Reviews with content warning for Death - Snow White

Reviews tagging 'Death'

Snow White by Alice Callisto, Jeanette Rose

5 reviews

art_books_chemistry's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I was intrigued by the blurb for this book and subsequently sorely disappointed by the time I made it to the second chapter. The quality of the writing simply didn't hold up to what it could have been. There were attempts at making the characters multi-dimensional but they all still felt very flat. The plot for most of the book was the "contest" set by the King and yet the resolution of this contest is stuck in at the end of the last chapter as a "oh yeah hey she won". I was expecting a Snow White retelling but what I found was a Once Upon A Time fanfiction. Every other chapter we are introduced to another character from a different fairy tale.

I will admit that I found the erotic scenes to be fairly well written and evocative. The trope of women "tasting" like fruit and such is overused but I can forgive it a bit more in a fantasy/magic setting. I also liked that Snow wasn't "white as snow" in this retelling and was instead the exact opposite. It was a nice play on the standard theme.

I don't recommend and won't be reading the subsequent books.

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nobeliumreads's review against another edition

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fast-paced

2.5

Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital copy.

A short, fast paced sapphic Snow White retelling that was entertaining enough to keep me reading despite the issues I had with it.

I was drawn in by the premise of this book because of course I’d be down for a sapphic Snow White retelling and I was also super intrigued by Azura as this evil, dark witch and really wanted to see how the romance would form between her and Snow.

And whilst yes, Azura is definitely this very evil witch, I just didn’t believe it. We are told, time and time again from Azura’s perspective how empty and terrible she is and how she must stay away from Snow to keep her ‘pure and innocent’, but we don’t see her do anything truly evil until about 80% through the book, and even then I was more excited about the plot finally kicking in than shocked or appalled. I think we are told many things throughout the story instead of shown it, which is my issue with the book. I forget that Azura’s mission is to become queen because she spends absolutely zero time with the king and we don’t really get a sense of what Azura’s plan was in the first place, other than to use Snow to get to him. So whilst I did like Azura and Snow's moments, I would not have minded if we’d swapped some of their scenes together out for some plot and action, especially earlier in the book.

In terms of the plot, everything kicked in at around the 80% mark which was just too little too late for me - I would have liked some more buildup to everything that happened, especially as you really had to suspend your belief for some of the stuff that happens

like Snow, who barely knows how to use her magic, undoing a spell cast by Azura, who’s been practicing magic since she was like a kid or something. Or when Snow was just beginning her journey to Azura’s castle and the next chapter, which was Azura’s POV, Snow was suddenly already there which had me checking to see if I’d missed a chapter. I genuinely thought Azura was dreaming because we really just skipped Snow’s entire journey which would probably have been a great opportunity to show some character development without Azura. AND when Azura gave an apple to the king during the showcase and I was super excited to see where that would go because it’s an apple and that has to mean something in a Snow White retelling, right? But it just didn’t go anywhere. At all.

As for Snow, it’s not hard to see how 'naive' and 'pure' and 'innocent' she is because unfortunately she felt more like a child to me than a young woman at times. I did like her character, but I would have loved more of Snow by herself, as it felt like all of her chapters were with or about Azura.

Overall, the writing and plot weren’t amazing. It was just barely decent at best and there was practically no worldbuilding, which is a shame because I think it has a lot of potential and I am genuinely interested from little we are told. I was a bit shocked to see the self-harm and suicide attempt, mostly because I was really not expecting it because of how light the book seemed earlier on. Also, there is one non consensual kiss (kissing while asleep) and although it is reciprocated when they wake up, it did still take me by surprise (partially because of the circumstances surrounding it; out of everything you could do, you kiss her instead???).

Anyways, despite my grievances with this book (which I know seem like a lot), it was entertaining and I did enjoy the ride. It was a quick, easy, fast-paced read and I am always down for more sapphic retellings. Just go in expecting something fun and slightly spicy (because Snow and Azura were horrendously down bad for each other), not quality craftsmanship or worldbuilding and you’re set.

(Also that Veronica princess who sleeps with men and then steals their money? Iconic honestly.)

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literarycryptid's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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theartsybookwitch's review against another edition

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dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

"So begins the end of Snow White."

Holy –, this was so good. I fell in love with both Azura and Snow White pretty much immediately.

Think The Selection meets The Iron King meets Snow White.

A sapphic retelling of Snow White? Sign me up. Right Now.

I loved the near instant falling in love of both, the mental flip flop they go through trying not to.

Both Azura and Snow White are forced to be reckoned with, from Snow being the meek innocent princess to a literal magic eternal saving her girlfriend. Whilst Azura, being a Queen already, protects the one who she never thought would be a problem. Both of them are badass and I can’t help but love them more with every passing word.

The way it’s told and all the illusions and references are perfect and I’m begging for spin offs of everything.

Just the way Jeanette and Alice tell their story is so alluring, and addictive and I need more.

I cannot wait to continue on with the series!

Thank you to Rose & Star Publishing for the opportunity to ARC read. All opinions are my own.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS BELOW

“I am just here for the food.”

“Only the sheep are led to slaughter. My mothers voice rings in my head. They never think to look for the wolf until it’s too late,”

“Fear is the biggest compliment.”

“Tell me your darkest fantasies, princess. Let me make them come to life,”

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opalescent4026's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

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

5.0

What a wonderful read! I loved how villainous Azura was from page 1, and by contrast how innocent Snow White was. I loved seeing Snow White's progression through the story as well as how Azura softened towards her. The elements of the original fairy tale were innovatively and beautifully worked in - and the sassy Mirror was the cherry on top!

This is such a great beginning to the Ever After series - not too little world building, not too much. I loved the side characters, who I hope will be main characters in future books! I am quite excited for the rest of this series to come out

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