Review: Spindle Fire by Lexa Hillyer

Collaborative feature with Alexa. We read ARCs together and post our reviews on the same date.

Spindle Fire by Lexa Hillyer
pub 4/11/17 by HarperTeen
Young Adult - Fantasy
Receive from pub via Edelweiss

Plot • The book alternates between half-sisters, Isabelle and Aurora. Isabelle is the king's illegitimate daughter, whose sight was tithed by the fairies while Aurora is the future princess, whose sense of touch and voice was also tithed. Despite everything, they're as close as can be but then circumstances put them in opposite directions. When a drop Aurora's blood is spilled (you know how this goes), she and the kingdom succumb to a sleep sickness. She wakes up in a strange, magical world with only a hunter to be her friend (and more). Meanwhile, Isabelle luckily left before she could be affected and goes on a journey to find a prince to awaken her sister (kiss of true love and all!) but along the way, she unravels more about her past, the kingdom and the fairies who cursed them.

Characters • To be honest, I felt varying levels of frustration with both heroines throughout the story but I did feel more invested in Isabelle and the people she met along the way. Maybe it's because she was on an adventure instead of being stuck somewhere but I also tend to gravitate towards headstrong characters, which she definitely was. With Aurora, I wouldn't say I disliked her. In fact, I rooted for her to break out of the cage people try to put her in but her side of the story was less fleshed out.

Writing • This is my second Hillyer book and I just don't think her writing works for me. There was so much potential with Spindle Fire. The concept is intriguing and I thought her lore was a unique interpretation of Sleeping Beauty but it just wasn't executed well. The characters weren't developed enough, the pacing was off and the ending felt rushed and sloppy.

Overall feelings • I wanted to know how it ended which is why I didn't DNF (plus it is a quick read) but it's not something I would personally recommend to a friend.

Who is your favorite female fairy? • I love Flora, Fauna and Merryweather from Sleeping Beauty.