At a celebration honoring young princess Zahrah, called Little Rose, a demon curses both her and her kingdom, vowing to possess the princess when she turns 18. Until then, any “making” that Little Rose does—anything creative— will better prepare her mind for the demon’s possession. Meanwhile, makers in the kingdom, like the spinners and weavers, will grow sicker and sicker as they work. A piskey was able to counter the demon’s damage with its own magical gift: if Little Rose spins, she will prick her finger on the spindle and fall asleep, so the demon cannot control her. The son of a weaver dying from the curse, Yashaa blames Zahrah for the tragedy of the kingdom, but when their paths intersect he realizes that not only is the princess blameless, she is a fighter striving to protect her people and resist the demon’s curse. Accompanied by three of Yashaa’s friends, Yashaa and Zahrah are determined to undo the curse before Zahrah turns 18. Greedy rulers and political machinations add tension to Yashaa and Zahrah’s quest and budding romance in this companion novel to A Thousand Nights. Set within the same universe but many years later, this Sleeping Beauty tale stands marvelously on its own. (Age 13 and older)