Review: The Sevenfold Spell by Tia Nevitt

The Sevenfold Spell by Tia Nevitt

(Received via NetGalley)

Have you ever wondered what happens to the other people in the fairy tale?

Things look grim for Talia and her mother. By royal proclamation, the constables and those annoying "good" fairies have taken away their livelihood by confiscating their spinning wheel. Something to do with a curse on the princess, they said.

Not every young lady has a fairy godmother rushing to her rescue.

Without the promise of an income from spinning, Talia's prospects for marriage disappear, and she and her mother face destitution. Past caring about breaking an arbitrary and cruel law, rebellious Talia determines to build a new spinning wheel, the only one in the nation--which plays right into the evil fairy's diabolical plan. Talia discovers that finding a happy ending requires sacrifice. But is it a sacrifice she's willing to make?

Everyone knows the story of Sleeping Beauty, but what about the other characters? What happened to them when all of the spinning wheels were destroyed? In this book we meet Talia, a homely girl with only one real prospect at marriage, a boy named Willard. When their spinning wheel was destroyed and Talia and her mother have no way to make an income, Willard's father refuses to allow them to marry.  When his father announces he will be sending Willard to a Monestary in three weeks, Talia gives Willard the only thing she can, her maidenhood. After he leaves, and the money slowly runs out, Talia decides to become the carpenter's mistress in exchange for helping making a spinning wheel in secret. As the years go on, the pattern continues as she trades herself for assistance in different things. All the while she is still pining for her lost love Willard.

I enjoyed this story. It was short, but there really was a lot jammed pack into it. It was a nice new point of view on the Sleeping Beauty tale. Talia is such a strong person despite all the heartache she went through. She never once let any of it get the best of her. It had some twists and turns that I really didn't see coming. Willard's growth from beginning to end was probably the biggest surprise. Who would have known him to have so much potential. The ending is more than satisfying, and will leave you with a smile on your face. All in all, this a book definitely worth checking out.

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The Sevenfold Spell