Reviews

A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow

torialmond's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

super fun!!! going to go back and listen to the the second one now that i’ve listened to this one lol. very fun short read and cool universe/concept. would recommend this duology, quick and unique read! 

reflectiverambling_nalana's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

bhnmt61's review

4.0

This is a short book, and there are many good things about it- a strong, smart main character, a fiercely loyal best friend, and a believable portrayal of a fictional chronic illness. There is also a group of fairytale princesses who are far stronger and braver than the European and American versions of the tales allow. But it is short, so the gang of princesses is sadly underdeveloped and the ratio of feminist theory to story is a little high. A quick, enjoyable read that does a great job of setting up a future series, if that is what she has planned.

madimun's review

3.0

***
"sleeping beauty is the worst fairytale, pretty much anyway you slice it. It's aimless and amoral and chauvinist as shit. Even among the other nerds who majored in folklore, 'sleeping beauty' is nobody's favorite. The romantic girls like 'beauty and the beast'; vanilla girls like 'snow white.' only the dying girls like 'sleeping beauty'."

- A Spindle Splintered, Alix E. Harrow 2021
***

If you're looking for a fast read, this is your book. Because, it's short. Really short.

The tale begins with a dying girl, Zinnia, struggling with her mortality whom also has an unhealthy relationship with fairy tales. When her best friend, Charm (see what they did there?), throws her a 'sleeping beauty' themed 21st birthday, Zin pricks her finger on the spindle and, you guessed it, jumps timelines to another dimension - one that involves a very familiar girl in a very familiar predicament.

The story was not what I expected at all, but in many good ways. I loved Zin's narrative and her quirky one-liners. The friendship she forms with Prim is adorable in all the 'warm butterflies' kind of way.

I wish the story was longer. I wish it had been more fleshed out. I felt that what Alix was doing with parallel universes and stories was refreshing and new. I hope that next time, she does us all a favor and makes a longer book; one full of all the adventure and sarcasm that she already gave us a small taste of.

annw's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this book. It was wonderful to have fairytale and real world issues collide in this book. I also truly appreciated at at the end, there was a fairytale ending of sorts

birchjilguero's review

adventurous hopeful

3.25

mishup_3's review against another edition

adventurous funny relaxing fast-paced

4.0

They’re lesbians, Harold!

rlouis's review

adventurous emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Sleeping beauty reimagined. Enjoyed the audiobook thoroughly, its short and pretty fast paced but a queer and fun afternoon read to keep me company at work. 

amandalyncreek's review

3.0

This was okay. I feel like it could have been longer. The ending seemed a little rushed to me.

ladyasteria's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5