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Spindle's End

Spindle's End

Fairy TalesFantasy
Pages
432
Published
2001
Language
English

Synopsis

Princess Briar-Rose is cursed by the wicked fairy Pernicia to fall into an endless sleep. To save her, a young fairy named Katriona kidnaps the princess and raises her in a hidden village, far from her true identity. But Pernicia's ancient grudge means she's still searching for the princess, threatening to fulfill the curse. This retelling of Sleeping Beauty offers a magical adventure where hidden identities and ancient magic collide.

Prose complexity
4/10

Vibe

WhimsicalAdventurousHopeful
Chosen OneSecret IdentityQuest

Genres

Fairy Tales Fantasy Juvenile Young Adult

About the author

R
Robin McKinley

Robin McKinley is the author of Masterpieces of Fantasy and Wonder. She's a great guide for anyone looking to explore the best of fantasy literature.

Characters

Princess Briar-RoseProtagonist
KatrionaProtagonist
PerniciaAntagonist
All characters in Spindle's End

Frequently asked questions

  • Is Spindle's End a standalone story?

    While it is a complete story in itself, Spindle's End exists in the same magical world as Robin McKinley's earlier novel, The Blue Sword. Readers familiar with McKinley's other works will recognize shared elements and a consistent world-building style.

  • How does this Sleeping Beauty retelling differ from others?

    Spindle's End focuses heavily on the upbringing and training of the princess by the fairies, exploring their unique culture and magic in detail. The narrative also gives significant agency to the fairy godmother figure, making her actions central to the plot's development.