While Beauty Slept by Elizabeth Blackwell
Standalone
432p.
Publisher: Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam
Published: Available Now
Source: From NetGalley and publisher for review
My thoughts:
This is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty (the Disney version). However, this is a bit different than the retellings we are used to getting. Usually there is a mix of what kind of magic or in a different magical place, however, this retelling is a "what if" kind. What if there was a real historical story behind Sleeping Beauty? What if all the magic is taken out of it and was substituted with real life historical problems?
We see this story through the eyes of Elise a girl who was raised on a farm but later went to the castle to make her own fortune. We follow her trials and her growth into a powerful woman. She was favored by the queen and in her journey became a lady in waiting. We also see everything about the royals through her eyes. The witch, who did seem to have magical powers-- but was really the power of suggestion and ambition mixed with a bit of insanity-- was really the king's own sister denied the throne because she was a woman. There was a curse and a bid for power, but it all happened within the confines of a historical setting.
There are times in which we would be brought out of the story by Elsie to remind us that it is a recollection. This was strategically done to amp up our anxiety at the outcome. The reminding is made to keep you at the edge of your seat waiting for the final battle you know would be gruesome and harsh. The final battle did not disappoint.
There is a twist at the end and one I enjoyed. It isn't completely a wondrous HEA, but one that satisfies and makes sense. I recommend this book to those that love historical fiction or retellings. For those that don't typically like retellings, this one might be the one to try since it is set more as historical fiction. I give the book 4 stars.
432p.
Publisher: Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam
Published: Available Now
Source: From NetGalley and publisher for review
A beautiful princess lies in a sleep so deep it is close to death. Was Sleeping Beauty revived by a prince's kiss? What really happened in that tower so long ago?
While Beauty Slept re-imagines the legend through the lens of historical fiction, telling the story as if it really happened. A Gothic tale of suspense and ambition, love and loss, it interweaves the story of a royal family and the servants who see behind the glamorous facade, following the journey of a young woman as she lives out a destiny that leads her to the brink of death.
My thoughts:
This is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty (the Disney version). However, this is a bit different than the retellings we are used to getting. Usually there is a mix of what kind of magic or in a different magical place, however, this retelling is a "what if" kind. What if there was a real historical story behind Sleeping Beauty? What if all the magic is taken out of it and was substituted with real life historical problems?
We see this story through the eyes of Elise a girl who was raised on a farm but later went to the castle to make her own fortune. We follow her trials and her growth into a powerful woman. She was favored by the queen and in her journey became a lady in waiting. We also see everything about the royals through her eyes. The witch, who did seem to have magical powers-- but was really the power of suggestion and ambition mixed with a bit of insanity-- was really the king's own sister denied the throne because she was a woman. There was a curse and a bid for power, but it all happened within the confines of a historical setting.
There are times in which we would be brought out of the story by Elsie to remind us that it is a recollection. This was strategically done to amp up our anxiety at the outcome. The reminding is made to keep you at the edge of your seat waiting for the final battle you know would be gruesome and harsh. The final battle did not disappoint.
There is a twist at the end and one I enjoyed. It isn't completely a wondrous HEA, but one that satisfies and makes sense. I recommend this book to those that love historical fiction or retellings. For those that don't typically like retellings, this one might be the one to try since it is set more as historical fiction. I give the book 4 stars.
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