I typically don’t gravitate towards this sort of book but two words on the cover pulled me in: Holly Black. This book has a beautiful cover which also got my attention but knowing it is by Holly Black got me to read it. I was not disappointed. This is the story of what happens when Aurora wakes up and becomes queen with Maleficent as her aunt and advisor. We get to see a different side of the misunderstood Maleficent. The connections to the original fairy tale are a bit fuzzy for me and I am not clear on how elements of the story connect to the original. But, I put all that aside to enjoy this story as Aurora figures out how to be queen of both the fairy and human worlds. She also has to figure out which of her advisors to trust and begins to figure out true love. I think this will have wide appeal!

Holly Black brings the dark, adventure and drama of Maleficent to a novel. I absolutely would recommend this book to anyone who loves Disney, retellings, Maleficent, and romance. It has the drama of the movie, but I felt has more of an emotional feel because it has room for more detail.
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Maleficent + Holly Black = Awesomeness

For those that love the movie Maleficent and the universe that is introduced there, Heart of the Moors is a must read! Holly Black does a spectacular job developing the characters that we love from the screen, continuing their story and evolving their relationships.

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Books for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book was received as an ARC from Disney Book Group - Disney Press in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was so excited to read this book because I am a fan of Holly Black and her work and I am also a huge Disney and Sleeping Beauty fan as well. It was such a treat to read on after Prince Phillip kisses Aurora and woke her from her deep sleep and then after the happily ever after, what happens next? Holly Black wrote a slightly twisted tale that Malificent in her own way was struggling to break free from her past and the relationship of Prince Phillip and Aurora brightens as Aurora becomes Queen and Prince Phillip will give at nothing to marry her in the end and rule by her side. I know this book will be received well with our young adult patrons and our teen book club and I can't wait to share the title with them.

We will consider adding this title to our JFiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

"It is foolish of the wicked not to be afraid of the good."
I enjoyed 'Heart of the Moors" more than I thought I would. I did not think it could rival the 2014 Disney blockbuster, but I was as entertained with this book as the film.
While the film focused on deliciously malicious Angelina Jolie's Maleficent, (who's face is as beautiful as the cover of this book), Heart of the Moors centers around kind but strong Aurora. We're able to gain insight in her thought process as she takes on huge changes in her life: meeting a suitor, rising to power as queen, and losing her parents.
Holly Black strongly develops main characters Aurora, Prince Phillip and Maleficent so that we grow closer and more concerned for their well-being as the much-anticipated sequel approaches.
Her dialogue and description paint pictures of Aurora's sweetness and Maleficent's sarcasm, just as we enjoyed it on screen.
Heart of the Moors is a lovely precursor that all Maleficent fans will enjoy, as it questions that age-old fable trope of love at first sight.