This is a must read book for everyone. Like Jennifer Donnelly's esrlier book Stepsister, which is a retelling of Cinderella, this is a feminist twist on the traditional fairy tale, Snow White. Her heroines gradually recognise their own value and strengths and realise they don't have to wait for a handsome prince to save them. Poisoned is the story of Sophie who is about to come of age and inherit her father's throne. Her stepmother who has been ruling the country believes Sophie is too soft hearted amd weak to be queen and for the good of the land ordets her huntsman to kill her stepdaughter. He carried out her orders but despite taking Sophie's heart she is found by the brothers who live in the woods and survives. She has many adventures as she goes in search of her heart and learns a lot about her country on the way. The book also gives insight into the queen's early life which shows that she too was a victim.