What do you think?
Rate this book
Spindle Fire #2
Winter Glass
A curse comes undone. A kingdom shatters. But some bonds can’t be broken.
Princess Aurora, torn from the dream world, plots to assassinate the faerie queen Malfleur, only to confront temptations she never expected. Isabelle, meanwhile, opens her heart to Prince William as they attempt to unite their kingdoms and wage war against Malfleur’s army. But when the appearance of an unbreakable glass slipper prompts Isabelle to discover more about her lineage, her true identity begins to take shape and her legacy becomes as clear as ice.
Devoted half-sisters Isabelle and Aurora will grapple with their understanding of love and loyalty as they face a threat even greater than that of the evil queen—the threat of losing each other forever.
Princess Aurora, torn from the dream world, plots to assassinate the faerie queen Malfleur, only to confront temptations she never expected. Isabelle, meanwhile, opens her heart to Prince William as they attempt to unite their kingdoms and wage war against Malfleur’s army. But when the appearance of an unbreakable glass slipper prompts Isabelle to discover more about her lineage, her true identity begins to take shape and her legacy becomes as clear as ice.
Devoted half-sisters Isabelle and Aurora will grapple with their understanding of love and loyalty as they face a threat even greater than that of the evil queen—the threat of losing each other forever.
329 pages, Hardcover
First published April 10, 2018
52 people are currently reading
6934 people want to read
About the author
Lexa Hillyer
7 books546 followersHello! I'm the author of the YA fantasy duology Spindle Fire & Winter Glass, YA speculative contemporary Proof of Forever, and the upcoming YA contemporary Frozen Beauty. I also wrote the poetry collection Acquainted with the Cold, which won the 2012 Foreword Book of the Year Award. I'm one of the founders, and President of Publishing, at creative development company Glasstown Entertainment. I live in Carroll Gardens with my husband, daughter, and a very skinny orange tree. Follow me on instagram @ProofOfLex and twitter @Lexa_Hillyer !
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
February 28, 2018
Winter Glass picks up where its predecessor Spindle Fire left off. So, if you have not read Spindle fire, I recommend you read that one first and then pick up this book. I will also say that I enjoyed this book more than I did spindle fire!
The Author is also a poet and it is evident as the writing in both Spindle Fire and Winter Glass is often poetic and lyrical which really help transport the reader into this fairy tale/fantasy land of sisters Aurora and Isabelle. Princess Aurora has awakened and plots to kill the faerie queen Malfleur. Her sister Isabelle, unites her heart and kingdom with Prince William (YES!!) to wage war against Malfleur.
Both sisters have their own story-lines going with interesting characters such a Wren, who can hear Aurora when others cannot. Both sisters grow even more in this book and become stronger on their own and both learn about themselves and what they are capable of. One of the things I liked about Spindle Fire was the bond these sisters have and even though most of the time they are apart in this book, they still have a bond.
This book has a little bit of everything: romance, true love, evil characters, hope, strength, good vs. evil, magic, a glass (which isn't glass) slipper, and of course beautiful writing. We also get to see the good, the bad and the ugly in some of the characters.
Again, I thought Winter Glass was even better than Spindle Fire! Keep in mind that these two books are a fairy tale re-telling and they do not disappoint. I read most of this book in one day as I could not put it down. I just had to know how this series was going to end and how the Author was going to get us there! Winter Glass is captivating and sucked me in instantly and I had to keep turning the pages to see how it would end. The story-line is riveting and engaging. The pacing of this book is fantastic. Nothing felt drawn out and I never wanted to rush the story along.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
The Author is also a poet and it is evident as the writing in both Spindle Fire and Winter Glass is often poetic and lyrical which really help transport the reader into this fairy tale/fantasy land of sisters Aurora and Isabelle. Princess Aurora has awakened and plots to kill the faerie queen Malfleur. Her sister Isabelle, unites her heart and kingdom with Prince William (YES!!) to wage war against Malfleur.
Both sisters have their own story-lines going with interesting characters such a Wren, who can hear Aurora when others cannot. Both sisters grow even more in this book and become stronger on their own and both learn about themselves and what they are capable of. One of the things I liked about Spindle Fire was the bond these sisters have and even though most of the time they are apart in this book, they still have a bond.
This book has a little bit of everything: romance, true love, evil characters, hope, strength, good vs. evil, magic, a glass (which isn't glass) slipper, and of course beautiful writing. We also get to see the good, the bad and the ugly in some of the characters.
Again, I thought Winter Glass was even better than Spindle Fire! Keep in mind that these two books are a fairy tale re-telling and they do not disappoint. I read most of this book in one day as I could not put it down. I just had to know how this series was going to end and how the Author was going to get us there! Winter Glass is captivating and sucked me in instantly and I had to keep turning the pages to see how it would end. The story-line is riveting and engaging. The pacing of this book is fantastic. Nothing felt drawn out and I never wanted to rush the story along.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
See more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
Read
June 10, 2018”Among all men and across all fae, no heart can be braver than that of the hart slayer.”
first thing, the writing was beautiful. poetic even.
this entire book felt like dream. BUT I didn’t understand the main idea of this story. at least not until almost the end.
here we have a princess, Aurora, without voice and sense of touch who through circumstances becomes a warrior. and a bastard child, Isabelle, whose vision was tithed when she was young and the only sole purpose in life is to keep Aurora company. that’s what I pretty much got out of this.
yes, there are other things like saving the kingdom, defeating evil, sisterhood, friendship and finding oneself.
I think I would’ve loved to read about Malfluer and Belcour. I found their story more dark and intriguing, and mama liked that. and that ending with Isabelle and William! like what the fuck! I was a little upset about that. and Gilbert, oh Gilbert, we didn’t spend a lot of time but I liked you. and don’t even get me started on Heath!
I honestly would’ve loved to know more about the other characters and how they ended up where they did but we get none of that. oh well.
oh and one other thing I learned here is that love is fickle, and then you die. bye. ☠️
first thing, the writing was beautiful. poetic even.
this entire book felt like dream. BUT I didn’t understand the main idea of this story. at least not until almost the end.
here we have a princess, Aurora, without voice and sense of touch who through circumstances becomes a warrior. and a bastard child, Isabelle, whose vision was tithed when she was young and the only sole purpose in life is to keep Aurora company. that’s what I pretty much got out of this.
yes, there are other things like saving the kingdom, defeating evil, sisterhood, friendship and finding oneself.
I think I would’ve loved to read about Malfluer and Belcour. I found their story more dark and intriguing, and mama liked that. and that ending with Isabelle and William! like what the fuck! I was a little upset about that. and Gilbert, oh Gilbert, we didn’t spend a lot of time but I liked you. and don’t even get me started on Heath!
I honestly would’ve loved to know more about the other characters and how they ended up where they did but we get none of that. oh well.
oh and one other thing I learned here is that love is fickle, and then you die. bye. ☠️
February 4, 2018
"Among all men and across all fae, no heart can be braver than that of the hart slayer."
A princess who must become a warrior. A rebel who must become a princess. An evil fairy. Unexpected romance, and a glass slipper that will change everything. Lexa Hillyer's Winter Glass is a stunning, poetic marvel of epic fantasy. Like a single rose in a frozen wasteland, it grabbed my attention from page one. I couldn't put it down! And no wonder. On the one hand, you have Aurora, meek and silent, who must learn how to find, not only her voice, but her strength and courage. On the other, you have Isbe, wild and free, who has her own journey of self-growth to go on, though hers centers around finding love and truth, and learning how to see both in the dark.
This book resonated with me in so many ways. It's a fairy tale retelling, which we all know I love, but it's also a love story. It's a coming of age/growing up and finding out who you really are and what you really want to be story, and it's a story about the bonds of sisterhood, family, and friendship, and how far we're willing to go to keep those ties from breaking. 5 stars!
A princess who must become a warrior. A rebel who must become a princess. An evil fairy. Unexpected romance, and a glass slipper that will change everything. Lexa Hillyer's Winter Glass is a stunning, poetic marvel of epic fantasy. Like a single rose in a frozen wasteland, it grabbed my attention from page one. I couldn't put it down! And no wonder. On the one hand, you have Aurora, meek and silent, who must learn how to find, not only her voice, but her strength and courage. On the other, you have Isbe, wild and free, who has her own journey of self-growth to go on, though hers centers around finding love and truth, and learning how to see both in the dark.
This book resonated with me in so many ways. It's a fairy tale retelling, which we all know I love, but it's also a love story. It's a coming of age/growing up and finding out who you really are and what you really want to be story, and it's a story about the bonds of sisterhood, family, and friendship, and how far we're willing to go to keep those ties from breaking. 5 stars!
October 15, 2017
Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review, this doesn't in any way influence my opinion on it.
Getting back into this lush and imaginative world Lexa Hillyer has woven was a very enjoyable experience. Winter Glass begins in the aftermath of the curse being broken and Aurora awoken. The war between Deluce and Malfleur's army keeps escalating, Isabelle knew she had to give up William because his marriage to Aurora will get them desperately needed help from Aubin. But it doesn't make it any easier, Aurora was also more reluctant after falling for Heath, Her desire to go back to Sommeil and save the citizens was a burning inferno in her heart. Chaos ensues when Malfleur kills Belcoeur and steals her magic, the veil between Sommeil and the normal world broke. But unfortunately, the people fell right into the clutches of Malfleur's vicious army. Heath and some others were captured to be sent to LaMorte. Luckily, Wren and some people survived enough to reach Deluce and inform Aurora.
Knowing this, Aurora couldn't go through with the wedding knowing what she knows. So in the dark of the night along with Wren, she abdicates the throne and steals away with conviction in her heart and a plan to make Malfleur a deal she simply cannot refuse.
One thing I have always loved about this series is the bond between Aurora and Isbe, It's still apparent in Winter Glass. But it's also quite obvious the two of them have come a long way and they are different from the girls they used to be. They have seen a lot and gone through some life changing experience, Seeing them adjust to the new status quo was quite engaging.
While Aurora was having her grand adventure, Isbe's life also changes. Mostly for the better. Now Queen of Deluce, Isabelle had to marry William (which was a dream come true for both of them) and take up the responsibility that goes along with it.
Aurora's love life heads into a new and interesting direction that I loved it's progression because it showed just how far the character has gotten.
There are so many twists and turns that made Winter Glass riveting, most especially the time spent with Malfleur in LaMorte. Horrifying stuff really happened there. The action in this book is upped a notch and it made everything more exciting.
The moments before the ending swept me off my feet, I guess a part of me saw some of it coming. While it was not the ending I expected, I commend Lexa Hillyer for pulling it off splendidly. She ended a phenomenal series with a beautiful sendoff. I can't wait for her next book.
Winter Glass has action, drama, romance, magic, monsters and complex characters, Lovers of the series are not going to be disappointed with it, I wholeheartedly recommend it.
Getting back into this lush and imaginative world Lexa Hillyer has woven was a very enjoyable experience. Winter Glass begins in the aftermath of the curse being broken and Aurora awoken. The war between Deluce and Malfleur's army keeps escalating, Isabelle knew she had to give up William because his marriage to Aurora will get them desperately needed help from Aubin. But it doesn't make it any easier, Aurora was also more reluctant after falling for Heath, Her desire to go back to Sommeil and save the citizens was a burning inferno in her heart. Chaos ensues when Malfleur kills Belcoeur and steals her magic, the veil between Sommeil and the normal world broke. But unfortunately, the people fell right into the clutches of Malfleur's vicious army. Heath and some others were captured to be sent to LaMorte. Luckily, Wren and some people survived enough to reach Deluce and inform Aurora.
Knowing this, Aurora couldn't go through with the wedding knowing what she knows. So in the dark of the night along with Wren, she abdicates the throne and steals away with conviction in her heart and a plan to make Malfleur a deal she simply cannot refuse.
One thing I have always loved about this series is the bond between Aurora and Isbe, It's still apparent in Winter Glass. But it's also quite obvious the two of them have come a long way and they are different from the girls they used to be. They have seen a lot and gone through some life changing experience, Seeing them adjust to the new status quo was quite engaging.
While Aurora was having her grand adventure, Isbe's life also changes. Mostly for the better. Now Queen of Deluce, Isabelle had to marry William (which was a dream come true for both of them) and take up the responsibility that goes along with it.
Aurora's love life heads into a new and interesting direction that I loved it's progression because it showed just how far the character has gotten.
There are so many twists and turns that made Winter Glass riveting, most especially the time spent with Malfleur in LaMorte. Horrifying stuff really happened there. The action in this book is upped a notch and it made everything more exciting.
The moments before the ending swept me off my feet, I guess a part of me saw some of it coming. While it was not the ending I expected, I commend Lexa Hillyer for pulling it off splendidly. She ended a phenomenal series with a beautiful sendoff. I can't wait for her next book.
Winter Glass has action, drama, romance, magic, monsters and complex characters, Lovers of the series are not going to be disappointed with it, I wholeheartedly recommend it.
April 16, 2018
*This review can also be found at The Reader and the Chef! Huge thanks to Glasstown Entertainment for the review copy that I read and reviewed willingly.*
Prepare yourself, Winter Glass is set to destroy all the feels! This stunning conclusion full of sisterly love, romance, and magic had me flipping pages non-stop... and agonizing over a conclusion I never wished to come.
What I Liked:
When I first read Spindle Fire, I fell in love with Aurora and Isbe, of how much they loved each other and how far they'd go to make sure they were okay. Sisterly affection is rarely seen in books, and I was happy to continue their stories in this new installment.
I must say my favorite character has always been Isbe, her journey throughout both books has been full of so many twists and turns. And romance! But most importantly, this has been a character who sacrifices everything for her sister, who dares to embark on an impossible journey throughout kingdoms in order to save Aurora and a kingdom that shunned her since she was an infant, and now in Winter Glass, through a darker journey where she needs to learn about who she really is. Following along her footsteps is NEVER boring, and I would gladly read more of her if there was ever another opportunity! ♥
However, I do love Aurora as well! Her quest to find true love and understand what true love really means takes us on a surprising twist I never would have guessed based on what we read in Spindle Fire! It felt natural, though I must admit that I wept for a certain character I had fallen for in book 1. Won't say more about it though ;)
Spindle Fire starts as a retelling of Sleeping Beauty with Aurora, but Winter Glass evolves into a Cinderella retelling focusing on Isbe! I LOVE retellings, and author Lexa Hillyer does a fantastic job developing both tales into something unique. I particularly enjoyed how we even get the point of views of the antagonists, learning about their own side of the stories, dark motivations and all.
Aaah, there's just so much that I loved about this book! Even the epic conclusion that somehow broke my heart. I just cannot stop thinking about this imaginative story that give me everything that I wanted (Isbe and William!!! ♥) I was expecting to enjoy Winter Glass as much as Spindle Fire, but no, my love for it goes beyond! It is now an all-time favorite and gosh, I hope I can learn to live without more.
Final Verdict:
Magic! Romance! Non-stop adventure! Winter Glass gives it all and WILL destroy you. It's a book about true love, of finding and discovering yourself, as well as doing what it takes to not lose what matters the most.
Prepare yourself, Winter Glass is set to destroy all the feels! This stunning conclusion full of sisterly love, romance, and magic had me flipping pages non-stop... and agonizing over a conclusion I never wished to come.
What I Liked:
When I first read Spindle Fire, I fell in love with Aurora and Isbe, of how much they loved each other and how far they'd go to make sure they were okay. Sisterly affection is rarely seen in books, and I was happy to continue their stories in this new installment.
I must say my favorite character has always been Isbe, her journey throughout both books has been full of so many twists and turns. And romance! But most importantly, this has been a character who sacrifices everything for her sister, who dares to embark on an impossible journey throughout kingdoms in order to save Aurora and a kingdom that shunned her since she was an infant, and now in Winter Glass, through a darker journey where she needs to learn about who she really is. Following along her footsteps is NEVER boring, and I would gladly read more of her if there was ever another opportunity! ♥
However, I do love Aurora as well! Her quest to find true love and understand what true love really means takes us on a surprising twist I never would have guessed based on what we read in Spindle Fire! It felt natural, though I must admit that I wept for a certain character I had fallen for in book 1. Won't say more about it though ;)
Spindle Fire starts as a retelling of Sleeping Beauty with Aurora, but Winter Glass evolves into a Cinderella retelling focusing on Isbe! I LOVE retellings, and author Lexa Hillyer does a fantastic job developing both tales into something unique. I particularly enjoyed how we even get the point of views of the antagonists, learning about their own side of the stories, dark motivations and all.
Aaah, there's just so much that I loved about this book! Even the epic conclusion that somehow broke my heart. I just cannot stop thinking about this imaginative story that give me everything that I wanted (Isbe and William!!! ♥) I was expecting to enjoy Winter Glass as much as Spindle Fire, but no, my love for it goes beyond! It is now an all-time favorite and gosh, I hope I can learn to live without more.
Final Verdict:
Magic! Romance! Non-stop adventure! Winter Glass gives it all and WILL destroy you. It's a book about true love, of finding and discovering yourself, as well as doing what it takes to not lose what matters the most.
April 9, 2018
*4.5*
Lexa Hillyer won me over with Spindle Fire last fall. I loved the world building and the characters, and while it started off at a slower pace, Lexa greatly built up the speed by the end, setting the stage for book #2.
Now that I've read Winter Glass, the verdict is in. I liked Spindle Fire but I LOVED Winter Glass!
Winter Glass took this duology to a whole new level! It's fast paced as well as exciting; it contains romance and adventure; and there simply wasn't a time where I wasn't dying to know what would happen next. In fact, I became so invested in the story that I forget to eat dinner.
Just like with Spindle Fire, Winter Glass contains multiple POVs and once again Lexa does a marvelous job of bringing them together. I enjoyed seeing from so many perspectives - Aurora, Isabella, Malfleur, Wren, Gilbert, etc. Each added something special to the book, and I liked the way in which Lexa used this to build suspense and tension. So many times I thought to myself "hmm, that character is acting a little odd" and later on I'd read from that character's perspective and think "now that makes so much more sense!"
Talking about the characters, Winter Glass also brings about some fantastic character development.
Aurora and Isabella, the two leading ladies, contain to grow and proposer, individually as well as together.
When the book begins, Aurora has mixed feelings about waking up. She wants to go back to her dream world, to Wren and Heath; however, she also wants to take down Malfleur for good. In the process, she becomes more fierce, more willing to take risks, and she also begins to follow her heart, and where it takes her may surprise her as well as the reader.
Isabelle, on the other hand, is torn between two loves - the love she has for her sister and the love she has for Prince William. At first, I was slightly peeved with Isabella. I couldn't believe she was so willing to give up her chance at happiness so quickly. I wished she would talk to Aurora, tell her who she was feeling and work from there. However, deep down, I could understand why - Isabella's always felt the need to protect her sister, and even though she's changed while Aurora's been asleep, it has remained her gut reaction. I enjoyed seeing her take charge as the book progressed as well as embrace the parts of her that made her unique.
Together, Isabelle and Aurora aren't the same as they were before. There's secrets, tensions, and mixed signals, and even though they are tougher, they seemingly aren't. I enjoyed seeing their sister bond further explored, and I have to say I was quite happy with the overall result.
In regards to the plot, Winter Glass picks up where Spindle Fire left off. The quest to bring Malfleur down is still a central point, and Winter Glass manages to take this storyline in some exciting new directions. It brought about adventures and new characters, all of which I found interesting. I especially enjoyed the trip into the Ice kingdom.
Lastly, I appreciated how once again Lexa Hillyer makes you question the line between evil versus good. More about Malfleur's past is reveled, and while I don't condone what she has done, I can understand it to a point. All she wanted was love, but when she felt that love threatened, she did what she thought was best: take love away from the people whose love failed her.
Overall, Winter Glass is an exemplary follow-up, and I feel that readers who may have felt iffy about Spindle Fire will really enjoy this one. I'm sad to see this series come to an end, but I couldn't be happier with the conclusion.
*ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
Book Blog | Twitter | Bloglovin | Goodreads
Lexa Hillyer won me over with Spindle Fire last fall. I loved the world building and the characters, and while it started off at a slower pace, Lexa greatly built up the speed by the end, setting the stage for book #2.
Now that I've read Winter Glass, the verdict is in. I liked Spindle Fire but I LOVED Winter Glass!
Winter Glass took this duology to a whole new level! It's fast paced as well as exciting; it contains romance and adventure; and there simply wasn't a time where I wasn't dying to know what would happen next. In fact, I became so invested in the story that I forget to eat dinner.
Just like with Spindle Fire, Winter Glass contains multiple POVs and once again Lexa does a marvelous job of bringing them together. I enjoyed seeing from so many perspectives - Aurora, Isabella, Malfleur, Wren, Gilbert, etc. Each added something special to the book, and I liked the way in which Lexa used this to build suspense and tension. So many times I thought to myself "hmm, that character is acting a little odd" and later on I'd read from that character's perspective and think "now that makes so much more sense!"
Talking about the characters, Winter Glass also brings about some fantastic character development.
Aurora and Isabella, the two leading ladies, contain to grow and proposer, individually as well as together.
When the book begins, Aurora has mixed feelings about waking up. She wants to go back to her dream world, to Wren and Heath; however, she also wants to take down Malfleur for good. In the process, she becomes more fierce, more willing to take risks, and she also begins to follow her heart, and where it takes her may surprise her as well as the reader.
Isabelle, on the other hand, is torn between two loves - the love she has for her sister and the love she has for Prince William. At first, I was slightly peeved with Isabella. I couldn't believe she was so willing to give up her chance at happiness so quickly. I wished she would talk to Aurora, tell her who she was feeling and work from there. However, deep down, I could understand why - Isabella's always felt the need to protect her sister, and even though she's changed while Aurora's been asleep, it has remained her gut reaction. I enjoyed seeing her take charge as the book progressed as well as embrace the parts of her that made her unique.
Together, Isabelle and Aurora aren't the same as they were before. There's secrets, tensions, and mixed signals, and even though they are tougher, they seemingly aren't. I enjoyed seeing their sister bond further explored, and I have to say I was quite happy with the overall result.
In regards to the plot, Winter Glass picks up where Spindle Fire left off. The quest to bring Malfleur down is still a central point, and Winter Glass manages to take this storyline in some exciting new directions. It brought about adventures and new characters, all of which I found interesting. I especially enjoyed the trip into the Ice kingdom.
Lastly, I appreciated how once again Lexa Hillyer makes you question the line between evil versus good. More about Malfleur's past is reveled, and while I don't condone what she has done, I can understand it to a point. All she wanted was love, but when she felt that love threatened, she did what she thought was best: take love away from the people whose love failed her.
Overall, Winter Glass is an exemplary follow-up, and I feel that readers who may have felt iffy about Spindle Fire will really enjoy this one. I'm sad to see this series come to an end, but I couldn't be happier with the conclusion.
*ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
Book Blog | Twitter | Bloglovin | Goodreads
June 7, 2018
You may also find this review on Books, Vertigo & Tea.
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
My Thoughts
Spindle Fire was a success for me in terms of YA Fantasy & Retellings. I savored every moment of the dark and atmospheric dream world Hillyer had so poetically crafted. I was also a fan of incorporating to sisters and more complex relationships into a reimagined story of Sleeping Beauty. Winter Glass seamlessly picks up where its predecessor concluded and expands on it adding significant depth to Isbe’s and Aurora’s journey.
The skinny..
Driven from the dreamworld Sommeil and from Heath, Aurora vows vengeance and seeks to destroy Malfleur once and for all. But in doing so, she will face greater temptations than she has ever known. During Aurora’s efforts to assassinate the faerie queen, Isbe sets out with Prince William in an attempt to unite the kingdom against Malfleur and her armies. However, when Isbe is given a mysteriously indestructible glass slipper, she embarks on a quest that will reveal the truth of her own past and legacy. Now as both girls seek to make sense of it all and save the kingdom, they face their greatest fear, potentially losing one another.
“Sleep is a vast and dreamless dark. But then: tiny lights, like seeds, shower across a corner of the black. Something has snagged its claws in the soft flesh of night.”
What I appreciated..
The author’s poetry skills lend a lyrical and melodic prose to her work that adds a dreamlike quality to the story and heightens the “fairy tale” experience.
While it is more action driven, we are given a storyline that continues to successfully develop and grow Aurora and Isbe not only as individuals but as half sisters, exploring the complexities and challenges that arises from their love, loyalties and differences.
A female-driven plotline that examines the strengths and weakness of the protagonists through a multifaceted lens.
Hillyer’s world building surrenders the reader to the Kingdom of Deluce and beyond, transporting them into an atmospheric and fully engaging experience.
Winter Glass is a melting pot of fantasy offering mystery, action, romance, magic, and the traditional good vs evil with stunning finesse and grace.
It builds on its elegant predecessor and beautifully enhances it, offering something richer and new for fans while retaining the beloved and familiar elements of Spindle Fire.
“One night reviled, before break of morn… the shadow and the child were born.”
Challenges some may encounter..
Does leaving Sommeil behind count? Because I did miss it.
Trying to avoid spoilers but maybe shifting love interests will be a problem for some. I will add though that I am on the fence with this as I favored the change but maybe not how it happened (hard to discuss without divulging important details). Just be warned, if you are a “shipper” you are in for some ups and downs!
The pacing slows down at times, but that’s okay. Go with it and savor it, my friends.
Winter Glass is remarkable journey woven between dreams and reality. It paints an imaginative and poetic picture of a timeless tale in new light, creating something unique and rewarding for fans of retellings and fairy tales. Grab a warm cup and allow yourself to be immersed.
☕Serves well with a nice cup of herbal mint tea.☕
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
My Thoughts
Spindle Fire was a success for me in terms of YA Fantasy & Retellings. I savored every moment of the dark and atmospheric dream world Hillyer had so poetically crafted. I was also a fan of incorporating to sisters and more complex relationships into a reimagined story of Sleeping Beauty. Winter Glass seamlessly picks up where its predecessor concluded and expands on it adding significant depth to Isbe’s and Aurora’s journey.
The skinny..
Driven from the dreamworld Sommeil and from Heath, Aurora vows vengeance and seeks to destroy Malfleur once and for all. But in doing so, she will face greater temptations than she has ever known. During Aurora’s efforts to assassinate the faerie queen, Isbe sets out with Prince William in an attempt to unite the kingdom against Malfleur and her armies. However, when Isbe is given a mysteriously indestructible glass slipper, she embarks on a quest that will reveal the truth of her own past and legacy. Now as both girls seek to make sense of it all and save the kingdom, they face their greatest fear, potentially losing one another.
“Sleep is a vast and dreamless dark. But then: tiny lights, like seeds, shower across a corner of the black. Something has snagged its claws in the soft flesh of night.”
What I appreciated..
The author’s poetry skills lend a lyrical and melodic prose to her work that adds a dreamlike quality to the story and heightens the “fairy tale” experience.
While it is more action driven, we are given a storyline that continues to successfully develop and grow Aurora and Isbe not only as individuals but as half sisters, exploring the complexities and challenges that arises from their love, loyalties and differences.
A female-driven plotline that examines the strengths and weakness of the protagonists through a multifaceted lens.
Hillyer’s world building surrenders the reader to the Kingdom of Deluce and beyond, transporting them into an atmospheric and fully engaging experience.
Winter Glass is a melting pot of fantasy offering mystery, action, romance, magic, and the traditional good vs evil with stunning finesse and grace.
It builds on its elegant predecessor and beautifully enhances it, offering something richer and new for fans while retaining the beloved and familiar elements of Spindle Fire.
“One night reviled, before break of morn… the shadow and the child were born.”
Challenges some may encounter..
Does leaving Sommeil behind count? Because I did miss it.
Trying to avoid spoilers but maybe shifting love interests will be a problem for some. I will add though that I am on the fence with this as I favored the change but maybe not how it happened (hard to discuss without divulging important details). Just be warned, if you are a “shipper” you are in for some ups and downs!
The pacing slows down at times, but that’s okay. Go with it and savor it, my friends.
Winter Glass is remarkable journey woven between dreams and reality. It paints an imaginative and poetic picture of a timeless tale in new light, creating something unique and rewarding for fans of retellings and fairy tales. Grab a warm cup and allow yourself to be immersed.
☕Serves well with a nice cup of herbal mint tea.☕
April 14, 2018
I'm so excited to be a part of this blog tour: as I was a member of the #SpindleSquad, I hold a special place in my heart for Lexa's books. I loved Spindle Fire, so I knew I would love Winter Glass.
Though it didn't end how I would have liked...but that's a big spoiler and I won't reveal that.
Anyhoo, onto the review!!
Title: Winter Glass (Spindle Fire #2)
Author: Lexa Hillyer
Publisher: HarperTeen, 2018 (April 10)
Genre: YA Fairy Tales, YA Fantasy, YA Retellings
**I received a copy of this book from the author and/or publisher and my review is in no way affected or influenced by receipt of this book**
This review can be found on my Blog, TeacherofYA's Tumblr, or my Goodreads page
My Review:
First, the cover and all its glory:
The covers of this series are stunning and reflect the whimsical nature of the original story, reshaped under Hillyer's eye.
Since it's a sequel and I don't trust myself to avoid spoilers, I will use the blurb for the book:
“Aurora, torn from the dream world and Heath, plots to assassinate the faerie queen Malfleur, only to confront temptations she never expected. Isabelle, meanwhile, opens her heart to Prince William as they attempt to unite their kingdoms and wage a winning war against Malfleur’s army of Vultures.
But when the appearance of an unbreakable glass slipper prompts Isabelle to discover more about her lineage, her true identity begins to take shape and her legacy becomes as clear as ice. Devoted half sisters Isabelle and Aurora will grapple with their understanding of love and loyalty as they face a threat even greater than that of the evil queen—the threat of losing each other forever.”
So sounds good, right? It was. Not only is Lexa poetic in her writing, but she can tell a story from multiple points of view so you understand the motivation of the villain. You almost pity her.
I'll be honest in one respect - I felt like the story was going one direction and then it totally went 180 on me. I was thrown overboard with the love interests that shifted and changed. I don't mind that it happened, but (and without as many spoilers as possible), one character got thrown to the wolves. That's all I will say on the matter.
Is it Classroom-Appropriate?
Both in the series definitely are, but you can't have one without the other. And it's hard to teach a series. I think Spindle Fire has wonderful elements on Retellings that could be useful. However, unless you plan on pairing the two books, I would just use something else and include it in a list of books possible for Book Reviews or outside reading.
So for the classroom, I would give Winter Glass ★★★☆☆: you could use it, but I would only use it if paired with the first book.
Age Range:
Well, more books need to include Lexile scores, darn it!! I've finally said it!
I once again have to go with my best judgement, and suggest an age range of 13 and up. There are no inappropriate scenes (maybe a hint at some intimate moments but nothing too obscene) but there is violence. But our children anymore are used to violence and it's about as graphic as any PG-13 movie.
I'm confident that a 13 year old reader could follow along with the story and enjoy it. I also think that it represents the abilities of the disabled - Isbe is blind but clever in her bearings, and Aurora has no voice but learns other methods of communication that assist her.
The whole book shows the power in women - women don't need to marry to be valuable and they don't need to love traditionally to be validated.
Lots of wonderful lessons. I would give it to my 13 year old niece to read - if she read fantasy. (Trust me, I am deeply disappointed in that but she really wants The Sun and her Flowers though her mother thinks it's too risqué for her age...at least she is reading poetry!!)
End Result:
Some of the passages are so incredible, I had to share them:
“‘Happiness is like starlight, my Marigold,' Malfleur's father told her one summer evening when she was very little. King Verglas had always enjoyed the sound of his own voice. But Malfleur thought he was right, in a way; we do what is necessary, for our joy in this world is scarce, and must be wrestled down from the black vault of all that is random and meaningless.”
So many good quotes that pull at your heart.
“Aurora doesn't know what it all means. She still can't speak, and can't feel. She's human, and not fae, but she senses the way her humanity is shrinking down, day by day, to a tiny burning ember behind her ribs. It's growing fainter, and she has begun to fear that a slight breeze might blow it out. She might not notice at first, and then she'll look for it, and it'll be gone, and then she'll forget what it was she was looking for. And that's when she'll no longer be human at all anymore.”
Great, right?
I give Winter Glass ★★★★★. I was going to give it four, because I didn't like that my ships didn't work out, but I can't punish the book for that. It's too good to do that. Just remember going in that Hillyer is going to take you on a ride and you won't know what's up until you're done. The idea of "true love" shifts and changes and makes it to where the characters get what they want, but it won't be what you're expecting. Not at all.
What's a book review without talking about the author that made the book come to pass?
Lexa Hillyer is the author of the young adult novels Spindle Fire, Winter Glass, and Proof of Forever, as well as the poetry collection, Acquainted with the Cold (Bona Fide Books), the 2012 gold prize winner of the Foreword Book of the Year Award for Poetry, and a recipient of the Melissa Lanitis Gregory Poetry Prize. Her work has been featured in Best New Poets 2012, and she has received various other prizes and honors for poetry. Lexa earned her BA in English from Vassar College and her MFA in Poetry from Stonecoast at the University of Southern Maine. She worked as an editor at both Harper Collins and Penguin, before founding the production company Glasstown Entertainment along with bestselling author Lauren Oliver. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, their daughter, and a very skinny orange tree.
So are you ready to finish the Spindle Fire series?? Ready to at least start it? Feel free to read my original review of Spindle Fire if you want to see where it all began.
Though it didn't end how I would have liked...but that's a big spoiler and I won't reveal that.
Anyhoo, onto the review!!
Title: Winter Glass (Spindle Fire #2)
Author: Lexa Hillyer
Publisher: HarperTeen, 2018 (April 10)
Genre: YA Fairy Tales, YA Fantasy, YA Retellings
**I received a copy of this book from the author and/or publisher and my review is in no way affected or influenced by receipt of this book**
This review can be found on my Blog, TeacherofYA's Tumblr, or my Goodreads page
My Review:
First, the cover and all its glory:
The covers of this series are stunning and reflect the whimsical nature of the original story, reshaped under Hillyer's eye.
Since it's a sequel and I don't trust myself to avoid spoilers, I will use the blurb for the book:
“Aurora, torn from the dream world and Heath, plots to assassinate the faerie queen Malfleur, only to confront temptations she never expected. Isabelle, meanwhile, opens her heart to Prince William as they attempt to unite their kingdoms and wage a winning war against Malfleur’s army of Vultures.
But when the appearance of an unbreakable glass slipper prompts Isabelle to discover more about her lineage, her true identity begins to take shape and her legacy becomes as clear as ice. Devoted half sisters Isabelle and Aurora will grapple with their understanding of love and loyalty as they face a threat even greater than that of the evil queen—the threat of losing each other forever.”
So sounds good, right? It was. Not only is Lexa poetic in her writing, but she can tell a story from multiple points of view so you understand the motivation of the villain. You almost pity her.
I'll be honest in one respect - I felt like the story was going one direction and then it totally went 180 on me. I was thrown overboard with the love interests that shifted and changed. I don't mind that it happened, but (and without as many spoilers as possible), one character got thrown to the wolves. That's all I will say on the matter.
Is it Classroom-Appropriate?
Both in the series definitely are, but you can't have one without the other. And it's hard to teach a series. I think Spindle Fire has wonderful elements on Retellings that could be useful. However, unless you plan on pairing the two books, I would just use something else and include it in a list of books possible for Book Reviews or outside reading.
So for the classroom, I would give Winter Glass ★★★☆☆: you could use it, but I would only use it if paired with the first book.
Age Range:
Well, more books need to include Lexile scores, darn it!! I've finally said it!
I once again have to go with my best judgement, and suggest an age range of 13 and up. There are no inappropriate scenes (maybe a hint at some intimate moments but nothing too obscene) but there is violence. But our children anymore are used to violence and it's about as graphic as any PG-13 movie.
I'm confident that a 13 year old reader could follow along with the story and enjoy it. I also think that it represents the abilities of the disabled - Isbe is blind but clever in her bearings, and Aurora has no voice but learns other methods of communication that assist her.
The whole book shows the power in women - women don't need to marry to be valuable and they don't need to love traditionally to be validated.
Lots of wonderful lessons. I would give it to my 13 year old niece to read - if she read fantasy. (Trust me, I am deeply disappointed in that but she really wants The Sun and her Flowers though her mother thinks it's too risqué for her age...at least she is reading poetry!!)
End Result:
Some of the passages are so incredible, I had to share them:
“‘Happiness is like starlight, my Marigold,' Malfleur's father told her one summer evening when she was very little. King Verglas had always enjoyed the sound of his own voice. But Malfleur thought he was right, in a way; we do what is necessary, for our joy in this world is scarce, and must be wrestled down from the black vault of all that is random and meaningless.”
So many good quotes that pull at your heart.
“Aurora doesn't know what it all means. She still can't speak, and can't feel. She's human, and not fae, but she senses the way her humanity is shrinking down, day by day, to a tiny burning ember behind her ribs. It's growing fainter, and she has begun to fear that a slight breeze might blow it out. She might not notice at first, and then she'll look for it, and it'll be gone, and then she'll forget what it was she was looking for. And that's when she'll no longer be human at all anymore.”
Great, right?
I give Winter Glass ★★★★★. I was going to give it four, because I didn't like that my ships didn't work out, but I can't punish the book for that. It's too good to do that. Just remember going in that Hillyer is going to take you on a ride and you won't know what's up until you're done. The idea of "true love" shifts and changes and makes it to where the characters get what they want, but it won't be what you're expecting. Not at all.
What's a book review without talking about the author that made the book come to pass?
Lexa Hillyer is the author of the young adult novels Spindle Fire, Winter Glass, and Proof of Forever, as well as the poetry collection, Acquainted with the Cold (Bona Fide Books), the 2012 gold prize winner of the Foreword Book of the Year Award for Poetry, and a recipient of the Melissa Lanitis Gregory Poetry Prize. Her work has been featured in Best New Poets 2012, and she has received various other prizes and honors for poetry. Lexa earned her BA in English from Vassar College and her MFA in Poetry from Stonecoast at the University of Southern Maine. She worked as an editor at both Harper Collins and Penguin, before founding the production company Glasstown Entertainment along with bestselling author Lauren Oliver. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, their daughter, and a very skinny orange tree.
So are you ready to finish the Spindle Fire series?? Ready to at least start it? Feel free to read my original review of Spindle Fire if you want to see where it all began.
September 18, 2023
*ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review*
"There is such a thing as wanting something too much- waiting so long and so fiercely for it that when it finally arrives, it cannot satisfy the hole its absence created."
This was my second novel by Lexa and it starts off right where Spindle Fire ended. Honestly, I wasn't expecting it do be the conclusion to this. I didn't even find out the truth until after I finished reading it. Nothing specified it to be a duology so I was more than ready to finish this book with a feeling of wanting more.
Lexa's writing is so imaginative and poetic, it blew me away how beautifully she wove each word to the next. Sadly, this sort of backfired on me since I never really got used to her storytelling. Something prevented me from being fully immersed in it. I felt like I couldn't follow it most of the time so I am still confused about many things yet I can't pinpoint them.
I was extremely excited to delve deeper into these characters in the beginning. Unfortunately, I took a long break to read other books and it turned out to be a huge mistake. The break made me forget all the excitement I had for the plot and once I went back, I was just going through the motions without really connecting to anything anymore.
This wasn't Lexa's fault of course but I still really enjoyed all of the character developments. It's the reason why this was a 3.5 star read for me instead of just a 3 star. All the character developments, even those other than Aurora and Isbe, were amazing to witness. Especially Aurora's. Holy moly. I never saw that one coming. It has easily become one of my favorite character developments ever. It was brutal and it left me awestruck beyond words.
I am pretty disappointed that I didn't get more POV's about a certain character that goes by the name of Vulture though. It was one of the things I most excited about after reading Spindle Fire and the little morsel I received left a lot to be desired.
"Truth is like that, she thought. A trim and effective dagger- it fit, well hidden, inside even the daintiest palm."
One of the things I really regret is supporting some relationships a little too much. This book wove and unraveled a lot of relationships and I felt like the characters changed love interests was too quickly. This made my reading experience a little tedious. I didn't feel like it was very realistic in the relationship department, and not just the romantic ones. The only constant was the affection between the two sisters and it was beautiful but I still would've loved to have at least one other constant in the novel. Yes, I loved the diversity but I wish it would've started there to begin with instead of introducing it out of nowhere. Hopefully I make sense because I don't know which other way to put it. The fact that a lot sounded unrealistic made me shrug everything away and just read for the sake of finishing the novel.
I don't even know how to feel about this book as a whole. The story went NOWHERE I wanted it to go. Usually this is a good thing, the best thing because of angst, but it didn't work out quite that way on this one. I also thought that the 'resolution' came too easily. I was expecting something a lot more epic and mind blowing but again, it left A LOT to be desired.
"There is no art more blessed than to form what is both beautiful and fragile... what could be undone at a whim by the same hands that made it."
Leaving this on a more positive note, I may need some getting used to Lexa's writing but I can't deny the fact that she made this fairytale her own. It was one of the most unique novels I've ever read and it makes me pretty excited to read more retellings of Sleeping Beauty.
3.5/5 stars.
"There is such a thing as wanting something too much- waiting so long and so fiercely for it that when it finally arrives, it cannot satisfy the hole its absence created."
This was my second novel by Lexa and it starts off right where Spindle Fire ended. Honestly, I wasn't expecting it do be the conclusion to this. I didn't even find out the truth until after I finished reading it. Nothing specified it to be a duology so I was more than ready to finish this book with a feeling of wanting more.
Lexa's writing is so imaginative and poetic, it blew me away how beautifully she wove each word to the next. Sadly, this sort of backfired on me since I never really got used to her storytelling. Something prevented me from being fully immersed in it. I felt like I couldn't follow it most of the time so I am still confused about many things yet I can't pinpoint them.
I was extremely excited to delve deeper into these characters in the beginning. Unfortunately, I took a long break to read other books and it turned out to be a huge mistake. The break made me forget all the excitement I had for the plot and once I went back, I was just going through the motions without really connecting to anything anymore.
This wasn't Lexa's fault of course but I still really enjoyed all of the character developments. It's the reason why this was a 3.5 star read for me instead of just a 3 star. All the character developments, even those other than Aurora and Isbe, were amazing to witness. Especially Aurora's. Holy moly. I never saw that one coming. It has easily become one of my favorite character developments ever. It was brutal and it left me awestruck beyond words.
I am pretty disappointed that I didn't get more POV's about a certain character that goes by the name of Vulture though. It was one of the things I most excited about after reading Spindle Fire and the little morsel I received left a lot to be desired.
"Truth is like that, she thought. A trim and effective dagger- it fit, well hidden, inside even the daintiest palm."
One of the things I really regret is supporting some relationships a little too much. This book wove and unraveled a lot of relationships and I felt like the characters changed love interests was too quickly. This made my reading experience a little tedious. I didn't feel like it was very realistic in the relationship department, and not just the romantic ones. The only constant was the affection between the two sisters and it was beautiful but I still would've loved to have at least one other constant in the novel. Yes, I loved the diversity but I wish it would've started there to begin with instead of introducing it out of nowhere. Hopefully I make sense because I don't know which other way to put it. The fact that a lot sounded unrealistic made me shrug everything away and just read for the sake of finishing the novel.
I don't even know how to feel about this book as a whole. The story went NOWHERE I wanted it to go. Usually this is a good thing, the best thing because of angst, but it didn't work out quite that way on this one. I also thought that the 'resolution' came too easily. I was expecting something a lot more epic and mind blowing but again, it left A LOT to be desired.
"There is no art more blessed than to form what is both beautiful and fragile... what could be undone at a whim by the same hands that made it."
Leaving this on a more positive note, I may need some getting used to Lexa's writing but I can't deny the fact that she made this fairytale her own. It was one of the most unique novels I've ever read and it makes me pretty excited to read more retellings of Sleeping Beauty.
3.5/5 stars.
April 12, 2018
Read more of my reviews at Cornerfolds.com!
Spindle Fire was one of my favorite retellings of 2017. For those of you who don't know, retellings are my absolute favorite kinds of books to read! Spindle Fire was unique and exciting and I could not wait to get my hands on the second book. When I had the opportunity to review an early copy, of course I took it!
Winter Glass picks up shortly after Spindle Fire with Aurora and Isbe going their separate ways to do what they believe to be best for their kingdom. For Isbe that looks like a future with William, fighting Malfleur and her army. For Aurora the battle is fought in a much different way that takes her far from home. Both these characters continued to be amazing and I loved them throughout this story.
Aurora, having had such an intense experience in Spindle Fire, continues to show her strengths in surprising ways. She was constantly questioning things about herself and had some incredible character growth throughout this book. I'll admit I found her a bit irritating to read at times during Spindle Fire, but she definitely won me over completely here. I will say that Isbe is definitely my favorite and I loved all of her self discovery and relationships. She was my favorite in book one and I still love her at the end of the duology! I was so invested in her journey, I couldn't wait to see what happened next! I also really loved every second of Malfleur. Like all great fairytale evil queens, she's that kind of amazing character you hate, but also can't get enough of.
Like in Spindle Fire, the story here goes to places you might not expect. The romances, relationships, and self discoveries will keep you guessing, as will the twists and turns. One of my favorite things about this book is that it branches off from just a Sleeping Beauty retelling and also becomes a Cinderella retelling. Seriously, give me ALL the retellings in one book and I will read it! Don't get too comfortable though, because this is not Cinderella like you've read before. Like with the first book, this is an incredibly unique take on a well-known story.
Lexa Hillyer also knows how to write an amazing fairytale world. I felt like I was in the world alongside the characters. I love it when an author can make me picture such a rich, gorgeous world while I'm reading. More fairytale worlds, please! Speaking of writing, I'm usually not a fan of books written from multiple points of view, but it worked here. The only time I didn't enjoy it was when the point of view was from a random character who wasn't very important to the story, but luckily that wasn't often.
Alas, Winter Glass was not a perfect read for me. My main issue with this book was that it was a bit slow at times. This was also something I struggled with while reading the first installment. I've never loved poetic or flowery prose and Lexa Hillyer's writing is so lyrical that it's difficult to read at times. The tense the book is written in is also difficult to adjust to. Luckily, it all pays off because this book is beautiful!
Winter Glass was an incredible ending to a wonderfully unique retelling duology that I absolutely recommend to fans of the genre. The writing might take some getting used to for some readers, but it's totally worth the investment. This book was packed full of likable characters, a plot that will keep you guessing, and a beautifully written fairytale world. I'm sad to see it end, but I'll definitely be on the lookout for anything else Lexa writes in the future!
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Spindle Fire was one of my favorite retellings of 2017. For those of you who don't know, retellings are my absolute favorite kinds of books to read! Spindle Fire was unique and exciting and I could not wait to get my hands on the second book. When I had the opportunity to review an early copy, of course I took it!
Winter Glass picks up shortly after Spindle Fire with Aurora and Isbe going their separate ways to do what they believe to be best for their kingdom. For Isbe that looks like a future with William, fighting Malfleur and her army. For Aurora the battle is fought in a much different way that takes her far from home. Both these characters continued to be amazing and I loved them throughout this story.
Aurora, having had such an intense experience in Spindle Fire, continues to show her strengths in surprising ways. She was constantly questioning things about herself and had some incredible character growth throughout this book. I'll admit I found her a bit irritating to read at times during Spindle Fire, but she definitely won me over completely here. I will say that Isbe is definitely my favorite and I loved all of her self discovery and relationships. She was my favorite in book one and I still love her at the end of the duology! I was so invested in her journey, I couldn't wait to see what happened next! I also really loved every second of Malfleur. Like all great fairytale evil queens, she's that kind of amazing character you hate, but also can't get enough of.
Like in Spindle Fire, the story here goes to places you might not expect. The romances, relationships, and self discoveries will keep you guessing, as will the twists and turns. One of my favorite things about this book is that it branches off from just a Sleeping Beauty retelling and also becomes a Cinderella retelling. Seriously, give me ALL the retellings in one book and I will read it! Don't get too comfortable though, because this is not Cinderella like you've read before. Like with the first book, this is an incredibly unique take on a well-known story.
Lexa Hillyer also knows how to write an amazing fairytale world. I felt like I was in the world alongside the characters. I love it when an author can make me picture such a rich, gorgeous world while I'm reading. More fairytale worlds, please! Speaking of writing, I'm usually not a fan of books written from multiple points of view, but it worked here. The only time I didn't enjoy it was when the point of view was from a random character who wasn't very important to the story, but luckily that wasn't often.
Alas, Winter Glass was not a perfect read for me. My main issue with this book was that it was a bit slow at times. This was also something I struggled with while reading the first installment. I've never loved poetic or flowery prose and Lexa Hillyer's writing is so lyrical that it's difficult to read at times. The tense the book is written in is also difficult to adjust to. Luckily, it all pays off because this book is beautiful!
Winter Glass was an incredible ending to a wonderfully unique retelling duology that I absolutely recommend to fans of the genre. The writing might take some getting used to for some readers, but it's totally worth the investment. This book was packed full of likable characters, a plot that will keep you guessing, and a beautifully written fairytale world. I'm sad to see it end, but I'll definitely be on the lookout for anything else Lexa writes in the future!
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
July 24, 2021
I'm so disappointed! Have you ever finished a book and been so let down by the ending you feel like you wasted your time because everything seemed to contradict itself?
For the most part, I enjoyed this book more than its predecessor. The pacing for the first half was great but maybe because I actually knew what was happening for once in this series so I wasn't utterly lost. But the last 10 chapters (of the 31) just fell apart for me and turned my solid 3 star rating to a 2.
First off, Aurora's romance felt forced here, almost like it was trying to win points with readers. It made me feel better that at least I wasn't imagining the lack of chemistry in the first book but the stuff here just seemed out of left field for me. Maybe I missed something in the first book that would have bridged that gap and highlighted that connection?
And Isabelle...what was the point of her adventures at all in this book? Seriously, anything she learned was found out by someone else so everything she did felt redundant and an utter waste of pages. And her decisions at the end....oh boy. She seriously didn't find her "own story" by running away, getting tossed off a boat, marrying a prince she intended to let her sister wed, etc? Girl needs to reevaluate her standards because I've felt like this whole series has been HER story and not Aurora's and that's probably why I'm so upset about how things wrapped up. I feel let down by how her character seemed to unravel before my eyes.
And that super vague epilogue did nothing for me.
Check out more spoiler-free book and series reviews on my blog SERIESousBookReviews.com as well as read book series recaps!
Full Review: https://wp.me/p7hLUw-3gh
Actual Rating: 2/5
April 10, 2018
*Source* Edelweiss
*Genre* Young Adult, Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5
*Thoughts*
Winter Glass, by author Lexa Hillyer, is the second and final installment in the Spindle Fire duology. The story picks up one week after the ending of Spindle Fire. Princess Aurora has been awakened from her curse. The problem is that she can no longer speak, and no longer feel like she did in Sommeil. Isabelle finds herself in a different situation with Aurora's revival and her desire for vengeance again the last faerie Queen Malfleur. She also faces war between Deluce and Malfleur's army.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Genre* Young Adult, Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5
*Thoughts*
Winter Glass, by author Lexa Hillyer, is the second and final installment in the Spindle Fire duology. The story picks up one week after the ending of Spindle Fire. Princess Aurora has been awakened from her curse. The problem is that she can no longer speak, and no longer feel like she did in Sommeil. Isabelle finds herself in a different situation with Aurora's revival and her desire for vengeance again the last faerie Queen Malfleur. She also faces war between Deluce and Malfleur's army.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
April 16, 2018
I waited to read this until after I had finished Spindle Fire so I missed getting this one in before publication as originally intended. There were things I loved about this one like Isbe's story arc and the men in her life. I found Aurora's story to be less compelling and it is there were a star is lost. I have closure, but am a bit disappointed. Perhaps too many stories were being told at once?
April 16, 2018
I was super pleased with this sequel!
Winter Glass definitely expanded on the world introduced in Spindle Fire. The relationships and characters developed, which really let me get a better feel for them. The plot was urgent, but also filled with dramatic irony, as we kept switching between the sisters' perspectives-- like when one would reveal important things that the other hadn't learned yet, only to then find out that that revelation was actually wrong, but not know the actual right solution that the other sister had just figured out. Might sound confusing, but I really enjoyed this back and forth. It made me want to keep reading and helped me become equally invested in both storylines and even more invested in anticipating the moment when the storylines would collide!
This fantasy series is definitely a great read for those who love high fantasy realms, dark fairytale retellings, or just really fun, interesting characters.
Comparable Titles:
Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes
Reckless by Cornelia Funke
The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski
***I received an e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
***This review is also posted on Amazon and my blog
Winter Glass definitely expanded on the world introduced in Spindle Fire. The relationships and characters developed, which really let me get a better feel for them. The plot was urgent, but also filled with dramatic irony, as we kept switching between the sisters' perspectives-- like when one would reveal important things that the other hadn't learned yet, only to then find out that that revelation was actually wrong, but not know the actual right solution that the other sister had just figured out. Might sound confusing, but I really enjoyed this back and forth. It made me want to keep reading and helped me become equally invested in both storylines and even more invested in anticipating the moment when the storylines would collide!
This fantasy series is definitely a great read for those who love high fantasy realms, dark fairytale retellings, or just really fun, interesting characters.
Comparable Titles:
Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes
Reckless by Cornelia Funke
The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski
***I received an e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
***This review is also posted on Amazon and my blog
April 16, 2018
Fantastic! It was absolutely amazing!
March 24, 2020
Much better than Spindle Fire.
March 25, 2018
The Sisters
I definitely like where Isbe’s character goes in this particular book. She develops WAY more than in the first one and she becomes a much more relateable and likable character. On the other hand, I can’t say I ever grow to like Aurora. She remains an annoying character with too many dreams in her head to ever feel like she can come down to Earth – an optimist. It really just continues to make her seem naive and frustrating. I’d love to knock some sense into her and I couldn’t stand reading from her POV.
Loose Ends
I definitely enjoyed the way the story pulled items together from the first book and wove them into new items. It made the story reminiscent of book one while also being something unique and fresh. There were a few pieces that were not explained thoroughly but nothing to the point that let me disappointed. Most of it can be worked out if one stops to think about it.
Slow
Like the first book, I would consider this to be a slow story. There are some action scenes in it, but even the way those were written was not with any urgency. I could not find the real, heart-gripping tension in them. There are also a TON of time gaps, but those really do not help the pace. Rather, they only punctuate just how slow the story is truly going because a large portion of time had to be skipped in order to continue to tell the story. Overall, not very much happened in this book.
The Ending
Was both obscure and clear. It was a very odd way to wrap up a story, in my opinion, and I am not really sure I liked the ending per se. It didn’t feel fully formed or like… it was lacking something. It almost felt too easy, too casual, like it was any other part of the story. Though, perhaps that was the intention.
I definitely like where Isbe’s character goes in this particular book. She develops WAY more than in the first one and she becomes a much more relateable and likable character. On the other hand, I can’t say I ever grow to like Aurora. She remains an annoying character with too many dreams in her head to ever feel like she can come down to Earth – an optimist. It really just continues to make her seem naive and frustrating. I’d love to knock some sense into her and I couldn’t stand reading from her POV.
Loose Ends
I definitely enjoyed the way the story pulled items together from the first book and wove them into new items. It made the story reminiscent of book one while also being something unique and fresh. There were a few pieces that were not explained thoroughly but nothing to the point that let me disappointed. Most of it can be worked out if one stops to think about it.
Slow
Like the first book, I would consider this to be a slow story. There are some action scenes in it, but even the way those were written was not with any urgency. I could not find the real, heart-gripping tension in them. There are also a TON of time gaps, but those really do not help the pace. Rather, they only punctuate just how slow the story is truly going because a large portion of time had to be skipped in order to continue to tell the story. Overall, not very much happened in this book.
The Ending
Was both obscure and clear. It was a very odd way to wrap up a story, in my opinion, and I am not really sure I liked the ending per se. It didn’t feel fully formed or like… it was lacking something. It almost felt too easy, too casual, like it was any other part of the story. Though, perhaps that was the intention.
January 31, 2018
Winter Glass was a stunning follow-up to Spindle Fire, and I'm so very glad to have been given the chance to read and review an early copy in exchange for my honest opinion of the story.
Winter Glass picks up right where Spindle Fire left off, and Lexa Hillyer doesn't waste a single moment before she dives right into the conflict and chaos that the first book ended on. We are immediately swept up in multiple angles of magic-wielding, power struggles, politics, romance, and relationships between so many of the characters we fell in love with in Spindle Fire. I especially appreciate the varying viewpoints (and awesomely titled chapters... I really enjoyed this detail!), especially because we were able to look into the minds of the villains/anti-heroes' perspective. I don't want to spoil the ending, but suffice to say, it was a very satisfying read when all of the threads that were being wound over Spindle Fire, and during the beginning through middle of Winter Glass, began to really come together to knit a brilliant tapestry. Also, we really get to see a much darker side of several characters, so be prepared for that. This isn't pretty Disney princesses and sparkles and shit. This is gritty and slightly twisted, corrupt, and absolutely stunning how it plays out. Loved this one!
I usually write a lot more, but there are so many plot twists and unique characters, that I really don't want to risk spoiling anything. Just buckle up, because you will really enjoy the ride if you were left with baited breath like I was at the end of Spindle Fire.
Winter Glass picks up right where Spindle Fire left off, and Lexa Hillyer doesn't waste a single moment before she dives right into the conflict and chaos that the first book ended on. We are immediately swept up in multiple angles of magic-wielding, power struggles, politics, romance, and relationships between so many of the characters we fell in love with in Spindle Fire. I especially appreciate the varying viewpoints (and awesomely titled chapters... I really enjoyed this detail!), especially because we were able to look into the minds of the villains/anti-heroes' perspective. I don't want to spoil the ending, but suffice to say, it was a very satisfying read when all of the threads that were being wound over Spindle Fire, and during the beginning through middle of Winter Glass, began to really come together to knit a brilliant tapestry. Also, we really get to see a much darker side of several characters, so be prepared for that. This isn't pretty Disney princesses and sparkles and shit. This is gritty and slightly twisted, corrupt, and absolutely stunning how it plays out. Loved this one!
I usually write a lot more, but there are so many plot twists and unique characters, that I really don't want to risk spoiling anything. Just buckle up, because you will really enjoy the ride if you were left with baited breath like I was at the end of Spindle Fire.
March 30, 2018
I was lucky enough to win an ARC of Winter Glass in a Twitter giveaway, and I’m so happy that I did because I loved it!
I read Spindle Fire, the first in this fairytale duology, last year and fell completely in love with the main characters, Aurora and Isbe. I’ve always been a huge fan of the Sleeping Beauty story, so reading Lexa’s reimagining of it was just wonderful, especially as suddenly we had this new twist of another sister who is subject to the whim of a faerie curse.
Winter Glass picked up right where Spindle Fire left off, and I loved the way the story lines of these girls, as well as other characters, interwove in this story. It’s a real coming of age story, with love and loss and two girls being thrust into positions neither of them are ready for, but which they need to make the most of.
Most of all, it’s about them finding themselves, as well as really learning to love each other for who they are. And the ending!! I’m not ashamed to admit that I cried.
Adding to the story is the fact that Lexa has a wonderful, lyrical way of writing which reminds me of Erin Morgenstern and Laini Taylor (favourite author alert!) and I really felt like I’d been transported to the world of Deluce and faeries and princesses (who are so far from damsels in distress)!
These books are so worth a read, and I can’t wait to see what Lexa comes up with next!
I read Spindle Fire, the first in this fairytale duology, last year and fell completely in love with the main characters, Aurora and Isbe. I’ve always been a huge fan of the Sleeping Beauty story, so reading Lexa’s reimagining of it was just wonderful, especially as suddenly we had this new twist of another sister who is subject to the whim of a faerie curse.
Winter Glass picked up right where Spindle Fire left off, and I loved the way the story lines of these girls, as well as other characters, interwove in this story. It’s a real coming of age story, with love and loss and two girls being thrust into positions neither of them are ready for, but which they need to make the most of.
Most of all, it’s about them finding themselves, as well as really learning to love each other for who they are. And the ending!! I’m not ashamed to admit that I cried.
Adding to the story is the fact that Lexa has a wonderful, lyrical way of writing which reminds me of Erin Morgenstern and Laini Taylor (favourite author alert!) and I really felt like I’d been transported to the world of Deluce and faeries and princesses (who are so far from damsels in distress)!
These books are so worth a read, and I can’t wait to see what Lexa comes up with next!
April 17, 2018
I've enjoyed this book, but just as the first one in the series it has some issues.
The writing is often forced - the author tries to be descriptive, but fails. However, the plot is so good, so the twists kept me reading.
It was a satisfying ending to the duology, though I wish the end was a little more worked out.
Overall, a very easy read - I finished it in a day - that has some flaws but is still enjoyable for any fairytale lover!
The writing is often forced - the author tries to be descriptive, but fails. However, the plot is so good, so the twists kept me reading.
It was a satisfying ending to the duology, though I wish the end was a little more worked out.
Overall, a very easy read - I finished it in a day - that has some flaws but is still enjoyable for any fairytale lover!
February 26, 2021
honestly the first book left me with sooo many unanswered questions-- super excited for this one!
June 20, 2018
This series has such a special place in my heart. I love this duology to death and will reread it over and over again. This review is gonna be sloppy (running on 1.5 hours of sleep here) but I want to share my thoughts anyways.
Winter Glass had a bittersweet ending—very un-fairytale like. Which really, the whole series was much more true to what would have happened if this was indeed a true story; but Winter Glass had an especially raw feeling to it. It read more gritty, like the shore of a river, than Spindle Fire did which was more smooth and easy like the river itself. The sequel still flowed just in a more honest way—like it wasn't trying to be perfect. It was just trying to /be/. And that was what I loved about it. It fit the theme of the book that few young adult novels try to tackle. In the acknowledgments, Lexa said it was a difficult book to write but out of that struggle, Winter Glass sort of found itself rather than Lexa trying to find it by making things happen. Again, it was so perfect that it read that way.
Also, this is the first time that I ever identified with a villain and it was amazing. It made her so human—er, Fae— and made the second to last chapter that much more meaningful.
I'm docking a star because the first 120 pages was pretty uneventful. Things were happening just slowly. I'm also still trying to decide how I felt about the way a lot of the loose ends were left loose on purpose. On one hand, it's meaningful to show that each character's story doesn't end when the last chapter does. On the other, it's difficult to process. After a re-read I may bump my rating up.
Overall, a great read and I totally recommend these books to lovers of fairytale retellings.
Winter Glass had a bittersweet ending—very un-fairytale like. Which really, the whole series was much more true to what would have happened if this was indeed a true story; but Winter Glass had an especially raw feeling to it. It read more gritty, like the shore of a river, than Spindle Fire did which was more smooth and easy like the river itself. The sequel still flowed just in a more honest way—like it wasn't trying to be perfect. It was just trying to /be/. And that was what I loved about it. It fit the theme of the book that few young adult novels try to tackle. In the acknowledgments, Lexa said it was a difficult book to write but out of that struggle, Winter Glass sort of found itself rather than Lexa trying to find it by making things happen. Again, it was so perfect that it read that way.
Also, this is the first time that I ever identified with a villain and it was amazing. It made her so human—er, Fae— and made the second to last chapter that much more meaningful.
I'm docking a star because the first 120 pages was pretty uneventful. Things were happening just slowly. I'm also still trying to decide how I felt about the way a lot of the loose ends were left loose on purpose. On one hand, it's meaningful to show that each character's story doesn't end when the last chapter does. On the other, it's difficult to process. After a re-read I may bump my rating up.
Overall, a great read and I totally recommend these books to lovers of fairytale retellings.
January 10, 2019
First book of 2019!! I've been waiting to read this in the winter time, but as soon as I picked it up it turned 60 degrees outside for like 2 weeks! Go figure.
Hillyer's writing is so poetic...and ALL THE TWISTS! The story of these two sisters and their wishes was so captivating. Winter Glass (not so much Spindle Fire) reminded me a bit of ACOTAR. I fell into the love story even though it's not the type I read about much. I would be all over a third book, though I don't think there will be one because the story seemed pretty much wrapped up and I follow the author and she hasn't mentioned anything about it.
Overall, the series is a great edition to my Dark Faerie Tales collection
Hillyer's writing is so poetic...and ALL THE TWISTS! The story of these two sisters and their wishes was so captivating. Winter Glass (not so much Spindle Fire) reminded me a bit of ACOTAR. I fell into the love story even though it's not the type I read about much. I would be all over a third book, though I don't think there will be one because the story seemed pretty much wrapped up and I follow the author and she hasn't mentioned anything about it.
Overall, the series is a great edition to my Dark Faerie Tales collection
December 27, 2018
Review Coming Soon!
June 5, 2022
There are few books that I would equate the experience of reading to physical torture, but Spindle Fire and Winter Glass by Lexa Hillyer managed to accomplish just that. I would never have expected to dislike an adaptation of "Sleeping Beauty" so much after reading so many good ones, and yet here we are. It isn't that Ms. Hillyer doesn't know how to write. Indeed, it's quite the opposite. She seems to think of writing as a way to show off her impressive array of the English language and very little else. With no sense of story structure, the plot and characters in these books fall to the wayside, leaving no motivation on the reader's part to complete them. I received both books from the Spindle Fire duology as a gift and felt obliged to finish them for the sake of completion but took no pleasure in this task.
Spindle Fire is a re-imagining of "Sleeping Beauty" in which the cursed princess, Aurora, has a half-sister named Isbe. Isbe is blind because the queen and king traded her vision to ensure that Aurora would not die on the day she was fated to prick her finger on the cursed spinning wheel. Prior to this decision, they traded away Aurora's voice and sense of touch in exchange for her beauty and graceful demeanor. You might think that this series is an allegory for bad parenting and how Isbe had to learn to love her sister after going blind for her sake. However, the story barely touches on the king and queen's motivation for their poor decisions, and Isbe loves Aurora instantly without even a hint of resentment for losing her sight. In that case, it must be about how two disabled princesses learn to survive in a cruel world. That would make for an interesting book. But no. After Aurora pricks her finger, she wakes up in another kingdom where she is suddenly able to feel and speak again. Meanwhile, Isbe's blindness never hinders her from doing anything a sighted person can and more, so it becomes a non-issue as well.
These books suffer heavily from Attention Deficit Disorder and a complete lack of organization. Between the two of them, there are no fewer than ten different character perspectives, giving the reader a sense of whiplash and uncertainty about who to root for. I've read other books that alternate between perspectives in each chapter, but those worked because there were only two or three different perspectives. In addition to the two princesses, there were two faerie sisters who sort of parallel their relationship, but not really because their story was so drastically different. Then there were all the love interests that never really seemed to matter in the end. Spindle Fire opens with the death of two of Aurora's suitors who we never get a chance to know. Isbe has an illicit relationship with a stable boy, which may have been intriguing until she seeks out the brother of Aurora's suitors to convince him to wake Aurora from the enchanted sleep but winds up falling in love with him instead. Then Aurora falls for a man she meets in the sleeping world but winds up becoming a lesbian in the second book. What?
The biggest issue with this series is that it never gives the reader a chance to care about anyone or anything that happens. As soon as something starts to get interesting, the plot moves in a completely different direction, and the interesting thing no longer matters, so why bother caring? It doesn't even have a proper ending. The resolution amounts to something along the lines of "Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, so who knows what will happen to these princesses in the future?" That's all well and good, but I don't read fairy tales to experience real life. I read them to escape from it. Maybe the author was trying to avoid the predictability of fairy tale retellings, but in doing so, she took away any reason for her readers to care about anything that happens to the characters.
Maybe this duology has an audience out there somewhere, but I'm not it. If you like gruesome war stories about fickle princesses who can't make up their minds about who they want to spend their lives with, then, by all means, go ahead and check out Spindle Fire and Winter Glass. Perhaps the Game of Thrones crowd would dig this concept. However, if you are a fan of "Sleeping Beauty" or fairy tales in general, I would stay far away from this series. There are no happy endings to be found here.
Spindle Fire is a re-imagining of "Sleeping Beauty" in which the cursed princess, Aurora, has a half-sister named Isbe. Isbe is blind because the queen and king traded her vision to ensure that Aurora would not die on the day she was fated to prick her finger on the cursed spinning wheel. Prior to this decision, they traded away Aurora's voice and sense of touch in exchange for her beauty and graceful demeanor. You might think that this series is an allegory for bad parenting and how Isbe had to learn to love her sister after going blind for her sake. However, the story barely touches on the king and queen's motivation for their poor decisions, and Isbe loves Aurora instantly without even a hint of resentment for losing her sight. In that case, it must be about how two disabled princesses learn to survive in a cruel world. That would make for an interesting book. But no. After Aurora pricks her finger, she wakes up in another kingdom where she is suddenly able to feel and speak again. Meanwhile, Isbe's blindness never hinders her from doing anything a sighted person can and more, so it becomes a non-issue as well.
These books suffer heavily from Attention Deficit Disorder and a complete lack of organization. Between the two of them, there are no fewer than ten different character perspectives, giving the reader a sense of whiplash and uncertainty about who to root for. I've read other books that alternate between perspectives in each chapter, but those worked because there were only two or three different perspectives. In addition to the two princesses, there were two faerie sisters who sort of parallel their relationship, but not really because their story was so drastically different. Then there were all the love interests that never really seemed to matter in the end. Spindle Fire opens with the death of two of Aurora's suitors who we never get a chance to know. Isbe has an illicit relationship with a stable boy, which may have been intriguing until she seeks out the brother of Aurora's suitors to convince him to wake Aurora from the enchanted sleep but winds up falling in love with him instead. Then Aurora falls for a man she meets in the sleeping world but winds up becoming a lesbian in the second book. What?
The biggest issue with this series is that it never gives the reader a chance to care about anyone or anything that happens. As soon as something starts to get interesting, the plot moves in a completely different direction, and the interesting thing no longer matters, so why bother caring? It doesn't even have a proper ending. The resolution amounts to something along the lines of "Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, so who knows what will happen to these princesses in the future?" That's all well and good, but I don't read fairy tales to experience real life. I read them to escape from it. Maybe the author was trying to avoid the predictability of fairy tale retellings, but in doing so, she took away any reason for her readers to care about anything that happens to the characters.
Maybe this duology has an audience out there somewhere, but I'm not it. If you like gruesome war stories about fickle princesses who can't make up their minds about who they want to spend their lives with, then, by all means, go ahead and check out Spindle Fire and Winter Glass. Perhaps the Game of Thrones crowd would dig this concept. However, if you are a fan of "Sleeping Beauty" or fairy tales in general, I would stay far away from this series. There are no happy endings to be found here.
May 19, 2018
POSITIVES
+ Character building
+ Plot twists
NEGATIVES
– Plot holes
– Not emotionally attached
See full review: Uptown Oracle
+ Character building
+ Plot twists
NEGATIVES
– Plot holes
– Not emotionally attached
See full review: Uptown Oracle
May 12, 2018
Loved how the princess becomes a warrior and saves herself. Girl power!!
January 10, 2021
This was quite enjoyable.
August 15, 2018
I feel bad rating Winter Glass only 2 stars, because intellectually it definitely deserves more, but I follow Goodreads' rating scale, and, reading-wise, it was just okay for me. I suspect it would have been another 3 star read for me at least had HarperCollins chosen to do an audiobook for book two, as they did for book one. The shift in format threw me for a bit of a loop, as I tried to recognize names in print that I'd only heard pronounced.
Even more than Spindle Fire, Winter Glass flips tropes and pushes the boundaries of expected fairy tale narratives. It's daring and takes risks. It's unpredictable. Intellectually, I really value this book, and I'd recommend it for those who take a real interest in studying fairy tale retellings and the way they adapt.
However, all the pluses are generally counterbalanced by minuses. The book feels rushed, as though two books were condensed into one. Sometimes I would turn a page and feel like I'd missed several chapters. Other choices, while unique and intellectually interesting, were very odd from a characterization perspective. My biggest issue personally was that I didn't feel a strong connection to the characters; this is something the audiobook of book one compensated for, but without a narrator I was rather bored.
I'm going to talk in the spoiler tags about some of the really interesting elements that I liked/didn't like:
Finally, I do have some concerns about the blindness rep in this series. I do like that it's all about how capable Isbe is, but it feels like there are times it should be more of a factor than it is. I also feel like it's in third person so that her sections could be descriptive in precisely the same way as everyone else's when actually she would experience the world quite differently.
Even more than Spindle Fire, Winter Glass flips tropes and pushes the boundaries of expected fairy tale narratives. It's daring and takes risks. It's unpredictable. Intellectually, I really value this book, and I'd recommend it for those who take a real interest in studying fairy tale retellings and the way they adapt.
However, all the pluses are generally counterbalanced by minuses. The book feels rushed, as though two books were condensed into one. Sometimes I would turn a page and feel like I'd missed several chapters. Other choices, while unique and intellectually interesting, were very odd from a characterization perspective. My biggest issue personally was that I didn't feel a strong connection to the characters; this is something the audiobook of book one compensated for, but without a narrator I was rather bored.
I'm going to talk in the spoiler tags about some of the really interesting elements that I liked/didn't like:
Finally, I do have some concerns about the blindness rep in this series. I do like that it's all about how capable Isbe is, but it feels like there are times it should be more of a factor than it is. I also feel like it's in third person so that her sections could be descriptive in precisely the same way as everyone else's when actually she would experience the world quite differently.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews