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A review by queer_bookwyrm
The Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
4.0
4 ⭐ CW: violence
The Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder is book one of the Bone Spindle Trilogy. This was a fun sleeping beauty retelling that was so different from the original, but had some great call backs and references to it in the imagery used.
We follow Fi, a treasure hunter from a noble house who can never go home; Shane, a runaway heir with a big ax that likes pretty girls; and Briar Rose, the prince of Andar cursed to sleep until a prophesized girl wakes him with a kiss. I really liked Fi, I could see myself in her. She's very self-sufficient and a pragmatist, which I appreciate in fantasy way more than the helpless/clueless trope. I loved her friendship with Shane. Shane is our comic relief and resident lesbian with a heart of gold. Shane is one of those people who shows up in your life and then just never leaves no matter how much you try to get rid of them lol.
When Fi gets pricked by the legendary Bone Spindle that put Briar to sleep, so she is connected to him and is the only one who can wake him. But that means facing deadly obstacles and one pissed off Spindle Witch. Briar is such a sweet and endearing character that I hope we get to learn more about next book. We get little flashbacks every once in a while that give us more insight into Fi and Shane's past. Shane's story is particularly compelling. I love that the magic in this has rules and a cost and isn't just magic for magic's sake.
There is a lot in here about the discrimination of witches, cursed relics, and questions about whether there really a such thing as destiny or fate. Looking forward to the rest of the series!
The Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder is book one of the Bone Spindle Trilogy. This was a fun sleeping beauty retelling that was so different from the original, but had some great call backs and references to it in the imagery used.
We follow Fi, a treasure hunter from a noble house who can never go home; Shane, a runaway heir with a big ax that likes pretty girls; and Briar Rose, the prince of Andar cursed to sleep until a prophesized girl wakes him with a kiss. I really liked Fi, I could see myself in her. She's very self-sufficient and a pragmatist, which I appreciate in fantasy way more than the helpless/clueless trope. I loved her friendship with Shane. Shane is our comic relief and resident lesbian with a heart of gold. Shane is one of those people who shows up in your life and then just never leaves no matter how much you try to get rid of them lol.
When Fi gets pricked by the legendary Bone Spindle that put Briar to sleep, so she is connected to him and is the only one who can wake him. But that means facing deadly obstacles and one pissed off Spindle Witch. Briar is such a sweet and endearing character that I hope we get to learn more about next book. We get little flashbacks every once in a while that give us more insight into Fi and Shane's past. Shane's story is particularly compelling. I love that the magic in this has rules and a cost and isn't just magic for magic's sake.
There is a lot in here about the discrimination of witches, cursed relics, and questions about whether there really a such thing as destiny or fate. Looking forward to the rest of the series!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence