The Queen of Frost and Darkness

by Christine Pope

Galina Andreevna Godunov is in love with the dashing young Baron Karel Ivanovich Saburov, and is sure he is about to propose. However, things don't go quite as she planned when a mysterious woman enters the scene...

The opulent czarist era of 1870s Russia comes vividly to life in this short story-length re-imagining of Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairytale, "The Snow Queen."

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Romance, Short Stories, Historical Romance, Retellings, Historical Fiction

16 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2011

About the author

A native of Southern California, Christine Pope has been writing stories ever since she commandeered her family’s Smith-Corona typewriter back in the sixth grade. Many reams of dead trees later, she’s happy to announce that her debut novel, Fringe Benefits,was published by Pink Petal Books on April 8, 2010. Her short fiction has appeared in Astonishing Adventures, Luna Station Quarterly, and the new journal of dark fiction, Dark Valentine. Her paranormal novella, Playing With Fire, was released on August 5, 2010.

While Fringe Benefits is a straight contemporary romance, she writes in a variety of genres, including paranormal romance, fantasy, horror, science fiction, and historical romance. She blames this on being easily distracted by bright, shiny objects, which could also account for the size of her shoe collection.

After spending many years in the magazine publishing industry, she now works as a freelance editor in addition to writing fiction. She lives with her husband and an explosively fluffy Pomeranian mix. Her house is pink, but don’t hold that against her.

Reviews

[Tara Chevrestt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess I was expecting something historical. Well, it takes place in a historical time, I think, but there's nothing really historical about it except their clothes. It's a basically a petty cat fight, "This man is mine! I'm gonna get my man back" thing with a silly girl rushing off in a blizzard or something to retrieve her straying and bewitched fiance. I didn't care for it.

[5t4n5 Dot Com · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gender role reversal of the old standard of perfect princess put under evil spell until perfect prince kisses her and they live happily ever after.   So this time it's the brave, adventurous girl rescuing the enspelled boy.

So yeah, it's about time the girls get to have an adventure and do the rescuing and young readers get to realise that boys are just as fallible to the wiles of evil doers as girls have always been made out to be.

I think this one is good for all ages, and certainly a great way to begin further conversations with children about historical views of gender roles when this is compared to fairy tales from the patriarchy such as Sleeping Beauty.

Available in the Anthology, Once Upon a Curse .

[Daniel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I bought this book a long time ago so when I downloaded it I didn't know anything about it. It is apparently a retelling of a fairy tale and I can honestly tell you the source material is better. I didn't realize this book was fantasy until nearly the end where we find out that the protagonists boyfriend has been enchanted by another woman. That's honestly the plot and it resolves itself without any conflict.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once Upon a Curse Anthology

Galina expects that Karel will propose to her by the end of her coming out party and everything seems to be leading up to that. Until a frosty visitor captures Karel's attention. Galina has to decide if she is to believe Karel is actually bewitched and she should go save him or if he is just showing his true colors. I enjoyed this, just wish it was a little longer.

[Barb VanderWel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this & I can't wait for more.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.

[Carly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read in Once Upon A Curse: 17 Dark Faerie Tales

[KyBunnies · Rating 2 out of 5]

At the time of writing this review this is a free book at the Amazon Kindle store. Just click on the Amazon link in the picture to buy this book for your Kindle. The following review is my opinion of the book. To form your own opinion please support the author and acquire your own legal copy.

This book is suppose to be a variation of The Snow Queen fairy tale. Everyone loves a good fairy tale and variations that a good author can accomplish when changing the tale. While I do not see much reference to the original fairy tale other reviewers have stated they have.

To me this short story just did not have the stuff to make it enjoyable. Granted it is only about 19 pages long so it can be read in 10 minutes and it was a free book. Still I just could not get the feeling that there was anything historical about this book. The only feeling I got that this book was historical was when the main character, Galina and her maid were in a horse and carriage.

I honestly believe that the author has some good writing skills but this was just to short of a story to accomplish what she wanted in a story. I am going to try and find some other books by this author and hope that she has lived up to being a great writer.

This short story would be a great read for the young teenager that is a reader or starting out to read.

The bunnies and I give this short story 2-Carrots.

[LAWonder10 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet, short story of a coming out party and young woman who expected her true love to propose to her. Instead an unexpected guest arrived and stole him from her. It was rumored that the guest was a sorceress and had lured the young man away. A robber's daughter helped her find her young man.
It was rather simple but had a few good analogies. First one should look in the hearts of those least likely to help and not prejudge.
Secondly, fear is what evil feeds from and by putting trust in God first, He will be there to aid you.
Thirdly allow your mind to be open and your heart to forgive.

[Heather · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was okay in the sense that it wasn't painful to read. It's a retelling of "The Snow Queen" but it adds nothing to that story, which arguably is the point of basing anything on a fairy tale. It's flat and dry, taking away far more from the story than it gives back. You'd be better off reading the fairy tale, it at least is charming.

[Chrissy Olinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this re-telling of The Snow Queen. It's set in Imperial Russia, which is a refreshing change. I found it via the Kindle Kandy Blog, and grabbed it.

The ending was a bit "wrapped up," but fairy tales end that way. Vivid descriptions and finely drawn characters. Very different, which was the force of the appeal for me!

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written retelling of the fable, The Snow Queen. Lots of texture, good descriptions, but hey, it's a fairy tale. Characterization is shallow, as befits the genre, and the plotline has been "modernized" to Czarist Russia and simplified. Read this one if you love gorgeous writing, not for a deep or terribly romantic story. Ja, I'm a sucker for gorgeous writing in genre fiction.

[Jeannie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A short little foray into historical fiction/romance. "The Queen of Frost and Darkness" might not be the most enthralling retelling of a classic tale, but it offers definite promise for Christine Pope's talent.

[SheLove2Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short fairy tale like story set in Russia. Not bad for what it was and the length.

[Loverlypurple · Rating 3 out of 5]

short but well told fairy tale.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet. Was perfect for my current reading mood.

[Kerin · Rating 2 out of 5]

eBook

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple, sweet, short story. Something to entertain you, but not something that will infatuate you.