This is a different twist on the Sleeping Beauty story. Miriam is the step daughter of the King, her younger sister is Aurora who is cursed at her cristening si Miriam decides to become her sister's hero. There's a boat load of self-sacrafice, all for family. She discovers things about herself and finds a path to power where she is a protector`y.
It reads quite teens but it's interesting and I liked the twist on the story. ( )

This book was presented as young adult, but I would definitely say it's more middle grade. I think if I were in the targeted audience, I might have enjoyed it more. The characters were fairly one-note and I never got attached to any of them. I also don't like that the characters started investigating a mystery and never found the answer. (The story doesn't seem well-suited to a sequel either, but who knows?) As it is, I've read Lackey's other Sleeping Beauty retellings before and I prefer those: The Gates of Sleeps one of my favorite Lackey books and Sleeping Beauty retellings actually! ( )

This YA retelling of Sleeping Beauty is certainly a bit different. The main character is Miriam, the older non royal half sister of Aurora. Miriam’s father was the King’s Champion and best friend. When he died the King married his widow and that is how you have a non-royal older sibling. The kingdom is small, but they do plan for invasions. Miriam is training to be a baker so if they are invaded, she can hide in one of the town bakeries. At Aurora’s christening everything is done to make sure no one is not invited but of course that doesn’t work out when one of the Dark Fey hides from the Kingdom so they don’t know to invite them to the ceremony. Miriam loves her little sister and throws her body in front of the curse being hurled and surprisingly destroys it and doesn’t die in the process. At this point now everyone is full defense mode to protect the baby from the fey that will come back and curse her. Miriam becomes part of her sister’s guard and does some growing up along the way. The book is set up to be the first book in the series but doesn’t leave you hanging at the end. This was an interesting retelling of the story and I’m interested to see where it goes.

Digital review copy provided by the publisher through Edelweiss
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Miriam is the daughter of the queen but she’s not a princess. She has no desire to rule the kingdom, while her papa is the King. When her baby sister’s life is threatened by the Dark Fae and she protects her, it’s realized Miriam has magical powers. She is soon being trained both in magical and combat to protect her baby sister, Aurora. Threats are getting closer to the castle and Miriam must be on her game as she tries to protect those she love. This book was slow to start but it picked up and by the end I was on the edge of my seat of needing to know what happened. I loved the adventure and the amazing cast of characters within the book. Highly recommend this book for the adventure, rooting for a kickass female character, and the great plot. ( )

"Briar Heart" by Mercedes Lackey follows the story of Miriam the Queens daughter from another marriage of who becomes tasked to protect her little sister with her friends after she is almost cursed by an Evil Fairy.

I would give "Briar Heart" by Mercedes Lackey a 5 star review because, 1; I love fairy tale retellings 2; I liked how the story is told in the point of view of the sister and not traditionally as Aurora 3; I liked the twists 4; I liked how this wasn't a romance but a story of love, sisterhood, and of friendship 5; I especially loved all the talking creatures 5; I loved the ending and I hope that there will be a sequel cause the story doesn't quite seemed finished. ( )