Kingfisher has gifted us an imaginative and dark retelling of the Sleeping Beauty fairytale. When a knight discovers the location of the mythical tower that houses an enchanted maiden, Toadling knows she must do everything to stop him from entering.
Stolen at birth and raised by fairies, Toadling has spent almost her entire life guarding the tower, and guarding one of her most closely held secrets.
I loved Kingfisher's spin on this classic fairy tale and the characters within. It's deliciously dark and oddly humorous. Toadling is a surprisingly sweet character and Halim, our knight, was delightfully charming and affable. Such an interesting and enjoyable novella.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own.

This book was short and very sweet. A wonderful story with characters you want to know more and more about. Would recommend to everyone and absolutely read again!

This was a charming little novella!

Thornhedge is a sort of inverted retelling of Sleeping Beauty. Toadling is the foundling daughter of river-hags, taken back to the human world for a duty she is ill-prepared to handle. A lackluster and curious knight named Halim arrives and stumbles his way through her years of isolation.

The writing is touching and witty. I wish we could have spent more time with Toadling, but this is a very fast read and perhaps staying too long in the story would have taken away from the fairy tale feeling. A lot of interesting lore was alluded too.

This is something I'd read again.

Beautifully written riff on a fairytale. More magic, more mystery, more emotion. Toadling has more responsibility than one faerie should ever be burdened with and when its security is threatened by a curious knight she must choose between herself and her duty. So good I wanted there to be more.

Another retelling of a classic fairytale, but with lots of humor and heart along with it. T. Kingfisher is the best at this. The story does get a little high fantasy for my own personal tastes, but the author still makes it easy to follow and understand. The characters are lovely and interesting with so many layers and its just fun to read her stuff.

I love anything T. Kingfisher writes, and this was no exception. This was a lovely twist on Sleeping Beauty, and I absolutely loved Toadling. The story starts in a familiar format and then turns you like a top until the end.

Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher, a great quick read. I really enjoyed this take on the enchanted castle, damsel in distress and fairy curse.

I finished this early this morning and then proceeded to weep (I ain't too proud to admit that) for at least fifteen minutes. This has been one of the most wonderful reading experiences I have had in a long time. I can relate to Toadling in many ways. The way she tries her best and has no faith in herself, just resonated so much. This twist on "Sleeping Beauty" was a refreshing take. The sub plots of found family and seeing beauty in everything are what made me have such strong feelings. T. Kingfisher has done something that many writers have tried before but she pulled it off in the most fulfilling way. Highly, highly recommend.

4.5 stars

T. Kingfisher has been putting out the most creative novellas, and this is no exception. Prepare for a Sleeping Beauty take that gets a little darker but in ways that fans of the cycle may not expect.

Toadling, the m.c., is a truly charming character who is as uncertain about her roles and responsibilities as readers are, at least during the early parts of this piece. One of the most fun parts of this read is learning more of those details, so I'm keeping this intentionally vague. Toadling has been maintaining what for her is the necessary status quo, but when an external party appears, she has to manage that person and consider her own path forward for the first time in a VERY long time.

This is a fast and engaging addition to the Sleeping Beauty cycle, and it comes not only with existential questions about also some moral questions and contemplations about the importance of family and a sense of place. Added props for a version that - unlike nearly all of its companions - does not require an assault-based trigger warning. That's refreshing on its own.

I love this author and can't wait to read whatever comes next!

This was lovely! I’ve always found fairy tale retellings are a bit hit or miss. I found this one entertaining and unique without obscuring the original tale so much it wasn’t recognizable. Toadling is a perfect fairy tail heroine.

4.5/5
Thornhedge is a brilliant subversion of all things fairytale with a prickly exterior that hides hidden depths. Kingfisher skillfully melds history and legend together in this unexpected retelling of Sleeping Beauty that breaks down classic character archetypes and explores the side of a supposed villain. Equally weird and wonderful, Thornhedge is my favorite flavor of fairytale!

Full review will be available on my blog closer to publication!