There’s nothing better than someone who grounds you when you’re losing sight of everything.

Sleeping Beauty was one of my lesser liked fairy tales and I only have a handful of Sleeping Beauty retellings that I enjoy. Crown of Slumber has definitely become one of those handfuls.

We have a dual POV, looking through the eyes of the Summer Princess and the Midnight Prince. Each one giving us a better perspective of the other as well as the situation around them.

World building was amazing. A unique fae court and magic system in place which touches not just the fae but also other fantasy creatures, such as witches, dragons, goblins, and ogres. As well as the classification of seelie and unseelie fae, which not a lot of fae fantasies touch up on. It didn’t overwhelm either, it was delivered just right. Plus, with so much potential to be fleshed out!

The plot made the fairy tale its own, with some easter eggs for the readers to enjoy! It was perfectly balanced and paced, taking its time without it being too slow or too fast. The story dealt with a lot of trust and acceptance, and a whole lot of character growth.

Aurelia, the eldest Summer Court princess. She’s severely loyal to her family and her dragons, and will stop at nothing to ensure their safety. She’s a spitfire who enjoys her freedom. A lot of her reactions may feel a tad over, but it was valid when you think about the life she has experienced.

Fenn, the Midnight Court prince. He had my heart from the beginning. He dons a mask to keep up appearances of how the world expects him to be, and he doesn’t mind playing that role if it means protecting those he loves.

The romance was slow, but delicious. The progression from enemies to lovers with a lot of banter (as flirting)? Perfection. There’s so much intimacy and love in their relationship, it just made it amazing to read. The spice had me giggling like a child. There was one scene where somehow it felt hotter than anything I’ve ever read, and I just couldn’t deal. Some fade-to-black with some on-page.

Will be posting my reviews on Instagram at a much closer date and on Amazon on release :>

I would like to thank NetGalley and Willow Haven Press for providing me with an ARC of Crown of Slumber. I could not put this book down!

Crown of Slumber alternates being told from two perspectives: Aurelia, the Summer Princess, and Fenn, the Midnight Prince. The two strike a bargain when they discover each has something the other needs. Aurelia has dragons that are capable of protecting Fenn's kingdom from monsters who attack in the dark. Fenn has access to stardust, the only substance capable of saving Aurelia's kingdom from a powerful sleeping curse. Since their respective kingdoms are enemies, they agree to a fake engagement to explain why Aurelia is traveling with Fenn to retrieve the stardust. As they travel together, they realize their initial assumptions about each other were incorrect, and they begin to care for each other.

I fell in love with both Aurelia and Fenn. I really liked how Fenn always seemed to know what Aurelia needed and how he had her back without second thought. I loved the banter between the two of them.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a steamy fairytale retelling or who enjoys magical creatures (in this case dragons!) who act like large puppies. This is the first book I’ve read by R.L. Perez, but it definitely won’t be the last!

However, as a content warning (which is given in the author's note at the beginning of the book): although it is not described in detail, there are mentions of a previous sexual assault recounted by one character to another

This is just want I wanted in a retelling. It had just the right amount of retelling and uniqueness i the story. The romance was so good!

Solid 4 stars. The first half of the book, admittedly, took me a while to get into but literally at the 48% mark, I could not put it down.

I expected a much more 1-1 retelling so this was actually a lovely surprise. I love how Sleeping Beauty elements were weaved in, leaving the story to be much less predictable.

I really enjoyed this retelling! Although Sleeping Beauty was never one of my favorite fairy tales, the book's description intrigued me enough to give it a read. The world-building is fantastic, the banter is sharp and engaging, and the dragons are an added bonus. I would absolutely love to see a second book set in this universe.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

What a great romantacy! It had everything, from prophecies to plot twists to political intrigue, it hit all the check boxes. The FMC is strong and competent, and the banter between the fmc and mmc was thoroughly entertaining. It also had the perfect amount of angst which created delicious tension. When I read the description I was not expecting such a different take on sleeping beauty. Without a doubt exceeded my expectations.

Thank you Netgalley for providing this arc!
I DEVOURED the book in one sitting. It was so good and the fact that it was stand-alone made it so much better for me. Don't get me wrong, I love a good, large series, but sometimes it can be exhausting to read them. This was perfect for me.
I really liked the main characters a lot. And I did NOT see the plot twist, which was great. The world-building was perfect- not on the heavier side (which is something that annoys me). I would have liked a little elaboration on the seelie and unseelie fae but I'm expecting more in the upcoming books.
The book grips you from the first page.
And yes, I was definitely here for the romance.

This was a good Sleeping Beauty retelling with fae, witches and dragons. It’s told in dual POV.
I enjoyed the world building and it had the right amount of spice. It’s a standalone with a HEA.
I somehow didn’t connect with the FMC that much, but that being said, it was a enjoyable read nonetheless.
I would recommend it to everyone who likes a good fairytale retelling.

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I enjoyed this book so much. The world building was fantastic and want to spend more time in it. Also, the main characters were lovable, there were dragons, witches, shape shifting, and just the right amount of spice.

While so much to love, I do feel like the ending was rushed. At no point throughout the story was I bored, but with all the action from the beginning, I think there could have been more involved with the ending with stronger villain overtaking, as well.

I struggled with this one a bit. I found the FMC to be a petulant brat, and her voice for a lot of the book read a lot younger than it should have. Actually, the writing in general leaned a bit too juvenile for my taste. It was difficult for me to get into it because I disliked Aurelia so much. There were a few key plot points that I found a bit contrived and predictable. The romance was meh. The plot holes were incredibly frustrating. It was just a really unsatisfying read, and I would have DNF'd if I didn't get this through NetGalley. (spoilers are available on the goodreads review)

Having spotted this book on Instagram, I was immediately captivated by its description. My excitement was palpable when it appeared on Netgalley, presenting an opportunity for an honest review, though I harbored some apprehension about it possibly not meeting the expectations set by the buzz around it.
I'm delighted to report that after consuming the book, it indeed lived up to its reputation.
"Crown of Slumber" encompasses all the elements I cherish in literature: Fae, Dragons, Enemies-to-Lovers, Spice, and even a twist of classic fairy tale retelling.
My singular criticism pertains to the antagonist's facile defeat.
Beyond that, my final words are a resounding "All hail the Dragon Queen."
I extend my gratitude to R.L. Perez, their publishing team, and Netgalley for the privilege of reading this work. I am keenly anticipating the subsequent installments in the series and the acquisition of a tangible copy.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review.

I was hooked by the first page. I love high fantasy and this was easily one of the best ones I've had the pleasure of reading. Aurelia was well thought out and had great growth as a character. Finn was my favorite character though, I love a good fae male that is devoted to a strong female and is there to support her. The little easter eggs in the story from sleeping beauty were fun as well. I found it refreshing to read a fairytale retelling that was also very original. Aurelia and maleficent being one and the same was a bit of a surprise but what a great idea! I also really liked that Kade the very large dragon needs so much sleep. It just makes sense that something that large would need do much rest.
I had trouble putting this book down, I kept telling myself I'll go to sleep after this chapter but found myself in to deep and had to keep reading. I truly admire when a author can hook their readers in such a way. The writing was phenomenal, I could easily picture the scenes and characters and they weren't overly described which was nice.

I give this book 5 stars and highly recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley for gifting me a copy of this book.

We are following the story of Aurelia, the Summer Court princess who is in the process of being named Queen. She welcomes suitors to try to find a husband.
This court is the only court that has dragons and they are quite protective of them. One of these dragons is a baby that is unwell and it needs stardust (a substance found in the Midnight court which is the enemy court). So when the prince comes to try to ask for something for his court, they strike a bargain and will need to spend time together.

This book has the 2 povs: the Summer Court Princess’ and the Midnight Court Prince’s. It was nice to see their relationship evolving and their constant barbs at each other.

Aurelia’s relationship with her dragons was simply amazing. It was so cute to read about how protective she is of them and how she loves them.

the writing was great. I did not want to put it down.

As a sleeping beauty retelling, I loved when I could see the original elements of the tale/movie in the book. Like the three witches as the fairies originally.

I received this book as an ARC.

I really enjoyed the story and flow of the book. The various courts remind me of ACOTAR, but that’s where the similarities end.

The FMC and MMC were both likeable and I actively rooted for their success.

I am happy that this was a standalone book so that the drama wasn’t drawn out over several books.

I will definitely pick up the next book from this author!

Thank you to Netgalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Crown of Slumber is a beautiful Sleeping Beauty retelling with extra fantasy elements (dragons, fae, witches, ogres, magic, goblins, and did I mention dragons) mixed into the story. The book is fast-paced, adventure filled, with stunning and easy to follow world-building, and just enough romance and spice to satisfy a Romantasy reader.

My review will have some spoilers from this point on.

The main characters, Aurelia & Fenn, are absolutely wonderful. I love their "enemies" to lover relationship and dedication to each other throughout the story. And their bantering was perfection! Oh, let's not forget he technically falls first for his firebird *swoon*. The dual POV between the two main characters is easy to follow and makes the characters so much more enjoyable. I adore the moments we had with Mal and his relationship, loyalty, and love for Aurelia.

Crown of Slumber ends as a happily ever after and perfectly as a stand-alone. I highly recommend this book to any Romantasy reader and anyone exploring the genre, and for those who enjoy retellings.

TLDR:
• ⭐⭐⭐I enjoyed the book and if someone told me they were reading it I would let them know I enjoyed it, but may not be quick to recommend it
🌶️🌶️🌶️Explicit and multiple instances. Most of the scenes weave into the plot and move the plot forward, though some may not
• I enjoyed the premise and the MMC, the world was beautiful, but I thought the plot was a bit messy and if simplified a little more, it would have been a stronger story
• I found the FMC a little frustrating

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Full Review:
Crown of Slumber offers a unique twist on the classic Sleeping Beauty tale, blending elements of star-crossed lovers and enemies to lovers. The novel presents a visually stunning fantasy setting and features a cheeky male lead and lovable dragons.

The story revolves around a strong female protagonist however her constant fight picking and tendency to reference an unexplained memory ("but I can't think of that right now") became quite frustrating. Her reluctance to share felt like a narrative ploy that eventually wore thin. Despite her strength, I found her character more irritating than engaging, especially in contrast to the more logical and relatable male lead.

One major issue for me was the plot's initial major hurdle, which lost significance as the story progressed, leading to plot holes and rushed explanations that were unsatisfying and the retelling, while hitting some key points of Sleeping Beauty, strayed significantly from the original tale.

The spicy scenes were well written, however I found one in particular to be incredibly odd due to the timing. It was one of those moments where you're watching a movie and the characters are in immense danger and choose that moment to catch up on their feelings - now is not the time.

Lastly, while the villain setup added complexity, I felt that simplifying the antagonists might have made for a more compelling story.

On the positive side, the book’s standout moment is the memorable meeting between the main characters, which I thoroughly enjoyed. This was far and away my favorite scene as well as a perfect nod to the original tale.

Overall, Crown of Slumber creates a beautiful fantasy world and serves as a solid introduction to the genre, though it falls short in some areas of character development and plot cohesion.

Reading Scale:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐I think about this book long after I've finished it. It left its mark and I would recommend this to anyone and everyone
⭐⭐⭐⭐ I loved this book and would absolutely recommend it
⭐⭐⭐ I enjoyed the book and if someone told me they were reading it I would let them know I enjoyed it, but may not be quick to recommend it
⭐⭐ I would not recommend this book and is someone said told me they were reading it I would give my honest opinion
⭐ DNF

Spice Scale:
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️Incredibly Explicit and lots of it. So much so that there is little plot left
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️Incredibly Explicit and lots of it. Not all of it adds to the plot but there is still a plot/spice balance
🌶️🌶️🌶️Explicit and multiple instances. Most of the scenes weave into the plot and move the plot forward, though some may not
🌶️🌶️Intimate scenes but milder language. They add to the plot and are used as character development
🌶️Intimate scenes but mild language - just a step past closed door

Rating: 3.5 / 5

A standalone Fantasy Romance, Crown of Slumber takes the Disney Sleeping Beauty story and adds a few twists, and a sprinkling of spice.

The concept of the story, the magic in the world and the dragons (and their lore) was well thought out and quite unique. I really enjoyed the aspect that each dragon has differing magic and differing connections to people depending on the land that they’re originally from.

The two main characters were well structured, plenty of backstory which was revealed at critical points within the story, and just enough to want you to keep reading to reveal more. For a Romantasy, their love story was believable enough to myself as a reader to want to cheer for a happy ending. However, I would not class this as enemy to lovers.

The spice was good - it didn’t overwhelm the story and remained appropriate for a “book with spice” (as a Romantasy should be), rather than a “Spicy Book” (like erotica).

Unfortunately, the last third of the book fell slightly flat as the story was rushed towards the end. I can see why, this book was clearly designed to be a standalone and it needed to be wrapped up, however I genuinely think if we had stopped the story at where Aurelia is captured within the Star Court and then had a second book, with a more fleshed out ending (and more dangerous situations to the characters), it would have been a fantastic duology.

There seemed to be a lot of villainous characters throughout this book, but the “Big Bad” never quite lived up to expectations. She was easily defeated and I never had any sense of trepidation or fear that Aurelia would not win.

Overall, a really fun read. Definitely one for those who love a fairytale retelling!

I want to thank NetGalley and R.L. Perez for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. The review is my own opinion and I have given this freely.

I did find that I actually enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I did get through it pretty fast as well. The FMC and the MMC were engaging, and I loved the banter between them. It had strong world building that I didn't find myself struggling to get through. There was a tasteful amount of spice, and of course, dragons. And who doesn't love dragons?

I think overall it was a great twist on a beloved fairy tale, without straying too far as to not relate to the original at all.

Some trigger warnings however; mentions of sexual assault/r*pe, abduction, imprisonment, as well as violence and death.

A retelling of Sleeping Beauty. Princess Aurelia must pose as Prince Fenn's betrothed to obtain stardust to break her family's curse. He needs the alliance to protect his court....

Love the magical world... I like Aurelia and Fenn too. Love their relationship and how it grows... Their scenes are terrific. Love their chemistryt. Really enjoy the twist in the story. A terrific book.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

This has dragons and fae and goblins and court/kingdom politics and magic and so much more! And we all know how much I love all of that stuff.

The dragon lore! Oh my goodness, I could go on forever about how cool this dragon lore is and how much I enjoyed learning about it. I thought it was so cool how the different types of dragons have different connections to each other, people, and the land that they're from (I thought that part was especially cool). I will forever love dragons and will always appreciate when they're given cool and interesting lore that you don't see too often. I found the land connection part of the dragons to be so unique, I've never seen that before!

The court/kingdom politics were so good in this book and I really enjoyed that they were interwoven with what the characters were doing (whether or not they were at court at the time). I thought making the politics an underlying problem, even on unrelated adventures, kept that sort of tension around it.

Sometimes, certain parts of character relationships felt a little flat or rushed, but it really didn't take that much away from this reading experience for me.

This really was such a fun fantasy book and I will definitely be continuing the series!

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My review is already up on Goodreads and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly wrap-up.