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rereader33's review against another edition
2.0
I liked the cover and the concept. That's pretty much it.
I got what Harrow had in mind with this story, but it wasn't executed well. If the story had been longer, I think it could have been better, but it's too short and thus everything seems rushed. Also, adding modern day slang and pop culture references to an archaic folktale doesn't make it "funny" or "hip"; it makes it obnoxious, grating, and immersion-breaking. Zin was also pretty annoying and pretty fucking selfish, so I didn't care about her nor rooted for her to succeed. I will say, at least the discussions on sexuality and misogyny in folktales was handled slightly more subtly here than in other folktale retellings.
Overall though, this was just meh. It's not the worst folktale retelling I've read, but it's also not as clever and interesting as it thinks it is. However, it's short and easy to read, so if you want to read it, go for it. But if you want a substantial, engaging folktale retelling to sink your teeth in, look elsewhere.
I got what Harrow had in mind with this story, but it wasn't executed well. If the story had been longer, I think it could have been better, but it's too short and thus everything seems rushed. Also, adding modern day slang and pop culture references to an archaic folktale doesn't make it "funny" or "hip"; it makes it obnoxious, grating, and immersion-breaking. Zin was also pretty annoying and pretty fucking selfish, so I didn't care about her nor rooted for her to succeed. I will say, at least the discussions on sexuality and misogyny in folktales was handled slightly more subtly here than in other folktale retellings.
Overall though, this was just meh. It's not the worst folktale retelling I've read, but it's also not as clever and interesting as it thinks it is. However, it's short and easy to read, so if you want to read it, go for it. But if you want a substantial, engaging folktale retelling to sink your teeth in, look elsewhere.
easta98's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-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
4.0
emzhay's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
This book screams 2015 Tumblr from its humor, references and characterization to its feminism, narrative critique, and logic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Chronic illness
Moderate: Rape
bookish_withsky's review against another edition
1.0
Perhaps this simply wasn’t for me. I didn’t like the writing, everything felt both rush and drawn out, not sure how that happened. It was genuinely the longest hour and a half (speed I was listening to the audiobook) of my life and I’d have gladly DNF’d it if I’d been able to take my phone out to do so.
qkat's review against another edition
2.0
I powered through this novella, but it wasn’t easy. I really didn’t like the tone of the book. Just wasn’t my cup of tea.
eni_iilorak's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Medical content
Moderate: Death, Blood, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, and Violence
crunchycrystals's review against another edition
adventurous
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75
the humor was a bit cringey at times but i thought the message behind it was really nice and the descriptions of the characters emotions made me genuinely cry its fun. also i love fairytale retellings and thought the way those aspects were incorporated were really cool especially in the last half and enjoyed zinnia's personality i really like her
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness
Moderate: Medical content, Rape, Blood, Homophobia, and Sexual assault
Minor: Abortion
shaunie991's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
Not as fantastic and queer as I thought it would be, but still a cute, quick read. Will still read the next addition in this series when it comes out this year.
Not as fantastic and queer as I thought it would be, but still a cute, quick read. Will still read the next addition in this series when it comes out this year.
linnaboobooks's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars.
For me, when something is promoted hard as feminist, I'm wary because a lot of times it's not handled well or at the very least not developed. And sadly this was the case here. The failing with A Spindle Splintered, I think, relies on how short it is. Which, presumably is to reflect how this is a re-imagining of a fairy tale, is not the best route for Zinnia's plot as well as the specific plot of this story.
There was just too fast of movement and not enough development in the short amount of time we're given with Zinnia and Primrose, for them to have more of a voice and agency in their stories. There was substance but not enough to fulfill the expectations I had from the synopsis.
It was as if these two were their stories but only an additional, small amount of spice by fighting back versus what could've been if there had been more time.
One plot element that I loved the most was the involvement of the "bad fairy", her story was actually my favorite part of this entire audiobook. I wish there was more of it, more of her. I could quite literally read an entire 300-500 page novel on her and her story alone.
For me, when something is promoted hard as feminist, I'm wary because a lot of times it's not handled well or at the very least not developed. And sadly this was the case here. The failing with A Spindle Splintered, I think, relies on how short it is. Which, presumably is to reflect how this is a re-imagining of a fairy tale, is not the best route for Zinnia's plot as well as the specific plot of this story.
There was just too fast of movement and not enough development in the short amount of time we're given with Zinnia and Primrose, for them to have more of a voice and agency in their stories. There was substance but not enough to fulfill the expectations I had from the synopsis.
It was as if these two were their stories but only an additional, small amount of spice by fighting back versus what could've been if there had been more time.
One plot element that I loved the most was the involvement of the "bad fairy", her story was actually my favorite part of this entire audiobook. I wish there was more of it, more of her. I could quite literally read an entire 300-500 page novel on her and her story alone.