THE MEMORY SPINNER

A debut about memory, grief, and the power of facing difficult truths.

After her mama’s death, 13-year-old Lavender struggles with a memory problem that threatens her role as apothecary apprentice in her papa’s shop. Desperate to remember both her lessons and cherished moments with Mama, she seeks help from Frey, the last surviving spinning enchantress—someone who wields a staff crafted from the ancient tree Yggdrasil and can knit memories into enchanted items of clothing. In return for serving as Frey’s bike messenger for three weeks, Lavender will recover one memory per day. Cornwell skillfully balances Lavender’s dual worlds—the practical realities of Papa’s shop and the enticing allure of the memories Frey helps her access. Emotions bubble like potions: Grief, anger, jealousy, and regret simmer beneath the surface of richly drawn characters with complex motivations. The fantastical setting, which includes Norse-inspired elements, such as a talking raven named Munin and houses on stilts, feels both fresh and familiar. Magical elements—including spells, curses, and an enchanted tapestry woven with memory threads—create a world where remembering brings both power and peril. As Lavender becomes entangled in the unintentional consequences of her choices, her journey becomes one of not just remembering the past, but of finding the courage to make things right in the present. Lavender presents white, and some supporting cast members have brown skin.

A heartfelt story that will leave readers hoping for more from this promising new voice.