Spindle's End

"This was one of my most recent rereads of this book. I thought the story was very enjoyable.<br/><br/>This was a rewriting of the story of Sleeping Beauty.<br/><br/>Summary:<br/><br/>The story plays out, in the first few chapters, to be very close to the folk tale, taking some similar elements from Disney's. The fairy, Katriona was so sweet but frazzled. She takes care of the infant princess while running back home. Because Briar-Rose (called Rosie) was nursed on fox's milk (it was strange but I suppose it worked) she could talk to and understand animals. That came in to play in the book when Rosie grew up.<br/><br/>The story, up until Part 3, was in Katriona's perspective. (Because Rosie was a baby until then). It tells of Rosie's childhood and Katriona's and Barder's - the village's carpenter- engagement. Six year old Rosie, on one pursuit to the village, ends up at the Smithy and talking at Narl, the Blacksmith. Narl ends up to be the babysitter of Rosie but he doesn't mind. <br/><br/>Katriona and Barder get married in part 3 and both take a step back from the spotlight. Posey is then introduced and becomes Rosie's best and closest friend. They finish growing up together. Posey and Narl's apprentice Rowland fall in love one day at the Smithy, which Narl and Rosie both witness. Rosie realizes that she's in love with Narl. (Rowland is the prince of the neighboring kingdom and is engaged to the cursed princess) <br/><br/>That part makes me very concerned because Narl is quite a bit older than Rosie, enough so he was an adult when she was a baby. It never said his exact age, just that he was a seer and therefore ages slower, I guess? Narl and Rosie do end up together in the end. <br/><br/>Soon after (skipping a lot of fluff in the book), Posey is realized that she is the princess. She and Rosie (since she had to take her best friend) go to the castle where the curse plays out after a few months. <br/><br/>From this point onward, there is a lot of action in order to get rid of the evil fairy who cursed Rosie. Rosie's curse spread to Posey because they were such close friends and confused the curse. Rosie and Narl defeat the evil fairy and everything is set right... Except for Rosie and Narl's relationship. It ends up that Narl loves Rosie back. <br/><br/>After this, I think Rowland and Posey marry each other. <br/><br/><br/>There isn't really anything to be concerned about except the age difference between Narl and Rosie."

"Fun and unique retelling of a classic story"

"I love this book so much! Perfect balance of witty humor and serious plot lines. Definitely worth the read!"

"Heavy on the fantasy world building. Feisty sleeping beauty."

"My least favorite Robin McKinley retelling. It's just really slow moving and it feels like it takes hundreds of pages for anything to happen."

"Amazing book.. "