Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Saunders
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Evil knight, fierce princess in fun, gory fairy tale rehash.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Princess Eve is the teen daughter of Queen Regina. Eve's other mother, the queen's wife, has been turned into a songbird, the tragic outcome of a bargain made with a knight who grants wishes—but always extracts an unexpectedly high price. When she sees her mother having mysterious conversations with her bedroom mirror, Eve knows it's time for her to begin the quest she's been preparing for all her life: to rid the community of the evil knight.
Is It Any Good?
This enchanting fairy tale retelling starts out slow, but the characters draw readers in. In Sleep Like Death by Kalynn Bayron (This Wicked Fate, This Poison Heart), the author takes some fun liberties with the Sleeping Beauty myth. The queen who looks in the mirror is a loving mother, not an evildoer. The young woman, not a handsome prince, is the hero, while a young man needs rescuing. A surprising twist ending invokes another traditional fairy tale. A delightful read for fairy tale lovers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the themes of loyalty and betrayal in Sleep Like Death. Have you ever lost trust in someone or had someone lose trust in you? What are some ways trust can be restored? What part does integrity play in maintaining trust?
In Sleep Like Death, the author uses a popular story concept: the person who makes a bargain with an evil figure and pays an unexpectedly steep price. Why do you think this storyline is so popular? Have you seen it used in other books?
The main character in Sleep Like Death shapes her educational and training pursuits around her mother's expectations. What are some of the expectations your family holds for its members?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic , Fairy Tales ) , Adventures
- Character Strengths : Courage , Curiosity , Integrity
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Bloomsbury YA
- Publication date : June 25, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 13 - 17
- Number of pages : 352
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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