esotericelixir's review against another edition
2.0
“When you make a thing and keep it, you control it utterly. If no hands but yours have touched it, then it is yours. If you make a thing and give it, you relinquish that control, but earn in its place a sort of trust between you and the person to whom you have made your gift. If a thing is made and stolen, then it can be twisted; and this has always been my way.”
This retelling of Sleeping Beauty tells the story of what happened to those spinners whose spindles got burned so that she could never touch one and fall into a deep sleep, and their journey to try and get their world back.
If I’m being honest, I preferred the retelling of A Thousand Nights (E. K. Johnston’s first book in this series), but both left me with a lacking of a good conclusion. The story was drawn out throughout an entire book, but the conclusion happens in 1-2 chapters.
It was an okay book, but only okay.
This retelling of Sleeping Beauty tells the story of what happened to those spinners whose spindles got burned so that she could never touch one and fall into a deep sleep, and their journey to try and get their world back.
If I’m being honest, I preferred the retelling of A Thousand Nights (E. K. Johnston’s first book in this series), but both left me with a lacking of a good conclusion. The story was drawn out throughout an entire book, but the conclusion happens in 1-2 chapters.
It was an okay book, but only okay.
chickadeereads's review against another edition
5.0
I love this book. So much better then the first. It was much easier to follow. The first was just confusing, this one was amazing. I just feel let down by the ending. Wish it was different. But with that said, it fit with the rest of the story.
mactammonty's review against another edition
4.0
This time it is from a young man's point of view. One that is angry and obstinate. One who does not want to follow in the family business.
The treatment of Snow White is well done. It is not violent and gory. It is full of little stories that make up a whole.
The treatment of Snow White is well done. It is not violent and gory. It is full of little stories that make up a whole.
qwordyq's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded up.
This was better than A Thousand Nights but not by much. It was more intriguing in the story-telling as the pacing of ATN was slower but it was only mildly better in this one. I thought it was going to be real good but then that ending...what the hell was that? I spent the whole day reading this for that ending? I'm sorry but no.
I also hate when characters die when there was little time spent on their development for me to get any attachment to them. It still shocked me cuz it was so sudden but I was more along the lines of "why? What was the point of that death?" there just wasn't one so...
Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this type of book but I feel really let down by the ending.
This was better than A Thousand Nights but not by much. It was more intriguing in the story-telling as the pacing of ATN was slower but it was only mildly better in this one. I thought it was going to be real good but then that ending...what the hell was that? I spent the whole day reading this for that ending? I'm sorry but no.
I also hate when characters die when there was little time spent on their development for me to get any attachment to them. It still shocked me cuz it was so sudden but I was more along the lines of "why? What was the point of that death?" there just wasn't one so...
Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for this type of book but I feel really let down by the ending.
soulinpages's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't like Spindle much. The writing and world building seemed very incomplete. I couldn't get the whole picture of the situation.
And the ending was basically a huge, 'huh?'.
Originally reviewed on 20 August 2017.
And the ending was basically a huge, 'huh?'.
Originally reviewed on 20 August 2017.
brinnet's review against another edition
3.0
I was torn between 3 and 4 stars on this one.
I selected this book at random from a library book sale and that is why I read the first book in the series.
As it turns out, it isn't necessary to read the first book to enjoy the second. It does provide some backstory, but because the book has a magical realism feel to it, the backstory provided from the first book simply becomes one more element that the reader accepts (and, if you have read the first book, appreciates).
It takes the Briar Rose story and completely re-spins, giving it depth and telling it for a YA audience. I teared up at the end of the story, which was completely unexpected.
For me, I would not necessarily recommend the first book in the series, and I do think there is a settling in period for this book, but one you understand the context of the story, it is quite enjoyable and different.
Not an easy read for YA, but if you like magical realism, it is definitely worth picking up!
I selected this book at random from a library book sale and that is why I read the first book in the series.
As it turns out, it isn't necessary to read the first book to enjoy the second. It does provide some backstory, but because the book has a magical realism feel to it, the backstory provided from the first book simply becomes one more element that the reader accepts (and, if you have read the first book, appreciates).
It takes the Briar Rose story and completely re-spins, giving it depth and telling it for a YA audience. I teared up at the end of the story, which was completely unexpected.
For me, I would not necessarily recommend the first book in the series, and I do think there is a settling in period for this book, but one you understand the context of the story, it is quite enjoyable and different.
Not an easy read for YA, but if you like magical realism, it is definitely worth picking up!
sydney_lena's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
sheltzer's review against another edition
4.0
This was an interesting retelling of Sleeping Beauty set in a Middle Eastern fantasy country. The princess is rescued from the prince while trying to stave off the demon who wants to destroy the kingdom. I think I enjoyed this more than the first.