Among the Beasts and Briars
In Among the Beasts and Briars, Cerys is safe in the prosperous kingdom of Aloriya. Protected by a magical crown, the citizens of Aloriya are safe from the dangerous woods that borders the kingdom. The most danger she faces, as a gardener’s daughter, is the annoying fox who stalks the royal gardens and won’t leave her alone. As a new queen is crowned, things long hidden in the woods descend on Aloriya. Cerys is forced to run, her only companions the small fox from the garden, a strange and powerful bear, and the magic in her veins. It’s up to her to find the legendary Lady of the Wilds and beg for a way to save her home.
Ashley Poston’s book was the perfect way to start off the new year. The cover is simply gorgeous; I love the patterned, stitched look to it. Especially the fox and crown!
I just finished a first-person perspective book series, and I didn’t expect this one to be in that perspective. I might have to re-evaluate my opinion on first-person, because I seem to like more and more books written this way. Poston did a great job switching between Cerys’ perspective and Fox’s, once he was turned human by Cerys’ magic. I liked reading Fox’s chapters more just because he was so unsure as to how to be human. His humour and wit broke up the high stakes drama of the story. It worked wonderfully well.
To have Cerys find out the truth of her kingdom and the truth of the woods with its dangerous creatures, was the perfect twist for me. I liked finding out that Aloriya didn’t have this sunshine and rainbows history, and that the kingdom in the Wilds wasn’t this safe haven, but was suffering at the hands of the creatures and its magic.
Cerys had to confront all she had known and figure out a way to save her family, friends, and her kingdom without the magical salvation of the Lady of the Wilds to help. She had to become the hero, instead of just sticking to her role as “the gardener’s daughter.” She spent most of the book limiting herself with that title, and I’m glad she stepped outside her comfort zone near the end and realized she was capable of so much more than she originally thought.
Among the Beasts and Briars is a thrilling story that classic fairy tale lovers won’t be able to put down.
Among the Beasts and Briars Rating: ★★★★
Ashley Poston’s book was the perfect way to start off the new year. The cover is simply gorgeous; I love the patterned, stitched look to it. Especially the fox and crown!
I just finished a first-person perspective book series, and I didn’t expect this one to be in that perspective. I might have to re-evaluate my opinion on first-person, because I seem to like more and more books written this way. Poston did a great job switching between Cerys’ perspective and Fox’s, once he was turned human by Cerys’ magic. I liked reading Fox’s chapters more just because he was so unsure as to how to be human. His humour and wit broke up the high stakes drama of the story. It worked wonderfully well.
To have Cerys find out the truth of her kingdom and the truth of the woods with its dangerous creatures, was the perfect twist for me. I liked finding out that Aloriya didn’t have this sunshine and rainbows history, and that the kingdom in the Wilds wasn’t this safe haven, but was suffering at the hands of the creatures and its magic.
Cerys had to confront all she had known and figure out a way to save her family, friends, and her kingdom without the magical salvation of the Lady of the Wilds to help. She had to become the hero, instead of just sticking to her role as “the gardener’s daughter.” She spent most of the book limiting herself with that title, and I’m glad she stepped outside her comfort zone near the end and realized she was capable of so much more than she originally thought.
Among the Beasts and Briars is a thrilling story that classic fairy tale lovers won’t be able to put down.
Among the Beasts and Briars Rating: ★★★★