Editorial Content for Spindle
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Reviewer (text)
A spinoff of the classic SLEEPING BEAUTY story, SPINDLE is a thrilling read that changes a reader’s perspective on the classic novel.
"I would recommend this book to people who love fantasy novels and those who enjoyed reading the classic SLEEPING BEAUTY story but want a more intense version of it."
As E.K. Johnston’s sixth novel, SPINDLE is set in a mythical kingdom which is in ruins. This kingdom’s princess was cursed by a demon during her fifth birthday party and even though the other mythical creatures --- like dragons and piskeys --- tried to reverse the curse, it didn’t work. The kingdom of Kharuf was made up of spinners, but the curse has killed them all with illnesses and even when they left the lands they were still plagued with illness. Qamih is a neighboring kingdom and has been blessed by Kharuf’s downfall. The demon who cursed the Little Rose, Kharuf’s princess, has helped the Qamih king make his kingdom grand as a part of its scheme to release all demons from the other magical creatures’ detainment. Yashaa was only six when the curse occurred and although he and his mother moved out of Kharuf, his mother is still paying the price. With his mother close to death, Yashaa sets out with his friends to figure out a way to break the curse and save his kingdom.
SPINDLE proved to be quite an exciting read even though I had already known the basic plot that would occur. By throwing in so many magical creatures and a small romantic plot that many readers may be able to relate to, E.K. Johnston’s new novel had me turning pages and never wanting to put the book down until I had finished it.
However, while the ideas for this book were fantastic, I felt that the execution was a little poor. The romance was so sudden that I was honestly not expecting it very much. The two main characters went from hating one another to suddenly holding hands and everything. I’m sure E.K. Johnston tried to hint at this romance; however, I feel that if she had emphasized these moments more or made it a little bit more obvious, it would have helped me better enjoy the story. Other than that issue, I feel like E.K. Johnston did a very good job in incorporating figurative language to allow readers to better understand the novel and sympathize with the characters. Overall, I would recommend this book to people who love fantasy novels and those who enjoyed reading the classic SLEEPING BEAUTY story but want a more intense version of it.
Teaser
It has been generations since the Storyteller Queen saved her country from fire and blood. Her family has prospered, and two new kingdoms have sprouted on either side of the mountains where the demons are kept prisoner by bright iron. But the prison is crumbling. Through years of careful manipulation, a demon has regained her power. When a princess is born, the demon is ready with the final blow: a curse that will cost the princess her very soul, or force her to destroy her own people to save her life. But the web of power is dangerously tangled --- and they may not see the true pattern until it is unspooled.
Promo
It has been generations since the Storyteller Queen saved her country from fire and blood. Her family has prospered, and two new kingdoms have sprouted on either side of the mountains where the demons are kept prisoner by bright iron. But the prison is crumbling. Through years of careful manipulation, a demon has regained her power. When a princess is born, the demon is ready with the final blow: a curse that will cost the princess her very soul, or force her to destroy her own people to save her life. But the web of power is dangerously tangled --- and they may not see the true pattern until it is unspooled.
About the Book
It has been generations since the Storyteller Queen drove the demon out of her husband and saved her country from fire and blood. Her family has prospered beyond the borders of their village, and two new kingdoms have sprouted on either side of the mountains where the demons are kept prisoner by bright iron, and by the creatures the Storyteller Queen made to keep them contained.
But the prison is crumbling. Through years of careful manipulation, a demon has regained her power. She has made one kingdom strong and brought the other to its knees, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. When a princess is born, the demon is ready with the final blow: a curse that will cost the princess her very soul, or force her to destroy her own people to save her life.
The threads of magic are tightly spun, binding princess and exiled spinners into a desperate plot to break the curse before the demon can become a queen of men. But the web of power is dangerously tangled --- and they may not see the true pattern until it is unspooled.
