Title: The Bone Spindle
Author: Leslie Vedder
Publisher: Hachette 2022; RRP $17.99
As an American author of YA novels, Leslie Vedder is known for creating female heroes in her fantasy books. Her stories also include settings where LGBTIQ characters appear as a matter of course, without prejudice.
The Bone Spindle is a retelling of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale, with a twist – the character cast into a deep sleep by a wicked witch is Prince Briar Rose, and his rescuer is a girl, Filore Nenroa, known as Fi.
At the beginning of the book Fi seeks a partner to assist in gathering information and relics of the past relating to magic. This role is filled by Shane, another girl. However, Shane’s main quest differs from Fi’s – she’s more interested in retrieving ancient treasures to sell for profit. The pairing is not always harmonious, but after several early adventures – including some exciting near misses – they unite to complete the quest to rescue Briar. This quest is made necessary by Fi being pricked by the same spindle that cast the spell over the prince a hundred years earlier.
Both the main protagonists, and some of the other characters, have interesting back stories – Fi is already dealing with a curse she’s had cast on her, and Shane has her own family issues to deal with because of being the elder of twins. The author neatly weaves in their histories in a series of flashbacks, providing the reader with relevant information throughout the main story.
@ once upon a bookcase
There are clever twists and turns throughout the book, with not everything being as it originally seems. The author has created an interesting mix of witches – both good and evil – villains and helpers, curses, spells, and nightmarish landscapes, which the two girls are compelled to navigate in their various quests. Relationships, both platonic and romantic, between the major characters and others are explored and developed in interesting, sometimes unexpected, ways.
While the worldbuilding in this book is done with a deft touch, it is sometimes difficult to suspend disbelief when reading about all the skills and experiences Fi and Shane have gained at their ages, 17 and 18 respectively. The book could also have done with a little more judicious editing – I’m not sure ‘chambered’ means what the author thinks it does, and it’s disconcerting to read that a poster torn from the wall and screwed into a ball in someone’s hand is somehow in shreds on the floor just a couple of lines later.
However, these are minor quibbles in a book that is a rollicking tale, with a good mix of humour and adventure, as well as the already mentioned relationship developments. As the first of a trilogy, it will be interesting to see what happens next, for, as one character says three pages from the end, ‘This is not the end … It is only the very beginning’.
Reviewed by: Elisabeth Bridson
Ballarat Writers Inc. Book Review Group
Review copy provided by the publisher
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