Spindle

I enjoyed this fairy tale re-imagining of Sleeping Beauty and the unique new setting involved. This isn’t a historical novel exactly, but has a historical flavor to it, involving cotton spinning mills, women’s voting rights, the “safety bicycle,” and labor rights in the late 1800s. The main character isn’t just waiting around for a Prince to rescue her; she’s nicely proactive even though there’s some romance going on. Some good female friendships are portrayed, with some developing bonds and loyalties. I really liked the fairy characters—those scenes were interesting. It has a satisfying ending and thank goodness, it wasn’t left up in the air waiting for a sequel.

Once again, Shonna Slayton drivers an historically intricate yet fantastical adventure. Her blend of history and fantasy leaves the reader believing that anything is truly possible! The characters are grounded and likeable, making it easy to relate to their circumstances. This book kept me up late more nights than I can count- that is my mark of a great book!

Spindle by Shonna Slyaton is a young adult fairy tale retelling of Sleeping Beauty. I knew I had to read Spindle because I love retellings, because Sleeping Beauty is one disney classic that I never watched too much and because the cover is bea-u-ti-ful! I mean, seriously it is so pretty! I loved Spindle. I thought it was well executed, had a great flair for the classic story, but Shonna Slayton still made it her own.Spindle is the story of Briar Rose, a young girl trying to work for a better life for her siblings. I really loved Rose. I thought her work ethic was admirable and I loved her dedication to her brothers and sister. But no story is complete without a prince. In this case, her best friend Henry Prince. Which I thought was a cute twist. His family is hiding a big secret, which totally intriged me. I had my guesses from the beginning but I would be lying if I said I easily had this one completely figured out. Shonna Slyaton does some really cool things with the twists and secrets in Spindle.The only thing that annoyed me about Briar Rose was her continued fascination with Wheeler. I thought he was a jerk, but she couldn’t seem to get him out of her head. But other than that, and a few slow points in the story, I really really enjoyed this tale. I thought it was a lot of fun. I think fans of retellings will love Spindle. I do wish there was a little more romance. It builds throughout the story but it is loaded heavier on the back end of the book.The industrial revolution time period is the perfect setting for Spindle. In fact, I think that was my favorite story telling decision. It set the mood of desperation perfectly. Spindle is a retelling take you don’t want to miss. I can’t wait for more from Shonna Slayton.*Disclaimer- I got a copy of this book for free from the publisher or author.

"Spindle" is an incredible sequel (not a retelling) of Sleeping Beauty. 16-year-old Briarly Rose (goes by Briar) works at the mill with frames and metal spindles in late nineteenth or early twentieth century New England. Her parents died long ago and she needs to earn money to take care of her 3 younger siblings, 9-year-old Pansy and her twin youngest brothers, Benny and Jack. She stays in town during the week at Miss Olive's establishment with other young, unmarried working girls and visits her family on the weekends, where they are watched by Nanny, an older woman who stepped in to help when her parents died. She recently broke up with her fiance Wheeler, with whom she had planned to leave the small valley and make more money to support her siblings.Briar is often accompanied by her best friend Henry, who works at the mill as a doffer, and is a big flirt. From the get-go, you can predict where those two are going, and I loved their relationship. The first half of the book is setting up the scene and Briar as a person (as well as the other girls at the mill like Mim- who wants to be married and make them all prettier, Sadie- who has caught Wheeler's eye, and Ethel- who is hiding from something in her past). All the girls at the mill are questioning a woman's right to vote- some of them are beginning to join the movement for the right to vote, as well as to outlaw alcohol. This is an interesting plot point, as it becomes quite a theme for these young women and gives insight into the debate of the time- something which we now take for granted.The story has a slow build up to the real action with wooden spindle, evil (and good) fairies, and the elements of the Sleeping Beauty story we would expect. The second part of the book is incredible! I could not stop reading. Even though it had a slow start- wow! I loved the rest of it (and even the first part was interesting, just in a different, non-magical way). I LOVED Henry- what an amazing young man and friend. I was upset that Briar took him for granted and didn't see it, but very happy that she eventually starts to realize the way things really are/should be. I don't want to give anything away so I won't say more than that, but I loved this story!It works well as a sequel to Sleeping Beauty and answers the question of what happens to the world after the story ends? It's also a great story about being an Irish female immigrant in the US when women were disenfranchised and there was prejudice with regards to NINA (no Irish need apply). There are some pretty heavy issues raised there which can be paralleled to similar sentiments and events of the current day. It was an incredible combination of social rights, magic and the (unintended) consequences of our actions. I really loved the book and would definitely want to read more from this author!Please note that I received this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for my honest review.