Spindle Fire - by Lexa Hillyer (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"As the truths behind the faerie legends were revealed, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough."--Kendare Blake, author of New York Times bestselling novel Three Dark Crowns

"Absorbing. Poetic. Lexa Hillyer draws the walls between dreams and reality with shimmering grace and phrases of such beauty I had to read many of them twice." --Jodi Lynn Anderson, author of Tiger Lily

"With its engaging heroines and delicious prose, Spindle Fire pulled me into a richly detailed world full of intrigue and magic." --Amy Ewing, New York Times bestselling author of the Lone City trilogy

Half sisters Isabelle and Aurora are polar opposites: Isabelle is the king's headstrong illegitimate daughter, whose sight was tithed by faeries; Aurora, beautiful and sheltered, was tithed her sense of touch and voice on the same day. Despite their differences, the sisters have always been extremely close.

And then everything changes, with a single drop of Aurora's blood, a Faerie Queen who is preparing for war, a strange and enchanting dream realm--and a sleep so deep it cannot be broken.

Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo, Spindle Fire is a tour-de-force fantasy set in the dwindling, deliciously corrupt world of the fae and featuring two truly unforgettable heroines.

One sister is trapped in a world of dreams. The other must journey through a world of darkness to bring her back.

• Sisters Torn Apart: Isabelle is blind but headstrong; Aurora is voiceless and cannot feel. When a magical curse strikes, their powerful bond is the only thing that might save their kingdom.
• A World of Dangerous Magic: From a corrupt fae court ruled by a warmongering queen to an enchanting but deadly dream realm, magic is a power that takes as much as it gives.
• Political Intrigue: A planned royal marriage is shattered by murder, forcing the sisters into a deadly game of alliances where a forgotten prince is their only hope.
• Two Separate Quests: One sister must navigate the treacherous world of Sommeil to find a way back, while the other journeys into enemy lands to find a cure for the cursed sleep.

From the Back Cover

It all started with the burning of the spindles.

No.

It all started with a curse. . . .

Half sisters Isabelle and Aurora are polar opposites: Isabelle is the king's headstrong illegitimate daughter, whose sight was tithed by faeries; Aurora, beautiful and sheltered, was tithed her sense of touch and her voice on the same day. Despite their differences, the sisters have always been
extremely close.

And then everything changes with a single drop of Aurora's blood--and a sleep so deep it cannot be broken.

As the faerie queen and her army of Vultures prepare to march, Isabelle must race to find a prince who can awaken her sister with the kiss of true love and seal their two kingdoms in an alliance against the queen.

Isabelle crosses land and sea; unearthly, thorny vines rise up the palace walls; and whispers of revolt travel in the ashes on the wind. The kingdom falls to ruin under layers of snow. Meanwhile, Aurora wakes up in a strange and enchanted world, where a mysterious hunter may be the secret to her escape . . . or the reason for her to stay.

Spindle Fire is a lush fantasy set in the dwindling, deliciously corrupt world of the fae and featuring two truly unforgettable heroines.

Review Quotes

"Aurora and Isbe are no delicate flowers, and Hillyer's depiction of Isbe's blindness is especially resonant. There is romance, but it's the devotion between these sisters that makes this story sing and that will leave readers eager to continue their story." - Publishers Weekly

"The author, an award-winning poet, has created a lush, lyrical backdrop for the memorable characters in this sinister fairytale retelling that will have teen fantasy fans waiting with bated breath for the conclusion of Aurora and Isabelle's story." - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

"Inventing a distinctively gritty netherworld that weaves reality with shimmering magic and smoky-mirrored illusions, Hillyer's writing is freshly vivid....An innovative take on magic and the price of transformation, this will tempt readers to reach for Book 2--and expect some answers." - Kirkus Reviews

"This story is characterized by lovely, introspective prose; readers looking for action may be best served elsewhere, but those who appreciate a beautifully written journey into the hearts of two sisters will find much to relish here." - Booklist

"With its engaging heroines and delicious prose, Spindle Fire pulled me into a richly detailed world full of intrigue and magic. Lexa Hillyer has created a refreshing take on a classic tale, one that traps you in its spell and doesn't let go." - Amy Ewing, New York Times bestselling author of the Lone City trilogy

"Absorbing. Poetic. In Spindle Fire, Lexa Hillyer draws the walls between dreams and reality with shimmering grace...and phrases of such beauty I had to read many of them twice." - Jodi Lynn Anderson, author of Tiger Lily

"The writing is lovely, the sisters indomitable, and as the truths behind the faerie legends were revealed, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough." - Kendare Blake, author of New York Times bestselling novel Three Dark Crowns