A Curse Dark as Gold

This book arrived Thursday, but I didn’t get a chance to read it until Friday. We were out at the dentist when it arrived, and didn’t see it when we got back because it was lodging between our doors. Friday morning, my Mom was driving me to school, and we noticed something on our front steps. It was a package… I brought it in the car, unwrapped it, and found A Curse Dark as Gold. The book was frozen- literally. The pages cracked when I turned them. It was quite an experience. I didn’t think that our weather had been too cold, but I guess it had gone into the negatives during the night. My copy of the book is completely normal now…

Charlotte Miller’s father passed away, and now she is in charge of the Miller woolen mill, which she won’t give up. The Miller woolen mill has its ways, and always is unpredictable. Doors won’t open, and nothing will ever stay fixed for too long. Charlotte and Rosie, her younger sister, are determined to keep the mill in the family, but when their Uncle Wheeler comes and insists they sell it, Charlotte wonders how long they can fight him. She then learns of her father’s enormous debt, which they in no way could possibly pay. But when short Jack Spinner offers to spin them a thousand spools of thread, Charlotte Miller forgets the fabled “Miller Curse”…

A Curse Dark as Gold retells Rumpelstiltskin (You can read the original tale on Sur La Lune.) It differs from the original tale, so if you already know Rumpelstiltskin, A Curse Dark as Gold will still be surprising. I would enjoy reading other versions of Rumpelstiltskin, since I know so little about the tale. I don’t know if there are any other retellings, but I am going to look into it.

I absolutely loved this book. I’m not that into fantasy, but A Curse Dark as Gold contained beautiful writing and a very accurate picture of the industrial revolution. I love history, and we studied the IR this year. I really enjoyed reading about it in a book instead of my textbook, though I do enjoy textbooks as well.

I adored the romance in A Curse Dark as Gold. I don’t want to spoil it, because it isn’t too obvious right away, but the romantic character had me gripping my seat. I got so angry at Charlotte at times… but in the end, it was definitely worth it. Uncle Wheeler, however conniving, was a very well written character as well. I don’t know what I think of him, and I have little sympathy for his decisions.

Fab book, please read it. I don’t like fantasy too much, and I am so glad that I bought A Curse Dark as Gold.

I’ll be reviewing a few other books today, since I don’t have too much homework and it is a three day weekend. I really want to paint today as well, since I’m not taking art this year. I have so many books to read, I can’t possibly pick which to read next. I did read Thirteen by Lauren Myracle. I think I’ll have to review that soon, since it comes out on the 28th.