A Wicked Thing

Debut author Rhiannon Thomas's A Wicked Thing is the first of the series of the same name.

One hundred years after falling asleep, Princess Aurora wakes up to the kiss of a handsome prince and a broken kingdom that has been dreaming of her return.  All the books say that she should be living happily ever after.  But as Aurora understands all too well, the truth is nothing like the fairy tale.

Her family is long dead.  Her "true love" is a kind stranger.  And her whole life has been planned out by political foes while she slept.

As Aurora struggles to make sense of her new world, she begins to fear that the curse left its mark on her, a fiery and dangerous thing that might be as wicked as the witch who once ensnared her.  With her wedding drawing near, Aurora must make the ultimate decision on how to save her kingdom: marry the prince or run.

The Breakdown:
1.  I am a big fan of the re-imagined fairy tales, and I really love what Thomas has done with this one. What happens after Sleeping Beauty wakes? The thought of what is expected of Aurora is terrifying.  First, everyone she has ever known is long dead, and everything has changed.  She is expected to be madly in love with a boy she does not know.  Then she suppose to save a kingdom that needs more than just a smiling princess to have peace.

2.  There were times I was torn between really liking Aurora, and being very frustrated with her.  I know that she is lost in this world, but sometimes she just let's her opinion and desires fall without ever fighting for them.  Then there are the times were she is fiery and so much more self aware, that is when I really like her best, especially when she really finds her voice at the end.  I honestly enjoyed her every interaction with Finnigan.  I thought he brought out the best in her.

3. Speaking of Finnigan, I very much enjoyed his character, he is prince with a dash of rogue pirate thrown into his personality.  I thought that he and Aurora had great chemistry between them.  It felt like a thin line between love and hate for them.  Although, I did like her and Tristan together, too.  I was a little sad when he could not see beyond his bitterness to truly care for her.  Then there is poor Rodic, her "true love."  While there was not a love chemistry between them, I could see them building a strong friendship.  It will be interesting to see where Thomas takes these relationships in the series.

4.  Thomas has this story full of twist and intrigue.  She kept me guessing on what everyone's agenda is, and why they wanted to use Aurora.  Some of them, I am still guessing.  Plus there is the whole witch, Celestine, who cursed Aurora to begin with.  I don't think she is exactly what people thinks she is.  I have a whole theory on her, and I can't wait to see if it is true or not.

To Read or Not to Read:
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