In the second volume of this fantasy series inspired by Sleeping Beauty, Princess Aurora, now branded a traitor by the manipulative ruler of Alyssinia, escapes to Vanhelm. Aurora falls in love with Finnegan, the heir to his country's throne, while maintaining her independence, her strong will, and her allegiance to her homeland. With Finnegan's help, she explores her new, fire-related magical powers and her link with the dragons that have laid waste to his country. When his life is threatened, Aurora goes to an old enemy for help, binding herself once again to the witch who cast the 100-year-sleep spell. Characters are portrayed with varying degrees of subtlety and humanity. Aurora is a bit of a puzzle, often indecisive and wracked by doubts but then suddenly springing into action with all the conviction of Joan of Arc. Readers need not have read A Wicked Thing (2015) to make sense of this sequel, which climaxes dramatically but does not end the series.

Princess Aurora (A Wicked Thing), now wanted for treason in Alyssinia, seeks refuge in Vanhelm with the roguishly charming Prince Finnegan. Vanhelm's history with dragons is fraught, and Aurora tries mightily to control her dragon-like magic while being pursued by the king's soldiers and by evil witch Celestine. Thomas moves further away from her "Sleeping Beauty" source material in this lavish (and bloody) sequel.

This sequel to A Wicked Thing (HarperTeen, 2015) continues the not-so-happy-ever-after of Aurora, its Sleeping Beauty protagonist. Awakened in book one by true love's kiss (she thought), she nevertheless decided to flee before her forced marriage to her Prince Charming, who is accused of treason by his father, brutal King John. She discovers that she has fire magic when his soldiers ambush her. Managing to escape, she encounters Nettle, a spy charged with watching over her by Prince Finnegan of Vanhelm, the dragon kingdom across the sea. He was the one who hinted at her magic, called her "little dragon," helped her escape the palace, and encouraged her to leave Alyssinia. Needing refuge, she agrees to travel with Nettle to Vanhelm, the Kingdom of Ashes of the title, where she hopes to find out more about her connection to fire and dragons, including the dragon pendant Finnegan gave her, and to Celestine, the witch who cursed her in the first book and now wants something from the awakened princess.This is a most unusual fairy-tale retelling, featuring a proactive princess, a prince whose kiss did not awaken her from the curse, witchcraft, fire-breathing dragons, rebellion, and responsibility. It is the second book in a trilogy, so there is still a lot of story left before Aurora's ultimate fate is revealed. There is enough backstory in this work of romantic suspense for those who have not read the first book, but readers might want to catch up while waiting for the conclusion to the adventures of Aurora and company.Bonnie Kunzel.