Review: Insomniac's Curse
So far, I have not read a single book by Abigail Manning that I haven't enjoyed. Insomniac's Curse is no exception. This "Sleeping Beauty" retelling is a creative reimagining that takes the story in a bold new direction. I have never read a book that reminded me so much of the dichotomy in the video game Slay the Princess, which is really saying something because that game makes you think. It has lots of surprises with a hero and heroine that are easy to love. This book is a magical escape from the world we know, with a sweet romance and a few subtle references to the Disney movie. I found it a relaxing read with plenty of thrills along the way.
Kaliope is an innocent maiden living in the woods, being raised by her three spinster aunts. She has a hard time sleeping at night, and for good reason. When she falls asleep, she has episodes where she loses control of her body and launches into violent attacks on the villagers. Her aunts have done their best to hide her as the source of the attacks, but the more frequent the episodes get, the more difficult that becomes. Meanwhile, a royal knight named Daniel is put in charge of protecting the hidden princess from the beast ensnaring the village. Things get more complicated after he deduces that she is both the maiden and the beast. Now he needs to figure out a way to protect her from herself.
Insomniac's Curse is a daring new reimagining of "Sleeping Beauty" that will transport you to a world of magic, romance, and suspense. With its unique blend of mystery, adventure, and tender moments, this book is sure to delight fans of fantasy and fairy tale retellings. Abigail Manning's masterful storytelling weaves a spell that will keep you enthralled until the very end. If you're looking for a relaxing yet thrilling read, look no further than Insomniac's Curse.
Kaliope is an innocent maiden living in the woods, being raised by her three spinster aunts. She has a hard time sleeping at night, and for good reason. When she falls asleep, she has episodes where she loses control of her body and launches into violent attacks on the villagers. Her aunts have done their best to hide her as the source of the attacks, but the more frequent the episodes get, the more difficult that becomes. Meanwhile, a royal knight named Daniel is put in charge of protecting the hidden princess from the beast ensnaring the village. Things get more complicated after he deduces that she is both the maiden and the beast. Now he needs to figure out a way to protect her from herself.
Although Kaliope's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde complex is fascinating, I think Daniel is actually my favorite character in the book. I thoroughly enjoyed the chapters that were told from his perspective because it was easy to relate to his intelligence and empathy as he slowly discovered Kaliope's secret and decided to do the right thing, even though it would have been so easy to just restrain in her innocent awake state to avoid letting the moster come out in her sleep. He is so patient and understanding, explaining everything to her as he learned new secrets and protecting her from the greedy fingers of Jamal, an innkeeper's son who was determined to marry her.
Although Kaliope's dissociative episodes may not be relatable to most readers, her feelings for Daniel really make her shine as a character. She is incredibly sweet and terrified at the thought of harming anyone. When Daniel learns her secret and still doesn't see her as a monster, she grows incredibly close to him and even trusts him enough to watch her sleep. They bond over a mutual love of books and become more and more determined to protect each other as the story unfolds. It's heartwarming to see how much Daniel is willing to endure for Kaliope's sake. When the big twist is revealed at the end of the book, all I wanted as a reader was for both of them to be okay and find a way to be together.
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