While I'm a fan of Stitching Snow by R. C. Lewis I didn't find Spinning Starlight, marketed as a companion novel rather than a true sequel, quite as enjoyable. While both standalone novels are set in different worlds they are recognisably similar in setting and style, utilising a space opera backdrop and similar science fiction world building elements to good effect. Unfortunately this retelling of a slightly lesser known fairy tale didn't appeal to me quite as much and I was a little... underwhelmed. 
 I still liked the concept and find the authors writing enjoyable, however there is an almost mythological or fantasy element to this story that just didn't work quite as well for me personally. I also found this book much slower than its predecessor, bogged down by the main characters inability to communicate which became frustrating and confusingly tedious as a reader, although in fairness makes sense in the context of the story. The main characters inner dialogue does make up some of this short fall, it felt genuine and helped to keep some sense of momentum in the plot, but on the whole just wasn't enough to salvage the story for me and I struggled to persist to the end. The actual plot was still intriguing and I enjoyed the strong focus on familial bonds, but I would probably recommend Stitching Snow over Spinning Starlight to readers new to the author. It's still a solid read, just not a standout. 
 Actual rating 2.5 stars