leahegood's review against another edition
5.0
This is my third book of this series completed this month. Safe to say I'm hooked!
Celine is the youngest of seven and excited to finally be on an adventure of her own. With her natural spunk now supported by a belated gift from her godmother, she's ready to ferret out the mysteries of a kingdom being consumed by ice. Will her newfound powers and her desire to prove herself save the kingdom or seal it's fate?
I started this series by reading book two, [b:A Tale of Beauty and Beast|36199298|A Tale of Beauty and Beast (Beyond the Four Kingdoms, #2)|Melanie Cellier|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1504824056l/36199298._SY75_.jpg|57828635], because that's my favorite fairy tale to read retellings of. Book one retold the twelve dancing princesses, which I have some familiarity with. This book retold The Snow Queen ... a new story to me. It was fun to experience the story without a previous framework to guide my expectations. (Though now that I've finished it, I suspect [b:The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe|100915|The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia, #1)|C.S. Lewis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1353029077l/100915._SY75_.jpg|4790821] drew some inspiration from this fairy tale as well.)
I really enjoyed the way Celine and Oliver worked together, both of them relying on each other's strengths. Celine was a strong female character without straying into the overdone, over-competent zone of some I-don't-need-no-man characters. She learns to admit her weaknesses, own her mistakes, and ask for help. But she also refuses to give up, relinquish her determination, or doubt her ability.
Thumbs up and on to book four!
Celine is the youngest of seven and excited to finally be on an adventure of her own. With her natural spunk now supported by a belated gift from her godmother, she's ready to ferret out the mysteries of a kingdom being consumed by ice. Will her newfound powers and her desire to prove herself save the kingdom or seal it's fate?
I started this series by reading book two, [b:A Tale of Beauty and Beast|36199298|A Tale of Beauty and Beast (Beyond the Four Kingdoms, #2)|Melanie Cellier|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1504824056l/36199298._SY75_.jpg|57828635], because that's my favorite fairy tale to read retellings of. Book one retold the twelve dancing princesses, which I have some familiarity with. This book retold The Snow Queen ... a new story to me. It was fun to experience the story without a previous framework to guide my expectations. (Though now that I've finished it, I suspect [b:The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe|100915|The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia, #1)|C.S. Lewis|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1353029077l/100915._SY75_.jpg|4790821] drew some inspiration from this fairy tale as well.)
I really enjoyed the way Celine and Oliver worked together, both of them relying on each other's strengths. Celine was a strong female character without straying into the overdone, over-competent zone of some I-don't-need-no-man characters. She learns to admit her weaknesses, own her mistakes, and ask for help. But she also refuses to give up, relinquish her determination, or doubt her ability.
Thumbs up and on to book four!
connie_a's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mxacp96's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
it was a good retelling. I enjoy this series but this book did not captivate me like the others. Looking forward to book 4.
scolt81's review
3.0
This was a fine read, but it was very predictable. The ending was a little lackluster, and the romance was minimal. It was cute and easy but bland.
shaekin's review against another edition
3.0
I actually don't mind the Snow Queen story. It's not retold often, and so I don't expect as much originality as I would when retelling a common fairy tale. My issue with this book came from the main character. She's been a side character in a number of books now, and I felt like her actions in this book were out of character and super annoying. She seemed both stupid and thoughtless at times, which is how she would have behaved 4 or 5 books ago. Story line overall was good, but that bugged me throughout. Still a good series, and I'll definitely keep reading, this just wasn't my favorite which is a shame because I loved this character.
debby's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-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
5.0
nurseshan24's review against another edition
4.0
The Snow Queen has never been one of my favorite stories, but once again Melanie Cellier has woven such an intriguing and creative tale I struggled to put it down! I loved her take on this often dark story, putting elements of light into it that made the story fun, but also mysterious. Another great book from someone who is becoming one of my favorite authors.
rachel_loves_2_read's review
4.0
Another great installment
What I love about these books are the heroins. They are not damsels in distress hoping their prince will come and save them. They are smart and are fighters.
What I love about these books are the heroins. They are not damsels in distress hoping their prince will come and save them. They are smart and are fighters.