Spellbound is a Sleeping Beauty retelling (though inspired by would perhaps be more accurate), an easy read with strong female characters throughout.

There’s much to like about this book, and straight away I want to say I really enjoyed the multiple point of views the story was unraveled in, all female, all of which I felt were strong and distinct personalities. I think that is one of the biggest highlights of this fairy tale novel.

Secondly, the world building throughout is lovely and cozy. Though the story can sometimes be dark, the world we were in stayed fairy tale-esque and it was done really nicely!

I also enjoyed the ending, a bittersweet, not totally happy ever after ending for all our characters - something else I really appreciate in this kind of story.

My only criticism would be the pacing, however, I found the book easy to read, it flowed nicely and I thought it achieved what it set out to do. 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4).

Big thank you to NetGalley for the arc of this book!

Sleeping Beauty is my favourite fairytale so I was excited but also a bit nervous for this book. I will say that it is best to go into it considering it a story inspired by Sleeping Beauty rather than a retelling. Many aspects are similar to the original tale but it is a story all its own that deserves to be read and enjoyed as such.

I absolutely loved the world that this book creates. It has an interesting magic system and I loved the way we find out about the country as Sel and Briar travel around it.

I also think the characters were really strong. I'm always a bit worried when a story is being told from so many points of view but it really worked and each character had a voice that was all their own. Seeing how the characters changed with the years, especially Sel, was fantastic and incredibly honest.

I will say that if you're looking for a "and they lived happily ever after moment" this is not the book for you. The end has happiness but it is also bittersweet, which I think makes it more realistic and far more human. The one character I wanted to have a really happy ending gets it and that was perfect, but for the other characters, the story isn't over.

An interesting & absorbing take on the fairytale of Sleeping Beauty, told from five different women’s POVs - three based on pre-existing characters in the story (the princess, her mother & the ‘fairy’ who hides the princess away for her own protection), and the other two as new additions (the princess’ ‘decoy’ twin sister, and the queen’s closest friend/maidservant).

Some of these characters were better developed than others, but all of them felt very real & grounded to me, even (perhaps especially?) when they were making terrible or selfish decisions, or at moments when I didn’t like them on a personal level. I really felt for all of them at points - though Talia most of all - as they were all just trying to get by with the unfair hand of cards that life had dealt them.

I think the messages the story imparts - be it about the corrosive nature of secrets (even those kept to protect someone), or the toxicity of revenge & resentment, or even just how hard it is to raise well-adjusted children if you don’t have a handle on your own emotions! - came across well throughout, giving food for thought in every chapter.

I felt that the villain was handled well in conveying her as powerful & fear-striking, and she served her role as plot-instigator and underlying threat well. But - speaking in vague non-spoiler terms - I wanted more in terms of developing her motivation, and perhaps exploring the ways in which her relationship to some characters was mirrored in other characters’ relationships. There just wasn’t *quite* enough to get your teeth into to transform her into a three-dimensional villain, with her potential for a more layered role in the story remaining underdeveloped.

The pacing was fairly changeable, with the middle third feeling much slower than the rest - but that section is where Sel really shines & grows, where Talia earned her place as my favourite character, and where we find out more about the off-page political upheaval taking place (and I would’ve liked to find out more!). So it’s still very much worth reading even as it slows down! Either way, though, the pacing suddenly picks up again in the final third and charges relentlessly to a fantastic conclusion. And I did love the ending, much as it made me cry & left some loose threads to the reader’s own imagination - I wouldn’t turn down the chance to read a sequel to tie those up!

I’m very grateful to NetGalley and to Random House UK, Transworld for sending me an ARC of this book (in exchange for an honest review). I really enjoyed it, and recommend it to any fans of fairytale retellings that embrace the hardship of real & everyday human existence - the mundane tragedies, not just the fantastical ones.

As with many fairytales, this tale contains a few darker themes, but perhaps more than you might expect. I am therefore including a list of them as Content Warnings below, so fair warning to STOP READING HERE TO AVOID MINOR SPOILERS!

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Content Warnings:
- alcohol use
- bereavement, including death of a child (both as a baby & adult), parent, sibling, spouse/partner, friend & mentor - also grief over losing a child who is still alive
- child abuse (physical violence & implied sexual abuse) and neglect - multiple instances
- chronic health conditions - chronic pain, Alzheimer’s/dementia & terminal illness
- homelessness & starvation (described in very limited detail)
- pregnancy, miscarriage, still-birth, difficulty conceiving & forced sterilisation, and maternal death during childbirth (all briefly mentioned, not described in detail); childbirth (multiple described in detail)
- relationship infidelity (briefly implied) and domestic violence (briefly mentioned)
- sexual assault (described in limited detail) and rape (briefly alluded to, not depicted)
- sexual content (very mild, not described in detail)
- war & rebellion (mentioned, not depicted); violence, blood & murder

Oh dear, I didn't get on with this at all. I had high hopes, I think all the classic fairy tales are ripe for re-invention but this was a bit of a slog. The subterfuge within was good, but I felt the plot wasn't really well thought out other than that.

I adored this book! It was imaginative and magical.
Loved the characters and the chapters from each POV. What a glorious fairytale retelling

I love fairytale retellings. But this one fell a bit flat for me.
I enjoyed parts of the story, like the beginning and how descriptive it is. However, I found the pacing to be uneven in places, and the ending is anticlimactic.
Briar doesn't really have much depth as a character and has pretty much no progression. At the end, her existence is still kept hidden? I can't figure out why. I really disliked the ending.
Sel should have stayed and helped Briar to acclimatise not just leave.
I did like Sel as a character however.

Headlines:
Sisters
Curses
Separation

Spellbound was an imaginative, fantastical story based loosely on Sleeping Beauty. It had its own direction, characterisation and it felt unpredictable in ways. There were three characters at the fore, Sel, Briar and Talia. These females' lives were interwoven with a complexity fostered by dark magic and a curse.

What I appreciated hugely about this story was that the turns the plotlines took were founded in difficulty for these characters and those around them. Those hard times were mitigated by periods of brief joy, routine and finding pleasure in simple things like animals, books and hard graft.

The secrets that knotted these characters together meant that how Sel, Briar and Talia connected to those around them was always frought with distrust, a sense of being left in the dark and that hampered depth of feeling and good communication. Sel and Briar really did have a strong connection but as time went by, the secrets eroded their love.

Jacken and Gadd were welcome side characters and I felt much satisfaction where one of those stories ended. In terms of the sisters' stories, that felt an opening ending and a possibility for more which I would definitely welcome.

A really enjoyable debut from Georgia Leighton which felt 'out of the box' with a fresh voice. Thank you to Bantam Books for the beautiful arc.

This book is a Sleeping Beauty Retelling. The pacing of this book makes it very confusing to follow and the amount of character POVs does not help with this. I can see what this book is trying to do but for me personally the pacing makes it very difficult to follow. The overall writing is good and I would like to try another book from this author to fully form my opinions.

3.75⭐ (rounded for 4)

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for granting me access in exchange for an honest review.

Spellbound is a fantastic twist on a classic fairy tale ~ what if beauty never went to sleep.

This is not Sleeping Beauty as you know it but a twisting tale of motherhood, sisterhood, betrayal and revenge. Romance takes a back seat whilst the spectrum familial love and friendship between women steps up to centre stage.

Whilst I enjoyed Spellbound, I finished feeling a little dissatisfied with the ending. It felt like more of a beginning, we spend a majority of the book watching Talia and Briar grow up, waiting for the curse to strike. Whilst compelling and well written the 5 POV's meant you never really get to the depths of each character. The characters and their relationships are complex and but mean the action and plot are placed on hold until 2/3rds of the way into the book.

It is however and enjoyable read, and fans of Angela Carter will enjoy Leighton’s unique retelling of the Grimm classic.

You’ll know this story - it’s a retelling of Sleeping Beauty, but with many differences. There’s no prince to free Beauty from her sleep for one.

I don’t want to list the story outline, as it’d be more enjoyable seeing it unravel as you read. Suffice to say, I loved the strong female characters, the connection to magic and nature and seeing the early years of the princess unfold in a fresh, new way.

The ending felt a little rushed, I’d have liked more time to be spent on evil Noatina’s return to finish the curse. One of the three narrators seemed a bit surplus to requirements.

Overall a really solid and enjoyable read; I’d love to delve back into this kingdom in other books.

This fun novel is a loose interpretation of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. There are some great, strong female protagonists, and the world that is created for this kingdom is rich and compelling. I don’t know from the ending whether we will be getting a sequel – if so, though, I would love to revisit these characters.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

Spellbound by Georgia Leighton

3.5 STARS

Love a classic fairytale retelling story. This is Sleeping Beauty with a twist - no handsome princess is coming to save the princess this time. The setting is atmospheric and still retains semblance of the original story whilst being different. A good YA fantasy read.

This was such a good read! It took a while to get into it, but by the third chapter I literally couldn’t stop reading. I love that it’s a retelling of Sleeping Beauty, and Briar’s friendship with Jacken was beautifully written.

Georgia Leighton’s Spellbound is a captivating modern twist on Sleeping Beauty, asking the intriguing question: What if Sleeping Beauty never fell asleep? This fresh take on the classic fairy tale weaves together elements from multiple retellings, creating a story that feels both familiar and completely new.
As a longtime fan of fairy tales, I absolutely loved this magical book. Leighton skillfully incorporates details from different versions of Sleeping Beauty, adding layers of depth and meaning. For example, the inclusion of characters named Talia—referencing Sun, Moon, and Talia—and Briar—tying back to the Brothers Grimm version—demonstrates a thoughtful nod to the tale’s history while keeping the story original.
Beyond its magical retelling, Spellbound is rich in detail, offering an immersive experience that kept me hooked from start to finish. The ending also hints at the possibility of a sequel, which I’m eagerly hoping for! If you love fairy tale retellings, this book is a must-read.

A superb fantasy action adventure, set in a magical world, that will have you on the edge of the seat right from page one. A must read that is highly recommended.

I really enjoyed this, I liked the twists, the world building and Sel was absolutely fantastic. I also enjoyed Briar’s friendship with Jacken, and Sel’s own hopeful happiness after so much heartache. I did find myself wanting to learn more about the villain and the curse but overall, this was a great read. Thank you the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC.

This was a very interesting take on Sleeping Beauty. Although, it definitely isn't the classic version.

I liked Sel the most. Her self-sacrifice was a breath of fresh air. I also love her romance with Gad. It was the best part of the book.

The twins were interesting, but they fell a bit flat for me. I would have liked to have seen more depth of character. We got glimpses of personality, but I just didn't feel that it was fleshed out enough.

I also felt that there should have been more backstory about the Queen and her sister. We got the basics, but I would have liked to understand more about why everything happened as it did.

The pacing was quite slow. It did read like a fairytale, and it had that kind of vibe. But it was mostly following the twins growing up and viewing them both through their PoVs as well as a few others.

I did enjoy this, overall, and I would actually read more set in this world.

3.5 stars

A spellbinding reimagining of sleeping beauty. Full of magic, curses and twin princesses. Really enjoyed reading this.

Spellbound by Georgia Leighton | Pub Date Apr 24 2025

This book was a bit difficult for me to get through. Despite having some hopes, I’ve now realized that all these retellings (just like live-action remakes) simply aren’t my cup of tea.

At first, I was somewhat intrigued by the story. It had a modern touch and some fairly interesting worldbuilding. But after a while, I started to lose interest in what was happening, or rather, what wasn't happening.

That said, one thing I did enjoy was the use of multiple POVs. It gave a deeper insight into the characters and their emotions, which added a nice layer to the overall narrative.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

A Sleeping Beauty-inspired fairytale with multiple POVs, very little romance, and an appreciation of horses - obviously I am a targeted audience member of this.

This wasn't a fast-paced book by any means, but it did read like a fairytale, which I found absolutely charming, and had a lot of care for its world and characters (Sel, my love). Overall, a lovely read.

Thank you to the publisher, Bantam, and to NetGalley for the ARC.