Helpful Score: 1
An unusual book. Certainly a unique concept, but not comfortable to read--in other words, it wasn't one of those where I curled up and completely lost myself in it. The main character isn't a "good" character, and you don't completely sympathize with ANY of the characters, so there's an odd distance between the reader and the story. Even so, a pretty good book. Definitely for the 10-12 age range.
It took me about a day to read this. Very easy read. Yet ... I'm not completely satisfied with it. The characters are all wonderful. It has a, very unique, narrator - the magic mirror from the evil Queen in Snow White. Turns out, there is a lot more to that magic mirror and to the evil Queen than we ever knew. So, that part is very well done.
I was also impressed with one of the female characters. Very independent for the time setting, very intelligent, and just someone who wanted more than what was available to her. Even better - she went after what she wanted. So, that was awesome.
Although the book had a bit of a romance (very G rated), this story was really more about sisterhood, and the bonds of friendship.
However, the ending was kind of a let down. It didn't really tie up ALL the ends. Plus, it was more bittersweet than happy ... which, of course, is in line with real fairy tales (not the watered down junk of Disney).
All in all, the book was good ... but, I thought it could have been phenomenal had the author changed a few things, and elaborated more on others. Still, I'd probably read more by the author and would recommend this to others.
I was also impressed with one of the female characters. Very independent for the time setting, very intelligent, and just someone who wanted more than what was available to her. Even better - she went after what she wanted. So, that was awesome.
Although the book had a bit of a romance (very G rated), this story was really more about sisterhood, and the bonds of friendship.
However, the ending was kind of a let down. It didn't really tie up ALL the ends. Plus, it was more bittersweet than happy ... which, of course, is in line with real fairy tales (not the watered down junk of Disney).
All in all, the book was good ... but, I thought it could have been phenomenal had the author changed a few things, and elaborated more on others. Still, I'd probably read more by the author and would recommend this to others.
