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beckyrendon's review
5.0
Holy poisoned apples! The Evil Queen is the kind of book that "consumed and devoured [the reader], lighting a fire inside" that cannot be quelled. You can't exactly label this book either, just like you can't claim to be good or evil.
You can try and say it's a fairy tale (Grimm style; not Disney). You can say it's a suspenseful mystery. You can call it a glorification of the villians. You can call it a love story. An adventure. A quest. A dystopian novel. All are wrong and all are right. Welcome to Schrödinger’s mind games.
Gena Showalter has zero remorse. I can tell by how many times she brought this full grown adult to tears. This novel is timeless and though it is YA, it is enough to make even the staunchest adult crack a smile, fly, and even believe in Peter Pan.
The Evil Queen is an incredible journey that proves actions are louder than words. With so many incredible quotes that I'm dying to share, I know that it's not only an adventure you will never forget but it's an inspiring journey that will shape your thoughts and change your views.
Evil...such a dark and depressing word. It conjures up very specific images in the minds of every person. The images vary but the meaning is the same. However, Gena Showalter shows us the truth. Evil is a choice.
The Evil Queen is a spectacular story. A genuinely awe inspiring story with so many characters to steal your heart, so many beings to capture your imagination, and too many feels to process.
I am forever going to need a place in Enchantia. Perhaps I can convince some of my new friends to give me a permanent home. Though I suspect I'm going to want to further research (read the rest of the series) before settling. Wish me luck in my relocation, I'm going to need it.
P.S. I'm totally getting a unicorn!
You can try and say it's a fairy tale (Grimm style; not Disney). You can say it's a suspenseful mystery. You can call it a glorification of the villians. You can call it a love story. An adventure. A quest. A dystopian novel. All are wrong and all are right. Welcome to Schrödinger’s mind games.
Gena Showalter has zero remorse. I can tell by how many times she brought this full grown adult to tears. This novel is timeless and though it is YA, it is enough to make even the staunchest adult crack a smile, fly, and even believe in Peter Pan.
The Evil Queen is an incredible journey that proves actions are louder than words. With so many incredible quotes that I'm dying to share, I know that it's not only an adventure you will never forget but it's an inspiring journey that will shape your thoughts and change your views.
Evil...such a dark and depressing word. It conjures up very specific images in the minds of every person. The images vary but the meaning is the same. However, Gena Showalter shows us the truth. Evil is a choice.
The Evil Queen is a spectacular story. A genuinely awe inspiring story with so many characters to steal your heart, so many beings to capture your imagination, and too many feels to process.
I am forever going to need a place in Enchantia. Perhaps I can convince some of my new friends to give me a permanent home. Though I suspect I'm going to want to further research (read the rest of the series) before settling. Wish me luck in my relocation, I'm going to need it.
P.S. I'm totally getting a unicorn!
nicolemhewitt's review
My favorite aspect of this book was the mystery of how the "real" lives of the characters mapped to the Snow White fairy tale. Throughout the entire book, you're never quite sure if Everly is actually the Evil Queen or who the true Snow White is. This carried me through the book and kept me turning the pages even when the story felt a little too long and drawn out (which, unfortunately, it sometimes did for me). Everly's character was a little hard for me to connect to---I have trouble caring about unlikable characters, and she is possibly the Evil Queen, after all. She also sometimes reads a little young, but this is definitely mature YA (lots of violence, some sexual activity), so that might be a disconnect for some people. But Everly's struggle to come to terms with her baser instincts was interesting---and her conflict over her feelings for Roth definitely drew me in too. (I definitely liked Roth, even though sometimes I wasn't sure I would.) And I REALLY loved how we start at the end of the book and then circle back to that scene, when it all has so much more meaning (at the end). I enjoyed the end of the book immensely.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
lillyenrose's review
5.0
What if the “villains” were the ones telling the stories? In The Evil Queen, Gena Showalter gives you just that! This is the story of Snow White told from the perspective of a teenage Evil Queen. Everly Morrow is just trying to find her place in the world, and nobody will accept her. In order to fight a destiny she wants no part of she must become the very thing she wishes to avoid. With her heart and those she cares on the line does she dare hope for a happily-ever-after?
This was an amazing book. Like seriously! I started reading Gena with the Intertwined series, and when I saw she had another YA book I had to try it. I’m sad it took me this long to get to it and read it because it was fantastic! The characters were created beautifully and the world was immersive. I felt at times like I was in Everly’s world fighting alongside her. There were so many twists and turns and I thought at times I was gonna hate how it ended... but it was the absolute perfect ending to this story! Never saw it coming and was happy when it arrived. Wish we could have had more of Roth and Everly story but I think it ended nicely.
Highly Recommend this book!
This was an amazing book. Like seriously! I started reading Gena with the Intertwined series, and when I saw she had another YA book I had to try it. I’m sad it took me this long to get to it and read it because it was fantastic! The characters were created beautifully and the world was immersive. I felt at times like I was in Everly’s world fighting alongside her. There were so many twists and turns and I thought at times I was gonna hate how it ended... but it was the absolute perfect ending to this story! Never saw it coming and was happy when it arrived. Wish we could have had more of Roth and Everly story but I think it ended nicely.
Highly Recommend this book!
alwaysbooking's review
3.0
3 evil actions meet evil consequences stars!!!
What happens when you are told that you will be the root of all evil, that you will hurt everyone you love? You start to believe it don’t you? That’s what happens to Everly, however that isn’t always the case, maybe everyone has a chance to be the Evil Queen, maybe no ones story is set in stone.
There was a lot I liked in this book, and a lot I didn’t like in this book. The book starts off very fast paced, which is always a plus in my world. The characters are easy to fall in love sometimes a little bit to whiny for my liking but hey life happens I get it. Everyone has their role to play or so they think they do, some people are stuck in what role they think they will play and that hinders everyone in this book. I became unbelievably frustrated with the insta-love or infatuation between Roth and Everly. It bordered on obsession most of the book it was not normal at all. I was also upset that Everly did not have a single friend except the weird bugs and snakes, and that was not explained at all. The author is not afraid at all to kill of any character beloved or not, that part kept the plot going and unexpected. The world building was wonderful and kept me on my toes.
Will I read the next book, kind of doubtful, did I enjoy this book I’m not 100% sure there were times I didn’t even care what happened next but there were times I was fully invested. I do however really enjoy Gena Showalter’s adult books.
What happens when you are told that you will be the root of all evil, that you will hurt everyone you love? You start to believe it don’t you? That’s what happens to Everly, however that isn’t always the case, maybe everyone has a chance to be the Evil Queen, maybe no ones story is set in stone.
There was a lot I liked in this book, and a lot I didn’t like in this book. The book starts off very fast paced, which is always a plus in my world. The characters are easy to fall in love sometimes a little bit to whiny for my liking but hey life happens I get it. Everyone has their role to play or so they think they do, some people are stuck in what role they think they will play and that hinders everyone in this book. I became unbelievably frustrated with the insta-love or infatuation between Roth and Everly. It bordered on obsession most of the book it was not normal at all. I was also upset that Everly did not have a single friend except the weird bugs and snakes, and that was not explained at all. The author is not afraid at all to kill of any character beloved or not, that part kept the plot going and unexpected. The world building was wonderful and kept me on my toes.
Will I read the next book, kind of doubtful, did I enjoy this book I’m not 100% sure there were times I didn’t even care what happened next but there were times I was fully invested. I do however really enjoy Gena Showalter’s adult books.
sunshine169's review against another edition
4.0
The Evil Queen but Gena Showalter is a retelling of the fairy tale Snow White and the Evil Queen. In the book the fairy tale is a prophecy that is playing out in real time and the characters are trying to figure out which roles they are to play. The story follows Everly Morrow who is believed by most to be the Evil Queen in the prophecy. However, as the story progresses that role can be played by any of the characters. Turns out the choices the characters make change up their roles in the story.
I love books that make you think about what is good and what is evil. Why are the evil actions by characters such as Farrah justified just because she is believed to be the prophecy's Snow White, while Everly's actions of retaliation are considered evil even though she is defending herself and her loved ones? Everly says time and time again how if they just let her go she will leave them alone and live her life. What they do instead is imprison her in a tower with a metal collar around her neck to keep her from using magic. What did they expect to happen as a result of her mistreatment? Two wrongs don't make a right but it definitely teaches us that there are consequences to how we treat others.
It takes some time to build up to the action of the book but it is worth the effort. I look forward to reading further books in this series. It is mentioned how other fairy tales are playing out along with Snow White and the Evil Queen. It will be interesting to see how they are incorporated.
Thank you Netgalley and Inkyard Press for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I love books that make you think about what is good and what is evil. Why are the evil actions by characters such as Farrah justified just because she is believed to be the prophecy's Snow White, while Everly's actions of retaliation are considered evil even though she is defending herself and her loved ones? Everly says time and time again how if they just let her go she will leave them alone and live her life. What they do instead is imprison her in a tower with a metal collar around her neck to keep her from using magic. What did they expect to happen as a result of her mistreatment? Two wrongs don't make a right but it definitely teaches us that there are consequences to how we treat others.
It takes some time to build up to the action of the book but it is worth the effort. I look forward to reading further books in this series. It is mentioned how other fairy tales are playing out along with Snow White and the Evil Queen. It will be interesting to see how they are incorporated.
Thank you Netgalley and Inkyard Press for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
stassi444's review
4.0
If you are not a fan of fairytale retellings, you will not really enjoy this story. Many must remember that this is a YA novel, so the banter should be a little cringe because teens are kind of cringe (think back to how you were as a kid, exactly).
I enjoyed this book because we saw it from the villain's perspective and how she tried to avoid making choices that would lead her to evil.
So, if you like YA fairytale retellings, then by all means, read this book.
I enjoyed this book because we saw it from the villain's perspective and how she tried to avoid making choices that would lead her to evil.
So, if you like YA fairytale retellings, then by all means, read this book.
angelofsnow's review against another edition
5.0
How can words even begin to explain how much I loved this book… From the characters to just the storyline itself.
The world the author is able to create is amazing and unlike any retelling of a classic fairytale I have ever read personally. With witty, strong-minded characters we learn that not everything is as black and white as the story was once foretold. We follow Everly’s story as she grows as a person through hardships and personal growth, was an all night binge read!
The world the author is able to create is amazing and unlike any retelling of a classic fairytale I have ever read personally. With witty, strong-minded characters we learn that not everything is as black and white as the story was once foretold. We follow Everly’s story as she grows as a person through hardships and personal growth, was an all night binge read!
ameserole's review
4.0
This was a really fun read!
Ugh, I love retellings and The Evil Queen was a good one to dive into. Pretty sure I loved every character that I was introduced to. The chemistry and every little twist was all amazing in my eyes. In it, you will meet Everly Morrow who is a normal girl living in the human world. Well, she thought that because one day she finds out she has been living a lie. WELL, her whole family has been really and it was a complete shock to her.
The day that her and her twin sister Hart find out that they are fairy princesses with supernatural powers.. was interesting. She is a sorcerer with her mirror (hint hint evil queen) and Hart can communicate with animals (which is adorable). Of course that isn't the only secret that Everly finds out about, nope - the one that almost breaks her is that Hart isn't even her real sister. Nor is her mother her real mother.. so yeah - that sucked.
Now everyone in this book keeps calling her the evil queen and shit.. and I could totally see why Everly was getting annoyed constantly. She never did anything that they are saying she is going to do or has done in the past.. so she is definitely going to become evil in this one. Once Everly embraces her eviliness.. I feel like she's a bit complete - not totally yet because she's still looking for the romance part.
Like everyone, she wants a happily ever after. It doesn't hurt that she has a crush on a charming prince.. but of course, evil doesn't normally get a happy ending. YET, the ending was honestly adorable and now I'm psyched for the next one. I have no idea when the second book will be out but I need it so freaking badly.
The romance was good, the chemistry was amazing, and the twists were soooooooooooooooo good. Ugh, again.. definitely recommend this book if anyone likes retellings and seeing all their favorite characters in snow white!
Ugh, I love retellings and The Evil Queen was a good one to dive into. Pretty sure I loved every character that I was introduced to. The chemistry and every little twist was all amazing in my eyes. In it, you will meet Everly Morrow who is a normal girl living in the human world. Well, she thought that because one day she finds out she has been living a lie. WELL, her whole family has been really and it was a complete shock to her.
The day that her and her twin sister Hart find out that they are fairy princesses with supernatural powers.. was interesting. She is a sorcerer with her mirror (hint hint evil queen) and Hart can communicate with animals (which is adorable). Of course that isn't the only secret that Everly finds out about, nope - the one that almost breaks her is that Hart isn't even her real sister. Nor is her mother her real mother.. so yeah - that sucked.
Now everyone in this book keeps calling her the evil queen and shit.. and I could totally see why Everly was getting annoyed constantly. She never did anything that they are saying she is going to do or has done in the past.. so she is definitely going to become evil in this one. Once Everly embraces her eviliness.. I feel like she's a bit complete - not totally yet because she's still looking for the romance part.
Like everyone, she wants a happily ever after. It doesn't hurt that she has a crush on a charming prince.. but of course, evil doesn't normally get a happy ending. YET, the ending was honestly adorable and now I'm psyched for the next one. I have no idea when the second book will be out but I need it so freaking badly.
The romance was good, the chemistry was amazing, and the twists were soooooooooooooooo good. Ugh, again.. definitely recommend this book if anyone likes retellings and seeing all their favorite characters in snow white!
alisaa_vl's review against another edition
5.0
another incredible book:D took really long to read but i’m obsessed!!!
booklover160's review
DNF at page 63.
I didn’t like the way it started (at the end of the story), the way it transitioned, or the writing. Not interesting enough for me to care/continue which is saying something.
I didn’t like the way it started (at the end of the story), the way it transitioned, or the writing. Not interesting enough for me to care/continue which is saying something.