Name: Spindle Fire
Rating: 3.205882352941177 (17 reviews)
ISBN: 9781536449266

Lexa Hillyer

When a drop of blood touched by faeries puts Aurora in a deep sleep, her blind half-sister Isabelle embarks on a dangerous journey to find the prince whose kiss of true love will waken Aurora.

Spindle Fire

Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo, Spindle Fire is an enthralling, wholly original reimagining of a classic faerie story. Half sisters Isabelle and Aurora are polar opposites: Isabelle is the king’s headstrong illegitimate daughter, whose sight was tithed by faeries; Aurora, beautiful and sheltered, was tithed her sense of touch and voice on the same day. Despite their differences, the sisters have always been extremely close. And then everything changes, with a single drop of Aurora’s blood, a Faerie Queen who is preparing for war, a strange and enchanting dream realm—and a sleep so deep it cannot be broken. Spindle Fire is a tour-de-force fantasy set in the dwindling, deliciously corrupt world of the fae and featuring two truly unforgettable heroines, from a writer destined to be a major voice in YA.

Leelynn Brady

Find this review and more on my blog Sometimes Leelynn Reads.

“One night reviled, Before break of morn, Amid the roses wild, All tangled in thorns, The shadow and the child Together were born."

I read this book for my book club: Bookish Babes of Norfolk. Click on the link to check out the public Facebook Page and let us know your thoughts!

So I am a YA fan, as you all probably know. So when I found out that this was the book for February, I was excited to get my hands on it. I heard so much about this book, both positive and negative. For the most part, though, it seemed like a book that I could potentially love. So, while I thought this book was pretty decent, I didn't immediately fall in love with it. I'm a little disappointed about it, but I know that I won't love every single YA book that I'll read.

One of the main things I loved about this book was the sheer love and devotion that Isabelle and Aurora had for one another. They are half-sisters, and even though Isabelle is the King's bastard daughter, Aurora never treated her sister as a second-class citizen. They love one another, and they would do anything to protect each other. That's what I love about their relationship. Yes, there is a time where they get into a fight, but don't all sisters get into the occasional argument? It happens.

Another part of this book that I thought was very interesting - and seemed to move the book in a totally different direction that I wasn't expecting - was that they both had a disability (albeit, caused by fairies and not natural causes, but still). Isabelle was blinded at the age of two when the fairies tithed her eyesight, and Aurora can't speak or feel anything thanks to the fairies as well. Apparently, these were supposed to be gifs, kind of like the beginning scene of Sleeping Beauty when Maleficent comes and makes bad stuff happen (but I love her). There's also references to Hansel and Gretel in the book and the allusion that True Love will break whatever spell was cast upon Aurora. Sounds familiar? Yep, typical fairy tale elements.

This story is about two sets of sisters - two half-sisters and two twins - and the dynamics between them is an element that I really appreciate. This book shows that the relationship between sisters can have some pretty damaging effects, and that there really is nothing stronger than the bond between sisters. I can't wait for the second book, because the ending was so abrupt that I could barely process if I missed anything.

Geneviève Rouleau

Lots of interesting ideas and potential, but the story fell a bit flat for me. I don't feel the need to pick up the sequel.

Manon van Heumen

Sarah White

Briar Rose

Tamara Al-Qaisi-Coleman

sydney 

Jessica Swanson

“As the truths behind the faerie legends were revealed, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.”—Kendare Blake, author of New York Times bestselling novel Three Dark Crowns “Absorbing. Poetic. Lexa Hillyer draws the walls between dreams and reality with shimmering grace and phrases of such beauty I had to read many of them twice.” —Jodi Lynn Anderson, author of Tiger Lily “With its engaging heroines and delicious prose, Spindle Fire pulled me into a richly detailed world full of intrigue and magic.” —Amy Ewing, New York Times bestselling author of the Lone City trilogy Half sisters Isabelle and Aurora are polar opposites: Isabelle is the king’s headstrong illegitimate daughter, whose sight was tithed by faeries; Aurora, beautiful and sheltered, was tithed her sense of touch and voice on the same day. Despite their differences, the sisters have always been extremely close. And then everything changes, with a single drop of Aurora’s blood, a Faerie Queen who is preparing for war, a strange and enchanting dream realm—and a sleep so deep it cannot be broken. Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo, Spindle Fire is a tour-de-force fantasy set in the dwindling, deliciously corrupt world of the fae and featuring two truly unforgettable heroines.

Spindle Fire

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