thisbookishcat's review
dark
medium-paced
3.5
I'm typically a sucker for retellings of fairy tales but to me this one felt disjointed, which is why I'm giving it a 3.5-star rating, but I'm rounding it up because of my fairy tale biases and the inclusion of a difference in perspective.
To be fair to the author, a lot of the disjointed writing was intentionally done to initially show how simple and innocent Dolce was, and later on to show that her mental state really had deteriorated. However, the fact that the book really didn't start getting interesting until about a third of the way in really doesn't help in my wanting to increase the rating due to my biases.
What I did really enjoy about this book however is that it dealt with the intentions behind the Snow White tale and wasn't just about Snow White herself. This spin really did help with making this a dynamic and evolving tale, where lies, deceit, blackmail and manipulation all came in to play for the sake of "love".
If you enjoy fairy tales, and especially Snow White, I would recommend this under the caveat that you power through the first hundred pages or so, because that's when it really gets good. Don't skip ahead though, or you might miss some of the finer details towards the end.
To be fair to the author, a lot of the disjointed writing was intentionally done to initially show how simple and innocent Dolce was, and later on to show that her mental state really had deteriorated. However, the fact that the book really didn't start getting interesting until about a third of the way in really doesn't help in my wanting to increase the rating due to my biases.
What I did really enjoy about this book however is that it dealt with the intentions behind the Snow White tale and wasn't just about Snow White herself. This spin really did help with making this a dynamic and evolving tale, where lies, deceit, blackmail and manipulation all came in to play for the sake of "love".
If you enjoy fairy tales, and especially Snow White, I would recommend this under the caveat that you power through the first hundred pages or so, because that's when it really gets good. Don't skip ahead though, or you might miss some of the finer details towards the end.
aly36's review against another edition
5.0
A very unique look at Snow White from the Queen's point of view. I love the cover of the book and the book as well. This story had my attention from the beginning to the end. I would read more from this author. I have not read anything else from Donna before but this book was great. I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
lolajoan's review against another edition
4.0
Entertaining and engaging, with beautiful descriptions and detail. I'm a sucker for retellings of fairy tales, and also for details of historical craftsmanship and household work, so this was right up my alley. :) It doesn't really have any greater message or deeper meaning though, beyond maybe avoid mercury poisoning? But as a nice little diversion, it's great.
l1brarygirl's review against another edition
4.0
one of the best fairy tale retellings I've ever read!!!
hexatrance's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This book is so frustrating because the concept is genius but the execution is not there at all. It jumps from plot point to plot point with no description or development in-between. It's a skeleton plot, a draft without the substance. It was getting better towards the middle as we saw the effects of Mercury poisoning on Dolce and how the way she saw Bianca changed and that should have been the main focus. However it then switched from Dolce's first person perspective to third person other people, and at that point its just the same old story of snow white. It should have stayed from Dolce, the wicked step mother, perspective the whole way through and then that would have made it different. It was just bland old snow white from the middle on with a love story shoe horned in there with again no development. I'm so irritated because Medieval Venice was an amazing setting and I will give the author credit for the biography at the back because the context is well researched but the research doesn't come through when the plot is so undeveloped.
deannaksmith's review against another edition
4.0
This was dark and twisted and a wonderful retelling.
obviousthings's review against another edition
I thought the beginning part on the island was well-written, but I couldn't really get into the part after Dolce left.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Death of parent
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Antisemitism, Chronic illness, Racism, Misogyny, and Slavery
gquintana's review against another edition
4.0
This was an interesting take on Snow White. Much of the focus is on Dolce, who plays the role of the evil stepmother. Her less than ideal childhood plays a huge part in the choices she makes later on. Her descent into madness is so sad, especially as we know that it could have been avoided. It is a result of both her poor childhood and the choices she makes after she leaves that world.
Because it’s a fairytale retelling, the plot is very predictable. Even so, Napoli made us connect with the characters and the world she put them in. Using medieval Venice was an excellent choice in my opinion, as it nicely plays off of Dolce’s obsession with being beautiful and with her mirrors. It also allows for a very reasonable explanation for Dolce’s madness and the presence of the seven dwarfs of the story.
Bianca loved both of her mothers and that makes what happens all the worse. It was so sad to see her love her stepmother so strongly despite what happened to her. Dolce was loved by the family she found, and it was painful to see her hurt them.
The ending really got me though. I felt like Dolce was redeemed a little, but even so it was a bittersweet ending. A wonderful retelling!
Review also available on my blog.
Because it’s a fairytale retelling, the plot is very predictable. Even so, Napoli made us connect with the characters and the world she put them in. Using medieval Venice was an excellent choice in my opinion, as it nicely plays off of Dolce’s obsession with being beautiful and with her mirrors. It also allows for a very reasonable explanation for Dolce’s madness and the presence of the seven dwarfs of the story.
Bianca loved both of her mothers and that makes what happens all the worse. It was so sad to see her love her stepmother so strongly despite what happened to her. Dolce was loved by the family she found, and it was painful to see her hurt them.
The ending really got me though. I felt like Dolce was redeemed a little, but even so it was a bittersweet ending. A wonderful retelling!
Review also available on my blog.
loreofthebooks's review against another edition
3.0
A really interesting take on an old tale. It had darker fairytale aspects, and the characters were often morally grey at first.
Napoli's writing is great -- she has a way with words that make them come alive.
I really enjoyed reading about the characters "backstories" and how they got to be who they are in the fairytales we know.
Overall a dark telling of a fairytale that young adults and teens will all enjoy.
Napoli's writing is great -- she has a way with words that make them come alive.
I really enjoyed reading about the characters "backstories" and how they got to be who they are in the fairytales we know.
Overall a dark telling of a fairytale that young adults and teens will all enjoy.
charityann's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25