CROWN OF ICE offers so much more than just the tale of The Snow Queen with a change of perspective. A solid YA adventure with teenagers who learn so much about themselves, and each other. Even the expected happily ever after offers believable surprises that underscore the maturity and independence they each have gained. The heroine of of CROWN OF ICE is an sympathetic villain, and the author does a fantastic job balancing both sides of that dichotomy. Thyra Winther is legitimately dark, she knowingly risks those around her when logic dictates. Still, woven amongst these villainous acts are situational ethics that make her decisions relatable. This context supports a personality that doesn't have to fundamentally change to leap from those dark beginnings to a heroine readers can root for. Everyone in this book, from the dastardly magician to the plucky "heroine" Gerda, have nuances that elevate their actions from fairy tale caricature to genuine characters. A very well structured fairy tale retelling, while I felt I could "see behind the curtain" in some parts of the story, those moments in no way detracted from my overall enjoyment of the book. Thyra is smart, independent, and uncompromising, and I wish CROWN OF ICE was just the start of her adventures.Sexual Content: Kissing. The Snow Queen is one of my favourite fairy stories. It has themes and characters that are rare in traditional and older stories and when I read it I always feel really Christmassy for some reason. For a cold story, its kind of warming.Crown of Ice was a masterful re-telling of it and had a dash of Angela Carter in its prose. Wonderfully manipulated by the author into a YA book and was enjoyable as an adult too.From a writer’s perspective, it puts you right into the action straight on the first page and seamlessly weaves flashbacks into the present – a rare thing to find in modern books, as I’ve read far too many recently that just slap them in whenever and however the author can to either pad out their story or shoe horn something in they’ve forgotten! With the story told from the Snow Queen’s POV it was also very reminiscent of Sarah Pinsborough’s book, Poison which is a re-telling of Snow White, mostly from the Evil Queen’s point of View. I truly think as a reader and a writer that the evil characters are more interesting than the arrow straight heroes – and actually, seem realer.The front cover is gorgeous! Stunning visual that will serve the book well when would-be readers are flipping through Amazon, Goodreads and the like for their next YA fantasy fix.Overall, I’d give Crown of Ice 5 out of 5 stars – a must read – especially on a winter’s night wrapped up by the fire with a mug of hot chocolate and purring cat on your lap – or on a train or anywhere else!
What do You think about Crown Of Ice (2014)?
Cute fairytale with smart characters. It's a quick read.
—Keomi
