Beauty's Curse: Once Upon a Princess, Book 1
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Beauty's Curse: Once Upon a Princess, Book 1 Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

C. S. Johnson (Author, Publisher), Alexa Crema (Narrator)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 156 ratings
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For four years, Princess Aurora of Rhone - Rose, to her friends - has searched the world for a way to break the curse placed on her by Magdalina, the wicked ruler of the fairies at war with her kingdom.

Under the curse, Rose is doomed to die on her 18th birthday after pricking her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel. And time is running out.

On the eve of her 17th birthday, Rose makes the journey home with her friends - Theo, a priest with a penchant for revenge; Mary, a young and talented fairy; and Ethan and Sophia, siblings with a troubled past - as pressure from her father King Stefanos leaves her with two equally unsatisfying options: Abdicate the throne, or get married.

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  1. Listening Length
    3 hours and 58 minutes
  2. Author
    C. S. Johnson
  3. Narrator
    Alexa Crema
  4. Audible release date
    June 28, 2018
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    C. S. Johnson
  7. ASIN
    B07F99VXVG
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 3 hours and 58 minutes
Author C. S. Johnson
Narrator Alexa Crema
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date June 28, 2018
Publisher C. S. Johnson
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B07F99VXVG
Best Sellers Rank #571,654 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#852 in Fantasy Anthologies & Short Stories (Audible Books & Originals)
#3,781 in Fairy Tale Fantasy (Audible Books & Originals)
#11,748 in Fantasy Anthologies

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
156 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Sara
5.0 out of 5 stars Can Sleeping Beauty Break Her Own Curse?
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2020
Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed this book. The story of Aurora (Rose to her friends and Rosary to one person), cursed by a witch to prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel on her 18th birthday, is not unfamiliar. But CJ's spin on the story is fantastic. The way she overlaps the human world and the world of fairy is much more modern and less cute than the Disney version of the story. Additionally, she introduces the characters right in the middle of the story which is incredibly gutsy.

Princess Rose, who has been off questing for years trying to find a way to break her own curse, has been summoned home by her father. She meets some good fairies and evil fairies along the way as well as Prince Philip. At home, she is given an ultimatum. Marry and produce an heir or abdicate. The twist is especially fun, since she has two younger siblings that have been kept in hiding to avoid the curse. While the story is so familiar, the personality of the princess is not. She is very strong-willed and opinionated and absolutely unwilling to give up hope. Philip also has some depth to him. Other fun characters are Rose's younger sister, Isra, princess-in-hiding as well as the one person who always has Rose's back and who Rose takes for granted. Theo, a priest turned knight, and one of Rose's closest friends is also a wonderful addition to the ensemble. I am really looking forward to seeing where this story will lead to.

I received a free copy of this book by the author and have reviewed it willingly.
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Lillian @ Mom with a Reading Problem
4.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't sit it down!
Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2017
Verified Purchase
Beauty’s Curse by C.S. Johnson is the first book in the novella series. I adore Sleeping Beauty so I was really excited to start this series. Retellings for me are either fantastic or fall short of my expectations. I’m happy to say that this book falls on the fantastic side!

Princess Aurora is a princess I can get behind. Rose to her friends, the princess is a fierce character to contend with. She has no fear, or at least that is how she presents herself to all but her closest friends. There is only one thing that can kill her and that’s the curse placed on her by the half-fairy Magdalina. Since she was 13, Rose has been on a quest to find how to break the curse. She’s a little bitter and understandably so. Yet she’s a fighter and won’t stop until the curse takes her. She inspires others to follow her and wherever she goes, Rose seems to fight for justice.

Rose hasn’t returned to her kingdom since she left four years earlier and I don’t blame her. Her parents tried to force her into marriage to make an heir before the curse took effect on her 18th birthday. Now they have requested she return home to either marry or abdicate the throne. I can’t imagine how this would make anyone feel. I know how I’d feel and that’s bitter and angry. Yet Rose approaches it with her friends at her back and shows that she is the true princess of legend.

Theo *swoon* is Rose’s oldest friend and confidante. Raised in the church after his parents are killed by fairies, Theo wants only two things: to get revenge for his parents and save Rose. It’s obvious from their first encounter the two love one another, but are too stubborn to admit so. Rose believes she’s unlovable as her time on earth is limited, and Theo tries to respect her wishes, plus she’s a princess and he a clergyman/knight. He has no business loving her, at least that’s what he thinks. Theo is like Rose’s conscience. He keeps her grounded when she becomes obsessed with stopping the curse. He keeps her living in the moment instead of the inevitable doom that awaits.

Overall I really enjoyed this story. The banter and friendship among Rose and her followers, Theo’s persistent love and the world-building are fantastic. The original fairy tale is still there, but the author has created a new world blended with historical facts that is irresistible. If you enjoy historical fantasy, I highly recommend you pick up this series! The first book is free on all platforms :)
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Jolyn
5.0 out of 5 stars This is one awesome Sleeping Beauty retelling!
Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2018
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This story really made me stop and think about fairy tales and my standard assumptions associated with them. Are the endings really happily ever after. Are the "good guys" really the good guys or might there be more to the story?

I really enjoyed how this story focused on Rose long before her curse came into effect and had her out trying to save herself, not unaware of the curse or just frittering away the time until her demise in the castle.

However she and those with her had/have much to learn. I look forward to the continuation of their adventures and the learning in future stories.

Sex - none
Language - none
Violence - Theo and Rose spend a lot of time sparring both verbally and physically and sometimes it gets pretty intense although their injuries are never vividly described. Rose also sustains injuries in other battles.
Religion - one of the main characters is a priest with a penchant for revenge so proceed accordingly - both faith and revenge are explored in the story
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Top reviews from other countries

Marlene
4.0 out of 5 stars Sleeping Beauty has always been my favorite fairy tale
Reviewed in Canada on March 26, 2018
Verified Purchase
Sleeping Beauty has always been my favorite fairy tale. This is the first book in a very different retelling of that fairy tale. I really enjoyed reading. The character of Aurora/Rose is a strong, take charge person. I was drawn in from the get go and am looking forward to continue the series.
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Taaibah
4.0 out of 5 stars Just loved this book
Reviewed in Australia on November 18, 2021
Verified Purchase
What a great read, and an intriguing twist on the sleeping beauty fairytale.
I cannot wait to read the next book to see how it all goes….
What an adventure….
Great characters, and a great spin on the tale….
A really good read for everyone young and old….
Have already recommended this to many friends- for themselves and their YA children….
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