I want to extend my thanks to Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for letting me read an advance copy of Cursed Beauty
***spoilers***
This was a quick fast paced sleeping beauty retelling with a supernatural twist.
Aurora the main character is a 16 year old witch who finds out she is the cursed blood witch of her coven and must embark on a journey through the shadow woods to find a sleeping prince. Once in the woods with her friend Hazel they encounter a shapeshifter who shows them his pack and ultimately helps them to find the prince and save
This book was a fun little read, it did feel rushed and lacking in details in some parts but ultimately was a book I would recommend to others.

This is a great introductory read for a young adult reader who is interested in dabbling in the supernatural. There is also a reverse fairytale included in the drama. Add in witches, warlocks and shifters and it could be an interesting read for your child. The writing style itself is rather stilted and doesn't flow as smoothly as it should since the main character is not a child. There is quite a bit packed into this short book but is wrapped up into a happy ending. What more could you ask for? Thanks NetGalley for giving me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Gender-bent sleeping beauty meets twilight..but not in a good way.


First let me acknowledge that I am probably not the target audience for this book. It’s definitely a younger teen book however I read a lot of young adult books so I figured I’d check this one out.

Now for the ~spoilers~




This book had every successful trope that has ever been done shoehorned into it. Curses? Check. Werewolves? Check. Vampires? Check. Mates? Check. The poor little fat girl no one believed in finding herself? Check. None of these things are bad on their own, but when they’re sprinkled in left and right like Salt Bae was given access to them without developing the story it becomes a bit much. Instead of being like “omg the prince is a vampire” it was like “ugh of course the prince is a vampire”. Then the end everything was button up so nice and neat. Aurora sacrificed but it didn’t matter because everyone was bffs and she got everything she wanted anyway.

This one felt better suited for the middle grade crowed, or very low young adult. I liked the take on sleeping beauty and the creatures that the author added. But something just didn't grab me as much as I was hoping. I think this one before you dive in fully I would get it from the library or borrow it from a friend. It was very well paced and it wasn't stagnate at all. It just didn't spark in me what I was looking for.

I received this book as an eARC from Netgalley. All opinions are my own!

Aurora should be excited to finally get her witch mark, but when that sacred day brings the truth that Aurora must sacrifice herself to save her people and her land, does she have what it takes to make that choice?

I absolutely loved the world that this book built! Retellings can often be so repetitive, but the elements that this story brought in made it so fresh and new that it hardly felt like the same story at all! Bringing witches, shifters, and vampires into this timeless story made for such an enchanting world. I loved seeing the elements of Sleeping Beauty in this story and seeing how they were woven into it so uniquely.

I do wish that this book had been longer. It felt like the story was rushed in a lot of ways. It felt as though the Shadowlands were going to be such a big obstacle, but then it seemed like I blinked and they were through. It also felt as though the romance was rushed/forced, just due to how quickly everything happened. I really enjoyed the characters and just wished that I could have seen them develop more.

If you're a fan of fairytale retellings that bring a whole new twist to the game, this is the book for you!

"You will choose to be the savior or the bringer of death." -From Cursed Beauty

3 stars

Take the story of sleeping beauty, switch the genders, and add a bunch of paranormal creatures and you have this book. I was really intrigued by the premise, and couldn't wait to read it. It reads VERY young for YA, I would rate this more a middle grade despite it being a 16 year old MC. The pace is fast, and you are told most things rather than shown them. Because we are breezing by so quickly, some things about the world seem not to make sense. After learning her grandma had the "curse" that would kill her (but had lived that long), the blood curse didn't seem to be such a big deal. I loved the idea of two best friends taking on this quest together. I didn't care for the instant love, or that the MC basically knew how to use her powers despite just getting them. Still, a short fun read if you don't take anything too seriously.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

2.5* (Rounded down to 2*)

Thanks so much to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this.

Sadly, the writing just wasn't for me. And I'm so done with the 'I've curly hair and freckles and so am unattractive' bs, ontop of half-assing worlds because you've decided it's a fairytale retelling so you feel like you have to work less at building your world.

Idk. I just don't think I'm the audience for this book at 27 years old. HOWEVER, I thought YA had moved past this kind of book at the same time - this felt like it was for young readers, rather than a book about young people, if that makes any sense.

So yeah, sadly not a fan of this one. But still so grateful to have gotten the ARC and really hope this finds its audience out there when it's released at the end of the month!

(Same review posted on my Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4185376597 )

I love a good reimagined or twisted fairytale. While the premise started out great, too much seemed to be lost in the details. There was a lot of back and forth between what was going on, with little context for everything. The conflict was very limited, making the climax rather anti-climatic. I think this could be a much stronger book with some rewriting and additional editing.

Thank you NetGalley and Phoenix Reign Publishing for an advanced DRC of Cursed Beauty by Stacey O’Neale.

I was excited to read this book because I love fairytale retellings. I like the twists and spins authors put on them. Cursed Beauty was no exception. I didn’t know what to expect from this story since I’m mainly familiar with the Disney version (which most people know are always the most accurate versions of the original tales).

I did a reaction video on TikTok for the first 30% of the book. Then I wanted to really focus on the story. The characters were witty and charming. The story kept me turning the pages and wanting to know what was about to happen next!

I highly recommend this book! And now I need to read more by Stacey O’Neale!

I had several issues with this book, even though I was so excited for it. I love fairy tale retellings and very rarely see a Sleeping Beauty retelling. So I was excited to see the twists that O'Neale could spin on the classic story. However, I was left feeling very unsatisfied. Firstly, I got lost in the world, that O'Neale was trying to build. It lacked a lot of exposition. The world building was extremely flawed. New things and tidbits were thrown about time and time again without any explanation or context. I also really had a problem with the writing. There was simply too much telling and not enough showing in this story. And lastly, the characters were dead. No personality and no sense of them at all. Just flat and boring.

I wish I was a fan. This was like a Hallmark Twilight wrapped into a book that ended quite abruptly.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

First, the book was a very quick, light and easy read. It had a decent flow and the concept was great. Execution was a bit short for me. I think that the writing style was way too fast paced and simplistic at the same time. The characters went from introductions, to journey, to meeting and falling in love with their destined loves, to getting to the castle to ending the book. It all just was a whirlwind of events. Was it entertaining? Yes. but I also think it would be better for a much younger audience if you are keeping it in this style.

All of that being said, there are things I did like. I like the background of the characters and the setting. I love that its a cursed land filled with witches and its surrounded by a magical forest filled with fantastical creatures. I also like that you get to meet different kinds of the creatures.

Overall, It was a decent story with a good premise and a very simplistic and very very fast paced writing style. good for a quick one sit read through but nothing that is deep enough to linger with you afterwards. Personally, I found the characters interactions with the male companions to be more unbelievable than the setting and all the magic combined.

<b>“We don’t want any trouble.”
In a gruff tone, the shifter said, “If that were true, you wouldn’t be here.”</b>

First of all, thank you NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for sending me this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
The overall conclusion? If you want an enjoyable Sleeping Beauty retelling with fast paced action, some vampires and werewolves and Greek mythology bits, this is the book for you. Besides the gorgeous cover, this book provided a light and quick read and some funny moments. However, even though it is marked as YA, it felt more suitable for MG (middle grade) or a very young YA (young adult). I loved the reverse theme, where the prince is the one sleeping and needs to be awakened and it was a really interesting idea to have the main MC also under a different kind of curse.

<b>“You’re saying that if I don’t break the curse, my blood won’t save the land?”
“You will choose to be the savior or the bringer of death.”

<u>The Plot</u></b>

The story follows Aurora, the last Blood Witch of her coven. After her powers are awakened, she finds out her blood will no longer be enough to save her lands and the witches, the only way to break the curse placed on them being to wake the prince that has been placed under a sleeping curse. So Aurora and Hazel, her best friend, embark on a mission to cross the Shadowlands (a forbidden territory for any witch) and reach the kingdom where their salvation lies. Along the way, they encounter werewolves and nymphs, find out how narrow their view of the world used to be and learn more about their history and other magical factions.

<b><u>The Characters</u>

“You know you’re brilliant, right?”
“I know, but I never get tired of hearing it,” she replied with a cheeky grin.</b>

As you might have guessed, Aurora, the new Blood witch is the main character. We also have a best friend - Hazel, a sexy green-eyed Werewolf as love interest - Sage, a best friend for the love interest, who also happens to be a sexy Werewolf - Rune and a sleeping vampire prince - Darrick.

<b>"I’d never been in this situation before, and I didn’t know what I was supposed to do. No warlocks had ever tried to kiss me. Was I supposed to permit him? Maybe a thumbs-up? That was childish. He leaned closer until we were practically nose to nose. I froze.
And then he kissed me."</b>

I think all the characters had a lot of potential, but a big minus for me was that their traits weren't shown but stated, making it pretty difficult for me to actually get attached to them and get a better understanding of them. A really important part, for me, when reading a book is the way I relate and resonate with the characters, and here it simply didn't happen for me. I had the same feelings I get when reading a fairytale and, even though I knew this was a Sleeping Beauty retelling, I was expecting a more detailed and thorough 'delivery'.

<b>“You have to return to the birthplace of the curse.” I opened my mouth to object, and she continued, “Beyond the Shadowlands, there is a kingdom called Rosamond. Wake the prince cursed with endless sleep; only he can break the curse.”</b>

Reading this feels a bit like watching the last season of Game of Thrones. The ideas are great, the story is definitely worth following, but everything seems rushed. However, I most definitely recommend this book for those who love fairytales and want to begin their discovery of YA books. It's easy to read, light and has a happily Everafter that will leave you in a sunny mood.

<b>"This kingdom might resemble a fairy tale, but I was the one who got the happily ever after."</b>

I received this book as an ARC from NETGALLEY! Thank you!

Cursed beauty is a enjoyable retelling of Sleeping Beauty, where is the witch Aurora that save the Prince (a very particular Prince😉) I read it very fast (it's a short book) but I really appreciate the type of writing, the story and the characters! It's a simple YA Fantasy! Aurora and her friend Hazel have a beautiful friendship, together they take a hard path to save the other witches and Aurora herself! During this trip they meet the shapeshifters ( a very enjoyable company 😏) I really liked the dynamics between Aurora and Sage, also between Hazel and Rune, sometimes they make me laugh very loud!

In many occasions I would appreciate much explanation about some appointed elements no longer undertaken in the course of the plot, but it is my opinion. On the other hand, for such a simple and short book I didn’t expect anything too complicated.

In conclusion, I really liked this book and I rate it 3 stars <3

I really enjoyed this short and sweet YA fantasy book! This was a fast paced, easy but enjoyable read about a 16 year old witch who must go on a journey to save her coven. It is a gender bent sleeping beauty retelling, but other then the main character’s name and the sleeping prince..this book has it’s own unique storyline! I really enjoyed the side characters especially Hazel and Sage. The romance was sweet and happens pretty fast, but it makes sense because this is a shorter book. This book would be great for teens or anyone who wants an easy magical read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Phoenix Reign Publishing for an ARC of this book. All opinions in the review are my own.

I first was drawn to this book due to the cover, because it is stunning and the combination of cover & title made it clear that this was something I would be interested in. Looking at the description just confirmed that this was something I wanted to read - I am always here for a retelling of a fairytale and I haven't read a retelling of Sleeping Beauty in a while. Well, let me just say that this was nothing like I was expecting.

I think most of my review is going to have spoilers (kinda) so read at your own risk.

I went into this expecting to have some amount of familiarity with the characters - considering it was a retelling - and basically that didn't happen. Was I disappointed by this? NOPE! Besides the fact that the main character was named Aurora, there is a curse, and there is someone in an eternal sleep, there really aren't many feelings of Sleeping Beauty in my opinion. There were a lot of mythical elements, and this book is short enough that I was able to read it in just a few days while bouncing between other books as well. I enjoyed all of the characters and it felt like they were pretty well developed considering how short the book is overall for a fantasy book, but at the same time some of it felt a little rushed. It wasn't super predictable, but when things happened I wasn't completely surprised that I felt like it was unbelievable. Overall I thought this was a cute book with enjoyable fantasy elements, and definitely on the middle grade side of YA. I give it a solid 4 stars.

Start with 'Sleeping Beauty'
Swap genders, remove Maleficent
Make Aurora a witch with magic
Send her to travel through an enchanted forest to break a curse
Add shifters, magical creatures and a sleeping vampire prince

Result = 'Cursed Beauty' is a well done fairy tale retelling making for an enjoyable quick read for fairy tale and fantasy fans.

This was a wonderful new take on the tale of sleeping beauty. Blending the classic tale we know and love with a supernatural twist that i adored. Aurora is a selfless character whos only wish is to save her land, even if it means leaving all she loves behind, after all - all magic comes with a price.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of Cursed Beauty in exchange for an honest review.

This was an enjoyable read. It's short and rather tropey (though I did enjoy the infusion of paranormal creatures into a fairytale retelling) so I don't think it'll stick with me or most readers for very long after finishing it, but if you're looking for a quick easy Sleeping Beauty retelling, give this one a go.

I absolutely loved this book! I had a very hard time putting it down when I needed too. The action kept me on my toes and the chapters would end with such a cliff hanger that I would need to keep reading. I loved the combination of sleeping beauty with the twist of fae, witches, and werewolves!