Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review!

Retelling classic fairy tales and myths is a popular trend in fiction right now. However, T. Kingfisher manages to take the familiar tale of Sleeping Beauty and completely transform it into a story that feels genuinely unique. Our main character, Toadling, is a human girl who was stolen and raised by the fae. She’s also the person in charge of maintaining the curse that keeps the princess asleep and brambles growing around the long forgotten tower. Centuries into this task a knight shows up, hearing stories of a mysterious curse.

What follows is a novella filled with the interesting worldbuilding and loveable characters that I’ve come to expect from T. Kingfisher. Kingfisher has a talent for writing characters that feel so incredibly genuine and alive, even the ones who can turn into toads. And then she’ll surprise you by writing a scene that reminds you that yes, she also writes horror. Thornhedge is just the right level of unsettling for a fairy tale retelling - not overboard to the point of qualifying as horror, but enough to remind you that Thornhedge has much more in common with Grimm than it does Disney.

This was overall a wonderful novella, perfect for anyone interested in a refreshing new take on the classic Sleeping Beauty.

Thank you to NetGalley and tor for the advanced copy of this book!

T. kingfisher does it again. This was such a short, sweet, and well developed retelling. I absolutely loved the twist on sleeping beauty. Kingfisher is one of my favorite authors, so I had anticipated this being a good one. It delivered. Perfect pacing, great plot, and a cute little friendship/partnership blossoming.

T. Kingfisher plus a Sleeping Beauty remix. Sign me up. I’m here for it. Mostly because I love Sleeping Beauty, and some of it because I really wanted to see what Kingfisher was going to do with it. I wasn’t disappointed; in fact, I was absolutely, positively delighted. I think this is my favorite Kingfisher novella thus far.

It all starts with an underpinning question that can twist the whole tale on its head: there’s two reasons anyone would go to such lengths to hide a sleeping princess behind a huge mess of thickets of thorns, masses of briars, a forest of trees, and tons of huge bushes. It’s either to keep other people out, or to keep something in. Kingfisher wants us to contemplate the latter: What if Sleeping Beauty is the dangerous one?

Somehow this premise excited me so much I was almost giddy as I read this charming and somehow sweet (I don’t know why my clock ticks this way, but it does and I don’t question it) fairy tale told from the point of view of Toadling, a changeling who was actually meant to be the real princess she’s now guarding as she sleeps. Toadling doesn’t have much magic in her, so almost everything she has goes into keeping the changeling child that’s disguised as a human asleep and trying to make sure no one comes near the hidden tower where the small child eternally slumbers. Not even Toadling goes near her too often, for fear the magic will become unstable and wake her.

The world building in this story is just so unbelievably detailed and rich, even though it mostly takes place in one place. There are interludes as Toadling tells her story to a traveler from (what was then called) Anatolia, as it seems he’s determined to get through the briar thickets and the hedge of thorns and up to the hidden tower to see the princess. Toadling doesn’t have it in her to hurt practically anyone, especially not a nice person who’s the first person she’s spoken to in over 200 years. She thinks it’s important to impart to him the history of who the princess is and why she’s in the tower so he really decides against trying to break the spell. While these could be considered info dumps, they’re really more of a fairy tale inside a fairy tale: two stories nested within one another, and they’re both fascinating and well-written.

This is what’s so vital about novellas: Knowing how to pack the most punch with less than 200 words to work with. Despite this being a novella, this felt like a whole and complete story. Nothing was rushed, nothing felt missing, and it was such a satisfying read. It’s well worth the five stars I rated it.

I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: 5 Star Review/Fantasy/Folklore/Fairy Tale Retelling/Folklore/Found Family/Historical Fantasy/Novella

A big thanks to NetGalley and Macmillian for providing both an eARC and an advance audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

You've never seen Sleeping Beauty like this!

Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher is a fantasy retelling of Sleeping Beauty, but told from the perspective of one of the fairy godmothers. Toadling has lived a simple life in the land of fey, until she is tasked with going back to the mainland to place a blessing of protection on a newborn. Years later a prince hears of castle covered in brambles, and curse in need of breaking. But Toadling will do anything to ensure that curse remains intact.

I loved this retelling, as it gives a breath of fresh air to the increasingly repetitive genre. But with this unique perspective, it turns the entire tale as old as time on it's head. I just wish it was a little longer, instead of it simply being a novella.

This is an interesting novella that doesn’t really resonate Sleeping Beauty until you realize, at the end, the parallels or until you’re told. The found families and joys and heartaches are prevalent in the story as well as deep character explorations within minimal space. The rich story and unconventional plot make this a fascinating story that everyone should read.

I am really finding a groove with T. Kingfisher this year! I've read A House with Good Bones, Nettle & Bone, and now Thornhedge and I was enthralled for all of these novella length reads!
I never thought so much could happen in under 150 pages. Even Becky Chamber's "A Psalm for the Wild Built" falls at 160 pages but a mere 128 for Tornhedge??? I could have read many many more. This novel subverts the tale of Sleeping Beauty and our ideas about changelings/faerie powers/time/ and even fairy godmothers. This was a great read and I think it is one to go in with little knowledge of/expectations because that is the setting where you find the most joy in a T. Kingfisher book.
This is out 8/15/23 and I highly recommend! The audiobook was also very well done.

Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher is a delightful and refreshing retelling of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. The story is charming and engaging from start to finish, with a cast of unique and memorable characters that kept me hooked from beginning to end.

Toadling is a fascinating protagonist, a fairy who is torn between her loyalty to her own kind and her desire to do the right thing by the human family she was meant to bless. The knight who comes to Thornhedge seeking to break the curse is equally well-drawn, with a personality that is both endearing and hilarious.

What I loved most about this book, however, was the world building. T. Kingfisher has created a rich and vivid world, filled with magic and wonder. Every detail is carefully crafted, from the towering walls of bramble to the intricate workings of the fairy courts. It's the kind of world you can get lost in, and I found myself eagerly turning the pages to find out more.

Overall, I would highly recommend Thornhedge to anyone who loves fantasy, fairy tales, or just a good old-fashioned adventure.

This review is based on an eARC (Advance Reading Copy) provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thornhedge will be released August 15, 2023. 

I’ve dipped my toe into T. Kingfisher’s middle grade work and her horror, but despite the best of intentions, I hadn’t yet made it to her fairy tale retellings for older audiences. But when I saw the blurb for Thornhedge, I knew it was time to fill that gap. Kingfisher’s Harriet the Invincible (written as Ursula Vernon) is a Sleeping Beauty subversion that has become my absolute favorite read-aloud book with my elementary school daughter. So an adult novella promising a different subversion of the Sleeping Beauty tale? Sign me up! 

Unlike most Sleeping Beauty retellings, Thornhedge stars not a cursed princess but the fairy who cursed her. Afraid a dangerous princess would wreak havoc on the surrounding country, the fairy Toadling cursed her to eternal sleep, then surrounded her tower with thorns and kept constant vigil to ensure no princes seeking glory would undo her good work. Which works fine, until the day she encounters a knight who just won’t be dissuaded. 

It’s a short novella, with the official page count of 128 doubtless inflated by the customary small pages of Tordotcom novellas, and it splits time between Toadling's attempts to keep the knight from harm in the present day and flashbacks explaining her background and why she found the curse so necessary in the first place. And in many ways, it shows off the best parts of Kingfisher’s storytelling. The witty banter so often found in her stories is perfect for an encounter between a fairy and a knight, and the entire setup is a fascinating twist of expectations that helps Thornhedge stand out from a crowd of fractured fairy tales. Toadling’s backstory is compelling, and her interactions in the present timeline are a pleasure to read. 

But it’s difficult to retell a fairy tale without someone being either malicious or inept, and the competent and likable pair at the fore of the story plunge ahead with the plot even when it seems they should be exploring the obvious alternatives. It’s still enjoyable seeing them interact, but the shadow of other possibilities hangs over much of the second half, robbing some of its impact. That the ending so neatly ties into one of those obvious alternatives doesn’t help matters, leaving the reader with a feeling of “it’s about time” more than anything. 

Overall, I can’t say that I enjoyed it as much as Harriet the Invincible (which is admittedly written for an entirely different audience and thus has different storytelling techniques available), with a mediocre ending undercutting a tremendous start. But the start is still very good, and the characters are still very fun to follow for a hundred pages or so. Even if the ending isn’t exceptional, it’s a good read. 

Recommended if you like: creative fairy tale subversions, banter. 

Overall rating: 15 of Tar Vol’s 20. Four stars on Goodreads.

This was my most anticipated for the month and I was not disappointed. I loved this so much. Fairy tale books are some of my favorites. I love that this one was dark. I did not want to put this down. I read it in one sitting. Toadling was such a great character. I just felt for her. I would love to read more from this world. I definitely recommend this one. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

This was a fun, quirky, weird fairy tale retelling. I found it cute and the characters entertaining while I was reading it, but the story wasn't really compelling. I put the book down half way through, and didn't pick it up again for over a week.

We have a knight trying to rescue a girl in a tower. Except nothing is as it seems. We also have Toadling, the girl's guardian, who is trying to keep the world from finding what is in the tower.

I enjoyed the flashbacks and slow reveal of the story. We have a knight now trying to find a way into the tower, and we have flashbacks to why the girl is there in the first place. I was a little confused how much Toadling was telling the knight, and if the flashbacks was her explaining the story or not. The current day story also progressed very slowly, and the most interesting parts were the flashbacks.

I expected this to take place in a secondary world, so I was thrown out of the story a little when it started mentioning real world religions. That is probably due to my expectations though, and not the story.

I enjoyed the ending, with Toadling thinking about her future for the first time. Overall it was cute and charming, but not one I'm likely to reread.

"Thornhedge" by T. Kingfisher introduces readers to a captivating world of fairies, curses, and unexpected heroes. The story revolves around Toadling, a unique and kind-hearted fairy often shaped like a toad, who is tasked with guarding Sleeping Beauty.

Kingfisher's storytelling prowess shines through in her witty dialogue and unconventional characters. Her narratives always champion the underdogs, and this theme continues here. One of the intriguing aspects of the story is its clever reversal of traditional roles, where the princess becomes the antagonist, and the classically 'evil fairy' takes on the role of the protector.

The characters, particularly the gentle and valiant Muslim knight, are well-crafted and contribute to the depth of the story. Toadling's unique character and the enchanting lore surrounding her add layers of complexity and intrigue to the plot. The wicked fae trope adds an element of mystery and danger, keeping readers engaged from start to finish.

However, the story touches upon a sensitive topic, as there is a historical connection between changelings and autism. The decision to portray the changeling character as evil may raise discomfort for some readers. That history is somewhat buried, but I could not look past it and it did lessen my enjoyment of this story.

"Thornhedge" showcases T. Kingfisher's exceptional storytelling abilities, offering a blend of humor, adventure, and unexpected twists. Readers who appreciate unique characters, clever dialogue, and intricate world-building will enjoy Kingfisher's books.

Thank you to Tor and Netgalley for the eARC. This is an honest review.

Everything T Kingfisher (and Ursula Vernon) does is perfect. This is not an exaggeration. Everything I have read under any pen name, I have loved. This story is no different.

Yes, this is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty. No, it is not the Disney or even the Grimm version. This is a story about unintended consequences and regret and, I think, how one tends to punish oneself far longer than one deserves. It also very neatly flips the tale of Sleeping Beauty on its head. After all, why would you want to trap a maiden in a tower behind a hedge of thorns? Perhaps the maiden is actually dangerous, and did something to deserve being imprisoned.

Toadling is a gentle protagonist, lonely and anxious and afraid. Halim is not the brave prince, but a poor, bumbling knight who loves his mother and a good story. This is a sweet story, one for the misfits, the toad creatures and unhandsome knights who would rather sit by the fire than ride gloriously to war. It says, no matter how tough the task in front of you, you can only do your best. Sometimes you will mess up, and suffer the consequences, and continue to do your best anyway. Sometimes you try your hardest, and still lose, and no amount of love has ever changed someone’s nature, no matter how hard you try.

This is a novella, and it is short enough one can devour it quickly. I suggest that you do.

It was a nice Saturday to sit around and read this little novella with my dog! Thornhedge is a Sleeping Beauty retelling but not in the expected way, and in that way it was charming to meet and know this "fairy godmother" and just what she was about! Not only that, but the way the passage of time happened through her observations, and the man coming to seek the legend being not a white European was a refreshing breath (Halim was very cute!! I like his character type), especially thinking about the globalization of tales especially through and after terrible world events.

This was somehow my first Kingfisher book but it definitely won't be my last. Love the way things were described and moved through and the details that aren't always so obvious.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for the eARC borrow in exchange for this honest review!

This book was GLORIOUS.

T Kingfisher writes a dark, beautiful fairytale like no one else. A delightful cast of glorious monsters who are not beautiful but are wonderful, and a not so handsome but very brave knight will make a spot right in the middle of your heart. This book took something familiar & did something entirely original with it, and I couldn’t be happier to have read this.

No notes, all the stars.

Thank you so much @netgalley @torbooks & @macmillan.audio for the e & audio copies

Thornhedge is a fairy tale. It's sleeping beauty, but Toadling is not our sleeping beauty. She is the one who is awake and watches over the sleeping beauty.

It's a short tale, melodic and lovely and satisfying.

I went into it without even reading the blurb and it was a lovely experience. I hesitate to share too much, lest I ruin that experience for you.

Go on, read it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Fairy tales are still so important, and T. Kingfisher is so amazing at fairy tales.
Thornhedge is a Sleeping Beauty retelling, but it's not about saving the beautiful princess from the dark fairy. Sometimes the princess needs to stay asleep.
Super quick read so it's a great palate cleanser.
Anyone needing a book to help meet your reading goal, this is a fun one.

This was a really good read. I listened to this in audiobook as well. This is like a retelling of Sleeping Beauty. This is my third book by T. Kingfisher and he keeps drawing me in for more. I definitely recommend this book!


Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group, Tor Books for allowing me to read this ARC in advance for my honest opinion.

A reimagining of the Sleeping Beauty fable as you haven't seen it before! This novella follows Toadling, a human spirited away to the fairy world at birth. Fate has made her a prisoner to a tower, forever warding away curious humans and upholding the curse that is cast on the princess within. That is, until a curious knight comes calling...

The narration for this was lovely and definitely helped impart the folk-tale atmosphere. Thornhedge is as sensible, unassuming and heartfelt as you'd expect from a T. Kingfisher fairytale. I loved it!

I love Kingfisher’s writing (and think I always will) but have to say this paled in comparison to Nettle and Bone for me ):

Toadling was stolen as a baby, brought to the fairy world and raised by creatures called greenteeth while a changing baby took her place in the human world. Years later (but only moments in the human world) a Goddess arrives to give Toadling a mission: bestow a blessing on the changeling child. So sets into motion a task spanning centuries for Toadling, a task that may be upended when a kind knight with good intentions arrives at a hedge of thorns…

Let me start by saying T. Kingfisher is a fantastic writer, especially in terms of the way she weaves words together. There was something so unique and deeply poetic about her turns of phrase that really lent itself to the atmosphere of a fairytale retelling. It was mystical and magical and felt almost like you could curl up inside of it, despite the sometimes dark subject matter.

She never fails to impress with her characters, either. Toadling was an absolutely lovable heroine, a not-exactly-human and not-exactly-faerie woman, cursed (but not literally) to never quite achieve what she sets out to. I loved getting to experience her inner monologue and felt very endeared to her as someone who frequently fears saying the wrongs things, and not feeling I measure up to the world around me. Halim was the perfect counterbalance to her, a kind and gentle knight determined to set her free by any means necessary. Getting to watch them together was a big highlight of the story.

However, I did not feel the arc of this story was what I was hoping for, especially after the adventure of nettle and bone. It felt like the storyline, of an evil changeling child and the protector tasked to teach her, was leading up to something and then it kind of…didn’t go anywhere. When we got to the big final event I couldn’t believe that that was where things were stopping, because there was so much buildup for kind of small and unexpected conclusion. The first pages were slow to me but I thought “hey, it took me a while to get into Kingfisher’s other works too, so maybe this will take a turn at about halfway” but the turn never really came. It almost felt like the story either needed to be even shorter (I’m thinking six deaths of the saint style), or longer and with more development.

I also feel it necessary to point out (as some other reviews have) that historically, the myth of evil changelings taking the place of human babies has been used as justification for the abuse of disabled children. Now, I am not saying you shouldn’t read Thornhedge because of this fact. And although there was a “maybe not all changelings are bad” moment, I do still think it’s important to keep the historical context and harm that the changeling myth has had in mind if you do decide to pick it up. You kind find some information on this here (link to be provided in Goodreads/blog review)

Overall: I would recommend this if you want a unique and quick fairytale reimagining with a compelling heroine, if you don’t mind a bit of letdown by the conclusion of the story.

Intended audience: adult
Pacing: slow
Content warnings: Suicide, murder, torture of animals

Review to be posted on social channels closer to publication

This was an unexpectedly enjoyable novel, a rewrite of a classic fairy tale by telling it from the perspective of a minor but important character, and changing the entire interpretation of the story in the process. This volume falls far outside the normal methods of retelling a fairy tale, and does so wonderfully well.

Toadling is a human changeling, raised by greenteeth, water fey who often eat human children who fall into their realm, but who sometimes raise a female child with care and love, which is what happened to Toadling. Retrieved from the greenteeth by a minor god with the appearance of a hare, Toadling, who is much older than she would otherwise be because of the different time rates between our world and the world of fairy, is sent back to her original home, in the guise of a fairy godmother coming to bless the fairy changeling who - unbeknownst to any but Toadling - replaced her at birth, a child now named Fayette. From there, then entire story changes, because unlike the fairy godmother in previous versions, Toadling stays at the court, to watch over Fayette and try to protect those around her from harm. This short but still intensely detailed story puts a completely different spin on the story of Sleeping Beauty, and particularly on the reasons for her long sleep.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.