Scan barcode
animelanie's review against another edition
3.0
Read for review
Bit difficult to get into at first, and the copy I was reading was a proof, so I didn't know at first that it was the start of a series - I worked it out when it was page 300 and there was WAY too much left to resolve in the last 100 pages!
The first in a new fantasy series, 'The Bone Spindle', this gender-flipped reimagining of Sleeping Beauty is full of action, adventure, betrayal, romance and magic. The majority of the book is told from the perspectives of Shane and Fi, with a few chapters throughout the book being told from Briar Rose's point of view. While there is plenty of action throughout the novel, the story has several drawn out segments, interrupting the flow of the story. Well developed lead characters save the story from these interruptions, and the book is perfect for fans of fairy tales with a twist, as the sleeping beauty in this story is male, and the rescuers are female. Additionally, there is a female to female pairing, adding more dimension to the original fairy tale.
Themes: Fantasy; Magic; Feminism; Romance; Curses; Relationships; Enemies; LGBTQIA+; Power.
Bit difficult to get into at first, and the copy I was reading was a proof, so I didn't know at first that it was the start of a series - I worked it out when it was page 300 and there was WAY too much left to resolve in the last 100 pages!
The first in a new fantasy series, 'The Bone Spindle', this gender-flipped reimagining of Sleeping Beauty is full of action, adventure, betrayal, romance and magic. The majority of the book is told from the perspectives of Shane and Fi, with a few chapters throughout the book being told from Briar Rose's point of view. While there is plenty of action throughout the novel, the story has several drawn out segments, interrupting the flow of the story. Well developed lead characters save the story from these interruptions, and the book is perfect for fans of fairy tales with a twist, as the sleeping beauty in this story is male, and the rescuers are female. Additionally, there is a female to female pairing, adding more dimension to the original fairy tale.
Themes: Fantasy; Magic; Feminism; Romance; Curses; Relationships; Enemies; LGBTQIA+; Power.
marvelruinedmyspirit's review against another edition
I'm not one for retellings, and I'm aging out of YA, but I did preorder the ebook back in 2022 so it was only fair that I at least give it a try, but after 4 chapters, it's not so much that I stopped caring as much as I never started.
ninovg's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
optimisticbooknerd's review against another edition
4.0
4,5 stars
I loved this one! It was so fun and not a dull part. I was a bit skeptical of the concept at first 'Sleeping Beauty meets Indiana Jones' I immediately was like "Oh my god, what!?" But this was so good and so much fun.
I need a physical copy immediately. This is the book I would ask my non-reader family/friends to read it is such a beautiful book that you can tell the author put so much time and effort into and it was amazing and I can't wait to follow these amazing characters in the sequel!
I loved this one! It was so fun and not a dull part. I was a bit skeptical of the concept at first 'Sleeping Beauty meets Indiana Jones' I immediately was like "Oh my god, what!?" But this was so good and so much fun.
I need a physical copy immediately. This is the book I would ask my non-reader family/friends to read it is such a beautiful book that you can tell the author put so much time and effort into and it was amazing and I can't wait to follow these amazing characters in the sequel!
libwinnie's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't finish because I didn't have time not because there was anything wrong with the book. It was good, it just didn't hook me like I'd hoped.
jojosophie2001's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
nonamesorgender's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
calidareads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
madmads126's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lilsreeds's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
SPOILERS
Fairy-tale retelling of Sleeping Beauty.
I was not the biggest fan of the main romance or Fi, one of the FMC. Shane and the secondary romance plot were more intriguing to me, Shane was a great character who provided bad-ass moments, as well as more emotional scenes and comedy. Briar-Rose grows to be more interesting by the very end, though he was merely fine for most of the book.
Worldbuilding was alright, not too much apart from naming the different countries around this world, but the most interesting part were the different methods the witches would use to perform magic, such as with plants, paper, or dreams. Side characters did not provide much, though Red and her romance was often very fun. The overall villain of the Spindle Witch was not particularly interesting or intimidating, unfortunately.
I also particularly enjoyed the flashback scene of Briar's where we see his family in the past just being happy together.
3.5/5, I will not be immediately going for the sequel.
Fairy-tale retelling of Sleeping Beauty.
I was not the biggest fan of the main romance or Fi, one of the FMC. Shane and the secondary romance plot were more intriguing to me, Shane was a great character who provided bad-ass moments, as well as more emotional scenes and comedy. Briar-Rose grows to be more interesting by the very end, though he was merely fine for most of the book.
Worldbuilding was alright, not too much apart from naming the different countries around this world, but the most interesting part were the different methods the witches would use to perform magic, such as with plants, paper, or dreams. Side characters did not provide much, though Red and her romance was often very fun. The overall villain of the Spindle Witch was not particularly interesting or intimidating, unfortunately.
I also particularly enjoyed the flashback scene of Briar's where we see his family in the past just being happy together.
3.5/5, I will not be immediately going for the sequel.