If I Die Before I Wake

Initially, I wasn't really sure what to think of If I Die Before I Wake. This Sleeping Beauty-influenced fairy tale obviously had a unique spin, but it started out a bit slowly, with some backstory and setting info-dumps being provided through long conversations. I did like several of the characters right away, and the premise was interesting enough for me to keep reading. I'm glad I did, as the action really started picking up about a third of the way through.

From then on, I was very much hooked. The main character, Vreni, had a compelling journey; she struggled with doubt, but found the courage to fulfill her mission by trusting herself and her friends. The climax of the story was fast-paced and interesting, with a small twist I didn't see coming. The landscapes and settings were generally lush, vivid and beautifully described, making it easy to become immersed in the story.

I felt this was a tale that might have benefited from starting a bit later in the storyline, and perhaps from some editing and rewriting to tighten up certain sections and better flesh out others, but I still found it well worth reading and would recommend to those who enjoy fresh fairy tale retellings populated by likable, relatable characters.

Many thanks to the author for providing a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.