A review by sophieissapphhic
The Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder

adventurous

3.25

Fairytale mashups meet Indiana Jones in this immersive fantasy. 

Content Warnings: spiders, death, manipulation and emotional abuse, curses, confinement

The Bone Spindle is a fun YA adventure book that doesn’t take itself too seriously. If you’re wanting action and fun character dynamics, you should consider picking this up! 

Fi is a book-loving treasure hunter who has been working alone since her last relationship ended badly. 

Shane is a tough, axe-wielding lesbian who convinces Fi to become her partner for one quest.

However, the two get stuck with each other for longer than they bargained for when Fi pricks her finger on a spindle while exploring ruins. After pricking her finger, Fi is bonded to the spirit of Prince Briar Rose, who has been sleeping under a curse for a century. Against her will, Fi experiences growing feelings for Briar while Shane is attracted to a mysterious girl she meets by chance during their journey. Witch Hunters, exes, and dark magic all stand in the way of Fi breaking the prince’s curse, but Shane is determined to help.

My favorite aspect of The Bone Spindle was, without a doubt, the dynamic between Fi and Shane. They start as reluctant business partners who end up appreciating each other more than a bit by the end of the book. Together, they fill the pages with lots of wit and snark to keep the reader entertained. 

This book immersed me in its fairytale energy very early on- however, I wish there was more worldbuilding. Some of the worldbuilding felt hastily constructed and inserted in the story in places where it felt unnatural. 

The author describes the book as her “love letter to… action movies that are like one long chase scene from beginning to end,” and I would agree that that statement is accurate. The endless action allows the reader to become fully lost within the pages of this book. 

Overall, I was left with some mixed feelings. I didn’t love the writing style, worldbuilding, or romances, but I enjoyed the evolution of Shane and Fi’s relationship, so my overall rating is 3.25.

Thank you to Penguin Teen and Netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review! 

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