Rating: ★★★☆☆

Book Title: Crown of Slumber

Crown of Slumber by R.L. Perez is an engaging retelling of Sleeping Beauty, infused with dark magic, court intrigue, and a steamy romance.

While the plot eventually becomes gripping, I found it difficult to get into the story at first. The initial chapters are slow, which made it challenging to connect with the characters and their journey early on. However, once the narrative gains momentum, it delivers an intriguing and passionate tale that fans of dark fairy tales will likely enjoy.

In summary, Crown of Slumber is a well-crafted novel with strong elements of romance and fantasy, but the slow start may be a hurdle for some readers. If you’re patient, the story ultimately rewards with a captivating twist on a classic tale.

Thanks for the opportunity to read this book.

Thank you NetGalley, RL Perez, & Willow Haven Press for this absolute GEM of an arc!!!

okay talk about GIDDY! I was absolutely kicking my feet the entire book. Lovedddd the (soft) enemies to lovers romance aspect and I ate it up. Such a fun read and did not want to put it down! I would definitely this recommend to any of my friends looking for a fun romantasy read.

I was a little bit worried since it is a Sleeping Beauty retelling and I don’t typically love retellings but I devoured this!! The plot was great and easy to follow but still kept me hooked while reading. It didn’t follow the original Sleeping Beauty story too closely (which I feel like is usually the biggest issue with retellings)! I honestly would LOVE a prequel story about the fmc!! The mmc was easy to love and the dragons were so adorable. The relationship between the fmc and her dragons was one I loved to read about, and the additional layers with her past & the witches gave it an added level that I wasn’t expecting!

Overall, I love love loved it and I will be reading more books by this author!!

Crown of slumber

eArc Review
Crown of Slumber
Release date- 15th September
Rating: 3.5stars

Tropes-
Fake Relationship
Dragons
Spice
Betrayal
He falls first
Shape-shifting

Short chapters & Duo pov


The main characters are very likeable ,The MMC is mischievous and charming. The FMC Strong and Selfless. The love she has for her dragons and her court was endearing.
I enjoyed seeing the 2 main characters' connection evolve and blossom into something more.

‘Aurelia Perdis, my love for you shines brighter than the stars in the heavens. Even when the stars go dark, still I will burn for you, filling the night sky to guide you back home to me’

As Well as uncovering parts of Aurelia’s life that had been erased and her journey to finding her powers.

I would recommend this to someone that prefers more romance elements over fantasy. The spice was definitely spicing(chapter45!). It is a fun, cosy Romantasy , one you don't need to turn on your brain for. The world building is easy to understand and perfect for beginners wanting to dip their toes into this genre.

Unfortunately, this book didn't work out for me. I was really excited about the premise, but it fell a little flat. The characters didn't feel fleshed out and the dialogue felt boring. The writing wasn't expansive or immersive either. Additionally, I wish the world-building was more original and expansive. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

I got approved for Crown of Slumber two days ago and I finished it yesterday. This book follows Princess Aurelia from the Summer Court and Prince Fenn from the Midnight Court. These courts are enemies but when a curse befalls Aurelia’s family she strikes a deal with the wicked Prince.

Look is this book revolutionary? No. Was this book fun? SO MUCH FUN. I had a great time reading this book. I could figure out where the plot was going but that was completely fine, I was happy to be along for the ride. If you are someone who likes fantasy and romance but is kind of new to reading this is the perfect book for you. If you are a reader who just wants a world where they don’t need to take notes to keep up this is also the book for you. Do you want fun? Pick this book up.

I gave this book a solid four stars and I would be interested in reading other books by this author.

There’s nothing better than someone who grounds you when you’re losing sight of everything.

Sleeping Beauty was one of my lesser liked fairy tales and I only have a handful of Sleeping Beauty retellings that I enjoy. Crown of Slumber has definitely become one of those handfuls.

We have a dual POV, looking through the eyes of the Summer Princess and the Midnight Prince. Each one giving us a better perspective of the other as well as the situation around them.

World building was amazing. A unique fae court and magic system in place which touches not just the fae but also other fantasy creatures, such as witches, dragons, goblins, and ogres. As well as the classification of seelie and unseelie fae, which not a lot of fae fantasies touch up on. It didn’t overwhelm either, it was delivered just right. Plus, with so much potential to be fleshed out!

The plot made the fairy tale its own, with some easter eggs for the readers to enjoy! It was perfectly balanced and paced, taking its time without it being too slow or too fast. The story dealt with a lot of trust and acceptance, and a whole lot of character growth.

Aurelia, the eldest Summer Court princess. She’s severely loyal to her family and her dragons, and will stop at nothing to ensure their safety. She’s a spitfire who enjoys her freedom. A lot of her reactions may feel a tad over, but it was valid when you think about the life she has experienced.

Fenn, the Midnight Court prince. He had my heart from the beginning. He dons a mask to keep up appearances of how the world expects him to be, and he doesn’t mind playing that role if it means protecting those he loves.

The romance was slow, but delicious. The progression from enemies to lovers with a lot of banter (as flirting)? Perfection. There’s so much intimacy and love in their relationship, it just made it amazing to read. The spice had me giggling like a child. There was one scene where somehow it felt hotter than anything I’ve ever read, and I just couldn’t deal. Some fade-to-black with some on-page.

Will be posting my reviews on Instagram at a much closer date and on Amazon on release :>

I would like to thank NetGalley and Willow Haven Press for providing me with an ARC of Crown of Slumber. I could not put this book down!

Crown of Slumber alternates being told from two perspectives: Aurelia, the Summer Princess, and Fenn, the Midnight Prince. The two strike a bargain when they discover each has something the other needs. Aurelia has dragons that are capable of protecting Fenn's kingdom from monsters who attack in the dark. Fenn has access to stardust, the only substance capable of saving Aurelia's kingdom from a powerful sleeping curse. Since their respective kingdoms are enemies, they agree to a fake engagement to explain why Aurelia is traveling with Fenn to retrieve the stardust. As they travel together, they realize their initial assumptions about each other were incorrect, and they begin to care for each other.

I fell in love with both Aurelia and Fenn. I really liked how Fenn always seemed to know what Aurelia needed and how he had her back without second thought. I loved the banter between the two of them.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a steamy fairytale retelling or who enjoys magical creatures (in this case dragons!) who act like large puppies. This is the first book I’ve read by R.L. Perez, but it definitely won’t be the last!

However, as a content warning (which is given in the author's note at the beginning of the book): although it is not described in detail, there are mentions of a previous sexual assault recounted by one character to another

This is just want I wanted in a retelling. It had just the right amount of retelling and uniqueness i the story. The romance was so good!

Solid 4 stars. The first half of the book, admittedly, took me a while to get into but literally at the 48% mark, I could not put it down.

I expected a much more 1-1 retelling so this was actually a lovely surprise. I love how Sleeping Beauty elements were weaved in, leaving the story to be much less predictable.

I really enjoyed this retelling! Although Sleeping Beauty was never one of my favorite fairy tales, the book's description intrigued me enough to give it a read. The world-building is fantastic, the banter is sharp and engaging, and the dragons are an added bonus. I would absolutely love to see a second book set in this universe.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

What a great romantacy! It had everything, from prophecies to plot twists to political intrigue, it hit all the check boxes. The FMC is strong and competent, and the banter between the fmc and mmc was thoroughly entertaining. It also had the perfect amount of angst which created delicious tension. When I read the description I was not expecting such a different take on sleeping beauty. Without a doubt exceeded my expectations.

Thank you Netgalley for providing this arc!
I DEVOURED the book in one sitting. It was so good and the fact that it was stand-alone made it so much better for me. Don't get me wrong, I love a good, large series, but sometimes it can be exhausting to read them. This was perfect for me.
I really liked the main characters a lot. And I did NOT see the plot twist, which was great. The world-building was perfect- not on the heavier side (which is something that annoys me). I would have liked a little elaboration on the seelie and unseelie fae but I'm expecting more in the upcoming books.
The book grips you from the first page.
And yes, I was definitely here for the romance.

This was a good Sleeping Beauty retelling with fae, witches and dragons. It’s told in dual POV.
I enjoyed the world building and it had the right amount of spice. It’s a standalone with a HEA.
I somehow didn’t connect with the FMC that much, but that being said, it was a enjoyable read nonetheless.
I would recommend it to everyone who likes a good fairytale retelling.

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I enjoyed this book so much. The world building was fantastic and want to spend more time in it. Also, the main characters were lovable, there were dragons, witches, shape shifting, and just the right amount of spice.

While so much to love, I do feel like the ending was rushed. At no point throughout the story was I bored, but with all the action from the beginning, I think there could have been more involved with the ending with stronger villain overtaking, as well.

I struggled with this one a bit. I found the FMC to be a petulant brat, and her voice for a lot of the book read a lot younger than it should have. Actually, the writing in general leaned a bit too juvenile for my taste. It was difficult for me to get into it because I disliked Aurelia so much. There were a few key plot points that I found a bit contrived and predictable. The romance was meh. The plot holes were incredibly frustrating. It was just a really unsatisfying read, and I would have DNF'd if I didn't get this through NetGalley. (spoilers are available on the goodreads review)

Having spotted this book on Instagram, I was immediately captivated by its description. My excitement was palpable when it appeared on Netgalley, presenting an opportunity for an honest review, though I harbored some apprehension about it possibly not meeting the expectations set by the buzz around it.
I'm delighted to report that after consuming the book, it indeed lived up to its reputation.
"Crown of Slumber" encompasses all the elements I cherish in literature: Fae, Dragons, Enemies-to-Lovers, Spice, and even a twist of classic fairy tale retelling.
My singular criticism pertains to the antagonist's facile defeat.
Beyond that, my final words are a resounding "All hail the Dragon Queen."
I extend my gratitude to R.L. Perez, their publishing team, and Netgalley for the privilege of reading this work. I am keenly anticipating the subsequent installments in the series and the acquisition of a tangible copy.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review.

I was hooked by the first page. I love high fantasy and this was easily one of the best ones I've had the pleasure of reading. Aurelia was well thought out and had great growth as a character. Finn was my favorite character though, I love a good fae male that is devoted to a strong female and is there to support her. The little easter eggs in the story from sleeping beauty were fun as well. I found it refreshing to read a fairytale retelling that was also very original. Aurelia and maleficent being one and the same was a bit of a surprise but what a great idea! I also really liked that Kade the very large dragon needs so much sleep. It just makes sense that something that large would need do much rest.
I had trouble putting this book down, I kept telling myself I'll go to sleep after this chapter but found myself in to deep and had to keep reading. I truly admire when a author can hook their readers in such a way. The writing was phenomenal, I could easily picture the scenes and characters and they weren't overly described which was nice.

I give this book 5 stars and highly recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley for gifting me a copy of this book.

We are following the story of Aurelia, the Summer Court princess who is in the process of being named Queen. She welcomes suitors to try to find a husband.
This court is the only court that has dragons and they are quite protective of them. One of these dragons is a baby that is unwell and it needs stardust (a substance found in the Midnight court which is the enemy court). So when the prince comes to try to ask for something for his court, they strike a bargain and will need to spend time together.

This book has the 2 povs: the Summer Court Princess’ and the Midnight Court Prince’s. It was nice to see their relationship evolving and their constant barbs at each other.

Aurelia’s relationship with her dragons was simply amazing. It was so cute to read about how protective she is of them and how she loves them.

the writing was great. I did not want to put it down.

As a sleeping beauty retelling, I loved when I could see the original elements of the tale/movie in the book. Like the three witches as the fairies originally.

I received this book as an ARC.

I really enjoyed the story and flow of the book. The various courts remind me of ACOTAR, but that’s where the similarities end.

The FMC and MMC were both likeable and I actively rooted for their success.

I am happy that this was a standalone book so that the drama wasn’t drawn out over several books.

I will definitely pick up the next book from this author!

Thank you to Netgalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Crown of Slumber is a beautiful Sleeping Beauty retelling with extra fantasy elements (dragons, fae, witches, ogres, magic, goblins, and did I mention dragons) mixed into the story. The book is fast-paced, adventure filled, with stunning and easy to follow world-building, and just enough romance and spice to satisfy a Romantasy reader.

My review will have some spoilers from this point on.

The main characters, Aurelia & Fenn, are absolutely wonderful. I love their "enemies" to lover relationship and dedication to each other throughout the story. And their bantering was perfection! Oh, let's not forget he technically falls first for his firebird *swoon*. The dual POV between the two main characters is easy to follow and makes the characters so much more enjoyable. I adore the moments we had with Mal and his relationship, loyalty, and love for Aurelia.

Crown of Slumber ends as a happily ever after and perfectly as a stand-alone. I highly recommend this book to any Romantasy reader and anyone exploring the genre, and for those who enjoy retellings.