Despair

by M.J. Haag

Not everything is what it seems.
In a desperate bid to free her twin sister from an evil caster, Kellen flees her sheltered life under the cover of darkness. Lost and on the run from the cursed beasts lurking in the Dark Forest, she stumbles upon an enchanted clearing where seven handsome men reside.

Despite their wariness towards her, Kellen finds herself drawn to them. Their laughter, camaraderie, and the way they gaze at her awaken a longing she's never known. Her intuition whispers that she must stay, yet her loyalty to her sister compels her to find a way to leave.

To save her sister and plot her escape, Kellen will need to navigate the seductive charm of the seven men and her yearning for acceptance in this darker version of Snow White that’s as spellbinding as the seven hot and endearing men who hold her captive.

Genres: Magic, Fantasy

220 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 27, 2024

About the author

MJ Haag is the bestselling author of the Beastly Tales and the Resurrection Chronicles. Writing as both MJ Haag and Melissa Haag, she has sold more than three hundred thousand copies worldwide and authored several other series, including the Judgement of the Six and Of Fates and Furies.

She thinks bios written in third person are hilariously pretentious and doesn't take much in life seriously, including her author photo.

She lives in Wisconsin with her three children and husband.

Connect with the Author:
Website
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Check out her YA books at melissahaag.com

Reviews

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still remember exactly WHEN I read the first book in the Tales of Cinder series and fell in love. I was therefore really looking forward to the adventures of the other sister. So, when this book came in last week I had to start reading right away. I have to admit that I don't feel the same click as I had with the Cinder trilogy. Maybe my expectations were simply too high this time. It feels like this book is one big introduction. Which I understand. Instead of one love interest there are seven and they all need their own personality. However, it therefore also feels like there's not a lot happening, apart from the characters bonding. It was a fun and entertaining read, but it feels like the plot was only showing a few glimpses here and there. Hopefully there will be more magic and plot in the next book.

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Despair", in the Tales of Snow series by M.J. Haag, is amazing start of this new series. It's a continuation of the series Tales of Cinder. I highly recommend you read Tales of Cinder first as there are references in Despair that you will understand better.
I really enjoy M.J. Haag's continual development of the world she has built for these stories. "Despair" follows Kellen, Eloise's twin from the Tales of Cinder books. The characters and their development are fun to read. Especially the seven men and figuring out which dwarfs they match with from the original story. M. J. Haag has written and intriguing story for Kellen, filled with much anticipation on what is to come. The chemistry Kellen is building with the seven men is spot on.
I am very excited for the next book in the series, "Desire”.

[Amanda White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this is taking an intriguing turn! I always love reading an MJ Haag book, and so far this trilogy is clearly not going to disappoint. I’ve been waiting for this trilogy for what seems like forever, and I loved the previous trilogies set in the Beastly Tales world.

As always MJ Haag has weaved a rich tale, with a unique spin on the Snow White story. The characters are diverse and the relationships dynamic, with some truly evil villains and some truly heroic main characters.

Kellens story has so far kept me fully engaged and wondering how the romantic aspect is going to play out. And I kept changing teams while reading!
And there has already been some twists I didn’t see coming.
Absolutely cannot wait for book 2.

[Sara Oxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a five-star fairy-tale read. This is a slow burn reverse harem, so it won’t be for everyone, but if it sounds like you may want to give it a go, please do, as you will meet some of the most delightful characters. Each one has a uniqueness to them, a strength that shines through, Kellen is just the strongest of them all, though they may not realise it, just knowing that your farther was in the dark Forest, so near and yet so far would break a lesser woman, I’m sure. There are twists that will surprise you, and some that will make you smile, but I for one am eager to see where this story will take us next.

[Flor Espinoza Sanchez ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need more of these men!! Kellen is scared of hurting them but they are simply scared of losing her. The emotions they bring out of her scare her, she makes that much obvious but I find it adorable that they all do their best to calm her worry. I absolutely loved it when they all danced in the glade 🥰 it showed that throughout the terrible things that have happened in their life, they can still find joy while protecting her. I love all of them but if I had to choose a favorite I would have to say Daemon or Liam 🤍


I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Adrianna Heaney-velu · Rating 4 out of 5]

“We're all fools for the right reasons.”

“Despair,” M. J. Haag

I loved this snow-white retelling. It’s a reverse harem with 7 hostile men when she stumbles into their land while running from beasts in the woods. I did really like the concept and the characters and see a lot of promise in the story, but I wish more happened in this book, maybe the second book and book 1 could’ve probably been combined… I don’t know because I haven’t read book 2. It’s definitely a series I want to keep reading and hopefully I can see their relationships actually develop more. 4 out of 5 stars.

-Snow White Retelling
-Reverse Harem
-Magic
-Slow Burn!!!

Thank you for the ARC, Booksprout.

[Roxanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kellen's story is finally here!

Despair is the first book in Kellen's story, her twin sister, Eloise's story is told in the Tales of Cinder. During book 2 of TOC, Disdain, Kellen leaves home to get them help. While trying to survive the Dark Forest Kellen comes across a magical glade where seven handsome men live and that's really where this part of Kellen's story takes place. This was a very tasteful, slow burn RH so far. We discover much more about Kellen than I had considered when reading TOC and I am so ready to dive into Book 2 of TOS, Desire.

[Janette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The whole time I was reading this book, I was so engrossed that time flew so fast, I was amazed! I really liked Tales of Cinder, but Tales of Snow is by far my favorite!
It's funny and heartfelt. Despair is wonderfully amazing! The way Melissa portrays the seven dwarves is so fantastic! I fell in love with every one of them! I can't wait for the rest of the series to come out!
Another great book that's a home run from this amazing author!

[Candy Laine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tales of Snow is the much awaited off shoot from the Tales of Cinder series. The twins Eloise and Kellen have suffered much at the hands of the step mother, and Kellen ran away in the initial series. Now we get to see how she fared. The 7 brothers are intriguing and I am thankful for the RH warning at the beginning of the book. Look forward to the magic truly begining...

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[J.Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never been disappointed in one of Ms. Haag's book, and this one is no exception. The suspense and anticipation last through the entire book. I can hardly wait for the next book in this series. Ms. Haag does an excellent job on this adaptation of Snow White.

[Blue Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

We have finally arrived at Kellen's story! The world building was there already, but the intricate plot really stands out! I can't wait to read the next book and see how long it takes Kellen to figure out the curse and how to break it.

[Andie Ryder · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing!

It was so good! Can't wait to see what shenanigans her and the boys get into in the next book!

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Despair", in the Tales of Snow series by M.J. Haag, is amazing start of this new series. It's a continuation of the series Tales of Cinder. I highly recommend you read Tales of Cinder first as there are references in Despair that you will understand better.
I really enjoy M.J. Haag's continual development of the world she has built for these stories. "Despair" follows Kellen, Eloise's twin from the Tales of Cinder books. The characters and their development are fun to read. Especially the seven men and figuring out which dwarfs they match with from the original story. M. J. Haag has written and intriguing story for Kellen, filled with much anticipation on what is to come. The chemistry Kellen is building with the seven men is spot on.
I am very excited for the next book in the series, "Desire”.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

more please!

I don’t know how the amazing mind of MJ Haag manages to create and produce such amazing stories so quickly. But once again, I’m addicted to another of her series. And I already like this even more than the last. I’m so grateful I only have to wait 2 months for the next….but I’ll likely reread this story several times between now and then.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not expecting Tales of Snow to suck me totally in like this did. I can’t wait for book 2 to come out! Great book, love this author!