alyram4's review
4.0
Giving this one 4.25/5 stars!
The Evil Queen is a retelling of Snow White, but Gena Showalter puts her own unique twist on how the plot develops. We have the prophecy, as in many retelling type stories, and characters that are each designated their own place in the story. The plot takes of fairly quickly at the beginning, with a prologue of what's to come.
So what's unique about it? Even though the characters know the story they are retelling is Snow White, they don't know which character they are living as. They all work through the book as events unfold trying to determine what their role in the story is. I found this to be super cool! Another thing that really added to the mystery of the characters was that any decision they made could change who their character was. Like if Prince Charming was to instead betray everyone and desert them all? Well, his role of Prince Charming would go to someone else instead, and he'd be given a new role without him even knowing. This doesn't happen in the book obvs, but just wanted to give an example. I found this to be a really cool concept and it was done so well! It's definitely the best part of the group and leaves a ton of freedom for character development all throughout.
A few issues I had were how others immediately classify Everly as evil. We know from the beginning what her role is, but her actions don't justify how the others perceive her. It wasn't fair, and anyone can see that she was only doing what was best to save her loved ones. It's definitely more nitpicky of me, since it's meant to be used to settle the other characters into their roles, and the love triangle of course, but it just didn't sit with me 100%. Another was that the middle was a bit slower than I'd like. I felt like things were moving at a great pace, and then it just sloooowwwsss down. It lasts for quite a bit, but it picks up again which is nice. This might be nitpicky, but I don't like the inner monologues that Everly has. It feels really off because we see all the events from her POV to begin with, so having these inner thoughts pop up randomly don't make much sense.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one! I'd been eyeing it and was so glad to have gotten both a physical and ebook ARC! Knowing that there's a sequel to this, I'd definitely be tempted to pick it up. One could even read this as a standalone tbh. I'd say to check this one out sometime! I think it may be worth the read!
ARC provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Evil Queen is a retelling of Snow White, but Gena Showalter puts her own unique twist on how the plot develops. We have the prophecy, as in many retelling type stories, and characters that are each designated their own place in the story. The plot takes of fairly quickly at the beginning, with a prologue of what's to come.
So what's unique about it? Even though the characters know the story they are retelling is Snow White, they don't know which character they are living as. They all work through the book as events unfold trying to determine what their role in the story is. I found this to be super cool! Another thing that really added to the mystery of the characters was that any decision they made could change who their character was. Like if Prince Charming was to instead betray everyone and desert them all? Well, his role of Prince Charming would go to someone else instead, and he'd be given a new role without him even knowing. This doesn't happen in the book obvs, but just wanted to give an example. I found this to be a really cool concept and it was done so well! It's definitely the best part of the group and leaves a ton of freedom for character development all throughout.
A few issues I had were how others immediately classify Everly as evil. We know from the beginning what her role is, but her actions don't justify how the others perceive her. It wasn't fair, and anyone can see that she was only doing what was best to save her loved ones. It's definitely more nitpicky of me, since it's meant to be used to settle the other characters into their roles, and the love triangle of course, but it just didn't sit with me 100%. Another was that the middle was a bit slower than I'd like. I felt like things were moving at a great pace, and then it just sloooowwwsss down. It lasts for quite a bit, but it picks up again which is nice. This might be nitpicky, but I don't like the inner monologues that Everly has. It feels really off because we see all the events from her POV to begin with, so having these inner thoughts pop up randomly don't make much sense.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one! I'd been eyeing it and was so glad to have gotten both a physical and ebook ARC! Knowing that there's a sequel to this, I'd definitely be tempted to pick it up. One could even read this as a standalone tbh. I'd say to check this one out sometime! I think it may be worth the read!
ARC provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
disneydamsel1's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sarah_hernandez90's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book! The only reason it's a 4 star from me is because from that prologue I guess I was expecting more of that fantasy stuff sooner and it took a hot minute for us to get there.
I loved the world and characters, even though Everly drove me mad sometimes because I wanted MORE from her, but I understand the authors point.
I loved the humor in this book too, it can be absolute trash panda at some points and that's exactly how my friends and I are irl, so it was relatable and not a negative like I have seen some people say in reviews, so don't let that deter you.
After finishing, I promptly went back and devoured all my favorite parts at least 5 times.
I loved the world and characters, even though Everly drove me mad sometimes because I wanted MORE from her, but I understand the authors point.
I loved the humor in this book too, it can be absolute trash panda at some points and that's exactly how my friends and I are irl, so it was relatable and not a negative like I have seen some people say in reviews, so don't let that deter you.
After finishing, I promptly went back and devoured all my favorite parts at least 5 times.
tallyvauthor's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, this book had me. the beginning was interesting if confusing but once we got there again in the end (It's like one of those last chapter first things) it was a lot better. I wasn't excited to read a Snow White retelling, but as it so appears, neither do the characters. Which is so meta its actually funny. But that being said, it wasn't until the end that I even remotely understood the attraction between the characters. Although the idea of "we all chose the roles we play" sounds almost cliche but I think they did it super well. Also, I would like it pointed out that by "them" I'm referring to the characters because they are amazingly realistic. They're fun and witty and I expect nothing else from Gena Showalter.
popthebutterfly's review against another edition
3.0
Disclaimer: I bought this book! Support your authors.
Book: The Evil Queen
Author: Gena Showalter
Book Series: The Forest of Good and Evil Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: fantasy, retelling, ya
Publication Date: June 25, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy Retelling
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, romance)
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Pages: 544
Synopsis: Far, far away, in the realm of Enchantia, creatures of legend still exist, magic is the norm and fairy tales are real. Except, fairy tales aren’t based on myths and legends of the past—they are prophecies of the future.
Raised in the mortal realm, Everly Morrow has no idea she’s a real-life fairy-tale princess—until she manifests an ability to commune with mirrors.
Look. See… What will one peek hurt?
Soon, a horrifying truth is revealed. She is fated to be Snow White’s greatest enemy, the Evil Queen.
With powers beyond her imagination or control, Everly returns to the land of her birth. There, she meets Roth Charmaine, the supposed Prince Charming. Their attraction is undeniable, but their relationship is doomed. As the prophecy unfolds, Everly faces one betrayal after another, and giving in to her dark side proves more tempting every day. Can she resist, or will she become the queen—and villain—she was born to be?
The battle between good and evil is on.
Review: For the most part this was a good book. The story and plot really drove the book and I liked both the most. The book was also fairly well paced.
However, the beginning was so confusing and slow that it made reading and getting into the book very hard. The characters and world building were also not well developed and nothing really set these characters apart from each other.
Verdict: It was a good book!
Book: The Evil Queen
Author: Gena Showalter
Book Series: The Forest of Good and Evil Book 1
Rating: 3/5
Recommended For...: fantasy, retelling, ya
Publication Date: June 25, 2019
Genre: YA Fantasy Retelling
Recommended Age: 16+ (violence, gore, romance)
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Pages: 544
Synopsis: Far, far away, in the realm of Enchantia, creatures of legend still exist, magic is the norm and fairy tales are real. Except, fairy tales aren’t based on myths and legends of the past—they are prophecies of the future.
Raised in the mortal realm, Everly Morrow has no idea she’s a real-life fairy-tale princess—until she manifests an ability to commune with mirrors.
Look. See… What will one peek hurt?
Soon, a horrifying truth is revealed. She is fated to be Snow White’s greatest enemy, the Evil Queen.
With powers beyond her imagination or control, Everly returns to the land of her birth. There, she meets Roth Charmaine, the supposed Prince Charming. Their attraction is undeniable, but their relationship is doomed. As the prophecy unfolds, Everly faces one betrayal after another, and giving in to her dark side proves more tempting every day. Can she resist, or will she become the queen—and villain—she was born to be?
The battle between good and evil is on.
Review: For the most part this was a good book. The story and plot really drove the book and I liked both the most. The book was also fairly well paced.
However, the beginning was so confusing and slow that it made reading and getting into the book very hard. The characters and world building were also not well developed and nothing really set these characters apart from each other.
Verdict: It was a good book!
dacil_materialki's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
maria_elisabeth's review against another edition
4.0
3,5⭐ - It was very good
So surprising! I didn't have high expectations for this, but I should have remembered, I like Gena's writing style!
Also, villain origin stories, anti heroes, retellings... that's all something I enjoy when well done, and this was
So surprising! I didn't have high expectations for this, but I should have remembered, I like Gena's writing style!
Also, villain origin stories, anti heroes, retellings... that's all something I enjoy when well done, and this was
a_mae13's review
2.5
“Evil isn’t born, it’s made. One thought and action at a time.” I paused for effect. “Take a good look at what you’ve made.”
While I love a retelling of a fairytale or myth, this novel fell flat for me. The story itself had a lot of potential, but the dialogue was the downfall. Everly was my least favorite character and she's the main character. It was very difficult for me to get into this book as the first 25% or so is a lot of vague world building and introducing several side characters. The story is a retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, so there are many characters that make of the narrative; however, they were rushed in introduction and thrown into the plot. There wasn't a lot of understanding on the part of the reader why these characters were here, other than to fill a role in the original story.
The mystery behind who filled what role in the fairy tale was what kept my interest; given the title, we knew that Everly would be the Evil Queen. Prince Roth Charmaine would be Prince Charming. But everyone else was left up to mystery until further in the novel. That being said, understanding these roles was not clear until about 75% through the book. Up until then, it was very confusing and convoluted.
There were a lot of subplots that further distracted from the main story; there was the safety arc with Hartley and Nicholas. Was she safe? Was Nicholas a trustworthy character or not?
Spoiler
Spoiler, he was notSpoiler
I will say that the death of Hartley was very unexpected. The only other main character that was killed off was a friend of Roth's, who was killed very early on in the book.The magic was very confusing; everyone seemed to have a given power. Everly was an sorceress, who needed to siphon magic from others in order to wield her own. Everyone else had a single power that was, presumably, given to them at birth. There isn't much detail on how powers are assigned and if everyone in the world of Enchantia has powers or not. Because the story is focused around Everly and Roth, it's difficult to understand what other powers are out there.
I am somewhat interested in reading the second installment. but this was such a rocky start that I'm not sure how it will tie in Cinderella with the tale of Snow White.
alimcd's review
3.0
This was a fun read. But the author made a couple of choices that kept taking me out of the world- regular references to Shrodinger's cat and the appearance of the name Tyler (like...could you not be more creative with this fantasy character's name?). It was fine. I'll probably read the next one?! We'll see.
amarylissw's review
2.0
Apparently, this is supposed to be YA, but I could barely get through the first few chapters without feeling insulted by the childish dialogue. It’s not even in a comedic or parodic style; it’s just dumb.