Tags
Adult Fiction, Adventure, Diversity, Fairytale Retellings, Fantasy, Humor, LGBTQ, Science Fiction
Thanks to NetGalley and Tordotcom for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: October 5th, 2021
128 Pages
Synopsis: USA Today bestselling author Alix E. Harrow’s A Spindle Splintered brings her patented charm to a new version of a classic story.
“A vivid, subversive and feminist reimagining of Sleeping Beauty, where implacable destiny is no match for courage, sisterhood, stubbornness and a good working knowledge of fairy tales.” ―Katherine Arden
It’s Zinnia Gray’s twenty-first birthday, which is extra-special because it’s the last birthday she’ll ever have. When she was young, an industrial accident left Zinnia with a rare condition. Not much is known about her illness, just that no one has lived past twenty-one.
Her best friend Charm is intent on making Zinnia’s last birthday special with a full sleeping beauty experience, complete with a tower and a spinning wheel. But when Zinnia pricks her finger, something strange and unexpected happens, and she finds herself falling through worlds, with another sleeping beauty, just as desperate to escape her fate. (Goodreads)
A Spindle Splintered may only be 128 pages, but it packs a heck of a lot of content in that brief span. When I read this was Sleeping Beauty meets Into the Spider-Verse I was initially skeptical, but I knew if anyone could pull this off it would be Alix Harrow. I don’t want to gush, but this just ticked all my boxes.
✨Strong, smart, and relatable female characters
✨Snarky humor
✨Witty dialogue
✨A unique and imaginative plot
✨A fairytale retelling that improves upon the original
✨Loads of diversity
✨A picture perfect ending.
Best of all it gives Sleeping Beauty a long overdue feminist slant that highlights the struggles that women everywhere have to contend with. It’s all about courage, sisterhood, and sassiness, so please take my advice and preorder this immediately or put in a request to purchase at your library. I do want to warn you it mentions rape. It’s something that happened in the past to one of the characters, and it’s not graphic, but I wanted to let you know.
In a year where I’ve been blessed with some truly stupendous reads, this novella will definitely be one of my top ten favorites. I highly recommend A Spindle Splintered to readers who love fairytale retellings and even those who don’t. I guarantee you’ll fall in love with both the plot and its characters, and you’ll easily finish it in one sitting and then be disappointed that it’s over.
Three of my favourite words- courage, sisterhood, and sassiness… Can’t wait to read the book!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I can’t wait to see your review!
LikeLike
A retelling of Sleeping Beauty? Adding to my list!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I guarantee you’ll love this Jeanne.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not a huge fan of retellings, so I’m going to pass on this one, but your review makes clear how very excellent it is!
LikeLiked by 1 person
If you ever have time Mae, I can’t recommend this highly enough even though you don’t like retellings. And it’s a quick read, took me about an hour.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I will stick with the original 14th century fairy tale, Kim. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sleeping Beauty has always been my least favorite fairytale because she is portrayed as this helpless thing who answers to everyone else: the fairies (good and evil), her parents, and even the prince. In the original tale by Giambattista Basile, she’s raped while comatose and gives birth to twins while still unconscious! I can’t tell you what a refreshing change this is even from Perrault’s watered down version.
LikeLiked by 2 people
On reflection, I agree the original was rather ‘extreme’! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did not realize that tape and birth was in the original tale! That’s even more horrible! C
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep. Perrault and even the Grimms toned it down somewhat.
LikeLike
Glad you enjoyed it. List full sorry 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you’d like this Fraggle and you could probably read it in about an hour. Just sayin’!😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙄🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
Would I steer you wrong?😏
LikeLiked by 1 person
No but I’ve got all these bliddy Enolas to do!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Okay. Enola first, and then A Spindle Splintered. Oh! And don’t forget The Princess Bride—book and movie!🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤣🤣🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oooohhh how did I miss this?? Great review Kim!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Carrie. You’re going to love this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have a feeling it’ll have to go to the library list but I gave it a shot on NG anyway.🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds great, and I love that cover!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a Must Read!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This one sounds really interesting, but this paragraph cinched it for me ” it gives Sleeping Beauty a long overdue feminist slant that highlights the struggles that women everywhere have to contend with. It’s all about courage, sisterhood, and sassiness,” Wonderful review Kim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much Carla. Over the last three years Alix Harrow has become a favorite author of mine. I was initially a little wary about this but Is should have known better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A unique spin on an old tale. Sounds good, as I’m not one for the stereotypical fairy tale.
LikeLiked by 1 person
One of the best reworking I’ve read!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This sounds amazing! Another one for the list. Amazing review, Book Diva!💥📚💯
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Dani. I know you’re going to love this!
LikeLike