I wasn’t a huge sleeping beauty fan growing up, but this re-imagining of the story does it for me. I really enjoyed that the love interests were written so believably. Their worlds didn’t revolve solely around each other. They had personalities, their own motivations.

This was well written; even though it’s about 500 pages it was a quick paced read. The plot was intriguing, the world building was up to par, it was an enjoyable read. The “twist” was pretty obvious coming up towards the end, but didn’t take away from the novel at all.

Rating: 4.5/5
I received an ARC for my honest opinion.

Witches, Dragons, Sleeping Beauty retelling, romantasy, warring kingdoms, a princess and prince that will have to navigate all the secrets that have been decoded.

I really enjoyed this retelling of Sleeping Beauty. In this book you will meet Princess Aurelia from the Summer court who would rather spend time with her dragons than have to deal with becoming the next queen and being betrothed. You will meet Prince Fennick from the Midnight court who is just trying to make sure that his kingdom is safe and he will do whatever he has too. When Aurelia and Fen are the only ones left still awake in the Summer Court, they team up to save their kingdoms.

I found the twists and turns that the author took writing this plot out to have been deliciously written. In this book you will find fae, dragons, magical systems, witches and so much more. I found the journey that Aurelia and Fen have to take to have been well written and I enjoyed the twists throughout it. I found the retelling to have been unique and fun, and I didn’t ever feel like ugh I know what will happen next. The characters are well written and their development you will see throughout the book. Aurelias character has a lot of depth, and you will start to understand her story the more that you read and get all the information. I found myself wanting to give her a hug and at the same time cheering for her that you have this. She is a free spirit that doesn’t want to answer anyone but to live her life as she wants. With Fen, he is a flirt, and I loved his character right away. He is more than what meets the eye, he cares a lot about his people and his kingdom, he will do whatever he needs to make sure that they’re all safe, but at the same time he is understanding and has a lot for depth to him and the more that the story goes on you will see that. I found these characters' banter to have been top notch and the tension between them had me yelling just kiss, because they just work together so well. The betrayal that these characters have to deal with was perfect in this book because it added a whole new level of tension and unknown thoughts of how they will be able to overcome this. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series and just know that these books can be read as standalones as well.

I want to thank NetGalley and Willow Haven for the opportunity to review this book.

What a beautiful read! I’ve always loved retellings and this one did not disappoint. The elements that R.L. Perez used from the classic fairy tale were a perfect match to the fantasy and magic of the general plot, and I enjoyed it tremendously.

The characters are being slowly introduced as we get to know more of the world that surrounds Aurelia and Fenn, as well as the crisis that are threatening both of their kingdoms. Dark topics are presented and handled so delicately, that only helps understand our MCs attitudes and personalities.

Besides all the problems and dangers the main characters have to overcome, a beautiful love story is growing between the protagonists, and I couldn’t help but to fall deeply in love with Fenn. Also I adored the reference of dancing in the woods, as a huge Sleeping Beauty fan this was lovely.

Thank you so much for the ARC, it was an amazing read.

4.5 Stars

If you like ACOTAR I think you'll like this one!

I had the best time reading this! I loved the characters, I loved the plot, I loved the writing! For a fantasy, I felt like this book was really easy to read. It was straight forward and written in a way that was simple yet still managed to capture that enchanting and mystical feeling that every good fantasy book has. I was a bit intimidated by the the size of the book at first, but the writing was so enjoyable that I read it so quickly and it most definitely didn't feel like a 500+ page book!

I read this as both an ebook and audiobook and I can most definitely recommend the audiobook just as much as the book itself. Loved both of the narrators and I really enjoyed how they switched accents depending on who and where the characters were from.

I can't wait to continue on with the series!

Crown of Slumber is a dreamy, romantic fantasy that blends fairy-tale vibes with slow-burn tension and rich worldbuilding. The writing feels atmospheric, almost lyrical at times, and the characters are both complex and emotionally compelling. If you love stories with curses, hidden magic, and a touch of enemies-to-lovers, this one’s a must-read. It’s perfect

FYI it also has dragons…need I say more

I love myself some re-tellings and sleeping beauty is definitely one of them

The world building and story with it’s magic system was very interesting and the twists and turns it took was very enjoyable

I really enjoyed this Sleeping Beauty retelling! Thank you so, so much to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for allowing me to read this title!

Blurb:
Two feuding kingdoms. One unbreakable sleeping curse.

When a deadly sleeping curse befalls her family, Princess Aurelia's only hope lies in the hands of the wicked Prince Fenn. His kingdom maintains the only known supply of stardust, a rare substance that is the key to breaking the spell. But Fenn’s aid comes with a price: Aurelia must pose as his betrothed to secure an alliance that will protect his court.

As they embark on their journey, weaving a web of deception, Aurelia begins to see through his charming facade. Beneath his flippant persona lies a depth she never expected—a prince she could grow to care for. Perhaps even love.

But as genuine feelings blossom between them, Aurelia stumbles upon a sinister secret within Fenn's court—a secret that threatens not only her kingdom but the very essence of her soul. Can she trust Fenn to save her family, or will his hidden darkness be their undoing?

I was completely swept away by Crown of Slumber! R.L. Perez has crafted a lush, enchanting fantasy with the perfect blend of romance, danger, and dreamy world-building. From the very first page, I was hooked—and I didn’t want to leave the realm she created.

What stood out most to me was how Crown of Slumber reimagines familiar fairytale elements into something entirely its own. There's a rich sense of magic threaded through every scene, but what truly made this book shine were the characters. The heroine is strong, layered, and easy to root for, and the love interest? The brooding, mysterious type who absolutely stole the show. Their chemistry sizzled, and the slow-burn tension had me hanging on every interaction.

The pacing struck a great balance—giving time to build emotional depth while keeping the plot moving forward with plenty of twists. I also appreciated the stakes; nothing felt rushed, and every decision had weight behind it. Perez knows how to make readers feel the intensity of a moment without sacrificing beauty in the prose.

The romantic arc in this book was so satisfying. There’s a delightful tension that slowly unravels as the story progresses, and by the end, I was deeply invested in the characters' connection and future. The ending was both satisfying and left me wanting more in the best way.

If you're a fan of fairytale-inspired fantasy, slow-burn romance, and richly imagined worlds, Crown of Slumber is absolutely worth the read. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for whatever R.L. Perez writes next.

Thanks to NetGalley, Willow Haven Press, and the author for the chance to read this book.

I enjoyed this dark retelling of Sleeping Beauty. It's full of dragons, magic, and some spice. Their is plenty of drama and action to keep the story moving along quickly, but it didn't feel rushed. I can't wait to read the next instalment.

4⭐
"Two feuding kingdoms, one unbreakable curse."

Fairytale retellings are my absolute favorite, and this Sleeping Beauty retelling just hit all the right buttons!

Thank you NetGalley and Willow Haven Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The storytelling was lush and well rounded and I thoroughly enjoyed having the dual povs. The narrative was somewhat fresh ( as a retelling which was great)

Definitely a enjoyable read

Thank you NetGalley for the arc

Crown of Slumber is a lush, dreamy reimagining that blends fairytale magic with emotional depth and slow-burning intrigue. The worldbuilding is enchanting, full of whispered curses, hidden powers, and a haunting atmosphere that lingers like a half-remembered dream. The protagonist’s journey is both magical and personal, touching on themes of identity, destiny, and waking up to one’s own strength. It’s beautifully written and immersive—a story that pulls you in gently, then refuses to let go.

This was a beautiful fantasy romance novel. It was filled with beautiful scenery and connections. I was very pleased with this book. All of my expectations were met.

I have been in a state of reading various re-tellings and I was excited to see this one, based on Sleeping Beauty. Overall, I enjoyed it and really liked having the dual POVs. I thought that the changes and additions were creative and look forward to reading more by this author.

A Sleeping Beauty retelling, Crown of Slumber, recreates a beloved story with new twists and turns that bring to light all the different elements that make the story great. The heir of the Summer Court, princess Aurelia, and her sworn enemy, Prince Finn of the Night Court find themselves thrown together in a series of unexpected events in order to save her kingdom from a sleeping curse. Known for her love of the dragons that her court has sworn to protect, Aurelia must set aside who she thought she was meant to be, with who she truly is meant to be and what she has to offer the world around her.

Aurelia’s journey of self discovery was fraught with constant danger, and that would make it seem as if the story moved quickly. However, the story took its time to breathe as Aurelia discovered the world around her and how to navigate both new and old relationships. Aurelia has seen such a great amount of trauma in her life that it complicated her relationship with Prince Finn as they began to know one another in an entirely new light. The growth of their relationship was beautiful in the way that it acknowledged Aurelia’s trauma without minimizing it.

Finn’s patience and compassion was slowly brought out as he responded to Aurelia’s reluctance to get to know someone from the Night Court. His chemistry with her was balanced by his acknowledgement that he may not be able to know her in the way that he quickly began to desire. While the pacing of the story could at times be difficult to follow, Finn’s relationship with Aurelia made the work worth it.

Despite the constant action and adventure, when the height of the conflict finally arrived, it felt lackluster. The villains' motivations fell flat when compared to everything that drove the heroes to the conclusion of the conflict. There was so much potential depth to the story, that it would have been nice for the conflict to have reached greater heights.

3.5/5 stars for an exciting and spicy retelling of an old favorite.

Thank you to Willow Haven Press and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Ohh, I enjoyed this one very much! It has dragons!
This book is a Sleeping Beauty retelling, and it was so good. It was fast-paced, romantic, and enjoyable, and I highly recommend reading it.
I was hooked from the start. You also have fae, a curse, and enemies-to-lovers moments.
So, do yourselves a favor and add it to your TBR :)

I listened to this one via audio and my goodness what a magical experience the narrators did a fabulous job of bringing this story to life.

This is one for the booktok girlies to sink their teeth into there’s
magic
princes & princesses
Slow burn romance
DRAGONS!
Political intrigue
Sleeping beauty retelling
Fae

The world building is definitely well done, each kingdom has its own traits and personalities which I really enjoyed.

The Dynamics between the characters were entertaining and endearing and I cannot wait to see more from these characters!

4 stars

A dark and enchanting twist.
"Crown of Slumber" by R.L. Perez takes the familiar tale of Sleeping Beauty and plunges it into a world of dark fae magic and complex characters. This isn't your typical fairy tale retelling; There is crafted a story with a distinct edge, exploring themes of power, destiny, and the blurred lines between good and evil.

The writing is lush and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the fae realm and its inhabitants. The protagonist, while reminiscent of Aurora, is given a depth and agency that sets her apart. She's not just a passive victim of a curse, but a character grappling with her fate and the dangerous world she's thrust into.
The supporting characters are equally well developed, each with their own motivations and secrets, adding layers of intrigue to the narrative.

The "Sleeping Beauty Retelling" aspect is cleverly woven into the story, offering familiar elements while subverting expectations. The "Crowns of the Fae" series promises a larger world, and this first installment effectively sets the stage for future adventures.

While the pacing occasionally felt a bit slow, particularly in the initial setup, the intriguing plot and compelling characters kept me hooked. The dark tone and complex relationships make this a refreshing take on a beloved classic.

If you're a fan of fairy tale retellings with a touch of darkness and a strong dose of fae magic, "Crown of Slumber" is definitely worth a read. I'm eager to see where the "Crowns of the Fae" series goes from here and I will definitely pick up the next book!

Thank you to R.L. Perez, Willow Haven Press and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Crown of Slumber is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty where instead of the princess falling under a sleeping curse it's her court. With the help of a rival court - Prince Fenn - Aurelia sets out to break the curse.

I wanted to love this book - I really did. And I know some people have. My sister for one rated it 5 stars. I just think it wasn't for me. I found the beginning of the book rather slow and it shows with how long it took me to finish the book. There was a lot of things happening in the middle with nothing really happening if you know what I mean? It seemed like was as much written about Aurelia and Fenn getting new clothes as there was about a literal battle they have with trolls. At the same time when bigger scenes happened it was as if, to me, they were over and done with super quick such as the couple's final hours in the Autumn Court after the ball.
I felt like Aurelia and Fenn were cute enough as a couple but nothing to write home about. I wish the rival courts angle had been leaned into more with more of an enemies to lovers like I expected after starting the book. It was too insta-lust for me.
Mal was brilliant to me he was giving loyal guard dog and I loved it - between Mal being on Aurelia's side and the court being who fell to the sleeping curse I felt there was enough different from the base Sleeping Beauty story to feel brand new with nods to the source material such as a certain three witches names.
All in an easy read - even if I did find the pacing could be slow at times.

Thank you NetGalley for the ebook arc. If you are looking for a book with dragons, witches and rival kingdoms, fake dating and enemies to lovers then definitely check out this book it’s a sleeping beauty retelling.
She’s a princess who is in charge of taking care of dragons and he’s a shadow prince trying to save his kingdom. They go off on a quest to save their kingdoms.

🔹he falls first
🔹enemies to lovers
🔹fake engagement