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ria_carina's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Als Liebhaberin der klassischen Disney-Filme habe ich mir mehr von dem Buch erwartet. Sprachlich hat es mich gar nicht abgeholt (es ist wohl eher für Kinder geschrieben, der Sprachgebrauch ist sehr 'leicht' und wiederholend); der Fortschritt der Geschichte war stolprig — manchmal zu langsam, manchmal viel zu schnell. Die Charaktere fand ich teilweise flach und lieblos hingeklatscht, manchmal aber wieder spannend. Die Grundidee selbst finde ich grandios, aber der Plot wäre eindeutig ausbaufähig gewesen. Schade, vielleicht sind die anderen Bände mehr nach meinem Geschmack.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Murder, Gaslighting, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Emotional abuse
Minor: War
cjbuys's review against another edition
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Suicide
junglejelly's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed exploring the back story to Snow White's Evil Queen.
The writing is good with a nice character arc (even though you know where it's going). People aren't so simple and the author really created a complex character who was previously shown just to be evil.
As a book aimed at kids/pre-teens, you do have to keep this in mind with the language used and the length of the book. While I do wish some scenes would have been longer, I think the pace and length overall was good.
It is dark even as a children's book but it suited the origins of the Evil Queen.
Overall a fun quick read especially for Disney's Snow White fans.
The writing is good with a nice character arc (even though you know where it's going). People aren't so simple and the author really created a complex character who was previously shown just to be evil.
As a book aimed at kids/pre-teens, you do have to keep this in mind with the language used and the length of the book. While I do wish some scenes would have been longer, I think the pace and length overall was good.
It is dark even as a children's book but it suited the origins of the Evil Queen.
Overall a fun quick read especially for Disney's Snow White fans.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Blood
reading_books_as_escapism_lol's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Violence, War, Toxic relationship, Torture, Grief, Domestic abuse, Stalking, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Death, Child abuse, Death of parent, Blood, Gore, Emotional abuse, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Gaslighting
housedesignerking's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is the Evil Queen's backstory. One of the things Disney seems to be doing lately is creating slight or complete retellings of their classics or masterpieces. Valentino did a good job making the reader want to root for the Queen throughout this. But anyone who's seen the movie knows what an exercise in futility that would be. I'm not sure if these ideas were strictly Valentino's or if she was guided by Disney in some way to put this series together (my money's on the latter, but I could be wrong), but either way, it's an interesting take on it. The writing focuses quite a bit on description instead of commentary, which I found to be a tad disappointing. Snow White and the Seven Dwarves was never my favorite animated Disney movie, but with the well-crafted backstory, this is actually better than the movie, which got 3 stars from me. This book gets 4.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death and Death of parent
88sofher's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
i really enjoyed the whole “villain” backstory and why the are who they are.
the queen was emotionally abused by her father.. <so once gifted the mirror and his soul being trapped inside he had no choice but to tell her she was beautiful> her motives were completely driven by vanity and the need to feel accepted by her father.
the grief definitely made her more susceptible to being so involved with the magic mirror. the love from her husband was no longer there when he passed.
the queen was emotionally abused by her father.. <so once gifted the mirror and his soul being trapped inside he had no choice but to tell her she was beautiful> her motives were completely driven by vanity and the need to feel accepted by her father.
the grief definitely made her more susceptible to being so involved with the magic mirror. the love from her husband was no longer there when he passed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
destinystowe14's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book was good. It is geared toward a younger audience which is made clear in the writing. There isn’t a lot of detail, and it seemed rushed a good bit of the time.
With that being said I still liked this book. It was a good palate cleanser, and a very quick read. I’m a slow reader and I read this in 3 days.
It works really well as an origin story for the Wicked Queen. Snow White was one of my favorite movies growing up, so it was interesting seeing things through the queen’s POV. If you’re a fan of Disney or Snow White you should definitely read this book.
With that being said I still liked this book. It was a good palate cleanser, and a very quick read. I’m a slow reader and I read this in 3 days.
It works really well as an origin story for the Wicked Queen. Snow White was one of my favorite movies growing up, so it was interesting seeing things through the queen’s POV. If you’re a fan of Disney or Snow White you should definitely read this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Abandonment
lifeofchrstnlvly's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
"But my dream has already come true, Momma. You came for me as I knew you would. I love you..."
This series is marketed towards children, but it's also for adults - especially those who grew up reading and watching Disney stories. Since it's for 10+ year olds, the writing is easy to understand and it's quick to read (Fairest of All is under 300 pages).
I love villain stories so of course I had to start reading this series. I never thought this will make me teary-eyed and sad. The Queen loved Snow White. She really did.
The story's build up was good, making you love The Queen so when she became evil, you'll find yourself understanding her actions.
Every villain has a story. Every villain has a reason why they became evil. It will never justify the evil things villains do, but origin stories help us understand them more. It's a pain knowing how a pure heart becomes corrupted.
I cannot wait to read the rest of the series. I think the next one is about Beauty & The Beast.
This series is marketed towards children, but it's also for adults - especially those who grew up reading and watching Disney stories. Since it's for 10+ year olds, the writing is easy to understand and it's quick to read (Fairest of All is under 300 pages).
I love villain stories so of course I had to start reading this series. I never thought this will make me teary-eyed and sad. The Queen loved Snow White. She really did.
The story's build up was good, making you love The Queen so when she became evil, you'll find yourself understanding her actions.
Every villain has a story. Every villain has a reason why they became evil. It will never justify the evil things villains do, but origin stories help us understand them more. It's a pain knowing how a pure heart becomes corrupted.
I cannot wait to read the rest of the series. I think the next one is about Beauty & The Beast.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Body shaming, and Grief
chloelj27's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death of parent
shannasbooksnhooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"The Queen opened her arms to the child, and with Verona's gentle encouragement, Snow moved forward to accept the Queen's embrace. Snow was a little bird of a girl, such a lovely creature."
This. Book.
Part of me wants to leave my review at that, but at the same time, I want to leave a more in-depth review. So here we are.
I read one chapter the night of June 27 before going to bed, and the next day, I just devoured it. I loved this book so much. Although I do understand where some of the lesser-star-rating reviews came from. It was a bit hard to decipher her whole villain arc since the book did give the Queen a more sympathetic personality. However, this was something I was okay with and something that worked well within the story - the Queen was pushed to madness and obsession by grief and possible PTSD, but definitely trauma, to the point of being an evil queen and fulfilling the whole "evil stepmother" trope. (Also, there were some reviews that mentioned the Queen not having a name. This didn't bother me because the King didn't have a name either, so...I don't quite understand why people were bent out of shape because of this.)
Part of me also feels hypocritical for enjoying this because when the 2021 Cruella came out, I was not for it, and I couldn't make it past 50% of the way through the movie. And my reasoning for this is that Disney's trying to give a sympathetic backstory to a character (Cruella) who really didn't need it. I could argue the same with this book - an attempt to give a sympathetic backstory to a Disney villain who really didn't need it. However. I feel like it's important to note how the actual stories are handled. On one side, the 2021 Cruella movie: a mess of a story, the cast was meh at best, and Emma Thompson and the costuming were the only saving graces. On the other hand, the 2009 Fairest of All book: story is well put together while harking back to the source material, a more understandable, relatable reason for the villain arc, and overall decent character arcs and stories. I do recommend this book because it's a great take on the Evil Queen's backstory and it's so cohesive, both as its own story and standing with Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. If you're a child and/or not comfortable with swearing, read the spoiler at your own risk.
This. Book.
Part of me wants to leave my review at that, but at the same time, I want to leave a more in-depth review. So here we are.
I read one chapter the night of June 27 before going to bed, and the next day, I just devoured it. I loved this book so much. Although I do understand where some of the lesser-star-rating reviews came from. It was a bit hard to decipher her whole villain arc since the book did give the Queen a more sympathetic personality. However, this was something I was okay with and something that worked well within the story - the Queen was pushed to madness and obsession by grief and possible PTSD, but definitely trauma, to the point of being an evil queen and fulfilling the whole "evil stepmother" trope. (Also, there were some reviews that mentioned the Queen not having a name. This didn't bother me because the King didn't have a name either, so...I don't quite understand why people were bent out of shape because of this.)
Part of me also feels hypocritical for enjoying this because when the 2021 Cruella came out, I was not for it, and I couldn't make it past 50% of the way through the movie. And my reasoning for this is that Disney's trying to give a sympathetic backstory to a character (Cruella) who really didn't need it. I could argue the same with this book - an attempt to give a sympathetic backstory to a Disney villain who really didn't need it. However. I feel like it's important to note how the actual stories are handled. On one side, the 2021 Cruella movie: a mess of a story, the cast was meh at best, and Emma Thompson and the costuming were the only saving graces. On the other hand, the 2009 Fairest of All book: story is well put together while harking back to the source material, a more understandable, relatable reason for the villain arc, and overall decent character arcs and stories. I do recommend this book because it's a great take on the Evil Queen's backstory and it's so cohesive, both as its own story and standing with Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. If you're a child and/or not comfortable with swearing, read the spoiler at your own risk.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Minor: War, Abandonment, and Violence