I was a little nervous going into this one because even though I am a HUGE Disney fan, I have always had mixed feelings about Brave - I never disliked it, but I had issues with it (mostly because I didn't like Merida for most of it) but I knew I wanted to read this one because I am a huge Disney fan and I also love Maggie Stiefvater. I am really glad I read it because I ended up really enjoying this novel!

I think one thing that helped a lot for me was that even though we see the characters from the film, and we have references to what happened then, it's a sequel and the story really is about what is happening now, not what happened then. With different character names/setting, it could almost have been a completely unrelated story. But it also still captures the essence of the movie, if that makes sense.

I really liked the journey that Merida went on, and seeing her own personal growth as she worked towards her main goal, of keeping everyone she loves safe. This book really focused on Merida's love for her family, and while there were the smallest hints of romance, that's not what this book was about. There were so many twists and turns, and while I saw some of it coming, there were others I didn't, and I loved getting to see where the story would go.

I definitely recommend this book, especially if you are a fan of the movie.

CONTENT WARNING: death

Since honesty is my policy, I have to admit that I can’t remember anything about Brave (the movie), and I’m not even sure if I’ve ever seen it. But none of that mattered, and I wasn’t ever lost while reading this. It works perfectly as a standalone.

Merida has recently returned after a year of traveling around Scotland, but she’s still full of restless energy and what sounds an awful lot like wanderlust. She’s an easy character to love, full of love and loyalty to her family, and an immensely accepting nature. But her family is set in her ways, and doesn’t see the point of change. So when she encounters two gods that force her hand towards making changes within her family to avoid their destruction, she has to start thinking creatively to encourage them to change without realizing. Of course that isn’t the only issue affecting DunBroch either — there’s another threat looming on the horizon that has nothing to do with the gods, and while it interfered with her mission at times, it also pushed her to make certain changes.

I loved seeing how the characters all interact with each other, especially in the way it acknowledges how difficult it can be with adolescents around. The story definitely had a similar feel to Disney movies, although it also felt more clearly geared towards YA readers, discussing some issues that older teens face as they struggle with their new role in life.

This was a fast read, with travel and plenty of things going on, so that I never felt bored. I was intrigued from early on, and one of my favorite parts was the way that historical aspects of Scotland, Scottish mythology, and holidays were portrayed. This was one of the more fun reads that I’ve found. While I’m already a huge fan of Maggie Stiefvater, this book brought all the best to the table, although it’s in a different style than her others works that I’ve read thus far.

I was so very excited to get into this book, it’s a sequel to Merida’s story from Brave, I was super curious into how her life had changed since we last saw her in the film.

Even though I enjoyed some aspects of the book like the triplets having their own individuality and the adventure. Somethings did fall flat to me. I don’t know what I was expecting out of this but this just wasn’t it. But I did enjoy visiting the characters again.

Sadly I wasn’t a fan of this book. I mean it was just okay but I was easily distracted. I love the Disney film so I assumed I’d love this as well. Never assume, right?

In Maggie Stiefvater’s new book, Bravely, we meet an older and (wee bit) wiser Merida. The book opens on Christmas Eve with Merida having just returned home after spending the year travelling across the Scottish countryside. Although Merida is delighted to be home with her family and be back in DunBroch, she can’t shake off the feeling of restlessness. A strange knock on the door and a midnight pursuit in the snow results in Merida striking a bargain between two ancient gods: Feradach the god of destruction and Cailleach the god of creation. Merida must prove to the ancient gods that DunBroch and its inhabitants can change or else DunBroch will be destroyed – and she only has a year to accomplish it. Following the changing of the seasons, Merida and her family visit new places, meet new people, and learn that sometimes to grow you need to prune that which may be holding you back. But can DunBroch change enough to stave off destruction or will Merida lose all that she loves? Bravely is a lovely story that fans of the Disney movie Brave will enjoy. I liked that we got to see more of Merida’s relationships with her father and brothers. However, I did feel that it was missing a bit of an edge or twist that I’ve come to love in Maggie Stiefvater’s writing. I feel that this book reads more like a Disney movie in its predictability and less like a teen novel. Nonetheless, I do believe that readers of all ages will enjoy the story

I am always intrigued when Disney decides to create a novel based around one of their movies, especially when it is after the original events. It’s hard to not speculate what happened to Merida and her family and this new novel gives us insight into what they have been up to. Merida is still her adventurous self and it’s not wonder she has another adventure to share.

The book is told from third-person and mostly follows Merida. The beginning does give some insight into what she will be dealing with and that it will involve mythology, two gods. It did have me quite curious after this setup because it wasn’t what I was expecting (I didn’t really read the blurb, lol) and so it definitely had my attention. Unfortunately it didn’t last too long and kind of found myself wanting to skim. The pace slowed down quite a bit and for me it didn’t pick back up until around the end.

Although I have wanted to learn more about Merida, I felt that this was a bit average. It at least felt like authentic Merida and the love for her family was still there which was nice to see again. Would I say that it was worth reading? I guess not really. If there wasn’t a novel written I would have been fine pondering.

Overall, I think this was okay/good. It added onto Merida’s story which was cool but it didn’t leave me satisfied.

Rating: 2.5 stars

This was such an exciting and interesting book. And I have a lot of feelings about the ending. Big sad, hopeful feelings.

First, it’s a sequel to the Disney movie, Brave… which, I mean, sign me up. You get to see the triplets a bit more fleshed out, some background on the family, and lots of adventure! I love that concept of change, the way it’s important to move forward and not get stuck. PICK UP THIS BOOK IMMEDIATELY, because more of Merida’s growth is what we all need. 🥰

3.5 stars
I enjoyed this story, but it really didn't feel like the characters from Brave. It felt like a whole new cast of characters. Especially Merida's family. Her parents seemed so bland when especially Fergus was so loud and boisterous in the movie. And her brothers were such troublemakers, but in this book, they didn't seem at all that way. One was literally terrified of everything which is never how I imagined them a few years after the movie. I was pretty disappointed that these felt like such different characters because I love the movie so much.
The actual story was fun though. Merida returns home after traveling all over Scotland for maid basically turned sister Leezie's Christmas wedding. Leezie was not in the movie so she was a new character. She was partly annoying but hard not to love. She was always described as just "being Leezie" and always in need of some sort of help.
The night before the wedding, Merida catches someone outside the castle and chases them until she figures out it's the god of ruin Feradach. He has come to ruin DunBroch. Merida makes a deal with him and the Callieach another god and gets a year to change the castle and her family for the better. She travels to 3 different places in Scotland bringing different family members each time to try to get them to change. Meanwhile her and her parents have also made a deal with (someone I do not remember how to spell) that she will go to 3 different places and decide to join one when she was finished in exchange for him not taking her brothers.
The characters Merida meets along the way were fun and the changes that take place in her family and castle were well done. I really enjoyed Merida's connection with Feradach and how that part of it ended.
Overall, a good book, but doesn't quite live up to the hype if you are in it for the Brave comparisons.

This book was everything!!!! This was one of my most anticipated books this year because I love the movie Brave. This was a great continuation of the story and just wonderful to read. I’m a sucker for Disney books so They’re always a win with me. I kinda want them to make this a series and add other Disney characters so we have more YA Disney books

A Tricky Bargain

Maggie Stiefvater creates an emotionally gripping and self-reflecting continuation of the story Brave. Home after a long journey, Merida finds everything just as she left it, unchanged. In the world of ancient Scotland, magic is change, and DunBroch has caught the attention of the new god of ruin Feradach. With the tricky goddess Calleach, Merida bargains for a chance to save her family. Everyone must change before Christmas comes again, but is it enough time to change herself?

Maggie Stiefvater begins her story with all the joys of a Scottish Christmas, including a lot of holiday tradition, and food descriptions. Stiefvater captures the setting of DunBroch in every detail. Making sure to lay the foundations to contrast Merida’s fondness of her home with the reality of its stagnation, and then disillusionment with how others see it.

This book is mostly about “stagnation” vs. “tradition”. Merida reflects often about change, how her family has grown complacent, and how the other towns she visits change over time. Her travels turn into a bit of a moral dystopian. Teaching her how failure to change ends in terrible ways, unless people step up and do better. Feradach often shows up to add gloomy pessimism to her doomed situation. Though, she grows fond of him over time, and begins to see his perspective. There is also the threat of the Dasachtach, and evil wolves to add to her worries.

Merida has grown a lot since the Brave movie, and I appreciate how self-aware she is. She is still frustrated, but she understands that her family has their own ways of dealing with change. Though Queen Elinor’s perfectionism, and King Fergus’ passiveness are difficult, slowing down the momentum of her exuberance. Merida is left with plenty of time to reflect, dealing with her excess energy, and thinking with a great deal of archery.

There are several new characters added to the family, including a new character Leezie, who is a bit of a damsel. This book does a good job individualizing the triplets. Each of them finding their own abilities and strengths throughout their travels. Merida does trade Angus for a faster horse called Midge, but Angus still makes the first journey with the twin Hubert. Merida has to face that her little bothers need to be different, her parents are starting a new season in their lives, and she should change first.

Maggie Stiefvater does a great job of humanizing the difficult topic of change. Though, even Merida does not have an unlimited amount of vivacity to carry this heavy of a story. Magic has dealt her, and a lot of people, a fickle fate. It doesn’t always make sense, but her family made it an opportunity to grow. In the end Merida might need another book to find herself again.

Have you ever wondered what came next, after reading a book or watching a movie? This novel is the next chapter in the life of Merida, from the movie and book "Brave". There are plenty of series out there that pick up popular characters and create stories for them within the existing universe of that character, but many do it poorly, lazily, building on a story without making the effort to expand the existing characters or create new ones. This novel, however, does all the hard work of expanding the existing characters, adding to their back stories and carrying their stories into the future, adding new characters, and creating an entirely new story instead of simply expanding the existing one.

It's been a year since the events in Brave; Merida has been traveling the land, learning all she can, and has come home, only to find out about a new threat to her home and family: a warlord, who is attempting to coerce leaders into joining him, and razing the towns of those who refuse. Added to that is a pair of gods, straight from Scottish mythology, who involve themselves in the future of DunBroch. Written with historical accuracy, this is an engaging and entertaining story of the next chapter in Merida's life. Recommended for readers from upper elementary to adult.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

#Bravely comes out 5/3

This book is the sequel to the #disney movie Brave 🏹

This story was a great “what happened next…” It was just slow for me.

I loved the backstory and the growth for Elinor.

The journey that Merida sets out on to help her family also helps herself.

Unfortunately, I feel like I got too hyped for this story and it just didn’t live up to my own expectations.

Thank you to @netgalley and @disneylapress for this opportunity

DNF @ 21%. Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review. The cover is gorgeous and I was excited to read this "sequel" of Brave because I loved the movie. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get into it. I couldn't even tell you what I read because that's how bored and uninterested I was.

Merida is one of my favorite characters! I was so excited to see a continuation of her story.

I loved seeing how the characters have changed a few years after the events in the movie. I also loved the premise of this book - that she has one year to help her family change and grow in order to save them.

The interactions between Merida and Feradach were done so well! I love watching the feelings evolve from hatred to understanding.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves stories with a touch of mythology, and definitely to anyone who loves Merida!

Thank you to Disney Publishing Worldwide, NetGalley, and Maggie Stiefvater for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions!

I love Maggie Stiefvater!! She creates strong female characters and her stories are filled with magic, fantasy, and heart. Bravely is clearly aimed at a younger audience than some of her other fiction, but keeping that in mind, it's just as wonderful. I'm a huge fan of Raven Boys, and this one has much the same "magical" feel -- there are ominous forces at work that must be overcome. Raven Boys is clearly more a YA/adult novel. Bravely compares more favorably to Scorpio Races -- middle grade/YA -- with some supernatural elements and a mild romance.

At first, I admit, I was worried it was a "rip off" from the Disney movie "Brave". There are some similarities -- Merida is red haired, strong-willed, an archer -- but the story is very different. In order to save her family from complete disaster, Merida must facilitate some changes in her family. In doing so, she discovers much about her family and herself. It's a great adventure with lots of heart. So glad to see something new from this author.

I wasn't sure if I was going to like this or not when I first dived into it but Celtic mythology, complicated family relationships, and difficult bargains are all topics of interest for me so it definitely reeled me in, and kept me hooked! Also, that cover is magnificent!

In true Merida fashion, an epic adventure awaits.

Maggie Stiefvater has a wonderful eye for the paranormal and has written some of my favorite books in the past. I was excited to hear of this book and Stiefvater's involvement.

Merida is strong willed, and that trait plays throughout the story, but her wild heart can't be tamed. I love her wild heart. It is what moved the story forward and draws me into her character.

This story is more than misadventure and mending of relationships. This story is about finding one's self. Love and respect. Doing what is right. I loved it and this book is another win in Stiefvater's pocket. If you are a fan of this author and also the amazing Merida, then you need to read this book.

One year to save your family; help them to become better people to save the land. That pretty much sums this book up.

Initially, this story was really hard to get in to. I love the movie and it took me while to separate the two – finding out later that this was tied to the original story, but years later. It fun to see the triplets grown up and get to know their characters a little more. Merida really rubbed me the wrong way at the beginning. For someone trying, to save her family she really as annoying, pushy, and had a bad attitude. The tie in with the gods was interesting and I really enjoyed the ending.

Thank you Netgalley and Disney Press for this ARC. I think my students will really enjoy this extension to the original story.

I absolutely love BRAVE and was so excited to read this! I’m so glad to say I ended up enjoying this quite a bit! Although this is a “sequel” to Brave, this was definitely a more serious book. I really enjoyed this author’s writing style. I had such a fun time with these Disney characters!

Disclaimer: I was sent a free book and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

I will admit the thing that drew me to this book was that it was about Merida. I have always loved her because she was a strong princess. I loved she was fearless, brave, and knew her own mind. So of course to revisit her castle and kingdom was a joy.

What I didn't expect was to get caught up in another of her adventures. As is Merida's habit she finds herself on another adventure this one could cost her everything she loves.

Without giving too much away I can honestly say this book was a page-turner for me. It was full of adventure, suspense, and of course a great moral. One we should all head. When one sets out to change something or someone be sure to look within first because sometimes the thing that needs changing the most is ourselves.