A Spindle Splintered

Definitely a 4.5, so I'm rounding up.

I never actually read the author's previous book despite it being nominated and winning many awards because I never felt it was my thing. I also didn't bother to read much about the premise of this book due to similar apprehensions, but reading a gushing review by my fellow awesome blogger Misty convinced me that maybe I should give this a try. And this turned out to be so much fun.

I usually love retellings but more on the mythological side, because I'm not that fond of the usual European fairytales. And I hardly remember anything about Sleeping Beauty but that didn't hamper my enjoyment of this story. This story is an ode to classic fairytales with a modern twist, when the princesses don't need a charming prince to save them because they are perfectly capable of saving themselves. In this way, it recognizes the sexist undertones of the classics and subverts them to create a more progressive version of those age old tales that we love. The author does a seamless blending of modern day technology and a medieval world full of rigid gender roles, peppering the story with witty and biting dialogue, fast pacing which kept me so engaged that I didn't wanna put it down at all, and an excellent audiobook narration which enriched my experience. The way Amy does the various accents as well as voices, her sarcastic tone and just her overall way of telling the story was super entertaining.

Zinnia is such a fascinating protagonist. Having a terminal condition, she has been prepared to die before turning 22 as long as she can remember but when she gets the opportunity for an adventure, she takes it all in with both her hands. She is brave and witty, not easily ruffled by unexpected situations, and is smart enough to put her folklore degree to good use when she finds herself in a fairytale world. She is ably supported by her childhood best friend Charm who is her rock and ready to send out PowerPoint presentations to help her out despite sounding freaked out and is determined to find a cure for Zin's condition. Their friendship is goals and I loved how it evolved towards the end of the book.

And Primrose is the princess in the fairytale story who is cursed to become the Sleeping Beauty but is not ready to accept it. I loved the depiction of her character, especially through the audio because it showed both her vulnerable as well as slightly prideful sides. Together with Zin, Charm and a few other surprise characters, she takes her destiny into her own hands and refuses to conform to the rigid role she is being forced into.

Overall, this was a completely unexpected surprise. In under 150 pages, the author manages to give us a world full of fairytales and characters who find themselves in stories not belonging to them, but determined to chart their own course of their life story. If you love fairytale retellings with a twist, women being very supportive of each other, a thoroughly entertaining story with even better narration, and maybe some primer on what to do when you find yourself in a fairytale situation yourself - do give this a try. You will not regret it.

this story really did not work for me in the slightest. the tone, pace, and characters all felt weirdly out of left field and i just really did not get the point by the end. also, this was marketed to me as wlw and there's very little of that on the page, which is a bummer.

also also, petition to remove silly illustrations from e-books? i swear i spent so long scrolling past them

This book probably rounds up to 3.5 stars for me. There were parts that I really enjoyed. Especially the setup/ beginning. Sleeping Beauty has always been one of my favorite princesses. As with the author's other books, I enjoy the prose style. Also, the interior art is cute. The ending could have been better but I didn't hate it. The main issue I had was the midpoint. The fantastical just didn't land for me? The phone working in the fantastical land and actually sending &receiving text messages just felt nonsensical to me. I know it was a novella, but the worldbuilding for the fantastical part of the story just felt a little more sloppy/unfinished than I prefer.

This book moves so fast. Zinnia immediately accepts that she is in a magical world. She doesn't question what happened or why she can even fucking interdimensional text her friend. She is totally obsessed with fairly tales but never comments on the fact that Charm is very clearly meant to be Prince Charming. It underestimates the reader's intelligence (or ability to pick up on hints) constantly. 

It is also trying to be too many things at once. It is trying to be serious and all sad about her disease, but then the book calls said disease Roseville ‘Malady' with no hint of irony and makes a ‘Harold, they're lesbians' reference, not even as a character but ingrained in the name of an actual character. You cannot be so silly and also be serious, have the character be aware of the references and also not at the same time. You can't explain some interdimensional travel but also have them straight up just text each other. You have to pick a vibe and this was trying to be way too much. 

I also disliked the characters, they seemed very flat and one-dimensional with only really one certain issue of characteristic. Solidly not for me. 

I really enjoyed this sideways take on the Sleeping Beauty tale.

Zinna Gray suffers from an incurable illness and has not been expected to survive to her 21st birthday, yet as the story starts she is celebrating her 21st in the grim knowledge that it will be her last. During the party a chain of events sends her to a parallel universe where she interrupts a certain princess who was in the process of pricking her finger on a spindle - and as a result opens up a whole new series of narrative possibilities.

Very well written.

Zinnia and Charm have my heart. What an incredibly fun and breezy read! There's a fun smattering of subtle cinephile, book and board game references that thankfully lightened the darker undertone of Zinnia's situation--she's a realistic, nerdy heroine with fire and Charm is right there with some pizzazz. I only wish this novella was a full novel.

A nice short read that is somewhat of a modern darker fairy-tale. I very much liked that the main character had extensive knowledge of the tales she found herself in. It definitely added to the book to learn some of the fairy-tale backstories and some that are not quite as popular. The book felt complete on its own but is a series and I am excited to read the next one!

This short story retelling of Sleeping Beauty was so fun. It created a modern day Aurora, while also establishing a whole multiverse, all in such a short book. Our main “Aurora”, Zinnia, has a rare disease that has a short life expectancy, and she isn't expecting to make it to her next birthday. When her best friends throws her a 21st birthday party, complete with a spinning wheel, she is exstatic. However, when she touches it as a joke, she is transported to a different dimension with another Aurora, but this one is like the full Medieval fairy tale story. What follows is her journey to make it back to her dimension, as well as survive without her medication in this other world.

I loved reading this book. It was touching and fun, while being short and to the point. I thought the characters were what really made this story shine. Also, getting to experience this well-known story, reimagined in a modern setting with a woman who would give anything to be in a fairy tale was very interesting. This book showed a sliver of what it's like living with a deadly disease and having a time limit on your life at a young age. I was definitely tearing up throughout.

I recommend this quick read to anyone that loves a good fairy tale.

TW: ableism, alcohol, death, homophobia, misogyny, suicide (mentioned), terminal illness

73 Yr old reader here and I must say I liked this! Usually read award winning or nominee mysteries but tried something new this time. Book is 170P, Young adult girl is dying from incurable disease and some how is transported into her favorite book “Sleeping Beauty”. She must save the Princess and somehow find a way to get back to realty/present times! Has a great best friend!
The LGBT community may like this book! If you want a short read, try this! David N.

It was ok. I just prefer a story where there are more subtleties. They were trying too hard at comedy, pop culture and the fem power. It was all in your face hard. When it's what you are and who you are, it just flows and nothing has to be over done. The message just comes across naturally. I don't know how else to explain it. I do think the story was unique as I've never read a re-telling like this one.

“Well Harold...they're lesbians”
A SPINDLE SPLINTERED is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty by Alix E. Harrow, author of The Once and Future Witches and other books I've yet to read. I really enjoyed this fresh take on Sleeping Beauty and it's critically creative take on fairy tales, heroines, and mortality. I loved the protagonist's voice and Harrow's overall writing style. There were a few parts I wanted more of and certain characters I wanted to play a larger role in the story. But, I'm looking forward to checking out the sequel, A Mirror Mended, soon. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫