A Kiss in Time is another fun and modern fairy tale retelling by Alex Flinn. Talia knows she isn't supposed to touch the spindle. But, as is the way of curses, she finds herself unable to resist. She touches the spindle, falls asleep, and wakes up 300 years later to Jack's kiss. And, as per the specifics of the curse, Jack must be her true love. Jack is freaked out. He's still in high school, has no idea what this whole true love business is, he just kissed some comatose hot chick. All he wants now is to get out of there and get back home, but somehow, he just can't shake Talia. She leaves her forgotten European kingdom, and follows Jack home to Florida.
This story is a lot of fun. I love the idea of the princess in the Sleeping Beauty story waking up in a completely different world. I never thought it very likely that an entire kingdom could sleep for 100+ years (depending on which version of the tale you read), wake up, and then continue on as if nothing major really happened. Within the kingdom, it makes sense, because everyone you love (hopefully) would be sleeping as well, but the world changes a lot in 100 years and I love that this version of the story addressed that, and that it made me laugh while doing so.
I'm going to admit right from the start that Talia and Jack aren't always... likeable. Sometimes, you are reading about these two and the way they interact with each other, and others around them and you kind of want to smack them. You roll your eyes, grind your teeth, and just generally want them to shut up. But, these characters are also 16. So, umm... Duh. Have you ever spent large periods of time with a 16 year old? They are rarely pleasant. But, as in all great coming of age stories, they begin to grow up, and learn what it is to put other people first, to love someone, to accept things they cannot change, and that we must face our challenges.
Speaking of characters, it is terribly important to mention Malvolia. *shudder*. Malvolia begins the story as a truly great villain. She curses Talia to die by spindle point and when it is clear the King and Queen have very thoroughly removed all spindles from the kingdom, she arrives and provides one. Then, just as things are starting to look up and look promising for Jack and Talia toward the end of the story, Malvolia shows comes back and does her best to take everything away from them. But then... I don't want to spoil the ending. And I won't. But I will say, that sometimes we need a little less of the misunderstood villains and a little more of the bad nasties, especially in fairy tales.
Although the story is set in modern times, there is a feeling of magic interlaced throughout the story. Talia was very obviously enchanted and there is magic clinging to her because of it. (not that she can use it or anything. It's just impossible to ignore when the 316 year old princess is hanging out with you.) I love the feeling of lingering magic and enchantment overlaid with the modern setting. Especially once Jack returns to Euphrasia to rescue Talia. This whole section is the climax of the story, and is, without a doubt, my very favorite part of the entire book. Not because it's the climax and so is the most entertaining, but because it is the section that felt most like a fairy tale, the time, while reading, that I truly believed in the magic of the story. Not very many modern fairy tales have the ability to make me believe in the magic of the story again, but this climactic scene gives it all back to me. The book is worth reading for that trek up a hillside alone.
I believe the Flinn's modern retellings just keep getting stronger and stronger. I reviewed Cloaked a while ago, and loved it even more. I cannot wait to see what Flinn writes next, because each book continues to increase the awesome.