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Enchanted Tales of Tír #1
Tested: A Princess and the Pea Retelling
Her only chance at escape is to win the hand of the prince�but her loathsome suitor will do whatever it takes to see her fail.
Aine harbors a fervent desire: to shield the land and its inhabitants from the negligence of her father. However, her aspirations are threatened when her parents scheme to barter her off to a neighboring lord. The Queen's invitation to compete in a contest to determine the prince's bride arrives just in time.
Prince Rian, ensnared by a curse demanding he win the affection of the "perfect princess" before his twenty-first birthday, grapples with dwindling prospects and fading optimism. With scant months remaining, his ambitions have dwindled to a single to enact even the slightest improvement on the world—or at least his country—before his death.
As Aine faces the queen's tests, fate entwines her destiny with Rian's. Unfortunately, the determined Lord Cleirigh will stop at nothing to thwart her ascent.
Tested is a sweet, clean retelling of The Princess and the Pea. While it can be read alone, the books of The Enchanted Tales of Tír are best enjoyed in order. The Enchanted Tales of Tír reading A Retelling of the Princess and the Pea (Book 1) A Retelling of The Wild Swans (Book 2)A Gentle A Beauty and the Beast Retelling (Book 2.5) - Part of the Hope Ever After series
Aine harbors a fervent desire: to shield the land and its inhabitants from the negligence of her father. However, her aspirations are threatened when her parents scheme to barter her off to a neighboring lord. The Queen's invitation to compete in a contest to determine the prince's bride arrives just in time.
Prince Rian, ensnared by a curse demanding he win the affection of the "perfect princess" before his twenty-first birthday, grapples with dwindling prospects and fading optimism. With scant months remaining, his ambitions have dwindled to a single to enact even the slightest improvement on the world—or at least his country—before his death.
As Aine faces the queen's tests, fate entwines her destiny with Rian's. Unfortunately, the determined Lord Cleirigh will stop at nothing to thwart her ascent.
Tested is a sweet, clean retelling of The Princess and the Pea. While it can be read alone, the books of The Enchanted Tales of Tír are best enjoyed in order. The Enchanted Tales of Tír reading A Retelling of the Princess and the Pea (Book 1) A Retelling of The Wild Swans (Book 2)A Gentle A Beauty and the Beast Retelling (Book 2.5) - Part of the Hope Ever After series
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Published March 29, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
December 19, 2024
Something about me is that I will always love princess books and that will never change. My favorite things to read are fairytales written by self published authors so I stalk Amazon’s list of new releases in the fairytale and folklore category so that I never miss a new fairytale release or an upcoming fairytale series. That’s how I found out about Tested and instantly added it to my tbr list for 2024 because, yay, a new fairytale author and series!
This first installment of this new fairytale series did not disappoint. The world building was fantastic, the writing was incredibly skilled, and the book was actually hilarious. I loved meeting some of the princesses of Tir and learning about their world, and I can’t wait to learn more about their kingdoms. As with every fairytale series, I hope for and look for hints that there will be a Snow White retelling somewhere in the series (my favorite princess, character, fairytale, self proclaimed alter ego) but even if there isn’t, I’ll be reading every installment in this series.
I love how there is a sizable community of self published fairytale retelling authors out there and that there is no shortage of indie authors writing in this genre, because I feel like fairytales are generally underrated and is such a niche interest. But it gives me so much hope to see that not only are there so many indie fairytale authors, many of them have achieved HIGH levels of popularity and their retellings have seen massive amounts of success! I’ve always felt that fairytales are such a niche interest so seeing fairytale retelling become popular gives me so much hope and joy, as well as seeing so many fairytale authors writing in this genre. And of course, new authors like Sarah coming in and joining the fairytale bandwagon! I love how there are so many fairytale authors out there now that I never feel deprived of books in this genre because with my sizable rotation of fairytale authors and their series, it feels like new books come out every month. And finding new fairytale series like this one is so exciting to me!
A fantastic new series to add to my repertoire of fairytale series to keep up with. Can’t wait for future books and fingers crossed for at least a novella about Snow White? 👸🏻
This first installment of this new fairytale series did not disappoint. The world building was fantastic, the writing was incredibly skilled, and the book was actually hilarious. I loved meeting some of the princesses of Tir and learning about their world, and I can’t wait to learn more about their kingdoms. As with every fairytale series, I hope for and look for hints that there will be a Snow White retelling somewhere in the series (my favorite princess, character, fairytale, self proclaimed alter ego) but even if there isn’t, I’ll be reading every installment in this series.
I love how there is a sizable community of self published fairytale retelling authors out there and that there is no shortage of indie authors writing in this genre, because I feel like fairytales are generally underrated and is such a niche interest. But it gives me so much hope to see that not only are there so many indie fairytale authors, many of them have achieved HIGH levels of popularity and their retellings have seen massive amounts of success! I’ve always felt that fairytales are such a niche interest so seeing fairytale retelling become popular gives me so much hope and joy, as well as seeing so many fairytale authors writing in this genre. And of course, new authors like Sarah coming in and joining the fairytale bandwagon! I love how there are so many fairytale authors out there now that I never feel deprived of books in this genre because with my sizable rotation of fairytale authors and their series, it feels like new books come out every month. And finding new fairytale series like this one is so exciting to me!
A fantastic new series to add to my repertoire of fairytale series to keep up with. Can’t wait for future books and fingers crossed for at least a novella about Snow White? 👸🏻
March 19, 2024
I recently had the pleasure of picking up a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review--and let me tell you, I plan on adding this book to my physical library ASAP! It was such a wonderful surprise, both magical and grounded and so much more profound than I ever would have guessed.
Story: 5/5
Worldview: N/A (not Christian but amazing themes)
Aine and Rian are only a part of the stellar cast of Tested. I loved seeing their worldviews challenged and how they had to grow as people. They did challenge each other, but their personal growth was not done with the motivation of pleasing the other, which was awesome. The side characters shined between high-flying Colm and bird-loving Prince Finn. Even the other princesses were well-rounded young women: kind, courteous, and fair. The author's grasp of situational humor really made me laugh out loud at many points. The magic in this story wasn't weird at all, but rather the backdrop of the fairytale itself (e.g. a sorceress that curses the prince, a magic pea). Despite having so much information on the rest of the world, I never felt overwhelmed with the world building and the whole kingdom just felt rich and alive.
Worldview is not applicable because I rate books based on their Christian perspective. However, the themes for this novel were so profound and relatable. Aine is distrustful and guarded with everyone around her. As much as she wants to let people in, she struggles with getting burned and hurting herself, but in protecting her own interests, she hurts the people dearest to her. Meanwhile, Prince Rian really is a haughty, arrogant crown prince who needs to learn a thing or two about subtlety. He's so desperate to leave some kind of legacy that he doesn't even realize he's only cementing himself further into a self-righteous attitude--the same perspective that blinds him to the dangers right in front of him. Seeing Aine and Rian confront their shortcomings and grow individually was unexpected and spectacular.
All in all, a phenomenal novel that catapults Sarah Carlisle into being a preferred author of mine! I'm excited to read A Gentle Hope later!
Story: 5/5
Worldview: N/A (not Christian but amazing themes)
Aine and Rian are only a part of the stellar cast of Tested. I loved seeing their worldviews challenged and how they had to grow as people. They did challenge each other, but their personal growth was not done with the motivation of pleasing the other, which was awesome. The side characters shined between high-flying Colm and bird-loving Prince Finn. Even the other princesses were well-rounded young women: kind, courteous, and fair. The author's grasp of situational humor really made me laugh out loud at many points. The magic in this story wasn't weird at all, but rather the backdrop of the fairytale itself (e.g. a sorceress that curses the prince, a magic pea). Despite having so much information on the rest of the world, I never felt overwhelmed with the world building and the whole kingdom just felt rich and alive.
Worldview is not applicable because I rate books based on their Christian perspective. However, the themes for this novel were so profound and relatable. Aine is distrustful and guarded with everyone around her. As much as she wants to let people in, she struggles with getting burned and hurting herself, but in protecting her own interests, she hurts the people dearest to her. Meanwhile, Prince Rian really is a haughty, arrogant crown prince who needs to learn a thing or two about subtlety. He's so desperate to leave some kind of legacy that he doesn't even realize he's only cementing himself further into a self-righteous attitude--the same perspective that blinds him to the dangers right in front of him. Seeing Aine and Rian confront their shortcomings and grow individually was unexpected and spectacular.
All in all, a phenomenal novel that catapults Sarah Carlisle into being a preferred author of mine! I'm excited to read A Gentle Hope later!
April 20, 2024
Princess and the Pea Meets Beauty and the Beast
The Princess and the Pea is one of my favorite fairytale retellings. I love how Sarah Carlisle made it her own! Prince Rian has been cursed, if he doesn’t find a perfect princess by his 21st birthday, he will die. And his good looks and physical attributes were stripped away. Good luck, Rian!
I loved the tests, and Aine’s desire to win, but win fairly. She was clever and strong in the face of sabatoge. I loved watching her and Rian in all of the little moments. I stayed up far too late finishing this book! Don’t tell my husband. I couldn’t put it down.
I could see the set-up for so many more fairytales in the land of Tir, and I’m excited to go back.
My only complaint was the number of names and places in the pronunciation guide. I want to enjoy the story, and I felt like I had to think about every local name since none of them were recognizable or phonemic. It pulled me out of the delightful story.
The Princess and the Pea is one of my favorite fairytale retellings. I love how Sarah Carlisle made it her own! Prince Rian has been cursed, if he doesn’t find a perfect princess by his 21st birthday, he will die. And his good looks and physical attributes were stripped away. Good luck, Rian!
I loved the tests, and Aine’s desire to win, but win fairly. She was clever and strong in the face of sabatoge. I loved watching her and Rian in all of the little moments. I stayed up far too late finishing this book! Don’t tell my husband. I couldn’t put it down.
I could see the set-up for so many more fairytales in the land of Tir, and I’m excited to go back.
My only complaint was the number of names and places in the pronunciation guide. I want to enjoy the story, and I felt like I had to think about every local name since none of them were recognizable or phonemic. It pulled me out of the delightful story.
July 22, 2024
This is one of my favourite Princess and the Pea retellings that I have ever read! I loved Sarah Carlisle's take on the fairy tale and enjoyed seeing the tests that the princesses had to go through. Even though Aine's tests were sabotaged, she managed to complete them all. I loved Aine's character and how she was very good at relating to the common people and how much she cared for others. I loved her and Rian's relationship as it was all about what was in the heart and not outward appearances. Rian's relationship with his family is also very sweet and heart-warming and I loved Finn's bird crocheting. I will admit to being curious about Princess Shira's story, I can't wait for Nettled and her story to come out.
Great story!
Great story!
April 6, 2024
Really great!
Hadn’t known much about this author but this book was recommended in an email list from a different author I like, sounded good, and so J read it. I was not disappointed! Loved it!
Hadn’t known much about this author but this book was recommended in an email list from a different author I like, sounded good, and so J read it. I was not disappointed! Loved it!
March 29, 2024
"Tested" by Sarah Carlisle unfolds as a captivating narrative that reimagines the classic tale of "The Princess and the Pea" with a fresh and innovative twist. Transporting readers to the enchanting land of Roscrea, Carlisle introduces us to Aine, a spirited young woman with a fervent desire to shield her homeland and its inhabitants from the negligence of her father. However, her aspirations are swiftly threatened when her parents scheme to barter her off to a neighbouring lord.
Enter Prince Rian, ensnared by a curse demanding he win the affection of the "perfect princess" before his twenty-first birthday. What sets "Tested" apart is the unique nature of Rian's curse, which manifests as a constant odour and unattractive appearance. This twist challenges traditional notions of beauty and superficiality, prompting readers to reflect on the importance of inner character over outward appearance.
Through Rian's plight, Carlisle deftly explores themes of perception, empathy, and the impact of societal expectations. Aine's unwavering kindness and acceptance of Rian, despite his cursed state, serve as a poignant reminder that true love transcends physical attributes. As Aine and Rian navigate their budding relationship, they confront societal norms and learn to value each other for who they truly are, flaws and all.
The dynamics between Aine and Rian are beautifully portrayed, emphasising the importance of seeing beyond surface-level impressions and embracing the qualities that truly matter. Carlisle's meticulous attention to character development allows readers to witness the growth and transformation of both protagonists as they challenge each other's perspectives and navigate the complexities of their burgeoning romance.
Moreover, Carlisle's world-building is a standout feature of the novel, offering readers a richly imagined kingdom filled with history, magic, and intrigue. From the lush landscapes of Roscrea to the intricacies of courtly life, the author crafts a vivid and immersive setting that captivates the imagination.
Throughout "Tested," Carlisle seamlessly weaves together elements of humour, romance, and adventure, creating a narrative that is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. The princess tests, which serve as both plot devices and opportunities for character development, add depth and excitement to the story, keeping readers eagerly turning the pages.
In summary, "Tested" is a captivating tale that blends classic fairy tale elements with contemporary themes, delivering important lessons about empathy, acceptance, and the true nature of love. Carlisle's inventive portrayal of Prince Rian's curse adds depth and complexity to the story, making it a standout addition to the genre. With its engaging characters, richly imagined world, and thought-provoking themes, "Tested" is sure to enchant readers of all ages and leave them eagerly anticipating future installments in the series.
Enter Prince Rian, ensnared by a curse demanding he win the affection of the "perfect princess" before his twenty-first birthday. What sets "Tested" apart is the unique nature of Rian's curse, which manifests as a constant odour and unattractive appearance. This twist challenges traditional notions of beauty and superficiality, prompting readers to reflect on the importance of inner character over outward appearance.
Through Rian's plight, Carlisle deftly explores themes of perception, empathy, and the impact of societal expectations. Aine's unwavering kindness and acceptance of Rian, despite his cursed state, serve as a poignant reminder that true love transcends physical attributes. As Aine and Rian navigate their budding relationship, they confront societal norms and learn to value each other for who they truly are, flaws and all.
The dynamics between Aine and Rian are beautifully portrayed, emphasising the importance of seeing beyond surface-level impressions and embracing the qualities that truly matter. Carlisle's meticulous attention to character development allows readers to witness the growth and transformation of both protagonists as they challenge each other's perspectives and navigate the complexities of their burgeoning romance.
Moreover, Carlisle's world-building is a standout feature of the novel, offering readers a richly imagined kingdom filled with history, magic, and intrigue. From the lush landscapes of Roscrea to the intricacies of courtly life, the author crafts a vivid and immersive setting that captivates the imagination.
Throughout "Tested," Carlisle seamlessly weaves together elements of humour, romance, and adventure, creating a narrative that is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. The princess tests, which serve as both plot devices and opportunities for character development, add depth and excitement to the story, keeping readers eagerly turning the pages.
In summary, "Tested" is a captivating tale that blends classic fairy tale elements with contemporary themes, delivering important lessons about empathy, acceptance, and the true nature of love. Carlisle's inventive portrayal of Prince Rian's curse adds depth and complexity to the story, making it a standout addition to the genre. With its engaging characters, richly imagined world, and thought-provoking themes, "Tested" is sure to enchant readers of all ages and leave them eagerly anticipating future installments in the series.
March 21, 2025
“Uill, a charaid, bha sin na iongnadh!�
(No, this book isn’t written completely in Gaelic, but expect plenty of words that look similar to those above! I recommend a bit of Duolingo Scottish Gaelic to really get yourself into the vibes)
This book kept surprising me—in very good ways!
An ugly, smelly prince. A heroine smart enough to think ahead and avoid obvious traps. And a fantasy land heavily based on Wales/Scotland/Ireland.
All unique elements in this first book of the Enchanted Tales of Tír!
I was genuinely impressed with all of these elements
—typically princes aren’t perfect, but they also don’t usually smell like they have terrible hygiene and are pretty much never overweight. Even being part of a curse, I loved that the author didn’t apologize for it or hint at him becoming more physically attractive to Aine in any way just because they were becoming friends. It really emphasized that their relationship was based on getting to know each other instead of holding out a promise of beauty that they just had to persevere through the ugly to get to.
—there’s usually at least one if not a few instances where I can guess ahead and see the MC making an avoidable mistake, but Aine (AN-ya) was sharp and thought ahead. I LOVED how crafty the Queen and her tests were, and I loved even more that Aine stayed right on top of them as well as all the sabotage attempts 👌🏽 I would also have recommended being sus of Maeryn (ma-RIN), but also super appreciated Aine’s ability to communicate openly, avoid further drama, and build friendships through it all. Really well-written, strong and clever FMC!!
—most authors don’t go so far as to include a pronunciation guide at the beginning of their books because they have so many foreign words included (tbh could’ve done with a lot more in that pronunciation guide! Also, if there is an audiobook, it needs to be done by someone with a Celtic accent 🙏🏼)
A princess test is always a great first book in a series as it can introduce you to multiple characters quickly, and I loved finding all of the hints at other fairytales :)
I wasn’t expecting to be so impressed by this book—but now I’m dying to read more from Sarah Carlisle and wished she had more books published already!!
(No, this book isn’t written completely in Gaelic, but expect plenty of words that look similar to those above! I recommend a bit of Duolingo Scottish Gaelic to really get yourself into the vibes)
This book kept surprising me—in very good ways!
An ugly, smelly prince. A heroine smart enough to think ahead and avoid obvious traps. And a fantasy land heavily based on Wales/Scotland/Ireland.
All unique elements in this first book of the Enchanted Tales of Tír!
I was genuinely impressed with all of these elements
—typically princes aren’t perfect, but they also don’t usually smell like they have terrible hygiene and are pretty much never overweight. Even being part of a curse, I loved that the author didn’t apologize for it or hint at him becoming more physically attractive to Aine in any way just because they were becoming friends. It really emphasized that their relationship was based on getting to know each other instead of holding out a promise of beauty that they just had to persevere through the ugly to get to.
—there’s usually at least one if not a few instances where I can guess ahead and see the MC making an avoidable mistake, but Aine (AN-ya) was sharp and thought ahead. I LOVED how crafty the Queen and her tests were, and I loved even more that Aine stayed right on top of them as well as all the sabotage attempts 👌🏽 I would also have recommended being sus of Maeryn (ma-RIN), but also super appreciated Aine’s ability to communicate openly, avoid further drama, and build friendships through it all. Really well-written, strong and clever FMC!!
—most authors don’t go so far as to include a pronunciation guide at the beginning of their books because they have so many foreign words included (tbh could’ve done with a lot more in that pronunciation guide! Also, if there is an audiobook, it needs to be done by someone with a Celtic accent 🙏🏼)
A princess test is always a great first book in a series as it can introduce you to multiple characters quickly, and I loved finding all of the hints at other fairytales :)
I wasn’t expecting to be so impressed by this book—but now I’m dying to read more from Sarah Carlisle and wished she had more books published already!!
July 24, 2024
I've been wanting to read this book after I read A Gentle Hope, Sarah Carlisle's Beauty and the Beast retelling and also a part of her new fairy tale series. This book did not disappoint and I loved it so much! It was such a great Princess and the Pea retelling that was so different from any Princess and the Pea retelling I have ever read. I loved how Sarah Carlisle made circumstances really difficult for Aine to really love Rian, but that just made it so much nicer, as their romance was not built on physical attraction. Aine was such a great character who cared for everyone around her. She wanted to do everything in her power to make sure that the citizens could have the lives that they deserved. I loved Rian as well. He really cared for his people and wanted to make sure that they would be okay after his death. He sometimes came across as brash and pushy but his passion for what he did really shone through. His relationship with his family was also great. You could tell that they loved him and he loved them. Finn was such a great younger brother who never pushed Rian away because of the curse. I also love his hobby for crocheting birds and how he crochets under the dining table. I think that he and Princess Lucia would be a good match! Princess Shira intrigued me. She was always so cold and serene and perfect and she wasn't above telling tales on others to make sure that she was the winner. However, she felt the pea underneath her mattresses, which means she must possess the qualities of kindness, compassion and sound judgement. I look forward to reading her story. I also can't wait for Maeryn's story and Princess Lucia's story. I'm wondering if Princess Lucia might be the Goose Girl? Anyway, this was a great first book in the Enchanted Tales of Tír and I can't wait for the rest of the books in the series to be released.
July 25, 2024
I see potential.... **WARNING SPOILERS**
I see promise in Sarah Carlisle 1st book Tested. I really enjoyed the characters. They had a good balance of being flawed but still trying to do what's right and help others. I loved the quirky Prince Finn with his crocheting amigurumi birds passion. lol The book was very entertaining keeping me engaged for most of it.
The ending was very rushed though. Using a crochet analogy in honor of Prince Finn, not all the ends were woven in. A few tweeks here, a few more details there, would've made it much stronger.
SPOILERS: The twist with Father Piaras was clever. The first thing that needed tidied was Aine's wounds. She was stabbed and sliced with a knife. Jerked and hauled around by her arms and legs. Head cracked into objects as a result. Afterward these injuries do not effect her or Prince Rian's thoughts or actions during the rescue scene at all. They're not even why she decides to obey Prince Rian's command to run to his horse, leaving her unarmed true love to fight the knife welding villain alone. Not even a mention of soreness or healing for the ball that night. The second and third things are entwined. Prince Rian is transformed back into himself right before the rescue. It mentions how being in his normal body feels awkward, and his clothes are so ill fitting they are falling off (good humor to ease the tension) After the brief mention, it wasn't a consideration for the fight scene. But there's the problem, the fight scene was only implied. The author will want to research fighting styles for future fight scenes. It's a let down when you've been waiting for the villain to get theirs and the reader doesn't get to be part of it.
If she keeps striving to improve, I can easily see her books being as popular as the authors that inspired her.
I see promise in Sarah Carlisle 1st book Tested. I really enjoyed the characters. They had a good balance of being flawed but still trying to do what's right and help others. I loved the quirky Prince Finn with his crocheting amigurumi birds passion. lol The book was very entertaining keeping me engaged for most of it.
The ending was very rushed though. Using a crochet analogy in honor of Prince Finn, not all the ends were woven in. A few tweeks here, a few more details there, would've made it much stronger.
SPOILERS: The twist with Father Piaras was clever. The first thing that needed tidied was Aine's wounds. She was stabbed and sliced with a knife. Jerked and hauled around by her arms and legs. Head cracked into objects as a result. Afterward these injuries do not effect her or Prince Rian's thoughts or actions during the rescue scene at all. They're not even why she decides to obey Prince Rian's command to run to his horse, leaving her unarmed true love to fight the knife welding villain alone. Not even a mention of soreness or healing for the ball that night. The second and third things are entwined. Prince Rian is transformed back into himself right before the rescue. It mentions how being in his normal body feels awkward, and his clothes are so ill fitting they are falling off (good humor to ease the tension) After the brief mention, it wasn't a consideration for the fight scene. But there's the problem, the fight scene was only implied. The author will want to research fighting styles for future fight scenes. It's a let down when you've been waiting for the villain to get theirs and the reader doesn't get to be part of it.
If she keeps striving to improve, I can easily see her books being as popular as the authors that inspired her.
April 11, 2024
Aine’s only wish is to help the people of her grandfather’s estate escape the ruinous habits of her parents, but their greed has reached a peak, and she’s left with one choice: wed the cruel lord they’ve sold her to or accept the queen’s invitation to compete in the princess test to win the hand of the crown prince. She’s facing stiff competition and the struggle to be the perfect princess is hard, but can she withstand the challenges to become the princess?
Prince Rian has only until his twenty-first birthday to find the perfect princess who will fall in love with him to break the curse that’s ruined his life for the past three years. He had inspirations of being a leader who changed the world, but as he nears the deadline, his only hope is to make one small change to help his people.
As the princess test draws to a close, Aine and Rian must learn to trust each other if they’re to make it out alive.
This was such a great Princess and the Pea retelling! I love Carlisle’s writing and the world of Tír is delightful and expansive, and I can’t wait to read more � and find out about that cranky sorceress!
Aine and Rian were so sweet together. I loved how their romance grew naturally and didn’t stem from insta-attraction. The curse was so unique and I honestly read the story as a Frog Prince mash up, which I don’t think it is. And there’s an actually believable “only one horse� scenario!
I love how Carlisle draws inspiration from real places and cultures to build a unique and nuanced world with characters who match.
5 Roses
A few instances of where characters “curse� but no words on the page.
Mild violence, but no blood. Kidnapping and threat of bodily harm.
A couple sweet kisses.
Prince Rian has only until his twenty-first birthday to find the perfect princess who will fall in love with him to break the curse that’s ruined his life for the past three years. He had inspirations of being a leader who changed the world, but as he nears the deadline, his only hope is to make one small change to help his people.
As the princess test draws to a close, Aine and Rian must learn to trust each other if they’re to make it out alive.
This was such a great Princess and the Pea retelling! I love Carlisle’s writing and the world of Tír is delightful and expansive, and I can’t wait to read more � and find out about that cranky sorceress!
Aine and Rian were so sweet together. I loved how their romance grew naturally and didn’t stem from insta-attraction. The curse was so unique and I honestly read the story as a Frog Prince mash up, which I don’t think it is. And there’s an actually believable “only one horse� scenario!
I love how Carlisle draws inspiration from real places and cultures to build a unique and nuanced world with characters who match.
5 Roses
A few instances of where characters “curse� but no words on the page.
Mild violence, but no blood. Kidnapping and threat of bodily harm.
A couple sweet kisses.
December 15, 2024
very, very good!
I really liked this book. Aine is a refreshing heroine - smart AND well-educated in ladylike graces, compassionate AND shrewd, discreet without being a shy pushover, confident without being reckless. She's not perfect, of course, but all the more believable because of it, and you can see how her life experiences resulted in her flawed thinking and her personality flaws stem from traits that are also her strengths.
Rian was also multifaceted and highly likeable. I GREATLY appreciated that he wasn't physically attractive - so refreshing to have a romance with physical attraction truly taken off the table.
I do wish there was a touch more banter but that's really nit-picking. The story was light and there were some moments that made me chuckle internally (not quite LOL but good enough).
The plot was well thought through and well paced too. Not a lot of twists and turns, but not draggy or overly predictable. There were some new elements that kept it fresh.
I also liked that the story wrapped up nicely while setting the stage for other stories - I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next one more now that I've met Maeryn (wild swans isn't usually my favourite tale).
After reading the acknowledgements, I realised that Ms Carlisle reveres many of my favourite authors both traditional and indie (Gail Carson Levine, Tamora Pierce, Jessica Day George, KM Shea, Melanie Cellier, Deborah Grace White...) so it makes sense that her writing has much of what I love. Adding her to my favourite authors list!
I really liked this book. Aine is a refreshing heroine - smart AND well-educated in ladylike graces, compassionate AND shrewd, discreet without being a shy pushover, confident without being reckless. She's not perfect, of course, but all the more believable because of it, and you can see how her life experiences resulted in her flawed thinking and her personality flaws stem from traits that are also her strengths.
Rian was also multifaceted and highly likeable. I GREATLY appreciated that he wasn't physically attractive - so refreshing to have a romance with physical attraction truly taken off the table.
I do wish there was a touch more banter but that's really nit-picking. The story was light and there were some moments that made me chuckle internally (not quite LOL but good enough).
The plot was well thought through and well paced too. Not a lot of twists and turns, but not draggy or overly predictable. There were some new elements that kept it fresh.
I also liked that the story wrapped up nicely while setting the stage for other stories - I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next one more now that I've met Maeryn (wild swans isn't usually my favourite tale).
After reading the acknowledgements, I realised that Ms Carlisle reveres many of my favourite authors both traditional and indie (Gail Carson Levine, Tamora Pierce, Jessica Day George, KM Shea, Melanie Cellier, Deborah Grace White...) so it makes sense that her writing has much of what I love. Adding her to my favourite authors list!
October 29, 2024
A very exciting retelling of the Princess and the Pea, this book has endearing characters, fancy dresses, castles, palace intrigue, connections to other fairy tales (and cameos from other characters) and lots of princess tests. I was thoroughly invested from the beginning, where we meet Aine in a horrible arranged engagement situation. Her future husband is someone you will love to hate, and her parents aren't much better. Fortunately, the story quickly gets away from that dour situation and we are on the way to the princess tests. The prince's curse was quite unique, and I enjoyed having so much of the book written from his perspective. The focus on bettering the kingdom from both of our main characters was also refreshing as the story was not only about their love blooming but also about how they would be a great fit for each other in how they saw the world around them. This book often reminded me of the Selection series by Kiera Cass, with the different princess tests narrowing down the candidates throughout the story. I'm so glad to have discovered this wonderful author, and as there are other proposed books in the series, I will be looking forward to seeing where our side characters go and what other fairy tales will be retold.
March 17, 2024
I throughly enjoyed Tested, Sarah Carlisle wrote a delightful princess and the pea retelling! It was a sweet and funny story. I laughed a lot at some of the character’s antics (looking at you, Finn!). The story had the classic elements of the Princess and the Pea with touches of beauty and the beast woven in the story. Yet still stood out as its own story. The world building was well developed. I am a huge history nerd and loved that you learned so much about the rich history of Roscrea. Both Aine and Rian were admirable characters. I loved how both wanted to help improve the lives of those less fortunate than themselves. Looking forward to learning more about the land of Tìr in future books! The romance is clean with only kissing. Highly recommend if you love sweet fairytale retellings!
I received an ARC copy of the book and all thoughts are my own.
I received an ARC copy of the book and all thoughts are my own.
June 16, 2024
I have no real insights besides this is a well-written book.
The characters were fleshed-out and dynamic. The story was tense and compelling. The antagonist added just enough pressure to the main characters to ensure that the pace never dragged. The worldbuilding and attention to in-story politics was detailed and impressive. The totality of the curse was cool, a lot of authors don't make a curse affect a character that fully. I was invested and desperately rooting for the final reveal.
The only thing that bugged me was that the POV would switch between Rian and Aine during chapters, sometimes starting in Aine's, switching to Rian's after a decorative little icon, and then back to Aine. But it's not that deep and didn't distract from the story.
The characters were fleshed-out and dynamic. The story was tense and compelling. The antagonist added just enough pressure to the main characters to ensure that the pace never dragged. The worldbuilding and attention to in-story politics was detailed and impressive. The totality of the curse was cool, a lot of authors don't make a curse affect a character that fully. I was invested and desperately rooting for the final reveal.
The only thing that bugged me was that the POV would switch between Rian and Aine during chapters, sometimes starting in Aine's, switching to Rian's after a decorative little icon, and then back to Aine. But it's not that deep and didn't distract from the story.
October 7, 2024
This was really well done. I have to parse out fairytale retelling, so waited a while to read this one, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It has a contest, but there are reasons for the contest that make sense and aren’t just because some royal has a whimsical fit and decides to inflict this on everyone. The individual tests make sense too, both in terms of the reason they have a contest in the first place, and in terms of what might be necessary to function as a member of a royal family.
Both main characters are very likeable, and both are working to overcome huge obstacles. Hints for future stories are seeded throughout, and it will be interesting to see how they play out in future books.
Both main characters are very likeable, and both are working to overcome huge obstacles. Hints for future stories are seeded throughout, and it will be interesting to see how they play out in future books.
July 28, 2024
Clean fairytale
Great story with an unexpected twist to the original tale. Loved the Princess tests and the character of Rian the cursed prince - even though he only had months to live, stank badly and was short pimply and otherwise unattractive, he wanted to do something that had a lasting benefit to his people. Aine only entered the Princess tests to flee a forced marriage but was desperate to win, despite the sabotage. Her reliance only on herself and inability to trust others (with good reason) brings her undone, but her desire to help others even if it hurts her was admirable. Looking forward to the next book.
Great story with an unexpected twist to the original tale. Loved the Princess tests and the character of Rian the cursed prince - even though he only had months to live, stank badly and was short pimply and otherwise unattractive, he wanted to do something that had a lasting benefit to his people. Aine only entered the Princess tests to flee a forced marriage but was desperate to win, despite the sabotage. Her reliance only on herself and inability to trust others (with good reason) brings her undone, but her desire to help others even if it hurts her was admirable. Looking forward to the next book.
July 26, 2024
A sweet, slow and steady reimagining of The Princess and the Pea with shades of Beauty and the Beast. I wasn't sure at first, but as i came to know Aine and Rian, their odd princess contest story drew me in. The world is constantly hinted at in the way many of these interlinking retellings series do, but in context it didn't feel out of place. Some more editorial tidying may have helped (repeated phrases, words and sentiments in the same paragraph) but it is a smooth read. I would look out for more by this author if I wanted a sweet romance with a touch of magic.
June 15, 2024
This was a great retelling of The Princess and the Pea but with a bit of a Beauty and the Beast twist and a Princess contest thrown in. It was light and sweet and fun to read.
I really liked seeing the different princesses that I HOPE the author will be writing more books about in the future! Just please don’t ask me how to pronounce anyone’s name. I know there is a pronunciation guide but I gave up and just called them my own versions. Hopefully one day there will be an audiobook.
I really liked seeing the different princesses that I HOPE the author will be writing more books about in the future! Just please don’t ask me how to pronounce anyone’s name. I know there is a pronunciation guide but I gave up and just called them my own versions. Hopefully one day there will be an audiobook.
October 29, 2024
a unique idea for this retelling!
As the review title says, I really loved the whole “the curse prescribed tests for us� and “the prince is now unattractive� plot of this story. Even better was how both leads actually wanted to make a difference in the world and let that drive forward their actions � even at personal cost. Also, the revelation moment was quite epic. I really enjoyed this book!
As the review title says, I really loved the whole “the curse prescribed tests for us� and “the prince is now unattractive� plot of this story. Even better was how both leads actually wanted to make a difference in the world and let that drive forward their actions � even at personal cost. Also, the revelation moment was quite epic. I really enjoyed this book!
March 22, 2025
I loved this!!
Princess tests, new friends and somewhat enemies, a villain that I HATED, parents that were a poor excuse, and two people who desperately want to help those in their care.
This was such a cool twist on a curse, and I really, really hope we get a book about Princess Shira, too! I could totally see hers being a twist on Sleeping Beauty.
Windfall and Colm and Maeryn were awesome side characters, and I’m glad Maeryn has a book! I’ll be reading that soon!
Princess tests, new friends and somewhat enemies, a villain that I HATED, parents that were a poor excuse, and two people who desperately want to help those in their care.
This was such a cool twist on a curse, and I really, really hope we get a book about Princess Shira, too! I could totally see hers being a twist on Sleeping Beauty.
Windfall and Colm and Maeryn were awesome side characters, and I’m glad Maeryn has a book! I’ll be reading that soon!
May 21, 2024
Great Story
I loved reading this version of the Princess and the Pea. I enjoyed the unique twists and turns, and I'm eager to read the stories of other fairytale characters that either appeared in this book or were referenced by characters. This author is new to me, but I look forward to seeing more of her work.
I loved reading this version of the Princess and the Pea. I enjoyed the unique twists and turns, and I'm eager to read the stories of other fairytale characters that either appeared in this book or were referenced by characters. This author is new to me, but I look forward to seeing more of her work.
July 2, 2024
Enjoyed the beginning and the end the most. The middle was a bit slow as I didn't care for the politics subplot. I would like to learn more about Lucia and her brothers and Finn so I hope we get books about them. There also were some loose ends and things that weren't explained. Who was the spy? What was the tonic?
October 30, 2024
Satisfying and clean read.
I loved that the romance was clean. That's always important for me. I also enjoyed the lead characters. Both were relatable, and one couldn't help but root for them. This book is a great fantasy/fairytale romance. I definitely recommend it. I am looking forward to what else Carlisle will write in the future.
I loved that the romance was clean. That's always important for me. I also enjoyed the lead characters. Both were relatable, and one couldn't help but root for them. This book is a great fantasy/fairytale romance. I definitely recommend it. I am looking forward to what else Carlisle will write in the future.
March 31, 2024
Enchanting princess and the Pea retelling
This book was quite intriguing, I loved the twists on an old story that made it new and the lore was great. Looking forward to more stories from Tír.
This book was quite intriguing, I loved the twists on an old story that made it new and the lore was great. Looking forward to more stories from Tír.
April 3, 2024
I really loved reading this wonderful book! I loved the characters and the plot! I had a hard time putting this really wonderful book down! I absolutely loved this retelling of A Princess and the Pea! I am really looking forward to reading the next book in this really wonderful series!
April 11, 2024
Sweet, romantic, epic fairy tale
I was blown away by this clean fairytale romance. The characters are likeable and you care what happens to them. They grow during the story and give you someone to root for. I can hardly wait to read the next book in the series.
I was blown away by this clean fairytale romance. The characters are likeable and you care what happens to them. They grow during the story and give you someone to root for. I can hardly wait to read the next book in the series.
May 1, 2024
3.5 stars. Sweet and interesting, but not so imaginative.
June 17, 2024
Great retelling!
I really enjoyed reading this book! It’s a great retelling of the Princess and the Pea, and I loved how everything worked out.
I really enjoyed reading this book! It’s a great retelling of the Princess and the Pea, and I loved how everything worked out.
January 9, 2025
I loved this story so much!
Content: clean
Content: clean
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