Cameron Dokey

Prompted by a book challenge, I've been reading more of the fairy tale retellings that have been patiently sitting on my shelves, waiting their time. Beauty Sleep is a part of the "Once Upon a Time" series. I'm an avid fan of this particular sub genre of fantasy and bought several books from this series when I first saw them, lured by the synopses and pretty covers. Thus far, the series has delivered interesting variants of old classics, and as with any series, some books are better than show more others.

This story is one of the highlights of the series. Dokey writes her own version of sleeping beauty, where the Princess Aurore is smart and independent, and doesn't succumb to her fate like a slaughtered lamb. The setting is original, and clearly explains how such a "curse" on her would be possible in that world, and what the consequences of avoiding her fate might be. I liked how the people actually needed or wanted her to fall into an enchanted sleep, as her avoidance of that fate has brought supernatural disasters upon the kingdom. I also liked the fact that her parents defended her and protected her to the best of their abilities.

Yet Aurore cares too much for her people, and decides to leave her kingdom to spare them a curse that was meant just for her. Again, instead of simply fulfilling the curse and pricking her finger, she decides to take fate in her own hands and see what will become of her in the enchanted woods that border her home.

In the end, she does fulfill the curse put upon her, but in her own choosing and shaped by her own wishes. Rather than sleep for centuries, her sleep just encompasses centuries within moments, and the enchanted forest is what makes the time in the outside world progress so rapidly without her. Aurore is not meek and doesn't slumber away while a prince does all the action; instead, she is an adventurer, finding her way in the forest, seeking out her own prince and not having one foisted upon her. I love the way Dokey takes a passive princess from the original fairy tale and transforms her into a strong and intelligent woman who shapes her own life, not to mention choosing her own love rather than being guided by a kiss from a stranger. If you're looking for something different than the usual sleeping beauty fare, this is a good book to read. show less

I'll freely admit I have no love for the original Jack and the Beanstalk tale. It bothered me that Jack could be so thoughtless when he knew so much was at stake. Plus I felt it taught a bad moral lesson; do irresponsible things and things turn out better! However I'm a big fan of the Simon and Schuster line of "Once Upon a Time" novels, and Cameron Dokey as an author in specific, so I was content to read this novel.

I wouldn't say The World Above blew me away, or made me rethink how I felt show more about the original tale, but I enjoyed Dokey 's interpretation of the events. Told through the eyes, and practical nature, of Jack's twin sister Gen, we learn the 'truth' behind the fairy tale. Jack isn't much different from his normal self; still flighty, still a day dreamer, still thinking of the next big thing instead of mundane matters. Gen is the practical one, the one who plans and lists and strives to keep the family together through all their hardships. Along the path of the novel the two learn to compromise their extreme bi-polarity in natures, but in the end its Gen's practical, planning side that wins the day.

Mixed in with the Jack and the Beanstalk tale is also pieces of Robin Hood's legend. He has his merry band, he lives in the forest and robs from the rich to give to the poor. I thought this was a nice touch, gave Gen's love interest something other then being that guy who you think the worse of at first. The scenes in the forest are some of my favorite I think for this reason. Robin's interactions with his 'people' are charismatic, firm and tinged with hope. He doesn't lie to them or lead them falsely.

My only complaint is that the characters as a whole felt shallow. Shannon and Sean are compassionate people, who try their best to keep the people's spirits alive as their father did, but very little is said beyond this. Perhaps because of the small nature of the novel (just over 200 pages), this is the reason, but I would have liked to know more about Duke Guy--for such a ruthless, cut throat man he caves awfully quickly. I can't believe 16 years changed him from a blood thirsty, power hungry usurper to a terrified old man easily bested by a slip of a girl.

Still, this version of the tale is the version I want to believe. I don't want to believe that Jack is as careless as the original tale would have us believe after all. show less

I'll admit, I had very low expectations for this one. It's a part of a series of itty bitty early-2000s books that somehow fell into my path (over and over again) and this was more to scratch the curiosity itch than anything. But I was really pleased with how unexpected it was. So much so that I'm just squinting at these apparently furious reviews like??? we read the same thing, right??? far from perfect but far from deserving of so much rage lmao

Mainly I was really impressed with how it show more married the sparse sort of fairy-tale narration style with having so many fully-realised and fascinating characters. She really made the most of the space she was given - the book isn't even 200 pages. I was really rooting for the friendships and families in this one :D

I will say that I don't think the 'twist' on the original tale was really the best (or most coherent) choice with the themes - that didn't feel like it tied in, and also I predicted it, but it was fun enough.

I'll read more of this series now and hope they'll all be this sweet!!! show less

I love fairy tale retellings and have read a couple written by Dokey previously. So far Dokey's writing has been a bit hit and miss for me, but this book was definitely a hit. It was actually one of the better retellings of Cinderella that I have read.

You know the basic story but in this version there are some changes. Cinderella's name is really Cendrillon and her father is alive, but has abandoned her because the death of her mother makes Cendrillon's company too painful. There is another show more boy whose birthday is the same day as Cendrillon's who grows up with her but has an unknown past. Add to the mix two countries torn by centuries of war, but currently at peace and you have the makings for a great Cinderella retelling.

I loved that Dokey approached this retelling a bit differently, in some ways she stuck truer to the Brothers Grimm version than the Disney version. In someways she made everything a bit more sweet too. Most of the story focuses on the power of love and wishes. When Cendrillon wishes for sisters and a mother to love, her wish comes true but not in the way she imagined. Her stepsisters and stepmother aren't as horrible as they are in some renditions, and the ways they are horrible in are because their own pain.

There are a lot of twists to the plot, making it more interesting than the traditional Cinderella story. All the characters involved are paired up happily in the end too, which while unlikely and a bit goofy, is also very fairy tale like and sweet.

Overall an excellent retelling of Cinderella. Very sweet and loving characters, a very fairy tale like ending. I loved that the plot was complicated by sympathetic characters and had some additional politics thrown in. The writing is beautiful and descriptive. If you like fairy tale retellings I can recommend this as a good read. show less