Briarheart

From beloved fantasy author Mercedes Lackey comes a fresh and feminist reinterpretation of Sleeping Beauty. Miriam may be the daughter of Queen Alethia of Tirendell, but she's not a princess. She's the child of Alethia and her previous husband, the King's Champion, who died fighting for the king, and she has no desire to rule. When her new baby sister Aurora, heir to the throne, is born, she's ecstatic. She adores the baby, who seems perfect in every way. But on the day of Aurora's christening, an uninvited Dark Fae arrives, prepared to curse her, and Miriam discovers she possesses impossible power.\nSoon, Miriam is charged with being trained in both magic and combat to act as chief protector to her sister. But shadowy threats are moving closer and closer to their kingdom, and Miriam's dark power may not be enough to save everyone she loves, let alone herself.\nFrom School Library Journal\nGr 7 Up-Miriam narrates this fae-retelling of "Sleeping Beauty" that gloriously features an adventure of a lifetime. The prolific Lackey challenges her readers with rich prose and sophisticated word choice in a wild ride, replete with royalty, knights, trolls, and a reluctant dragon. Miri, stepdaughter of King Karlson, finds out that she has magical powers at her baby sister Princess Aurora's christening. She is responsible for protecting her sister from the Dark Fae who aims to harm the little one for political gain. Immediately, Miri and selected peers form "Aurora's Companions" and train to use traditional chivalric tactics plus advantageous magic from Light Fae mentors to guard the baby. Readers will be spellbound by Miri's misadventures and her relatable coming-of-age. Lackey weaves sensitive character interaction among humans, part-humans, and talking animals into a tapestry of rich vocabulary and death-defying scenarios. Even the minor characters are unforgettable, including Miri's befuddled governess Belinda, who can't bear the changes in Miri's demeanor as she becomes more "knight" than "lady." The sophistication of prose makes this title appropriate for upper middle grades, providing a bridge to authors such as Tamora Pierce and Anne McCaffrey. The author leaves readers wanting future quests and deepening relationships for Miri and her friends. VERDICT Strongly recommended for upper middle grade/YA fans of the genre who prefer magical solutions over weapons and violence.-Jane Miller, Nashville P.L.α(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.