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Liked It “There is always some parts in books that aren't always great but this book almost had none of these parts.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“This is a retelling and updated version of the tale of Rumpelstiltskin. Charlotte has inherited a mill that seems to have a mind of it's own. One is left wondering if the mill is haunted. Her father's death has left her running the mill with her sister. Every time they just about seem to make ends meet a disaster occurs that wipes them out. Then she is left to make some difficult decisions....sell the mill or try to figure out another way to keep going. To add to her difficulties her uncle moves in and complicates her life a long with the bank who keeps demanding payment on the mortgage. What will she do?”
Mrs. Smith wrote this review 17 hours ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“It started good, but then just went....
Julie wrote this review yesterday. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
.... whaaa ca boom!!!!!”“A very good read. Loved it.”
Santha N wrote this review Sunday, December 6 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“There is always some parts in books that aren't always great but this book almost had none of these parts.”
Veronica R wrote this review Monday, November 23 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No![(janely*]](http://shelfari-userimages.s3.amazonaws.com/usr2249564633934778501831637.jpg)
“didnt really enjoy it and thats really unusual because i relly love books talking about the lifestyle in the past.”
(janely*] wrote this review Tuesday, November 17 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“It was such a good book being full of mystery, romance, and deception, but mostly mystery. It's all about discovering a past curse and how to stop it. ”
Taylor M wrote this review Tuesday, November 10 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Description: After the death of their father, Charlotte and Rosie Miller do their best to keep his wool mill running. Yet it seems that the mill itself is doing its best to prevent them from succeeding. Bizarre accidents, mysterious disappearances, and strange twists of fate thwart them at every turn. Just when everything seems lost, a stranger named Jack Spinner appears at the mill and offers to rescue them. But is he their saviour, or just one more force pitted against them?
Vanessa D wrote this review Friday, November 6 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
My thoughts: If I were going to choose a fairy tale to retell, Rumplestiltskin would probably not be the one I picked. The story doesn't have any likeable characters! You have a baby-stealing elf, a mercenary king, and a grasping miller. You might feel sorry for the miller's daughter, but she doesn't even get a name. I suppose this lack of vision is why I am not a published author.
Elizabeth Bunce has taken this familiar story and brilliantly reshaped it, giving new life and personality to its characters and setting. Instead of a nameless "miller's daughter," we have Charlotte, doing her best to save a mill that doesn't seem to want to be saved. Even though she suspects the mysterious "Jack Spinner" isn't exactly what he says he is, she takes him up on his offer out of desperation. When she realizes her mistake, she does everything in her power to foil his plans. And the story's love interest (though the romance is pretty minor) is far more likeable than the king who only marries a miller's daughter for her supposed ability to spin straw into gold. Jack Spinner (Rumplestiltskin) himself gets a backstory and a motivation other than just being a baby-stealing fairy. Add that to a diverse and believable cast of supporting characters, and this is turning into a story I can like!
Bunce has chosen to set her story in a land that looks a lot like British or American countryside on the brink of the Industrial Revolution. The conflict between old ways and new feeds the conflict in the story, and gives it a sense of realism that can be tough to achieve with a fairy-tale (wonder why? lol). Her writing brings the characters and setting to full and beautiful life; you won't want to put this one down.
If I had to say this book had a flaw, I can only say it was perhaps ever so slightly slow-moving. But I was so wrapped up in the story, with its pleasantly creepy feel, that I didn't mind at all. Also, I'm not really a fan of the cover photo- I think it looks a little cheesy. But don't let that stop you, this book is highly recommended!”“An Almost classic Rumplestiltskin story with a new twist. Get ready for a "haunted" wool mill and the Miller sisters who run it after the death of their mother and father. Curses, ghosts, and a lying, forging uncle make update the classic tale. Enjoy!”
Brianna wrote this review Friday, November 6 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
