Spindle's End
by Robin McKinley

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Book Reviews of Spindle's End

Book Review: "McKinley has woven a majestic tapestry with her words. "
Summary: 5 Stars

In her new take on the tale, McKinley's heroine has her usual dual roles, with names as different as her royal heritage and her ordinary upbringing. Twenty-one names are bestowed upon this tiny child, twenty-one fairy godmothers bestowing twenty-one gifts, determining her future for her as they see fit. On her name day, past meets future in the awe-inspiring arrival of Pernicia- a fairy, once defeated by one of the princess's ancestors, that had sworn revenge to ruin the royal family and their country. With the granting of the curse/gift of an unending sleep in the young baby's future, the similarities to other versions ends. A final gift of speaking with animals, hastily given by one of the attendees, and a new name, become the start to a new life- as ordinary a life as a child in a
village can have. Rosie grows to be a child, an adolescent, a young woman--with fears, joy, love, annoyance, friendship and family. She cares about the poor princess, when she hears how she's moved about, wonders at her imposed loneliness, wishes to be her friend. Through marriages and births, learning to be a horse-leech and a friend, Rosie grows into her life as a briar rose grows around a wall- knowing that it belongs to her, but that, somehow, she is not truly a part of it. As her twenty-first birthday draws near, so does her destiny, despite it's avoidance. Yet all is not lost--Rosie and her best friend, Peony, (who by now, like the two flowers they are named after, resemble each other in so many ways they are almost indistinguishable) trade places to trick the magic. In the end, a kiss is the seal that breaks instead of binds (though not as you might expect), love does conquer all, and many live happier than ever, after.

McKinley has woven a majestic tapestry with her words. The detail she goes into describing the emotions and thoughts of her characters, the country, it's magic, is magic itself. She brings out the humanity in the people and animals through the details of everyday life that we often overlook--surviving from meal to meal, dealing with children (with magic or without), expressing concerns, displeasure, desires--this is what life is about.

Kerrie Colantonio, Author of TWISTING THE GLASS

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