Prince of Thorns and Nightmares provides a gripping and thought-provoking perspective on the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty, delving into the mind of Prince Phillip with a fresh and captivating narrative.

I loved the first book in this series and was looking forward to this one.

However, this one did not live up to the first. The best parts were when Phillip and Aurora were talking through the hedge but it was rare at first. I found Phillip completely annoying and always complaining. The mystery about how Phillip and Aurora were meeting that way was interested and kept me going in times that I really didn't want to continue anymore. In the end, I was overall disappointed, though there were certainly good parts.

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: Prince of Thorns and Nightmares

Author: Linsey Miller

Book Series: Princes book 2

Rating: 3/5

Recommended For...: young adult readers, retellings, Sleeping Beauty, fantasy, Disney

Publication Date: October 3, 2023

Genre: YA Fantasy Retelling

Age Relevance: 12+ (violence, slight gore, small romance)

Explanation of Above: There is some violence with sword weapons and very slight mentions of blood gore. There is also a small bit of romance, but the majority of it starts off as friends.

Publisher: Disney Press

Pages: 426

Synopsis: Prince Phillip tells his side of Disney's Sleeping Beauty where once upon a dream was just the beginning... Prince Phillip’s known from a young age that his destiny has already been decided for him by his father, King Hubert. His job is to smile and wave for the crowd and ride off into the sunset with his predetermined fiancé, Princess Aurora, after her curse is lifted on her sixteenth birthday. But just days before Aurora’s birthday party, Phillip experiences a strange burst of magic, and three fairies tell him that he is part of a prophecy set to defeat Maleficent, the Mistress of All Evil. Suddenly Phillip feels as if he has a choice—maybe magic can be the freedom he has been looking for. Although, having magic and working with fairies to retrieve powerful ancient artifacts would be much more enjoyable if he didn’t have to deal with her every night, a girl named Briar Rose who appears in his dreams on the other side of a mystical thorn maze. Phillip doesn’t know how he can be so annoyed by a person he can’t even see but having to hear the mysterious maiden’s laughs and jabs at him every time he goes to sleep is worse than any nightmare. But Phillip is starting to realize that Briar Rose isn’t so different from himself, and maybe they can change both of their fates one dream at a time.

Review: This was a pretty good book. I liked the concept of it and I loved seeing more of the Prince’s backstories. If there is one thing that Disney is sorely lacking in, it’s giving suitable backstories to the male main character of a Disney Princess movie. I felt like this was a great addition to the Disney Princess lore and it made me like Phillip more. I also felt like, for it being a YA book, that it was really suitable for younger teens, so like 11/12 and up. This would be a good segue books from middle grade reads to YA. And the voice of the book felt very strong as is the worldbuilding.

However, I did feel like some of the book did slow down plot and speed wise. I felt like maybe it needed to be shortened some to do away with those slower moments or reworked a bit.

Verdict: It was good! This is a series I’ll be investing in.

This was a very interesting take on Sleeping Beauty from Phillip's point of view!

I loved Prince of Song and Sea so of course I had to pick this one up! Prince of Thorns and Nightmares gave such a unique perspective to Prince Phillip in Sleeping Beauty! To be completely honest I really didn't like his character very much until about 60% in. Then he kind of grew on me. Aurora was great and really dove into the mind of an isolated teenager yearning for adventure and life. She clings to hope of finding out the reason behind her dream meetings with the Prince which I thought really played out well for her character.

I am so thrilled that they are finally telling the stories from the male perspective. Too often we only get to see one side of the story. I grew up watching the Disney movies and always thought that the Prince was a bit of a flat character. Now life has been breathed back into them! I can't wait to see how they continue the series. Prince Phillip was one of the more boring characters in the movie version. Now he is more well rounded. I like seeing what drove him to become the man he is now. I will definitely be including this story in my classroom library.

I was really excited about the second book in the series, which is focused on Prince Philip. Unfortunately, it is fae related (why I didn’t think about this beforehand…Sleeping Beauty is one of my fav movies and the thought that it might be about FAE, considering Maleficent is a fairy, never crossed my mind. I am humbled by my own lack of awareness all the time) so it wasn’t a fit for me. However, I love that one author writes this series and will definitely check out Prince Charming's book!

These Disney Prince novels always start out so strong for me.

I mean, as if Prince Philip wasn’t dreamy enough to begin with (pun intended), let’s add a side of dry sarcastic wit and just a pinch of magic.

But as is typical with these Disney press re-tellings, the story quickly got off the rails, and the second half was a veritable slog.

Sometimes those direct screen-to-page references just seem a wee bit forced. Nevertheless, it was nice getting to know Philip more intimately.

Swoon.

I have been loving this Disney Prince collection from Linsey Miller. I absolutely adore Prince Phillip and loved getting his perspective on this classic tale.

I loved reading this book and getting a look into the life of a Disney Prince. This book was very well written and I cannot wait to read the next installment of the series.

<i>Sleeping Beauty</i> is my favorite of the Disney Classic fairytale movies, so I was excited for Miller to tackle Prince Phillip in the second book in the Princes series - especially since I enjoyed how Prince Eric was handled in the first book. Miller has plenty of nods to the Disney film in PRINCE OF THORNS & NIGHTMARES, and those were fun to pick out, and I really enjoyed the backstory that Miller created to make some of the main plot points in <i>Sleeping Beauty</i> make more sense.

Unfortunately, this was a slog to get through, I never found my groove when reading it and so I'd only pick it up for a chapter or two at a time before putting it down. There was SO much repetition in the text about how Prince Phillip didn't want to step into the role his father expecting him to, and how he wasn't comfortable with being betrothed to someone he doesn't know and has only seen once. The evil fairy dialogue rang super cheesy and stereotypical villain speak to me.

I think readers who like <i>Sleeping Beauty</i> (the fairytale and/or the movie) will find something in this to enjoy, but I don't see this one holding the attention of teen readers.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley, Disney Publishing Worldwide, and Disney Press in exchange for an honest review.

Prince of Thorns and Nightmares provides a gripping and thought-provoking perspective on the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty, delving into the mind of Prince Phillip with a fresh and captivating narrative. The story offers a fascinating glimpse into Phillip's life and emotions, allowing readers to empathize with the character on a deeper level. What sets this reinterpretation apart is its exploration of consent, a topic often overlooked in the original fairy tale. The narrative skillfully navigates this sensitive subject, adding layers of complexity to the characters and their relationships. The author's ability to weave together a familiar story with nuanced themes makes Prince of Thorns and Nightmares a compelling read, offering a refreshing and relevant take on a timeless tale.

An interesting look at what Phillip’s life might’ve looked like. Some plot points are a bit odd, but I do like the way the story deals with consent.

I admit I didn't get around to fully reading this one. I waited until the last possible day and then skim read it. That being said, I have enjoyed it and it makes me like the Sleeping Beauty story, the 'once upon a dream' is a huge plot point that works well.

The Prince of Thorns and Nightmares is a rewriting of Sleeping Beauty from the perspective of Prince Phillip, the intended husband of Princess Aurora, who was cursed at her christening by the evil fairy Maleficent. The story begins at the christening, when a young Prince Phillip - not really understanding what "betrothed" means - watches the fairies arrive to give the infant Princess Aurora gifts, a process disrupted by the curse of Maleficent. So far, the story does not vary noticeably from the original, other than the perspective. But the attitudes of the principal characters are updated for more modern times, while the tale remains in a Medieval time frame.

This reinterpretation - it goes beyond a rewrite - is very well done. Phillip is a rebellious young man who doesn't want to be king, and certainly doesn't want his bride chosen for him. And then there's Briar Rose - the woman, quite literally, of his dreams. All his life, Phillip has dreamed of an unseen girl, and she has, apparently, dreamed of him as well. As Princess Aurora's fateful birthday approaches, Phillip and Briar Rose become closer - but which one will he choose? And how will he decide? Appropriate for readers of all ages.

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

It was ok but it was probably a little young for me personally. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

Prince of Thorns and Nightmares is the second novel in the Princes series. Each novel in the series takes a Disney prince and twists the movie using their perspective. The first novel in this series, Prince of Song and Sea, told a twisted tale from the perspective of Prince Eric from the Little Mermaid. This story tells the story of Prince Philip of Artwyne from Sleeping Beauty. It begins the same where Philip is betrothed to Prince Aurora, who then is cursed. Philip is informed that he is part of the prophecy to defeat Maleficent, which sets him off on a journey filled with danger and adventure.

Philip wants to be a knight instead of a prince, which added an interesting backstory to his character. He is tied to Aurora not only as Briar Rose when they meet later, but he has prior interactions in a dream with a mysterious girl. All of this was an excellent way to have Aurora and Philip have a foundation before he goes on a whole quest to save her. On this adventure, he also has his best friend and squire, Johanna, along for the ride. She was a nice addition as it not only added a new layer to Philip’s character, but she was interesting on her own. They are on a mission to gather artifacts to aid in defeating Maleficent, which was a great way to keep the story on track as there were milestones to get to the conclusion.

In the Disney movie version, it always felt like the three fairies, Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather were the main characters as they were on screen a lot. Aurora and Philip were the driving forces, but the viewer never learned a lot about them. In this version, it was great to not only get a great background for Philip, but Aurora, as well. The pacing of the novel is a little slow at first and repetitive as it is told to the audience that Philip doesn’t want the life laid out in front of him and has his own goals. He is still a very likable character, but it does take a little longer to connect with him. There are some second act events that could have been expanded into their own novel, but it all did come together in the end. Overall, this was a fantastic addition to the series and I cannot wait to read about the next prince!

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Disney, for the opportunity to read this enjoyable novel. The opinions expressed are completely my own.**

Prince Phillip of Disney's Sleeping Beauty tells his side of the story and gives all-new meaning to ‘Once Upon a Dream’ in author Linsey Miller’s second novel in the Disney Prince Young Adult Series, Prince of Thorns & Nightmares.

The Disney Prince Young Adult Series kicked off last year with the release of the premiere novel, Prince of Song & Sea, which told a version of Prince Eric’s story from Disney’s The Little Mermaid. It is unknown to me at the time of writing this review just how many novels are lined up for the Series, but based on Prince of Thorns & Nightmares (I have not yet had the good fortune to read the Prince of Song & Sea), I can only hope there are many more to come.

At the outset I was not sure what to expect of this novel but I really loved it. As I was reading, it quickly became my favorite Sleeping Beauty adaptation story. This is considerably high praise as Sleeping Beauty is my favorite Disney film and I am skeptical of any tweaking, edits or suggestions to an otherwise perfect time capsule of a film (despite, of course, being open to new ideas and artistic license). So, why is Prince of Thorns & Nightmares the best Sleeping Beauty adaptation story to date? Let me count the ways…


First, it is refreshing to hear Phillip’s version (or at least, Miller’s version of Phillip’s version) of events. Prince Phillip is the first Disney Prince who is named in-film and arguably, the first who expresses wit, humor and personality compared to his prince predecessors and fellow classic counterparts, Prince Florian (of Disney’s Snow White) and Prince Charming (of Disney’s Cinderella). Yet, we still do not really know that much about Phillip from the film. Did fans of Sleeping Beauty ever wonder what he got up to during the sixteen years following Aurora’s birth? Or what his views were of his betrothal to Princess Aurora (beyond the suggestive passing expression in which young Phillip screws up his face uncertainly while standing beside Aurora’s cradle in the first scene of the film)? Wonder no more, because Miller does a clever, creative and downright excellent job of giving us (a) an origin story, (b) an original adventure-filled tale with lots of magic, meaningful characters and character relationships, and important themes, and (c) a blissful melding of both (a) and (b) with Disney’s Sleeping Beauty.


From the very beginning, Phillip struggles with self-doubt, resentment at his lot in life, anxiety, the crushing weight of expectations, fear, and ultimately just not feeling good enough. While most of us cannot relate to the royal burdens he bears, we certainly can relate to a lot of those emotions generally, and it gives the reader a more intimate relationship with Phillip in which to experience the journey with him. These emotions and Phillip’s internal monologue are thoughtfully communicated and developed throughout and are intriguingly intertwined with both Miller’s story and the Sleeping Beauty story. Certain characters take advantage of Phillip’s vulnerable nature while he tries to overcome his inner demons and this makes for a stellar character-driven plot alongside a daring adventure tale.

Second, Prince of Thorns & Nightmares thoughtfully hauls Sleeping Beauty from the 14th century (or at least, from the 1950s) into today. Miller addresses controversial bases of the Disney fairytale by incorporating a modern twist to the story while still maintaining the classic charm and fairytale feel of Sleeping Beauty. Without giving anything away, Miller carefully and cleverly addresses the ‘kiss consent’ issue raised by various critics which condemns Prince Phillip kissing the sleeping Princess Aurora without her consent. As mentioned above, it also explores in considerable depth Phillip’s feelings towards his royal duties and obligations. Now, reading this, some of you might be concerned that it may be too modern and perhaps over the top for a fairytale story. However, Miller does such a good job of weaving her story and the film with classic and modern themes that you will be too engrossed in the events therein to be worried about any agenda. It is just a considerate, exciting and all-round great story on its own and as an addendum to Sleeping Beauty.

Third, the themes of friendship and love are meaningfully and realistically developed. A particularly special friendship is portrayed between Phillip and Briar Rose which makes the ‘Once Upon a Dream’ scene from the film even more magical; giving it greater, deeper context. Plus, while readers might aspire for their own fairytale romance, the true love aspect of this story evidences that relationships are not always “happily ever after” but they can be – if you give yourself grace and allow yourself to be worthy of the love you deserve. This comes with hard work, learning from your mistakes, staying the course and not giving up. It’s not just a boy-meets-girl, love-at-first-sight trope nor does it embellish a vague and unattainable notion of true love. Phillip especially is raw, real and very human which makes Prince of Thorns & Nightmares and the relationships therein relatable on a more profound and pertinent level.


Speaking of friendship, Miller’s original characters should win supporting character awards for their critical roles. Joanna, the three fairies (and these are three all-new fairies, not Flora, Fauna and Merryweather), and even Phillip and Briar Rose (since they are cast in a new light and thus given a ‘newness’) shine as part of both the Prince of Thorns & Nightmares story and the Sleeping Beauty story. They have their own thoughts, feelings, personalities and motivations that make them interesting in their own right and not just as two-dimensional placeholders in a Phillip-Briar Rose love story. This is not a given result for new additions alongside beloved Disney characters but Miller executes it with ease.

The fabric of Prince of Thorns & Nightmares is as rich as the tapestries that likely adorn King Stefan’s castle and as steadfast as Eyvind Earle’s artistic contributions to Sleeping Beauty. Phillip’s story exceeded my expectations on every level and succeeded in making me fall in love with my favorite Disney classic in new ways and all over again.

I adored this book!

Sleeping Beauty retelling from Prince Phillip’s side?! Yes, please!

I love that book brought back a few key moments from the movie. Honestly what I loved most is they got a backstory for their love 💕 I also love Prince Phillip is human. He struggles. He’s kind. He wants control of his life.

Loved them. Loved the book. Loved {so far} this series!!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review.

The Prince of Thorns & Nightmares gave Prince Phillip of Sleeping Beauty some backstory & a little bit of depth. It modernizde’ the insta-love trope. The story started out slow, and at times I found Phillip to be annoying in his self-deprecating ways. For me, it took until 70% through to really engage me. I did really like the Once Upon A Dream aspect. It helped to fill in and flesh out the true loves kiss part of the plot. Overall, not a bad addition to the Sleeping Beauty canon.

This was my first Disney Prince novel, but I will definitely be reading its predecessor and any subsequent books that are released! It's interesting to watch Sleeping Beauty as an adult and realize how little characterization Prince Phillip and Aurora receive in the story. This story dives into Prince Phillip's backstory and lines up so well with the actual movie. I had to watch it again after reading the novel, and they really do fit together so well. Phillip's character was well-written and had more depth than I expected, and I loved the romance and adventure! A great book for Disney fans!