Crown of Poison and Mirrors: A Shimmering Unknown Novel

by Kelsey Ortiz

What if Snow White were an assassin and the first victim on her list of revenge was Prince Charming?

Infiltrate the Prince's ball, manipulate the mysterious Grand Duke to take down the royal family, and if all else fails, then kill the prince.
The plans seems easy enough, but conflict burdens Brisa's heart. After being recently reunited with her birth family, the last thing she wants is to jeopardize their title of nobility and lives. Can Brisa save her sisters, who are the only family she truly remembers? The torture and pain of the last six years created a bond deeper than blood.
The dastardly prince imprisoned them. Or so Brisa believes for how else could they have disappeared without a trace? Does she assassinate him to save her sisters at the cost of her birth family's lives? Or does she take of risk of recruiting the Duke, who is conveniently her betrothed, and manipulate him to her plight at the risk of losing everything?

Paperback

Published January 8, 2024

Reviews

[Shane Leger · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story line would flow well then felt like I skipped chapters within a few sentences. I did enjoy it however. Prefer a bit more fluff in between the chapters. Also needs a thorough read for errors before final send off. Would like to see how the next installment (if any) improves.

[Romance in Realms · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and found the characters to be unique, well thought out, and entertaining. It was difficult to put down and I kept itching to know what happened next. I gave it 3.5-4 Stars because I loved the concept, but would have liked it to flow better.

We start the book being told that our fmc lost her memories at 14, was sold into the slave trade, was actually part of nobility, and betrothed to a mysterious man from birth. At a ball, she finally gets to meet this man and she decides to tell him/us about her past and how she got here. It was a cool way to give us backstory and I liked how organically it integrated. During her capture, she was a thief, assassin, and overall gave Celaena Sardothien vibes. She found a family while she was enslaved by a charlatan and has lost them since being returned to her family. She yearns to be reunited with her found family.

The book explores a love triangle, fated mates, enemies to lovers, and found family trope. There is little/no spice.

I enjoyed all the writing except the dialogue. We were told a lot more than we were shown and it came across a bit jarring.

The story wrapped up neatly with a happily ever after but i'm left with questions about things that were mentioned a few times and then never truly finalized.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crown of Poison and Mirrors by Kelsey Ortiz is a Snow White retelling/reimagining. I’ve read other books by this author so I was excited to dig into this new standalone book. When I first started the book I was a bit perplexed at the flow of the story as I was getting a bit confused but then everything started to right itself out. (When you read the book you’ll understand) Once I got into the flow and pace of the book I wanted to know how everything wrapped up. This is a fast paced story that has Fae, magic and curses… (I will mention though that there isn’t a lot of but some nods to the fairytale) I loved the worldbuilding that’s done as it’s easy to imagine what you’re reading. I enjoyed the characters and how they were developed… There were a few twists and turns where I thought one thing would happen but bam misdirection. The only downside (to me) is I wish there was a bit more romance. (It’s really a minor thing) Overall this is a good story if you’re looking for a fast paced young adult fantasy read that has an intriguing plot. The flashbacks were done very well. Looking forward to more from this author.

Final review:
4 out of 5 stars

[Hilma · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I started reading A Crown of Poison and Mirrors, a retelling of Snow White, by Kelsey Ortiz, I was a little bit confused. It seemed like I fell right into the story, that I missed something. But I was curious, so I read on and some pages later there was this flashback and the story began for real.

The writing style was nice, it is an easy and fast paced read and you get sucked into the story, because a lot happens and thanks to the flashbacks it keeps you interested. I found it hard to see any Snow White references in this book, though, so I would say this is not a real retelling, but a good story about secrets and revenge. I would have loved the book more if it was really a fairytale retelling. I loved the worldbuiling, the storyline and the development of the characters.

This was a surprising book to read, though sometimes it was a bit hard to follow the storyline. All in all, I enjoyed reading it.

[Lilylou426 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll start this off with, I don't give spoilers and I always go into books blindly. That being said, this book was fantastic!! There are quite a few characters but the world building and description of them was quick and efficient. I was able to keep up and not have the 'wait who is that?' Moments. The FMC has had quite the Rollercoaster of a life and hardships, and she's only 20. She comes from nobility but experiences things most people wouldn't even think about when someone of nobility says hardship. Her ability to bounce back and back the best of situations awed me. At some points I thought this may become a why choose but an MF HEA is in store. I can't say much else without giving a spoiler other than to say, you don't know you need this book in your life until you read it....so do yourself that favor!

[Readthy Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crown of Poison and Mirrors has been my favourite book of 2024. I love retellings, and this snow-white retelling hit the spot. Brisa is a young woman plunged into a world of nobility and a new family but can’t let go of her past life as a slave, and the sisters she has lost and is desperate to find again.

Filled with royal intrigue, politics, arrange marriage, a bad ass heroin and hot men, who could ask for more?

And just when you think you’ve figured the story out, the plot twist slaps you in the face. I’m so glad I got my hands on this book. And I can’t wait to read more from this author.

[Nicole Morin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I COULDN’T PUT IT DOWN!

If you enjoy fantasy novels with fae, magic, curses, and royalty - this is for you! I was whisked away into another land every time I picked up my kindle. I read until I fell asleep each night because I couldn’t get enough. If you’re looking for your next read or another book to add to your TBR (who isn’t - really?) walk don’t run and ensure Crown of Poison and Mirrors by Kelsey Ortiz is next in line!

[Melissa Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crown of Poison and Mirrors by Kelsey Ortiz was an amazing book! I loved the world building and character building. It was vividly written. This is a retelling of Snow White and because of that I can't give this book a 5 star review. I feel that there were some similarities but not enough for it to be considered a retelling. With that aside this book was still amazing. I was easily able to follow along and was captured by this book.

[Kat Hataway · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very face paced for me, I enjoyed the story line and that everything came out wonderfully in the end however I really had my doubts about the prince I really thought he was pretending and was on his mothers side I’m glad that was not the case. Would definitely recommend this book. Great for a fantasy

[Angel Webster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once you start you wont want to put it down. Its a roller-coaster of events. Its super fast paced. Snow white retelling with a twist. Some spots i was thinking one way and it went another. I loved this book.

[KflipinP · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story overall, but do think it could’ve been executed better. I almost feel this is more for teens. Also should’ve been looked over better for grammar and mistakes, other than that the actual story was enjoyable

[AilsynnNailo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced! YA Snow white retelling. It has the poison apple, magic mirror, wicked Queen, 7 dwarves, and true loves kiss! Loved the main character and her devotion to her family. Really enjoyed the plot, though the timeliness was a tad confusing at times.

[Divya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an exciting snow white retelling with true love, secret mirrors and an evil queen. I really liked Brisa and the way the author developed her character. The interaction with her friends was also nicely portrayed with an intriguing slow burn clean romance. An excellent read!

[Jilly Bean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was hard to get through. The idea was nice but the execution was poor. I'm not sure I'd recommend it.

[Amanda Jernigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. The intrigue, secrets and revenge. Can't wait to read more

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good book!! Hard to follow at times just because I don’t typically read fiction. But it was so good.

[Charis Alfonso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelsey Ortiz has done it again with this beautiful retelling! Some intense moments and others that made me emotional. This was such a good read, and I highly recommend it!

[Macey Tissot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall this book was okay. It was not my usual style that I enjoy reading and I thought the whole book could have been executed slightly better. I really wanted to enjoy this book more than I did.