Review by nikkitheninth - A Spindle Splintered

nikkitheninth 's review for:

A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow

4.0

adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

“You are accustomed to thinking of fairy tales as make-believe... But they have only ever been mirrors.”

this was my first alix e. harrow book after hearing a lot of hype about the six deaths of the saint. as a longtime big fan of sleeping beauty, i wasn't sure what to expect coming into this, but it was not the opening line:

"Sleeping Beauty is pretty much the worst fairy tale, any way you slice it."

*insert "and i oop-" meme here*

there is a somber undertone to the story, as our fmc zinnia is dying from a fatal illness. but by mere chance, she stumbles into her favorite fairy tale and has the chance to save another princess from her fated doom.

this examines the beloved fairy tale in its many variations from a feminist perspective, as it exists and from modern storytelling POV, but the princesses get to be their own princes in this tale.

the book didn't quite click for me until about a third in, when i finally realized what the overall tone and vibe was going to be. it was definitely different than i expected it to be, but overall enjoyable and a little bittersweet.

I’ve always resented people for trying to save me, but maybe this is how it works, maybe we save one another.

Content Warnings