Thorns At Sunrise: A Gender-Flipped YA Sleeping Beauty Retelling (Star-Crossed Fairy Tales Book 2)

A young queen. Her imaginary friend. A kingdom on the verge of death.She believes she’s crazy.Queen Usilea has a secret–and he lives in her mind. Ever since she was young, her imaginary friend has been a closest companion, and her arranged marriage has been a great dread. When she learns her betrothed and the royal family have suddenly died, she feels obligated to attend the funeral in the foreign land of Absteph–and learn more behind their mysterious passing.He only wants the truth.Petar endures great pain to protect those he does not remember. His only solace is a shadowy woman who he loves–even though she denies that he exists. When a terrible tragedy occurs in his kingdom, that mysterious woman is his only hope of bringing justice to light. For the cage that imprisons him grows harsher every day, and he is losing the fight.But there are thorns at sunrise.Brought together on the barest thread of reality, Usilea and Petar must discover what really happened to the royal family. But Petar’s time is running out. Soon not even a Mender like Usilea will be able to save him.This YA retelling of Sleeping Beauty adds a unique twist - the prince is asleep! Includes clean/sweet romance, an earnest introvert FMC, a cinnamon roll MMC, a snarky friend, a mysterious forest, and a kingdom on the brink of doom. Plus, a dragon AND a cat.Warning: This story features land-based magic, courage, sacrifice, flowers that are out to get you, and a great deal of social events that our introverted royal heroine cannot escape (although she occasionally hides beneath blankets).This Sleeping Beauty retelling is perfect for readers who love:Fairytale retellings with determined, steadfast heroinesSacrificial cinnamon roll heroes with strong backbonesDangerous magical creatures and haunting enchanted forestsSoulful romance between childhood friendsIntricate magic systems and political intrigueSnappy sidekick friends ready for adventureHappy endings that include fierce, adorable plant dragonsEnjoy the Star-Crossed Fairy Tales - Clean YA Retellings with Fresh World Building, Twisty Plots, & Fate-Bound Couples-Met By Midnight - a YA Cinderella retelling with a dystopian twist-Thorns At Sunrise - A YA Sleeping Beauty retelling with a gender-swap - the prince is asleep!-Frogs At Noontide - A YA Frog Prince retelling with a bantery couple, a cozy, fast-paced plot, and many frogs Read more