Beauty Sleep: A Retelling of "Sleeping Beauty" (Once Upon a Time) [Mass Market Paperback]

Cameron Dokey (Author), Mahlon F. Craft (Designer)

Book Description

Series: Once Upon a Time | Publication Date: October 24, 2006

"ONCE UPON A TIME"

IS TIMELESS

The Princess Aurore has had an unusual childhood. Cursed at birth, Aurore is fated to prick her finger at the age of sixteen and sleep for one hundred years -- until a prince awakens her with a kiss. So, to protect her, Aurore's loving parents forbid any task requiring a needle.

Unable to sew or embroider like most little princesses, Aurore instead explores the castle grounds and beyond, where her warmth and generosity soon endear her to the townspeople. their devotion to the spirited princess grows as she does.

On her sixteenth birthday, Aurore learns that the impending curse will harm not only her, but the entire kingdom as well. Unwilling to cause suffering, she will embark on a quest to end the evil magic. The princess's bravery will be rewarded as she finds adventure, enchantment, a handsome prince, and ultimately her destiny

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Cameron Dokey is the author of nearly thirty teen novels.  She lives in Seattle, Washington.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Simon Pulse (October 24, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416940146
• ISBN-13: 978-1416940142
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #276,618 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Original Take on "Sleeping Beauty", July 7, 2007

By 

Hakajin "Ecclectic Student" (GA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Beauty Sleep: A Retelling of "Sleeping Beauty" (Once Upon a Time) (Mass Market Paperback)

Retellings of fairy tales are in fashion now, and a lot are mediocre. But "Beauty Sleep" is a surprisingly fresh interpretation of "Sleeping Beauty". The story is original, with very little of the it devoted to Aurore's hundred year nap. Instead it focuses on the events that preceeded it- the princess's childhood and her family, and her worries about the spells that will eventually affect her. When Aurore realizes that her kingdom will suffer if she doesn't fall under the spell, she takes matters into her own hands, and this part is just as interesting. This is short book, which is good because none of it seems to drag. The story is interesting and moves at a good pace, which is one thing I like about the "Once Upon a Time" series in general.

I liked the characters fine, and the romance is good. I also liked the writing, though it can be a little hard to follow at times. It's a little overwrought in places, and at times I had to go back over a sentence to get what it was saying, but the tone is fitting for a fairy tale. The themes the book had were interesting, and I loved Aurore's explantion of the magic in her world.

Overall, this is a quick read, but it has some depth too. The fairy tale ending left me feeling happy and was unexpected at the same time. I enjoyed it very much.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing retelling of Sleeping Beauty, September 19, 2007

By 

Tara Queen (Missouri) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beauty Sleep: A Retelling of "Sleeping Beauty" (Once Upon a Time) (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is an amazing and fresh new telling of Sleeping Beauty. I bought this book before the Once Upon A Time series started and then there was only Beauty Sleep, Storytellers Daughter and Snow. It made me sad when I went to buy the book, again since I lost my first copy, that it was out of print. I stumbled upon it on this website just to find out that they had taken it out of print to put into the Once Upon a Time Series.

This book gives us a great view of Aurora's family and how she grew up. I love how this book is in first person, it gives it a sort of personal feel, like all of Cameron Dokey's Once Upon A time books. This one is probably my favorite, if not my all time favorite, so far in the series. It's the first one I have read and the one I have treasured most. Snow comes in a close second. This book is just amazing, and I have my 23 year old friend addicted to them now so it is not just a book for teenagers, it is a book for everyone.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Short, Sweet and Quite Fun!, June 29, 2008

By 

Amy Graham (Scottsdale, AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beauty Sleep: A Retelling of "Sleeping Beauty" (Once Upon a Time) (Mass Market Paperback)

I want to admit right off that I have become rather fond of this series (Once Upon a Time) and Beauty Sleep has just become my second favorite in the series (Before Midnight being my favorite). All the stories in this series are short (this one coming in just over 200 pages) and Beauty Sleep is sweet with a romantic bent (i.e. happily ever after) yet it offers a number of fun, new twists on the classic fairytale we grew up with. The Aurore of this version is not a helpless, spoiled princess; she is an independent, vibrant young person with a passion for life, a genuine curiosity about the world around her and a penchant for getting herself in trouble. Because Dokey's version focuses on Aurore...her personality and her life (how she has to live as a result of the curse) rather than on that of those around her and while the curse hangs thick around her, very little of the story line is given over to the "evil fairy" and almost nothing is given over to her "nap." I also enjoyed the development of the "Charming" character...it was a nice twist on the original storybook character with echoes of traits seen in some recent movies (think Shrek), but which still manages to be original and it was interesting to see his character develop. I have to admit some disappointment with the ease with which I was able to figure out the "twist" at the end, but overall the story was very enjoyable and quite original (based on my reading up to this point). I give it 4 stars and two thumbs up! I'll definitely be picking up a copy of this for my permanent collection! Also, I want to point out that while the stories in this series are short and simple...they can be quite entertaining and enjoyable for adult readers as well...especially if you LOVE fairytale adaptations (as I do).