The Glass Spare

By: Lauren DeStefano

Narrated by: Billie Fulford-Brown

Length: 9 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's Summary

The first in a new fantasy duology, The Glass Spare is a gorgeously told tale of love, loss, and deadly power, from Lauren DeStefano, the best-selling author of the Chemical Garden series. Perfect for fans of Shannon Hale and Renee Ahdieh.

Wilhelmina Heidle, the fourth child and only daughter of the king of the world's wealthiest nation, has grown up in the shadows. Kept hidden from the world in order to serve as a spy for her father - whose obsession with building his empire is causing a war - Wil wants nothing more than to explore the world beyond her kingdom, if only her father would give her the chance.

Until one night Wil is attacked, and she discovers a dangerous secret. Her touch turns people into gemstone. At first Wil is horrified - but as she tests its limits, she's drawn more and more to the strange and volatile ability. When it leads to tragedy, though, Wil is forced to face the destructive power within her and finally leave her home to seek the truth and a cure.

But finding the key to her redemption puts her in the path of a cursed prince who has his own ideas for what to do with Wil's power.

With a world on the brink of war and a power of ultimate destruction, can Wil find a way to help the kingdom that's turned its back on her, or will she betray her past and her family forever?

©2017 Lauren DeStefano (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

Story doesn’t finish (and a warning for parents)

I liked the characters, even though the story is mighty short on both action and political intrigue. I prefer both but this book has little of either. So I made the mistake of buying the sequel.

Also, this is a YA novel, which is often read by 11 and 12-year-olds. As such, I always object (only in a YA novel) that the characters have sex. Doubly bad if the characters are 15-year-olds. (Note: happens in the second book.)

Since this book doesn’t end. It really should have been one 15 hour novel, since a lot of the endless talking could have been edited out.

Pretty Good

Wilhelmina Heidle is the fourth child and only daughter to a king who uses her as a spy and keeps her hidden away. Wil has dreamed of exploring the world and pleasing her father, but when she finds out that her touch turns people into gemstone and accidentally kills her eldest brother, she is rejected and thrown out of the kingdom. Wil journeys across many lands to fix her wrongs. She also must outwit the cunning second born of an opposing nation, Loom.

Billie Fulford does a wonderful job with narrating the novel. I especially enjoyed the voice Fulford gives to Wil’s little brother.
All of the characters were unique and interesting—all except for Wilhelmina. Luckily, the supporting characters carried the plot along even when Wilhelmina’s indecisiveness was irritating and stalled progress. I do admit that Wil does have some growth towards the end of the novel. Wil’s powers are new and interesting, and I did find myself hoping to find out what exactly they were and how she was cursed to have them. The world of The Glass Spare was in fun mix of steampunk and fantasy, combining technology with magic and whirring gears. The world building could have used some more explanations, but I was decently engaged. DeStafano’s writing has a mysterious tone that is special only to her works. This novel would pare well with DeStafano’s other unique works, and especially with Chemical Garden trilogy.

Devine

Wonderful story and divine narration!! A great tale of love and deception and exciting adventures!!

SO GOOD OMG.

The narrator was amazing and brought the author's beautiful prose to life perfectly. I NEED THE NEXT ONE ASAP!

Not just a retelling of King Midas

I went in this book thinking it was a retelling of King Midas... but I was pleasantly surprised. This story is about Wil a banished princess of a ruthless king who is kept secret from the world and her father uses her anonymity to serve her father as a spy.
Wil mysteriously develops a power that turns any living thing under her touch to gemstone. This takes her on a quest to find a marveler who can remove her curse while avoiding the war that's brewing. I loved the concept of turning people into gemstones with a touch.
I loved the sibling relationships between Wil, Gerdie and Owen. Then you have Loom who is a banished prince and Zay is his traveling companion. There is hardly any romance in this book. Which is a good thing? The world was probably this book strongest point.
My issues with the book are there wasn't much of an explanation for the Kings motivations. It was predictable and a sluggish read for me. I just felt that something was missing and I never felt engrossed in the story or characters. There were only a few chapters where something important was taking place others felt like fillers.
This is one book that definitely needs a sequel.

A must read

Loved it from the beginning
Narraitor voice was perfect for this read.
The story was original and excittting.