A sword in slumber

A Disney princess narrative tempered by a dose of reality. Princess Aurora of Austria remembers being Briar Rose and struggles to unite her two conflicting identities. She still recalls singing at the tavern in Hausach with her two best friends, but her new, privileged status comes with heavy responsibilities. First, Aurora witnesses the brutal murder of her father, King Stefan, by Matilda of Bavaria. Now, Frankfurt seeks a new emperor, and Aurora must step up and oppose Queen Matilda's candidacy with her own. Still reeling from the shock of losing her father, she navigates a dangerous system. New to the world of political intrigue, Aurora relies heavily on the advice of her magical fairy aunts Flora and Merryweather. She also enters into marriage with Prince Phillip. Meanwhile, Aurora continues to have disturbing visions that make her wonder whether Maleficent is dead after all. This novel answers many of the questions left unanswered in the Disney movieSleeping Beauty. The characters in the book also have greater complexity and provide social commentary about violence, trauma, and class disparities. Aurora's fairy-tale life doesn't seem nearly as rosy as the happily-ever-after version would have us believe. Twists and turns--and a small dose of spice--will appeal to modern readers and challenge a more reductive version of events. Main characters are cued white. A fairy-tale spin-off with the sensuality and dark complexity of a contemporary fantasy.(Fiction. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.