Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher is a delightful and refreshing retelling of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. The story is charming and engaging from start to finish, with a cast of unique and memorable characters that kept me hooked from beginning to end.

Toadling is a fascinating protagonist, a fairy who is torn between her loyalty to her own kind and her desire to do the right thing by the human family she was meant to bless. The knight who comes to Thornhedge seeking to break the curse is equally well-drawn, with a personality that is both endearing and hilarious.

What I loved most about this book, however, was the world building. T. Kingfisher has created a rich and vivid world, filled with magic and wonder. Every detail is carefully crafted, from the towering walls of bramble to the intricate workings of the fairy courts. It's the kind of world you can get lost in, and I found myself eagerly turning the pages to find out more.

Overall, I would highly recommend Thornhedge to anyone who loves fantasy, fairy tales, or just a good old-fashioned adventure.

This review is based on an eARC (Advance Reading Copy) provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thornhedge will be released August 15, 2023. 

I’ve dipped my toe into T. Kingfisher’s middle grade work and her horror, but despite the best of intentions, I hadn’t yet made it to her fairy tale retellings for older audiences. But when I saw the blurb for Thornhedge, I knew it was time to fill that gap. Kingfisher’s Harriet the Invincible (written as Ursula Vernon) is a Sleeping Beauty subversion that has become my absolute favorite read-aloud book with my elementary school daughter. So an adult novella promising a different subversion of the Sleeping Beauty tale? Sign me up! 

Unlike most Sleeping Beauty retellings, Thornhedge stars not a cursed princess but the fairy who cursed her. Afraid a dangerous princess would wreak havoc on the surrounding country, the fairy Toadling cursed her to eternal sleep, then surrounded her tower with thorns and kept constant vigil to ensure no princes seeking glory would undo her good work. Which works fine, until the day she encounters a knight who just won’t be dissuaded. 

It’s a short novella, with the official page count of 128 doubtless inflated by the customary small pages of Tordotcom novellas, and it splits time between Toadling's attempts to keep the knight from harm in the present day and flashbacks explaining her background and why she found the curse so necessary in the first place. And in many ways, it shows off the best parts of Kingfisher’s storytelling. The witty banter so often found in her stories is perfect for an encounter between a fairy and a knight, and the entire setup is a fascinating twist of expectations that helps Thornhedge stand out from a crowd of fractured fairy tales. Toadling’s backstory is compelling, and her interactions in the present timeline are a pleasure to read. 

But it’s difficult to retell a fairy tale without someone being either malicious or inept, and the competent and likable pair at the fore of the story plunge ahead with the plot even when it seems they should be exploring the obvious alternatives. It’s still enjoyable seeing them interact, but the shadow of other possibilities hangs over much of the second half, robbing some of its impact. That the ending so neatly ties into one of those obvious alternatives doesn’t help matters, leaving the reader with a feeling of “it’s about time” more than anything. 

Overall, I can’t say that I enjoyed it as much as Harriet the Invincible (which is admittedly written for an entirely different audience and thus has different storytelling techniques available), with a mediocre ending undercutting a tremendous start. But the start is still very good, and the characters are still very fun to follow for a hundred pages or so. Even if the ending isn’t exceptional, it’s a good read. 

Recommended if you like: creative fairy tale subversions, banter. 

Overall rating: 15 of Tar Vol’s 20. Four stars on Goodreads.

This was my most anticipated for the month and I was not disappointed. I loved this so much. Fairy tale books are some of my favorites. I love that this one was dark. I did not want to put this down. I read it in one sitting. Toadling was such a great character. I just felt for her. I would love to read more from this world. I definitely recommend this one. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

This was a fun, quirky, weird fairy tale retelling. I found it cute and the characters entertaining while I was reading it, but the story wasn't really compelling. I put the book down half way through, and didn't pick it up again for over a week.

We have a knight trying to rescue a girl in a tower. Except nothing is as it seems. We also have Toadling, the girl's guardian, who is trying to keep the world from finding what is in the tower.

I enjoyed the flashbacks and slow reveal of the story. We have a knight now trying to find a way into the tower, and we have flashbacks to why the girl is there in the first place. I was a little confused how much Toadling was telling the knight, and if the flashbacks was her explaining the story or not. The current day story also progressed very slowly, and the most interesting parts were the flashbacks.

I expected this to take place in a secondary world, so I was thrown out of the story a little when it started mentioning real world religions. That is probably due to my expectations though, and not the story.

I enjoyed the ending, with Toadling thinking about her future for the first time. Overall it was cute and charming, but not one I'm likely to reread.

"Thornhedge" by T. Kingfisher introduces readers to a captivating world of fairies, curses, and unexpected heroes. The story revolves around Toadling, a unique and kind-hearted fairy often shaped like a toad, who is tasked with guarding Sleeping Beauty.

Kingfisher's storytelling prowess shines through in her witty dialogue and unconventional characters. Her narratives always champion the underdogs, and this theme continues here. One of the intriguing aspects of the story is its clever reversal of traditional roles, where the princess becomes the antagonist, and the classically 'evil fairy' takes on the role of the protector.

The characters, particularly the gentle and valiant Muslim knight, are well-crafted and contribute to the depth of the story. Toadling's unique character and the enchanting lore surrounding her add layers of complexity and intrigue to the plot. The wicked fae trope adds an element of mystery and danger, keeping readers engaged from start to finish.

However, the story touches upon a sensitive topic, as there is a historical connection between changelings and autism. The decision to portray the changeling character as evil may raise discomfort for some readers. That history is somewhat buried, but I could not look past it and it did lessen my enjoyment of this story.

"Thornhedge" showcases T. Kingfisher's exceptional storytelling abilities, offering a blend of humor, adventure, and unexpected twists. Readers who appreciate unique characters, clever dialogue, and intricate world-building will enjoy Kingfisher's books.

Thank you to Tor and Netgalley for the eARC. This is an honest review.

Everything T Kingfisher (and Ursula Vernon) does is perfect. This is not an exaggeration. Everything I have read under any pen name, I have loved. This story is no different.

Yes, this is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty. No, it is not the Disney or even the Grimm version. This is a story about unintended consequences and regret and, I think, how one tends to punish oneself far longer than one deserves. It also very neatly flips the tale of Sleeping Beauty on its head. After all, why would you want to trap a maiden in a tower behind a hedge of thorns? Perhaps the maiden is actually dangerous, and did something to deserve being imprisoned.

Toadling is a gentle protagonist, lonely and anxious and afraid. Halim is not the brave prince, but a poor, bumbling knight who loves his mother and a good story. This is a sweet story, one for the misfits, the toad creatures and unhandsome knights who would rather sit by the fire than ride gloriously to war. It says, no matter how tough the task in front of you, you can only do your best. Sometimes you will mess up, and suffer the consequences, and continue to do your best anyway. Sometimes you try your hardest, and still lose, and no amount of love has ever changed someone’s nature, no matter how hard you try.

This is a novella, and it is short enough one can devour it quickly. I suggest that you do.

It was a nice Saturday to sit around and read this little novella with my dog! Thornhedge is a Sleeping Beauty retelling but not in the expected way, and in that way it was charming to meet and know this "fairy godmother" and just what she was about! Not only that, but the way the passage of time happened through her observations, and the man coming to seek the legend being not a white European was a refreshing breath (Halim was very cute!! I like his character type), especially thinking about the globalization of tales especially through and after terrible world events.

This was somehow my first Kingfisher book but it definitely won't be my last. Love the way things were described and moved through and the details that aren't always so obvious.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for the eARC borrow in exchange for this honest review!

This book was GLORIOUS.

T Kingfisher writes a dark, beautiful fairytale like no one else. A delightful cast of glorious monsters who are not beautiful but are wonderful, and a not so handsome but very brave knight will make a spot right in the middle of your heart. This book took something familiar & did something entirely original with it, and I couldn’t be happier to have read this.

No notes, all the stars.

Thank you so much @netgalley @torbooks & @macmillan.audio for the e & audio copies

Thornhedge is a fairy tale. It's sleeping beauty, but Toadling is not our sleeping beauty. She is the one who is awake and watches over the sleeping beauty.

It's a short tale, melodic and lovely and satisfying.

I went into it without even reading the blurb and it was a lovely experience. I hesitate to share too much, lest I ruin that experience for you.

Go on, read it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Fairy tales are still so important, and T. Kingfisher is so amazing at fairy tales.
Thornhedge is a Sleeping Beauty retelling, but it's not about saving the beautiful princess from the dark fairy. Sometimes the princess needs to stay asleep.
Super quick read so it's a great palate cleanser.
Anyone needing a book to help meet your reading goal, this is a fun one.

This was a really good read. I listened to this in audiobook as well. This is like a retelling of Sleeping Beauty. This is my third book by T. Kingfisher and he keeps drawing me in for more. I definitely recommend this book!


Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group, Tor Books for allowing me to read this ARC in advance for my honest opinion.

A reimagining of the Sleeping Beauty fable as you haven't seen it before! This novella follows Toadling, a human spirited away to the fairy world at birth. Fate has made her a prisoner to a tower, forever warding away curious humans and upholding the curse that is cast on the princess within. That is, until a curious knight comes calling...

The narration for this was lovely and definitely helped impart the folk-tale atmosphere. Thornhedge is as sensible, unassuming and heartfelt as you'd expect from a T. Kingfisher fairytale. I loved it!

I love Kingfisher’s writing (and think I always will) but have to say this paled in comparison to Nettle and Bone for me ):

Toadling was stolen as a baby, brought to the fairy world and raised by creatures called greenteeth while a changing baby took her place in the human world. Years later (but only moments in the human world) a Goddess arrives to give Toadling a mission: bestow a blessing on the changeling child. So sets into motion a task spanning centuries for Toadling, a task that may be upended when a kind knight with good intentions arrives at a hedge of thorns…

Let me start by saying T. Kingfisher is a fantastic writer, especially in terms of the way she weaves words together. There was something so unique and deeply poetic about her turns of phrase that really lent itself to the atmosphere of a fairytale retelling. It was mystical and magical and felt almost like you could curl up inside of it, despite the sometimes dark subject matter.

She never fails to impress with her characters, either. Toadling was an absolutely lovable heroine, a not-exactly-human and not-exactly-faerie woman, cursed (but not literally) to never quite achieve what she sets out to. I loved getting to experience her inner monologue and felt very endeared to her as someone who frequently fears saying the wrongs things, and not feeling I measure up to the world around me. Halim was the perfect counterbalance to her, a kind and gentle knight determined to set her free by any means necessary. Getting to watch them together was a big highlight of the story.

However, I did not feel the arc of this story was what I was hoping for, especially after the adventure of nettle and bone. It felt like the storyline, of an evil changeling child and the protector tasked to teach her, was leading up to something and then it kind of…didn’t go anywhere. When we got to the big final event I couldn’t believe that that was where things were stopping, because there was so much buildup for kind of small and unexpected conclusion. The first pages were slow to me but I thought “hey, it took me a while to get into Kingfisher’s other works too, so maybe this will take a turn at about halfway” but the turn never really came. It almost felt like the story either needed to be even shorter (I’m thinking six deaths of the saint style), or longer and with more development.

I also feel it necessary to point out (as some other reviews have) that historically, the myth of evil changelings taking the place of human babies has been used as justification for the abuse of disabled children. Now, I am not saying you shouldn’t read Thornhedge because of this fact. And although there was a “maybe not all changelings are bad” moment, I do still think it’s important to keep the historical context and harm that the changeling myth has had in mind if you do decide to pick it up. You kind find some information on this here (link to be provided in Goodreads/blog review)

Overall: I would recommend this if you want a unique and quick fairytale reimagining with a compelling heroine, if you don’t mind a bit of letdown by the conclusion of the story.

Intended audience: adult
Pacing: slow
Content warnings: Suicide, murder, torture of animals

Review to be posted on social channels closer to publication

This was an unexpectedly enjoyable novel, a rewrite of a classic fairy tale by telling it from the perspective of a minor but important character, and changing the entire interpretation of the story in the process. This volume falls far outside the normal methods of retelling a fairy tale, and does so wonderfully well.

Toadling is a human changeling, raised by greenteeth, water fey who often eat human children who fall into their realm, but who sometimes raise a female child with care and love, which is what happened to Toadling. Retrieved from the greenteeth by a minor god with the appearance of a hare, Toadling, who is much older than she would otherwise be because of the different time rates between our world and the world of fairy, is sent back to her original home, in the guise of a fairy godmother coming to bless the fairy changeling who - unbeknownst to any but Toadling - replaced her at birth, a child now named Fayette. From there, then entire story changes, because unlike the fairy godmother in previous versions, Toadling stays at the court, to watch over Fayette and try to protect those around her from harm. This short but still intensely detailed story puts a completely different spin on the story of Sleeping Beauty, and particularly on the reasons for her long sleep.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Easily one of my favorites.

T. Kingfisher just as this way of retelling fairy tales that is so dark and creepy and heartfelt at the same time, with seemingly loser heroines that have shy reserves of strength and bravery that don't scan as strength or bravery until you look deep down.

I loved Toadling. I loved Halim. And the villain—yeah, nothing is creepier or more evil than that.

Fairy godmothers are dangerous!

The magic of this story, the beautiful and sensitive writing, kept me enthralled. A wonderful retelling of Sleeping Beauty that came stunningly alive.
A child is stolen and spends her days with the water creatures in faerieland. She learns from them. She’s ‘Toadling.’ She’s loved.
That child was replaced by a changeling who grows into a beautiful Princess. A Princess whose completely immune to any human feeling, who kills for interest, for the mechanics of the action, like picking wings off insects.
Toadling is sent back to the castle to curtail the Princess’ power, only something gets in the way, and what comes next is at least on the surface, we all know.
A darkly charming, and enjoyable cautionary tale.

A Tor ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

This is a beautiful, short take on a fairy tale that explores....what if the "victim" of these curses was actually the villain? How can we address guilt and trauma and grow from it? What is the story of the villain, and what more is there to the dashing prince who has been sent to vanquish the villain and save the princess? T. Kingfisher killed it, as per uszh.

This is a very interesting retelling of The Sleeping Beauty. It definitely begs the question, what if the curse was necessary?
Toadling has been assigned to be a young princess’s godmother. She is tasked with making sure the child does no harm. But something goes “wrong” with the “blessing” and Toadling is stuck trying to fix her mistake for 200 years.
T. Kingfisher knows how to spin a story and you’ll definitely come away thinking of this story very differently from now on.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Tor Books for this e-arc.”

Thornhedge is a Sleeping Beauty retelling with a twist - what if you don't root for the spell to be broken? The reader follows Toadling as she both tells the story of the tower and its occupant and meets the Muslim knight that may be the one to defeat the hedge.

I loved this novella from the first moment of the story. It has all the delight of childhood fairy tales with the adult sense of Faerie and what that could really mean. There are deliciously icky moments but overall it was delightful.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing for my review copy.

Any T. Kingfisher book is a delight to read and this novella, and the cleverly retold fairytale it contains, is no different. Highly recommended.