ARC Review: Mistress of Evil

Mistress of Evil by Serena Valentino

Think you know everything about the story behind Sleeping Beauty? The novel Mistress of all Evil by Serena Valentino takes you behind the scenes of the original Disney story of “Sleeping Beauty” from the antagonist Maleficent’s point of view. The story includes tales from Maleficent’s childhood revolving around the good fairies: Merryweather, Flora, and Fauna. This novel introduces new characters and backgrounds to the original story already established. The overall story introduces a theme that not everything is as it seems, and that the people you think you know might have more to you than you'd think.

Some  of the newest characters from the novel include the odd sisters, Circe, and Nanny. Circe is known in the novel as the sorceress that cursed prince Adam or better known as the beast from beauty and the beast. Nanny is Maleficent's guardian and took care of her most of Maleficent's life. And though the story is about Maleficent and why she cursed Aurora, characters such as the Blue Fairy from Pinocchio and Snow White are featured. Personally, my favorite character was Circe. Circe is very different than her sisters, The Odd Sisters, and makes it clear she does not want to be like them. Circe is strong, independent and so defiant towards the label her sisters have given her about being a bad ‘witch’.  I also like how she was new to the story so it is not like people can have an opinion about her. She's not a princess but she's not anything stereotypical like her being a good fairy or being a bad witch. It really gives her room as a character to grow.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone of any age, who loves fairy tales and enjoys backstories of characters they've known and love. It was a really great book with a complex but easy to follow storyline.

Written by: Serena Valentino

Published by: Disney Press

Released on: October 3, 2017

Review by: Allison P.

**Disclaimer** the book I received was an Advance Reading Copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.