Review: Briar Rose

Apr •  23 •  2014

I received this book for free from Author, FTC: Exchange for honest opinion in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: Briar RoseBriar Rose by Jana Oliver
Series: Stand Alone
Published by Macmillan Children's on September 12th 2013
Genres: Fairy Tales & Folklore, Young Adult- Fantasy/ Paranormal
Source: Author, FTC: Exchange for honest opinion
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A dark and sexy reimagining of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale from the author of THE DEMON TRAPPERS.

For Briar Rose, life is anything but a fairy tale. She's stuck in a small town in deepest Georgia with parents who won't let her out of their sight, a bunch of small-minded, gossiping neighbours and an evil ex who's spreading nasty rumours about what she may or may not have done in the back of his car. She's tired of it all, so when, on her sixteenth birthday, her parents tell her that she is cursed and will go to sleep for a hundred years when the clock strikes midnight, she's actually kind of glad to leave it all behind. She says her goodbyes, lies down, and closes her eyes . . . And then she wakes up. Cold, alone and in the middle of the darkest, most twisted fairy tale she could ever have dreamed of. Now Briar must fight her way out of the story that has been created for her, but she can't do it alone. She never believed in handsome princes, but now she's met one her only chance is to put her life in his hands, or there will be no happy ever after and no waking up.

I love, love, love this author! I think she did a fantastic job in bringing a whole new twist to a classic tale.

Plot: This is about a girl who is cursed to sleep when a spell goes horribly wrong. Briar must fight this spell not only on her body but in her mind. I think that the way this story moved from the vagueness to knowing what is happening really help me enjoy the story more. The story is introduced with not much to go on but it leads a trail of crumbs to follow and you can’t help but eat every single one.

Friendship/Love: Because of this curse it has cause a feud between two families. In turn, both kids are suffering at the hands of the parents. I felt like this part of the story really gives the reader that rush. Two kids who grew up so closely to only be torn apart without any knowledge of what really happened. The parents kept the kids in the dark and made their lives…well miserable. When they finally came to know, they fought for each other. And I adore it. I loved them getting to know each other and forgetting everything else around them. It’s like, they didn’t care what their parents thought. They were saving each other no matter what.

Ending: Despite them fighting the curse, both Briar and her boyfriend must fight others as well…like their parents and themselves. They have been told not to talk to each other, not to do this or that, that they are constantly fighting a battle for their hearts and trust. In the end, despite all the went down, both set aside everything for love…and WON!

I adore this book. It simple swept me off my feet!! I just knew the minute I read the first chapter that I stepped into something different. Briar Rose carries a unique tale that plays out deep in the mind. One that is satisfying and awesome. Briar Rose rocks!

I give it 5 BITES!
5bites

Happy Reading!

6 Comments

  1. S.Huston
    Apr 23, 2014

    I hadn’t heard of this book but now that I have you better believe I will be reading it! Sleeping Beauty is my favorite fairytale!! Great review!

  2. Jenny
    Apr 23, 2014

    How have I never heard of this one before Savy? HOW? I loved the Demon Trapper’s series so much, I need to run out and get this one immediately. Yes to a Sleeping Beauty retelling!

  3. Lisa (Fic Talk)
    Apr 23, 2014

    Ooo, this looks like it could be really good! It sounds pretty promising and I’ve heard such good things about Jana Oliver, so I will definitely be adding it to my tbr.

    Thanks for the great review, Savannah!

  4. OMG! I so need this one. Love retellings and this one sounds so great. Also LOVE that it is a standalone. No cliffies to worry about. 😀 Thanks so much for bringing this to my attention!

  5. Candace
    Apr 28, 2014

    I have the first book in other series but haven’t read it yet. This really does sound interesting!

  6. Kate @ Ex Libris
    Apr 29, 2014

    I am putting this on my list! I love retellings and especially fairy tale retellings….