Review & Giveaway: Sleeping Beauty and the Beast by Melissa Lemon

In case you guys are new to my blog, you may not know that I am a sucker for fairy tales, fairy tale retellings, or stories based on fairy tales in basically any way. Yep. I'm totally a girl in that way. ;) So, I'm excited to get to review Sleeping Beauty and the Beast and to be hosting a fabulous giveaway (provided by the author - Thank you, Melissa!!!)! I'm already a little jealous of the soon-to-be winner. ;) Please check it all out!

Sleeping Beauty and the Beast

by Melissa Lemon

YA Fantasy, Fairy Tale
Paperback, 202 Pages
June 24th 2014

Summary

Trapped in a cursed sleep, the only experiences Princess Eglantine has are the ones in her dreams. There she meets Prince Henry of Fallund, a neighboring kingdom on the brink of war.

Meanwhile, Prince Henry's brother Duncan discovers a vicious beast imprisoned for murder. Captivated by her, he works to free her from both the prison bars she's locked behind and the ones surrounding her heart and mind. Sleeping Beauty and the Beast reinvents and seamlessly intertwines the classic fairy tales Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast.

  

My Review

Sleeping Beauty and the Beast was like entering into an entirely different world. I really loved the spin off of the two classical fairy tales. There is a sleeping beauty and there is a beast, but the beast is a girl and both of them become friends with two brothers (twins actually) who also happen to be princes of the sleeping beauty's neighboring kingdom. There is a witch as well, but she isn't as dark and scary as Maleficent. I felt like the author really made this tale her own and it was an enjoyable one at that.

Each of the characters were interesting and imperfect. Eglantine walked in her dreams to surrounding areas and to people watch. No one had ever really seen her or talked to her until Prince Henry. She throws a bit of a tantrum when he didn't have time for her. Since no one else can see her, it's a bit strange for those around the prince to find him talking to himself when he was actually talking to her. Henry was very focused. I did want him to lighten up a little, but that was the burden he shouldered as the heir to the throne. Then Duncan was very much the opposite and almost irresponsible for his position, but also more sensitive and cautious, which suited him. Then you have Beast who was wild and vicious because of her past, but who was a tender maiden underneath.

I would have liked more depth and development of the story in some areas, especially in regard to Beast, and did get a little frustrated by the characters at one time or another. I would have liked the story to be a little bit longer. Obviously I was into the story and enjoying it enough to feel that way. It was such a unique take on these fairy tales and such a unique story overall. It kept me intrigued and a little worried on how it would all work out. There were a few twists in the story and I loved how it all fit together in the end. Thankfully, this fairy tale lived up to the genre with a happily-ever-after ending.

I'd recommend Sleeping Beauty and the Beast to those who enjoy fairy tales, light fantasy, and intriguing, original stories. I'm looking forward to reading the other books by this author.

Content: Clean (There were a few references to abuse and there was some violence, but I would consider this clean.)
Source: I would like to thank the author, Melissa Lemon, for my complimentary review copy, which did not affect my review in any way.

About the Author

Melissa Lemon is the author of two other fairy tale retellings: Cinder and Ella and Snow Whyte and the Queen of Mayhem. She is also the author of a sweet romance called Blue Sky. Writing is just one of her passions. She also loves music, reading, baking and exercising. She is wife to a patient man, mother to three spunky girls, and warden to a tolerant cat named Matilda.

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Giveaway

- Hardcovers of all three of Melissa Lemon's fairy tales: Cinder and Ella, Snow Whyte and the Queen of Mayhem, and Sleeping Beauty and the Beast

- Open to US only

- Ends October 2nd

Must be at least 13 years old to enter (if under 18, must have adult permission). Please ensure that you correctly enter your email (and check your junk mail folder if I'm not on your contact list) so that I have a way to contact you. You can read my giveaway policy on my policies page. Void where prohibited by law. Enter via the Rafflecopter below.

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