Princess of Thorns by Stacey Jay (review)

This blend of original fantasy and fairy-tale elements starts with a new end to Sleeping Beauty’s story, wherein Beauty sacrifices her own life to save her two children as they escape the ogre queen’s dungeon. Ten years later, seventeen-year-old Aurora, disguised as a boy, sets out to avenge her mother’s death, rescue her brother (who has recently been kidnapped by the queen), and prevent the fulfillment of a prophecy that foretells that Aurora’s blood will open the gates to the underworld. Meanwhile, Prince Niklaas is trying to avoid his own doomed fate by finding a suitable bride to marry him before he turns eighteen and transforms into a swan, as his ten brothers before him have. Niklaas and “Ror” meet up on the road and pool their resources, with Niklaas firmly believing Ror is a boy until he realizes the truth; the two are then faced with yet another curse—one that leaves any man who kisses Aurora helpless to her will. The cadre of curses makes for some interesting obstacles, and the banter between rakish Niklaas and feisty Aurora is crackling with chemistry and wit; both heroes have an appealing mischief that adds levity to their curse-ridden circumstances. The pacing is uneven, however; the initial frontload of exposition is insufficiently detailed to fully shape the world, and important plot points are glossed over in lieu of plentiful dialogue. Rom-com readers might still find this satisfying, as the will-they/won’t-they connection between Niklaas and Aurora takes center stage and plays out to a well-deserved happy ending.