Readers will enjoy the clever twist on Sleeping Beauty where a prickly treasure hunter and a female warrior are the ones tasked with waking a cursed prince.
The fast-paced back and forth between the brainy Fi and the brawny Shane makes the character dynamics feel modern and genuinely funny.
The plot keeps teens hooked by focusing on puzzle-solving, trap-filled ruins, and ancient mysteries rather than just standard magical combat.
Fi and Shane's shared bond as people who do not fit into traditional societal roles provides a powerful sense of belonging for readers who feel different.
The constant threat of the curse combined with the evolving romantic and platonic tensions keeps the emotional stakes as high as the physical ones.
Reach for this book when your teenager is seeking a high-stakes adventure that mirrors their own journey of navigating complex friendships and questioning traditional romance. It is perfect for the reader who feels like an outsider or who prefers logic and independence over fairytale expectations. The story follows Fi, a cynical treasure hunter, and Shane, a fierce warrior, as they attempt to break a century-old curse. While it features magic and monsters, the heart of the book lies in its exploration of found family and identity. Parents will appreciate the strong female leads and the subversion of classic tropes, making it a safe yet thrilling choice for older teens who enjoy witty, character-driven fantasy. It handles themes of trust and vulnerability with a level of maturity suited for the 14 to 18 age range.