After being seriously disappointed in Holly Black’s most recent book (to the point where I couldn’t even finish reading it…) I was a touch hesitant to try out her stint for Disney’s Maleficent. And yet, clearly it’s okay to go back, because I got totally caught up in this book and finished it in less than 2 days! Black is working within the world of Disney’s live-action Maleficent films and her penchant for slightly dark, very whimsical, character and action driven stories serves the novel well as we see Aurora take her first steps as ruler of the Moors and Percefrost after being crowned by Maleficent in the first film. Sticking true to the characters that Disney’s storywriters have created, Aurora straddles the bounds between the magical and human realms, and is struggling to find a way to unite her two peoples in peace – a trope that Black is well-familiar with from her own stories, which often treat the complications when the human world meets magic. On each side of Aurora’s struggle are Prince Phillip, who we soon find out is actually in love with her, and her godmother Maleficent, who still struggles with trusting humans and would rather turn them into animals than deal with their issues – all of which makes for a challenging situation for Aurora, notwithstanding the political pressure she’s getting from the conniving characters at court. Overall, this was a great read that reaffirmed my faith that Holly Black can still write amazingly immersive stories, so here’s hoping that she’s back on her game with the following novel! ( )

This is a wonderful book young adults will enjoy. This book takes place after the first Maleficent movie, but before the new Maleficent: Mistress of Evil movie. It does toggle from Aurora's point of view to Maleficent's. Aurora is now the queen to two different places and is trying to navigate all the responsibility that comes along with it. A great story with some love, action, and more for every reader. ( )

This book is based on the Disney movie Maleficent: Mistress of Evil. It picks up where the first movie left off with Maleficent making Aurora Queen of Penceforce and the Moors or Queen of the humans and the fairies. Prince Phillip had kissed her but his kiss didn't wake her meaning he didn't love her because it wasn't true love's kiss. But the more time they spend together the more he falls in love with her. But the more time they spend together the more at ease she feels around him and the more she cherishes their friendship.

Aurora is forming a treaty between the fairies and the humans and to celebrate the signing of the treaty she is holding a fall celebration. Lady Fiona is trying to push her brother Lord Alain on her but she would rather dance with Prince Phillip who loves the fairies, unlike Lord Alain. She knows that Phillip is good with riddles so she decides to hold a riddle contest for her hand on the dance floor for the opening dance.

Maleficient overhears Phillip rehearsing his speech to Aurora about how he loves her and she threatens him with bodily harm if he does that. Aurora catches wind that something is up and Maleficient says that he can't walk with her in the Moors without first having dinner with them first. Maleficient tries to scare him off with a frightening dinner, but Phillip does not scare so easily. He attempts to tell her that night, but Maleficient prevents him. The next time he has a chance to talk to her alone he does tell her and she not only tells him no but does so with horror on her face. He is heartbroken.

He gets forced to compete in the contest and when he gets down to him and Lord Alain she gives him a riddle she gave to him a few days ago and he answers "I don't know." leaving her with Lord Alain as her dance partner. Lord Alain and Lord Ortolan, Aurora's treasurer are up to something, mainly getting Aurora and Lord Alain together. But Aurora doesn't want to be with anyone. Maleficient has raised her to protect her heart.

The action really picks up when Maleficient and Phillip get kidnapped and the pages will really fly and you'll be glued to the book as the excitement soars. This was truly a gripping novel that will keep you reading to the very last page. Aurora is sweet and good, but not overly so and Phillip is goofy in his lovesickness over her. Maleficent is mean, but not evil. Not anymore. Aurora changed her. This truly is a fabulous book and I give it five out of five stars.

Quotes

Being in love had nearly destroyed Maleficent. Denying love had destroyed King Stefan. And King Stefan’s inability to love Queen Leila had probably ruined her life, too. Love was terrifying in its power. Love was just plain terrifying.

-Holly Black (Heart of the Moors p 166)

And if I’m wrong, than nothing is fair because we didn’t even get a love story. He didn’t kiss me one time when I was awake. If he was going to betray me, he should have at least kissed me first.

-Holly Black (Heart of the Moors p 270) ( )

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

I had such a fun time reading this one with my monsters! We're actually re-reading it right now, and I've already ordered a physical copy for our shelves. I grew up with Sleeping Beauty, but it was never one of my favorites. I would enjoy watching the beginning of the movie, but even as a child thought Aurora should've been the one fighting the dragon at the end. She never had a chance to save herself, and was constantly sheltered and protected by others. I wanted her to use a sword, get her hands dirty, and do something other than wander aimlessly from one thing to the next.

The Maleficent movie and Heart of Moors have really fleshed out Aurora and Maleficent as characters, and for that I am grateful. They're so interesting, and I think Maleficent is the bee's knees! Aurora is now the queen of both the Moors and Perceforest, so she has a lot of responsibilities and expectations. She can't count on other people to swoop in and save her (although there are a few that try), and I liked seeing her character take charge and make decisions. She's determined to better the existence and perceptions of humans and faeries alike, which was admirable. She may have been young and untested, but she wasn't overly foolish. Maleficent is still beautifully wicked (she resented anyone saying anything nice about her), but she's not wholly evil. She's fiercely protective of Aurora, and she loves her to the best of her ability. Not all godmothers can make flowers that double as daggers!

I also liked learning about the various creatures living in the Moors. They're prone to mischief and whimsy, but that's their nature. They don't all seek out humans just to curse and torment them. The tree sentinels were some of my favorites! They made me think of the Ents from Lord of the Rings. Additionally, we see human hatred for the unknown and unconquerable, and how Aurora deals with those prejudices while maintaining her authority as queen. It was all very complex for a middle grade book! Loved it!

I thought Heart of Moors had a very enriching setting, and I liked that we got to see more of the characters that have recently made their mark on screen. Maleficent's wings are mentioned a few times (from when they weren't attached to her body), and I always cringe remembering what happened to her when she was young and in love. If you're a fan of Sleeping Beauty, Maleficent, or the new movies -- this book should definitely be on your radar! Also, it's written by Holly Black, so it's worth mentioning that I needed Queen of Nothing in my life months ago.

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