The ending was left hanging for interpretation which I like because the possibility of having a book two is open. But despite that, the book contains clever twists and turns that I find engrossing. Nothing deep and nothing that will make the characters dimensional.

Read it to know why this is not just a simple retelling.įor a mere 69 pages long, it only only offers a surface-level story. Snow White just, at that moment, became the most logical person to break the spell. The connection they made was in no way romantic. This photo might put you off, but be rest assured that the book is not in any way end with Sleeping Beauty being with Snow White. I love how the book was so sophisticatedly made. Chris Riddel’s attention to details is really commendable. I love how even the small details of each picture are intricately drawn.

The illustrations inside are flesh out black and white drawings with gold details. It’s so intricately done and it’s really visually stunning. The hardback black cover has the sleeper and overlaying it that serves as the dust jacket is a translucent velum with the title of the book, name of the author and the design at the side which are rose vines. The photos in this post doesn’t do the book any justice compared to seeing it in person. Gaiman’s inventive and descriptive prose worked well with Ridell’s detailed and intricate illustrations. From Neil Gaiman doing the prose and Chris Riddell doing the illustration, the book is the product of two masters in their fields. His hands seems to breath life to the illustrations making it appear that they move and speak. The illustrator, Chris Riddlle, is one of the few that I can call a master of the arts. It’s beautifully illustrated and beautifully written. The collaboration of Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddell is so perfect that I am out of words to describe how magical this book is. And he didn’t fail to captivate his readers AGAIN with this book. I only read his Coraline and The Graveyard Book and I did enjoy how dark, twisted and satisfying he writes. Thus, the queen was left with a decision that will reshape her and her kingdom’s future.Įven before I opened the book and read it, knowing that it was written by Neil Gaiman, I know I am in for a ride. What occurs next is not something that they did not expect as the sleeping princess is someone different from what they expected. The Queen had previously overcame an enchanted sleep and with her dwarf confidants who only sleep twice a year, they know they will be immune to the spell, and so they brave through the dark tunnels under the mountain that separates the two kingdoms, walked under the shade of the dark and creepy forest and ward off zombie-like sleepers towards the sleeping kingdom. She’s also then decided to save the princess who was thought to be enchanted by a witch and is now in slumber for 70 years. The sleeping curse is sweeping the land and by estimate it will reach their kingdom anytime soon. It follows the story of a queen, Snow White, which on the eve before her marriage, decided to delay it and save her kingdom from an imminent “plague, a sickness, a curse, a spell” that is sweeping their neighboring kingdom. The book is a cross-over retelling of Sleeping Beauty and Snow White. And the author made the plot so so spellbinding, giving a twist to a classic story. The gorgeously illustrated cover of the book is already enough to buy it. The Sleeper and the Spindle is just one of those few books that is worth buying because of its story and illustration.

The sleeper and the spindle