When I bought Sleep Like Death I knew next to nothing about the book or the plot. In fact, the entire reason I bought it was because someone did a gorgeous photoshoot of the OwlCrate exclusive version of the book and I immediately needed it to be on my bookshelf. Pretty books are my downfall, just like they are for so many others. However, I do not buy pretty books to not read them, so when my familiar itch to read a fairy tale retelling came, I pulled it off my shelf and started reading. And then proceeded to read 60% of the book in one sitting. Kalynn Bayron's writing sucked me in and created a story that was simultanenously both surprising and familiar.
One thing I adored about this book was it threw the evil stepmother trope out the window. Eve's mothers have a fascinating backstory, resulting in Eve's birth. As a result, her relationship with Queen Regina is one of the most important relationships in the book. They trust each other, love each other, and try to circumvent the curse that requires the mother to kill her daughter. The fact their relationship stays so strong throughout the book is one that makes the story so much more tragic because being punished for your love but choosing to love them still is a hard thing to show well, and yet, is so important to remind readers that love is always worth it.
Another thing I loved about the book was it wasn't afraid to have Eve fail. She had been blessed with a plethora of magical powers: being able to use the elements to create weapons, being able to use the night sky as a cloak, and a few others that were hinted at but never shown on the page. However, she is also arrogant, with a terrible habit of getting herself into situations she is not prepared for. As a result, she has to learn not to trust she is the best in everything, and that her powers aren't going to save her from every situation. While she's still incredibly stubborn throughout the story, her learning to fail and then get back up again is a good lesson I think teens need to learn.
The character of Nova, known to Snow White fans as the Magic Mirror, was also fascinating. As the son of The Knight, the main antagonist in the story, he blends in a second fairy tale - one I guessed before he was even introduced. I loved how he grew from being his father's lackey and wanting to no longer be a monster like his father. His arc is slightly more understated but still powerful, and I understood how Eve slowly fell in love with him. I wouldn't call it an enemies-to-lovers romance, as Nova was always willing to help Eve, but it was much more annoyances-to-lovers in a way I could respect.
Overall, I loved this book so much that it convinced me I need to read Cinderella is Dead, which has been on my TBR for a while, but moved up so many spots. In addition, I hope Kalynn Bayron continues to write in this universe. It seems like she is setting up a Princess-Avengers-type story, should she want to tell it, and if that is the case, I am completely for it. And if not? I'll happily read any book in this world regardless.
Sleep like Death is available through Bloomsbury Publishing