Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher
In a twist on the Sleeping Beauty story, the semi-fairy Toadling guards a sealed tower that's hedged in by thick thorns. She's been guarding it for centuries, so the hedge is quite impressive, enough to hide the keep inside. She can still get in because she can turn herself into a toad and sneak through the stout vines. Her job becomes more complicated when a knight shows up whose read a story about a princess asleep in a tower. He's the younger son in a family and needs to make his own fortune somehow. He's not much of a fighter, so maybe this is his chance to chop his way in to fame and fortune. Toadling is not so enthusiastic on someone disturbing her ward.
The story is an interesting variation on the original, with similar story beats that go to a very different tune. Toadling's backstory blends in some other folklore with the Sleeping Beauty narrative. The changes are enjoyable and the other characters are well developed. At 111 pages, this novella doesn't overstay its welcome or introduce too many complications.
Recommended.
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