A parent should reach for this book when their teen feels powerless or that their unique skills are unappreciated. This historical fantasy follows Elen, a quiet girl with the secret, dangerous ability to spin the future. When raiders destroy her home and capture her sister, Elen must flee into the wilderness armed only with her spindle and dagger. The story is a gripping journey of survival, resilience, and learning to trust one's own strength. For ages 12 and up, it’s a powerful choice for readers who love history and adventure, modeling how perseverance and quiet intelligence can be the greatest weapons of all.
Intense and sustained scenes of survival against the wilderness and human enemies.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with violence, peril, and the death of loved ones (parents, villagers) within a historical context. The deaths happen early and are a driving force for the plot. The approach is secular and realistic about the harshness of the time period. The resolution for the protagonist is hopeful and empowering, though the world itself remains dangerous.
Ideal Reader
A quiet, thoughtful teen aged 13-16 who feels overlooked or underestimated. This is for the reader who enjoys historical fiction with a touch of magic, survival stories, and slow-burn character development. It would resonate with a teen struggling to find their voice or trust their own unique skills and intuition.
Parent Prep
Parents should be aware of the initial violence of the raid (Chapter 2) and the constant sense of peril throughout. The book can be read cold, as the historical context is well-integrated. However, a brief chat about the historical setting (Norman invasion of Wales) might enhance appreciation for an older reader. A parent hears their teen say, "Nobody listens to me," or "I feel like I'm not good at anything important." The teen might be feeling anxious about their future or their place in the world, and seems to be retreating inward.
Age Experience
A younger teen (12-14) will likely focus on the survival adventure, the budding friendship, and the magic. An older teen (15-18) will more deeply appreciate the psychological journey of Elen's self-discovery, the themes of trauma, and the nuanced exploration of power, responsibility, and identity.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many YA fantasies where magic is flashy and heroic, Elen's power is subtle, dangerous, and tied to a traditional female craft (spinning). The book's uniqueness lies in its grounded, gritty historical realism and the internal, psychological nature of the protagonist's journey. It's less about epic battles and more about the quiet courage of survival.
Read plot summary
Elen, a 17-year-old girl in medieval Wales, has the secret ability to see the future in her weaving. When Norman raiders attack her home and capture her sister, she escapes with her spindle and a dagger. She is joined by Dafydd, a runaway boy. Together they must survive the harsh wilderness, evade their enemies, and harness Elen's unpredictable magic to rescue her sister from a powerful lord.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Elen's ability to see the future in her spinning is both a gift and a curse. How does her relationship with her magic change from the beginning of the book to the end?
2
Dafydd keeps many secrets from Elen. Do you think his reasons for secrecy were justified? When is it okay to keep secrets from people you trust?
3
Elen uses a spindle and a dagger to survive. In what ways do these two objects represent different parts of her personality and the skills she needs to develop?
4
The story is set during the Norman invasion of Wales. How does the historical setting of conflict and occupation affect the choices Elen and Dafydd have to make?
