Review: Five Magic Spindles: A Collection of Sleeping Beauty Stories By Rachel Kovaciny, Kathryn McConaughy, Grace Mullins, Michelle Pennington, and Ashley Stangl

1.  Title, Author, and Cover

Five Magic Spindles: A Collection of Sleeping Beauty Stories

By Rachel Kovaciny, Kathryn McConaughy, Grace Mullins, Michelle Pennington, and Ashley Stangl

2.  Genre and Reading Level

Fairy Tale Retellings – Western, Fantasy, and Sci-Fi

Teenage and up

3.  My Summary

Five Magic Spindles is a collection of Sleeping Beauty retellings.  These are the five short stories:

“The Man on the Buckskin Horse” by Rachel Kovaciny

When a paid killer rides into Emma’s town, she is not about to let him threaten her friend or his daughter.  As the local midwife, Emma has a fair share of medical knowledge, but even she has a daunting task ahead of her when a dramatic life-and-death situation comes upon her friend’s house.

“The Guardian of our Beauty” by Kathryn McConaughy

Even before her birth, Palli has been entrenched in the middle of an epic showdown between a power-hungry high priest of numerous gods and a true deity who actually answers those who call on him.  The sorcerer priest curses Palli at her naming ceremony, but a prophet of the God Who Answers comes with a different message.  Still, Palli is left with questions as she faces the inevitable fulfillment of the curse.

“The Ghost of Briardale” by Grace Mullins

When poor Franz Happernickle is sent to Briardale Asylum for the Mentally Infirm, he is astounded by the unfairness of it all.  After all, it is not his fault the green ghost Rosalee is haunting him, but she needs to find a hero, and she is convinced he fits the bill, despite his complete disbelief in the existence of heroes or ghosts either, for that matter.

“Spindle Cursed” by Michelle Pennington

After more than one hundred years trapped in her own sleeping body, Arabella still is determined to live and save her war-torn nation, and Prince Edmond may be her last hope for freedom from her slumber.  However, swamps, sinking sands, thorns, a dragon, and scheming royals battle against them at every turn.

“Out of the Tomb”, by Ashley Stangl

While robbing a long-forgotten tomb, Tanza encounters a living, breathing historical figure who transforms her life and plunges her into a battle for the good of her planet.

4.  My Opinion (With a rating)

Overall: 6 Stars

“The Man on the Buckskin Horse” by Rachel Kovaciny: 6 stars

As a feisty and headstrong midwife, Emma makes an involved and sage narrator, but my favorite characters were Rosalind and the gunslinger Luke Palmer.  These two characters undergo their own significant transformations which lends the story a lovely bit of sparkle.  While Scripture is not explicitly mentioned, there are still strong morals and the triumph of good over evil, and the steel element is also strong with the battle of wills between Rosalind’s father and the woman who hired Luke Palmer and other gunmen to take him down.  I just would have liked to have read a bit more about Luke Palmer and Rosalind rather than so much of Emma.

“The Guardian of our Beauty” by Kathryn McConaughy: 7 stars

I absolutely adored this story with its outstanding setting reminiscent of the myths of the ancient Middle East.  The poetry of the curses and blessings in this retelling reminded me of ancient Hebrew poetry found in the Bible, and the “God Who Answers” in this story clearly points to the true God who reveals himself in Scripture.  Princess Palli feels like a typical girl despite the curses and blessings spoken at her naming ceremony, but she is extraordinary in her kindness, generosity, and determination to defend her nation and her family.  Both she and Prince Neriya shoulder their person burdens and hardships without complaint.

“The Ghost of Briardale” by Grace Mullins: 7 stars

Humor and adventure run hand and hand in this retelling set in a Victorian-like land which has forgotten its magical past.  Franz, Rosalee, and their band of heroes and fairies are memorable, and their encounters sparkle with humor and sweetness.  Again, the battle between good and evil is fierce, but the heroes are stronger than they suspect.

“Spindle Cursed” by Michelle Pennington: 6 stars

Arabella and Edmond have not led simple lives.  Although Arabella has slumbered for more than a hundred years, she has remained fully aware of everything that happens to her body, and she is stuck watching over her war-torn nation from her small tower room, completely powerless but refusing to give up hope.  Edmond was trained from his youth to enter Arabella’s dangerous land to wake her and bring her to become his brother’s bride, even if he loves her himself.  The struggle between good and evil colors the entire story, and both protagonists realize their future will not be easy, but they are still willing to fight for what is good and right.

“Out of the Tomb”, by Ashley Stangl: 6 stars

Tanza and Prince Auren’s adventure on a futuristic planet may seem far from earth, but it touches on many relevant ideas including colonialism, political unrest, terrorism, and the skewing of the national concept of virtue.  References to myths, history, and fairy tales all lend sparkle to this tale, and the other-worldly setting and terrorist enemies provide almost too much steel.  Still, the story is extremely enjoyable, particularly with Prince Auren and his idealistic nature.

5.  Who would love this book?

I think anyone who enjoys fairy tale retellings will love this book, especially with its diverse settings.

One of My Favorite Things: Frozen Hot Chocolate

Something Different: Books I'm Excited About

This month I've decided to do something a little bit different.  Instead of a regular book review, I'm going to share a couple of books I am VERY excited to read:

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5.

Travel Spotlight

Venice

What a beautiful place to visit!

Monday Review: Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift

1.  Title, Author, and Cover

Gulliver’s Travels

By Jonathan Swift

2.  Genre and Reading Level

Satire, Classic, High School and up

3.  My Summary

An English surgeon with a love for travel repeatedly falls from one adventure to another on his travels around the world.  Lemuel Gulliver certainly does not have good luck when it comes to sailing.  Constantly he is shipwrecked, marooned, and abandoned on various islands where he becomes immersed in their striking cultures.  He encounters lands of tiny people, a kingdom of giants, a floating island, and even a superior race of horses.

4.  My Opinion (With a rating)

Overall: 2 Stars

For the most part the star scores for my reviews on this blog will likely skew toward the higher numbers because, like most people, I enjoy writing about things that I like.

Unfortunately, there are also some books I don’t like.  Now don’t get me wrong, a book could be wonderfully written with a mass of fans, but, I still might not enjoy it if it does not line up with my own tastes.  Therefore, you should not discount a book just because I give it a low score.

Gulliver’s Travels is a perfect example of this.  In the past few hundred years, the book has obtained classic status, yet I have chosen to give it only two stars.

Why?

Well it all comes down to Steel, Sparkle, and Scripture.

The book has plenty of Steel.  In fact, it has too much Steel and grit and bluntness for my taste.  I prefer a more polished tone and feel.  The story is meant to be an adventure story and a satire on the trouble with mankind, but the voice is too matter-of-fact, and I could never relate to the character of Gulliver.  Even his experience with a supposedly better species does not make him more loving.  Instead he just becomes judgmental.

The Sparkle in this book is so faint and week, I hardly noticed it.

Finally the Scriptural aspect was somewhat lacking as well.  While it could be argued that the story is pointing to man’s original sin, it does not point to Jesus as the solution.  Instead, Gulliver overcame his own pathetic-ness by living in a superior society and returned home full of disgust but no compassion.

5.  Who would love this book?

Although I did not enjoy this book myself, I could recommend it to fans of satire and of gritty adventure with a dash of the outlandish.  Also, I'd like to recommend a different piece by Jonathan Swift: A Modest Proposal (although this piece also is not for the squeamish).  It is brief with a very interesting history behind it. 

Movie Spotlight

Cinderella 2015

This movie came out earlier this year, and I thought it was absolutely lovely with a beautiful message and breathtaking costumes.  This is definitely one of my favorite movies!

Monday Review: Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

1.  Title, Author, and Cover

Ella Enchanted

By Gail Carson Levine

(This is the original cover I have from my old copy of this book.  I know it’s been updated since then, but, to me, this cover has always been perfect for the story.)

2.  Genre and Reading Level

Fairy Tale Retelling – Fantasy

Pre-teen and Teenagers (and older readers who don’t mind reading a good book written for these ages)

3.  My Summary

What if Cinderella was cursed at her birth?

Although many variations of Cinderella exist, all of the originals center on a good and obedient girl who serves those who are cruel to her.

Ella Enchanted is a retelling of Cinderella with an explanation for Cinderella’s obedience.  Soon after her birth, an air-headed fairy cursed Ella with obedience.  No matter what people tell her to do, she must obey them.

Her life isn’t too tough at first.  Her mother loves her.  Mandy, their cook, is bossy but clearly cares about her, and her grasping merchant father rarely interferes or even makes an appearance in her life.

Then her mother dies, and everything changes.  Her father sweeps in and sends her to boarding school and then expects her to marry for his own wealth and advancement, but he is actually the one who ends up marrying for money, bringing a brand new stepfamily into Ella’s life.  All are cruel and selfish.  Her younger stepsister, Olive, is mainly stupid, but the older girl, Hattie, is scheming and heartless.

The only comforts Ella has are loyal Mandy and her new friend, Prince Char.  Hattie is terribly jealous of this friendship, and the entire stepfamily tortures Ella once they discover her curse.

Ella takes it on herself to discover a cure for her curse no matter what obstacles block her way.

4.  My Opinion (With a rating)

Overall: 6 Stars

Sparkle is what shines brightest in this book.  The entire story is packed with adventure within the lush and colorful world of Frell, and Ella herself is a strong, spunky, and headstrong heroine.  Because of her curse, she develops into a resourceful and stubborn young woman with a clever sense of humor.  Her relationship with Char is especially charming, and the climax is a powerful testament to her strength and their love.

I would say there is also a decent amount of Steel that slowly builds in this book.  At first, it might seem a bit light, but, by the climax, the stakes are high, and Ella’s own determination is undeniable.  The story is narrated by Ella herself, and her humorous voice is a perfect background to her development from stubborn little girl to noble, brave, and sacrificing young woman.

Although the sacrifice Ella is willing to make at the end is beautiful, this book is not meant to be inspirational.  Therefore it is understandable that there is not really a Scriptural aspect to it.  Still, I think that this book could easily be read and enjoyed by Christian readers.

5.  Who would love this book?

Anyone who loves Cinderella, fantasy, adventure, fine young adult literature, or fairy tale retellings in general should certainly give this book a try!