When I first picked up the novel, I was intrigued by the premise. This was to be a darker retelling of the Sleeping Beauty myth.

A darker, forbidding castle hidden where time has completely stopped. A place where others have tried and failed to infiltrate.

A country once the home of the sitting Gods where saints were blessed and made. Now a place where the Gods have abandoned and forsaken. A plague rages through the country and no hope is in sight. A dark, forbidden castle hidden by the briars. A place where many have died to reach the castle doors.

Inside, a heretic sorcerer awaits within the walls aware of time's halt, waiting for the one who would manage to break through the briars. In this, he finds Lia, who so reverently wishes to be one of Nin-Anna's saints. When she kills him and awakens the castle occupants, Lia finds herself not only engaged to the newly awakened prince but Ruven's ghost now attached to her.

As Lia navigates through court politics and hopes to become one of Nin-Anna's saints, one word changes everything and Lia finds herself forsaken by her Goddess and made to be another's. Lia now has to find a way to change her fate and Ruven's.

The plot was full of twists and turns, keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire novel. The author expertly weaved elements of fantasy, suspense, and romance together to create a wholly unique and engaging story.

The only downside was Lia. I did not care too much for her character and found her annoying at times. Though I do understand her devotion to the Goddess, Nin-Anna, I did not see her looking at the bigger picture outside of her little box. That is until she has no choice but to seek help with Ruven. I just could not find any connection to her character.


Final Thought:


Although a unique take on the Sleeping Beauty myth, the Gods easily abandoned those who were devoted to them. Even when they set out to meet them, they still abandoned them. And though I do understand that Nin-Anna seemed to abhor killings, she did nothing but mark Lia with death. Never once asking why she would do a thing. I get it - death is not what Nin-Anna is, but at the same time she seems to be a bit of a hypocrite as she seemed to let people die of a plague.

*Disclaimer: Thank you to the author, her publishers, and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book. The opinions of this review are mine and mine alone.

Fantastic! Perfect! Please give me more with these characters!

I loved every second of this book. Lia and Ruven were such interesting characters to follow. Just their odd dynamic and messed up actions were hard to ignore or resist. I loved how dark and morbid this story went and how flawed every person involved showed themselves to be. This story showed the horrors and desperation that can come as a result of yearning for love and acceptance.

Previously I had read Cruel Beauty from this author. And while I enjoyed it, this one was even better. I would highly recommend people pick this one up. Even if you are hesitant about it being a Sleeping Beauty retelling, it takes it to new dimensions.


*Received through Netgalley for my honest opinions*

The style felt a little young. The world is surely intriguing but I didn't quite feel the spark with this one. Might be a better fit for readers who tend to prefer younger YA.