kirkusreviews.com
A new take on “Snow White” in which fairy
tales are prophecies.
Life in Oklahoma did not prepare
17-year-old Everly Morrow for the truths she comes to discover: that she is a
princess from the realm of Enchantia; her stepfather, Nicolas, is an evil
sorcerer; and her beloved twin, Hartly, is not actually her sister. Plus, they
are all players in a developing prophecy connected to the “Snow White” tale—but
none of them knows which part they will play. Everly crosses over to Enchantia
to find the truth behind who she is, and there, she meets other potential
players, including Prince Roth Charmaine (Prince Charming, perhaps?), with
whom she has an insta-connection. This is only the beginning of Everly’s
journey: With her newfound ability to communicate with mirrors, it seems fairly
clear which character Everly is fated to be. The novel’s conceit has a lot of
potential with its deconstruction of a cherished fairy tale, an interesting
take on good and evil as actions rather than fate, and a long cast of
characters in ever evolving roles that will leave readers wondering who they
are supposed to be. But cringeworthy dialogue and a convoluted, overlong
execution let the premise down along with Everly’s repetitive
am-I-good/am-I-evil internal monologue. Everly is white; some secondary
characters are described as having brown skin, and two major secondary
characters are lesbians.
An intriguing but ultimately
disappointing series opener. (Fantasy. 14-adult)
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