Reviews with content warning for Suicidal thoughts - Girls Made of Snow and Glass

I had a hard time getting into this book in the first half because of switching between different characters and different timelines. I don't think it would have been quite as bad if it had like 3-4 chapters with each character instead of 1-2. Then, the timelines finally caught up with each other and the thick of the plot was upon us. I really enjoyed the second half. Overall I think it was solid and would recommend to anyone who likes darker fairy tales and messy/complicated mother daughter relationships. One little random detail that I found odd about the book is how people keep holding other people's faces in like every slightly emotional scene. Maybe its one of those writer things where you overuse the same phrase or word too much.

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booksthatburn's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is a retelling which turns the foundational elements of Snow White (queen, girl, mirror, snow, huntsman, poison, love interest, etc.) into a story where they are recognizable but wholly transformed. The queen/stepmother has actual reasons to have a difficult relationship with her stepdaughter. The tension between the stepmother and stepdaughter is complex and understandable. Their respective fathers are important to the story and drive foundational elements of it but don't take over the story (except when parts of the narrative are about feelings of lost agency and someone else driving the story). The huntsman is well-placed with decent characterization without taking up too much room in a story that isn't really about him. The love interest is shown through the princess's eyes in way that was really endearing. I think someone could enjoy this story without knowing anything about prior versions, it takes the bones of the story but isn't trying to be referential once the reader is immersed in the tale.

I like the alternating narrators, it works really well here. Given that part of the story is about characters who feel misunderstood or dismissed by those around them I think it's especially important that both of them were able to tell their side to the reader. I especially love the gradual change within the two MCs as they shift from repeating what other people told them about themselves to figuring out what they actually want and what they actually think. It's gradual and very well executed.

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wastelandbaby's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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