Merida is one of my favorite disney princesses! I enjoyed this book. The story was well paced, the plot definitely kept me hooked. And the plot was enticing. I read shiver years ago and I wasnt really a fan, but this one pulled me back to the author's fan list. I cant wait to read more by them.

I thought it was very well done. I wanted a little bit more but I felt like Merida's reaction to the kiss at the end was in keeping with the fans who identify her as aromantic or asexual. It was fun to see her relationship with her brothers as well.

Here we follow Merida after the events we know from Brave. She is tasked with trying to save her her kingdom in a year while trying to shake things up in herself and her family.

I honestly didn't enjoy the book as a whole. I found it difficult to pay attention and care about all the journeys and things happening to the middle of the book. I had a firm grasp on the beginning which did make me look forward to what would happen, and then I liked the ending.

Thank you so much @NetGalley and @disneybooks for gifting me a copy of Bravely in exchange for an honest review.

🏹 Mini Review 👩🏻‍🦰
I seriously love anything that @maggie_stiefvater writes. So when I saw she was writing Bravely I freaked. 🤣 I started reading this last month, but because I have a baby who doesn’t sleep well, I hardly got any reading done. So I decided to audiobook it. I highly recommend the audiobook!! @fionaspeaks is spot on with the accents.

If you haven’t seen the movie Brave then you def should. This book takes place pretty close to the end of the movie and includes all of our fave characters.

Merida loves her family but is getting bored with the boringness of their lives. She wants a change, which is coming, but not in the way she thinks. Merida ends up getting tangled up with 2 gods. The Feradach, who is the god of rot. He is drawn to rot and destroys it. Merida meets the Feradach because he is drawn to the rot of DunBroch and is has to destroy it. The second god she meets is Cailleach, an ancient entity of creation. Cailleach gives Merida a year to try to change her family’s hearts, but once that year is up if they haven’t changed Feradach has the ok to destroy DunBroch. Merida learns so much about herself, her family, and DunBroch while trying to save it. But will it all work?

I loved this book so much! I really loved Merida and her want to save her family. I loved seeing how much she has matured since the movie and how her family has grown. I have to say that the Feradach was prob my favorite character 🙈 I really hope there is a second one because I need to know what happens to everyone!!!

If you were a fan of the movie Brave I definitely recommend this book to you. I gave it ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️💫.

I have come to the conclusion that this author just isn’t for me. I did not like Maggie Stiefvater’s other books and this one, unfortunately, was not the exception. I was bored and hoping for an anvil to fall on my head and put me out of my misery.

Sweet story that follows Merida in the best way. Merida was as I excepted her to be written following the move Brave. She was just as feisty and just as strong willed which is one of the more compelling characteristics she has as a Disney princess.
The author brought a nice twist to her story. Perfect for fans of Seraphina books from Disney,

I’ve always been a lover of the Disney/Pixar movie Brave. This novel by Maggie Stiefvater follows Merida’s journey home from abroad after the events of the movie.
Merida returns to Dunbroch to find that nothing much has changed about her home. The people, the comfortable wear and tear, the broken down parts and pieces that all have stories with no resolution. The only thing that has seemed to be an actual change is her. Little does she know that she’s not alone in noticing that Castle Dunbroch and its occupants have resisted the flow of time.
Late one night in the dead of winter, Merida is in the kitchen when she hears three distinct knocks on the door. She sees a figure in the courtyard that shouldn’t be there and she decides to give chase, only to discover it is Feradach, a lesser god of destruction and renewal who has his hand set on destroying Dunbroch. Luckily for Merida, the ancient goddess of creation, Cailleach, has a special interest in Dunbroch and interferes on its behalf. The princess and the god decide to strike a bargain: in one year, if Dunbroch has not experienced a significant change, he will set forth and do his work. The Cailleach requires the two of them to check in on one another’s work throughout the year, an extra task that neither wants to partake in. How are the god of destruction and the princess of Dunbroch to make this work?
Feradach is not the only one who wishes to see change at Castle Dunbroch, and a third player also makes themselves known, a slowly encroaching warrior King who is bent on Dunbroch bending the knee. Merida and her family also make a bargain with him to make inroads toward uniting Dunbroch and the surrounding lands. Merida also makes the deal to take three journeys to neighboring castles in allyship and must complete her tasks in this within the next year as well.
As Merida sets off to create change amongst her family and the castle, with Feradach showing up as both a warden to her tasks and a thorn in her side, she pushes to find ways to enact change in her family. But is Merida ready for change? And is Feradach the enemy she wishes to make of him, or is there a greater enemy that will intertwine their fates like they never thought possible?
I honestly adored this entire novel. Merida is just as tough as a woman in her twenties as she was in her teens. A hugely enjoyable part of the book is getting to explore her character’s depths and to watching her grow into a new form of herself as she in turn watches the things around her change, whether it’s in ways she hoped or not. It’s an interesting exploration into life and becoming who we are meant to be. There is also a chaste and sweet growing of hearts that wasn’t the main plot, but was well-placed and heartfelt.
There are so many lessons to be learned and taught through this book. I think it would be an excellent book club read for young adults and older adults alike.
Thank you Netgalley and Disney Publishing for the digital ARC in exchange for this fair and honest review.

I love just about everything Disney, and it's been fun reading more of the YA books they've been coming out with.

I enjoyed Brave when it came out, especially since it broke the norm of having a romance at the center of the story. So I was excited to check out Bravely because I assumed it would continue with that. While the book does mostly focus on Merida embracing the changes her family makes as they grow up (especially her brothers), it threw in the curveball of a romance at the end. I don't think the book needed that, and honestly it felt like it moved away from who Merida is. Not that she doesn't ever want to fall in love, but that falling in love wouldn't happen so suddenly. Also, this book doesn't really have a happy ending per say, which again is fine to great that Disney norm. But I just honestly wanted Merida to end up at least a little happy and not just heartbroken or feeling left behind as everyone else grows and changes.

Thank you Disney Press and Netgalley for the review copy!

This is a YA follow-up to the Disney movie Brave, showing what becomes of Merida and her family years later and sending Merida on an all-new adventure. As always, Stiefvater’s gorgeous writing shines through, and she captures the setting and the Scottish voice of the characters perfectly. In this story, Merida makes a deal with the gods to save her family when they are slated to be destroyed because of their stagnation. She is given one year to prove that her family truly can change, but guiding them toward that change proves more difficult than she imagined. The pacing is a bit slower than I expected, as Merida’s journeys end up being largely more personal than over-the-top adventures. Still, I found myself drawn in by the inevitable sense of the family’s approaching doom and the mesmerizing characters, especially Feradach, the god who has caused all the trouble in the first place. There are some interesting twists at the end of the book that I didn’t see coming as well. I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoyed the Disney film and wants to see more of Merida!

***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***

Following the well known events of Brave, Princess Merida has been exploring the world. Traveling the kingdom, and toughing it out with the people she's come across. Merida is sure that her goal for an adventurous life has been met, yet, unfortunately for her, it seems the gods do not agree.

Propelled into action by the gods, the Princess must now find a way to bring real change to her stagnant kingdom, to her old-fashioned family and even to herself.

In this novel Maggie Stiefvater takes us on an in-depth introspective journey as we watch one of Disney's most feminist princesses learn that there is still more to life than taking a stand on independence. Her portrayal of Dunloch is brilliant, consistent with the well loved animated movie, and yet fleshing out detail and sketching in depths.

Unfortunately, my biggest pet-peeve with this book is not about the writing, but the marketing. This book should never have been billed under YA. It reads as middle-grade at best, and would have done well being marketed to a younger generation. Unfortunately, I think the marketing decision had less to do with content and more to do with the generation that grew up watching the Disney film being too old for a middle-grade book.

That being said, Ms. Stiefvater's writing was a hit, and I'd certainly recommend the book for anyone who (like me) misses the beauty of Pixar's only Princess movie! Fans of Brave should certainly continue on to <i>Bravely</i> to learn how Merida's future turns!

I'd rate this comfort book a 3.5 with an extra rounded half a star for pure nostalgia :)

I can't believe they turned the one Disney movie that doesn't have a romance into a book with a romance.

This whole story was a big disappointment. Maybe if I had never watched Brave or didn't know the story, then maybe this book could have been ok. But this book was a drag to get through, and the ending was super disappointing.

Rating: 1.5/5 stars

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved Bravely. I was not expecting to love it as much as I did because I've only seen the movie Brave once. I liked it just fine. I thought this was an excellent sequel and appreciated the time Stiefvater took to develop all of the characters, especially the triplets-- who now seem like very different people to me rather than the collective chaos I remember from the film-- and, of course, Feradach. I was really taken with the idea of a being whose job is seeking and ending stagnation.

I really liked the mix of mythology and the actual reality of living in Scotland in the 10th century. All in all, this was just a super fun and interesting read and I will definitely be back for more.

The strongest theme that jumped out to me while reading this book was 'family', which wasn't a surprise given that this was a YA story taken from the "Brave" storyline. I think the worldbuilding picked up right where the movie story left off and you felt pulled in from the beginning. Merida's brothers were my favorite characters, which was also true about the movie, but it didn't feel like the book was a cash grab. Instead, the author took time to develop the characters and introduce us to new characters while giving us a fairly-paced plot. The story is left open-ended, although I would be happy with or without one because I feel as if the novel could stand on its own.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book early before it launched!

I will have to say I DNF’d about 50% in. Not because the story is bad, it just wasn’t my taste, I felt sometimes the story was too slow especially when it came to Merida and her path. The tiny speck of romance was cute with the one God but I felt myself constantly putting down my book because I wasn’t too in love with the plot.

Maggie’s writing is beautiful. I will definitely read more of her work because her writing is what kept me interested in the story. Her world building and character development is great. Her attention to detail for imagery is incredible, You do get to see different views of characters in the movie and how they grow.

I will absolutely say if you love Disney movies and always wonder how a characters life could be afterwards, stories like these are for the “Disney” adults if you will!

I was pretty excited for this as I loved the movie Brave, and I'm a fan of continuations and reimagining stories.. But I found myself not really caring about what was happening and I really didn't like how the story came to a close. I get that the characters are older so things do change, but it felt like...what was the point of the whole movie.
Though on the other hand, I do kind of get it.
This wasn't terrible, but I felt a little underwhelmed reading it.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is well written and the characters are described well. I absolutely enjoyed this authors writing style. This book guys yall definitely need to go get it from your local library or to the nearest bookstore and get your hands on it right now. This book is fast paced thrilling scottish fantasy. This book sucks you in from the start. I absolutely adored all of the characters within this book. I would definitely highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. This book is in stores now for $19.99 (USD).

Bravely picks up a few years down the road with Merida on the brink of adulthood. I received a copy via Netgalley for review which did not influence my review in any way.

On Christmas eve as Merida is preparing the feast for it and for her friend/maid Leezie when someone appears in the kitchen. She chases the person down and it turns out to be the god Feradach, an uncanny supernatural being tasked with rooting out rot and stagnation. Cailleach, the old goddess of creation intervenes. Merida is granted a boon. She has a year to shake her family out of its path and every last one of them has to change or Feradach will destroy them.

Changing people is no easy task. On top of this, a cruel Scottish warlord has offered her father a deal, find three other kingdoms to ally with him or die. With the dual threats of death, Merida acts as ambassador to save and change her family.

As she goes out in the world, she sees that maybe her parents are too lackadaisical, that they’re allowing DunBroch to fall into ruin. One of her brothers has no purpose, one is afraid of everything and the other is cold and angry. Leezie is hapless. There is a lot to do. Feradach has a further requirement, once a season he will show up to see her progress and she must witness what he does to show her life being reborn from the destruction.

The story is engaging. Feradach’s changing personality was interesting. Merida and her family are great characters and I really enjoyed the read.

Maggie Stiefvater invites the reader on a journey of magic, mischief, and marvels in Bravely, a delightful follow-up to Disney Pixar’s 2012 movie, Brave. Infused with legends that transcend time, Stiefvater breathes new life into Merida’s adventurous spirit by striking yet another bargain: one that will test Castle DunBroch in unimaginable ways, revealing secrets and uncovering long-lost legends, beginning with a single, barely heard knock upon the door.

Magic leaps off the page as Merida bounds out the door in the middle of a fierce winter night in pursuit of a shadow. Impulsive, feisty, and adventurous as ever, the young adult finds herself face to face with the eerie green glow of the will o’ the wisps yet again when she confronts the peculiar stranger, who turns out to be Feradach, a god of many faces that seeks out stagnation and brings ruin within reason to insight growth.

Intent on restoring the natural balance of order and chaos, Feradach was caught in the act of damnnation by Merida, resulting in a chance encounter that will alter her path – and that of DunBroch – forever. Magic is real, and where there is a will, there is a way, as the Cailleach – goddess of creation, queen of winter, old woman of Scotland, second half to Feradach – makes an appearance. With high stakes in DunBroch, a bargain is struck, and what unfolds is a wondrous tale of magic and adventure, enchanting in scope and infused with secret histories and traditions, as the Cailleach grants Merida one year to change her family.

And what a year it is! Merida springs into action, meditating on the best way to invoke change amongst the DunBroch family, landing upon a series of trips – each bearing a dual purpose. Not only will they hopefully trigger change and healing in her closest family members, but they’ll settle a personal bargain between Merida and the relentless Dásachtach, who has been hounding the family in the name of “diplomacy” for years. Merida will act as an ambassador for DunBroch, leading a trip for each season, beginning with a muddy trek to the strict, order-fueled halls of the meticulous, military clan Ardbarrach, and ending with a revelation in a royal visit to a fiercely feminist island orphanage in Eilean Glan, with countless stops along the way to explore nature’s hidden histories, brought about by Feradach’s ruin.

While the seasons are short, Stiefvater breathes life into each mini adventure, filling in gaps in backstory and divulging secret histories that add depth to DunBroch and its characters, Merida included. Descriptions of towns – and food! – are brushed onto the page in vivid color, a testament to Stiefvater’s background in art, written with gorgeous attention to detail – and personalities jump off the page, most notably in the form of the three disastrous triplets: Hubert, Harris & Hamish. While decidedly close-knit and prone to pranks, the triplets have grown since their first appearance, developing their own interests and habits. From strict training regimes and order to meaningful music lessons and sights better left unseen, Stiefvater creates three unique entities, adding depth to three seemingly similar characters in a way that ties into the overarching theme of hope and renewal.

Ultimately, Bravely is a true and thoughtfully written sequel – one that simultaneously allows Stiefvater’s heritage and historical background to shine, while continuing the legacy and magic of the original. The clever reader will recognize old kings, cunning gods, and long-lost legends between the pages of Merida’s journey, history reimagined in bargains and enemies through Stiefvater’s capable hands. Bravely is stunning in its lyricism, poignant in its message, and brilliantly imagined with characters that jump off the page.

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing for providing me with an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've read books by Maggie Stiefvater and enjoyed them, and this one does not fail.

This of course is after the movie, Bravely is a fantastic, fitting addition to Merida’s story. Stiefvater did a wonderful job on the storyline.

I cannot wait, to see it on the big screen, I'm sure it will come out. Great Job, just have to read it to enjoy it!

This was exactly what I thought it would be and yet I am still extremely disappointed. Sure, it was well written. There was an adventure. There was a plot. But there was no spark here. It felt mundane and uninspired. By the end of the novel, there is supposed to be some sort of hint of romance, but it just felt thrown in to check off another genre box to lure people into reading it. I feel like there was supposed to be this deep, moving meaning in this book about change, but it felt so surface level. Each family goes on a trip and then changes. It was formulaic and I saw it coming every time. I enjoyed the movie Brave as a kid and had hoped that this would expand upon the magical feel of early Scotland, but it honestly just watered what I loved about the movie down into something not terrible, but not great either. On the bright side, though, look at that COVER. Stunning. It looks like I was once again bested by a beautiful cover. One day I'll learn. Probably not in the near future though.