The Castle Behind Thorns

Reviewed by: Sybil Shiland - MSAD #6 - retired, Standish, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: November 12, 2014

Review

Sand, a 13 year old blacksmith's apprentice awakens to find himself in a ruined castle with no memory of how he got there. Everything has been split apart in a long ago event know as The Sundering and here seems to be nothing alive in the abandoned castle - not a spider or a bird. The castle is surrounded by an impenetrable hedge of thorns so there is no escape. Sand sets about repairing the broken things in the castle , he survives on food that although it is old hasn't spoiled, time seems to have stopped. As he explores the castle he finds a crypt and the perfectly preserved body of a young princess - who then seems to awaken from death.

The theme of Sleeping Beauty runs through this engaging tale. It is mysterious from the start, and when Perotte, the young princess is resureccted, the mystery deepens. Was she really dead ? Who or what was responsible for her death and the sundering of the castle? The reader follows Sand and Perotte, 3 dimensional, likable characters, as they puzzle out the answer to these questions. This is a mystery, a coming of age story, there are elements of time travel and fantasy - all pulled together with fascinating details that set the time and the place. Young readers will be riveted.

Overall Book Score: very good