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votesforwomen's review
4.0
Williams has done something few people manage to do: she has created a story that is entirely fresh, entirely epic in its proportions, and beautiful in its messages. And she's done something else on top of that: she has perfectly incorporated the elements of a fairy tale, so clearly that you can tell which tale it is, but so subtly that it does not distract from the story.
I'm giving it four stars because it took me a few chapters to click with it, and because I WISH IT HAD BEEN LONGER DAGNABBIT. But the plot twists, the beautiful descriptions, the story itself, the characters...beautiful. I adored it.
I can't wait to read Moonscript by this author. She is going places.
I'm giving it four stars because it took me a few chapters to click with it, and because I WISH IT HAD BEEN LONGER DAGNABBIT. But the plot twists, the beautiful descriptions, the story itself, the characters...beautiful. I adored it.
I can't wait to read Moonscript by this author. She is going places.
fairytalearista's review
5.0
https://aristasdirectory.blogspot.com/2020/03/fairest-son-hsj-williams.html
elliott_the_clementine's review
dark
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A lovely, bloody, gender-swapped retelling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Violence, Body horror, and Animal death
Moderate: Kidnapping
sunlessmargo's review
3.0
I think that this could have been the bones of a much greater book. I loved how naturally the author weaved elements from Snowhite together with lore about the Fair Folk, but it felt like the story was a bird that never got to stretch out its wings fully.
If she had taken more chapters to slowly develop her characters and the details of the Fairy Courts, there would have been more time for the characters to naturally develop the feelings for one another and given the readers enough space to find our footing.
If she had taken more chapters to slowly develop her characters and the details of the Fairy Courts, there would have been more time for the characters to naturally develop the feelings for one another and given the readers enough space to find our footing.
emrobreads's review
5.0
Fairest Son is a beautiful retelling of the Snow White tale, but with a twist. Snow is now Idris, prince of the Seelie Court and object of a prophecy that states he will unite the Seelie and Unseelie courts. And the Unseelie king does not like this one bit.
There is such a lyrical quality to H.S.J. Williams' writing that fit the story perfectly. I loved how she kept the heart of the Snow White tale, but completely refreshed it into an original piece that was both moving and beautifully written. And while I could see where it was going, it was changed just enough that it didn't feel like I was reading something I had already read before.
What I loved most, however, was the interwoven themes of forgiveness, grace, and acceptance. My heart broke for Idris and I could relate to Keeva's shame, yet I rejoiced in how beauty can come out of brokenness.
All in all, this was a quick, yet fantastic read. I'll definitely be checking out more of this author's work!
Spoiler
There is such a lyrical quality to H.S.J. Williams' writing that fit the story perfectly. I loved how she kept the heart of the Snow White tale, but completely refreshed it into an original piece that was both moving and beautifully written. And while I could see where it was going, it was changed just enough that it didn't feel like I was reading something I had already read before.
What I loved most, however, was the interwoven themes of forgiveness, grace, and acceptance. My heart broke for Idris and I could relate to Keeva's shame, yet I rejoiced in how beauty can come out of brokenness.
All in all, this was a quick, yet fantastic read. I'll definitely be checking out more of this author's work!
amelianicholebooks's review
5.0
The premise of this book as a genderswaped retelling of Snow White intrigued me. I am ecstatic to have received a signed paperback copy! The cover is beautiful, and the story is touching. It is surprising that a novella like this can twist such emotions out of you, but it can.
merieshenanigans's review
5.0
This is one of my favorite Snow White retellings! The author does a fantastic job rewriting the fairytale in an entirely new way. It's the first gender-swapped retelling of this fairytale that I've read, with the oft-overused setting of fae courts, but changes into something wonderfully original.
Idris is a total sweetheart and fulfills the role of Snow White (!!!) even better than Walt Disney's princess (sorry, but I'm serious. as much as I love Disney, some fairytales have been taken a little too far). I enjoyed Keeva's character too-- she was strong but also sweet and soft even though she harbored her own secrets as well.
By far my favorite retelling of "Snow White" I've ever read :P
Idris is a total sweetheart and fulfills the role of Snow White (!!!) even better than Walt Disney's princess (sorry, but I'm serious. as much as I love Disney, some fairytales have been taken a little too far). I enjoyed Keeva's character too-- she was strong but also sweet and soft even though she harbored her own secrets as well.
By far my favorite retelling of "Snow White" I've ever read :P
loveforwords's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I read Fairest Son in a couple of hours when I was sick and sad, so I'm really grateful for the company.
It's predictable but quite sweet. Even if I don't like any love that develops too fast, I don't really mind this one because the book was really short. Idris is such a sweetheart.
It's predictable but quite sweet. Even if I don't like any love that develops too fast, I don't really mind this one because the book was really short. Idris is such a sweetheart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Animal death, and Blood
Moderate: Death
Minor: Kidnapping
r_j_setser's review
4.0
In this short story retelling of Snow White, we not only encounter a brilliant gender-swap to the classic tale, but we also see familiar pieces to the beloved story put together in a new and unexpected way.
Fairest Son is no light fairytale. From the very first page, it is a tense story with very dark themes like magic, torture, and war. But there is a battle between light and darkness and I loved seeing that reflect in the characters' actions as they attempted to overcome the darkness with light.
The story is brilliant! I loved the twists and even though I knew that this was a Snow White story, I didn't know what was coming next or how key elements of the famous fairy-tale would be interwoven into this fresh new take.
Because this is a short story, it did move a lot faster than I would have liked. There was one aspect to the story that held all the promise for a fearsome battle, but it was resolved in just a few short pages with almost no consequences, so it was just slightly disappointing.
However, Fairest Son as a whole is an excellent story. Beautifully written and intricately cared for even as a short story, so I am certainly looking forward to more works from this author *fingers crossed for a full-length novel*!
So overall, I give Fairest Son 4 out of 5 stars and do warn readers that the torture present and dark themes may disturb some readers.
I received this book from the author for the purpose of this review. All comments and opinions are entirely my own.
This is a LiteratureApproved.com Review.
Fairest Son is no light fairytale. From the very first page, it is a tense story with very dark themes like magic, torture, and war. But there is a battle between light and darkness and I loved seeing that reflect in the characters' actions as they attempted to overcome the darkness with light.
The story is brilliant! I loved the twists and even though I knew that this was a Snow White story, I didn't know what was coming next or how key elements of the famous fairy-tale would be interwoven into this fresh new take.
Because this is a short story, it did move a lot faster than I would have liked. There was one aspect to the story that held all the promise for a fearsome battle, but it was resolved in just a few short pages with almost no consequences, so it was just slightly disappointing.
However, Fairest Son as a whole is an excellent story. Beautifully written and intricately cared for even as a short story, so I am certainly looking forward to more works from this author *fingers crossed for a full-length novel*!
So overall, I give Fairest Son 4 out of 5 stars and do warn readers that the torture present and dark themes may disturb some readers.
I received this book from the author for the purpose of this review. All comments and opinions are entirely my own.
This is a LiteratureApproved.com Review.
mudder17's review
5.0
This is a retelling of the Snow White fairy tale and at first I thought it was just a gender reversal since "Snow White" is a faerie prince. But it was so much more than that. Although there are very similar elements to the original tale--the prince lives with 7 goblins, the huntswoman is ordered to kill the prince, etc.--there were added elements of a prophecy and the death fairy as well as other small details. I love the author's writing style and I am so glad I took a chance on her [b:Moonscript|50433328|Moonscript|H.S.J. Williams|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1578941430l/50433328._SY75_.jpg|75402641] ARC! She's a very talented writer and I look forward to future books from her!