When the King dies, and the time comes for Anwen to wear the crown and keep the kingdom safe in his stead, it is revealed that the curse will no longer be kept at bay. While she managed to escape unharmed, the woods claimed her mother, the crown prince and his squire, and left Cerys with a power she must hide. Cerys know of the woods’ curse better than anyone in Aloryia: years before, an encounter with the dangers within has left her deeply traumatised. These dangerous monsters are only kept at bay by the King’s crown, an enchanted artefact, given to the first king of Aloriya by the Lady of the Wilds who rules the forest. Rather, it is deemed a curse, a token of the dark, forbidden woods, inhabited by Ancients and bone-eaters.

This is not treated as an ability to be cherished. But Cerys has a secret power, a magic in her blood, that makes flowers bloom. In the peaceful kingdom of Aloriya, Cerys does not dare dream of anything but a calm, uneventful life as the next royal gardener.

Among the Beasts and Briars is a delightful YA fairytale by Ashley Poston (author of Geekerella ) that takes the reader to an enchanting journey into lost kingdoms and cursed forests, with strong and interesting characters.Ĭerys is the daughter of the royal gardener and best friend to the crown princess, Anwen.

Among beasts and briars