Spindle's End (Firebird) by Robin McKinley Summary and Reviews
|
List Price: Our Price: $3.20 You Save: $4.79 (60%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $1.79 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Spindle's End (Firebird)
Book Review: Wonderful variation of Sleeping Beauty
Summary: 4 Stars
Robin McKinley is very good at taking a well-known story and giving it a different spin (pun not intended). Spindle's End takes Sleeping Beauty a direction I haven't seen before while still maintaining the intrinsic appeal of the original concept.
As with "Beauty", the characters are well defined and easy to relate to. The role of magic in the story is creative and presented in an interesting way.
The reason I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5 is the rather awkward climax. There's a rushed feeling to it and the clear narration of the rest of the book is missing. This doesn't mean it's bad, just not quite up the the standard of the rest of the story.
Book Review: Spindle's End Review
Summary: 4 Stars
Spindle's End , by Robin McKinley , is a very entertaining book. It is told like the fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty. Rosie , is cursed by Pernicia , an evil fairy , to prick her finger on her twenty - first birthday. Rosie was originally given twenty - one names , but when she got cursed , Sigil , the queen's fairy , who gave her to Katriona , a peasant girl. Katriona named her Rosie , because she didn't want people to think differently. Rosie had many friends. Most of them were animals , because she could talk to them. One of Rosie's friends , Peony , was in love with Rowland , who was supposed to marry Rosie when she became princess again. Two weeks before Rosie's birthday , Igor , one of the king's helpers , knocked on their door. He told her all about her other life. Peony and Rosie switched places and went to the castle. Pernicia was waiting for them at the castle and put everyone under a sleeping spell and took Peony. Narl and Rosie went to Pernicia's castle and rescued Peony and killed Pernicia. Peony became princess and they all live happily ever after. I liked this book alot because it had a great plot and it was very interesting. Book Review: Too slow too unrealistic
Summary: 2 Stars
Though I'm an avid fan of Robin McKinley's books, this one seemed to drag on forever. Every once in a while it was enjoyable, but the characters are odd and pretty forgetable. Unlike most books I read, where there is a clear picture of what is happening in my head, this one seemed cludy and fuzzy. It's about as interesting as reading non-fiction (which I'm not to keen on, but is occasionally interesting). Blah Blah Blah. She needed to cut and shorten it up some because there is way too much fluff. If you are a fan of Robin, then I would recommend 1. The Blue Sword 2. The Hero and the Crown, and 3. the Outlaws of Sherwood before reading the Spindle's End. Book Review: Entertaining
Summary: 4 Stars
This book is one step away from becoming a masterpiece. While highly entertaining and inventive, there are parts that drag. And the conclusion is so thick with description that it's hard to keep track of just what is going on with the castle. Still, it's a delicious twist on Sleeping Beauty, with a likeable heroine. The characters are well done, though they're outclassed by the animals. And the central theme--of making our own choices despite prophecies, is magnificently done. It's not a book I could read over and over again, but it's still a great book definitely worth reading.Book Review: Not like the Damar books, but still a Masterpiece!
Summary: 5 Stars
McKinley is a writer of world-class status. You can see this from other reviews that other people have written. So many of us look up to and applaud her! And it is true, as others have said, that no one else writes quite like McKinley does. Her characters are real, they have thoughts (often many at a time), emotions, decisions to make, motivation, struggles, hardship, victories, sorrow and joy.You feel that these characters could just walk right out of the book and into real life and not be out of place. McKinley has a great sense of human nature. She also has a great grasp on language. She has both interesting wording and a feel for telling a story that captivates your attention and keeps you wanting for more. McKinley's characters and stories will stay with you long after you have finished reading. Personally, I wish that she had written more about Damar and Rosie's country. It really is no wonder that Robin McKinley won a Newberry Medal for "The Hero and the Crown". Which leads me to the next point.
McKinley's books are listed in a children and young adult catagory. This confounds me utterly. I am in my 20's and a college student and I still glean knowledge, hope and encouragement from these books! I believe that any of Robin McKinley's books, particularly "The Blue Sword" "The Hero and the Crown" and "Spindle's End" should be mandatory reading for people ages 10-110.
Now for the story, it seems a little boring at first. Almost as though it were a fairy tale for children. But stick with the story! Once Katrina gets to the Naming of the Princess, things start to pick up. I can't tell you any more because then that would reveal too much of the plot of what happens at the Naming. But what you need to know is that this is NOT the traditional Sleeping Beauty story. Only a few elements are taken from it (spinning wheel, evil fairy, etc.) But the rest of the plot, characters, animals and actions are straight from McKinley's imagination.
She is an author for all time, a true storyteller with the gift of imagination and originality. Once the plot gets going, it never dulls. There is not always a ton of action and hopeless quest and the story is all the better for it! There are humerous scenes, touching, brave, adventurous and joyful. The characters are heartening, close-knit and full of believability.
So, buy this book! You'll get much more than your money's worth and will be inspired to get even MORE McKinley books!