A Spindle Splintered by Alix Harrow

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

About A Spindle Splintered

I fell hard for Alix E. Harrow’s writing with The Ten Thousand Doors of January. With The Once and Future Witches, she owned my soul with her exquisite writing, complex world-building, and fully realized characters. I haven’t ugly cried over a book the way I did with Witches in a long time.

As a fairy tale lover, especially retellings, I was so excited to learn that her new book was a queer retelling of Sleeping Beauty.

Zinnia’s always known her expiration date; due to a rare medical condition, she expects to die by the time she turns 21. She’s got deep cut fairytale knowledge and a serious love of Disney princesses so when Zinnia’s 21st birthday arrives, her best friend does everything she can to give Zin a fairytale party right down to the tower and spinning wheel.

Magic happens and sends Zin into a multiverse of Sleeping Beauties. She lands in the world of a Beauty who doesn’t want the nap or the prince but is being compelled to follow the traditional storyline. It’s up to Zin to figure out solutions to both their problems before sleep and death claim them.

My thoughts about A Spindle Splintered

lix Harrow has filled the hole in my reader’s soul left by a lack of new Robin McKinley novels and the fairytale anthology of Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling.

Her descriptions are lush, magical, and beautiful. She creates well-developed characters that are s easy to fall in love with that I find myself incredibly invested emotionally with no effort on my part. I want Charm to be my BFF and I want to talk fairy tale origins with Zin for hours.

I love the subversion of Sleeping Beauties who aren’t going to passively prick a finger and fall asleep. And if they can’t rescue themselves, they’re willing to risk everything for another Beauty in need. I love that Alix E. Harrow has again brought together a diverse sisterhood who aren’t going to calmly accept their fates.

In conclusion

If you haven’t yet, read her two other books Ten Thousand Doors of January and The Once and Future Witches.

A Spindle Splintered is a gorgeous, female empowered retelling of Sleeping Beauty with incredible heart and passion.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tordotcom for the ARC.

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