silver_valkyrie_reads 's review for:

Spindle's End by Robin McKinley
4.75
adventurous emotional lighthearted relaxing 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

2024 reread: Not much to add. Still such a lovely, cozy read. 

Original review:
It's such a lovely feeling to come back to a favorite of 10 or 15 years ago and discover that I still really love it. Not only is everything about it just perfect, from the characters, to the setting and world building, to the relationships and interaction, but it also brings a certain nostalgia of remembering what parts I related to more back then than I do now. 

Content issues are very low. There is enough danger, to both animals and humans, that it could be tense or frightening, but all of such a magical/curse variety that I wouldn't call anything that happens 'violence'. Sex or breeding are briefly mentioned a couple of times, but only in the context of animals. Kisses are mentioned a couple of times, and there's some romantic subplot, which is secondary to the storylines about family and friendship. Magic is pervasive through the whole book, in a very natural, 'this is just how the world works here' kind of way. Depending on sensitives, I could see some very young advanced readers enjoying this book.