Sarah Morse Adams

(Note: I received a review copy from the author, in exchange for an honest review.)
4.25 Stars

Mirror, mirror… Steady-paced and affecting... Loved this retelling of Snow White.

As everyone knows, once upon a time, there was beautiful princess named ‘Snow’, beautiful white as snow; an evil stepmother who locked her in the prison of castle. She ran away from castle when she discovered evil intention of stepmother and took shelter in the house of seven dwarfs. That’s it… here ends the similarity.

In this retelling, Snow is princess of Fae kingdom and she is possessed by an uncontrollable demon. She is locked in prison by her father and stepmother. Step mother is evil, of course, but living in a fancy of being a hero of the kingdom, wants to save it from princess, and wants to kill her. Snow run away from castle in hope of getting rid of her demon and queen with a wish to live. During her runaway she meets horseman and makes deal with him which is going to change everything. Will she able to get rid of her demon or find out a way to control it? What happens when her stepmother finds out her whereabouts? Is she going to survive from her demon and stepmother?

There’s also a poisonous comb, poisonous apple, a prince, and spirits. But everything in author’s style. The story is very refreshing and unique. I loved the blend of fae folk with Snow White story. The elements were somewhat similar yet very different which made me keep reading till the end.

Talking about characters- I loved horseman. I loved the formation of his character. Snow was complex and with two personality. I liked her demon more than her other side. All the emotions, struggle, indecisiveness of Snow because her dual personality and her development during the book was well written. Antagonists were despicable and unpredictable. All the secondary characters also didn’t fail in catching attention. Dwarfs were fun to read I liked that part where snow was trying to guess their names.

Whole prince part was well crafted. I liked twist in the book. It came when I was not expecting it. Climax was enthralling, I was literally chewing my nails. Only one thing that kept me from giving full 5 star was the end. It was abrupt and unexpected. I wanted to read more, why it ended!! :(

Those who love fairy tale retelling is definitely going to like it.… (más)

Sarah Morse Adams’ latest book exceeded every expectation. I’ve read a lot of fairy tale retellings, but never could I have foreseen the twists in this story, nor have I read a story quite like this one.

Snow White has a stepmother who wants her dead, and when she runs away, she meets seven dwarves. But those are the only recognizable parts of the story. Adams’ Snow White is a fairy possessed by an evil spirit. She ran away from her stepmother who was, in her own twisted way, just trying to protect the people of their kingdom from Snow. But Snow’s mission to rid herself from this evil spirit brings her into contact with some rebels, a headless horseman, the dwarves, a three eyed man, a prince, a slightly mad scientist, and a whole lot of adventure. Even the apple and the mirror are reinterpreted.

I loved how complex the characters were. Snow’s split personality made her even more interesting, as she learned to understand all of herself, not just the person she wanted to be. This version of Snow White showed our heroine facing numerous decisions that challenged her. Should she fight for those she loved, knowing that her very existence posed a danger for them? Should she run and hide rather than allowing people to fight for and with her? If given the opportunity to be forgotten, and thus protect her people, would that be her best choice? Should she rid herself of the evil spirit or could it somehow be tamed? Ultimately, she became not the weak princess waiting for true love’s kiss, but a force to be reckoned with.

The constant twists in the plot were also fun and kept me continuously surprised. Even in the last chapters, there were new surprises. When it ended, I kept checking for an epilogue - there were still many things that needed to happen before the characters (and the kingdom) could reach a happily-ever-after. But the characters were definitely off to a great start. I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves adventures, fairy tales, and the realm of imagination.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.… (más)

I’m a sucker for all thing fairy tale. I especially love it when authors retell the old stories in new ways that do justice to the original fairy tales, but fill in gaps in the story. Little Red Riding Hood is one story that desperately needs its gaps filled in. The Crimson Cloak wove together the stories of Red Riding Hood and Beauty and the Beast. While the stories are so well known and the outcome is certain, this novel made the stories seem delightfully new and filled them with many twists and surprises (including a magical world and lots of fairies). I look forward to reading other books by Sarah Morse Adams in the future.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.… (más)