New Book: Curse of the Thirteenth Fey: The True Tale of Sleeping Beauty by Jane Yolen

Curse of the Thirteenth Fey: The True Tale of Sleeping Beauty by Jane Yolen is officially released on 11/8. And, no, this is not the book upon which the upcoming Malificent film is based, but an original retelling from Yolen.

This is also a complete departure from her previous Sleeping Beauty novel--wonderful gem that it is, Briar Rose. Is it really 20 years since that book was published? I feel old. But it was one of the watershed books that inspired me to create SurLaLune six years later.

But on to the new book and its description:

A reimagining of Sleeping Beauty from a master storyteller

Gorse is the thirteenth and youngest in a family of fairies tied to the evil king's land and made to do his bidding. Because of an oath made to the king's great-great-ever-so-many-times-great-grandfather, if they try to leave or disobey the royals, they will burst into a thousand stars.

When accident-prone Gorse falls ill just as the family is bid to bless the new princess, a fairytale starts to unfold. Sick as she is, Gorse races to the castle with the last piece of magic the family has left--a piece of the Thread of Life. But that is when accident, mayhem, and magic combine to drive Gorse's story into the unthinkable, threatening the baby, the kingdom, and all.

With her trademark depth, grace, and humor, Jane Yolen tells readers the "true" story of the fairy who cursed Sleeping Beauty.