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art_books_chemistry's review against another edition
- 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 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.
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
nobeliumreads's review against another edition
2.5
Graphic: Self harm, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Cannibalism, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Minor: Death and Toxic relationship
eal617's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Let me start off by saying that I absolutely love fairytale retellings. Recently I've been looking for more sapphic stories because I've gotten tired of reading straight love stories. I want to read about characters like me and love stories like my own. This book definitely did not disappoint in that area.
The book had an interesting twist on the usual Snow White story: instead of starting the story after her father as already married the evil queen, this story starts with all the eligible young women arriving for pretty much a contest to marry the king. So we actually meet the "evil queen" before she marries the king. Actually, that's really where the story stops following the traditional tale. There are no dwarves, no huntsman, no poisoning Snow White, no prince to kiss her awake. Pretty much the only pieces of the original story you will find in this book are that Snow White's mother dies and her father remarries (although this is true for Cinderella as well), the magic mirror, and the fact that the girl's name is Snow White.
In addition to not following the traditional Snow White story, the authors also included the names of several Disney characters, which threw me off a little. I am a huge fan of Disney and don't mind reading books about Disney characters that are actually put out by Disney but having random Disney characters put into a non-Disney story, especially one that Disney has done but isn't even close to related to that version, was just really weird and made the book feel more like a fanfic than an actual book.
And then there was the sex. While I don't mind reading books with sex in them, this definitely felt more like erotica than a romance. This may not be a bad thing for some readers but it wasn't something that I was expecting and it just didn't feel like it fit into the story that well, more like it was put in for certain audiences. Although I do see how some of it did help move the plot a little, I think it could have been written better to fit into the writing of the rest of the story.
Lastly, I really disliked the ending. I don't want to give any spoilers so I will just say that the ending felt rather rushed and unrealistic. Mainly the king's reaction. I feel the story would have felt more realistic if there had been a little more pushback from some characters at the end. I understand wanting to wrap everything up nicely at the end but I wish they had taken more time and not rushed it. They could have even left an opening for a sequel with a few changes if that was something the authors were interested in.
All in all, while I am thrilled that there is another sapphic fairytale retelling out there, this one just wasn't for me personally. I still recommend it for anyone looking for this particular niche!
Graphic: Sexual content and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death of parent
literarycryptid's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Blood
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Toxic relationship
svftsapphic's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book was able to get me out of a month long reading slump. From start to finish I was so invested and struggled to put the book down.
I always have a soft spot for fairytale retellings but I feel many of them fall flat as they struggle to have the balance between originality and connection to the original, but that’s something this book does PERFECTLY. I absolutely loved all the fairytale references throughout, I always felt so proud of myself for catching onto some of the more subtle ones and I’m sure each re-read will make me realise even more that I missed.
The main characters, Snow and Azura are amazingly written. Despite first appearing to be and acting like total opposites, they compliment each other perfectly. Dual POVs are something I tend not to enjoy but I thought it was really well done in this book and gave us really good insight into the characters. I loved seeing Azura’s internal conflict and Snow’s periods of self doubt, both were things that I felt myself relating too and that in general connected me more to these characters. Their romance and relationship is beautifully done, I always saw myself smiling and getting giddy at their pining for each other.
My one issue was the ending, I felt it was rather rushed as the “dramatic ending” happened in less than half a page. I get the effect they were going for as it’s intended to be a cliffhanger however I was rather thrown off by it.
I will absolutely be purchasing a physical copy of this and I can’t wait to see and read the next book in the series !!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Cannibalism, and Suicide attempt
theartsybookwitch's review against another edition
- 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,”
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Cannibalism, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Death and Death of parent
opalescent4026's review against another edition
- 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
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
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cannibalism and Suicide attempt
Minor: Death and Death of parent