Rating: 
Summary: Disappointment
Review: I borrowed this book from a friend and enjoyed the beginning immensly. It had a great introduction and a fresh look at Sleeping Beauty. However, I agree with other reviews that it was difficult to follow with a lot of skipping around and explanations. I was sorely disapointed with the ending of this book, I found it very unbelievable...how does a horse jump into the sky and land at a country in the clouds? It was very strange and did not flow well with the rest of the book. I do not recommend this book for anyone who enjoys the wonder and fulfillment of fairy tells, it is too much of a stretch.
Rating: 
Summary: Absolutly Wonderful!
Review: If I could, I'd give this more than five stars! It was that good! The retelling of Sleeping Beauty did not exactly go with the exact facts of the popular fairy tale, but if you're willing to put the original fairy tale aside and just read the book for what it is, then it's apt to be the best book you've ever read. I loved Rosie and how she was such an atypical princess. She is kind of like me in a way, perhaps that's why I liked her. Peony is more of a princess and I can relate to Rosie's original dislike of her, I too am sometimes overshadowed by someone seeming far better than I, as we all are.
The detail and description in this book is incredible. I can just imagine everything, Soggy Bottom, Woodwold, and the entire country. The way the magic is included makes the story all the more believeable, if that makes any sense.
But, as I said before, you have to put all expectations aside when you read this book. You also have to put away your sense of reality as you know it. This book is easily abused by people who are skeptical of the real possibilities of miracles happening. DON"T BE ONE OF THEM! I loved this book and I'm sure everyone else will too, if they give it a chance.
Rating: 
Summary: Verry Good!
Review: I relly liked this book because of the charters. I loved how Robin Mckinly described them. It also reminded me of her Damar seris (which introduced me to her in the first place) alittle all throught the book and alot in a few part. I read it a while ago and can't quite remember it now, but it was relly good.(sorry if this is borring and repetative, I stink at writing reviws but wanted to try.)
Rating:
Summary: Good but not good enough
Review: When I first found this book, I expected great things out of it. Now, after reading and re-reading the book I sadly announce that if did not fulfil my expectations. The book has a great begining and a fascinating ending. Still, during the middle of the book (which was way too long and filled with unecessary details), I found myself bored. Robin Mckinely only gives you a glance at the main human characters (Rosie, Peony, Rowland, etc.) and even though the animals have vivid characteristics, there are simply too many and they blend together. The sentences in the book seem to run together while reading and Robin does not give enough details about the setting to really see it. She leaves many mysteries unsolved but does a great job of giving a familiar fairy tale an unusual twist. I would still recommend reading this book but be warned, it is not as good as her earlier works.
Rating:
Summary: An interesting twist
Review: I really liked this book. It was well written with a good plot and an interesting mix of humor, romance, and drama. Even though you're pretty sure how it's going to end up, you still want to read it, if only to see the characters you love end up happy. It was well written and captivating, and some parts made you laugh out loud too. What more do you need in a book? Sure, some parts weren't perfect, like the ball seemed a little choppy to me, but it was overall a good book, quite enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: Great....
Review: I looked at a couple of the reviews and realized there was some mention anout this not beeing an ecellent book. Well, it is let me tell you. I personally think this is one of McKinley'd best books. It's my favorite. The story is not bogged down with info as I read on another review. It is kind of hard to get into at the beginning, i'll admit that, but after you do you won't ever put it down. I am a big fantasy fan and if you are then you'll LOVE this book! ;-P
Rating:
Summary: Spindle's End
Review: This book was over all good but it starts out boring and stays that way for quite some time. The author reflects to much on Rosie's childhood and waits for the exciting parts till part 5 (the last part). I was a little dissapointed but if u can make it to the end then it gets good and its worth the read.
Rating:
Summary: Awsome!!!
Review: This book is a book that i really enjoyed! this book is great for any one who doesn't mind suprising endings, not like BOO! that kind of suprise, but different than you would expect. This version of sleeping beautyis completely different than the disney movie that you probably watched when you were younger. This book is very detailed, its an easy read, i finished it in 4 days, I could not put it down. Another of McKinleys books, Beauty is also wonderful, although that follows the same lines as you would be used to, i would most definatly recomend this book for any one 12^. I am 12 years old, but read alot, so it would be for a 12 year old that wants alittle more of a challenge. I only hace three mopre word for you. READ THIS BOOK!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Great retelling of a classic
Review: Out of all the fairy tales ever written, Sleeping Beauty has always been my favorite. I always thought it so romantic that a beautiful princess would fall into a deep sleep only to be awakened by her true love. Now this classic tale is being retold by New York Times Bestselling Author Robin McKinley in "Spindle's End". In this story our heroine is called Rosie. When she is only months old, a curse is put upon her by the evil fairy Pernicia. The curse says that on the princess's 21st birthday she will prick her finger on a spinning wheel and die. For her safety she is given to a country girl named Katriona to raise. Katriona takes Rosie far away from the castle to a small country village where, with the help of Katriona's Aunt, she is raised as Katriona's cousin. It's interesting to watch Rosie grow up in a setting unbefit a princess. It's also great to see the interaction between Rosie and the animals she encounters. You see, on Rosie's naming-day (the same day she was cursed), Katriona cast a spell giving Rosie the power to talk to animals. This of course will turn out to be a very useful tool through Rosie's life, especially the moment she faces Pernicia. Now don't assume you know the ending to this story because you've seen or read the more traditional adaptations of it. Of course I'm not going to sit here and tell you how the story ends: if Rosie pricks her finger, if her true love awakens her with a kiss, or if everyone lives happily ever after. I do suggest that you go buy this book if, like me, you love fairy tales with a good old fashioned twist. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I think you'll do the same.Gennie Bailey-Rogers
Rating:
Summary: You could almost reach out and touch the characters
Review: Once more, Robin McKinley has turned the world of fairytale on its head, and turned out an outstanding novel. McKinley's latest book, Spindle's End, is a re-telling of the Sleeping Beauty tale, but as with her previous fairytale re-inventions she dispenses with the gilt and florets of the Baroque tale and builds her characters out of earth. The story is less about the "Beauty" -- named Briar Rose -- than it is about how her family and the other people around her react to her situation in the world. It is the story of her fosterage and of her deep friendship with the girl who is perhaps the more appropriate "Sleeing Beauty" than Briar Rose herself, and ultimately the story of her return to her true identity and the final showdown with her nemesis, the evil fairy who cursed her as an infant. The narrative is earthy and rich in feeling, and while I think the ending suffers from McKinley's usual problem of her words not being able to adequately convey the rich imagery she so obviously is trying to communicate, the story itself doesn't lack for anything.
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