Spellbound is a unique retelling of Sleeping Beauty, told from multiple points of view.
I did generally like the book but the ending fell a little flat, lacklustre and rushed.
I like the multiple POVs but I feel like there was either one too many or the book needed to be longer! I found myself not really getting attached to the characters except Sel.
I was really interested in the world building and actually found myself lowkey hoping we ditched the main storyline and found our way to the Central Realm with Sel! In fact, I’d be totally up for a follow on centred solely around Sel, Briar can visit.
And I’d just like to ask; Iver???

Overall though I did like it, especially the lack of ‘knights in shining armour’ and male bravado.

Thank you to NetGalley for an arc of this book! 📕 I did enjoy this book, I thought the story moved at a good pace and always kept me intrigued. I liked the different POVs and how they all incorporated into the story. My only gripe is sometimes I found the side character POVs to drag slightly but I enjoyed the journey of this book!

Summary:
This is not a love story... There is no enchanted sleep for the princess, and no handsome prince to save the day. Just three women, who together concoct a desperate plan of misdirect that changes the course of all their lives.

Review:
A really interesting twist on Sleeping Beauty. It is clear from the beginning that this is not the story you think you know, and I was very much reminded of this at each development in the story! Every time I expected to see something, the story was taken in another direction. On this note, I really enjoyed Georgia Leighton’s take on the magic across the kingdoms, particularly how the curse manifests over the years.
The story follows Sel, Violanna and Meredyth, with some chapters from the perspective of Talia and Briar. I enjoyed Sel and Briar’s story the most of the different perspectives we see and was surprised how much I loved the lack of romance!
It took me a little while to get into at first, particularly with the challenging names of people and places, but I couldn't put it down in the last hour of reading!

Oh I love a fairytale rewrite - and Sleeping Beauty has my heart

I wasn't sure how I felt about a modern take on the fairytale - sometimes it works, and other times it doesn't. It took some time to get used to the writing style of this book - the author was very descriptive and it sometimes felt like overkill.
This book definitely picked up points by being multiple POV as I love the perspective of many characters, and I like being able to follow all characters even when the story takes them in different directions. I felt the multiple POV was done really well. I really like the characters in this one, I felt their relationships were sweet.

The pacing felt off, particularly at the end but other than that, it was an enjoyable read :)

oh my Gosh !! most would know i love a retelling this one definitely blown me out of the water .

this retelling of Sleeping Beauty is beyond words that i can even describe,

i was gripped from the first page , Georgia writing is so beautiful, Georgia's imagination is phenomenal she really is clever at thinking outside the box i love that . i thought i could see what was coming but nope every time she pulled the carpet or should i say that spindle pricked my finger brilliantly done .pure perfection .

I really enjoyed how it was told from every character perspective , i enjoyed each and every one of them . all great in their own ways , most of all i loved Violonna back story wonderful and really kept my attention.

the Gothic feel to this story the setting was insane mind blown i think the word would be so atmospheric

i can tell you now the book will not put you to sleep its pure magic

im giving the book 5 sparkling stars

Although I love a fairy-tale retelling, this one wasn't my favourite. There was a lot of nothing happening, and by the time we got to the good stuff the book was almost done. It had all of the components of a good story, but I felt like there were a few too many points of view. Not the worst story, but not my favourite.

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Sleeping Beauty is probably one of my, if not, my favourite fairytale so this retelling intrigued me.

Overall, I liked the idea behind the plot. No prince to save the day, the whole misdirection with the secret cursed princess being taken away and someone else taking her place. It had so much potential. However, the execution wasn’t great.

For the majority of the book, nothing happened. There was no plot, no trying to figure out how to end the curse, no nothing. We just got different POVs of the key players (Briar, Talia, Sel, the Queen and the lady in waiting) throughout the 17 years leading up to the end of the curse. In those 17 years, there was nothing apart from seeing Sel and Briar moving around place to place trying to be inconspicuous but even that was boring.

I felt the POVs and just the main characters in general were so underutilised. For example: The Queen - her chapters could have been so great. There was such an opportunity there for the author to explore warring emotions of losing Briar vs. having Talia around and the impending threat. This also could have been better used to learn about her past, the sorceress etc. But instead all we see is her moping.

Also the ending was just so anticlimactic. The villain was so easily defeated and really just disappointing. The aftermath also felt rushed. I wish we spent more time exploring how Briar’s reappearance would affect her but all those involved.

Overall, very disappointed. I think I just had too high expectations for this. The way the plot is described made me think we were going to see some elaborate, smart cunning plan created by the Queen, Sel and the lady in waiting and it was going to be how they eventually defeat the sorceress. But unfortunately, we just got 400 pages of the Queen moping and Briar being an angsty teen.

3.75 ⭐️

I have no read many fairytale retellings so when I was approved for this ARC I was intrigued as I’ve always loved the storyline and bases of sleeping beauty. This novel is empowered greatly by females with very few touches on male characters.

It the POV of Violanna, Sel, Briar and Talia. When a tragic event happens 7 winters ago, it left me with ongoing questions on Who? What & Why? Which I love during my reads as I find this compelling and wanting to read on.

Although I thought the world building was brilliant and gave a charming, enchanting atmosphere, I did find parts of this novel to lack some of my interest more than other parts.

Maybe I’m so use to this typically being a true love story and that’s why I was a little dishearten by the lack of romance in this one too .

I found myself drawn most to Sel and her character throughout this novel and therefore the ending was everything I wanted for her.

Spellbound is an enchanting reimagining that’s written beautifully. I most enjoyed the settings, these were so vivid from the windy island to the atmospheric forests.
The story is told between different perspectives, these are all strong women and I enjoyed their viewpoints. Some views I did prefer, such as our main female protagonist at the centre of the curse.
This is a modern take but the world is still of olden times and the court politics are as you would expect. I thought it was going to be overall more modern in nature, this didn’t affect my reading at all. It felt very much a fairytale with magic, female power and found family.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

The blurb:

In a remote castle perched atop a windswept island, a long-awaited royal heir is born. In accordance with ancient custom, a blessing ceremony takes place to bestow the princess with magical gifts – along with a terrible curse.

But this is not the love story you may think you know.

There is no enchanted sleep for the princess, and no handsome prince to save the day. Just three women, who together concoct a desperate plan of misdirect that changes the course of all their lives.

Except dark magic cannot be tricked, and as the end of the curse edges closer, Violanna, Meredyth and Sel each has a choice to make.

My thoughts:

Wow!

I loved this fairy tale retelling of sleeping beauty. There were some similarities but also things that were different. I was reading knowing the story of sleeping beauty, but also excited to see what was going to happen at the same time as the story was different.

The book is so beautifully written and it’s told through multiple pov. I loved going between the characters pov as it added to the suspense and mystery building within the story.

I have devoured this story in 24 hours as I was captivated by it. The book reeled me in and kept me hooked until the end.

I enjoyed the back story of Violanna, that unfolded as the story went on.

Really clever. I cannot wait to read more from this author.

Thank you so much to the author, Bantam Books, Random House Uk and Netgalley for the advance digital copy. Opinions expressed here are my own.
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Leighton's debut novel is an enigmatic retelling of one of the most beloved fairytales; Sleeping Beauty.

You will find yourself instantly drawn into the story as Queen Violanna gives birth to a princess and the only heir to the throne of Bavaugh. Almost without a breath, the Queen insists the newborn princess attend a blessing ceremony, a tradition in her home country in which sorcerers bestow a gift upon the infant... in true Sleeping Beauty fashion, this does not go to as intended, but the Queen has a plan b.

I loved this story. You follow a multi-pov over a 17-year time period. The progression of time feels natural, and you develop an attachment to the characters as they navigate their challenges. It's a bleak and difficult world for all involved, with a little sprinkle of hope, a dash of love, and plenty of resentment.

The conclusion to the story reveals secrets that are alluded to throughout, tying the events in a neat little bow. It's a spellbinding retelling that omits the shiny disney magic of the childhood classic in favour of a dark fantasy retelling.

Spellbound by Georgia Leighton is a new take on a familiar and favourite tale, this is a Sleeping Beauty retelling with a difference. As someone who loves fairy tale retellings I was looking forward to reading this and overall I did enjoy it though it was not without its flaws. I did find that I struggled to get into the book at first, and it also got a little bogged down in the middle, so the pacing was not ideal. There were several point of view characters and I felt that while some were well fleshed out others were almost paper thin, most notably the Queen, so overall the story seemed a little unbalanced and I found myself wanting to get back to certain characters instead of enjoying the chapter I was reading, I did like the unique spin the author put on the story and I think the world she imagined had a lot of potential. There is quite a dark tone to the book at times which I personally did not mind but I know some readers might not expect it so I just wanted to give a little heads up. While the book does have an ending it did feel rushed which was a shame and I think some aspects could have been fleshed out a little more for a more satisfying conclusion, especially since it seems that this book is a stand alone rather than part of a series. The writing style was nicely descriptive evoking a good sense of place and allowing me to envision the characters, and it definitely added to the fairy tale vibes of the book.
3.5 stars rounded up.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I found this very slow to get into, but as the book went on I grew more attached to the characters. I would have liked to see more of Briar as I felt her character wasn't fleshed out very much, and I felt like I was left wanting more from the Queen's chapters.
I appreciated the modern take on the classic Sleeping Beauty story and lots of the choices were incredibly original and thoughtful. Overall though I wasn't blown away by it and I give it 3 stars.

Georgia Leighton's "Spellbound" is an enchanting tale that captivates readers from the very first page. The novel weaves a rich tapestry of magical realism, exploring themes of love, loss, and the quest for self-discovery.

The plot twists that keep readers on the edge of their seats. The novel's pacing is perfect, allowing the story to unfold naturally while maintaining a sense of urgency and excitement. Overall, "Spellbound" is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a blend of romance, mystery, and magic.

It set up perfectly for a sequel for the 2 sisters.

spellbound is a sleeping beauty retelling (minus the sleeping aspect), and i couldn’t have wished for a better reimagining of this tale.

spellbound follows briar, the unfortunate cursed daughter as she runs and hides from her cruel fate. briar was really loveable and fun to read about in the beginning but as she aged, i found i started to dislike her somewhat. i know this was due to the curse, but i feel it’s also an accurate representation of puberty (how children go from sweet to hardly tolerable as teens).

briar, while being one of the main characters isn’t the main focus of the book. that goes to sel, her wonderful protector and masters apprentice. i loved sel so much, i really enjoyed her character arc, her sacrifice and determination to protect this child. i loved the ending and how she got her happy ending too.

there are a whole host of other characters too, including the queen (who i really couldn’t stand - i don’t care that she’s depressed about briar going on the run, she has a duty to her other daughter that she completely neglected); talia, briar’s younger sister, who was fairly boring and uneventful but i felt terrible for her); and many others.

this book left me speechless with world building and magic system. georgia leighton expertly wove a classic fairytale with modern trends.

What a debut; I thoroughly loved it! I was immediately drawn in by the cover, the title and the blurb which ticked so many boxes. I love fairytale retellings and was excited for this one based on Sleeping Beauty, as it is one I am less overly familiar with. I enjoyed the pace and the style of writing, and felt the story was adapted really well but was still very much it's own story as well as it explores 'what if sleeping beauty didn't go to sleep' which was fab. I enjoyed that it was told in multiple POVs and was hooked from the start, the characters are really well written and I felt really invested in them as individuals and also how they intertwine for the story. I really felt connected to Selhah (especially being a mum) and felt she had some difficult choices to make. I enjoyed the twists that kept you guessing throughout and the ending was perfection! I really enjoyed the descriptions and the world building and found I was so immersed I read the book far quicker than I realised. I cannot wait to read more work by Leighton.

Beautiful written, characters and settings introduced in a smooth yet elegant way. This is a perfect mystery, action, adventure, mystery and mystical book. An absolutely perfect book to read before bed. Highly recommended it.

Title: Spellbound
Author: Georgia Leighton
Pages: 432
Rating: 2/5 (2.5. rounded down for Goodreads)
Spice/Romance level: ❤️

I really wanted to like this book as I love fairytale retellings. Especially those with a twist!

I thought some parts were cleverly written. Like the "blessings" and I really wanted more from the back stories. I enjoyed the depiction of the different towns but I wanted more from a world building magic backstory. As a new mother, I couldn't help feel frustrated towards the queen. I found myself wanting more from this book, and more from the characters. I loved the Wildlands and wished I knew more about them. I do hope there will be a sequel so we know what happens next.

I feel like there's still a lot of unanswered questions and more things to be resolved.

Maybe I was comparing the story a little too much with sleeping beauty and maleficent.

Have you read this yet? Will it be on your tbr?

I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the book.

You'll love this book if you like
- fairytale retelling
- low romance, no spice
- separated at birth

I’m just a girlie that loves fairytale reimaginings and this one made me happy.

Sleeping Beauty is one of those tales that we don’t get many adaptions of, so this was wonderful to read. Faithful to some elements of the original story but not afraid to stray from the source material either, this is Sleeping Beauty with a modern feminist twist, told from multiple POVs.

I loved Briar having more of a prominent role in the storyline - considering Disney gave Aurora 18 whole lines in the entire film, it was nice to explore this character further. What I also liked was that there wasn’t a big focus on romance, rather it is peppered in later in the story, and the plot is storyline driven.

Overall I really enjoyed this, I think this was an excellent debut novel and I would definitely read more reimaginings from this author if they so desired to write them.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy!

DNF @ 20 %

*Thank you to the publisher and the author for the arc I received*

I am sad to have to DNF this book, there is nothing wrong with it it just contains some content that I cannot read.

While I did only read a short amount of this book I want to talk about what I enjoyed;

The world building- from the start of the book you get a clear sense of the world. Sometimes it can be a bit confusing figuring out where/when the book takes place but this wasn't an issue in Spellbound.

The characters- I liked the characters straight away and felt really invested in them. While you can clearly see how the characters fit into this retelling and who may have inspired them they are still unique.

The plot- while somewhat following the story of Sleeping Beauty, Spellbound has a very unique spin on the story. I won't say what as I don't want to spoil anything but I'm sad I won't see how it plays out!

There is a lot about this story that is great and I think the author has an incredible writing style. While I did only read a short amount I feel confident that if you like retellings and strong female characters you will enjoy this.