Thornwood

Starred review from January 1, 2021

Gr 4 Up-Everyone- knows about Rosalin, aka Sleeping Beauty, but almost no one knows about Briony, her younger sister, who wakes up to find herself in the castle tower with no memory of how she got there or how she seems to be awake before anyone else. Briony shows up just in time to see the prince kiss her sister and wake her from the curse. But the prince isn't exactly who he said he was, and the thorns aren't retreating from the castle, keeping everyone trapped inside. Briony might just be able to figure out the answer-but no one ever listens to the little sister! This retelling adds an original twist to a beloved classic and gives a younger sister a chance to earn a little of the spotlight. All the main characters-the sisters, the prince, and Briony's new friend Edwin-appear to be light-skinned. VERDICT A fun, compelling story that will keep readers engaged; recommended for younger siblings, fans of princess stories, and fantasy lovers.-Amanda Toth, Lane Lib., Hamilton, OH

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2021
It's hard living beneath the looming curse of becoming the Sleeping Beauty; even harder, in this middle-grade fairy-tale retelling, is being Sleeping Beauty's sister. Eleven-year-old Princess Briony loves her older sister, Rosalin. Honestly, she does; she's just so tired of being ignored while beautiful, doomed Rosalin occupies everyone's attention. Yet when Briony wakes up on her sister's 16th birthday in a castle turret equipped with spinning wheel and fairy godmother, she discovers the price of being "important." Cypess turns her talents for delicate prose and dark, twisty plotting to exploring the characters often left at the periphery. The castle servants, villagers, even fairies--wicked and helpful alike--have their own personalities and agendas. Briony is a delight: spunky, snarky, and brave enough to admit she's scared. The other characters are equally compelling: Edwin, the clever "village dolt"; Varian, the princely hero, with secrets upon secrets; the terrifying fairy godmother; and the even more terrifying eponymous thicket of thorns, domain of the vicious fairy queen. The heart of the story, though, lies in the utterly authentic relationship between the sisters, who squabble, tease, and hurt each other--and love one another with a fierceness that absolutely demands a happily-ever-after, which this fairy tale delivers, although not one anybody ever expected. Characters read as White by default. Effervescent, thrilling, and practically perfect in every way. (Fantasy. 9-12)

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