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4.5/5 STARS

Genre: YA fairytale retelling

This is the final book in a Sleeping Beauty retelling series. It is completely action packed with adventure and a quest to defeat the Spindle Witch.
Briar Rose is cursed, Fi is trapped in the tower with the Spindle Witch, & Shane is trying to find something to break the curse.
Without spoiling anything the series wraps up nicely without any loose ends. I loved the characters and the whole series reminded me of Chris Colfer’s The Land of Stories series. The gender reversed reimagining was really well done!
If you are a fan of fast paced adventures based on fairytales, read this series!

Thank you Penguin Teen for the gifted copy! 👑

Finally it was time for the 3rd in the series and I was so excited to read this from NetGalley because I really enjoyed the first 2 in the series. This series is such a good example of a fairy tale retelling that truly delivers something unique. I liked how The Cursed Rose kept up a good amount of tension throughout and the action adventure stayed high with plenty of opportunities where the plans might fail or people could die which definitely kept me reading. I particularly enjoyed how Perrin becomes the new Dream Witch and how well he fit in the group here despite being a new addition in book #2. I also appreciated learning that Red had an important ancestor that we actually learned about in book #1. I was hoping that we would see more of Red's ability with animals but it was nice how she was questioning how her abilities worked. I'll admit I found it annoying how the main pair were kept separated the whole book and then after she saved him, he forgot his memories and then they finally got together but it was in the epilogue. It would have been nice to have more time to be happy together instead of being kept apart literally the entire time. I would definitely read another book with these characters because I want to know more and it was nice that there was a small set up for future adventures.

I received advance reader copies for all three books in this trilogy and this final book did not disappoint in the slightest! I was eagerly awaiting it and had so much fun!

This book really delivered on all fronts. The friendships and the risks they were willing to take for each other were so special. The romances as well were so heart-wrenching. This whole trilogy takes the reader on such a wild and fun ride full of laughter, tears, nerves, and more! This final instalment had all of those things in abundance!

There's usually at least one character I don't particularly care about in a story but I genuinely adored every single character in these. The strength of their friendships was inspiring and made me want to root for each one of them even more. I love seeing all the different dynamics even when they weren't physically with each other. They all had so much hope that things would work out and were so determined.

I'm sad to see this story come to a close but it was a fantastic time while it lasted! I think it ended in a perfect way and left me imagining what each of them would be doing after the pages stopped. I would highly highly recommend this trilogy!

This was a fantastic end to the trilogy and one of my favorite books of 2024 so far. I was surprised at how quickly everything from the previous books came back to me once I started reading, even though I was sure I didn't remember much. There are no obvious "this is what already happened" sections either. Once I started reading I couldn't put it down and finished it in two days.

I love how Leslie Vedder took what is on the surface a Sleeping Beauty retelling and completely transformed it, giving it a hefty dose of Indiana Jones and so much more depth than the original tale. The characters are also fantastic, complex and compelling and difficult. I was absolutely hooked from the first moments of the first book to the final moments of the last. I love how, even when things seemed to be wrapping up, there were so many surprises and unexpected moments. I never knew what to expect.

The writing is fabulous and sucked me in immediately. The magic is both beautiful and ominous. The setting is incredibly vivid as well, and there are so many scenes that would make amazing paintings.

I am sad to come to the end of Fi and Shane and Briar and Red's tale. I would love to see a spinoff series of their adventures after the events in Andar. Especially if Perrin and the Paper Witch were to make cameo appearances. I will be keeping an eye out for Leslie Vedder's next book - she's jumped onto my shortlist of autobuy authors at this point.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Razorbill for providing an early copy for review.

Unfortunately, I just didn't end up enjoying this entire series that much, so this book wasn't for me. I loved the concept, and I was optimistic for book 3 after the cliffhanger of book 2, but to be honest, nothing really pulled me in, and I found my engagement waning quickly.

It did feel very consistent with the other books in the series though, so if you really loved book 1 and 2 though, you're sure to love this.

I did enjoy the ending... it was very close to being a 2 star read because I thought it was going a particular direction that I just don't like, but the epilogues were cute and a good wrap-up of the series.

Star rating: 4.75/5
Who this book is for: fans of the fairy tale retellings, magic and adventure stories, young love, gender-reversed retellings, found family and choose-your-own-destiny type stories.

This is the third and final book in the Bone Spindle series by Leslie Vedder, a Sleeping Beauty meets Indiana Jones gender-reversed retelling. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in the series and the finale did not disappoint. The characters are all compelling and well-fleshed out and I love the mix of fairy tale magic and good ole riddles and ruin adventures. We get chapters from a variety of character POVs and I think Vedder does a nice job of balancing these so that it doesn't feel like one character is getting unnecessary emphasis over the other. Due to the nature of the storyline from the first two books, we end up getting a lot more of the Shane/Red relationship, which is nice given that this is a sapphic romance and much of the previous book focused on the more traditional hetero romance between Fi and Briar Rose. The story moves quickly and the writing is pretty straightforward, as would expect from a story aimed at YA audiences.

A few nitpicks - there are some moments of more modern jargon making their way into the story, which while they made me smile, did jolt me out of things a little bit. And while it is YA and the things need to happen in order for the plot to move along, there were a few plot points that seemed a little *too* convenient at the moments they were needed, making me wonder why those characters or actions couldn't have happened before the start of the overall story.

Overall, a great ending to the trilogy and one I would recommend to others looking for something fun and adventurous.

This was a bit hard for me to follow as I haven't read the other two books in the series. I did however enjoy this book. I love YA books. This was a great read and I will be trying to get my hands on the first two books of the series.

This ended up being such a great book! I loved the ending! It was nonstop action. Sweet love scenes. I'm sad there's no more books in this series but I think it's perfect the way it was in length. I'd love to read more stories set in this world or maybe even a short story sometime.
If you've read the others, this is a must read to finish it up. I just love these characters so much and hate to say goodbye. I will more than likely re-read these just to see what I missed the first go round.
I was really lucky to recieve this as an ARC from Netgalley. These opinions are my own.

In this third book, we start right where we ended with Fi a prisoner and Briar not who she once was. I personally liked this book as a conclusion. This whole series is a fun adventure to get lost in and rediscover characters that make the story a whole. They struggle through challenges that are not like our very own and have connections that make them human.

This was a whole new adventure that connects the 4 characters and round out the story. They come together to confine all the misfortune that’s fallen upon them and it really was a great round-about way to end a trilogy…. Usually I personally feel the last book makes or breaks it all(they can tend to be rushed) but this one just made the trilogy what it was meant to be for readers and a little tear felt to see it end.

So if you’re looking for a new take on a retelling adventure, look not further!

This book was well written and it took me by surprise I fell in love with characters right away. It was such a a great read and magical, Leslie vedder has such a amazing way of writing and bringing characters to life where you can't help but love them.

eARC thank you penguin Group and netgalley

This was an absolute stunning finale to The Bone Spindle series.

I fell more and more in love with the characters with each book, and The Cursed Rose really allowed me to connect with the characters as they struggled through this final leg of their story. I was absolutely enamored by Red and Shane, torn apart by the struggle between Shane and Fi, and heartbroken by the pain of Briar Rose being a monster. I loved the writing and was glad to see how everything wrapped up in the end.

Thank you so much to Leslie Vedder for giving us this amazing finale! I’m grateful to have been able to read an eARC of this book thanks to Penguin Group, Penguin Young Readers Group, and NetGalley.

"The Cursed Rose" is the final installment of the Bone Spindle Trilogy!
The series follows to young women, Fi, a treasure hunter who is cursed to never stay in one home, and Shane, a runaway battle warrior/princess who needs a partner for her next mission. Together they get caught up in a century old prophecy that claims someone well wake prince Briar Rose with a kiss and help take back the sleeping kingdom of Andar from the Spindle Witches curse. This is a wonderfully done gender swapped fairytale retelling of "Sleeping Beauty".

Things I loved about this book:
-LGBTQ representation. There are 2 main romances in this book, one f/f and one m/f. The sapphic romance seemed natural to the world and I really liked the end result!
-The imagery was amazing. This author really knows how to describe her settings and what's happening in a way that make is easy for the reader to clearly picture the scene.
-It was a medium speed pace, which was perfect considering this is part adventure novel. I felt like the pacing was perfect for what was happening (not rushed, and also not overly slow)
-I loved the ending! I read all 3 books in a row and felt like it was the perfect conclusion. Everything wrapped up in a satisfying way
-The character really develop and go through their own emotional growth throughout the series. I felt like I could really understand why characters made certain decisions throughout the story.

Who would enjoy this? I think it's great for teens, and I think even adults would enjoy this, as the writing is not juvenile despite it being categorized as YA. You might also enjoy this if you are into the fairytale retelling trend. It's well written and tells an adventurous story with a dash of romance and a satisfying conclusion that I think anyone would enjoy.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review!
4.5/5 stars

I've been anxiously awaiting this book! It was the perfect conclusion to the trilogy and a VERY satisfying ending. I loved getting to spend more time with these characters!

It's a satisfying end to this fun trilogy. There isn't as much action since the main characters have been separated, but one of the best parts is when Shane and Fi meet up. The final battle is pretty epic as well.
I find it interesting that the author used the final book to provide the backstories for the Spindle Witch (which is pretty ghastly) and even some more about Red. Trigger warning: there is some pretty nasty/upsetting stuff about how the white wolf came to be.
Like the previous two books in the series, THE CURSED ROSE is a captivating world of interesting characters and adventure. Recommended!
#NetGalley

3.5 ⭐️
eARC - thank you netgalley and Penguin GROUP

The Cursed Rose is the last installment of The Bone Spindle series making this a complete YA fantasy series. In this conclusion we see new found confidence, old bonds strengthen, and foes do get battled. My favorite part of this book was the Goonie-esk boobie trap filled mission. The pacing is fast making this a quick read. I missed having some detailed writing throughout the book; things happen so quickly (travel, falling in love, wrapping up of conflicts, etc.) I think important details get sidelined.

Four fierce friends, one evil witch. Who will win the battle for Andar? Fi, historian and treasure hunter, made an impulsive decision in order to save the man she loves. Now, she finds herself a prisoner of the Spindle Witch. She walks a fine line between remaining essential to the witch’s wicked plans and thwarting her at every turn in order to save her handsome prince, her friends, and the world. Prince Briar Rose has been turned into a monstrous creature, a shell of his former self. Formerly full of life and light, he’s now at the mercy of the Spindle Witch. Any chance he has at breaking his curse lies in the hands of Fi and his friends. Shane, warrior and adventurer, is determined to save her best friend Fi from the Spindle Witch’s clutches, but first she must save Fi from herself and figure out how to rally the people of Andar to battle. Former minion of the Spindle Witch, Red has finally broken free from her master, but her sense of self has been shattered. Lost and adrift, she must piece herself back together in order to help Shane and the others in the fight to come. The four friends must all play their parts if they are to defeat the Spindle Witch once and for all.

The Cursed Rose is the third and final book in Leslie Vedder’s The Bone Spindle Trilogy, a fantastical fairytale retelling of Sleeping Beauty. The Cursed Rose is a wonderful, satisfying ending to Fi and Shane’s story. Adventures abound in this epic tale from hidden cities to booby-trapped tombs to enchanted castles. It is fast-paced and action packed as we move back and forth through each character’s storylines. Vedder’s voice has been consistent throughout all three books. They are well plotted, the storylines are tight, and the tone even. The character arcs are also very well done. The four main characters all show tremendous growth while staying true to who they are at their cores. The relationships amongst the characters are the most magical parts of the book. Fi and Shane’s friendship is so special. The Cursed Rose has heart, hope, and adventures galore. An amazing conclusion to this extraordinary trilogy!

With Fi imprisoned, Shane, Briar and Red must do what they can to save her and bring down the Spindle Witch once and for all in this thrilling conclusion to the Bone Spindle series.

3.5 stars rounded up.
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I thoroughly enjoyed this book as a conclusion to the series, having reread the first two books before diving into this one. Over the course of the series, you can see more and more fleshing out of this world and these characters.

Our characters stay well written. I love their dynamics with each other and the diversity you get from them. Each voice is unique and it’s easy to transition between perspectives as the narrator changes. All these separate storylines help to converge a cohesive plot, one that fully encompasses what is happening on all sides. Shane has remained my favorite as the books progressed. I love her relationships with the individual characters around her, especially Red. Their relationship is both adorable and realistic. The main characters help to support the individual side characters, who we see fleshed just as well as the main cast.

The plot of this book was interesting and engaging. I enjoyed the journey of the book, though it lacked the various twists and turns as it went along like I was expecting. I didn’t care for the addition of the Wraith, solely because this character was never mentioned before, and thus lacked the depth they deserved. I enjoyed the element they added, but just didn’t care for the sudden addition. I felt the plot of this book stayed true to concluding a series, while also adding just enough opening for a future exploration back into the world.

The world of this book gets a little more fleshed out in this book, though the first two do a wonderful job of establishing it. I love this fairytale like world, with these various knowable tales come together in a fantastic way. The historical elements enhance it farther.

This is a solid conclusion, though it lacked elements I had hoped for.

Where I enjoyed the first novel in Leslie Vedder's trilogy and had mixed thoughts on the second book; ultimately, the series would have benefited from being a eulogy as I struggled to enjoy the plot, and the previous book cliffhanger will be the reason many readers are drawn to the book. I wish more would have been done with the characters other than Briar, who I remain neutral on even including in this review; for fans who truly loved the second book, I can see how this will appeal to them, but unfortunately, this one wasn't for me.

Amazing conclusión, definitely adored this series. The couples top notch. Leslie writing like always was spectacular and full of details. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to read the book and exited about my physical copy

I thoroughly enjoyed this final romp with my book girlfriend and all-time favorite literary character, Shane. I adore that battle ax wielding badass so much!

Everything I loved about the Bone Spindle trilogy was in full force in its action-packed conclusion: the Indiana Jones inspired adventure (complete with treasure hunting and booby traps), the fierce and loyal friendship between Fi and Shane, and the feisty yet swoony romance between Shane and Red. It’s rare for a series to stick the landing in the last book, but The Cursed Rose absolutely pulled it off.

The Bone Spindle is now tied with The Hitchhiker’s Guide as my favorite trilogy, and I’m sure I’ll reread it often.

I received an advanced copy from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving this review.