Publishers Weekly
In this intriguing first novel, Rose Fitzroy, biologically 16 years old, comes out of stasis to discover that her billionaire parents and the world she knew are long dead. Having survived the plague-ridden Dark Times, the Earth is doing quite well, with Rose's father's former company in charge of much of it. This puts Rose—the sickly, shy, and self-hating daughter of overbearing parents—in the unusual position of "waking up to discover she's the sole surviving heiress to an interplanetary empire." Before taking on any responsibilities, Rose simply wants to survive high school, make a few friends, and work on her art. Her plans are swiftly interrupted, though, when a strange, virtually unstoppable creature called a Plastine attempts to assassinate her. Aided by handsome Bren and blue-skinned alien hybrid Otto, schoolmates she develops crushes on, Rose must defeat the assassin, learn to live as an independent adult, and discover why her parents essentially abandoned her in stasis. With well-developed characters, a touch of romance, and a believable future that, for once, is not entirely dystopian, Sheehan's tale should please many readers. Ages 14–up. (Aug.)
From the Publisher
With well-developed characters, a touch of romance, and a believable future that, for once, is not entirely dystopian, Sheehan's tale should please many readers.
—Publishers Weekly
This is a fun, fast read...It is a fairy tale without a classic happy ending. The book addresses serious issues including what makes a "person," in addition to classic YA subjects such as first love, making it a wonderful title for a book talk, a reading list, or a class discussion.
—VOYA
This debut novel doesn’t shy away from exploring the dangers of powerful conglomerates and the ways technology can be abused, but, ultimately, it’s a bittersweet story of lost love, dreams, and of finding one’s place in the world.
—School Library Journal
Whether comparing Rose's story to other Briar Rose and Sleeping Beauty variants, wondering about her complicated situation or simply enjoying the thrilling suspense, readers will hope that Rose can find some happiness ever after in a complex world.
—BookPage
School Library Journal - Audio
Gr 9 Up—Rosalinda Samantha Fitzroy is a girl out of time in Anna Sheehan's futuristic retelling (Candlewick, 2011) of Sleeping Beauty. Sixty-two years ago, she was a carefree 16-year-old. Everything changed when her ultra-wealthy parents, owners of an interplanetary company named Unicorp, put her in her stasis tube and abandoned her. Now she's awake and everyone she knows is dead. Struggling to adjust and deal with all the press attention and the fact that she is the heir to her parents' interplanetary empire, she makes friends with Bren, the boy who woke her up with a kiss, and an alien named Otto. When a Plastine—a plasticized corpse mercenary—is sent to assassinate her by someone within Unicorp, things take a dangerous turn. Forced to dig up her painful past and some dark family secrets, Rosalinda worries that her past really isn't ancient history. Who can she trust? Will she ever be able to adjust to the future? Narrator Angela Dawe does a good job of voicing Rosalinda's emotions. Although the flashbacks are a little confusing to follow, the other transitions are done well. While the characters' voices sound similar, their personalities and language styles are all unique. An engaging listen.—Kira Moody, Whitmore Public Library, Salt Lake City, UT
