Tonight you said, "Just lying here feeling tired and wishing I wasn't done reading Beauty."
Okay, I have your next assignment. Spindle's End, also by Robin McKinley. This time, the story of Sleeping Beauty.
Beauty was McKinley's first novel, and while Beauty doesn't identify itself as a debut, Spindle's End is more complex and without a few of the holes Beauty had. Remember how Beauty tied off a little too neatly? We both wanted a little more ending, and we were also puzzled about what message McKinley sent with her conclusion. What really happened when the spell broke?
Well, I think this retelling as a whole is more unexpected, more unpredictable, and yet still so satisfying. We get to know Katriona, a fairy, and how she accidentally kidnaps the baby princess; and then we get to know Rosie. Rosie, the stubborn, the diligent, the loyal, the princess who hides all her fairy gifts (a beautiful singing voice, curling hair, phenomenal embroidery abilities) by disliking everything associated with them. And we meet Bard! And Peony! And Narl! And the queen. Unsurprisingly, I love McKinley's side characters, and I think you'll find this ending more satisfying than Beauty, although you must prepare yourself for a non-traditional take. For me, the end even included a bit of weeping.
I think I'll go re-read it right now.
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