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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
Dystopian novel where the world has fallen into an Ice Age and the only temperate place to live is Snow Globe, and the most esteemed citizens are actors and directors. The actors lives are constantly being broadcast, much like "The Truman Show" style and every year, people outside of Snow Globe audition to become an actor or apply to the school for directors. When a beloved actor, Haeri unexpectedly dies, her director secretly drafts Chobahm, a girl who is her doppelganger, to replace her without telling the public of her death. It is Chobahm's dream come true, but she soon learns that things aren't as balmy in Snow Globe as everyone thinks!
This is actually an interesting plot idea and the author does a fairly decent job with it. My big problem is one that is because of me and my narrow knowledge of culture. Translated from Korean, all the character names are kept to their original, and it was hard for me to remember who is who because the names are unfamiliar culturally and similar in my brain because I wasn't sure of pronunciation. I know that is all on me, but it did make it harder for me to enjoy. Overall though, not a bad read. I think I may need a break from YA however.
This is actually an interesting plot idea and the author does a fairly decent job with it. My big problem is one that is because of me and my narrow knowledge of culture. Translated from Korean, all the character names are kept to their original, and it was hard for me to remember who is who because the names are unfamiliar culturally and similar in my brain because I wasn't sure of pronunciation. I know that is all on me, but it did make it harder for me to enjoy. Overall though, not a bad read. I think I may need a break from YA however.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A rollicking adventure that doesn’t stick with you too long. Issues of personhood and complicity that could have been addressed are glossed over a bit. Not a bad read but very young adult-ish.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had such a great time reading this book. It reads like a mystery k-drama that you can't look away from. The marketing of this book is "Hunger Games meets Squid Games," but I think that comparison is only drawn because it's (a) dystopian YA and (b) Korean. The similarities kind of stop there, unless you count the vague similarities in themes about classism.
Snowglobe has such an interesting premise, but I wish that some of the elements were more fleshed out(portal mirrors, relationship between Young Master and other Haeri, lives of the people outside of Snowglobe) . There's some exploration of classism mechanics that I wish were more fleshed out, but I also understand that Chobahm needs more time to develop as both an adult and someone coming into class consciousness.
I'm hoping that more in-depth explorations will come in the sequel.
Snowglobe has such an interesting premise, but I wish that some of the elements were more fleshed out
I'm hoping that more in-depth explorations will come in the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Suicide, Murder
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent
mysterious
slow-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:
No
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Please stop giving unrealistic comp titles for books. I saw this book compared to The Hunger Games and Squid Game prior to picking it up. And while I can see the small thread that was used to connect those comp titles to this book, it’s not really what comes to mind when you hear those names and that element could be attributed to many other books that wouldn’t have set the bar so high.
Overall, it was a fun dystopian read with a beautiful first edition print run, but I think I would have enjoyed the story more if not for the very high expectations that were set.
Overall, it was a fun dystopian read with a beautiful first edition print run, but I think I would have enjoyed the story more if not for the very high expectations that were set.
Wanted to read something else that was ready to borrow on Libby!
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Snowpiercer x The Truman Show x What Happened to Monday?
I think I would appreciate this story more in a different format, such as a series. I needed more time with the individual characters to care about them. The stakes, while high, weren't enough for me to feel any real tension or concern for the characters.
Some worldbuilding elements detracted from the story (like the "mirrors" mentioned in other reviews) , but perhaps they will make more sense in the sequel.
I think I would appreciate this story more in a different format, such as a series. I needed more time with the individual characters to care about them. The stakes, while high, weren't enough for me to feel any real tension or concern for the characters.
Some worldbuilding elements detracted from the story (