Publishers Weekly
09/27/2021
Meyer (Instant Karma) explores the power of fiction in this inventive “Rumpelstiltskin” reimagining. Every full moon, the sadistic Erlking and his undead coterie enter the mortal realm to steal wandering children and hunt magical creatures. Pale-skinned Serilda Moller, 18, knows to remain indoors on such nights, but when she hears hellhounds chasing two moss maidens near her family’s cabin in Marchenfeld, she feels compelled to intervene. Serilda successfully secrets the duo into the root cellar but is then confronted by the Erlking. Rather than betray the maidens, Serilda—a spellbinding storyteller with gold wheels for irises—falsely asserts that she is harvesting straw to spin into gold. The Erlking departs, but on the next full moon, abducts Serilda to his castle, where he locks her in a cell piled with hay and threatens murder if her claims prove false. Serilda is despondent until a pale, redheaded teen called Gild appears and offers to complete her impossible task—for a price. Intricate worldbuilding and star-crossed romance help temper the Erlking’s brutality, and though the book is overlong, well-drawn characters will leave readers craving a sequel. Ages 12–up. Agent: Jill Grinberg, Jill Grinberg Literary. (Nov.)
From the Publisher
#1 Indie Bestseller
#1 New York Times Bestseller
A New York Times Best Children's Book of 2021
"When it comes to reimagined fairy tales, the reigning queen of the genre is Marissa Meyer... This dark, enchanting book is Meyer at the height of her powers — crafting a new tale with an old-school feel where nobody is guaranteed a happily-everafter. It is fresh and utterly engrossing while also familiar — just what Meyer does best."—The New York Times
"The queen of fairy-tale retellings is back, this time with “Rumpelstiltskin” as her inspiration, and the result is a gorgeously intricate tale that will have readers locked in from the start. ... Meyer weaves an enchanting tale filled with whimsically magical moments and some serious suspense. [She] knows how to capture fantastical worlds, and this one is pure perfection for her fans and new readers alike." —Booklist
"Cornered by the wicked Erlking on the night of the wild hunt, Serilda claims that she can spin straw into gold, a lie that saves her life but lands her in the Erlking’s castle on the next full moon with a room full of straw and an impossible task. Fortunately, Gild, an impish (and attractive) poltergeist shows up, offering help in exchange for Serilda’s golden necklace. Gild easily fulfills his end of the bargain and does so a second time for Serilda’s ring; when the Erlking makes the third demand, however, Serilda has nothing left to give Gild, and the romance that has sparked between them only complicates things further." —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, recommended
"Meyer explores the power of fiction in this inventive “Rumpelstiltskin” reimagining. Intricate worldbuilding and star-crossed romance help temper the Erlking’s brutality, and ...well-drawn characters will leave readers craving a sequel." —Publishers Weekly
"Meyer flips tradition with a simple question: What if the king whom the miller’s daughter marries is the villain, and Rumpelstiltskin is her only way out? ...The queen of fairy tale retellings has spun what is sure to be another best seller." —School Library Journal
School Library Journal
11/01/2021
Gr 9 Up—With the fae politics of Holly Black's The Cruel Prince and the dark roots of a Grimm fairy tale, Meyer flips tradition with a simple question: What if the king whom the miller's daughter marries is the villain, and Rumpelstiltskin is her only way out? Eighteen-year-old Serilda's fast tongue and uncanny eyes make her an outcast to all except the village children, who hang on every word of her stories. Marked by the god of lies, Serilda would rather spin stories than wool, until the midnight hunt brings the Erlking to her door. Her fast tongue is the only thing that saves her, but the dark king believes her words and soon she finds herself in a dungeon to spin straw into golden chains. With the help of a boy with no memory, Serilda must use her stories to save everyone—but staying one step ahead of the Erlking will come at a terrible cost. The first installment of Meyer's newest series has an atmospheric beginning that eventually pays off as Serilda travels to the Erlking's undead castle. Dynamic relationships raise the stakes—friendship and familial add depth and thematic elements to the tale, while romance sprinkles more angst on top and promises a truly delicious conflict in the books to come. The main cast is white, with some diversity in race and orientation in the supporting characters. VERDICT The queen of fairy tale retellings has spun what is sure to be another best seller. Recommended for all libraries.—Emmy Neal, Lake Forest Lib., IL
DECEMBER 2021 - AudioFile
Rebecca Soler brings this YA adaptation of Rumpelstiltskin to life. The world created is so vast and magical that only an exceptional narrator could handle its unique vocabulary and geographical jargon. In the wrong hands, this audiobook would feel exposition heavy, but with Soler at the wheel, it feels lived-in and real. Each new, strange event that unfolds slots right into the mythology of its world because Soler never comes across as scared or unnerved. Ghosts, demons, and ferocious devil dogs exist, and Soler says so with such authority that listeners believe her. Soler knows just when to accentuate certain words to pull on one’s heartstrings. This audiobook demands to be binged, so listeners should block out some time once they hit play. A.R.F. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
