whatyoutolkienabout's review
4.0
Introduction
I was given an earc by Harper360ya. Reviews are always honest and all opinions are my own. I will always try to avoid spoilers in all reviews as well. #CreepingBeauty #Harper360ya #AndreaPortes #AD #BookReview
Review
Creeping Beauty was a book that instantly caught my attention. A re-telling of Sleeping Beauty with elements of an almost Through the Looking Glass style. It was hard not be excited. While this wasn’t a full five stars, probably a 3.5 rounded to 4 for me it did have a good premise let down by a few pieces along the way.
Elizabeth ‘Bitsy’ is not an ideal princess, she’s heard it all. She’s so plain, she lacks grace, the best thing to do is wait for a prince to grant her an happy ending but then she pricks her finger on a spindle and falls down into a world where cutthroats and con artists are more common than curtsies. No one ages in this world and everyone is beautiful where an inscrutable evil rests at it’s core. In this land Bitsy’s fate and future are solely in her hands and neither are what she expects.
First of all, as I said I adored this was a bit of a mash up of Sleeping Beauty with elements of Through the Looking Glass and touches of Neverland/Peter Pan. I also enjoyed, although it was used a lot, the breaking of the fourth wall with Bitsy addressing the ‘dear reader’ throughout. It had elements of Jane Eyre. That said those elements I do think might have been executed a tad better.
The chapters and style were very short making it quick to read. Because the story is meant to be potentially a ‘dream’ of Bitsy I did find that the disjointed and episodic style while it might have normally been odd worked when I kept this in mind. I personally have never had a dream that flows perfectly and isn’t a bit fragmented but I can see why some readers may not like this. In terms of tone it would be lower end young adult, just past middle grade. While there were a few bits of action and a few kiss scenes etc there was nothing to make me feel, paired with the tone, that would make it aimed at higher end young adult or bordering new adult but I still did enjoy this.
I think because of the style of writing and tone some may not enjoy this one but for me it was certainly entertaining and one I did enjoy, especially with the elements of other fairy tales. I did like the unique style but admit a few times I had to remind myself this was meant to be a sort of dream/alternate world. if you keep that in mind I think you will enjoy this one!
Brilliant its very good
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#CreepingBeauty #Harper360ya #HarperTeen #AndreaPortes #AD #BookReview #BookReview #BookReviewer #BookBlogger #BookHoader #FantasticRead #BookDragon #BookShark #BookReader #Bookstagram #BookNerd #BookReader #BookLover #BooksBooksBooks #BookAddict #Book
I was given an earc by Harper360ya. Reviews are always honest and all opinions are my own. I will always try to avoid spoilers in all reviews as well. #CreepingBeauty #Harper360ya #AndreaPortes #AD #BookReview
Review
Creeping Beauty was a book that instantly caught my attention. A re-telling of Sleeping Beauty with elements of an almost Through the Looking Glass style. It was hard not be excited. While this wasn’t a full five stars, probably a 3.5 rounded to 4 for me it did have a good premise let down by a few pieces along the way.
Elizabeth ‘Bitsy’ is not an ideal princess, she’s heard it all. She’s so plain, she lacks grace, the best thing to do is wait for a prince to grant her an happy ending but then she pricks her finger on a spindle and falls down into a world where cutthroats and con artists are more common than curtsies. No one ages in this world and everyone is beautiful where an inscrutable evil rests at it’s core. In this land Bitsy’s fate and future are solely in her hands and neither are what she expects.
First of all, as I said I adored this was a bit of a mash up of Sleeping Beauty with elements of Through the Looking Glass and touches of Neverland/Peter Pan. I also enjoyed, although it was used a lot, the breaking of the fourth wall with Bitsy addressing the ‘dear reader’ throughout. It had elements of Jane Eyre. That said those elements I do think might have been executed a tad better.
The chapters and style were very short making it quick to read. Because the story is meant to be potentially a ‘dream’ of Bitsy I did find that the disjointed and episodic style while it might have normally been odd worked when I kept this in mind. I personally have never had a dream that flows perfectly and isn’t a bit fragmented but I can see why some readers may not like this. In terms of tone it would be lower end young adult, just past middle grade. While there were a few bits of action and a few kiss scenes etc there was nothing to make me feel, paired with the tone, that would make it aimed at higher end young adult or bordering new adult but I still did enjoy this.
I think because of the style of writing and tone some may not enjoy this one but for me it was certainly entertaining and one I did enjoy, especially with the elements of other fairy tales. I did like the unique style but admit a few times I had to remind myself this was meant to be a sort of dream/alternate world. if you keep that in mind I think you will enjoy this one!
Brilliant its very good
Hashtags
#CreepingBeauty #Harper360ya #HarperTeen #AndreaPortes #AD #BookReview #BookReview #BookReviewer #BookBlogger #BookHoader #FantasticRead #BookDragon #BookShark #BookReader #Bookstagram #BookNerd #BookReader #BookLover #BooksBooksBooks #BookAddict #Book
kmbooky's review against another edition
4.0
This book wasn't my favorite, but it was a good book. It's kind of like a sleeping beauty story. The story is what she is dreaming about while in a sleep. The story was entertaining, and the plot was good. For some reason, it just took me a bit to get into, and then I could easily be distracted from it.
ahmed29092023's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
hsquared's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.25
smorrison4's review against another edition
3.0
I was thoroughly confused at the beginning of this story but I managed to figure out what was happening as I kept reading. The pace of the book was slow at times and quick at others.
Overall, it was an interesting read.
Overall, it was an interesting read.
sarahsbookstack's review
fast-paced
2.75
This book felt more juvenile for most of the book than I was expecting. I did like the fact that this book is a bit of "what was going through Sleeping Beauty's mind while she was asleep?" and what true motivation might the Villain have in making her sleep.
A lot of the book was a bit sluggish with the first person view from our Princess. I don't think any of the characters were fully developed enough for me to really enjoy this. But I did read this book pretty fast (probably because of the juvenile ness) .
I really didn't get why Peregrine (when we last saw him) did what he did. I never bought that he wanted a relationship with the Princess.
A lot of the book was a bit sluggish with the first person view from our Princess. I don't think any of the characters were fully developed enough for me to really enjoy this. But I did read this book pretty fast (probably because of the juvenile ness) .
I really didn't get why Peregrine (when we last saw him) did what he did. I never bought that he wanted a relationship with the Princess.
mmontoya's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
disnelyse's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The description of the book instantly caught my attention. However, I thought it could have been executed better if there was more character development, som addition to the plot, and if it was targeted to middle grades rather than YA.
annsbibliotherapy's review
5.0
What did I just read??? Seriously, this book now has me questioning every fairytale and every retelling I've ever read, I need to go back and think about the why behind all of them.
We've all heard the story of Sleeping Beauty, locked in sleep until true love's kiss can wake her, but what about what's going on inside of that dream state? What is happening inside of her mind while the King and Queen are doing everything in their power to wake her?
In Creeping Beauty we get the story of the "dream" what happens to Bitsy, what she has to fight to get back to her world, and the pain and betrayal that can come with getting what you think you want in either of the worlds she's been part of.
With lush and vivid landscapes, characters that will thrill one moment and anger the next, and a story that gives new life to a favorite childhood story.
I will say the way multiple tales and lore were woven together had me mesmerized at points, completely engrossed in this tale of Bitsy and what will happen to her and all those around her.
This book checked all of my boxes, we had the beautiful castle, the princess that grows into the woman she's supposed to be, and just enough magic and mayhem to make this unique and spellbinding.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for providing an advance copy of this E-Book, I have voluntarily read and reviewed it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
We've all heard the story of Sleeping Beauty, locked in sleep until true love's kiss can wake her, but what about what's going on inside of that dream state? What is happening inside of her mind while the King and Queen are doing everything in their power to wake her?
In Creeping Beauty we get the story of the "dream" what happens to Bitsy, what she has to fight to get back to her world, and the pain and betrayal that can come with getting what you think you want in either of the worlds she's been part of.
With lush and vivid landscapes, characters that will thrill one moment and anger the next, and a story that gives new life to a favorite childhood story.
I will say the way multiple tales and lore were woven together had me mesmerized at points, completely engrossed in this tale of Bitsy and what will happen to her and all those around her.
This book checked all of my boxes, we had the beautiful castle, the princess that grows into the woman she's supposed to be, and just enough magic and mayhem to make this unique and spellbinding.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for providing an advance copy of this E-Book, I have voluntarily read and reviewed it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
piperkitty's review
3.0
I love the crazy world she went through and it doesn't make any sense! It's not supposed to be! This is an alternate reality reminiscent of Wonderland. 2. I love all the great cartoon characters and how different each one is. We don't know who she can trust and that's still very intriguing. I especially like Peregrine and want them to end! He is cunning and cruel, but gentle with her when needed. I love their back and forth and really think they are the only ones who can appreciate each other the most and treat each other at their worst. 3. I love this world-wide myth of “the one who fell from the sky”. I also really enjoyed her personality development throughout this story, from a princess escaping difficult situations to becoming a warrior. When stories start slowly, it's hard. When you add in poor character development and really no world building, problems arise from there. This story has its moments where it shines, but it never rises above the mediocrity and stereotype that the author suffers from. For example, Bitsy's character has fallen into the "damn me" stereotype of never being pretty, good enough, or smart enough. A place where she will either immerse herself in it or try to rise above it through diversity. The problem here is that a badly built world with nonexistent threats hasn't given any real weight to its supposed change, making it back to the way it was - as deep as a puddle. water. Other frustrations grew when other characters that I considered important were missing additions and were never revisited. People like Peregrine made me wonder what was going on with the story, then I accepted the lead role, only to be thrown off a cliff in a flip-flop. #Ad #Advert #Advertising #Advertisement # AdvertisementFeature #bookreview #netgalley #creepingbeauty