A Wicked Thing (Wicked Thing, #1)

by Rhiannon Thomas

[bookishzelda]

A Wicked Thing is an extremely creative take on the story of Sleeping Beauty. Picking up from the point where Aurora wakes up.

The first half of the book is more of Aurora adjustment to life 102 years after the one she originally lived. Everything is different, everyone she cared about is dead and now she feels like a stranger in her own land. I can’t say I felt like I connected with Aurora and I’m not sure if it was because of the third person perspective but it also really didn’t bother me. I thought she was interesting and wanted to know what was going to happen to her regardless. I kept thinking what would it be like to wake up in the situation she does. I liked how she really changes from the beginning of the book to the end. I was frustrated with her naivety but also what was she supposed to do.

There are three boys involved but it’s not really a love triangle. Although Aurora might be intrigued and care about each one she isn’t really focused on finding true love. She seems more concerned about finding her place and finding a way to restore her kingdom.

Finnegan is definitely my favorite out of the three. He tells things how they are and seems to always be honest. He does have a roguish way about him but it’s more about the political game then it is about him being a player. He is a people reader and therefore can mold himself into who he needs to be to get what he wants.

Tristan is the boy who lives in the village. He is fun and adventurous but also clearly has his own agenda. He will not be swayed by affections.

Of course then there is Rodric, the prince who woke Aurora up. What a sweet and caring boy his is. I feel sorry for him because he is thrust into a position of expectations. He seems like genuinely good guy. Aurora might not love him but I think even she finds it difficult to not care about him.

The second half of the book really picks up as we uncover more of what has actually happened to the kingdom while Aurora was sleeping. I think people really start to begin their true colors and there are some things that I was not expecting. The book sets itself up to continue on and definitely sets up the framework.

As far as a Sleeping Beauty retelling, I really enjoyed this one and thought the premise is so unique. It manages to keep that haunting feeling of a fairy tale while creating a new tale. This is definitely a story for fans of retellings to check out.