A Wicked Thing by Rhiannon Thomas
Book 1 in the A Wicked Thing series
Young Adult Fiction // Categories: Fantasy, Retellings
Release Date: February 24, 2015
Publisher: HarperTeen (HarperCollins)
Format: Hardcover • 352 pages
Rating: 2 stars
Any book having to do with fairy tales is automatically placed on my “to read” list, and A Wicked Thing was no exception. I waited very patiently for this book to come out and once it did, I read it the second I brought it home from the library. I’ve seen a ton of authors take elements of fairy tales and incorporate them into their stories (for example, Marissa Meyer and The Lunar Chronicles series) but continuing a fairy tale is something new to me.
A Wicked Thing takes place right after Aurora (or Sleeping Beauty, as we may be more familiar with) wakes up from “true love’s kiss.” Society has been waiting for her to rise and rule the kingdom, but she has no direction and doesn’t know whom to trust. She knows her story ends with “happily ever after,” but she sure doesn’t feel like that’s happening for her.
I guess all the hype that accompanies fairy tales (I’m looking at you, Disney) placed my expectations for A Wicked Thing fairly high. I was hoping for lots of action, plotting, and risky decision-making ... but not much happened. Aurora is, unfortunately, locked in a room for the majority of this story and spends that time complaining about her situation. I understand she has absolutely no experience with what she’s dealing with, but she never does anything about it. People try to control her actions, and she doesn’t question it.
The few characters that Aurora interacts with seem either intentionally mysterious or underdeveloped. Are they good or are they evil? Or are they just poorly represented? (I may never know.) It didn’t really bother me that much, but it was hard to get a sense of who the characters are when things are tossed into the air like that.
Although I was a bit disappointed by the direction of the plot, I read through the story pretty quickly. It was still interesting enough for me to continue following Aurora and see what path she chooses to take. I can see the sequel having potential, but I’m not sure I will pick it up.
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Are you a fan of fairy tale retellings? (If yes, please tell me your favorites!)
Aww, this seems like such an interesting idea for a fairy tale related novel - it's too bad it didn't really expand on it's ideas. It's such a pretty cover too - I imagine I would have snatched this one up if I had seen it in the bookstore. I read a retelling recently that I really enjoyed - The Artisans by Julie Reece which is a Beauty and the Beast retelling. I haven't put up my review yet, but I thought it was an intriguing and creepy read. The romance was a little rushed, but it didn't bother me too much.
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