There are many amazing fairytale retelling out there, unfortunately this is not one of those. It seems to follow the generic plot line of Snow White with very few alterations and no intriguing new twists that actually makes the book feel like the author has taken the classic fairytale and made it her own. The world-building is meh, and I just didn’t feel any sense of attachment or ability to care about the book at all to the extent that the whole thing just became underwhelming.
Sophie was a very wishy-washy character who did not come across as strong or inspiring, really rather whiny.
However, Adelaide was quite well-developed which I enjoyed, I just wish all the other characters were given as much time or development as her, because everyone else felt rather 2D. I would definitely consider myself a simp for “villains”, and Adelaide was no exception. I loved her rage and internal conflict, and the external conflicts as well with her roles in society and gender roles etc.
Unfortunately one good character does not save the whole book, as I still felt issue with other characters, the plots, and some of the general issues the novel focused on.
While realistic, her abusive yet loving behaviour is not a trope I personally enjoy because I don’t think redemption arcs for toxic parents should be idolised within any genre, unfortunately it has become a common theme in YA Fantasy though.
Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this book to any of my friends, unless I knew this was their kinda jam, but if it’s not right up your ally by immediately reading the blurb... it just wouldn’t be my cup of tea.
Sophie was a very wishy-washy character who did not come across as strong or inspiring, really rather whiny.
However, Adelaide was quite well-developed which I enjoyed, I just wish all the other characters were given as much time or development as her, because everyone else felt rather 2D. I would definitely consider myself a simp for “villains”, and Adelaide was no exception. I loved her rage and internal conflict, and the external conflicts as well with her roles in society and gender roles etc.
Unfortunately one good character does not save the whole book, as I still felt issue with other characters, the plots, and some of the general issues the novel focused on.
While realistic, her abusive yet loving behaviour is not a trope I personally enjoy because I don’t think redemption arcs for toxic parents should be idolised within any genre, unfortunately it has become a common theme in YA Fantasy though.
Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this book to any of my friends, unless I knew this was their kinda jam, but if it’s not right up your ally by immediately reading the blurb... it just wouldn’t be my cup of tea.