Genre: Fairy Tale, Romance
Format: Kindle Edition
Publisher: Carina Press
Publication Date: September 27, 2010
Author Website: Tia Nevitt
STORY:
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?
REVIEW:
Because Tia Nevitt’s The Sevenfold Spell is a reimagining of an old fairy tale, I looked forward to reading it. Here are my thoughts on the book.
The biggest strength of the book was in its relationships between the female characters. Talia’s relationship with her mother varies between teenage sulking and weary understanding. Many women will relate to this.
The handsome prince, integral to the storyline, is given a new task that runs parallel to the traditional one, and Rose is not who she seemed to be. As Talia tells her story, the reader gets a new window on what life was like for an “ugly duckling.”
Widow Harla provides an interesting foil for Talia. She does serve in a mother role and a friend role for Talia, and forces her to re-evaluate herself and the way she approaches life. The character of Widow Harla is a fantastic example demonstrating the necessity of community between women. Her discussions with Talia, which occasionally take on the tone of mother to daughter, give her the emotional kick she needs to begin valuing herself as a person and to change the way she relates to the community – especially the men in her life.
The Sevenfold Spell is a quick read – good for curling up by a fire or just taking some time out on an evening or weekend – geared to women. It’s a good way to spend a couple of free hours, and I look forward to seeing what Nevitt does with the next books in this series.
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