Alix E. Harrow has done it again! Wow! I loved A Spindle Splintered (the first book in the Fractured Fables series) and was so excited for the second installment A Mirror Mended.

In this book Zinnia finds herself in the world of Snow White. Alix Harrow does an amazing job with the re-telling of fairytales with wit, charm, rich characters and brilliant writing which makes a story you've heard time and time again brand new. It's fantastic! I love this series and hope she keeps writing these novellas. I highly recommend this series and if you like audiobooks you definitely want to take a listen.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Big thanks to Alix E Harrow, Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the Audio ARC in exchange for a review.

This is the second in the series and follows Zinnia Gray, a young woman suffering from a chronic life ending disease who also happens to be able to enter fairy tale realms related to sleeping beauty.

I had a harder time enjoying this one, compared to the first (as it often goes). It was the same storyline, but later in life, new adult rather than older teen but it still felt very childish. There was effort made to be more sophisticated, but it kind of feel flat. Zinnia's best friends basically don't talk to her because some reason, but then they are looking into LQBTQ+ pregnancy and the changes in family dynamic.
I think this would do well for younger teens, vs the new adult label it has.
3 stars

A Mirror Mended is the sequel to A Spindle Splintered - it is a true sequel so if you have not read or listened to A Spindle Splintered already - I would point you there first.
A Spindle Splintered explored the Sleeping Beauty tale and the question of agency for someone who is not supposed to have any from the perspective of the hero in the story - Sleeping Beauty. Whereas in A Mirror Mended a classic fairy tale villain - the evil Queen - takes center stage. She does not like the ending in her cards and is being evil really all there is to her … her backstory and fairy tale villainy in general get explored and it is so fun to see how Alix E Harrow employs Zinnia, the main character, and her academic background in storytelling and folklore to delve into reasons why certain tales and especially certain variations of a tale made it into the Grimm brothers’ cannon of fairy tales - a highly entertaining novella.

Wow! This was even better than A Spindle Splintered… I was truly engrossed in the story and physically sad when it was over. Even for a novella, I was done super quickly!! I just could not put it down.

A Mirror Mended finds us back in the Fairy Tale multi-verse with Zinnia… only this time, we’re not meeting a gaggle of Sleeping Beauties. We have ourselves elbow deep in an orchard of Evil Queens and Snow Whites. Maybe it’s my love of Regina from Once Upon a Time (which I got strong vibes of while reading this book), but I was thoroughly excited for a new ending that saw the Queen having a Happily Ever After.

What was new in these worlds was Zinnia finally finding the woman who makes her heart go pitter patter… Eva (nicknamed by Z) is not one of the truly EVIL queens. She only found herself there by chance. When the King realized that she would give him no heirs, he began abusing her. And so she found a way out… by poisoning him. Then his vapid daughter, who is nothing like the tales we’ve heard tried to play her people against her. So in turn, she sent her away… not to be killed, but to find herself away from the Kingdom.

But Eva was not the only version in this story, just like her snow was not the only……

In true Fractured Fables fashion, the ending was open… so maybe in another six months, we’ll get Hansel & Gretel or Rapunzel’s stories… but just as long as Zinnia finds her way back to Eva……. I need this ending!

I really love that Alix E Harrow is bringing all different cultures versions of the same Fairy Tale into one book. We get different names for the same character, different back stories, different outcomes… it’s almost like the author actually did the research to write these books. 😏 As a former teacher, that does make a lot of sense!

Look, anything that incorporates "The wicked witch of the east, bro. You're gonna look at me and you're gonna tell me that I'm wrong?" naturally into a conversation automatically gets a round of applause from me.

This second feminist, agency-restoring novella in Harrow's Fractured Fables series picks up a few years after the end of the first. Zinnia is still alive and still blitzing around the Sleeping Beauty multiverse, rescuing princess after princess from their own terrible endings and barely stomaching their happy endings. All while avoiding her own potential ending, and in doing so she causes a rift between fairy tales. Pieces of other tales are appearing where they shouldn't, especially when Zinnia skips out of the Sleeping Beauty 'verse and lands in Snow White's.

If you like hot, tall, evil ladies, you're in luck! This time Zinnia isn't freeing sleeping damsels but rather working with Snow White's evil stepmother, who wants to escape her story too. But first, we must kiss. As with the first, there are several interesting conversations about feminism and character agency that are quite thought-provoking. The Grimm fairy tales are quite ... grim, so it really is quite refreshing to see some of these tales being subverted and well and truly re-thought.

While the lack of in-depth narration and storytelling worked well in the first, I think it made me like this novella less. The narrative voice and humour are spot on, but there was just something lacking to make the story sing. I felt like I was missing a lot, or it was going too fast with too much going on, for me to properly enjoy it. I lacked the interest because I couldn't quite follow along.

This pair of novellas appear to be at an end. Or at least, this book has a solid ending without any loose ends. It's somewhat bittersweet, but very hopeful for whatever future Zinnia will have. If these tales were continue, I don't think I would be opposed!

Thanks to Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This one was just not for me. For the age of the protagonist, the writing and dialogue was rather juvenile, and the story never really took off. Some fairy tale retellings manage a new, interesting take on the original, but I think the author wanted to write a feminist literary analysis of fairy tales and then built a plot around it. I'm all for fun discussions of what our stories say about our society, beliefs, and values, but I think in terms of tone, this was just difficult to engage with. If I did recommend this to someone, I'd go for a younger age group.

I loved A Spindle Splintered, and was excited to return to the fractured fairytale world again. This one was decent, yet also a bit of a disappointment. I think that most of the problem is that these are novellas, and while the first book did an excellent job of providing the setting and background, this one just throws us into a Snow White story without much lead up.

The sarcasm and humor is still present, and I loved the twists to the various versions of the Snow White story--from the Disney version to the Grimm version and beyond. What I didn't quite buy was the relationship between Zin and the Evil Queen (or "Eva" as she is labeled after we realize that she doesn't have a name) It is probably unfortunate that this book centers on that story, because I am a huge fan of Once Upon a Time, and if you're at all familiar with that show, you know that the Snow White/Evil Queen narrative is one of the main storylines. I just couldn't get that out of my head and justify the two in my mind, even if this book deals with multiverses and is a completely different story.

I also liked the theme of agency and learning to own our own narrative arc, not to accept what others have placed upon us. The theme of "And they lived Happily" is one that we all could stand to adopt for our own lives, rather than seeking out the "ever after" and being content with the happiness now.

I listened to the audiobook, and it is narrated by Amy Landon, who also narrated A Spindle Splintered. She gives Zin the perfect voice and I love the way she propels the story forward. I would highly recommend you read A Spindle Splintered first, because knowing Zinnia's background and that of the other characters is really important for your buy into the entire story.

Although I didn't love this book, I still recommend it and would read another book in the series.

Zinnia Gray is a rescuer of princesses, traveling the fairytale multiverse and saving Sleeping Beauty over and over and over again. After her most recent rescue however, Zinnia looks into a magic mirror only to see a gorgeous yet evil face staring back at her and asking her for help. The face is that of Snow White’s Evil Queen, and unfortunately she has learned how her own story is to end, an ending that she is desperate to change. Zinnia may be the only person who can help the Evil Queen, but is she willing to do so, or will Zinnia allow the story to continue on its current path?

The synopsis of A Mirror Mended really interested me, but by the end I was left wanting more. The basic story was enjoyable, but there were aspects of it that I liked but that seemed to be given little attention, leaving me wanting more. I wasn't a big fan of Zinnia’s either. There was just something about her I didn't like; her personality was just too prickly. I’m not sure if I would have a different opinion of her if I had read the previous novel; maybe her adventures made her the way she is. I did like that I didn’t feel lost, not having read A Spindle Splintered, and was able to follow and understand A Mirror Mended.

I did enjoy the audiobook, in the sense that I enjoyed Amy Landon’s narration. I liked the voices she used for the various characters, as well as the tone and inflection. Landon really brought the story to life for me.

The second book in the series of Fractured Fables , we continue to follow Zinnia Gray on her mission to rescue princesses. One day when looking in the mirror she is drawn into a new story, this time it's a retelling of Snow White.
If you are a fan of retellings you should check out this series with an updated version of what Disney puts on the big screen, see how life would be to live in a fairy tale with a cell phone.
A fun and flirty version of a queer heroine and a quick listen too!


Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced audiobook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I love how meta this series is. It’s a smart, snarky take on fairy tales that loves too geek out about all of the various retellings. Overall I enjoyed this one and definitely recommend it, but I liked it somewhat less than A Spindle Splintered and I didn’t totally buy the romance plot. Amy Landon did a great job as narrator. I have also enjoyed her work in Arkady Martine's Teixcalaan series.

My full review is in the form of a podcast episode, available here: https://narratedpodcast.com/episodes/157

I really enjoyed the first installment of this series, A Spindle Splintered, and looked forward to diving into this one. In the first book, we travel with our main character through different worlds of Sleeping Beauty. In this book, Zinnia is traveling through the different worlds of Snow White. It was so interesting hearing about the different versions of Snow White there are depending on the country of origin. This book also had great humor and character relationships as were in the first book. These novellas are quick and fun reads with such a cool twist on your traditional fairy tales.

4.75

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC of this book!

A Mirror Mended is a sequel to the earlier novella, A Spindle Splintered. Zinnia's story continues as she hops from fairy tale to fairy tale to help rescue princesses. But this time, instead of another Sleeping Beauty Story, she somehow lands in Snow White--and face to face with the Evil Queen...who might not be as evil as everyone thinks.

I liked this one even better than A Spindle Splintered! I think Zinnia's character was able to develop a lot more in this one and I loved the added elements with the queen and her friends back home. This is a super quick read but it is definitely worth it. I'm looking forward to more Fractured Fables and more about the worlds that Harrow created!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, and Gore

Moderate: Misogyny, Confinement, Infertility, Mental illness, and Sexism

Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual violence

A Mirror Mended was the perfect follow up to the first book! Zinnia is a little less annoying and you get to know her better. I love that the story is more complex and it mixes other fairytales.

A Mirror Mended
Fractured Fables #2
Alix E Harrow

In the first book in this series, A Spindle Splintered, we meet Zinnia Gray. Zinnia has a serious/fatal but rare condition; she is not expected to survive to be 22 years old. Zinnia is an amazing young woman and lives her life with zest. She travels from one multiverse to another rescuing damsels; she assists these women in discovering their power. Her travels keep the chromosomal disease in remission. One day Zinnia looks in a mirror and sees a beautiful woman looking back at her. She is transported to Snow White story. The not so Evil Queen, Eva, begs for Zinnia’s help.
Author Alix E. Harrow scrutinizes the plight of women in fairytales and folklore. The female is usually the victim and as well as the villain. The male is usually the hero that rescues the poor defenseless woman. There is also the element of beauty. The damsel in distress is usually beautiful while the villainess’ beauty/looks are marred. In “A Mirror Mended” Eva is a complex character. The Evil Queen is usually stripped of all power and/or put to death, there is not redemption or understanding for the Evil Queen, her fate is sealed. Both Zinnia and Eva are struggling because they know what lies ahead for them and they want to change their future. An unusual friendship is formed between the two women. The author cleverly delves into feminism and what it means to each female.
I love this series. There are a lot of fairy tales that Author Alix E. Harrow has yet to explore It is my hope this series continues for many more installments.

3.5/5 stars rounded down.

This was a quick and fun story that follows a spin on the classic story of Snow White.

I liked A Spindled Splintered, but just like that one, I found that A Mirror Mended was missing something. It felt cut short when I wanted more emotions and more depth from the story and from Zinnia. I did enjoy the feminism in this book and the fact that we got to see previously introduced characters again.

Audio book review: The narrator, Amy Landon, did a fantastic job capturing the the story and the different characters. She was such a great choice for this story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio production for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Mirror Mended is a fantasy novella with folklore elements and the sophomore entry in the Fractured Fables series by Alix E. Harrow. You can find my review of the first book in this series on my blog.

The ebook version is 144 pages. I listened to the audiobook, which clocks in at a little under four hours and is narrated by Amy Landon. We follow our main character with a first-person point-of-view.

Zinnia Gray is a lapsed Sleeping Beauty who continues to run away from her own life by rescuing other snoozing princes and princesses by pricking her finger with a splinter. Her friends back home are not amused. After a one-night stand with someone from the royal family of the princess she just rescued, she looks into a mirror and sees a face that's not her own staring back at her. A face that's gorgeous but has a tinge of evil. A face that's asking for her help. She's dragged through said mirror as Snow White's Evil Queen learned about the ending of her story, and doesn't like being trapped in a story she didn't choose.

The writing here is not horrible and the narrator does a great job; however, I found the book to be quite middling overall. I did not like it as much as the first novella in the series, which I felt was an great starting point for feminist folklore retellings.

One of the things I didn't like in this sophomore entry was that Zinnia mentions going on tons of adventures helping other Sleeping Beauties, and I kind of wish we got to see more of that. I also much preferred the character arc Zinnia had in the first novella to this one. Here, she feels like she's regressed a bit?

It's definitely worth a read/listen if you liked the first one, or if you dig feminist folklore retellings and the exploration of agency.

Tropes in this book include: folklore, retelling, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, bisexual main character, older female love interest

CW: chronic disease, genetic disorder, terminal illness, torture, confinement, domestic abuse (mentioned)

Special thanks to Tordotcom, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing an audio galley of this book for me to review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

Spoiler Warning: A Mirror Mended is the sequel to A Spindle Splintered and is the second book in the Fractured Fables series, so this review contains a few spoilers for the first book. If you have not yet read A Spindle Splintered, I’d recommend reading my review for that book rather than this one!

I am downright obsessed with the Fractured Fables duology (and I am more than a little sad that the series is finished because I absolutely LOVE the worldbuilding and character work in them)! These books have an incredible sense of humor and such a strong narrative voice. After finding a way out of her tragic ending in A Spindle Splintered, I didn’t know where Zinnia would be going in A Mirror Mended. This book provided such a beautiful ending for Zinnia’s story, and while I’m sad that I won’t get to read any more about her or the story multiverse, I am happy to simply have spent time enjoying this world. The ending (without spoilers) did have me tearing up a bit, and I only held it together because I was reading in a public place. After reading these books, I will never read the line “They lived happily ever after” the same again!

In addition to reading a copy, I had the pleasure of listening to an audiobook version of A Mirror Mended. I was very glad that Amy Landon returned to narrate A Mirror Mended! Her narration was once again a perfect fit for Zinnia, just as in the first book A Spindle Splintered. I also really enjoyed the length of this novella in an audiobook format, not too long or too short. It made this a perfect book to listen to on a shorter trip!

My Recommendation-
If you love twisted fairytale retellings, powerful queer characters, or the concept of a multiverse of storytelling, you need to grab copies of the Fractured Fabels series right away! I would especially recommend this book to readers who enjoy examinations of storytelling as a legacy.

I love the wit and snappiness of this book. It was such a quick read and things stayed pretty fast paced, though there were a few parts that I felt lagged a bit. Overall, this was a great second edition to the series!

Zinnia Gray is back again but instead of a hero needing her help, she's found herself being commissioned by a villain. However, appearances are not always what they seem and Zinnia finds that even villains can be misunderstood and need assistance. What she expects from the fairytale world is also turned on its head as several realities get scrambled and she comes in contact with more people who are not what they seem.

This one was a fun, quick read. I enjoy the humor infused in the books. At some points I almost felt like the characters started taking themselves too seriously. The drama and romance did not hit as well for me as the action and humor. I'm glad I picked this up and I'm happy with how the story wrapped up.

I loved this story. Short and sweet, but still action packed and had a ton of character growth. I appreciate the way this novella took Zinnia's story full circle and paralleled with the Queen. I enjoyed the narration as well, and I definitely felt it added to the story. I really liked the fairytale multiverse, and I would have loved for more stories about her 'fairy tale fixing'. I would definitely recommend this one, especially as an audiobook.

Harrow is a must-read for me! I love how inventive and modern her stories are and yet they also encompass the joy of the classic fairytales.

A Mirror Mended felt a bit rushed compared to the previous one in this series, but that's only a minor thing because the story is superb.

Blending a fairytale multi-verse with strong female characters is such a unique way to tell this story. From Sleeping Beauty to Snow White, trust me, you will not be disappointed in this adventurous tale.