“ONCE UPON A DREAM: A Twisted Tale,” by Liz Braswell, Disney Press, April 5, 2016, Hardcover, $17.99 (young adult)
Disney fairy tales have become a staple in households worldwide. Among the favorites is the perennial classic “Sleeping Beauty.” In “Once Upon a Dream,” Liz Braswell asks the question, what if Sleeping Beauty never woke up?
The dashing prince has slayed the dragon and kissed the slumbering princess, so why is everyone still sleeping? Turns out there’s more to Maleficent’s spell than previously thought. Instead, when the prince touches lips with the slumbering young woman, he falls asleep himself.
Princess Aurora’s parents want nothing to do with her. They’re horrible rulers. If not for Aurora’s Aunt Maleficent, everyone would have perished in the desolation they created. Now, the survivors are stuck within the walls of the castle, which is surrounded by dark vines that protect the inhabitants.
This is Aurora’s reality, but it’s only real within her mind. Maleficent’s last curse has trapped the princess in a magical landscape created from her own dreams. Aurora isn’t alone, though. She’s joined by a charming prince and friends who are trying to break through from the outside. Sleeping Beauty needs to wake up, and time is running out.
“Once Upon a Dream” is the second book in a series that reimagines fairy tales — specifically Disney tales. There’s no doubt this book is set in the Disney realm — if you’ve seen “Sleeping Beauty,” this world will be immediately recognizable. If you’re looking for a retelling of the classic by Charles Perrault or the Brothers Grimm, this book is not for you.
The idea behind “Once Upon a Dream” is fun. Aurora becomes a much more interesting. She’s not perfect. She’s not happy with the status quo. She gets her feet dirty and actually uses her brain. The problem I had with the book is the disjointed pacing, which doesn’t help with the flow. Maleficent is also very one note. The story would be much stronger if she became more than the angry fairy.
“Once Upon a Dream” is enjoyable. It’s not the best book I’ve read in 2016; it’s not the worst. Unless you’re a huge Disney fan, I’d suggest checking this one out at the library before purchasing.
