A retelling of Snow White with elements of Frozen was an automatic "yes" for me. There are so many great elements, from a girlxgirl romance, badass women, to snow and bad hair moments (#relatable). Highly recommended!

This was not exactly what I was expecting from a fairy tale retelling but I definitely did enjoy it. Retellings can be a hit or miss for me at times, but I definitely think that this time is was a hit. The writing in the novel was exceptional and I felt as though the characters were well written and enjoyable. All in all, I thought this novel was a well written fairy tale retelling.

This was not my cup of tea, but I can see why so many people loved it.

I thought this book moved SOOOOOO SLOOOOOOW. It was honestly very hard for me to get into and then to get through. I didn’t really feel a connection to any of the characters. I didn’t really care what happened to them in the end. I did like how this book gave more depth to the original fairytale, though. The author did a good job at explaining actions by deep-rooted motivations that made sense even if I didn’t agree. Overall, I just don’t think this book was for me. I think I’ve read that some people really loved it, but I honestly can’t get over the pacing. SO SLOW.

Note: I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

“Girls Made of Snow and Glass” is a unique and imaginative retelling of “Snow White.” Both of the main characters were complex and there was quite a bit of heartbreak while I was reading it over the circumstances of the infamous stepmother. Add to it the lgbtq diversity and you get a solid and original read.

Girls Made of Snow and Glass was SO FREAKING GOOD!!!!! I loved everything about it – the plot, the characters, and the writing. This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2017, and it definitely did NOT disappoint!

I absolutely loved Mina. I know we’re supposed to dislike her, as the Evil Queen, but you guys know I LOVE a good villain/villain origin story, so I was completely fascinated by Mina’s story. She was so strong and fierce! I hated how her father and the people of the north treated her, though. At times, you could see the scared, vulnerable little girl hiding beneath the crown. She wanted nothing more than to be loved, yet she couldn’t see the love that was right in front of her.

Lynet was an interesting character, but I found some of her scenes a little more boring compared to Mina’s. About 60% into the story, it really started to slow down and I got to a point where I only wanted Mina’s POV. But things definitely picked up as the book went on, and Lynet came to be a strong character with plenty of fight in her. I LOVED how her story ended!

I loved the relationship between Mina and Lynet – I know that’s weird to say, when we all know how the original Snow White fairy tale ended. But this book allowed us to see a different side to both girl and queen. It was a refreshing take, and always had me on the edge of my seat – always wondering how the author was going to get from where the characters were in this story to where they were in the original fairy tale. It didn’t seem possible, but the author pulled it off in an intriguing, masterful way!

I really liked Nadia, despite not fully trusting her. There was just something about her that made me feel suspicious – and then the revelation about her confirmed my suspicions. Yet I still liked her. I really liked the relationship between her and Lynet. It was a slow burn, but it was worth it – the way things ended, it was SO satisfying. And I loved the way Nadia’s story ended in general.

Nicholas was a complete and total ass. He didn’t truly love his daughter, he was just mourning the loss of his wife and trying desperately to recreate her via his daughter. I also hated the way he treated Mina. It’s one thing to mourn the loss of someone, it’s another to forget about the living – or treat them terribly – because of that loss. Gregory, also, was a disgusting ass – but that was less of a surprise, so the gross things he did were only mildly shocking.

The only character I don’t have a lot to say about is Felix. I was intrigued by him in the beginning, and then he lost my interest. He lacked a personality and despite understanding why, I just reached a point where I didn’t care for him or his story anymore.

I loved the way many things in this story mirrored (see what I did there?) the original fairy tale, but I also loved the creative liberty the author took – I was never a huge fan of the story of Snow White, but this book made me SO happy!

Overall, if you couldn’t tell from my super rambly review (seriously, sorry if this review is rambly and wordy and weird – I loved this book so much, I couldn’t really articulate how I felt about it), I absolutely adored this book!!! I can count on one hand how many books I TRULY loved this year, and this is one of them! I HIGHLY recommend it to those who love fairy tale retellings! I can’t wait to see what Melissa Bashardoust does next!

I really liked what this book had to say about the validity of finding a place for oneself outside of the family that we are given. Fairy tale re-imaginings can be tricky, but I feel like Bashardoust did a good job of making this one feel fresh. It's also always great to see LGBTQIA themes in YA novels, as representation is so important. I'm very glad that even in a fairy tale re-imagining, with heteronormative source material, that LGBTQIA characters were given voice. Also must applaud it for making Mina more than the trope that she is based upon. At times it felt a little simplistic in it's writing style, but overall I felt like this book was a very strong story with some really fresh ideas.

I really wanted to love this, unfortunately I didn't connect. The writing is solid but the pace was too slow to keep my attention and I didn't care what happened next. Disappointing, but so many people seem to love it, so maybe it's just me.

*Received a copy of Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

4/5 stars

Snow White has gotten revamped in this retelling/configuration of the original story with the submissive girl looking for a man to save her from her life to a girl looking to save her world. Everything seems to in order in the cold royal village of Whitespring until a new surgeon who happens to be a girl named Nadia comes in and takes all Lynet's interest. Also, Lynet is soon to be queen of Whitespring, which does not make Mina happy. Mina breaks into a jealous rage and her protect side for Lynet takes over, trying to protect her position and Lynet's hopes of never becoming queen. Mina sends Lynet away due to her violent outburst of magic, and tries to find Lynet, who is set on a journey to save herself and Mina. Throughout her exploration of her kingdom, she gains knowledge about her own magic and her kingdom while also learning who she is through an unknown relative. In this incredible story of a journey through youth, brave and head-strong Lynet learns the differences between the expectations put on her and who she really is with her friends and family alongside her.

Discussion:

As to get into tune with the princess and fairy tale vibes of this story, I will write down my childhood memories of Disney for you. I used to love watching Disney movies, which have stolen generations of viewers's hearts, as a child. I saw "The Little Mermaid" and "Snow White" too many times to count, and found them enjoyable. As I have grown, I have seen the issues in both of these movies and many other stories from Disney; however, as I have been growing up, classic movies from Disney have grown up too, with "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" becoming one-hundred years old by the time 2037 comes around, which will be in twenty years but only feel like ten. Time just goes by so fast, doesn't it? As Girls Made of Snow and Glass is a retelling of "Snow White," I thought it was only right to mention the movie that started it all; however, the similarities are few between these two sources, which I will discuss later in this post.

First, before I go into the great qualities that made this book into what it is, I want to quickly rip off the band-aid and go into the things I disliked. To start off this discussion, the story was so slow in the beginning. As I do every night, I will read until I cannot keep my eyes open the slightest; and even though Bashardoust's storytelling is amazing at each flip of a page, I closed my eyes more and more as I read the beginning. A lot of great books I have read have slow beginnings; however, the world-building could've been told with a faster pace. Since this is the only bad thing I have to say about this novel, let's jump right into the good stuff.

Next, in a lot of story's told through the pages of a book, spoken words through a radio, or the visuals on a television screen, families are always in the spotlight. Whether it is good or bad, family is still important, which is why I feel obligated to write about it. I have always been told by my family that I can pick my nose, I can pick my friends, but I cannot pick my friend's nose; or as explained simply, pick your friends wisely since they are YOUR chosen family. Or, that may just be how I interpreted my parents' words. I have been immensely lucky to find myself in a good home and some great friends at school; however, that does not seem to be the case with Lynet. As Lynet is becoming sixteen and is almost ready to takeover her father's throne, she always thought she would always be able to confide to her stepmother Mina in dire times. That part of life does not always stay true though since Mina and Lynet both feel betrayed by each other. Mina wants to rule and Lynet just wants to live her life with no expectations weighing her down; however, that can never truly happen as both ladies's insecurities and territories are threatened. Even though they feel threatened by each other, they find out how to work together and kill who they need to kill in order to get what they both want: each other. Their ties to each other are stronger than anyone thought they were as they tackle their problems individually and together. Also, Mina and Lynet are not the only characters who are included in their family. Along with seeing Lynet's father be a part in Lynet's childhood, Mina's dad is shown throughout the book throughout Mina's flashbacks and Lynet's adventures. This section could include the character's qualities or more information of the importance of family, but then this post would be unnecessarily longer than it should be.

Along with the importance of family, this book looks like a sore thumb from the rest of books I have read since I have only read one other "Snow White" retelling, which is Winter by Marissa Meyer. Snow White seems to be the least used idea along with a good family relationship or friendship that works out in the end. I really need to start finding more fairy tale retellings as I find them to good, safe, and nostalgic stories that can have a different villain or a strong character that I root for. Even though this can be every book in general, a retelling makes an author play around with the original characters and story line to make his or her story unique. Also, it can be nice to read a favorite or hated tale of mine and love it more since it can be shown in a light that I favor.

In literature, diversity has gotten some recognition and has become widespread over the past couple of years. Before the amount of diversity in books became a widely discussed topic, which made it a lists of rants that reached my feet and beyond, on Twitter or any other social media outlet. This book can be on high radar for someone looking for some diversity in sexuality as there is a lesbian relationship in this book. Also, in some books, a lot of relationships seem to be forced or spontanous; however, Bashardoust seems to make this storybook romance work. She finds the perfect blend of romance, fantasy, and realistic views to make the relationship work. I am very glad that the romance between Nadia and Lynet worked out as they both seemed perfect for each other, whether it was through a friendship or a romantic relationship. Their romance was not rushed nor was it insta-love as they went through a lot with each other to get to know each other, which I think made them stronger as individuals and together as a couple. Since this story is based on a fairy tale with a storybook romance, I am glad that this was a well-executed part of the plan told in this book.

The characters seem to have a taken a step back in this review since Bashardoust fills her book with the intricate world she built, the important themes she discusses, and the diversity that is flawlessly included. For the characters, they are phenomenal and extremely well-thought out. They each have their own goals and their own fates decided by themselves as this story is driven via the characters actions and decisions. Even though the characters have a lot in common with each other, they have a lot of differences as well. Since there are two main characters that show us the story through their perspectives, I will discuss my feelings for Lynet and Mina.

1.
1. Lynet
The first character I will write about is Lynet, which I found to be very enjoyable to read about. As a girl who is an outline of everyone's thoughts of her, she feels oppressed and does not feel as if she owns herself. Throughout the book, she goes through a very big character arc as she learns to believe in herself and to do what she wants to do with her life. Also, as she learns more about her magic and becomes one with it, she becomes more confident as she seems to take more risks rather than just climbing and sneaking out at late hours to talk to Mina. I found myself relating to Lynet often as I hate being told what to do and I love to explore. Even if I may only spend my days cleaning my room and searching for that one pen I lost two years ago, I like to search for things. Also, in the original story of "Snow White," Snow White is a girl who leaves her mother who wants to kill her; while in Girls Made of Snow and Glass, Lynet leaves the only place she has ever known to help her stepmother with her magic. Even though she may have the kindness, purity, and unselfishness that Snow White has, she is strong, adventurous, intelligent, and can definitely stand up for herself in a fight. Even though finding a fantasy standalone is like finding treasure in an ancient treasure chest, I do wish I had more time with Lynet and all the other wonderful characters in this book. There are some parts that can help form a sequel or a companion book, but I guess that I will have to wait and see.

2. Mina
Mina was also very enjoyable to read as I was not just reading about the current events, but also her past and how she grew up. When she was at a young age, Mina tackled her magic, something that Lynet never got to do due to her father's watchful gaze on her at all times. Even though Mina may have all the magic I wish I had, she lives a lonely life of no friends, no close connection with her dad, and rumors always traveling behind her whenever she went to the market. Even though Mina learned self-confidence, pride, and manipulation at a young age, she never learned what love was as she was always told she could not love as she had a glass heart. This belief she held throughout her entire life kept her from finding someone whom she really loved until the end of the book. She even does this her future husband whom she believes will break the curse that keeps her from loving. I enjoyed how she found out that she could love others even if it was very sad to read about as love is a key part of our every day human lives. Unless if you are a robot, you can probably relate to what I writing. Writing of robots, Mina can create glass people due to her glass heart. This is really cool as she can create anything she wants as long as she has glass or sand. Also, I really enjoy how she tried to make up how she acted with Lynet at their first meeting when she "exploded" with power. I am so glad that Mina redeemed herself in the end to become a great mother and friend to Lynet.

In conclusion, Melissa Bashardoust's Girls Made of Glass and Snow is definitely a book one should pick up or keep on his or her radar. I learned so much in between the pages of this book that I can use in my life even if I have no magical abilities or danger lurking at every corner. Even though I could write many more sentences to describe my love for this book, I find myself repeating the things I wrote above and my eyes closing more and more every second. So, until next time, have fun reading the boos you are reading now, which if you want to tell me, you can in the comment section below.

Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy!

Keep warm,
newbookcats

All her life Mina knew she was different; everyone in her town never let her forget how different because of her magician father. So when her father, Gregory, decided to move north to Whitespring Castle, it was hard at first, but anything had to be better than life in the South. Living at Whitespring, Mina comes up with a plan; to marry the widowed King and rule over the kingdoms.

Fifteen-year-old Lynet loves her step mother Mina. She is the only mother she has ever known, her mother died at childbirth and her father has never been the same. Everyone comments on how much Lynet looks like her mother; she also knows how hard it is to live in the shadow of someone so loved.

Little do both women know they are more alike than they ever could have imagined. Both fixed and created by Gregory; one made of glass, the other of snow. As the story progresses, both Mina and Lynet learn more about their powers and the power of love to heal them both.

For some reason, this novel did not keep me coming back for more. I was intrigued by the idea and the story, but I was never unable to put it down. I liked how readers got to go back in time with chapters alternating between present-day Lynet and past Mina. I also liked how as the story progressed, secrets here revealed throughout; sprinkled for readers to discover. Overall an okay book, nothing to rave home about though.

Really enjoyed this book a lot. I have to say while I really liked a lot of the characters, my most favorite would most definitely be the Huntsman. I loved how loyal he was to Mina and knew what she wanted more than she did herself.
I loved his relationship with Lynet a lot as well.
I have to say I loved how complicated Mina and Lynet's relationship was, and how much they had in common but how very different they were as well.
I really loved how the book ended and I am glad it ended that way. The book was a very fun and interesting read.

I was excited to read Girls Made of Snow and Glass. It's an original fairytale but takes bits and pieces of other classic fairytales like Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and the Ice Queen. The story is about Mina, a girl with a glass heart and Lynet, a girl made of snow.

The story is told by switching the point of view back and forth between Mina, the stepmother, and Lynet in Snow White’s role. Mina’s chapters begin with flashing back to her teenage years and tell the story of how she was brought up, how she met the king and how she eventually becomes Lynet’s stepmother leaving the two woman as rivals. If you are a fan of retellings with some new and liberal ideas I would recommend checking this one out as it was different.

Girls Made of Snow and Glass is a feminist re-telling of the fairy tale, Snow White. It was an entertaining book. I personally felt like it was a slow read and I didn't connect with the characters, but I don't think I was the target audience for this book. Overall, it was good.

I am in love with this book! Girls Made of Snow and Glass is a retelling of Snow White and so much more. I am always a fan of fairy tale retelling, it is a weakness but I almost always find them to be fun reads and this was no exception. However, I wasn't prepared for the feminist elements of this book. The female relationships and f/f representation was so wonderful and I was thrilled to find them as this story unfolded. We go back and forth between the perspective of Mina, the current queen, and Lynet, her stepdaughter and princess. I actually loved the relationship between these two because it was complex and layered. I also liked Nadia, this intricate character and awesome female surgeon. All these women showing their strengths in the traditional kind of story where you expect women to be fragile and hidden. They fight these stereotypes to prove how incredible they are and I love every minute of it. This story was so much more than I expected it would be and I couldn't be happier about it. This is a truly magical story with tons of girl power.

Fans of young adult fairytale retellings won't want to miss Girls Made of Snow and Glass, a feminist take on Snow White set in a land of perpetual winter. The world building is amazing, and the main characters seem to leap off the page. There's even a hint of a lesbian romance for those looking for diversity.

Lynet is nearly sixteen, and she looks more like her long dead mother every day. Her father is determined to raise her to be like her mother in personality as well, but Lynet's love of the outdoors makes this difficult. She'd much rather climb trees than learn embroidery, and no one seems able to tame her high spirits.

One day, a mysterious young woman comes to the castle. Lynet is immediately captivated by her, and this feeling is intensified when she learns Nadia is the new palace surgeon. Slowly, the two young women strike up a friendship that turns to attraction, but their budding romance is threatened by Nadia's knowledge of a dangerous secret linked to Lynet's very existence. It seems that Lynet is not the flesh and blood girl the world believes her to be. Instead, her father coerced a visiting magician into creating her out of snow, blood, and magic. Now, Lynet is forced to decide who she really is and where she truly belongs, even if it costs her everything she holds dear.

Thirteen years previously, Mina, the daughter of the same magician, accompanies her father to the palace, determined to catch the eye of the widowed king. Surely, as queen of the land, she'll finally be free from her father's machinations. But things don't go as smoothly as Mina hoped they would. The king isn't eager to remarry, and it is only by befriending Lynet, the king's young daughter, that she is able to endear herself to the king and eventually become his wife. But, even after she is crowned queen, Mina struggles to find true happiness. Her husband still mourns his dead wife, and Mina herself is keeping a terrible secret, one that could cause the king to put her aside for good; for he cannot want to be bound for life to a woman with a glass heart, who was created in a fit of pique by her black-hearted, powerful father.

The story is told in alternating chapters from both Mina's and Lynet's points of view, so the narrative shifts back and forth in time through the years leading up to Lynet's sixteenth birthday when her father decides to name her queen in her stepmother's place. Once close friends, Mina and Lynet are now set against one another as they vie to rule the land they both love.

Both Lynet and Mina are likable heroines, but I found myself more drawn to Lynet. I loved her determination to fly in the face of convention in order to achieve her dreams. She loves her father, but she knows she will have to stand up to him one day, even if she dreads the prospect of doing so. In so many ways, Lynet is fearless, but not in a way that makes her act rashly.

Mina is also quite determined, but she's also a little more ruthless than I normally like my heroines to be. She cares about Lynet, but I couldn't help thinking she cared about herself even more. Some of her thought processes rubbed me the wrong way, and I found myself questioning her motivations on more than one occasion. Having said that, it's important to note that I honestly didn't dislike Mina as a character. She's deeply flawed, and so much of her damage stems from the abuse she suffered at her father's hand. I sometimes wanted her to rise above the ugliness of her early life, and I cheered her on when she managed to do it.

The author has created an original and magical realm where winter reigns supreme, a  harsh land, where magic is feared and tradition is held sacred. I loved the bits of lore woven throughout the story, which provided some insight into the history of the world, and added an extra element of authenticity.

I absolutely adored the dash of romance between Nadia and Lynet; my only complaint is that there wasn't more of it. Lynet has a lot to deal with, so her feelings for Nadia often get put on the back burner, but the time the two spend together is a true delight. Nadia shows Lynet she's valued as more than a replacement for her mother, and  when things go bad between Lynet and Mina, Nadia serves as Lynet's port in the storm. While the author doesn't provide readers with a firm HEA, she does give us a sense that such a thing will exist for Lynet and Nadia some time in the future.

If you're looking for a story with strong heroines who rise up in the face of adversity to become the fierce, independent women they've always longed to be, Girls Made of Snow and Glass might just be the book for you. It's empowering and thoroughly enjoyable, exactly the kind of story I wish I could have read during my own teenaged years.

Buy Now: A/BN/iB/K

Use the words ‘feminist,’ ‘fairy tale,’ and ‘retelling’ AND YOU KNOW THAT I WILL BE A READER OF THAT BOOK, REGARDLESS OF ANYTHING ELSE.

After Frozen (GO SISTER POWER!) the new Cinderella movie came out, I was so disappointed that it wasn’t more… feministic. I expected that Disney to have seen the pure joy that women around the world faced when true love’s kiss didn’t mean Prince Charming’s and to have changed Cinderella, but it was the absolute same as before. *continues weeping*

In any case, it was after that that I began STRONGLY BELIEVING that all Fairy Tales SHOULD BE MORE FEMINISTIC so that little girls will grow up knowing how to be strong, independent women.
And so when I first read the description of Melissa Bashardoust’s Girls Made of Snow and Glass, I KNEW I WOULD HAVE TO READ IT. And when I got approved to read an advance reader copy, I was OVER THE MOON.

Surprisingly, this book took me a really long while to get through. The book was slow paced and filled with introspection and I found myself skipping the long LONG descriptions that came after a few exchanges between characters.

Let’s break this down:

THINGS I REALLY LIKED:

1. A FEMINISM AND LGBT FILLED FAIRY TALE RETELLING: Did you get all of those words? A FEMINIST. LGBT. FAIRY TALE. RETELLING. Really, can you ask for more? I already read one Snow While retelling earlier this year, Forest of A Thousand Lanterns and I LOVED IT for its Asian cast and anti-heroine but this one WITH MAGICAL POWERS SOUNDED JUST AS GOOD. I was so happy that this book turned the traditional fairy tale into a feminist book because WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE ABOUT THAT?

2. STRONG FEMALE CAST: Most of the book was centred around strong female characters trying to find their way or themselves, and I loved it. Mina (the Queen/ Stepmother), Lynet (the Princess) and even Nadia were all characters that were so well done.

THINGS THAT REALLY COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:

1. THE PACE: THIS BOOK WAS VERY SLOW. It took me days and days to get through it purely because of how utterly slow paced it was. Like I mentioned before – there just wasn’t much HAPPENING in the book and it was filled with introspection from both Lynet and Mina about the SAME THINGS.
I found myself skipping parts of the inner monologues as I got to the latter half of the book because they were the SAME and I wasn’t learning any new information from them
I honestly felt that if the pace of this book had been different, the book itself would have been so much more enjoyable.

2. DID I ALREADY SAY THE PACE?

3. T-H-E -- P-A-C-E:

And that’s it. I absolutely love what Melissa Bashardoust’s book did for feminism in fairy tales considering HOW MUCH we need it, but I would be giving this book a lot higher of a rating if the book was faster paced. 2.75 stars.

When I read in the synopsis that Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust was going to be a feminist retelling of Snow White meets Frozen, I knew I had to read it. Being a huge fan of fairy tale retellings, I've read some good ones...and some not good ones, and I can honestly say that Girls Made of Snow and Glass is one of the most creative retellings I've ever read. That being said, it is not one of my favorite retellings that I've ever read. There was little to no world building, which I see as a major issue for a fantasy novel because for a reader to become truly invested in a fantasy novel they must feel as if they know the world. I felt as if I was just thrown into the story with nothing to help me understand the world and what was going on. As for the main characters, I thought that Mina's character arc was very well written, thought out, and extensive, while Lynet's character arc was lacking. It just felt as if the author didn't put as much effort into her as she did into Mina, but I will say that the way her relationship wither her father, the creepy king who decided to make his daughter in the spitting image of his dead wife, was displayed was fantastic and I believe that Bashardoust did a great job in conveying the creepy undertones between the two. I was still able to connect with Lynet in some ways throughout the story, but I didn't find her to be very interesting. I will say that I loved romance between Nadia and Lynet because there was no instalove, it didn't feel forced, and it's great to see LGBT representation in YA literature. The plot itself was very slow and lacking in substance. The story dragged on and on at times, but also parts that would feel thrown in at random or rushed for no reason. I wanted more out of the story, but it was just underwhelming. One thing I will say I particularly enjoyed though was the underlying theme of feminism. Feminism is the last thing that comes to mind when I think of the tale of Snow White, but feministic undertones run throughout the story in themes such as girls being worth more than their beauty, and that girls are able to be whoever they want to be. Overall I give Girls Made of Snow and Glass 3 out of 5 stars for being an new and innovative take on a fairy tale retelling as well as the feministic theme, Mina's character development, and the inclusion of a LGBT relationship, but ultimately lacking in world building and plot I believe that this book might appeal more to a younger audience because they would be less bothered by the lack of plot and world building, and more enchanted by the idea of the story as a whole. I didn't hate the book, I just didn't find it to be anything special; however, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a feminist fairy tale retelling or an interesting fairy tale retelling in general, but they should know before starting that it's somewhat slow and has some problems.

A unique retelling of the Snow White myth. i liked the way the mirror and the woodsman were incorporated into the story. It was different enough for the original to feel fresh.

Today I’m excited to talk about a new release that I received an ARC of thanks to NetGalley, Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust. Originally I had planned to finish and review the week of Irma but it got pushed back but I am so happy to get to it now. This is a stand-alone fantasy/retelling.

Rating: 5 Stars

This is a story of two girls and how their lives are entwined. Mina the beautiful daughter of the feared magician and a heart made of glass. When she is moved to Whitespring Castle she meets the king and is eager to win his broken heart and finally know love from the king and the people as their queen. This would also make her a step-mother to little Lynet the kings’ pride and joy and spitting image of the late queen. That is by design as she was made by Mina’s father by order of the king. Though she is supposed to be just like her dead mother she finds herself wanting to be more like Mina and when her father decides it is time for Lynet to take her place as queen. They are destined to be rivals for the throne and as power starts to sway and secrets are revealed, loyalties are tested. Who will rule and at what cost?

This was a version of Snow White that I had never thought of before. It gave me some Once Upon A Time feels which I adored. I loved that while there is a small amount of romantic love in the story the real focus is on the two leads and who they are and develop into through their journey. Mina is told with her glass heart she is incapable of giving or receiving love, that’s a hard thing to grow up with. With Mina seeing both her past and her present really showed depth into who she was and how she came to be. I love a well-developed character, especially a flawed one. Lynet is treated as such a fragile thing, always expected to be the perfect copy of a mother she never knew and never really allowed to experience life. I loved seeing her grow up, as like Mina it gave the reader insight into who they became and the choices they will have to make. I really understood them and their motives.

This story takes on many different aspects but I really enjoyed the magic. The magic is there and ever present in the story, a driving force really, and it’s done beautifully. Still it all comes down to the characters and their motives and emotions. I enjoyed how the magic was there to enhance the story and give it a unique flare but it wasn’t the main element. I loved how Mina struggled with herself and her actions. She didn’t want to be evil or do harm she was just a girl who wanted nothing more than to be loved and when that is denied to you it takes a toll on the soul. Lynet is naïve and unsure but she grows to have faith in herself by making her own mistakes.

Bashardoust managed to create an entire world for the reader to fall into that felt both familiar and completely new. I love the turn on the characters and how each character had depth and not intrinsically evil. You want Mina and Lynet to each have their own happy ending even if you know that would be at odds with one another. I enjoyed the dual POV and getting to know them both so well the good and the bad. The only tiny thing I could think to mention is the magic and how I wish I knew more about how it worked and what the limits were. Nothing negative I really grasped the world and it didn’t hinder my reading experience just that it was fascinating and I would love to learn more. While this functions perfectly as a stand-alone I would be open to reading more in the world and what other magic is there. I really enjoyed the story and look forward to more by the author.

Until next time.

"Being delicate had killed her mother, and yet he was so eager to bestow that quality on her."

GIRLS MADE OF SNOW AND GLASS, Melissa Bashardoust's debut novel, came out this past week, and it is wonderful. It's very different from many tales out there in that readers are treated to both the stepmother's POV and the stepdaughter's POV--albeit when both are teenagers. So one tale is told in flashbacks and the other as it is taking place. The story is reminiscent Snow White, and it has been comped as "Frozen meets The Bloody Chamber.

THE PAST:

Mina is sixteen and has just found out that her father, a well-known magician, "cured" her illness as a child by replacing her failing heart with a glass heart. She no longer has the ability to love. Then, she discovers that her heart could have been more real if her father had known more about his magical abilities back then. Now, as he saves the king's infant daughter Lynet through magical means, she becomes more flesh and blood and human than Mina will ever be. Mina and her father move to the castle, and Mina eventually marries the widowed king and becomes a stepmother, her life taking turns she never saw coming.

THE PRESENT:

Fifteen-year-old Lynet is sick of walking in her deceased mother's shadow. She's sick of hearing how much she looks like her mother, of how much she she does that her mother never would. Her mother was delicate where Lynet is wild; she loves exploring and hates sitting inside, but her father doesn't understand. When a mysterious new girl enters the castle as the latest surgeon, Lynet is intrigued and follows her everywhere. Once the two become friends, Nadia tells Lynet the secret that had been kept hidden: she was born from magic, shaped out of snow. She's human, but also...not.

ONLY ONE CAN BE QUEEN.

When the king dies unexpectedly, he leaves everything to Lynet. But in order for her to take her place as Queen, she must displace her stepmother...And Mina's not planning to step down lightly.

I really enjoyed delving into the lives of both Mina and Lynet. Interestingly, even though Lynet is the heroine of the story, I felt more intrigued by Mina for the longest time. Lynet's story moves slowly and picks up in the back half, while so much is going on with Mina that I really wanted to get back to the action right away. This method fleshes out both girls well and has you rooting for them both. This isn't a traditional retelling of Snow White: Lynet grew up loving her stepmother. She idolized her. She confided in her before her own father. Mina, too, is not the traditional evil stepmother. Both are complex characters, and I really love the dynamic between them as the facets of their relationship are explored.

The novel is also atypical in how curses are broken, not to mention how magic is used, and these elements were so intriguing to me. They gave the story whimsy and the feel of a fairy tale. It was also empowering to women: In a world where they are controlled by men and have little free will of their own, they both find a way to break the rules and take something to call their own.

In the end, GIRLS MADE OF SNOW AND GLASS focuses on family more than it does love. This is great for every reader who complains that YA focuses too much on romance, that plot is secondary. But it's not so great for all the readers hoping for an epic romance between Lynet and Nadia. There is romance, but it's slow to develop and takes a back seat to the story and the emphasis on family. That said, the two are really sweet together, and I like the way their bond is formed over time and not a result of insta-love!!

Even though this book could be slow at times, I was completely invested in the story and love the unique spin put onto a traditional tale in a way that made it sparkling and fresh. i finished reading my ARC and rushed out to preorder a finished copy!