Please Note:  I received an advance copy of this book from Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Cerys is safe in the kingdom of Aloriya.

Here there are no droughts, disease, or famine, and peace is everlasting. It has been this way for hundreds of years, since the first king made a bargain with the Lady who ruled the forest that borders the kingdom. But as Aloriya prospered, the woods grew dark, cursed, and forbidden. Cerys knows this all too well: when she was young, she barely escaped as the woods killed her friends and her mother. Now Cerys carries a small bit of the curse—the magic—in her blood, a reminder of the day she lost everything. The most danger she faces now, as a gardener’s daughter, is the annoying fox who stalks the royal gardens and won’t leave her alone.

As a new queen is crowned, however, things long hidden in the woods descend on the kingdom itself. Cerys is forced on the run, her only companions the small fox from the garden, a strange and powerful bear, and the magic in her veins. It’s up to her to find the legendary Lady of the Wilds and beg for a way to save her home. But the road is darker and more dangerous than she knows, and as secrets from the past are uncovered amid the teeth and roots of the forest, it’s going to take everything she has just to survive.  

Review:

Among The Beasts & Briars, the latest book from author Ashley Poston, is a major departure from her other works.  Best known for her Geekerella series, fans may be concerned.  How can a writer of YA Rom-Com possibly succeed at YA Fantasy?  I'll tell you how:  LIKE A BOSS!   

via GIPHY

This book is set in a memorable world, full of relatable characters, adventure,  with imaginative takes on fairy-tales, and a swoony romance.  It's got it all.

What I Liked:

World-Building:

The story begins is an idyllic kingdom where preparations are underway for the coronation of a new queen.  Everyone is happy, and full of hope for a continuation of the prosperous times of the previous monarch.  We learn that the late king has created all this good fortune due to his access to a magic crown.  But...  How did he get the crown, and at what cost?

Here, we are treated to a world of magic, cursed forests, and mythical cities.  There are creatures that come straight out of nightmares, alongside forest animals who may also have some unusual abilities.  All of this makes for an exciting setting for our character's adventures.

Characters:

When there is a "Chosen One" situation in Fantasy books, I get a little bored by the said savior automatically getting amazing fighting skills or the strategic planning worthy of a five-star general.  Here, Cerys is a character full of survivor's guilt and extremely low self-esteem.  This is her main journey, to feel worthy of everyone's trust.  I really felt this made Cerys very real and relatable.

Another person on the quest (I can't say their name as it is a spoiler), must also overcome guilt.  Given the trauma he has had in the past, it's no wonder.  But, because of this, he is easily swayed to believe that he is a coward.  He must get over this if he is to be of any help to Cerys.

Adventure:

I love a good Quest.  As Cerys runs for her life into the cursed forest, she must find a lost city to save her friends, family, and kingdom (No Pressure!).  I almost got the sense of The Wizard of Oz with this element of the story.  Cerys meets scary creatures, and other, more helpful beings along the way.  But can they find this place?  An what awaits them, once they get there?

There was also a strong flavoring of Beauty and The Beast in this story.  Some creatures are possessed by others, some are enchanted.  But can Cerys break whatever spell they are under?  And do these beings want her to break the spell? 

Romance:

There are a few swoon-worthy romances in this book.  The two main characters have so many of the same issues, and plenty of chemistry.  You just are rooting for them almost immediately.  There are other romances late in the book that are really fun and have a big payoff.  This made the whole book joyous, and fun.

Rating: 

Release Date:  October 20th, 2020 

Author:  Ashley Poston

Publisher:  Balzer + Bray

Genre:  YA Fantasy

Page Length:  352 Pages

Source:  Edelweiss

Format:  E-Book

Recommendation:  A fun YA Fantasy with plenty of imagination and adventure.   Well worth your time to read.