Genre: Clean Romantasy Fairytale Retelling

A cursed prince. A dangerous dream world. A girl who holds the key to their salvation.

One kiss could awaken a kingdom… or doom it to eternal darkness.

When a reluctant thief with the power to control thorns is forced to break an ancient curse, she must risk entering the dangerous Dreamplane to save a cursed prince—but some magic comes with a price too deadly to pay.

In the kingdom of Solstraea, where the skies are gray and thorns rule the land, a centuries-old curse has imprisoned Prince Kael in an eternal sleep. Only one person can break the spell—Liora Thornhand, a thief with a rare, dangerous gift she never wanted.

Captured and offered a deal she cannot refuse, Liora must venture into the deadly Dreamplane to find Kael’s heart, hidden deep within a magical rose. But as she battles nightmare creatures and faces her own dark past, she learns that waking the prince might cost her more than just her freedom—it might cost her life.

In a world filled with twisted thorns, cursed roses, and dangerous shadows, Liora will have to decide: will she risk everything to save a kingdom she doesn’t belong to, or will she let it fall into eternal darkness?

Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Brigid Kemmerer, "A Curse of Thorns and Slumber" is a spellbinding mix of dark fantasy, romance, and a daring quest through a world where magic is as treacherous as it is beautiful.

A Curse of Thorns and Slumber is the second book in the Legends Reborn series. It is a no-spice fantasy romance adventure. Books can be read in any order.

Excerpt

Liora wound her way through the maze, her eyes darting warily over the roses as she passed. The thorns seemed to move, ever so slightly, as if they were alive, reaching toward her. She kept her distance, but the path ahead offered no clear direction, and she had no idea how long she had been walking.

Time, like everything else here, felt strange.

After what felt like hours, the thorny walls finally opened up into a wide clearing. At the center stood a towering rose bush, larger than any Liora had seen. Its twisted branches arched high into the sky, and nestled deep within the tangle of vines was a single glowing rose.

Her heart skipped a beat. That must be it.

But before she could take a step forward, something stirred at the base of the rose bush.

A figure, half-hidden in the shadows, stood slowly. He was tall, with dark hair falling just below his chin, dressed in clothes that looked like they belonged to another time—worn, faded, but finely made. His eyes, however, were the most striking—icy blue, with a depth that made Liora’s breath catch for a moment.

She recognized him immediately. Prince Kael.

But there was something wrong. He looked… distant. His eyes were sharp, but they seemed to look through her, not at her.

“You,” he said, his voice low and cold. “Who are you?”

Liora froze. She had been prepared for hostility, but something about the way he looked at her unsettled her. She straightened, forcing a smirk. “A thief, apparently. The mages sent me to break your curse.”

Kael’s expression hardened. He stepped forward, his gaze narrowing. “Another one,” he muttered, half to himself. “How many more are they going to send before they realize it’s useless?”

Liora crossed her arms. “So, I’m not the first. Good to know.”

Kael didn’t answer. He looked her over, his eyes flicking to the pouch at her side where she still kept the stolen jewels—though they felt utterly useless here. “Why should I believe you?”

“I don’t care if you do,” Liora shot back, her patience already thinning. “I’m not here for you, anyway. I’m here for the rose.”

At this, Kael’s eyes darkened, a flicker of something unreadable passing over his face. “The rose,” he repeated, his voice softer now, almost bitter. “Of course.”

Liora took a step toward the rose bush, but Kael moved suddenly, blocking her path. His eyes were sharper now, more focused. “You think it’s that simple?” he asked, his voice low. “That you can just come here and take it?”

She frowned, her pulse quickening. “Isn’t that the idea?”

Kael’s lips curled into a humorless smile. “It’s never that simple.”

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About the Author

Marie-Hélène is a Canadian author. She writes young adult quest and adventure stories rooted in fantasy, magic, and time travel. With important coming-of-age lessons at the core of her writing, children and young adults alike will revel in the fantastical journeys of her characters. When not immersed in magic and mystery, you’ll find Marie-Hélène hiking, cycling, or lying on the beach with a good book.

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