Spindle's End

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Spindle's End is a fantasy novel by Robin McKinley, published in May 2000. It’s a retelling of Sleeping Beauty.

Plot in brief:
- A wicked fairy named Pernicia curses a baby princess to prick her finger on a spindle and fall into a deep sleep on her 21st birthday.
- The baby is hidden by a kind fairy, Katriona, and raised in Foggy Bottom in The Gig as Rosie, named for the last of the princess’s twenty-one names.
- Rosie grows into a strong, brave young woman with a talent called beast-speech and support from Katriona, Aunt, and the town’s quiet blacksmith, Narl. She becomes a skilled horse healer rather than a traditional duchess.
- When Rosie is 20, Ikor, a powerful fairy, reveals that Rosie is the true princess and that a spell will switch her identity with her best friend Peony until Rosie turns 21 and Pernicia’s curse is broken.
- The story follows Rosie’s journey, the importance of family love (Rosie, Katriona, Aunt, and later Katriona’s family), Peony’s desire for a real family, and the help of many animals in the quest to defeat Pernicia.

Setting and tone:
- Magic is woven through nearly every part of the book.
- It’s not a direct sequel, but it’s set in the same world as McKinley’s Damar books, with occasional references to other stories in that world.

Reception:
- The novel was praised for its luminous writing and heartfelt story by critic Charles de Lint, who noted that the strong characters and emotions are at the heart of the book, even though the plot is compelling too.