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Book Review By fran laniado
Spindle's End by Robin McKinley

This retelling of the "Sleeping Beauty" story begins when Rosie, a young princess, is born. A witch casts a spell on her and says that she will prick her finger on a spindle on her twenty-first birthday and die. A peasant fairy takes Rosie to the forest and raises her, concealing her royal identity. Rosie grows up to be a tomboyish young woman who can talk to animals. She makes friends with another girl of her age, a girl who she believes to be the true princess. The witch who casts the spell believes this too and Rosie's friend pricks her finger but only falls into a deep sleep, along with the rest of the village. It is up to Rosie to save her and defeat the witch.


Plot & Themes
Tone of book - very upbeat
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy world/fantasy past
Coming of age Yes
Youngster becomes - an adult (general)
Magical Beings/Mental/Magical/Powers Yes
magical powers:
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 20 %
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20 %
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30 %
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 30 %

Main Character
Identity: - Female
Age: - 20's-30's
If magical mental powers: - can talk to animals

Main Adversary
Identity: - magical being
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount

Setting
Terrain
Earth setting: - general past
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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