Wow.
I usually have a stronger introduction than this, but I am honestly having a hard time figuring out how to start this review. I used to watch Cindy Pham’s YouTube channel all the time, so as soon as I saw that she was publishing a book, I knew I wanted to read it.
The Secret Life of Briar Rose is a beautifully written fantasy retelling of Sleeping Beauty. Going into the story, I knew that it was a fantasy story with themes of depression and suicidal ideation, but that was it. As I will get to in the review, I think that is NOT the way to approach this one; this is a book that benefits from going in with very specific expectations.
Let’s get into the review!
The Secret Life of Briar Rose is currently published and available at most major book retailers.
GENERAL INFO
The Secret World of Briar Rose by Cindy Pham
Published on June 2, 2026
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 400
Format: ARC, Hardcover
Goodreads
One hundred years have passed since the last heir of Gyldan fell into eternal slumber and doomed the once-mighty kingdom to poverty and invasion. At least, that’s what the fairy tales claim.
Corin is a jaded thief who doesn’t believe in fables, even when she searches Gyldan’s underground tunnels to find her younger sister, Elly, who ran away to find the sleeping princess in hopes of a better life. Corin’s conviction is challenged when she discovers the ruins of the ancient castle, maintained by beings from the kingdom’s golden age, who protect a hidden portal into Princess Amelia’s subconscious. Following Elly’s voice, Corin jumps in the portal and seals the entry behind her.
Inside the lush world of Amelia’s dreams, the sisters reunite for a new adventure as they meet Briar Rose, Amelia’s whimsical alter ego, and Malicine, a sharp-tongued demon with a gift for magic. But as they explore ice castles, sunflower mazes, and star-filled oceans, Corin suspects Briar Rose is hiding darker secrets behind her “perfect” paradise—and that there are some things her subconscious can’t bury forever.
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First of all, the prose is incredibly beautiful. You can tell that Cindy Pham put so much time and care into every sentence. Sometimes more whimsical prose makes me nervous, especially from debut authors, because there are often words or phrases that feel out of place. However, with The Secret Life of Briar Rose, the entire story flows effortlessly, and every line feels intentional without becoming too distracting.
As the book’s content warning also warns, this is a very heavy story. Suicide is discussed throughout the novel, including multiple attempts, and grief is a part of every character’s story. I actually originally started the book towards the beginning of June, but after losing someone to suicide in May, I was not in the right headspace at the time. I ended up putting it down for a couple of months before coming back to it. Even then, I was SOBBING at the end of the book (and I’m not going to lie, just thinking about it right now is making me tear up again). There were so many moments that resonated with me, and the emotions felt raw. It does not shy away from the hardships of depression.
Corin’s character was not only relatable, but incredibly well-written. I can understand why some readers may have a hard time with her character. She comes across as very negative and makes many decisions that will frustrate people. But those choices aren’t there to make her unlikable; it is all relevant to the story’s depiction of depression. I appreciated that the book never tried to make her character easy to root for because I think it is important for people to understand why those decisions were made.
I also thought the dual-timeline worked really well. The story isn’t necessarily suspenseful in the traditional sense, but the way the story unfolded kept my attention. While it was difficult for me to pick up the book after a break (because I knew how emotionally draining it would be), once I started reading, I found it hard to stop. I think a lot of readers will find the story moves too slowly or that not a lot happens. Because of this, it is important to know going into this one that it is a very character-driven story. It honestly reminded me a lot of The Night Circus. Everything in the book relates to the characters’ mental health, so it’s not very plot-heavy, especially in the first half.
Even so, there were times that I felt the internal monologues got a little repetitive between the characters. I understand that it was trying to show how the characters shared similarities in their mental health, but it still fell a little flat at times.
Ultimately, I think this book will connect most deeply with readers who have experienced depression themselves. That’s not to say readers without that experience won’t enjoy it, but the emotional core of the book will likely resonate differently. More importantly, it’s essential to go into this one with the right expectations. I originally expected more action, and while I still connected with the story, I would have been disappointed if I hadn’t.
Overall Thoughts
The Secret Life of Briar Rose is a stunning debut. While it is a very sad, heavy story, the mental health representation feels accurate and relatable. Just make sure to take care of yourself while reading this one! Personally, I don’t think it is the kind of book to binge. It’s one that I would take time with.
Final Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Those are all of my thoughts on The Secret World of Briar Rose! Are you interested in this one? Let me know in the comments below!
Until next time, xx