Book Review: Spindleheart: Trail of Shadow and Spool

Spindleheart: Trail of Shadow and Spool

T. I. Avens

Recommended reading age 8 to 12 years

Spindleheart: Trail of Shadow and Spool, by T.I. Avens, brings a magical, epic adventure to middle-grade readers. Her fantasy storytelling is on par with some of the greatest middle-grade fantasy books of all time. Think Tailchaser’s Song, the Warrior Cats series, or even Guardians of Ga’Hoole. Where these books have animals as main characters, Avens builds us a world full of unique characters wrapped in a complex yet easy-to-follow story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering what is going to happen next. I can’t begin to tell you how much I was a twig-trot!

We meet Wren at the start of the story, on a perilous journey outside Tallstalks, her home, which she has never left. Her goal was to recover a stolen chest she was meant to protect. One that, in the wrong hands, could unleash danger across the Agrestal lands.

In another area of Agrestal, is Calla, an ambitious flower-elf bent on pursuing her dream of joining a magical academy. She reconnects with her sister regarding a deadly force in the Agrestal lands. Will her headstrong nature be her downfall?

As both venture deep into the hazardous Agrestal lands, they are forced to confront not only external threats but also their own past mistakes and fears. Ultimately, the story centers on accountability, self-discovery, and the idea that survival may depend on facing the very things they’ve been trying to leave behind.

And best of all? The book has a map! I love books with maps.

I had the pleasure of meeting T.I. Avens at the Sacramento Book Festival in April of this year.  I purchased the ebook version of Spindleheart: Trail of Shadow and Spool from her. I look forward to reading book two of the series, Spindleheart: Wrath of the Ravelwind Knight.