The best description for this book/series in 10 words or less:
"Girl full of duty doesn't listen and gets hurt."

Similar to Cinderella's Dress by Slayton, this is less a retelling of Sleeping Beauty but a continuation of the story. This book kept me on my toes because I was constantly wondering who the evil fairy, Isodora, is. There was also the fact that no one is who they seem.

Briar as a character is well rounded. She knows what she wants in life, which is to grow, but she can't abandon her family and must take care of them. I had a problem with Briar Rose because she doesn't listen to what she is told and knows she shouldn't use the spindle but uses it anyway. It seemed a bit forced in that sense.

I really enjoyed the good fairies. I thought that they were really fun but full of duty at the same time.

I felt that the Prince family name was a dead give away that they were related to Sleeping Beauty's prince. Even though the name was boring, I liked Henry's character for the most part. The only problem I had with Henry's character was that he seemed too perfect and head-over-heels for Briar Rose.

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https://axarr.blogspot.com/2016/10/re...

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"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. ( )

3.5 Stars
An around-the-turn-of-the-century retelling of Sleeping Beauty that incorporates some historical changes (mill conditions, polio, bicycles, and women's movement). Some of the characters are good (I liked the fairy Fanny and Henry Prince, the male MC,) and others were okay. I loved the inclusion of history. Occasionally, the pace slows down, but I will give this author a second try if she decides to do another fairy tale adaptation. An interesting concept with the basic Sleeping Beauty plot. For tweens, teens, fans of fairy tale reinterpretations, and readers who enjoy some history mixed with their fiction.

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