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A review by rereader33
A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow
2.0
I liked the cover and the concept. That's pretty much it.
I got what Harrow had in mind with this story, but it wasn't executed well. If the story had been longer, I think it could have been better, but it's too short and thus everything seems rushed. Also, adding modern day slang and pop culture references to an archaic folktale doesn't make it "funny" or "hip"; it makes it obnoxious, grating, and immersion-breaking. Zin was also pretty annoying and pretty fucking selfish, so I didn't care about her nor rooted for her to succeed. I will say, at least the discussions on sexuality and misogyny in folktales was handled slightly more subtly here than in other folktale retellings.
Overall though, this was just meh. It's not the worst folktale retelling I've read, but it's also not as clever and interesting as it thinks it is. However, it's short and easy to read, so if you want to read it, go for it. But if you want a substantial, engaging folktale retelling to sink your teeth in, look elsewhere.
I got what Harrow had in mind with this story, but it wasn't executed well. If the story had been longer, I think it could have been better, but it's too short and thus everything seems rushed. Also, adding modern day slang and pop culture references to an archaic folktale doesn't make it "funny" or "hip"; it makes it obnoxious, grating, and immersion-breaking. Zin was also pretty annoying and pretty fucking selfish, so I didn't care about her nor rooted for her to succeed. I will say, at least the discussions on sexuality and misogyny in folktales was handled slightly more subtly here than in other folktale retellings.
Overall though, this was just meh. It's not the worst folktale retelling I've read, but it's also not as clever and interesting as it thinks it is. However, it's short and easy to read, so if you want to read it, go for it. But if you want a substantial, engaging folktale retelling to sink your teeth in, look elsewhere.