curiouslibrarian's review
5.0
Some adults really delight in reading fantasy for children or young adults. Those adults should quickly snatch up this book! Which is not to say that it's not good for children, just that it's one of the special class of youth fantasy that should not get overlooked by adult [b:fantasy lover|84136|Fantasy Lover (Dark-Hunter, #1)|Sherrilyn Kenyon|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171050604s/84136.jpg|2384]s.
It is nominally an expansion of "Sleeping Beauty" from the perspective of Price Sigismund, but it's so much more than that. This book takes many scattered elements -- enchanted and forbidden forests, The Fay both good and evil, dragons, fighting, hunting, the magic of dreams, dragons, good friends, servants, mysterious girls, people who are not what they seem, and on and on -- and weaves them into a coherent and absorbing narrative. And while it does all tie into the "Sleeping Beauty" story, it's really all about Sigismund, not the Princess or that castle/court.
Wonderful book. For grades 5-8 (and adults!)
It is nominally an expansion of "Sleeping Beauty" from the perspective of Price Sigismund, but it's so much more than that. This book takes many scattered elements -- enchanted and forbidden forests, The Fay both good and evil, dragons, fighting, hunting, the magic of dreams, dragons, good friends, servants, mysterious girls, people who are not what they seem, and on and on -- and weaves them into a coherent and absorbing narrative. And while it does all tie into the "Sleeping Beauty" story, it's really all about Sigismund, not the Princess or that castle/court.
Wonderful book. For grades 5-8 (and adults!)
nogenreleftbehind's review
5.0
Prince Sigismund has grown up sheltered and protected while his father's kingdom is at war. He has fallen in love with all the stories of enchanted creatures and heroes rescuing princesses. Then one day it all becomes real. A not-so-chance encounter with a sorceress sets events in motion that will change his life forever.
Hearing the tale of Sleeping Beauty from the prince's point of view was fantastic. He wasn't a hero, but had to learn how to be one. With several teachers to help him along the way, he must face powers that he could never imagine, even after reading all the old tales. He finds himself drawn to the enchanted forest, a place that is forbidden to all. When he discovers that his dreams of a princess trapped in the forest are all real, he knows what his destiny is.
Sigismund is not perfect, and this is one of the many things that makes the story so good. He is trustworthy to a fault and has to learn that not everyone is what they seem to be. Caught up in events that seem to be spinning out of control, and taken away to fantastic realms that are not his, he learns the lessons and skills that it will take to save the princess.
The resolution had everything you ask for in a fairy tale, along with a few extra surprises thrown in to keep things a little interesting.
Hearing the tale of Sleeping Beauty from the prince's point of view was fantastic. He wasn't a hero, but had to learn how to be one. With several teachers to help him along the way, he must face powers that he could never imagine, even after reading all the old tales. He finds himself drawn to the enchanted forest, a place that is forbidden to all. When he discovers that his dreams of a princess trapped in the forest are all real, he knows what his destiny is.
Sigismund is not perfect, and this is one of the many things that makes the story so good. He is trustworthy to a fault and has to learn that not everyone is what they seem to be. Caught up in events that seem to be spinning out of control, and taken away to fantastic realms that are not his, he learns the lessons and skills that it will take to save the princess.
The resolution had everything you ask for in a fairy tale, along with a few extra surprises thrown in to keep things a little interesting.
mrs_merdle's review
3.0
This was pretty good. Maybe not quite on a par with Robin McKinley's best works, but certainly right up there with some of her lesser novels. I liked that this one was told from the perspective of the prince (which is the active role, after all - I guess Sleeping Beauty from the perspective of the princess would be pretty boring), and I liked that this prince, while certainly prone to the impatience of a young hero type, was also capable of thinking before he acted.
bkwrm127's review
4.0
A Sleeping Beauty story told from the point of view of the prince ~and the sleeping beauty isn't a total wuss! Woo hoo! I love it!
bronie's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
mstaker's review
4.0
A fun retelling of the Sleeping Beauty story. This time it is told from the Prince's perspective. I liked reading about his life and how he came to be involved in the whole story. Great character, full of magic and mystery, and a few fun surprises.
csd17's review
3.0
I was skeptical. However I liked it. But, if you don't like books without a lot of dialogue you might have a hard time with this one. Also- not good for a skim-read.