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claudiamacpherson's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Set in the early 1500s, this Snow White retelling features Italian court and Church politics, a Biblical quest, and seven (or eight?) sort-of dwarfs. I love myths and fairy tales, and I really enjoyed some of Maguire's other books, but this one fell a bit short for me. Partly because Snow White was always one of the most boring princesses, but also because none of the characters really made me love them. I also found the whole "apples from the tree of knowledge" idea a bit confusing (but Lucrezia's ending was perfect!) I did love the way Maguire wrote the dwarfs as more mysterious and strange (basically the opposite of the Disney-fied ones you might normally think of).
Happy ending meter (no specific spoilers, just the general vibe):Happy, more or less.
Happy ending meter (no specific spoilers, just the general vibe):
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Child abuse, Violence, Blood, Confinement, and Incest
Minor: Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Miscarriage
monoliloquy's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed this book, but I needed to be in a very specific headspace. It's long-winded, eloquent, and intriguing, but it sets up a lot without any payoff. I enjoyed the premise a lot, and I wanted to know how it ended, but I kept reading more so I could have closure and finish the book than because I was interested. I did enjoy the descriptiveness, but the plot and characters leave a lot to be desired.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual assault, and Confinement
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