A Kiss in Time by: Alex Flinn (2010)
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
383 pages
Genre: YA/Fantasy/Fairy Tale
Summary: This is a modern retelling of Sleeping Beauty.
Talia fell under a spell after touching a spindle. Jack was on a tour group and
came across the hidden castle with Talia and everyone there fast asleep. With
one kiss Talia awakes, and chaos ensues, including an evil witch, Talia
discovering the 21st century after being asleep for years, parental
problems, and some romance thrown in.
Review: I love a good fairy tale retelling and I enjoyed
Beastly by Alex Flinn, but this one wasn’t a hit out of the park, it was more
like a double. I don’t know what it was about this book, but it just wasn’t as
captivating as I had hoped it would be.
This was still a cute read, and it had me laughing during a
lot of it. After Talia was asleep for so long, it was rather humorous to see
her reaction to new technologies, such as a cell phone. I also enjoyed how
Flinn spun the story of Sleeping Beauty, it was a fun take.
What bothered me so much about this book wasn't that I didn't like the plot, although at times it was kind of boring, my problem was with the two main characters. There was too
much emphasis on looks, seriously, we get that Talia is beautiful, thanks. I
know that she is a princess, but it is kind of sad that we, as the readers, are
reminded over and over again of her beauty, there was more to her than that.
Okay, maybe not a whole lot more, which was part of the problem. She was good
at listening and giving advice, but other than that she seemed a little bit too
spoiled and too much of a brat. I know there is reasoning behind why she acts
that way, but it was just too frustrating for me. I was hoping for a stronger
female lead. Not to mention Jack, he is naive and superficial at times,
actually most of the time. I know they are teenagers, but still. I guess I just
couldn’t really enjoy this book because I didn’t have any attachment to either
of the main characters. I hate when that happens.
Overall, this book was just an okay book, but there are many
out there that have enjoyed it more than me. It just didn’t do it for me
personally.
Sadly, I could have been sleeping beauty through a good
portion of this book.
Rating: 2.5/5 BUY A Kiss in Time
If I felt no attachment to the main characters I definitely wouldn't like the book either. A lot of you gripes are things that would frustrate me as well. I hadn't really considered reading any books by this author before, and it will probably stay that way.
ReplyDeleteThe characters were just... annoying.
DeleteIt just didn't do anything for me. You won't be missing a whole lot in my opinion. Beastly was good, but after reading this one I probably won't read any more of his.
I love retellings and am disappointed this was slow at times and that the characters didn't connect with you..that really makes everything else fall apart. Awesome review! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am now following you and look forward to chatting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and becoming a follower! I am glad you enjoyed the review. Nothing is worse than not having any connection with the characters. I am already a follower of your blog! :)
DeleteI just finished a book with character problems. Ugh. It is too bad that this one had issues. The premise sounds good. Thanks for your review.
ReplyDeletePS: Thanks for listing your blog on Book Blog 411.