Review 32. Cameron Dokey edition.

Title: Beauty Sleep. A retelling of Sleeping beauty.
Author: Cameron Dokey.
Pages: 208.
Published: October 24th 2006 (first published December 1st 2002)
Publisher: Simon Pulse.
ISBN: 1416940146 (ISBN13: 9781416940142)
Sort: Part of the Once upon a time series.

The Princess Aurore has had an unusual childhood. Cursed at birth, Aurore is fated to prick her finger at the age of sixteen and sleep for one hundred years -- until a prince awakens her with a kiss. So, to protect her, Aurore's loving parents forbid any task requiring a needle. Unable to sew or embroider like most little princesses, Aurore instead explores the castle grounds and beyond, where her warmth and generosity soon endear her to the townspeople. their devotion to the spirited princess grows as she does. On her sixteenth birthday, Aurore learns that the impending curse will harm not only her, but the entire kingdom as well. Unwilling to cause suffering, she will embark on a quest to end the evil magic. The princess's bravery will be rewarded as she finds adventure, enchantment, a handsome prince, and ultimately her destiny.

This was such a fun book to read! This was a real original twist to the story. I love the way fairytales always end with love and happiness :) This story really made me smile and I like the way it was written. Different characters, but they played a role and weren't just there to fill up an empty space. You know what I mean right? Sometimes, I just got the idea that writers are introducing charachters to fill up the storyline and I don't like that.

Title: Golden. A retelling of Rapunzel.
Pages: 179.
Published: February 28th 2006.
Publisher: Simon Pulse.
ISBN: 1416905804 (ISBN13: 9781416905806)

Before Rapunzel's birth, her mother made a dangerous deal with the sorceress Melisande: If she could not love newborn Rapunzel just as she appeared, she would surrender the child to Melisande. When Rapunzel was born completely bald and without hope of ever growing hair, her horrified mother sent her away with the sorceress to an uncertain future.
After sixteen years of raising Rapunzel as her own child, Melisande reveals that she has another daughter, Rue, who was cursed by a wizard years ago and needs Rapunzel's help. Rue and Rapunzel have precisely "two nights and the day that falls between" to break the enchantment. But bitterness and envy come between the girls, and if they fail to work together, Rue will remain cursed...forever.

I think this is one of my favorite retellings from Rapunzel so far. I mean: Rapunzel and a bald head? How amazing are you when you come up with such a thing? I really liked Rapunzel as a character. This story has so many great elements, like Melisande and Rue. Rue is not very nice in the beginning, but you can imagine that living with that curse makes you grumpy all the time.

Title: Belle. A retelling of beauty and the beast.
Pages: 256.
Published: November 25th 2008.
Publisher: Simon Pulse.
ISBN: 1416961313 (ISBN13: 9781416961314).

Belle is convinced she has the wrong name, as she lacks her sisters' awe-inspiring beauty. So she withdraws from society, devoting her time to wood carving. Secretly, Belle longs to find the fabled Heartwood Tree. If carved by the right hands, the Heartwood will reveal the face of one's true love. During a fierce storm, Belle's father stumbles upon the mysterious Heartwood—and encounters a terrifying and lonely Beast. Now Belle must carve the Heartwood to save her father, and learn to see not with the eyes of her mind, but with the eyes of her heart.

It was a very fresh look on my favorite tale of all time. I'm always a bit nervous to read retellings about this one, because I'm afraid they will spoil it. Luckily, that's not the case with this one. Belle is a very sweet girl and I like the fact that she's so shy and insecure about herself. That makes her someone I can identify with :)

Cameron Dokey is an awesome author. You should give her books a try and look at those covers! I really want them in my book collection.