Briar doesn’t believe in Once Upon A Time… Her whole life, Briar has been told about her fate, but she doesn’t believe a word. Now she’s forced to go to Grimm Academy along with all the other fairy tale characters trying to avoid their tales. When she finds a spindle in one of the tallest towers, she begins to believe, but is it already too late?Welcome to Grimm Academy, where fairy tale … Academy, where fairy tale characters go to escape their foretold fate.
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Spindles And Spells is the first book of the Grimm Academy series and is based on the fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty. This includes an m/f (non-RH, non-bully) romance.
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Lovely clean Ya retelling of Sleeping Beauty – although it’s more like a prequel as it never gets to the sleeping part. Briar Rose goes to a curse-breaking academy, makes friends with Rapunzel and gets a BF and, of course, is put into peril by things she finds hard to believe. This original tale is recommended for YA/college fantasy and fairytale lovers.
‘Spindles and Spells’ is the first book in Laura Greenwood’s “Grimm Academy” series that is the retelling of Sleeping Beauty, in this case, Her Royal Highness Briar Rose. There are other well-known fairytale characters there as well: Rapunzel, King Arthur, and of course Ella, aka Cinderella. These students are at Grimm Academy to break their prophecies. Briar Rose agrees to go to the Academy in order to make her father, the king happy. Of course, she doesn’t believe in prophecies and refuses to get caught up in the hype. Ella was not the son her father wanted, but she knows she can meet any challenge thrown at her and rule their kingdom someday. There’s a bit of intrigue in this short, easy read with each character having enough room for growth during the story. It was quite enjoyable as a getaway.
Briar Rose doesn’t believe in the prophesies. Especially hers. Her parents aren’t taking any chances. If she can make it through Grimm Academy her father, the King, will consider allowing her to rule the kingdom. Rupunzel is her first friend and a boy named Walter is who she would like to be her boyfriend. She is so sweet and a bit too trusting. However, her prophecy begins and she can’t deny it anymore. It will take all of them to prevent her safe. Grimm Academy is a diverse, private and exclusive academy for paranormals and there is never a dull moment there!
This was a very clever book. It takes the idea of empowering women but almost hides it into a fairy tale. If Briar is to become the Heir apparent of her kingdom then she must learn to overcome obstacles and find a way to lead without losing herself to falseness. With the help of Rapunzel band her friends Briar saves herself and proves that she can become someone who can rule.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Briar’s story is reminiscent of the traditional tale but has a decidedly modern British feel, complete with plenty of tea and biscuits. Rather than being hidden away her entire childhood, she is raised as a princess and sent to a boarding academy as her prophesy (which she does not believe in) is due to come true.
A mashup of fairytale characters trying to escape their prophesies attend Grimm Academy. The cast includes popular favorites as well as a few lesser characters. The fact that the prophesies are not limited to royalty leads to some interesting possibilities.
While this is a short read, the characters are well developed and I look forward to seeing more of them in the next installment.
Our heroine is based on the star of the Sleeping Beauty story, but now she is in an academy setting with other fairy tale characters.
This is book one of the series, so all good there.
This is a paranormal academy romance, but it is based around classic fairy tale characters, so it is definitely a bit different from the norm. Fortunately, it is different in a good way and makes for a fantastic read. The story is well written and you already know the characters, but they are brought to life in new and interesting ways here. I really enjoyed this one and am looking forward to the next book of the series.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
Spindles And Spells by Laura Greenwood is such an amazing story that I have loved reading. This is book number one in this amazing start to a brand new series and I can not wait to read the rest of this amazing series. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about fantasy and paranormal romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Spindles and Spells is the retelling of Sleeping Beauty with a Grimm Academy twist. The characters are interesting and well developed and the story is well written with plot twists that had me turning the pages to find out what would happen next. I really enjoy reading fairytale retellings and I can’t wait to read the next book in The Grimm Academy series.
I really did not get into this story, but others might like it better. We bring in Sleeping Beauty. I don’t want to say to much, you should give your own thoughts on this type of writing.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I like how Laura Greenwood had taken classic fairy tales and twisted them. This is a sweet romance between an intelligent princess who attends a finishing academy for royals and nobles and the supportive lording she meets there. All of this is spiced by Briar coming to the realization that the prophecy of her 18th birthday is real, not a method of parental control, and her efforts to destroy that prophecy. It is a very personal quest resulting in deep bonds with new friends and Briar’s happily-ever-after (without the LONG nap). This is a delightful read, so I need to see what happens next at Grimm Academy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I love this retelling of sleeping beauty. I loved Briar and the rest of the characters. The story is well written and keeps your interest. A great book that I recommend reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Book one in the Grimm Academy series a well written story that kept me turning pages. Briar Rose has always been my favorite tale, and this one does not disappoint. I enjoyed seeing how Walter, Rapunzel, and Gavin help her with the curse. I want to read the next book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a different re-telling of Sleeping Beauty and it’s geared more towards young adults but very enjoyable. It’s premise is that Grimm Academy is for those fairy tale characters that want to escape their fate but that proves a little difficult for Briar. The story has some mystery and danger but still that sweet, young romance you expect along with friendships. I can’t wait to see where the rest of the stories takes us.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is an interesting and entertaining take on the prophecies involved in popular fairytales.
Brair is an engaging character who gets you involved in her time at Grimm academy with ease.
Enjoyable read
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This series is all about the retelling of classic fairy tales albeit with unusual and unique twists. Ms. Greenwood does a very good job with her take on the classic story of Sleeping Beauty. Geared towards more of a teen reader but still quite enjoyable for adults. I will definitely be watching for the other stories in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Entertaining
A very updated Fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty. Briar doesn’t believe in the prophecy told about her until she sees a spindle in one of the tallest towers.
This is a very enjoyable story to read. This story is self-contained in this book and yet more in the series are to come about other Fairy tale characters.
Well written story.
In the retelling of Sleeping Beauty, we meet Briar Rose, who does not at all believe in the prophecy of what is going to happen to her. Her father cajoles her into going to the Grimm Academy and she agrees. There she meets Rapunzel who becomes her best friend, along with several other fairy tale characters the reader will no doubt recognize. Finding a spindle in one of the tallest towers gives Rose a nervous moment, but can she count on her new friends to keep her out of danger? Can she create a new future for herself as she learns to have confidence in her abilities and faith in others she cares about to have her back?
The author does a wonderful job with this story, giving it a little twist to send it “spinning” off in another direction. The characters are great, the story line familiar enough though different so that the reader has certain expectations. Changing those expectations will keep the story fresh and new as we wait to see if Fate can be thwarted this time around. Grab your copy and enjoy what promises to be an excellent series!
Can she meet the challenge?
What a cool look at an old fairy tale Sleeping Beauty. What I enjoyed was the refreshing look and feel of this tale. The author has added into the tale elements that show a young person growing and learning about themselves how to deal with events in their lives and the need to work with others. All this was in a beautifully written piece. I thought this piece was truly amazing! I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
This is a super fantasy romance! I loved it! It is a mystical and magical adventure. A lot of fun to read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed this retelling of the Briar Rose story set at an Academy. It was a clean story that had enough of the original tale to be recognizable yet different enough to entertain. I really thought Briar’s reactions to the start of the school were a hoot. I admit the story made me laugh but that is why I liked the story so much. It was more on the entertaining uplifting side and not a dark retelling. And quick enough to read in one sitting to see how it would end and what twist would be included.