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Enemies Ever After #5
Carved in Ice and Glass
A princess in exile.
An assassin sent to kill her.
A twisted fae bargain binds them together.
Theron, a feared assassin, only has one year left in the service of his queen. His final assignment: eliminate the vagabond princess who threatens the stability of the Winter Court. But when he finds the princess, she traps him in a faerie bargain, binding him to her will. Theron is determined to break free of her control… but the closer he gets to the princess, the harder he falls for her.
Princess Eira, a half-fae half-human, is banished from her own kingdom because of her human bloodline. After living in exile, Eira now rules the secret band of rebels made up of seven human districts, all eager for change. When a handsome assassin crosses her path, she thinks she can outwit him. But can she escape his deadly allure without losing her heart?
CARVED IN ICE AND GLASS is one of ten books in the Enemies Ever After series, a collection of standalone short novels featuring enemies-to-lovers fairy tale retellings with a touch of steam.
An assassin sent to kill her.
A twisted fae bargain binds them together.
Theron, a feared assassin, only has one year left in the service of his queen. His final assignment: eliminate the vagabond princess who threatens the stability of the Winter Court. But when he finds the princess, she traps him in a faerie bargain, binding him to her will. Theron is determined to break free of her control… but the closer he gets to the princess, the harder he falls for her.
Princess Eira, a half-fae half-human, is banished from her own kingdom because of her human bloodline. After living in exile, Eira now rules the secret band of rebels made up of seven human districts, all eager for change. When a handsome assassin crosses her path, she thinks she can outwit him. But can she escape his deadly allure without losing her heart?
CARVED IN ICE AND GLASS is one of ten books in the Enemies Ever After series, a collection of standalone short novels featuring enemies-to-lovers fairy tale retellings with a touch of steam.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
September 10, 2024
Carved in Ice and Glass promised an intriguing retelling of the Snow White and the Huntsman story, which initially piqued my interest. However, it quickly became clear that this book wasn’t going to be a hit for me.
The writing felt very surface level and superficial, which made it hard to connect with the characters or get invested in the storyline. Everything happened so quickly—almost as if the entire story unfolded over just three days. This rapid pacing left me feeling like I was missing out on crucial character development and plot depth.
One aspect that particularly bothered me was a recurring pet peeve of mine in fantasy books. The characters would be depicted traveling through wilderness, fighting, and dealing with grimy conditions, yet there was no mention of them cleaning up before making out or having sex.
The writing felt very surface level and superficial, which made it hard to connect with the characters or get invested in the storyline. Everything happened so quickly—almost as if the entire story unfolded over just three days. This rapid pacing left me feeling like I was missing out on crucial character development and plot depth.
One aspect that particularly bothered me was a recurring pet peeve of mine in fantasy books. The characters would be depicted traveling through wilderness, fighting, and dealing with grimy conditions, yet there was no mention of them cleaning up before making out or having sex.
May 15, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this early copy in exchange for an honest review.
In the endless sea of A Court of Thorns and Roses clones, a fantasy book has to do something to stand out. The attempt to be unique here is by doing an adult Snow White retelling. It's fine, it's passable. The writing is okay. The enemies to lovers angle is fine. The use of a first person POV switching between love interests is fine. It's all just....fine. This is lunchables in the genre, when you can have an actual meal instead. We're definitely not starved for choice, in fact, the "Romantasy" genre is oversaturated with choices, and because of that, I wouldn't pick this one again.
In the endless sea of A Court of Thorns and Roses clones, a fantasy book has to do something to stand out. The attempt to be unique here is by doing an adult Snow White retelling. It's fine, it's passable. The writing is okay. The enemies to lovers angle is fine. The use of a first person POV switching between love interests is fine. It's all just....fine. This is lunchables in the genre, when you can have an actual meal instead. We're definitely not starved for choice, in fact, the "Romantasy" genre is oversaturated with choices, and because of that, I wouldn't pick this one again.
August 6, 2025
Snow White retellings can be such a hit or miss for me. This one, for the most part, was a hit. It was so slow to get started but ended well. I love Eira and her gifts. She fought hard for her position and for those who were treated unjustly. I didnt expect the queen to be what she was but it makes sense. I hate how ignorant most of the kingdom was to try and reject her just because she was half human. Stupid is as stupid does. I wasnt a huge fan of Theron even by the end. His character didnt seem as well thought out and developed as Eira's was. Even the side characters were more pronounced and developed. I do love the way it ended and I look forward to more books by this author. I have her crown of slumber series and others
July 24, 2024
◦ I've received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ◦
⮞ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 ⮜
Eira - Was such a badass and definitely not your typical Snow White. Loved this twist.
Theron - Was such a great character and I loved the change in the end.
⮞ 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝-𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 ⮜
The world-building was lovely and detailed enough to know where you are and how things are around you. The details offered definitely made the world feel very real, especially the winter scenes.
⮞ 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝/𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝 ⮜
This was a lovely Snow White retelling with companions that are her rebels. There are quite a few twists in the story and they were so great to read, also the kiss scene was beautiful! There's only one spicy scene in the story!
⮞ 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞/TW ⮜
The story has spice, is one scene but is not overly detailed is more spicy than smutty. Nothing that happened in this story triggered me.
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⮞ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 ⮜
Eira - Was such a badass and definitely not your typical Snow White. Loved this twist.
Theron - Was such a great character and I loved the change in the end.
⮞ 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝-𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 ⮜
The world-building was lovely and detailed enough to know where you are and how things are around you. The details offered definitely made the world feel very real, especially the winter scenes.
⮞ 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝/𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐝 ⮜
This was a lovely Snow White retelling with companions that are her rebels. There are quite a few twists in the story and they were so great to read, also the kiss scene was beautiful! There's only one spicy scene in the story!
⮞ 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞/TW ⮜
The story has spice, is one scene but is not overly detailed is more spicy than smutty. Nothing that happened in this story triggered me.
Follow me on my bookventure:
TikTok
Always open to read and review more books🠇
Review Policy
June 3, 2024
"You may be a hunter, but for the past two days, you have used those skills to protect me. You aren't a killer; you're my defender."
So I reached about 48% on this book and then couldn't put it down until I was done. This isn't your old-fashioned Disney style Snow White, lying around waiting for someone to rescue her. Eira is gathering supporters to take back her kingdom from her stepmother, and no one, not even the queen's most deadly hunter, is going to stand in her way. And the MMC Theron was also super complex. Finding out how he became the hunter added a lot to his character. Both characters discovered and acknowledged their unintentional prejudices in these pages, realizing that no one, human or fae, is any better than another just because of how they were born.
I loved the fae world in this and how the bargains were put together. The magic presenting itself differently for each fae was also fun to see. The twists and surprises were done really well, even though since it is a fairytale retelling you know the basic storyline. Perez took me by surprise a couple times with how she decided to present different pieces of the classic story.
So I reached about 48% on this book and then couldn't put it down until I was done. This isn't your old-fashioned Disney style Snow White, lying around waiting for someone to rescue her. Eira is gathering supporters to take back her kingdom from her stepmother, and no one, not even the queen's most deadly hunter, is going to stand in her way. And the MMC Theron was also super complex. Finding out how he became the hunter added a lot to his character. Both characters discovered and acknowledged their unintentional prejudices in these pages, realizing that no one, human or fae, is any better than another just because of how they were born.
I loved the fae world in this and how the bargains were put together. The magic presenting itself differently for each fae was also fun to see. The twists and surprises were done really well, even though since it is a fairytale retelling you know the basic storyline. Perez took me by surprise a couple times with how she decided to present different pieces of the classic story.
June 9, 2024
Carved in Ice and Glass is a fae retelling of the Snow White fairytale.
The more the story developed and secrets were unravelled, the better the book became. This retelling doesn't necessarily stand out amongst others, but the fae and adventure elements were strong, creative, and varied.
I did miss the innocence of Snow White's character which is traditionally at the core of who she is - this stubborn version of her was difficult to like at first. More detailed setting descriptions would also have made the story more immersive.
This is designed to appeal to readers who enjoy fairytale retellings and the fantasy genre, particularly fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope.
Please note the book contains moderate violence and sexual content which wouldn't be suitable for younger readers.
eARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op.
The more the story developed and secrets were unravelled, the better the book became. This retelling doesn't necessarily stand out amongst others, but the fae and adventure elements were strong, creative, and varied.
I did miss the innocence of Snow White's character which is traditionally at the core of who she is - this stubborn version of her was difficult to like at first. More detailed setting descriptions would also have made the story more immersive.
This is designed to appeal to readers who enjoy fairytale retellings and the fantasy genre, particularly fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope.
Please note the book contains moderate violence and sexual content which wouldn't be suitable for younger readers.
eARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op.
June 22, 2024
This was fine. Not bad, but also not captivating enough to keep my attention for longer than a few chapters at a time. With tropes hitting you left and right, it read more like a booktok bingo card. I think in this case less would have been more.
Also, there’s not enough tension and spice to call this a spicy retelling. The one scene was passable but sorta felt out of place, since I wasn’t feeling the romance. I’m not saying all books should have spice, I’m saying that in this case I didn’t feel it.
With all the retellings of fairytales and steamy romantasies, this one got a bit lost. There are better ones out there, but there are also a lot worse.
Also, there’s not enough tension and spice to call this a spicy retelling. The one scene was passable but sorta felt out of place, since I wasn’t feeling the romance. I’m not saying all books should have spice, I’m saying that in this case I didn’t feel it.
With all the retellings of fairytales and steamy romantasies, this one got a bit lost. There are better ones out there, but there are also a lot worse.
May 17, 2024
This was a Snow White retelling with magic, fae, and a splash of spice. All of the major elements of the story are still present: wicked stepmother, huntsman, and forest animals.
We get a dual POV from both Snow and the huntsman, Theron. While there are fae in this story, there are also humans who are seen as inferior. Snow and Theron both see each other as a means to an end, so this is a true enemies to lover story with a HEA.
This book added a nice twist to the traditional story, which made it a fun read!
We get a dual POV from both Snow and the huntsman, Theron. While there are fae in this story, there are also humans who are seen as inferior. Snow and Theron both see each other as a means to an end, so this is a true enemies to lover story with a HEA.
This book added a nice twist to the traditional story, which made it a fun read!
June 30, 2024
Such an amazing retelling of Snow White. I think all of us grown Disney fans always bring up the animals that helped Snow White (and how we truly want them instead) well we get helpful fae creatures in this, right at the beginning Snow is working with them. I also love how she was able to Trick Theron right at the beginning with their bargain. This book really had me on my toes, it’s not a predictable retelling, I couldn’t see how she was going to defeat the evil Queen. There’s adventure, magic, battles, romance and friendship. 100% recommend.
May 25, 2024
I really enjoyed the fae twist on the classic Snow White. This was a true depiction of a retelling in a way where you understood that it was similar to the beloved snow white but different all in its own! I enjoyed it thouroughly and loved that the fmc was strong and resourceful and determined. I also loved that they lept the concept of a true love’s kiss but with a delightful little twist! The only reason this didnt get a five star read for me was because i would have loved for something more to become of theron at the end. He fought so long to gain back his freedom that it wouldve been nice to see him rewarded a bit more than he was. Overall though it was a cute retelling and such a nice read!
Read
July 15, 2024I had such a good time reading this Snow White retelling. Magic, a powerful female main character, a morally gray male lead, what more could I want? I love reading a standalone fantasy with world building without a huge time commitment. This fit that bill! Heartless Hunter, Spark of the Everflame and Powerless vibes. I loved the first 80 percent of the book but the ending was rushed. I wish the romance had a little more time to develop.
June 5, 2024
Happy Release Day
This was a fast-paced romantasy that was a blend of enemies-to-lovers and fairy tale retelling. The author did create a magical experience and just wanted more. The romance was sweet but I thought everything happened rather quickly. Will I read another by this author? Definitely.
Thanks Willow Haven Press via NetGalley.
This was a fast-paced romantasy that was a blend of enemies-to-lovers and fairy tale retelling. The author did create a magical experience and just wanted more. The romance was sweet but I thought everything happened rather quickly. Will I read another by this author? Definitely.
Thanks Willow Haven Press via NetGalley.
June 12, 2024
This was a true enemy to lovers' story about Snow White and the Huntsman. You get all of the magical elements: Magic, Fae, Wicked Stepmother, Enchanted Animals with a splash of spice. This is a quick read and put a nice little twist on a classic tale.
June 5, 2024
This retelling is unclassically classic... the bones of this story are all there, an evil stepmother; check, a princess ousted by stepmom; check, a Hunter sent to kill the princess and bring back her heart to evil queen; check, there's a mirror; check. And then it steers off into a tale so much richer than the original fairytale, so much more, well...MORE! I've been a firm fan of this brilliant author since I read her Nightcaster series years ago and she never disappoints! This book has all her signature elements, light humour, drama, excellent pacing, fabulous rich world building and the loveliest romance that set my heart on fire!
Calista is the evil queen, wanting to end any and all she deems enemies and Princess Eira fits into her wonky perception as a major threat that needs to be eradicated. So she sends her Hunter to do the deed. Except, THIS Hunter is not a hardened killer, THIS Hunter has been forced to do the queen's bidding. When he's offered the opportunity to free himself from the queen's hold, he jumps at it. And clearly, things didn't turn out quite as he anticipated. I loved the dual POV, it gave me the opportunity to see inside Theron's head and what I saw was a complete difference to his outward facade, and, needless to say, he evoked all the ooo's and aaah's out of me! So, his next target, Princess Eira, is nothing as he envisioned! Heck, she's savvy, she's quick, she's... enticing. Yes, she blows all his preconceptions right out of the water, like a giant geiser! I adored Snow, aka Eira. I love how sharp she is, how she can outmanoeuvre even the most savvy of Fae, turn any bargain her way! Yes... Fae live and die by their bargains! Another awesome attribute Eira has is her connection to all Fae, creatures included and their adoration of her. Mauro and Frisk were a delightful addition to this tale. I love the humour Mauro and Frisk infuse, I really giggled at their comments on how Theron and Eira were behaving towards each other.
Oh, as to the HOW Theron and Eira get to be together, is spectacularly drawn. Enemies, definitely; bargaining, most certainly, which leads to them travelling together to overthrow the false queen. What they both discover along the way is that things aren't like they appear on the surface, they discover, *gasp* that they have a lot in common and that they might not be the enemies they profess to be. I loved the build up to their inevitable romance, so beautifully done, with so much feeling by the author, which percolated like a fine brew into their being and left me wanting a taste!
I really enjoyed this book, I really enjoyed the secrets, the mystery, the action, the self confidence Theron and Eira gained, the battle to right a wrong, the love and friendships and the yummy love interest and I really enjoyed the twists in this wonderful retelling! Snow White? Well heck! WHAT a Snow White! Definitely a recommended read!
Calista is the evil queen, wanting to end any and all she deems enemies and Princess Eira fits into her wonky perception as a major threat that needs to be eradicated. So she sends her Hunter to do the deed. Except, THIS Hunter is not a hardened killer, THIS Hunter has been forced to do the queen's bidding. When he's offered the opportunity to free himself from the queen's hold, he jumps at it. And clearly, things didn't turn out quite as he anticipated. I loved the dual POV, it gave me the opportunity to see inside Theron's head and what I saw was a complete difference to his outward facade, and, needless to say, he evoked all the ooo's and aaah's out of me! So, his next target, Princess Eira, is nothing as he envisioned! Heck, she's savvy, she's quick, she's... enticing. Yes, she blows all his preconceptions right out of the water, like a giant geiser! I adored Snow, aka Eira. I love how sharp she is, how she can outmanoeuvre even the most savvy of Fae, turn any bargain her way! Yes... Fae live and die by their bargains! Another awesome attribute Eira has is her connection to all Fae, creatures included and their adoration of her. Mauro and Frisk were a delightful addition to this tale. I love the humour Mauro and Frisk infuse, I really giggled at their comments on how Theron and Eira were behaving towards each other.
Oh, as to the HOW Theron and Eira get to be together, is spectacularly drawn. Enemies, definitely; bargaining, most certainly, which leads to them travelling together to overthrow the false queen. What they both discover along the way is that things aren't like they appear on the surface, they discover, *gasp* that they have a lot in common and that they might not be the enemies they profess to be. I loved the build up to their inevitable romance, so beautifully done, with so much feeling by the author, which percolated like a fine brew into their being and left me wanting a taste!
I really enjoyed this book, I really enjoyed the secrets, the mystery, the action, the self confidence Theron and Eira gained, the battle to right a wrong, the love and friendships and the yummy love interest and I really enjoyed the twists in this wonderful retelling! Snow White? Well heck! WHAT a Snow White! Definitely a recommended read!
June 5, 2024
Yes, I really shouldn't request so many review copies while also buying more and more books. I created quite a book mess the last couple of weeks. However, fairytale retellings are my thing. Once in a while I just want a story where a happily ever after is guaranteed. So, when I saw this retelling of Snow White on Netgalley, I just had to request a copy. I mean, did you see that pretty cover? And luckily the author granted me a review copy.
This retelling was entirely different from what I had expected and I think it's a positive thing in general, but not something I really enjoyed. That's a me problem and not a book problem. The book is well written, the plot is a nice mix of the original fairytale and all the well known elements of that fairytale and loads of new and original content and loads of politics. The magic system in this book is also amazing, especially because so much is shown instead of just plain explained.
My main issue with the story is that both characters are characters I'm not a big fan of. In this story Snow White knows what she wants. She's been planning for years to get her throne back. She's gathered allies and she has become insanely good at scheming, plotting and deceiving. I think a lot of readers will love her. Especially because she's everything but a prototype innocent and slightly naive Snow White.
The Hunter, who of course is gonna be Snow White's love interest by the end of the story, is a ruthless assassin. He has never really questioned his kills. He has never really questioned the false queen in general, partly because she has the ability to manipulate him, until he meets the force that is Snow White. That means the book is filled with banter, with surprising each other, with loads of raw force and with two characters constantly challenging each other.
If you normally dislike EVERY Snow White character, you might want to give this book a chance. It might surprise you in a very positive way!
This retelling was entirely different from what I had expected and I think it's a positive thing in general, but not something I really enjoyed. That's a me problem and not a book problem. The book is well written, the plot is a nice mix of the original fairytale and all the well known elements of that fairytale and loads of new and original content and loads of politics. The magic system in this book is also amazing, especially because so much is shown instead of just plain explained.
My main issue with the story is that both characters are characters I'm not a big fan of. In this story Snow White knows what she wants. She's been planning for years to get her throne back. She's gathered allies and she has become insanely good at scheming, plotting and deceiving. I think a lot of readers will love her. Especially because she's everything but a prototype innocent and slightly naive Snow White.
The Hunter, who of course is gonna be Snow White's love interest by the end of the story, is a ruthless assassin. He has never really questioned his kills. He has never really questioned the false queen in general, partly because she has the ability to manipulate him, until he meets the force that is Snow White. That means the book is filled with banter, with surprising each other, with loads of raw force and with two characters constantly challenging each other.
If you normally dislike EVERY Snow White character, you might want to give this book a chance. It might surprise you in a very positive way!
June 4, 2024
✨𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘✨
📖: Carved in Ice and Glass: A Snow White Fairy Tale Romance (Part of: Enemies Ever After)
💻: Releasing June 5
Theron is an assassin bound to the cruel Winter Queen Calista. To earn his freedom, he must find and bring the exiled Snow Princess who has been stirring unrest in the kingdom. Princess Eira has been meticulously plotting to reclaim her birthright but her time is running out.
In the conflict between the Seelie Winter Court and mortals, an unlikely bargain is struck. Can they defeat the false Queen?
Tropes/themes:
👀 Dual POV
❄️ Sassy vigilante FMC
🥷 Gruff Assassin MMC
💫 Bargains, Magic, & curses
🧑🧑🧒🧒 Found family
🏰 Intrigue
🦌 One fae beast
🗣️ Banter
🌳 Fun in the forest 🌶️
🦊 Quirky talking forest animals
“𝙉𝙤 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙜𝙤𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙠𝙞𝙣 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚, 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨.” “𝙏𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙖𝙗𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙚 𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚.”
This Snow White inspired tale gave me all the “Snow White and the Huntsman” but make it fae vibes. This Snow is a bad@ss, sassy vigilante half-fae Princess who outwits adversaries and leads a rebellion to fight for her kingdom and equality. The Hunter is a hot, morally grey MMC aching for freedom and unwittingly finds a sense of purpose.
Their respective missions become infinitely more complicated as they slowly uncover each other’s hidden layers to see beneath their pain and protective veneers. As secrets and revelations come to light, can these bargain-bound adversaries overcome the longing in their hearts or will their bargains doom them both?
Carved in Ice and Glass is an alluring Snow White retelling packed with action, searing quips, and undeniable tension.
Huge thanks to the author for the ARC opportunity. This is my honest and voluntary review.
📖: Carved in Ice and Glass: A Snow White Fairy Tale Romance (Part of: Enemies Ever After)
💻: Releasing June 5
Theron is an assassin bound to the cruel Winter Queen Calista. To earn his freedom, he must find and bring the exiled Snow Princess who has been stirring unrest in the kingdom. Princess Eira has been meticulously plotting to reclaim her birthright but her time is running out.
In the conflict between the Seelie Winter Court and mortals, an unlikely bargain is struck. Can they defeat the false Queen?
Tropes/themes:
👀 Dual POV
❄️ Sassy vigilante FMC
🥷 Gruff Assassin MMC
💫 Bargains, Magic, & curses
🧑🧑🧒🧒 Found family
🏰 Intrigue
🦌 One fae beast
🗣️ Banter
🌳 Fun in the forest 🌶️
🦊 Quirky talking forest animals
“𝙉𝙤 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙜𝙤𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙠𝙞𝙣 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚, 𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨.” “𝙏𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙖𝙗𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙚 𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚.”
This Snow White inspired tale gave me all the “Snow White and the Huntsman” but make it fae vibes. This Snow is a bad@ss, sassy vigilante half-fae Princess who outwits adversaries and leads a rebellion to fight for her kingdom and equality. The Hunter is a hot, morally grey MMC aching for freedom and unwittingly finds a sense of purpose.
Their respective missions become infinitely more complicated as they slowly uncover each other’s hidden layers to see beneath their pain and protective veneers. As secrets and revelations come to light, can these bargain-bound adversaries overcome the longing in their hearts or will their bargains doom them both?
Carved in Ice and Glass is an alluring Snow White retelling packed with action, searing quips, and undeniable tension.
Huge thanks to the author for the ARC opportunity. This is my honest and voluntary review.
May 15, 2024
Title: Carved in Ice and Glass by R.L. Perez
Release Date: June, 5th, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars
Theron, a feared assassin with only one year left in service, tasked with eliminating Princess Eira, a threat to the Winter Court. However, when he finds her, she ensnares him in a faerie bargain, binding him to her will. Despite his determination to break free, Theron finds himself falling for the princess. Meanwhile, Princess Eira, banished due to her human bloodline, leads a band of rebels seeking change. When she encounters Theron, she believes she can outsmart him, but struggles to resist his allure without losing her heart.
In my opinion, this adult fairy tale retelling of Snow White is a delightful read, brimming with playful teasing banter between Snow and the hunter, and their mutual concern for each other adds depth to their relationship. Their journey from reluctance to connection is captivating, and I found myself eagerly turning the pages late into the night. The writing is beautiful, drawing me in from the very first page and keeping me engaged until the end. I highly recommend this book for its well-crafted story, charming characters, and detailed world-building. It's a truly enjoyable read that I believe others will love as well.
Thank you to The Publisher Willow Haven Press ,The Author R.L. Perez & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.
Release Date: June, 5th, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars
Theron, a feared assassin with only one year left in service, tasked with eliminating Princess Eira, a threat to the Winter Court. However, when he finds her, she ensnares him in a faerie bargain, binding him to her will. Despite his determination to break free, Theron finds himself falling for the princess. Meanwhile, Princess Eira, banished due to her human bloodline, leads a band of rebels seeking change. When she encounters Theron, she believes she can outsmart him, but struggles to resist his allure without losing her heart.
In my opinion, this adult fairy tale retelling of Snow White is a delightful read, brimming with playful teasing banter between Snow and the hunter, and their mutual concern for each other adds depth to their relationship. Their journey from reluctance to connection is captivating, and I found myself eagerly turning the pages late into the night. The writing is beautiful, drawing me in from the very first page and keeping me engaged until the end. I highly recommend this book for its well-crafted story, charming characters, and detailed world-building. It's a truly enjoyable read that I believe others will love as well.
Thank you to The Publisher Willow Haven Press ,The Author R.L. Perez & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.
January 2, 2025
This is one of the best dark, enemies to lovers novels I have read to date, it deals with an assassin serving the queen of the winter court, who sends him with instructions to bring back for her the heart of the exiled princess, her stepdaughter. This is a snow white re-telling, but it is so much deeper and much hotter than the fairytale, definitely recommended for a mature reader who enjoys the heat. Eira is a half fae half human, who once her father the king died her stepmother decided to take her throne and exile her. So Eira went to a human city on the outskirts of Taerin, and there she gathered a group of rebels to her cause, that of re-taking what was rightfully hers. Humans were considered worse than rubbish by the fae, so they were eager to follow Eira to de-throne the wicked queen who had many secrets to hide. Theron the assassin sent to kill her, was adamant on doing so as this would free him from his bondage to the queen, however he was not prepared for the fae bargain the princess tricked him into, or to her charms which soon grew on him. Eira is courageous, inteliigent and charismatic, thus her followers would do anything for her, including her loyal beasts, Frisk and Mauro, apart from that she possessed the magical mirror she'd stolen from queen calista and this was her true weapon. I love the power behind this re-telling with a kick-ass heroine and a sexy assassin.
April 28, 2024
Carved in Ice and Glass is a short novel by R.L Perez
❤️ Blurb - Theron, a feared assassin, only has one year left in the service of his queen. His final eliminate the vagabond princess who threatens the stability of the Winter Court. But when he finds the princess, she traps him in a faerie bargain, binding him to her will. Theron is determined to break free of her control… but the closer he gets to the princess, the harder he falls for her.
Princess Eira, a half-fae half-human, is banished from her own kingdom because of her human bloodline. After living in exile, Eira now rules the secret band of rebels made up of seven human districts, all eager for change. When a handsome assassin crosses her path, she thinks she can outwit him. But can she escape his deadly allure without losing her heart?
💖 Review -
I really enjoyed this fairy telling retelling. I was drawn in from the very first page and kept reading until the. I loved the story and the characters. The authors writing is beautiful. I highly recommend it.
❤️ Thank you to the author for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
❤️ Blurb - Theron, a feared assassin, only has one year left in the service of his queen. His final eliminate the vagabond princess who threatens the stability of the Winter Court. But when he finds the princess, she traps him in a faerie bargain, binding him to her will. Theron is determined to break free of her control… but the closer he gets to the princess, the harder he falls for her.
Princess Eira, a half-fae half-human, is banished from her own kingdom because of her human bloodline. After living in exile, Eira now rules the secret band of rebels made up of seven human districts, all eager for change. When a handsome assassin crosses her path, she thinks she can outwit him. But can she escape his deadly allure without losing her heart?
💖 Review -
I really enjoyed this fairy telling retelling. I was drawn in from the very first page and kept reading until the. I loved the story and the characters. The authors writing is beautiful. I highly recommend it.
❤️ Thank you to the author for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
May 19, 2024
A badass tricksy Snow, a fae hunter and lotsa fae bargains you have to be cunning to get out of. Cunning or dead.
What if Snow wasn’t quite the damsel in distress we remember? What if the cute animals in the woods she befriended were ferocious sentient fae beasts? What if the hunter made an unbreakable bargain to deliver Snow’s heart to his fae queen?
Based on the title and cover I thought this would be a Snow Queen retelling, but nope. Then I thought it would be more about the mirror, but nope again. There was a brief quip how the book linked to the title, but very brief - don’t worry about this, just enjoy. I loved this dark and twisty NA retelling of Snow White. Unusual & surprising bits that made all the yum twists: 7 dwarves element minimised to near-extinction; HFN instead of a HEA; function of apples was unique; use of the mirror was not quite how you remember it from Disney; plus Snow & Theron had amazing magical powers. I got Hitman: Agent 47 (the movie) vibes from this book - chills. Edge-of-the-seat, had me turning the pages til the very end. Loved the schmexy scenes as well - sizzle!
Recommended for lovers of NA and romantasy dark fairytale retellings mingled with fae lore, especially of Snow White retellings where Snow is nowehere near a blushing violet. Those who consider the ending of Snow White and the Huntsman movie as hopeful will definitely love this book.
What if Snow wasn’t quite the damsel in distress we remember? What if the cute animals in the woods she befriended were ferocious sentient fae beasts? What if the hunter made an unbreakable bargain to deliver Snow’s heart to his fae queen?
Based on the title and cover I thought this would be a Snow Queen retelling, but nope. Then I thought it would be more about the mirror, but nope again. There was a brief quip how the book linked to the title, but very brief - don’t worry about this, just enjoy. I loved this dark and twisty NA retelling of Snow White. Unusual & surprising bits that made all the yum twists: 7 dwarves element minimised to near-extinction; HFN instead of a HEA; function of apples was unique; use of the mirror was not quite how you remember it from Disney; plus Snow & Theron had amazing magical powers. I got Hitman: Agent 47 (the movie) vibes from this book - chills. Edge-of-the-seat, had me turning the pages til the very end. Loved the schmexy scenes as well - sizzle!
Recommended for lovers of NA and romantasy dark fairytale retellings mingled with fae lore, especially of Snow White retellings where Snow is nowehere near a blushing violet. Those who consider the ending of Snow White and the Huntsman movie as hopeful will definitely love this book.
June 17, 2024
A strong 4.5/5 stars. This retelling of the Snow White exceeded my expectations.
Usually, I can't say that I'm a huge fan of retelling, mostly because most of the ones I read fall into two categories: they don't really have a lot to do with the original story and only a few elements are used, and while I liked many books from this category, I feel like calling them a retelling is misleading and the other category, where the story just feels like re-reading the original, with a very few and small twists. Maybe I just didn't find the good ones yet.
However, this book impressed me. It had lots of elements from the original story: the heart in the box, the apples, obviously the hunter and the stepmother and many others, but I feel like I would spoil the book. But in this book Snow White is a determined woman that knows what she wants and how to get there, she's not naive and innocent anymore. The book is also filled with fantasy elements, elves and magic.
I really liked this book. It is quite fast paced and finished it really fast, but I didn't feel like it was too rushed.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review
Usually, I can't say that I'm a huge fan of retelling, mostly because most of the ones I read fall into two categories: they don't really have a lot to do with the original story and only a few elements are used, and while I liked many books from this category, I feel like calling them a retelling is misleading and the other category, where the story just feels like re-reading the original, with a very few and small twists. Maybe I just didn't find the good ones yet.
However, this book impressed me. It had lots of elements from the original story: the heart in the box, the apples, obviously the hunter and the stepmother and many others, but I feel like I would spoil the book. But in this book Snow White is a determined woman that knows what she wants and how to get there, she's not naive and innocent anymore. The book is also filled with fantasy elements, elves and magic.
I really liked this book. It is quite fast paced and finished it really fast, but I didn't feel like it was too rushed.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review
June 3, 2024
I’m not usually big into re-imaginings of storybook/disney characters, but this one had a really unexpected premise that I really enjoyed. I love Theron’s arc and how willing he was to see that the way things have always been are not the right way of going about things and that a certain bias had unexpectedly solidified within him as well. I wish there was a little more spice
My only critique is the fae lore. I like that they’re fae, but historically the winter court is unsheelie sidhe and the summer court is seelie sidhe, whereas the seelie seem to rule both in this world and that’s just an odd choice I guess.
Random notes from my read:
- Really liking this take on Snow White
- Theron is hot
- I really wish there was more backstory about the father and him meeting Calista
- Arabella??
- LOVE how the poison apple and kiss were handled. Really cool idea
- Theron’s decision kind of bums me out
Many thanks to Netgalley for providing the DRC and allowing me to provide my honest review
My only critique is the fae lore. I like that they’re fae, but historically the winter court is unsheelie sidhe and the summer court is seelie sidhe, whereas the seelie seem to rule both in this world and that’s just an odd choice I guess.
Random notes from my read:
- Really liking this take on Snow White
- Theron is hot
- I really wish there was more backstory about the father and him meeting Calista
- Arabella??
- LOVE how the poison apple and kiss were handled. Really cool idea
- Theron’s decision kind of bums me out
Many thanks to Netgalley for providing the DRC and allowing me to provide my honest review
June 22, 2024
This was a very good twist on the typical Snow white story. I had forgotten that there originally was a hunter in Snow white. I had to go and watch the classic movie to remember that detail.
Snow is hiding from the Queen, her evil step mother, when a Hunter who has sworn a fae oath promises to bring Snow's heart to the Queen. So many secrets are revealed throughout as the story goes on, and little details that are important later are also revealed but played down so when the time comes, you don't even remember them. Those key features were very well written and hidden throughout the book.
I am only giving it a 3 star rating because for what ever reason, it just couldn't hold my attention. There was something missing throughout the book and I can't quite put my finger on it... I almost got bored instead of lost in the pages like I wanted. However, it is a good read, and I will recommend it to all of my followers looking for a Snow White retelling that holds so much more magic and secrets than the original.
Snow is hiding from the Queen, her evil step mother, when a Hunter who has sworn a fae oath promises to bring Snow's heart to the Queen. So many secrets are revealed throughout as the story goes on, and little details that are important later are also revealed but played down so when the time comes, you don't even remember them. Those key features were very well written and hidden throughout the book.
I am only giving it a 3 star rating because for what ever reason, it just couldn't hold my attention. There was something missing throughout the book and I can't quite put my finger on it... I almost got bored instead of lost in the pages like I wanted. However, it is a good read, and I will recommend it to all of my followers looking for a Snow White retelling that holds so much more magic and secrets than the original.
June 6, 2024
Every book I’ve read in the Enemies Ever After collection has been incredible (including this one)! I loved R. L. Perez’s take on Snow White—this Snow was tough, smart, and cared for her people. Eira (Snow) has been banished from her kingdom, the Winter Court, and has been gathering unlikely rebel followers. Theron is the queen’s huntsman, and he never misses a target. However, he is tired of being a huntsman and wants to retire to his cabin in the mountains. His last mission is to take out Eira. To his shock, Eira isn’t what the queen made her out to be. Eira tricks him into a binding fae bargain and he’s stuck with helping her overthrow the queen.
The writing was great, the banter fantastic, and the supporting characters were amazing (as were Eira and Theron, of course!) I enjoyed the discussions of privilege and discrimination woven throughout the tale. I hope there is a sequel in the works because I want to know what happens next and more of Frisk and Mauro!
The writing was great, the banter fantastic, and the supporting characters were amazing (as were Eira and Theron, of course!) I enjoyed the discussions of privilege and discrimination woven throughout the tale. I hope there is a sequel in the works because I want to know what happens next and more of Frisk and Mauro!
June 2, 2024
Cool Snow White reimagined! Like that we have an enemies to more going on between Snow (Eira) and the hunter (Theron). Theron has his hands tied a bit as an assassin for the queen, so he’s doing what he needs to do to untie those hands; this puts Eira and Him in contention since she’s the one he’s after. Eira’s quick on her toes and gets Theron in an interesting position; he has been bound by Eira, so he’s finding himself at her mercy. Both will find their ideas shifting the more they are around each other. Fun banter between these two! Some good chemistry too. Got a bit of action and danger to make the story interesting. Plus, love that this story involves the Fae; adds that entertaining dash of magic to the story. A pleasing story!
June 9, 2024
I never knew I would fall so deeply in love with fairytale retellings. This retelling of a classic fairytale made into a faetale was absolutely breathtaking. The struggle between the main characters felt incredibly real, and I was captivated by the slow yet steady progress they made throughout the story.
The characters in this book were simply marvelous. Each one felt fully fleshed out and brought something unique to the table. The only thing I found myself missing were the dwarves, but aside from that, all the other tropes for Snow White were present and accounted for! The author's creativity in weaving these familiar elements into a fresh and inventive narrative was truly impressive.
Overall, this book exceeded all my expectations and then some. It's a shining example of how a well-executed fairytale retelling can breathe new life into a beloved story. A definite must-read for fans of the genre!
The characters in this book were simply marvelous. Each one felt fully fleshed out and brought something unique to the table. The only thing I found myself missing were the dwarves, but aside from that, all the other tropes for Snow White were present and accounted for! The author's creativity in weaving these familiar elements into a fresh and inventive narrative was truly impressive.
Overall, this book exceeded all my expectations and then some. It's a shining example of how a well-executed fairytale retelling can breathe new life into a beloved story. A definite must-read for fans of the genre!
June 4, 2024
I love R.L. Perez’s work. Her stories are always so imaginative and packed full of action, drama, and suspense. They are gripping stories. This one is no different. I loved how feisty and sassy Snow was throughout the entire story. She had moments of fear that just made her more real. Theron was your grumpy but yet protective guy. I loved how Snow and him first met. That one had me laughing so hard. The story is extremely well written and developed. It had me on the edge of my seat. It pulled me in from the very beginning and didn’t let go until I found out what happened. This is definitely a must read and doesn’t disappoint.
June 5, 2024
I genuinely loved this enemies to lovers fae Snow White Retelling!! R.L. Perez did a wonderful job with her fae world building, the intriguing characters, and delightful story telling. All the key elements are there but like OUAT the story is its own. Eira is a complete badass that is not your Disney damsel in distress, she has many tricks up her sleeve and boy does she have some pure cunningness in all situations. Theron is a complex character who I enjoyed seeing his defenses and truth being torn down around him. The banter, quirky forest friends, dash of spice and journey to overtake the evil queen was so much fun!
January 4, 2026
A decent fairy tale retelling
3.5 stars
This was a pretty good retelling of Snow White. It had all the major elements from the fairy tale, but put a unique twist by setting this is the fae world. Though not overly complicated, there still was a decent amount of world building that made it unique and different.
My issue was that I found this was going to be a very forgettable story to me. It wasn’t because it was bad or anything, but I wasn’t emotionally invested in it. I held no attachment towards the characters at all. In general I just didn’t connect. Overall by the end I was just indifferent to it all in the end.
3.5 stars
This was a pretty good retelling of Snow White. It had all the major elements from the fairy tale, but put a unique twist by setting this is the fae world. Though not overly complicated, there still was a decent amount of world building that made it unique and different.
My issue was that I found this was going to be a very forgettable story to me. It wasn’t because it was bad or anything, but I wasn’t emotionally invested in it. I held no attachment towards the characters at all. In general I just didn’t connect. Overall by the end I was just indifferent to it all in the end.
April 30, 2024
Bargains abound. Allies formed. Magic awoken. Risks taken.
A wonderfully written Snow White and the Huntsmen retelling that snagged my interest from page 1 and kept my attention to the very end. I truly loved this book and its humor, wit, banter, friendship, desire, and love. Not to mention, it's filled with some of the most swoon-worthy moments to melt my heart. I loved the characters and their growth throughout the book all set within a very detailed world.
"You are not defined by the role that was forced on you..."
"This kingdom needs you more than it needs me."
A wonderfully written Snow White and the Huntsmen retelling that snagged my interest from page 1 and kept my attention to the very end. I truly loved this book and its humor, wit, banter, friendship, desire, and love. Not to mention, it's filled with some of the most swoon-worthy moments to melt my heart. I loved the characters and their growth throughout the book all set within a very detailed world.
"You are not defined by the role that was forced on you..."
"This kingdom needs you more than it needs me."
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