Reviews tagging 'Chronic illness'

A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow

104 reviews

lmhowell's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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beth_taggard's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny fast-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? It's complicated

4.0

You are accustomed to thinking of fairy tales as make-believe, but they have only ever been mirrors.

I came into this world a rough and tumble tomboy with no need to be rescued; therefore, I never related to fairy tale princesses — though even I could see how blurry the lines of consent are in being kissed while in a death sleep.

But I love a twist on a tale and what a fascinating meta-verse humanity has weaved for itself in telling and retelling tales over time. I'm grateful Alix E. Harrow can cross the worlds and reveal them to us in her unique way of spinning words into wonder.

Overall, I appreciate our flower-named heroines and the spin this tale takes on a modern classic (Thanks, Disney.) rooted in a tale or two (or three) from another time.

Of note: The pop-culture references make this short read feel like a fantastical episode of the Gilmore Girls and I can see this being off-putting to some readers, but I find it — charming. Excuse the pun.

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cj13's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful 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

5.0


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lilacs4b's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring fast-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? It's complicated

3.25


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tea_coffee_sam's review against another edition

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adventurous dark hopeful fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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leila_reads_too_much's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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ruthiedr89's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75


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micaelacccc's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.0


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booksandstardust's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-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

5.0


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sarahsbooklife's review against another edition

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adventurous dark inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

This was an interesting retelling of Sleeping Beauty. Zinnia, a girl from our world, loves Sleeping Beauty and fairy tales; is thrust into another world where she meets Primrose who is destined to prick her finger on a spindle and sleep for a hundred years. 
The two young woman are both cursed, one through magic and another through a disease that is slowly killing her. Together they try to change their fates and break their curses.
I thought that this was an unique take on this classic fairy tale and I loved the references to the Disney version, the Brothers Grimm version (Little Briar Rose), the Italian 17th century version (Sun, Moon, and Talia), and a few more. Zinnia's knowledge about fairy tales help her to navigate the world she is thrown into and helps her to save Primrose and herself. It's a good short story and it's a good story to listen too.

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