Title: Night Spinner (Night Spinner #1)

Author: Addie Thorley

Publisher: Page Street Kids

Release Date: February 11th 2020

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retellings

Synopsis:

A must-read for fans of Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse, transforming The Hunchback of Notre Dame into a powerful tundra-inspired epic.

Before the massacre at Nariin, Enebish was one of the greatest warriors in the Sky King’s Imperial Army: a rare and dangerous Night Spinner, blessed with the ability to control the threads of darkness. Now, she is known as Enebish the Destroyer―a monster and murderer, banished to a monastery for losing control of her power and annihilating a merchant caravan.

Guilt stricken and scarred, Enebish tries to be grateful for her sanctuary, until her adoptive sister, Imperial Army commander Ghoa, returns from the war front with a tantalizing offer. If Enebish can capture the notorious criminal, Temujin, whose band of rebels has been seizing army supply wagons, not only will her crimes be pardoned, she will be reinstated as a warrior.

Enebish eagerly accepts. But as she hunts Temujin across the tundra, she discovers the tides of war have shifted, and the supplies he’s stealing are the only thing keeping thousands of shepherds from starving. Torn between duty and conscience, Enebish must decide whether to put her trust in the charismatic rebel or her beloved sister. No matter who she chooses, an even greater enemy is advancing, ready to bring the empire to its knees.

Purchase Links

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Author Information

Addie Thorley is the author of An Affair of Poisons, a YA historical fantasy, which was chosen as a Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writers selection and is a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults nominee. Her forthcoming novel, Night Spinner, will be released on February 11, 2020.

She spent her childhood playing soccer, riding horses, and scribbling stories. After graduating from the University of Utah with a degree in journalism, Addie decided “hard news” didn’t contain enough magic and kissing, so she flung herself into the land of fiction and never looked back. She now lives in Princeton, New Jersey with her husband, daughter, and wolf dog. When she’s not writing she can be found gallivanting in the woods or galloping around the barn where she works as a horse trainer and exercise rider.

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My Review

“Darkness waits like a devil outside my window – curling its shadowy fingertips beneath the shutters, drawing its inky claws across the latch, raising every hair on my body as temptation trickles down my spine.”

Night Spinner is one of those tales that’s hard to forget after reading. I have yet to read a retelling of Hunchback of Notre Dame, and I was blown away by this powerful retelling. If Night Spinner is not on your radar, I’d definitely make sure it’s added; it’s a story many readers will love!

“I am not what they make of me, but what I make of me.“

Enebish, in this story, is Quasimodo from the classic. She’s an ex-warrior, someone that many people identify as a monster and murderer with rare and dangerous magic. Yet she’s stricken with guilt, which is a leading factor as to why she accepts her adoptive sister’s offer to capture a criminal. But Enebish soon starts to realize that not everything goes as planned and not everyone can be trusted.

“The time for timidness has long since passed. We must all take risks. Make sacrifices.”

Enebish is an exceptionally well-written character. She’s strong but fights her past demons every day, struggling with finding ways to move on. But she’s not a quitter, she’s a fighter and she refuses to give up. Her characterization makes for a fast-paced story with incredible action. And the many characters she meets on her travels (and the characters from her past) help shape and define who she is and she becomes. Each character plays a different role in Enebish’s story, and each character, in their way, is captivating.

“You miss many things when your world is so small.“

The world building is absolutely breathtaking, with visionary descriptions and lush prose. I felt immediately part of the world and landscape, and immediately part of this exciting story. Thorley’s writing is what truly brought this story to life for me; her writing is exceptional. She knows how to weave together a remarkable story with unforgettable characters.

Night Spinner easily became one of those stories that captured my attention from the beginning. It’s a fierce retelling that is sure to enamor any reader who picks it up. I believe this is a tale I’ll always recommend, as it’s definitely found a place in my bookish heart.

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Tour Schedule

Check out the bloggers on this amazing tour:

Giveaway

Prize: Win a copy of NIGHT SPINNER by Addie Thorley (US/CAN Only)

Starts: February 11^th, 2020

Ends: February 25^th, 2020

Thank you, Fantastic Flying Book Club, for having us on this wonderful blog tour!