Friday, January 30, 2015

Review: A Wicked Thing by Rhiannon Thomas

Title: A Wicked Thing
Author: Rhiannon Thomas
Series: Book One
Published By: HarperTeen (Februrary 24, 2015)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: Fantasy/Retelling
My Rating: 3 Stars


Book Description:
Rhiannon Thomas's dazzling debut novel is a spellbinding reimagining of Sleeping Beauty and what happens after happily ever after.

One hundred years after falling asleep, Princess Aurora wakes up to the kiss of a handsome prince and a broken kingdom that has been dreaming of her return. All the books say that she should be living happily ever after. But as Aurora understands all too well, the truth is nothing like the fairy tale.

Her family is long dead. Her "true love" is a kind stranger. And her whole life has been planned out by political foes while she slept. 

As Aurora struggles to make sense of her new world, she begins to fear that the curse has left its mark on her, a fiery and dangerous thing that might be as wicked as the witch who once ensnared her. With her wedding day drawing near, Aurora must make the ultimate decision on how to save her kingdom: marry the prince or run.

Rhiannon Thomas weaves together vivid scenes of action, romance, and gorgeous gowns to reveal a richly imagined world … and Sleeping Beauty as she’s never been seen before. 





What is Sleeping Beauty didn't want to end up with the prince? What if there was no happily ever after, or at least none the story books told of?

What if things were more sinister than singing maidens and broken curses. What if nothing was how it was told? What if the queen and king were just as wicked as the one who put a curse on the princess and no one was really what they seemed.

I loved that rather than a retelling, this is more of a continuation of the story. A story that takes place after the princess wakes up and sees that all is not right with the world, that in fact, that very world is nothing like what she remembers.

So much happens in this story. So many arcs to the storyline and so much that is still left to say and to tell.

I had no idea this wasn't a stand alone when I picked it up and that is okay because like I mentioned, there is a lot left undone. My the end of the book in fact, it felt more like the real story, the guts of the wickedness, was only just beginning.

I am not sure I loved Aurora, she was a very naive girl that saw the world threw rose colored glasses, at least at first. I did warm up to her however and I couldn't help but be intrigued by Finnegan, Celestine, and of even Tristan, however, it was Isabelle and Rodric that stole the show for me. I couldn't help but love their kindness and goodness. 

I have no idea where this story will go from here, no idea at all but I think it would be fun to see where it does go.

This was so much different than what I thought it would be that I still haven't quite gathered all my thoughts and feelings about it together and have been able to put them into words but this was an interesting read. It was entertaining and I do want to see what the sequel will hold. 





*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

62 comments:

  1. I have yet to find a retelling (or a continuation of the story) I'll actually like. It's just not someting that works for me, probably because I never enjoyed fairy tales in the first place. I do love that the story is so rich, with so many things happening at once.

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    1. It was a good story, I just needed a bit more to it I think.

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  2. I always feel like Aurora is portrayed as so naive, in any reincarnation. Just once I'd love to see her a bit fierce!

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    1. She does get stronger but I agree, a fierce Aurora would be lovely.!

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  3. I love retellings or new takes on fairy tales. It's kind of a shame this only felt like the beginning of the story, I would hope for more resolution. I'm encouraged that you are invested enough to want to read the next one. Lovely review!

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    1. I really do too but they really are so hit and miss these days.

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  4. Hmmm, still not sure what to think of it. Sleeping Beauty is my fav fairytale. So I will have to read this one.

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    1. It is one of my favorites as well and this really was an interesting take on it.

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  5. I have heard pretty much the same thing about this book. I was looking forward to it, but I don't think I want to read it now. I don't like that this isn't a standalone which I thought it was and the main character doesn't sound all that great.
    I'm glad you liked it overall.
    Great review, Ali!

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  6. I'm glad you enjoyed the story for its unique continuation of the original and you left me pondering with all your "What Ifs" which I enjoy when a story makes you think in new directions. I'm keeping my finger crossed as I have it up to read soon.
    Lovely review, Ali! Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend :)

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  7. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I wasn't sure on this one by the description. I guess it makes sense that Aurora has a rose colored glasses view of things, she has been living in a fairy tale after all. Are there magical powers in this book? Enjoy your weekend!

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    1. Sort of...I can't say too much without giving anything away but there was magic in the kingdom long ago. ;)

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  8. This book has such an interesting premise, doesn't it? I like the idea of continuing the story past THE END.

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    1. I really do too which is why it appealed to me so much. I do hope there is a book two that will be a bit better.

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  9. Hey Kindlemom the premise of this is wonderful, sorry that it fell short for you but I think it looks interesting enough to give it a try. Thanks for you great review.

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  10. I like to see where people take fairy tales, everyone has a different story for them. I'm glad you liked this one. It sounds pretty good, maybe I will check it out. Thanks for the review!

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    1. I hope you do check it out because it wasn't a bad read by any means. :)

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  11. I finished this one I think last week and I'm still unsure of my feelings.... I kind of loved it but didn't?? I think my review will be more like a discussion post once I get to writing it lol...

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  12. It sounds dark and I like the questions you threw in and I'm assuming it was answered well. Was Aurora the reason why you gave this 3 stars only or is there more?

    Love your review, still very positive even if it's obvious there are flaws. :)

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    1. Mostly her and the ending. It didn't help that I thought this was a stand alone when I picked it up and was surprised that everything wasn't settled.

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  13. I love the sounds of this one - I'm glad to you see you liked it overall :)

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  14. I haven't been sure if this is one I'll read or not and I'm still a little on the fence. I do like that it's more of a continuation instead of a retelling though.

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  15. Interesting. I don't think I've read a Sleeping Beauty retelling/or similar. Will have to keep an eye out and see how the rest goes.

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  16. How I love retellings and I didn't know about this one. Plus I just LOVE the cover! Gorgeous. But I confess that the fact you didn't like Aurora is a complicated thing... It's difficule sometimes. So I think I'll try to see more reviews. thanks for the review and discovery!

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  17. Retelling for me can be a hit or miss. Take Cruel Beauty, I really really wanted to enjoy it but I just couldn't grasp the concept of it as I sort know the real fairytale and I want to keep it like that. I do have this one to review as I find that sleeping beauty was one of my least favourites as a child so maybe a YA version would be better. Great review.

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    1. Retelling or re-imaginings can be pretty tricky.

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  18. I heard a lot about this book but I'm not really interesting to read it write now ,, happy to see you enjoyed it :D Lovely Review

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  19. i do love the story of sleeping beauty. And I love that you say there is more to come with the guts of all the wickedness. That makes me want to read this series right there.


    Great review!

    I hope you are having a fantastic weekend yourself :)

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  20. Read this book not too long ago and could've loved it (Aurora's initial withdrawn and evasive reaction was quite well-done!) but I hated how it was dragged. I really like the concept of this retelling, though! One of the more refreshing ones for sure.

    Faye at The Social Potato

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  21. I am not fan of fairy tale retellings, but I am glad you were to enjoy it enough to continue on with the series. Interesting review!

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  22. Oh well, I was sure it was a standalone, too. I don't think I'll be reading this one. Really preferring when they're ''retellings,'' you know?

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    1. Yeah but it was nice having something different too. ;)

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  23. humm.. curious about this one, but since hearing that you were unsure about Aurora has me a little hesitant. I don't know if I would like her at all.

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  24. I've been seeing lots of not so great reviews for this one and I'm not sure if I'm going to pick it up because it doesn't seem to stand out at all. :|

    Fantastic review! <33

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  25. I didn't realize this was standalone, I will be curious to see what you think of book two. Awesome review Ali, I enjoy retellings

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    1. I didn't realize it wasn't either going into it but that is okay, I do want to see where the story goes from here. ;)

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  26. This definitely sounds like one I'll pick up. I love fairy tale retellings - or, in this case, continuations, lol. I don't know if I like the fact that it'll be a series rather than a one shot, but I can't wait to read it nonetheless. That cover is gorgeous, too! Great review!

    Brittany @ http://www.spacebetweenthespines.com/

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    1. I hope you end up liking it and thanks so much!

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  27. I love Sleeping Beauty! Great review. The cover is so fantastic! I think I would pick this one up anyway just because it's about Aurora ;)

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  28. Huh. Your review somehow managed to further peak my interest, yet also make me strangely hesitant. Which is pointless, b/c I have to read it, LOL. But I'm more intrigued than I was, so hopefully it will be easier to actually get it done. Regardless, well done ;)

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    1. LOL thanks Jessica! I hope you end up liking it more than I did. ;)

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  29. I'm definitely intrigued. Great review as always :)

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    1. Thank so much and glad you are interested in it. :)

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  30. I enjoyed this one, for the most part. Especially towards the end, when Aurora really started coming into her own, getting a backbone. And I think, with where the ending started heading, the next book could truly be a serious winner!

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