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ARC Book Review: Princess of Thorns – Stacey Jay


princessofthornsPrincess of Thorns
Author: Stacey Jay
Series: None
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Retelling
Release Date: December 9, 2014
Publisher: Delacorte Press

Goodreads | Amazon | TBD

Summary:

Once upon a time there lived a princess…
Princess Aurora’s mother, the Sleeping Beauty, died in her arms when Aurora was seven years old, sacrificing herself to give Aurora her own fairy magic. In the ten years since, Aurora has learned that no magic comes for free. The price of hers is her romantic heart. Platonic love is the only kind she will ever know, and so, when her brother is captured by the queen’s men, Aurora dresses as a boy and sets off to raise an army, determined to free the only person it is safe for her to love before he becomes the Ogre Queen’s sacrifice.
…and a prince…
Prince Niklaas is living on borrowed time. He must convince a princess to marry him before dawn on his eighteenth birthday or meet the same terrible fate as his ten older brothers. And so Niklaas barters his most prized possession for a charm to locate the lost princess, Aurora. Instead, he finds her brother – or so he believes – and is blackmailed into helping raise an army.
Will they find their happily-ever-after?
As they race to prevent the fulfillment of an ogre prophecy foretelling the end of human life, Aurora and Niklaas learn that there are worse things than old curses. There is impossible hope and forbidden love, and there are kisses that steal like a thief in the night…
Readers will be captivated by the warrior princess Aurora in this thrilling, romantic fantasy adventure.

 
First Sentence: Having discovered the secret to eternal life, and jealous of his throne, the immortal king summoned a witch to the castle and ordered her to curse his eleven sons, ensuring none would live past their eighteenth birthday, the age at which a Kanvasol prince may become a king.

My Review:

When I first heard of Princess of Thorns, I knew I needed it in my life. Like, a major I need it desperately in my life NOW need. Not only does Princess of Thorns have a princess cross-dressing to save the world (okay, not save the world exactly, but you guys know what I mean), but the romance also guarantees to be swoon-worthy because with a situation that complex, how does it not? I was so lucky to get an ARC of Princess of Thorns before it released and you could hear me squealing in excitement from a mile away.

“I would never leave a friend in danger. Deal or no deal.”
“I consider you a friend, too.”…”You’re like a brother to me, runt, I told you that last night.” (ARC 185)

My main complaint about Princess of Thorns was that the beginning half of the book was slow. The first four chapters or so weren’t – they got me invested in the characters and rooting for them to get their happy ending. However, from that point on, I couldn’t help but be a bit bored with the story, wanting Niklaas to realize that hello, “Ror” is not a guy, but a girl! Instead, Niklaas remained a clueless idiot even though the clues were all there for him to see. I was happy when he finally learned that Aurora was a girl, but at the same time, I couldn’t help but be a bit disappointed by how he found out she was a girl. I sadly can’t say anything more about the topic because of a thing called spoilers, but alas.

The ending of Princess of Thorns, however, was literally perfection. Let me share a secret with you: I’ve read the ending of Princess of Thorns six times already in the past two days. In fact, I just want to reread it all over again once I finished typing that last sentence. I wish the ending lasted longer so I could get more happiness.

“Aren’t you two delightful?” Crimsin’s voice drifts through the trees, making my shoulder muscles bunch and my head ache…”Is there anything sweeter than two boys in love?”
“We’re friends,” Ror snaps, shooting Crimsin a look I don’t understand. (ARC 185)

I love the fact that Princess of Thorns supports the hey, women can fight for themselves and don’t need anybody’s protection thinking. Aurora proves herself time and time again, showing Niklaas that hey, I (and other girls) don’t need anybody’s help despite what you think. Although Aurora was reckless to prove herself sometimes, I couldn’t help but admire how strong and brave she is.

The world-building in Princess of Thorns was simple, but it left me with no unanswered questions. It could be a bit confusing at times, but as you read on, you get the overall gist of it. The best thing of all is that THERE’S A MAP. (Yes, as you probably can tell, I love them maps.) The maps is pretty and I just want to pet it and stare at it all day.

Like her previous book Of Beast and Beauty, Stacey Jay’s Princess of Thorns stays true to the original fairytale. Stacey Jay uniquely takes elements of Sleeping Beauty and gives it her own twist to make things more magical and hers. Princess of Thorns didn’t have as much parallels to the original fairytale as Of Beast and Beauty did, but there were still notable parallels to the original fairytale nevertheless.

“It’s a fairy thing.” I think fast, hoping he’s too drunk to see through a lie. “We wrap our chests to keep our shoulders strong. When we…fight.”
Niklaas frowns. “Never heard of that.” (ARC 160)

Overall, do I recommend Princess of Thorns? YES. The beginning half of the book might be a slow, but I strongly urge you to continue on just so you can read that epic ending. Believe me, it is epic.

threepointfive

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-Kelly

Posted by Kelly on 12-02-14 · 29 Comments
Categories: 2014 book, book review Tagged: 3.5 star

« ARC Book Review: Salt & Storm – Kendall Kulper
Till It Arrives: The Ghosts of Heaven – Marcus Sedgwick »

Speak Your Mind

  1. Dana @ The Nerdy Journalist says

    12-02-14 at 7:22 PM

    I’m a little over halfway through Princess of Thorns, and I’m really enjoying it. I love books in which the female protag disguises as a guy. I really loved Mulan as a kid. I guess I just like seeing girls prove that they are just as strong as boys.
    Dana @ The Nerdy Journalist recently posted…My blog is one year old!My Profile

    Reply
  2. Jen @ Books and Other Happy Ever Afters says

    12-02-14 at 7:45 PM

    Yay! I have an eARC of this one too and I’m definitely planning on reading it soon–glad to hear you enjoyed it! I really don’t mind books that are slow in the beginning if I know the ending is PERFFF. And that’s so relieving to hear that the world-building is simple yet to the point. I’m excited to read this one, thanks for your lovely review, Kelly!
    Jen @ Books and Other Happy Ever Afters recently posted…REVIEW MASH-UP: Even in Paradise & This Shattered WorldMy Profile

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  3. Kara @ Diary of a Teen Writer says

    12-02-14 at 9:30 PM

    WOW. Man, that is one long first sentence! O.o Anyway, great review! I’ve seen seen a few of them popping up over the blogosphere lately, and I have to say that I’m definitely interested in reading it. I’ve never read any of the author’s other works before… but hey, I like fairytales. How can I resist? :)
    Kara @ Diary of a Teen Writer recently posted…Worldbuilding: Part Six (Mythology & Magic)My Profile

    Reply
  4. Jaime Lester says

    12-02-14 at 10:39 PM

    Yeah, I was pretty much in the same boat as you when I heard of this one.. I knew I had to have this book, and I was determined to make it happen! IT HAS HAPPENED! I am so crazy excited I can’t stand it. And now, I am even more excited because I know you enjoyed it. I have found that your reviews of books we have both read are similar to my own personal feelings. So when you like something that I have been wanting, I breathe a sigh of relief! So, thank you for that and for the awesome review!
    Jaime Lester recently posted…Happy, Happy Thanksgiving From Jaime!My Profile

    Reply
  5. Hillary R. says

    12-02-14 at 11:36 PM

    Ever since I first heard about Princess of Thorns, I KNEW I had to have it. I just wasn’t super impressed with the cover. Seriously, it doesn’t look like it has anything to do with Sleeping Beauty. Though I’m still glad you enjoyed the story overall. You, Kelly, enjoying a story at all is a major plus and I can’t wait to get a copy of this of my own so I can see what you were trying to hint at but wouldn’t tell and what you loved so much about this story. I also want to read that ENDING so badly now! ^_^

    Reply
  6. Laila BC says

    12-03-14 at 1:22 AM

    yasss! can’t wait to get my hands on it….you’re the second blogger who end up recommending this book…coz i really love fairy tale retellings. i do not mind a slow start as long as the better half of the book will be worth the slow pace. Thanks for giving me hope about this one…i have read the other books of this author but i wasn’t so impressed with it…so i was a bit reluctant to pick this one up when i first learn about it from another blog.

    Reply
  7. angelina says

    12-03-14 at 3:04 AM

    Great Review .. looks great to read :)

    Reply
  8. Alexandra A says

    12-03-14 at 7:24 AM

    Great review I have this book on my TBR! :)

    Reply
  9. Mel@thedailyprophecy says

    12-04-14 at 1:24 PM

    I loved how she took elements out of the fairytales and stayed true to the story in Of beast and beauty, so I’m happy to hear she does the same in this retelling. I’m SO excited, from the moment I read the blurb (and saw the cover let’s be honest) I knew I had to get this book in my hands. I also found Of beast and beauty a little slow in the beginning, so I guess it’s her type of storytelling?
    Mel@thedailyprophecy recently posted…Review 304. Marie Rutkoski – The winner’s curse.My Profile

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  10. Erin @ The Hardcover Lover says

    12-05-14 at 7:09 PM

    I thought about requesting this book, but I might wait to get it from the library. I’m still not one hundred percent sure about it, but your review gives me a little more hope. :)
    Erin @ The Hardcover Lover recently posted…Book Blitz: Uncross the Stars by Janell Rhiannon + GIVEAWAYMy Profile

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  11. Christina R. says

    12-09-14 at 10:35 AM

    LOVE the cross-dressing and romance aspect! It’s a unique spin off of Sleeping Beauty and I love how the daughter’s doing all the saving !!

    Lovely review :)

    Reply
  12. Patrícia @Chaise Longue says

    12-10-14 at 10:27 AM

    I want so badly read this book… I hope Book Depository doesn’t take much long to send it to me ;_;
    Patrícia @Chaise Longue recently posted…A Sombra de Um Passado [Divulgação]My Profile

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  13. Valerie Pennington says

    12-10-14 at 3:33 PM

    Oh my heart! I love this book so much! I loved that Aurora was such a strong female and put Niklaas in his place multiple times. Great review!

    Reply
  14. naila be says

    12-11-14 at 8:09 AM

    I want this book so so much

    Reply
  15. Amanda says

    12-13-14 at 8:19 PM

    Good for you for sticking with it. I’m glad the ending was worth it because there’s nothing worse than finishing a book you thought was slow or didn’t like only for it to be a crappy ending.

    Reply
  16. lisailj says

    12-13-14 at 10:55 PM

    I’ve had this ARC sitting on my shelf for forever, and I didn’t put much priority on it. Your review makes it sound much more interesting than I thought. I also appreciate the warning that it has a slow start, I have a hard time getting through books that start slow, but it’s good to know that the end makes the slow start worth it.

    Reply
  17. Arcel Vocales says

    12-15-14 at 11:01 PM

    So, I always want to read your reviews because they’re straight forward and it’s exactly what I felt with the same book we’ve read. I’m looking forward for more of your reviews
    Arcel Vocales recently posted…The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer Book ReviewMy Profile

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  18. Salisa Waheed says

    12-17-14 at 8:55 AM

    Your review gives me the incentive to read Princess of thorns. For it’s ending of course. Maybe i will skip to the ending. Haven’t done it for a long time. :D

    Reply
  19. Alexandra says

    12-20-14 at 2:33 PM

    I had loved “Of Beast and Beauty”! I am glad I get to read this review!
    Alexandra recently posted…Feature & Follow Friday #232My Profile

    Reply
  20. Cali W. says

    12-20-14 at 4:00 PM

    I still need to read this book I love Stacey Jay’s books especially her fairy tale retellings. ;)

    Reply
  21. Audrey of www.readrecently.com says

    12-21-14 at 7:38 AM

    Hi Kelly,

    I am currently reading a Christmas novel that is loosely based on the Nativity story. To be honest, I’m staying away from YA books right now. But I am curious how similar the book is to the fairy tale, Sleeping Beauty. I haven’t read any book from the author yet. I might add it in my TBR list.

    http://www.readrecently.com
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  22. Cyn says

    12-21-14 at 11:46 AM

    I’ve been debating picking this one up since I’m not a huge fan of “Sleeping Beauty” and haven’t really gotten into Stacey Jay, but from all the awesome reviews (and the fact that it’s not quite Sleeping Beauty) has me intrigued! Epic endings definitely make it worth reading, so I might cave, haha. Happy to hear you enjoyed it so much, thanks for the review!
    Cyn recently posted…Sunday Post (95) / Stacking the Shelves (75)My Profile

    Reply
  23. Rachael @ Rachael Turns Pages says

    12-21-14 at 5:25 PM

    I have not read any books by this author yet. I have had Of Beauty and Beast on my TBR list for awhile now, but haven’t got a round to it. I think they both look like interesting retellings and I’m glad that they stuck to the original tale. Its too bad the beginning is slow, but I still hope to read it.
    Rachael @ Rachael Turns Pages recently posted…COYER Read-A-Thon Sign UpMy Profile

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  24. khai says

    12-21-14 at 9:25 PM

    thanks for letting us know of its slow start. at least now i know not to stop when i feel like its not worthy of continuing the book, i tend to do that. i am so looking forward for this “epic” ending. can’t wait. have to get a copy. thanks for the review!

    Reply
  25. MichelleRae6 says

    12-21-14 at 11:43 PM

    I’m interested in picking this one up, thanks for the review!

    Reply
  26. Chanpreet says

    12-22-14 at 8:33 PM

    I love re-tellings of fairy tales, myths, and classics! This is right up my alley!

    Reply
  27. dianadimovska1 says

    12-23-14 at 4:26 PM

    I also need this in my life. I recently discovered this gem and I’m going to order it ASAP. It would be an amazing Christmas read. :)

    Reply
  28. Diane Elizabeth says

    12-28-14 at 9:25 AM

    I don’t mind a slow start when it’s worth it in the end. Thanks for the review, I’ll be adding this to my TBR list.

    Reply
  29. Maisha says

    1-03-15 at 3:08 PM

    I’ve heard a lot of great things about this book! It sounds awesome! And I love strong female protagonists. Great review!
    Maisha recently posted…Stacking the Shelves (6)My Profile

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