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alittlemixofvix's review
4.0
3.5 rounded up to 4 for Goodreads. This was a really interesting take on Snow White - it's completely different with only hints towards the classic fairytale. I will say that it is brutal, in a Game of Thrones kind of way, so I was scared to get attached to anyone - but very fitting with the time period and also the story itself.
I enjoyed the cat-and-mouse games between Marjeta and Lilika, wondering who to trust along the way. I couldn't place Lilika though, whether she truly was bad or just mislead and warped along the way. I really liked seeing Marjeta grow up through the story and how her views changed with maturity.
It was slow to start and then seemed to rush through the ending - I feel more time could have been spent on the last section of the book as I found it over too quickly. I still have questions - maybe there's room for a sequel?
Overall, a good story of growing up, lies, and betrayal - mixing fairytales with historical fiction. I'd recommend it and it does pick up once you're further in the story.
*I received a complimentary copy of the book from InstaBookTours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I enjoyed the cat-and-mouse games between Marjeta and Lilika, wondering who to trust along the way. I couldn't place Lilika though, whether she truly was bad or just mislead and warped along the way. I really liked seeing Marjeta grow up through the story and how her views changed with maturity.
It was slow to start and then seemed to rush through the ending - I feel more time could have been spent on the last section of the book as I found it over too quickly. I still have questions - maybe there's room for a sequel?
Overall, a good story of growing up, lies, and betrayal - mixing fairytales with historical fiction. I'd recommend it and it does pick up once you're further in the story.
*I received a complimentary copy of the book from InstaBookTours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
neilw's review
5.0
Not so much a fairytale retelling, or even a reimagining, as a disarticulation and reassembly in to a seriously darkling exploration of the terrifying webs of enmity and alliance that perpetuate among communities of women. All the characters are fascinating, especially Marjeta as she grows from carefree 'spare' daughter to child bride to 'wicked stepmother'. When she's sent to live in her betrothed's court, there's jeopardy in every tentative friendship she makes, and Hellisen's cleverest details illuminate how when you're alone in a friendless place, a world where whispers are orchestrated against you, even when you've made those friendships you can still never fully trust them. You're constantly alone. The story is redolent with magic too, and the depections of the supernatural aspects of the two competiting (old and new) religions is stunning. Silviana's fever dream is especially unforgettable.
chaptersofvicki's review
3.0
This was a slow burn for me. I liked how the book was split into parts making it easier to read.
I enjoyed the story overall although I did find it hard to follow at times and keeping track of who was who.
If you like a dark magical fantasy in a more classic style of writing then this is definitely one for you to read.
Thank you to @instabooktours for having me on the tour and for my gifted copy of the book.
I enjoyed the story overall although I did find it hard to follow at times and keeping track of who was who.
If you like a dark magical fantasy in a more classic style of writing then this is definitely one for you to read.
Thank you to @instabooktours for having me on the tour and for my gifted copy of the book.
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