Princess of Thorns

Title: Princess of Thorns 
 Author: Stacey Jay
eBook, 400 pages
Published Dec. 2014
source: Netgalley

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?

3.5 stars

 I’ve got mixed feelings about this book. A month ago, I've read Fractured Dream by KM Randall and I thought it was really great. I became a Storyteller and it was like the book version of Once Upon A Time, the TV series. Now, after reading Princess of Thorns, I couldn't help but compare the two books. Which is totally unfair because each book has its own story to tell.

 Truth be told, I’m a big fairytale fan and I like retellings, too, but I can’t say the same with Princess of Thorns. Somehow, Sleeping Beauty’s story has come to an end and so her daughter Aurora is next to the throne. But she can’t relinquish this throne because she’s on the run, together with her brother Jor; because once the Evil Queen learns she’s alive, Aurora might as well wish for her death. She must hide and save her brother, and then suddenly Prince Niklaas arrives. He thinks Aurora as a boy, so she pretends she’s Jor.

Suffice it to say, the book, in my opinion, was very well written & was quite engrossing. I admire Stacey Jay’s clear and concise descriptions and development of characters, as well as the pacing and magical adventures along the way. But soon, it became too much of a mixture of Mulan & LOTR, that it somehow lost its appeal in the end.

While evidently Aurora & Niklaas had chemistry, the uber romanticism on the latter part of the story became too much for me to bear. But surprisingly, my kids enjoyed reading it, and they told me Aurora kicks @ss. So we’re giving the Princess of Thorns thumbs up!

 

 S T A C E Y  J A Y

Stacey Jay is a recovering workaholic (or at least working hard at recovering) with three pen names, two small children, and a passion for playing pretend for a living. She’s been a full time mom-writer since 2005 and can't think of anything she'd rather be doing.

Her former careers include theatre performer, professional dancer, poorly paid C-movie actress, bartender, waiter, math tutor (for real) and yoga instructor. Learn more at http://staceyjay.com.

Musing Monday - Aug 19

Welcome to another edition of Musing Mondays! This weekly meme hosted by MizB from Should be Reading.

Musing Mondays asks you to muse about one of the following each week…

• Describe one of your reading habits.

• Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).

• What book are you currently desperate to get your hands on? Tell us about it!

• Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying it.

• Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us!

• Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books — let’s hear it, then!

Hmmm. This week, my muse is actually more of a ramble or question: Do you remember the very first book that you have ever read or purchased? Think about it.


I don't have to scan my brain to search for my earliest childhood memory because I clearly remember it, as bright as the day. The first ever book I have read was Cinderella by the Brothers Grimm.

Looking back, when I was in first grade, I remember going to our school library during vacant periods. Then I would immediately go to the Fairytales section and get the large Brothers Grimm edition and read all the magical stories.

But it was Cinderella’s story that captured my attention. Everyday, I imagined about Ella of the Cinders and her Prince Charming. I never get tired of her and her evil stepmothers and stepsisters, even until today. I guess that is the reason I have always preferred Fairytale retellings because of the giddy feeling or good vibes that it gives me.

How about you? Care to share the very first book you have ever read?

my Fairy Tale

A few days ago, I saw one of my old notebooks lying atop my dresser and I couldn't help but read through pages and reminisce the years when I was still writing poems for myself and for my friends.. Suddenly, nostalgia breaks away from my grasp and had me walking down memory lane..

My fingers walked through the pages of my notebook and voila! I found myself reading my very own Fairy Tale which i have originally written in year 1999! It was about a masked stranger, a princess and a vampire.. wow! So my fascination with vampires started in College, huh... I just realized, my addiction to vampires have grown massively. *rolls eyes*yeah that Twilight thing started it all, obviously *.

Anyway, back to my nostalgia, let me share with you the poem or tale that i have composed more than 10 years ago, (dated August 25, 1999 to be exact)... It was about a princess, which i named Arianne, *of course, i should be the starring role!* and her adventure with a masked man and a vampire who almost slit her throat.. ugh! I think i made this "fairy tale" the day after our college Students' Day (after i got hand-cuffed in a marriage booth! memories!)

Okay.. here goes my Fairy Tale...

Once upon a time, a tale brought forth the roar of the tides, 

that clashed through waves across the miles.. 

In this infinite dimension, a flowing desert appeared, 

which created shadows that cast each day of the year…

Once upon a time, a castle stood still with brilliance, 

with the wind that breezed through the golden sand, 

A Castle within the breast of the ocean and the earth, 

embraced the pillows of a princess at birth…

Days, months and years have passed,

the little baby princess bloomed at last,

Given the name Arianne , so delicate & full of charm

Serenaded by a throng of lads, from near & far..

The beautiful princess was loved by everyone,

kings & dukes courted her, even from faraway kingdoms..

but she wasn’t interested in any of them, no one could be compared

for she was after the man on the book that she have read..

One starless night, gazing from the window,

a shadow moved along the golden wall..

turning her head, the princess gasped for breath

when a masked stranger approached and scared her to death…

But the man in mysterious mask smiled and said later,

“Don’t be afraid, I’m just here to seek for shelter,”

He said, he was being chased by a vampire,

so, like a cat, he crept the castle so high…

Suddenly, a lightning struck and torn the sky,

and a bat-like creature shrieked through the night,

A vampire appeared and fire came out from his burning eyes

but the stranger was quick to avoid the flash of light…

Terrified, Princess Arianne ran for her precious life..

through the outskirts of her vast room, she turned to hide,

but the vampire caught her wrist and tried to bite,

as he held her head so high, with all of his might…

The masked man suddenly held out his sword,

a fine sharp lance, shimmering with gold,

with all his power, with full force on one swift move,

he thrust the sword directly to the vampire’s throat..

too late… the blood already drifted from the princess shoulder,

but she still managed to glance at the masked stranger..

Expertly, he held the vampire and threw him on the fire

and blinded the devil with a crucifix, until he lost his life..

Dreamily, Arianne felt a kiss on her forehead,

but when she opened her eyes, the stranger had vanished..

She thought, she had a nightmare and she became afraid,

yet when she turned around, she found a shoe on her bed…

A year slipped away so fast,

Arianne could never forget the man with a mask,

until one day, she went to a masquerade party,

heart beating, she saw the man she longed to see!

“Have you found my left shoe?” was all he asked..

Then he smiled so sweetly, glowing beneath the mask.

Arianne held out her hand, longing to touch his face,

she was held in a trance, she didn’t know what to say..

The man stole a kiss and said, “I miss you, my dear princess”

She asked for his name, but at first he hesitated…

Instead, he removed his mask and asked for her hand,

but Arianne’s steps retreated and ran as fast as she can..

Surprised, with eyes so wide, she turned her back,

she went to her room and saw her book, torn & scratched,

a page was missing, was all she could see,

amidst the dark lonely night, the moon shone brightly…

Slowly, she traced back her steps and returned to the ball

still expecting to see her masked man dancing on the hall,

down the corridor, she saw him glanced above and grinned,

when he smiled his sweetest smile, she knew this was no longer a dream..

Arianne and her prince danced through the night,

when daytime broke, she let out a sigh,

“Will you marry me? “the prince proposed to her,

and soon they lived happily ever after…