I listened to this one via audio and my goodness what a magical experience the narrators did a fabulous job of bringing this story to life.

This is one for the booktok girlies to sink their teeth into there’s
magic
princes & princesses
Slow burn romance
DRAGONS!
Political intrigue
Sleeping beauty retelling
Fae

The world building is definitely well done, each kingdom has its own traits and personalities which I really enjoyed.

The Dynamics between the characters were entertaining and endearing and I cannot wait to see more from these characters!

4 stars

A dark and enchanting twist.
"Crown of Slumber" by R.L. Perez takes the familiar tale of Sleeping Beauty and plunges it into a world of dark fae magic and complex characters. This isn't your typical fairy tale retelling; There is crafted a story with a distinct edge, exploring themes of power, destiny, and the blurred lines between good and evil.

The writing is lush and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the fae realm and its inhabitants. The protagonist, while reminiscent of Aurora, is given a depth and agency that sets her apart. She's not just a passive victim of a curse, but a character grappling with her fate and the dangerous world she's thrust into.
The supporting characters are equally well developed, each with their own motivations and secrets, adding layers of intrigue to the narrative.

The "Sleeping Beauty Retelling" aspect is cleverly woven into the story, offering familiar elements while subverting expectations. The "Crowns of the Fae" series promises a larger world, and this first installment effectively sets the stage for future adventures.

While the pacing occasionally felt a bit slow, particularly in the initial setup, the intriguing plot and compelling characters kept me hooked. The dark tone and complex relationships make this a refreshing take on a beloved classic.

If you're a fan of fairy tale retellings with a touch of darkness and a strong dose of fae magic, "Crown of Slumber" is definitely worth a read. I'm eager to see where the "Crowns of the Fae" series goes from here and I will definitely pick up the next book!

Thank you to R.L. Perez, Willow Haven Press and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Crown of Slumber is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty where instead of the princess falling under a sleeping curse it's her court. With the help of a rival court - Prince Fenn - Aurelia sets out to break the curse.

I wanted to love this book - I really did. And I know some people have. My sister for one rated it 5 stars. I just think it wasn't for me. I found the beginning of the book rather slow and it shows with how long it took me to finish the book. There was a lot of things happening in the middle with nothing really happening if you know what I mean? It seemed like was as much written about Aurelia and Fenn getting new clothes as there was about a literal battle they have with trolls. At the same time when bigger scenes happened it was as if, to me, they were over and done with super quick such as the couple's final hours in the Autumn Court after the ball.
I felt like Aurelia and Fenn were cute enough as a couple but nothing to write home about. I wish the rival courts angle had been leaned into more with more of an enemies to lovers like I expected after starting the book. It was too insta-lust for me.
Mal was brilliant to me he was giving loyal guard dog and I loved it - between Mal being on Aurelia's side and the court being who fell to the sleeping curse I felt there was enough different from the base Sleeping Beauty story to feel brand new with nods to the source material such as a certain three witches names.
All in an easy read - even if I did find the pacing could be slow at times.

Thank you NetGalley for the ebook arc. If you are looking for a book with dragons, witches and rival kingdoms, fake dating and enemies to lovers then definitely check out this book it’s a sleeping beauty retelling.
She’s a princess who is in charge of taking care of dragons and he’s a shadow prince trying to save his kingdom. They go off on a quest to save their kingdoms.

🔹he falls first
🔹enemies to lovers
🔹fake engagement

Arc Review:
Overall Rating: 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: 2 🔥🔥
Cover Rating: 3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tropes:
🖤Fantasy Romance
✨Sleeping Beauty Retelling
🖤Fae, Witches, Dragons, and Dragon Riders
✨Dark Fae Magic
🖤A Curse
✨Deadly Court Schemes and Royal Secrets
🖤Steamy Romance
✨Rival Kingdoms
🖤Enemies To Lovers
✨Opposites Attract
🖤Fake Courtship/Engagement
✨Dual POV

If you love ACOTAR… but want dragons too… and if you love Fourth Wing… but want more fae romance… Crown of Slumber is Fourth Wing meets ACOTAR with a fairytale twist.

Two feuding kingdoms, one unbreakable sleeping curse.

This book was romantasy at it’s finest mixing in the sleeping beauty retelling which had elements of the original story but also gave it’s own separate plot with it’s own twist and turns.

I’ve always enjoy a good fairytale retelling especially when it’s done well, the writing in this book was good and easy to get into. The world building was their with plenty of descriptive words so you could sense and imagine the authors vision for their world. Also this book was a bit long but I hardy noticed because I got lost in this stories world and characters. Speaking of characters you have Fenn the dark and dangerous yet slightly arrogant but still playful prince from the midnight court that falls first and falls hard for our princess Aurelia from the summer court who would rather spend her time with her dragons then her own court… honestly fair enough… I mean come on dragons and I loved her special connection to all the dragons, and that the dragons were all given personalities of their own. I also loved Fenn and Aurelia’s chemistry their flirting and banter was top tier had me kicking my feet and giggling so hard.

This slow burn enemies to lovers steamy fantasy romance sleeping beauty retelling with dragons and fae was everything and I really enjoyed it.

Thank you NetGalley, publishers and the author for this advanced readers copy of Crown of Slumber.

R.L. Perez takes an interesting take on the classic fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty. Instead of the classic insta-love prince and princess cursed love story, she utilizes the enemy to lovers trope that really helps you connect with the character more. Also the connection that the Summer Princess Aurelia has with the dragons is heart-warming and interesting and Prince Fennick's cocky attitude makes the reader laugh and connect with the character. Definitely worth a read.

This was such an original and wonderful retelling of Sleeping Beauty! I was spellbound from the start and read the entire book in one sitting because I couldn't pull away.
Excited to read more from this author!

Crowns of Slumber by R.L. Perez is a dark retelling of Sleeping Beauty filled with deception and intrigue. The story starts with a treacherous alliance but develops into something far more deep. The relationship between the MC is both tense and steamy making us hooked to it. With a good world building and fast pace this was a fantastic romantasy novel.

I am a sucker for a fairytale retelling and this did not disappoint. Sleeping beauty but with dragons? Who can really resist. The TENSION! Chefs kiss. I’m excited to read more works by this author.

Crowns of Slumber is an enchanting, darkly woven retelling of Sleeping Beauty that delivers an immersive journey filled with intrigue, deception, and unexpected romance. Princess Aurelia's desperate quest to break a deadly sleeping curse leads her into the hands of the wicked Prince Fenn, whose kingdom controls the only known supply of stardust, the key to saving her family.

What starts as a treacherous alliance built on lies soon transforms into something deeper. Fenn's flippant, wicked persona hides a far more complex, vulnerable side, and as the pair grow closer, the chemistry between them sizzles off the page. Their relationship—one that teeters between fake engagement and real emotion—is both tense and steamy, offering a romance that keeps readers hooked.

But beneath the romance lies a darker undercurrent. The court schemes, deadly fae magic, and the looming threat of Fenn's hidden secrets build a captivating mystery that leaves you questioning everyone’s true motives. Aurelia’s journey of trust, betrayal, and self-discovery, all while facing the haunting effects of the curse, is compelling, and the stakes are high.

The world-building is rich with dark fae magic and treacherous politics, making this an unforgettable fantasy that balances heart-pounding tension with breathtaking romance. Crown of Slumber is a must-read for fans of romantic fantasy with complex characters, intricate world-building, and plenty of twists and turns.

This standalone novel sets up a thrilling series, one that can be enjoyed even if you haven’t read the other books in the Crowns of the Fae universe, but be warned—it’ll leave you wanting more.

Crown of Slumber by R.L. Perez is a captivating fantasy novel that pulled me in from the start. The story is rich with intrigue, danger, and a touch of romance, making it an incredibly engaging read from beginning to end. Set in a world of magic, political tensions, and dark secrets, the book does an excellent job of weaving together a gripping plot and compelling characters.

The world-building in this novel is fantastic. The author created a vibrant and immersive setting that feels both magical and real. I especially enjoyed the exploration of the kingdom’s complex politics and how the magic system was intricately tied to the story. It added layers to the world, making it feel more alive and full of possibilities.

As for the characters, they were well-developed and multifaceted. I particularly enjoyed the main character’s journey—her struggles, growth, and determination kept me hooked. There’s a sense of vulnerability and strength in her character that made her relatable and easy to root for. The relationships in the book were also wonderfully written, with both the romantic and platonic bonds feeling genuine and deep.

The pacing was well-balanced, with just the right mix of action, world-building, and character development. It kept me turning pages to see what would happen next. There are definitely moments of suspense that had me on the edge of my seat, and the stakes felt high throughout the book.

Overall, Crown of Slumber is an engaging and thrilling fantasy that I would highly recommend to fans of magical worlds, strong characters, and captivating plots. It’s a fantastic blend of adventure and heart, and I can’t wait to see where the story goes next.

World building done right! Dragons! Great characters and a story that grabs your attention from the very first page. Oh, did I mention that this author builds up tension like crazy? The story starts intense and increases in intensity. Every plot twist just adds to this. And then the end comes and you are left totally surprised and absolutely in love with the story!! Superb!!

Sleeping Beauty meets dragons, magic, and badass characters in Crown of Slumber! With incredible world-building, a fierce FMC, playful banter, and a swoon-worthy romance that starts as a marriage of convenience, this story had me hooked. If you love dragons, magical adventures, and tropes like forced proximity and (kind of) enemies-to-lovers, you’ll fly through this fast-paced romantasy!

Crown of Slumber by R.L. Perez gives Sleeping Beauty a spicy, fantasy makeover that’s impossible to put down. Princess Aurelia, who’s about to inherit the throne, and Fennick, the brooding prince with some serious magical power, are forced into a fake engagement to save their kingdoms from a deadly sleeping curse. The chemistry between these two? Fire. Their banter is on point, and the slow-burn romance is chef’s kiss.

Set in a world full of Fae, dragons, witches, and magical chaos, this book mixes action and heart with a dash of spice. Aurelia is strong, fierce, and totally committed to protecting her dragons, while Fenn is learning to care for them, and her, along the way. Their relationship evolves from tension to something much deeper, and it’s so satisfying to watch.

The pacing is fast, the plot is fun (with some twists), and if you’re into enemies-to-lovers, dragons, and a little bit of darkness, this is for you. Perfect for anyone looking to dive into romantasy! Highly recommend!

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

I really enjoyed reading this retelling of sleeping beauty! I love a retelling that reimagines the story in a really creative way. And this story really hit that mark for me. I liked that the main character was the heroine that had to save her family from a sleeping curse instead of being the one affected. I thought it was such a compelling and interesting take on a beloved classic.

Aurelia was a great main character that I found myself rooting for from the start! She was tough and didn’t let anything stand in her way to save her family. It was a nice break from the Woe is Me female main characters that sometimes appear in fantasy.

Another troupe that I loved in this story is enemies to lovers with the added bonus of a fake engagment. But I did feel like it lacked a tiny bit for me. While Fennick and Aurelia have some good banter through out it is mostly one sided from Aurelia’s side. I wish they had been a little more of a traditional enemies to lovers story but I did enjoy both of there characters and the romantic reprieve from the main story line.

All and all I really enjoyed this retelling and think it had some wonderful creative ideas.

*Thank you to NetGalley, Willow Haven Press and E. L. Perez for sending me a copy of this book to review. All thoughts are my own.*

I will be honest when I first recieved the arc of the book i DNFed it. I do not like to dnf books at all and I can also be a mood reader that can contribute to a book just not viking well with me during a certain time so time so I decided to go back and give this book another shot. I am very glad that I did!
This is another take of the sleeping beauty story.
It's slow burn, with just the right amount of spice I'm. It's the but doesn't overwhelm the story.
I liked the fake dating/"betrothal" aspect spin to the story.
My one critique was if was a little predictable in some areas

Sleeping Beauty collides with the fae world in this interesting spin from R. L. Perez.

I loved how Fenn wasn't your regular ultra manly alphahole. It was kind of refreshing to see a male character who is coming into his own and learning to be more assertive and find his place.

Aurelia had some wide character growth as well. I enjoyed watching her overcome her trauma and insecurities and discover how powerful she truly is.

The whole storyline with the Dream Mage and sleeping curse was interesting and seeing the old classic be reborn was awesome. Not a ton of spice, maybe 2 🌶.

Overall an excellent read and one I would definitely recommend to a friend

I devoured this book!!!

I love that while it is described as a Sleeping Beauty retelling - it is far from just that!

Our FMC is feisty, the MMC is cheeky. There is banter, spice (tasteful spice might I add - not just there for spice sake), and dragons. Fairytale retellings always say that love conquers all, and while the characters do achieve that, it never takes over the main plot of the book.

There are also plot twists and unexpected moments sprinkled throughout that will keep you on your toes and not wanting to put this down!

I really loved the dragons, world building and overall characterization. There was no innocent hero here and the MMC wasn’t your typical dark, brooding hunk either. It was so refreshing to read characters that broke away from those tired old tropes.