A Unique, Gothic Retelling--"Heart of Snow" by Rachel Grow Law—Review

 

 My Review:

“Heart of Snow" by Rachel Grow Law is a fresh, Gothic Snow White retelling! Rachel Grow Law may be a debut author, but you would never know it from reading her amazing story. I will tell you right now that this is one of my top reads of the year! It was everything I wanted in a retelling and the romance was perfection. Ms. Grow Law managed to make several nods to the original fairy tale while making this book uniquely her own. I love this time period of 1500s Germany during the Reformation and appreciate that the author wove so much history into the story. I learned so many new things while reading this story. Ms. Grow Law gives great attention to historical details and the book was well researched. This is great for fans of retellings and romance with Gothic undertones. Margaretha and Friedrich are such great characters. Theirs is an enemies-to-lovers romance. There are lessons on flirting, love, archery, and French between the two. Will these enemies catch real feelings along the way? Margaretha is kind and willing to do whatever it takes to help her brother, even to her own detriment. Will she make the right choices when lives are at stake?  

This book is so romantic, there is amazing chemistry and banter, and the first kiss was perfection. Ms. Grow Law made my jaw drop during a certain part, which I totally did not see coming! There is a scene in the rain and a letter that gave me “Pride and Prejudice” vibes. I love the themes on forgiveness throughout the story. I cannot say enough good things about “Heart of Snow.”  Ms. Grow Law does not shy away from some harder topics, so be sure to read the content and trigger warnings (she manages them so well and they never felt too much to me). I am a huge fan and cannot wait for her next book! I want to read everything she writes. This is perfect for fans of swoony historical romances, retellings with Gothic undertones and those who want that happy sigh when they finish the last page!

Content: I give this a PG-13 rating, due to certain themes. Some examples of the content: mention of alcohol; a character watched a woman be burned to death in the past; someone curses, but the words aren’t actually written; there’s a festival during the time the veil thins between the living and dead and the devil’s followers (witches) are in full power, so they make a bonfire to speed their journey to hell; mention of physical abuse in someone’s past; a legend of an evil spirit is told and there’s mention of witches; mention of someone not wanting to live and of scars from cutting her wrists; there’s a flashback scene where a woman who is accused of witchcraft is burned at the stake; someone tells a story about a mother and child drowning in a river; someone pretends to do a palm reading and fortune telling; a brief section of animals not being treated the best and being forced to perform; someone is accused of being a harlot; someone assumes someone else has a mistress; someone debates whether they should sleep with someone out of wedlock; someone is a bastard son; possible hallucinations.

TW: past physical abuse; mention of past su*cidal ideation and cutting; possible hallucinations.

Trigger Warnings (supplied by the author): folklore involving deaths of characters prior to the book's beginning (drowning of a mother and child, a child miner being buried alive), attempted seduction, heated kisses, a witch burning, character trapped in a claustrophobic situation.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

A Creative Christian Fantasy! --"Darkfell" by Amanda Wright—Review

 My Review:

"Darkfell" by Amanda Wright is a creative and unique Christian fantasy! It is reminiscent of classic fantasy stories and allegories like “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Chronicles of Narnia.” Ms. Wright’s writing is filled with vivid descriptions and she excels at world building. The characters are wonderful and ones you will find yourself rooting for. I love the classic good versus evil storyline. There is a lot of action and the brotherly relationship between two of the main characters is heartwarming. Thom Darkfell, mapmaker and lover of libraries, finds himself thrown into the adventure of a lifetime and receives powers he did not ask for. Readers will enjoy traveling with Thom and his friends as they journey through different realms to help save the world. Along the way readers meet star people and dragon people.  Will Thom be able to bind the dark realm? I want to give a word of caution that this book is more violent and dark and there is spiritual warfare throughout. Please be sure to read the content warning below. I commend this author for her creative story, and I love that this is another great option for teenage boys!

Content: I give this a PG-13 rating, especially due to the violence and graphic nature of the content. Some examples of the content are: violence and gore; mention of witches and sorcerers; someone curses, but the words aren’t written; mention of hell; spiritual warfare and demons; the word “hell” is used; mention of alcohol; men have their tongues cut out; people eat human flesh; an evil guy kisses a girl against her will. 

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Book Spotlight--"The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right" by Suzanne Allain

When a young woman trades places with her noble cousin, their innocent ruse leads to true love in this new Regency-era romantic comedy of manners from the author of Mr. Malcolm’s List.

When Arabella Grant’s wicked aunt dies suddenly, both Arabella and her cousin Lady Isabelle cannot help but feel relieved. She’d made their lives miserable, and now Lady Issie is free to read to her heart’s content, and Bella is free from taunts about her ignoble birth.

     Their newfound freedom is threatened, however, when Issie’s great-aunt commands her to travel to London for a come-out Issie has never wanted. Issie, who is in poor health, is convinced she’ll drop dead like her mother did if she drops into a curtsy before the queen. So when her great-aunt turns out to be nearsighted and can’t tell the noble Lady Isabelle from her commoner cousin Arabella, Issie convinces Bella to take her place. Bella can attend all the exclusive entertainments that her lower birth would typically exclude her from, and Issie can stay in bed, her nose in a book.

     Bella agrees to the scheme for her dear cousin’s sake, but matters turn complicated when she meets the irresistible Lord Brooke. He begins courting her while under the impression she’s the rich and aristocratic Lady Isabelle, who, unlike Bella, is a suitable bride for an eligible young earl. And Bella, who is convinced that she has met “Lord Right,” worries what will happen when she reveals that he’s actually fallen for …the wrong lady.

 

 

Credit: Jonathon Allain 2019

Suzanne Allain is a screenwriter who lived in New York and Beijing before returning to her hometown of Tallahassee, Florida, where she lives with her husband.

Purchase link: click here