I like fairy tales. Sleeping Beauty has always been one of my favorites. I also like retellings, though I generally more particular with those. Ilike the retellings that are fun and adventurous; the ones that add dimension to the characters or interesting twists. I generally don't like the ones that cast the main heroine in a poor light. Thornwood pushes at the edge of that, which I didn't love. But it's also told from the point of view of a younger sister and it was really spot on with her voice and that middle grade perspective. I also didn't love the specific alterations to the story. They were…cold and slightly dark and too infused with harsh reality for a fairy tale.
I think it was very Robin McKinley-esque in the not-overly pretty, very ordinary but reasonable, logical and practical heroine.
Also it comes up several times that Rosalin wasn't the first to wake and it wasn't a kiss that woke her, but I didn't think it was ever quite explained well enough what DID end the curse. It was suggested that it was Rosalin trying to wake on her own and coming close but never definitively established. Also, also I picked up that Varian was a fairy toward the end of the first act, which doesn't seem like much of an accomplishment with a middle grade book, but I didn't pick up exactly who he was until the reveal so that was well done. Still, I also recognize with all these thoughts that this is a middle grade story. And while that's not my age range, I think it would work great for someone who is that age or who enjoys these types of stories. Briony's frustrations and decisions and emotional reactions are all authentic and cohesive enough to support a well told story, even if it isn't to my preference. And the larger cast, especially Edwin, are amusing enough to support the story.