The Princess of Thorns by Stacey Jay

Published: December 9th, 2014

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Pages: 400

Copy: Netgalley (and library)

Summary: Goodreads

Game of Thrones meets the Grimm's fairy tales in this twisted, fast-paced romantic fantasy-adventure about Sleeping Beauty's daughter, a warrior princess who must fight to reclaim her throne.

Though she looks like a mere mortal, Princess Aurora is a fairy blessed with enhanced strength, bravery, and mercy yet cursed to destroy the free will of any male who kisses her. Disguised as a boy, she enlists the help of the handsome but also cursed Prince Niklaas to fight legions of evil and free her brother from the ogre queen who stole Aurora's throne ten years ago.

Will Aurora triumph over evil and reach her brother before it's too late? Can Aurora and Niklaas break the curses that will otherwise forever keep them from finding their one true love?

One of the things that I loved most about Princess of Thorns was the continued references to many and varied popular fairy tales, there's  the Swan Princes of course and Sleeping Beauty, then we have Red Riding hood, Rapunzel and several others.  They just keep popping up and it's easy to miss them, but Ms Jay is obviously a huge fan.

Princess of Thorns is at heart a fantastic romance - one of the best I have read in a long time. It is also a wonderful adventure story, and the two are melded beautifully into one easy to read and engrossing tale.  Let's go back to the romance - future romance writers be aware.  This is how it should be done.  A slow simmer, where the characters get to know each other before the lust sets in.  Oh, it gives me shivers just thinking back on it.  The reader learns about the characters as the characters learn about each other and for the most part these are nice people.  I had such a clear picture in my mind of Niklaas and Ror.  I also loved the fact that Ror (Aurora's) fairy blessings have a major down side and all is not roses.

Princess of Thorns is a wonderful book to get lost in, but it is NOT a Game of Thrones if that's what you're expecting.  You'll be disappointed if you are.  But, if you're looking for fun, romantic adventure with a fairy tale twist or three, you'll love it.