Spellbound

Paperback Published on: 23/10/2025
Price: £9.99
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Bookseller Reviews

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Spellbound
Filled with childlike wonder
This book gave me the most utterly delightful feelings of nostalgia. When I was poorly and off school as a child, I’d curl up on the sofa drinking lots of ... READ MORE
Sarah - Isle of Wight
Spellbound
A wonderful retelling of a fairy tale classic
I’ve always loved sleeping beauty, and this book really took that story and made it into something new but familiar. I really loved the characters and ... READ MORE
Lewis at Huddersfield
Spellbound
Great retelling
I’m not usually one for retelling’s, but I really enjoyed this!! There were some parts that I thought were slower than others, but honestly, once they sped... READ MORE
Hannah, Waterstones Liverpool
Verified Purchase
Spellbound
What if Beauty never went to sleep?
Once again, no one should be surprised to see a review from me when it comes to a fairytale retelling... This was a fun twist on the tale of the cursed pr... READ MORE
V at Windsor 692
Spellbound
Sleeping Beauty but Better!
Great interpretation of the Sleeping Beauty fairy-tale. I loved the added lore and magic behind the curse. I loved the characters and how the idea of f... READ MORE
Kat S. -- Preston

Synopsis

THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER!

Step into a dark and magical world in the enchanting new fairytale retelling, perfect for fans of Katherine Arden, Naomi Novik, and M. A. Kuzniar.
What if Beauty never went to sleep?
In a remote castle perched atop a windswept island, a long-awaited royal heir is born. In accordance with ancient custom, a blessing ceremony takes place to bestow the princess with magical gifts – along with a terrible curse.

But this is not the love story you may think you know.

There is no enchanted sleep for the princess, and no handsome prince to save the day. Just three women, who together concoct a desperate plan of misdirect that changes the course of all their lives.

Except dark magic cannot be tricked, and as the end of the curse edges closer, Violanna, Meredyth and Sel each has a choice to make.

They can wait to find out if the worst will happen, or they can turn to face the coming storm . . .

Praise for Spellbound

'A wonderfully imaginative retelling of Sleeping Beauty, Spellbound weaves together atmospheric prose with enchanting characters to bring fresh new life to this classic fairy-tale'
--Rosie Hewlett, bestselling author of MEDEA

'A gorgeously atmospheric Gothic fantasy that had me hooked from the first page to the last!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'A spellbinding retelling that omits the shiny Disney magic of the childhood classic in favour of a dark fantasy retelling' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'Beautifully written and atmospheric, Spellbound is a fresh, imaginative take on the classic fairytale you thought you knew' --Sophie Keetch, author of MORGAN IS MY NAME

‘A deliciously magical novel and an absolute delight to read. I devoured it!’ -- Menna Van Praag, author of THE SISTERS GRIMM

‘Immersive, magical, and of course, spellbinding… this book is sheer joy ? Naomi Kelsey, author of THE BURNINGS

'I can't explain how much I enjoyed it. I can't even put it into words' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'A fantastic retelling of Sleeping Beauty which is a story I adore. This book was insane! It was twisted, it was gripping but it was so darn good!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'I devoured this story in 24 hours as I was captivated by it. The book reeled me in and kept me hooked until the end' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'A compelling and thought-provoking read that lingered with me long after I turned the final page. It's a testament to the strength of women, the complexities of morality, and the enduring power of motherhood, love and friendship' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'Spellbound is a book that subverts expectations while still honouring the essence of the classic fairytale' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'The characters are really well written and I felt really invested in them as individuals and also how they intertwine for the story' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'An absolutely perfect book to read before bed. Highly recommended it' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
_

**If you loved Spellbound, don't miss Georgia Leighton's next novel Maiden, a magical feminist retelling of the legend of St George and the Dragon - coming 2026 and available to pre-order now! **

Spellbound was number 3 in the hardback fiction chart w/c 28/04/25

Publisher information

  • Publisher: Transworld Publishers Ltd
  • ISBN: 9781804993989
  • Number of pages: 432
  • Dimensions: 198 x 128 x 26 mm
  • Weight: 299g
  • Languages: English

Customer Reviews

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Spellbound
Boring
The whole way through this book I was waiting for the plot to start… and then it ended. The finale was rushed, strange and made all the rest of the book ab... READ MORE
Alison Brown
Spellbound
An exciting and magic fairy tale re-telling
As a massive fairy tale re-telling fan I was so excited to read this book and it did not disappoint. I loved it!!! I was gripped from the first chapter and... READ MORE
Lydia-Marguerite Mannering
Spellbound
Twisty retelling of a classic
Grateful and honest ARC recipient. I was attracted to the idea of a modern retelling of a fairytale and this was a good example of that. The tale was t... READ MORE
Marion McDonald
This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.
Spellbound
I Love This
I LOVE retellings, and Sleeping Beauty was my favourite story as a child. And this. DID. NOT. DISAPPOINT. I really, really enjoyed this.
Emma Harvey
Spellbound
Lovely retelling!
I really enjoyed this twist on the classic Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. It had certain elements the same (curse on blessing day, fascination with spindle, o... READ MORE
K. Bickmore
Spellbound
Fresh
In this re-telling of Sleeping Beauty, a princess is born and bestowed with magical gifts – and a terrible curse. But instead of an enchanted sleep and a h... READ MORE
Ella - The Story Collector
Spellbound
Delightful, magical read
It was delightful reading! A retelling of the Sleeping Beauty fairytale with plenty of new aspects to the story to keep it interesting. It was a slower ... READ MORE
Elaine Guest
Spellbound
Vengeful fairytale fantasy
There have always been fairytales and there have always been tellers to re-tell them, to shape them for their audiences old and new. In this masterful rete... READ MORE
Huttson Lo
Spellbound
A magical retelling of sleeping beauty
Title: Spellbound Author: Georgia Leighton Pages: 432 Rating: 2/5 (2.5. rounded down for Goodreads) Spice/Romance level: ❤️ I really wanted to like... READ MORE
Emily Smith
Spellbound
Fairytales with a Twist ✨
Spellbound by Georgia Leighton Rating: 3.5/5 Firstly, thank you to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, and Bantam for the opportunity to read this eAR... READ MORE
Alamaious_reads on IG
Spellbound
Beautifully written and full of twists!
I'm not usually into fantasy or retellings but Spellbound has made me want to try this genre more! I used to love Sleeping Beauty (whilst also being terrif... READ MORE
Collins
Spellbound
Unique retelling
Spellbound is a unique retelling of Sleeping Beauty, told from multiple points of view. I did generally like the book but the ending fell a little flat, l... READ MORE
Rebecca J
Spellbound
A fantastic feminist fairy tale retelling!
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House and Georgia Leighton for the opportunity to read this ARC. I love a fairy tale retelling, and from the very... READ MORE
Hannah O’Brien
Spellbound
Interesting take on Sleeping Beauty without the sleep
I love a good fairytale retelling and this is no exception. Spellbound is one of those retellings where there are some of the elements from the original fa... READ MORE
Leanne Cartwright
Spellbound
Fun and feminist reimagining of a classic
As a child, I absolutely loved the animated Sleeping Beauty movie so naturally the premise of this book - a feminist reimagining of the fairytale - hooked ... READ MORE
Laura Brendish
Spellbound
Praise for Georgia Leighton
This book truly struck a chord with me. It left me grappling with moral dilemmas and deeply contemplating what I would do to protect my own daughter. It's ... READ MORE
Jade Waterlow
Spellbound
I JUST LOVED IT!
Spellbound by Georgia Leighton is an absolute gem of a book! I couldn’t put it down once I started. The magical world that Georgia creates is so captivatin... READ MORE
booksandsofa
This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.Verified Purchase
Spellbound
A compelling and refreshing reimagining
Thank you to Bantam Books for the free proof copy in exchange for an honest review. Spellbound is a moving and compelling reimagining of the fairytale ... READ MORE
Abigail Abell
Spellbound
All the magic you need!
Thank you NetGalley and Random House UK / Bantam for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Beware of spoilers and buckle up, this is goi... READ MORE
Della’s Pages
Spellbound
Lovely fairytale
Love this! I always enjoy a fairytale retelling, and although this diverges massively from The Sleeping Beauty (which is mentioned as the tale it is retell... READ MORE
Lynne Clark
Spellbound
A fun, fast-paced and original retelling
To summarise my thoughts: Spellbound is a glorious retelling that brings a much loved fairytale to new heights! Now, I've loved fairytales since my childh... READ MORE
Maria's Book Musings
Spellbound
Great adaptation of Sleeping Beauty fable
This is a very clever re-imagining of the well loved children's fairy tale, Sleeping Beauty. Sel is apprenticed to the grand master Florianna and approa... READ MORE
Cazb
Spellbound
An imaginative and unexpected retelling of Sleeping Beauty
One of my favourite subgroups of the fantasy genre is the fairytale retelling so when “Spellbound” was sent to me as part of my Goldsboro Books subscriptio... READ MORE
Rasha_Reader
Verified Purchase
Spellbound
Sleeping Beauty with a twist
One of my favourite kind of books are myths and fairytale retellings. Tbh I am very picky and it has to grab me from the get go and this certainly did. A r... READ MORE
Lisa  Tristram
This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.
Spellbound
A new take on a familiar and favourite tale
Spellbound by Georgia Leighton is a new take on a familiar and favourite tale, this is a Sleeping Beauty retelling with a difference. As someone who loves ... READ MORE
Annette  Jordan
Spellbound
Spellbound is an enchanting reimagining that’s written beautifully.
I most enjoyed the settings, these were so vivid from the windy island to the atmospheric forests. The story is told between different perspectives, thes... READ MORE
Dee Hancocks
Spellbound
Spellbound
I really enjoyed this, I liked the twists, the world building and Sel was absolutely fantastic. I also enjoyed Briar’s friendship with Jacken, and Sel’s o... READ MORE
Emma Renshaw
Spellbound
Sleeping Beauty
This is a re-telling of sleeping beauty that changes quite a lot from the story we all know and love. Although loads changed and we are following more ... READ MORE
Samantha
Spellbound
Feminist fairytale retelling
Spellbound is a dark and atmospheric retelling of Sleeping Beauty, but with a twist. In this version, the young princess doesn’t fall asleep once cursed. I... READ MORE
Rosie Burns
Spellbound
A wonderful retelling
I really enjoyed this retelling. I found it a fresh take on the story, given the twists and turns that deviate from expectations. I also loved how it wa... READ MORE
KatieAlice
Spellbound
A great twist on a classic
I loved Georgia's take on this sleeping beauty retelling! A darkly magnetic and feminine twist on a classic. I was pulled in right from the get-go, and fou... READ MORE
midsummerreads
Spellbound
Five stars!
Spellbound by Georgia Leighton is a captivating and inventive reimagining of the classic Sleeping Beauty tale. Set on a windswept island in the Kingdom of ... READ MORE
The Secret Book Review
Spellbound
Magical
I absolutely adored this book! If you’re a fan of fairytale retellings, modern fairytales, or Twin Crowns, this one is for you. This YA fantasy hints at a ... READ MORE
Nicky Evans
Spellbound
Such an enchanting read
I always love fairytale retellings and Spellbound was such an enchanting read from the very first page. I loved how the writing flowed and kept me engaged ... READ MORE
Clara
Spellbound
Sleeping Beauty retelling
This retelling of Sleeping Beauty brings its own twist to the traditional fairy tale. I really enjoyed the first third of the book but then felt as thou... READ MORE
Helene Walters-Steinberg
Spellbound
An interesting take on Sleeping Beauty
An interesting take on a classic fairytale but if you’re looking for a light-hearted and fluffy take on Sleeping Beauty then stop now, if anything Spellbou... READ MORE
LizMac05
Spellbound
An interesting take on a classic
My Initial Thoughts I am such a huge fan of retellings, that I just couldn’t wait to start reading this, and it started with flare that’s for sure, afte... READ MORE
The Ebookreviewer
Spellbound
Enjoyable Read
Well written and engaging fantasy novel. Really enjoyed to the end. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance reader copy.
maria smith
Spellbound
A beautifully written enchanting read
Spellbound is a captivating retelling of Sleeping Beauty with a feminist twist—no princes needed to save the day here! This enchanting story takes a famili... READ MORE
Nell Curtis Stanton
Spellbound
Feminist retelling of Sleeping Beauty
I enjoy retellings of myths and fairy tales and this is an interesting feminist retelling of The Sleeping Beauty. Here we have no witches or fairies but we... READ MORE
Geraldine Smyth
Spellbound
Amazing retelling of a beloved fairytale!
During the Blessing a curse is put on the queens first born daughter by a sorceress. So when the queen has another daughter, a twin, she comes up with a pl... READ MORE
Emelie Rombe
Spellbound
I was Spellbound!
The blurb: In a remote castle perched atop a windswept island, a long-awaited royal heir is born. In accordance with ancient custom, a blessing ceremony... READ MORE
Rachel Hasler
Spellbound
A gorgeous edition and a darkly and beautiful retelling
Leighton's debut novel is an enigmatic retelling of one of the most beloved fairytales; Sleeping Beauty. You will find yourself instantly drawn into the... READ MORE
Jessica Rollins
Spellbound
An interesting feminist take on Sleeping Beauty
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. 3.5⭐ rounded down. Spellbound is marketed as a retelling of Sleep... READ MORE
Jennifer Shelton
Spellbound
A fun retelling
To summarise my thoughts: Spellbound is a glorious retelling that brings a much loved fairytale to new heights! Now, I've loved fairytales since my child... READ MORE
Maria's Book Musings
Spellbound
A nice book
I really liked it, from the beginning I was hooked. I enjoyed the writing, easy and fluid I liked The several POV and The pace and the element of a Sleepi... READ MORE
Tiphaine Figeac
Spellbound
A Wonderful Retelling of Sleeping Beauty
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's a lovely retelling of Sleeping Beauty, with twists and turns along the way to the events that everyone in the story ha... READ MORE
Kirsten
Spellbound
A wonderful retelling of Sleeping Beauty...
The publicity around this book claims that this is Leighton’s debut novel. But I’m not so sure – the writing is far too sure-footed and effective to belong... READ MORE
Sarah Higbee
Spellbound
Fantastic take on a classic tale
I am fairly new to re-tellings but this book had me hooked from the beginning! I enjoyed every minute of it and there were plenty of twists and turns to k... READ MORE
Karen
Spellbound
Review of Spellbound
Spellbound is a fairytale retelling of Sleeping Beauty, which was what initially drew me to the book. I’ve always enjoyed reimagined classics, and this one... READ MORE
Baeannereads
Spellbound
Lacklustre
I wanted to like this more than I did, but I found it a little dull in all honesty. The cover is one of the best things about this book.
Charlotte Wilson
Spellbound
Vengeful fairytale fantasy
There have always been fairytales and there have always been tellers to re-tell them, to shape them for their audiences old and new. In this masterful rete... READ MORE
Huttson Lo
This reviewer received a free of charge product for review.
Spellbound
Imaginative and beautifully written!
Very interesting re-imagining of the classic fairy tale. Beautifully descriptive.
Susan Taylor
Spellbound
* Readable and Enjoyable, But Missing Something
An enjoyable, easy read, but not brilliant. I liked it well enough and found it pleasant to read, though I was never fully riveted.The story moves along sm... READ MORE
Kim Lyons