I really enjoyed this retelling.

I found it a fresh take on the story, given the twists and turns that deviate from expectations. I also loved how it was told through the five main female characters' POVs, it really helped see what was going on in more depth.

I did find it a little slow paced in the middle, however there was enough suspense built to keep me reading to the end, and I enjoyed the climax of the book.

2.5 ⭐️

thank you to netgalley and georgia leighton for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

spellbound is a retelling of the classic tale of sleeping beauty, led by three women, Queen Violanna, her chief lady-in-waiting Meredyth, and Selhah, an apprentice magic wielder. their lives become strangely entwined as the newborn royal heir is cursed, and a plan is slyly concocted in order to save their kingdom.

this book appealed to me in so many ways - i adore the story of sleeping beauty, and more specifically love the maleficent films, and when a story sounds like a fairytale with a darker tinge i am THERE. i love this idea of having complex women at the forefront of the story, and what i loved was how much this setting felt like a long forgotten kingdom of a story read long ago, and all of the books, and moats, and islands left alone in the sea, with castles and towers being their centre was the kind of place i looooove to escape to…however…..the world-building itself lacked substance, and overall it just really didn’t deliver for me on all else it promised!

i generally thought this book could’ve been a lot darker, both in tone and substance. the dark and powerful magic described was never fleshed out or given any kind of system to hold it up, so any high intensity moments involving magic felt really flat, and honestly a little boring.

there were so many opportunities to have layered, complex female characters, such as Queen Violanna, who’s struggle with motherhood and the disorder it has brought her life could have been incredibly interesting to explore. i think the five different POVs we follow were actually a detriment to the book, and stopped us from being able to connect with any of these initially compelling characters. the relationships between characters also felt a little shallow, whether it be romantic, platonic or familial.

there was also a lot of time jumps? i can sort of understand it as we needed to go from a baby being born to turning sixteen (when this curse will be broken/acted upon), but i just felt like a lot happened off page, and it made the story feel quite stilted and without flow. i also thought the writing could have actually been a little more lyrical and poetic, as i think it would’ve definitely enhanced the plot and all of its different elements.

saying all of that, i am intrigued to see what georgia leighton writes next…as i was really drawn to this book through its premise!

Spellbound by Georgia Leighton
Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Firstly, thank you to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, and Bantam for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review. 📚✨

Being a retelling of a classic fairytale, I was immediately drawn into this and the possibilities it held. 🧚‍♀️🏰 The concept is captivating, and the world-building is well done and genuinely intriguing.

While the story had a lot of potential and was easy to read with a refreshingly steady pace 🌀, I found myself occasionally struggling to connect with the writing style and the characters. There was just a little something missing that kept me from fully immersing myself or giving this a full 4 stars. 🤔

That said, this is a very promising debut from Georgia Leighton. 🌟 There’s some truly beautiful work woven throughout, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on what she creates next. 👀🖋️

Spellbound by Georgia Leighton is a captivating re-imagining of the classic fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty, set on a windswept island off the coast of the Kingdom of Bavaugh. This enchanting novel is perfect for fans of fantasy retellings, offering a fresh and intriguing take on a beloved story.

The plot revolves around a long-awaited royal heir who is born amidst ancient customs and a blessing ceremony that bestows magical gifts along with a terrible curse, However, this is not the love story you know. Instead of a prince saving the day, the narrative focuses on three women—the Queen, her chief Lady-in-Waiting, and Sel, a Master's Apprentice—who concoct a desperate plan of misdirection that changes the course of all their lives.

The characters in Spellbound are richly developed and relatable.

I found Leighton's writing atmospheric and immersive, drawing me into a dark and magical world. The novel's themes of identity, deception, and the struggle against dark magic are expertly woven into the narrative, making it a compelling read for fans of Gothic fantasy.
If you enjoy fairy tale retellings with strong female protagonists, dark magic, and intricate plots, Spellbound is a must-read.

3.75 stars, thank you to the author, netgalley and the publisher for an epub arc!

I enjoyed this. Far more than i originally expected to, and more than i thought i would after the first fifty-odd pages. A sleeping beauty retelling, or reimagining, Spellbound follows an array of characters as they navigate the fallout of a cursed baptism and childhood. This was a premise that naturally caught my attention. This book takes its time, i'd not recommend it to people who drop books like flies without picking them up again.

Praise from me: i really enjoyed the dynamic of Sel and Briar and the little family they created on that isolated farm. I thought the world-building, and establishment of the magic system and the in-world politics was fantastic. I found it interesting how different Briar and the other one grew up to be. One kind and one cold. The characters were, genuinely, very well rounded and felt human, relatable - the whole world did, never seeming too unimaginative nor too far off our own. There is so much more to say but i don't want to ruin it, so please read it and enjoy yourselves.

Criticisms i have: i will say is i think the world-building took a while, which i'd excuse had i not been still struggling to get interested in the book by about 30-40% through. I understand why people dnfed it for the story takes some time to pick up - to me it was worth the wait. I also think the ending felt quite rushed, very out of character for the narrative tone and jarring as the pace had been leisurely up until that point. I felt almost underwhelmed by the ending due to how suddenly it all seemed to pull together, out of the blue. Maybe that's just me. I'd have sacrificed time at the start and use it for a longer conclusion.

All in all, i did enjoy this book - much to my own relief as i don't think i could've handled another messy read in my slump! I would recommend people to try it, and try to stick with it because the middle portion is a delight.

Sadly a dnf for me. I was really looking forward to this thinking it was a sleeping beauty retelling and I did enjoy all the strong female main characters. however the pacing just felt off with flash backs and then time jumps and there was also about 4 character povs so I found all this confusing. Due to this I struggled connecting to the characters/story so didn’t continue reading.

Spellbound is a darkly magical retelling with a fierce feminist edge, diverging from the traditional Sleeping Beauty story. Instead of relying on a saviour narrative, this story delves into how women save themselves and each other.
The book weaves together the lives of fierce women in a kingdom where magic is banned and secrets are everything. Sel was a standout for me, her emotional arc hit hard, and she’s the kind of character that stays with you. Talia and Briar’s mirrored paths were super compelling too, and I loved the nature vs. nurture vibe between them. It really made you think about how much our lives are shaped by how/where we are raised versus who we are at the core. Each character is unique, and their individual journeys make the familiar story even more interesting and complex.
The writing is lush and atmospheric, evoking a fairy-tale-like quality with a dark twist. Told through five female POVs, the shifting viewpoints let you see the world, and the curse, from completely different angles. The story spans 17 years, so the narrative doesn’t always move in a straight line. Some chapters flash back, others jump ahead slightly, creating a broader picture of how the curse affects not just one girl, but an entire kingdom of women. Early chapters are strong and atmospheric, and the character switching keeps things intriguing. The pacing slows a bit in the middle bit but the tension ramps back up toward the end, especially as the characters’ arcs start to collide.
Spellbound is a unique take on the classic Sleeping Beauty, weaving magic, destiny, and empowerment into a captivating story. A must-read for anyone who loves darker fairy-tale retellings.

This is a very clever re-imagining of the well loved children's fairy tale, Sleeping Beauty.

Sel is apprenticed to the grand master Florianna and approaching her graduation when Florianna sadly passes away. Meanwhile, in the kingdom of Bavaugh the Queen is due to give birth to her first born child after many years of being thought barren. The King is keen to welcome his new heir and arranges a grand celebration for the imminent event.

This will be attended by the great and the good from across the land. Sel, knowing many grand masters will be in attendance decides to journey to Bavaugh with the intention of seeking out a master who will take her on to complete her education and subsequent graduation.

Unfortunately, things take a strange turn when the Queen gives birth to a healthy beautiful baby girl. An unwelcome malevolent grand master has infiltrated the celebrations and courses the baby, declaring she will die after 17 winters. This event will occur sooner if the Queen makes any attempt to flee Bavaugh to try and escape the curse.

After the grand master has left, the Queen gives birth to a second daughter. Seizing her chance to try and beat the curse she sees Sel nearby and bribes her into taking her first born and keeping her safe away from Bavaugh. After 17 winters and the curse being beaten, Sel can return with the Princess and receive her reward. She must also agree not to use her magic during the intervening years.

An excellent adaptation for adults based on Sleeping Beauty with a twist. Great read.

I received an ARC of Spellbound from NetGalley—thank you!

I’ve not read many fairytale retellings, so I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect going in. I did struggle a little to get into it at first (around the first 25–30%), but I think that may have been more of a me issue than the book itself. Once I hit that point, though, I was hooked. I devoured the rest in a single day!

The writing flows well and there’s a lovely fairytale tone throughout. I personally enjoyed the multiple POVs—it helped build the world and emotional layers—but I do think it might have worked just as effectively with three instead of five. That said, it didn’t take away too much from my enjoyment.

The pacing overall is solid, and the ending was genuinely heartwarming. If you’re a fan of fairytales with a slightly modern edge, layered characters, and a magical atmosphere, this one’s worth picking up.

Thankyou to Netgalley and the publisher for providing access to an ebook ARC for this book.

I loved the premise and the build up to this story. The twisting of the Sleeping Beauty fairytale was done in a way I hadn’t seen before, and I found all of the POV characters very distinct and lovable.

However, the villain was very underbaked, and the twist involving her was very obvious. Her defeat was also very rushed and unexplained. The entire climax was very disappointing and confusing. Most of the romances had no payoff, which I don’t usually care about but it felt strange to leave so many loose ends. I suspect there’ll be a sequel, but I believe each book in a series should be satisfying by itself. Luckily my favourite couple and character got a sweet ending in the last chapter, which made up for some of the disappointment.

When i requested this book I found it interesting and before I started reading I was like what did I request lol. But jokes on me once I started reading it I was hooked. I really enjoyed the plot and the characters and I particularly liked the ending as it was not sugar coated or anything and it was realistic. Would definitely recommend to anyone who wants to read an alternative universe to the sleeping beauty.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5⭐ rounded down.

Spellbound is marketed as a retelling of Sleeping Beauty. And whilst the story has aspects from the fairytale I'd say it's more loosely based on it. Sleeping Beauty is one of my favourite fairytales so I did find this slightly disappointing. I wish I'd gone in blind!

I don't have too much to say about the book to be honest Everything was just okay. I enjoyed the story but didn't ever find myself reaching to pick it up. The writing is strong and I enjoyed the feminist, modern take on the fairytale. However, when you compare against the retelling queens like T Kingfisher and Naomi Novik, the story could be shorter and the writing punchier. The pacing dipped in the middle Andi wish it about 50 pages shorter.

Spellbound is currently set as a standalone but the ending wasn't overly satisfying. I felt like the author has left it open enough for a sequel. I was happy that my favourite character got a HEA though!

I absolutely was hooked from the start of this book and I am a sucker for fairy tale retellings. I loved the characters and how they had their own POVs. The three main characters were Queen Violanna, Meredyth who is the Queens lady in waiting and the there is Sel who arrives to the blessing of the princess in place of her magical master. There was a twist that I didn’t expect and I audibly gasped. This retelling of sleeping beauty has the tagline “What if beauty never went to sleep”. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and it’s the author’s debut adult book. I can’t wait to see what she has planned as her next book.

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for the review copy of this exciting fantasy standalone.

Spellbound is a unique retelling of Sleeping Beauty with all the focus on five women at the centre of the story. There is no prince to save the princess or break the curse, but three women with a plan to attempt to thwart a sorceress' revenge. Nobody in the kingdom other them knows that two twin princesses were actually born on the day the curse was cast, and they can work that to their advantage... second.born Talia is raised behind castle wall, believed to be the only (and therefore cursed) princess, while the true cursed princess, Briar, is secretly raised on the road by Sel, who puts her life on the line to keep the beautiful and otherworldly girl safe. But as the end of the curse draws closer, nothing is as smooth as they would like it to be...

I enjoyed reading this retelling and loved the feminist twist, where no prince is needed to break a curse but the women can save themselves! All the characters had their own intriguing features, but Sel and Talia have to be my favourites. Sel, because she gave up her career and plans to look after a newborn she'd just met and protect her from a heinous curse. Her fierce protection of Briar and her affection for her ward was heart-warming, and I loved seeing how her story developed. Talia because... growing up in the shadow of a cursed, missing sister must have been incredibly hard, and yet she blossomed and developed into such a bright, resourceful woman. the dynamics between certain pairs of characters were also really nice to read, including the friendship between Violanna and Meredyth, and that between Briar and Jacken.

Overall, I can't say there was anything I actively disliked in the book, but the pacing felt a little slow throughout the story, and the climax and ending weren't quite as I hoped. But as I said, I didn't dislike either of those things - I just didn't love them as much as I could have. The build-up to the end of the curse was rather exciting, so I had my hopes quite high there.

I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys fairytale retellings, multi-POV stories and determined, strong women that can save themselves.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK and Transworld Publishers for providing me the advanced copy to read and review!

I enjoyed this captivating and magical retelling of the well-known fairytale that I’d loved in my childhood, and found the world both compelling and mysterious.

I liked getting the multiple POVs from the different female characters, as it gave us an understanding of the decisions made and repercussions for the wider story.

Unfortunately for me, I felt the pacing was a little off and the characters themselves a little frustrating. I loved Sel, and felt her journey was both brave and selfless to give up her life to help shelter and protect Briar.

I wasn’t a fan of both Talia or Violanna and thought they were both quite petulant and irritating. They were both products of their circumstances but I just didn’t gain much from their POV.

I also didn’t love the ending at all, and felt it was very rushed and hashed together quite abruptly. I’d liked to have seen more resolution to the story and maybe even have an epilogue to see where they ended up in a few years? It left me with a lot of questions.

Overall I think Spellbound was a solid debut as a fantasy book, but needed more to help develop the characters, and finish it out in terms of a full story.

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House and Georgia Leighton for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I love a fairy tale retelling, and from the very first page, Spellbound did not disappoint. Georgia Leighton’s spin on this classic fairy tale is original and refreshing.

I love the multiple povs, and especially that these were all from women of different ages, statuses and positions in life.

The portrayal of magic is interesting but not fully explored - however the level of depth achieved is more than enough to enjoy the story and not get confused or bogged down in the details.

The cast of characters are multi-layered and felt real - no one (perhaps with the exception of Gaddeous) is perfect, they all have their own flaws.

I find Sel’s character the most interesting - how she is forced into motherhood, and yet the care she has for the child comes across clearly in the story. Having to put her own dreams on the back burner for a future she never saw for herself is an interesting concept, and the way she bonds with Briar is beautiful to watch unfold.

An enthralling retelling of the Sleeping Beauty story. I loved this heart breaking story of three women who are fighting against the curse of the Queen's dark witch sister, the painful indifference of her husband the King and her struggle to protect her enchanted daughter. In this story there are twin princesses, one born in secret just after her elder twin is cursed, They are swapped at birth in secret in a desperate attempt to fool the curse, with the elder sent into hiding with her fairy godmother. The twins grow up apart - one quite ordinary and one an enchanted beauty - whose fateful meeting brings the story to an emotional and dramatic resolution.

While I did enjoy this one, I felt that the fairytale storytelling was quite dominant, and the typical action that I would anticipate and enjoy from a fantasy book just weren’t there enough for me! I also felt that the culmination at the end of the book felt a little rushed, but it’s certainly a good one for people who enjoying fairytale retellings!

I loved the premise of this Sleeping beauty retelling and the different take it had on the traditional fairytale.

The characters were interesting although didn’t always feel fully fleshed out. The relationships between the characters were also a highlight of this book.

I did feel the dialogue was a little stilted at times and didn’t seem very natural. But the idea of the story really carried this book and made it more enjoyable.

Spellbound is a fresh and feminist take on the classic Sleeping Beauty story, but with a big twist—what if the princess never fell asleep at all? The book is told from the perspectives of five different women over 17 years, which gives it a rich, layered feel as their lives and choices slowly weave together.

One of the things I enjoyed most was the way the plot focuses on female power, choices, and complexity—these women aren’t just reacting to events, they’re shaping them. The writing itself is very much in keeping with traditional fairy tales being both poetic and descriptive , with an atmosphere that pulls you into a magical but slightly dark world. The story is lyrical with a slow-burn fantasy vibe, however the sedate pacing may be frustrating for some readers.