Author:Robin McKinley
An exceptional retelling of The Sleeping Beauty which takes the reader into a magical world filled with modern characters, encountering adventure, love and loss. Rosie is very, very ordinary. No-one, not even an extremely powerful and evil fairy who is out for the princess's blood, would give Rosie a second glance. But then, even Rosie doesn't know the secret of her own birth...and she cannot be hidden forever as her twenty-first birthday approaches. The curse placed on her at her christening will hunt her down through the years, gathering strength, and at some point a princess must become a queen, even if she would rather just stay ordinary-
A fairy tale, but also a long, leisurely, sophisticated narrative which makes no linguistic compromises. . . . Spindle's End's subject is magical perils, but as a novel it is an almost utopian love story. A curious and distinctive book
—— Books for KeepsA skilful retelling of the Sleeping Beauty fairytale. . . . This is electrifying story-telling, a must-read for fans of quality fantasy of any age
—— Anne Marley , Financial TimesI would recommend very few of the novels written for teenagers that pass through my hands to a discerning adult reader. So this is a bit of a find. An extraordinarily imaginative retelling of the Sleeping Beauty fairytale, McKinley's book is genuinely enchanting but emotionally tough
—— GuardianWritten with rich inventiveness, good characters and real stylistic skill and flair, it is a fat treat in which to lose yourself
—— Nicolette Jones , The Sunday TimesCharming in every sense of the word. Beautifully written and at times highly comic, it is an extraordinary achievement
—— Books for KeepsSure to be as popular with both children and adults as all his other books
—— Croydon AdvertiserLively wit, sly wisdom and compelling narratives
—— Leicester MercuryPratchett's usual mix of uproarious comedy and deceptively serious thought
—— Southern Daily EchoHe's probably the funniest writer in English today . . . great themes with huge doses of comedy
—— South Wales Evening PostFunny and winning as ever
—— Nottingham Evening PostCrackles with energy and humour
—— Leicester Mercury