Mundie Moms

Monday, January 12, 2015

Princess of Thorns by Stacey Jay, Book Review & Giveaway



By: Stacey Jay
Published by: Delacorte Press
Released on: December 9th, 2014
Source: book from publisher to review
Rating: 5 Stars - I Loved It!
Purchase from: Amazon | B&N
Add it to Goodreads

Game of Thrones meets the Grimm's fairy tales in this twisted, fast-paced romantic fantasy-adventure about Sleeping Beauty's daughter, a warrior princess who must fight to reclaim her throne.

Though she looks like a mere mortal, Princess Aurora is a fairy blessed with enhanced strength, bravery, and mercy yet cursed to destroy the free will of any male who kisses her. Disguised as a boy, she enlists the help of the handsome but also cursed Prince Niklaas to fight legions of evil and free her brother from the ogre queen who stole Aurora's throne ten years ago.

Will Aurora triumph over evil and reach her brother before it's too late? Can Aurora and Niklaas break the curses that will otherwise forever keep them from finding their one true love?


This is a fantastic fairy tale retelling! Fans of fantasy, and fairy tale retellings will enjoy this new release from author Stacey Jay. Princess of Thorns is a fast paced, epic adventure with the right kind of romance. In one word, this is book is awesome! It is a truly unique story, and one I loved.

This Princess Aurora is my kind of heroine! She is independent, fearless, strong, and isn't afraid to do the impossible, which is saving her brother Jor. She's also clever. In this dangerous world ruled by an ogre Queen, no Princess or young women should travel alone. So she sets out disguised as her brother. Aurora's strengths will definitely come in handy on her journey, and will help her fulfill her prophecy. Thankfully she doesn't have to go at it alone. She has Niklaas. These two have one well written relationship. I loved it.

I like the way Aurora's character is written.
Princess Aurora is the daughter of Sleeping Beauty. But it's not the Sleeping Beauty you might be thinking of. No, this isn't Disney's story of Sleeping Beauty, though I do love that story. This story starts off with Aurora's mother blessing her with fairy magic, before she dies protecting her. Okay, maybe it could be Disney story. But it's not. We all know that fairy magic is both a blessing and a curse. The blessing is her strength in battle, which definitely comes in handy when you're on an impossible quest to save your brother. The curse is one that will never allow Aurora to love. For all her strengths, Aurora also has her flaws. This blessing and curse make Aurora a fierce character who's become very independent, and stubborn. Maybe a little too much of both. Though I can't say that I blame her. She has grown up relying on her skill/blessing, she doesn't need to help from anyone. Since she's cursed with not being able to truly fall in love with a man, she doesn't have the need to get close to anyone.

Thankfully Niklaas starts to change that. I loved Niklaas's character. Niklaas and Ror, which Aurora introduces herself to him as, since she's disguised as a boy, have a great relationship. Niklaas himself is on a quest to break his own curse, which is another fabulous fairy tale retelling within Aurora's own story. He needs Ror's sister to break. Niklaas is a Prince. Only Prince and a Princess can marry... right?! Maybe. These two really need to get married..... Okay, sorry, back to my review. Together the two set off to in a way, help each other. I like that Niklaas was a great contrast to everything Aurora is. While she's guarded, he's open and honest. He's a skilled fighter as well, but in a different way than she is. He was so easy to love right off the bat. I like that he didn't let her off the hook with some of the things she does through out the story, even after he learns her true identity.

The way Aurora and Niklaas's relationship is written is fabulous! Seriously, I love how their relationship developed. Their banter is AESOME! It's been awhile since I've read a relationship like theirs. It made me laugh, want to scream at the two of them in frustration, slap them both, and of course it also made me sigh. Okay and I might have been grinning ear to ear at the ending, which by the way was perfect! I like what the two offer each other, and what they both get out of their relationship. They change each other for the better, without forcing the other to make changes. I liked that they both complimented each other's weaknesses and strengths.

One thing is for certain, both of these characters are as stubborn as you can get. It sure was enjoyable seeing which one would cave first.  I liked that Stacey Jay allowed her characters to fight through their feelings for one another. Especially after Niklaas learns who Aurora really is, and she learns of Niklaas's fate. I liked that it wasn't love at first site for neither of the. Instead it was one that developed naturally as they start out as friends. Over the course of their traveling together it gradually turned into something else. Thank you Stacey Jay for not rushing their relationship! This is how you write a relationship!

The fantasy aspect of this story is great! The world is one full of magic, ogres, a prophecy, and at the heart of the story is an epic love story that I really didn't want to end. Stacey Jay did a great job at making it easy for me to visualize this world. Being that it is a dangerous place, I understood why Aurora's mother gave her the blessing her did. Aurora is the briar born child who can fulfill or break the prophecy. And so is her brother, which is why Aurora's quest is that much more critical. Everything that Aurora has been giving and the lessons she's learned along the way, help prepare her for the task she has to accomplish. Saving her brother and beating the feared ogre queen are no easy task.

Princess of Thorns is a book that fans of fairytale retellings and fantasy will enjoy!
Thank you to the publisher, I've got 1 copy of the book to giveaway! To ENTER TO Win, leave me a comment with your name below. *US residents only* Winner will be announced here on the blog on 1/19 (standard Mundie Moms giveaway rules apply).


32 comments:

  1. I have been wanting to read this ever since I first heard of it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great review! Stacey Jay is one of my favorite authors. <3
    caliwillette(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  3. This sounds right up my alley. Thanks so much! Here's my email just in case butterflyboo123(at)hotmail(dot)com. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  4. A captivating book and great review. thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I read this book and absolutely LOVED IT!!! I don't have a physical copy of the book so I would love to win this. Plus, I want to support Stacey with all the drama she has going on because she is just the sweetest person and an AMAZING writer that deserves more respect then she's been getting! :)

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    Vannah1028@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  6. Can't wait to read this, the take on fairytales seems great. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I've heard nothing but great things for Princess of Thorns! And a princess who is independent, fearless, strong, and clever is my kind of princess! Seriously, I wish the Disney would break out of the old fashioned roles women used to go through back then. We're finally in the 21st century and thankfully some changes have been made. I can't wait to read Princess of Thorns just to see the banter that happens between Aurora and Niklaas! I'm sure I'll be laughing out loud and smiling ear to ear every time they do something funny! n_n Thank you for the opportunity!

    hillrey18@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am so glad to hear that you loved this! I know a few reviewers that were not very excited to read it for several reasons. I read about it and thought it sounded great, so I am very happy to hear my excitement was appropriate. Thank you for offering a copy of this!

    Emma
    emandm2222(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I've read some mixed opinions about this book, but I think the plot sounds intriguing enough for me to give it a try anyway, and I'm a little encouraged by this positive review. Thanks for the giveaway! my email is: liatgubi at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sounds like a great read. I love fairy tales and I haven't read a retelling with Sleeping Beauty so this will be a first for me. Thank you for the chance to win. Cmarissa_8@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sounds like a great read. I love fairy tales and I haven't read a retelling with Sleeping Beauty so this will be a first for me. Thank you for the chance to win. Cmarissa_8@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thanks for the great review! I've also read such great reviews for this book. It's already on my wantlist ;) Thanks for sharing!
    efender1(at)gmail USA

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love fractured fairy tales and you've written a great review! Thanks for the chance to win a copy! lindalou@cfl.rr.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love the Sleeping Beauty fairytale. Thanks for letting us know about this book!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love a good fairy tale retelling! I snagged a copy of Jay's Of Beast and Beauty in Book Outlet's Boxing Day sale and it's at the top of my reading list. kelly.garbato (at) gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Love Stacey Jay books and how she puts her spin on the stories.

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is a book I've been wanting to get since it first came out. Thanks so much for the chance to win a copy. carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx

    ReplyDelete
  18. This is gonna be my first Stacey Jay book! I just picked up Of Beast and Beauty, but this one intrigues me so much! Glad to see you liked it!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Sounds nice and intense! My name is indeed Kira Budge, so there you go.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Princess of Thorns sounds pretty awesome. I love fairy retelling and this one seems pretty awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Princess of Thorns sounds like an interesting read. Thank you for the giveaway.
    hufflepuffgrl13@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm really looking forward to reading this retelling, it sounds like one I'm going to really enjoy.
    ksarah26(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I've only read one other Stacey Jay book, and I really enjoyed it! Hope I win this! XD

    oreo_93 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'll be honest and say that if I just saw this on the shelf at Barnes and Noble, I probably wouldn't give it a second look. However, I keep seeing reviews for it, and you've all convinced me that I need to give it a shot. Thanks!

    - Ashley

    ReplyDelete
  25. YAY :D Amazing review Katie. <3 I'm so glad you loved this book :) I cannot wait to read my copy of it. <3 It sounds so so awesome. Sigh. Thank you for sharing about it sweetie :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. I love when a book sets up a believable fantasy world. I want to read this book to find out how the author did that. Thanks for the giveaway! dhammelef@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love fairytale retellings! So excited about this one. ;) Great review, it makes me want to read it more so now.

    - Beckie @ Bittersweet Enchantment

    ReplyDelete
  28. I'm looking forward to reading Princess of Thorns, I love fantasy and fairytale retellings.
    ksarah26(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  29. wow!! I so need to read this book!!!
    thank you for the giveaway!!

    cyn209 at juno dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. This book sounds amazing! I would love the chance to read it!!! Thank you for the giveaway!!
    curlingupwithagoodbook@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I can't wait to read this one!!
    Thanks for the chance to win!
    natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete

Labels