Snow: Cursed

by Willa R. Finnegan

Snow has always been the perfect princess or at least the best that she could be. She had done everything correctly for fifteen whole years and had always righted every single wrong that she had ever committed. Though, it still wasn't enough.



On the eve of her fifteenth birthday, her father divulges a secret that her parents had kept from her since the very beginning. One that could ruin her life forever. The fact that she was cursed at birth by an evil sorceress who cast a spell that is nearly impossible to break.



Snow will find that the line between good and evil is not all that it is cut out to be. It is blurred, and it has faded from the black and white that it once was. Good is not always pure, and evil is not always wicked. Throughout her adventures, battles, and difficulties she quickly discovers that she might not be on the side that she thought she was on.



Will she succumb to the fate that was forced upon her or live to see another day? Will she find the truth or just encounter lies? Will she remain pure as snow, or will her conscience falter as the trials of her life wear on? Will she live happily ever after or have her future unjustly stolen from her grasp? The future is up to Snow.

Genres: Fantasy

250 pages, Paperback

Published October 10, 2024

Reviews

[Patrick Schroeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was hard to put down as it was interesting to see how the author continued to incorporate various characters and stories that many people know into her story of Snow. Great first book from a young author who will continue to do great things! Congrats, Willa!

[Keri M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, first of all….amazing. And when you read the about the author and realize that she was 11 when she wrote this, I was shocked! Never in a million years would I have guessed that. This author wove together all of our favorite fairy tales and seamlessly created one world for all of them. Beloved heroes, crafty villains and so many twists I couldn’t put it down! Wonderfully written, a world beautifully thought out, and effortlessly described. There needs to be a sequel!

[Catherine Mellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book, a wonderfully written twist to the fairy tales we once grew up with.  We all know the story of Snow White, but what if the stories we were told, were a lie? What if the truth of Snow lies not in the story, but in the pages we weave? What if the Snow we've come to know was filled with that of good or evil?  Wicked or kind? Survival or murderous intent? Would she still be the beloved sweet girl with long black hair?
With death knocking just hours into young Snow's life, her escape takes her onto a journey through the many fairy tales we have come to love, and each comes with a twist into their own once told stories.   With help from Red Riding Hood's Wolfpack, Puss in Boots, Cheshire Cat, Captain Hook, Mermaids, Witches and more; Snow travels through darkened forrest, inside caves and deep across oceans, to save herself from a deadly curse she received as a child.
With many twists and turns, this is an adventurous enjoyable read.  To know this was written by an eleven-year-old totally blows my mind.  I look forward to reading more from Miss Finnegan.  A well-deserved five stars ⭐ 

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! I love the way this young writer incorporates so many childhood stories into one detailed but suspenseful novel. Lots of exciting twists! Definitely recommend this read. My eight year old son loves it too! Looking forward to more writings from this talented young author!

[Kacey Kells · Rating 5 out of 5]

SNOW CURSED, by Willa R. Finnegan is a remarkable literary work taking up the most famous fairy tales, from Snow White to Peter Pan and Oz, melted in a single marvelous and grandiose story. It's a master stroke! And this is even more true when you realize that this book was written by a young teenager!
While reading this book, we are trapped in the whirlwind of a world of magic and passion; and if the characters are already familiar to everyone, the author succeeds in catching us off guard in the multitude of amazing twist and turns that make this story a thrilling and unique piece of literature!
SNOW CURSED is definitely an absolute MUST-READ that I personally enjoyed reading from the first to the last page!

[Marihelen Pelletier · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid 4 stars! That said the only reason it is not a full 5 stars is because at times it was hard to follow. The writing is good and you can tell the author is young and has great talent for writing and growth for this author will be amazing! Willa has talent for writing and I know as she continues to write her stories/world building will be fantastic! Without giving too much away, the trials that Snow must go through are very well done! I love how the author took other stories/characters and made them her own molding and creating new stories for them. I really did enjoy this quick read and it was very hard to put down! I hope Miss Willa writes a second one and I hope I’m lucky enough to be able to read it! Go get your copy! And join the Snow: Cursed revolution today!!!

[John Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willa writes like she has an old soul. Her storytelling is layered and lyrical, with a sense of wisdom that feels almost ancient. “Snow: Cursed” doesn’t just entertain it changes you. I came out of it thinking about my own choices, my own gray areas. That’s how you know it’s special.

[Rachael Kap · Rating 5 out of 5]

The contrast between innocence and curse, love and betrayal, it’s masterfully done. “Snow: Cursed” feels like a fable for modern times. Willa’s writing isn’t just storytelling; it’s truth wrapped in fantasy

[Christina Belin · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a gentle sense of being understood woven through the characters and their struggles, giving the darker moments a surprising softness. That emotional undercurrent makes the world feel richer and the journey even more compelling.

[Burca Arda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how this story isn’t afraid of darkness. It explores pain, betrayal, and identity with such care that you can’t help but feel for Snow. It’s rare to find a young author who writes with this level of empathy.

[Clara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snow’s journey broke me and healed me at the same time. It’s so beautifully written, with lines that read like poetry. Willa R. Finnegan has set a new standard for what YA fantasy can be.

[Eva Bonnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snow: Cursed” is emotional, haunting, and brutally honest. Willa shows that sometimes doing the right thing isn’t clear-cut, and that’s what makes life, and her story, so compelling.

[Susanne Petrussen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to read something that challenges your heart and your mind, read this. The moral depth here is incredible. Willa’s writing feels timeless, like a classic fairytale retold by someone who has seen both heaven and hell.

[Sarah Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book doesn’t hand you answers, it gives you questions. And that’s what makes it so good. I kept highlighting lines just because they made me think. The writing is breathtakingly mature, especially coming from someone so young.

[Mama Of 2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snow: Cursed was just an absolutely fantastic book. It’s a YA - fantasy fiction - dark fairytale reimagining.

The main character, Snow, is cursed from birth but has no idea—until the night before her 15th birthday, when her father reveals that not only is she cursed, but the curse is practically unbreakable. That doesn’t stop her from escaping home to try and find a way to break free from it.

The way Willa adds in familiar fairy-tale characters while still making them unique to this story is done so beautifully. She’s incredibly imaginative and creative. I loved every single twist and turn, every character… just everything about this book was great. There are so many unexpected moments that end up being what ties everything together beautifully. The way she took the typical fairy-tale trope of good and evil and blurred that line added such depth to the story and its characters.

If I didn't already know her age when she wrote this book, I never would have guessed correctly! I honestly can’t count how many times I’ve said, “I am just in awe that this was written by an 11-year-old! It’s SO good." The mama in me is so so proud of Willa—even though she’s not my kiddo—so I can only imagine just how proud her parents must be of her. Writing this book at 11, publishing at 12, and now promoting it on social media at 13? Publishing this book was an act of faith and hope for her and her family, she told me. Her Dad is a Special Education teacher and her Mama is disabled due to past health issues. Yet still, they made it work, had it published, and their sweet little girls dreams became reality.

I’ll forever stand in her corner and cheer her on. 💕 And I will absolutely be buying every book she writes. You should too!

[Doris Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t expect to be this emotionally attached to a character so fast. Snow’s story hit me in ways I didn’t see coming. The way Willa R. Finnegan blurs the line between good and evil isn’t just clever, it’s powerful. You feel her confusion, her hope, her heartbreak. This isn’t just a fairytale; it’s a lesson in understanding yourself when the world demands perfection. I finished the last page in silence because I just needed a moment to breathe.

[Katherine Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m still in shock that a twelve-year-old wrote this. Willa’s ability to weave emotion and moral conflict into every page is beyond impressive. The story challenges everything you think you know about heroes and villains. There are no easy answers here just beautifully complicated truth. It’s haunting, poetic, and deeply reflective.

[arlington Bookclub]

Spotlight Review: Snow: Cursed by Willa R. Finnegan

Willa R. Finnegan’s Snow: Cursed is a beautifully written dark fantasy that reimagines the classic princess story with emotional depth and striking moral tension.

Snow has spent her life being the perfect daughter and princess, always trying to do what’s right. But on the eve of her fifteenth birthday, her world unravels when her father reveals the truth, she was cursed at birth by a powerful sorceress. What follows is a journey of discovery and doubt as Snow begins to see that good and evil aren’t as clear-cut as she was raised to believe.

Finnegan builds a vivid world full of mystery and heartbreak, where choices carry real weight and even the purest heart can be tested. Snow’s struggle between fate and free will makes her a relatable and unforgettable heroine.

[Grant Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willa R. Finnegan might be twelve, but she writes like she’s lived a hundred lifetimes. Her storytelling is mature, emotional, and painfully real. I don’t even know how she managed to capture so much depth in a character like Snow torn between light and dark, right and wrong. This book made me feel like I was reading a myth, not just a story. Every page breathes magic, and every sentence feels like a spell.

[Elizabeth James · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s something rare about this story it lingers. Snow’s curse isn’t just magical; it’s emotional, almost symbolic of the things we all carry. The way she struggles to stay pure, the way her choices shape her destiny… it’s deep. Willa doesn’t talk down to her readers. She trusts us to think, to feel, and to question. That’s what great writers do.

[Laura Hyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you think this is another princess story, think again. Snow: Cursed digs deep into the soul of a girl who has always done everything right, only to find out life doesn’t reward perfection. The writing is stunning, the emotions are raw, and the ending? Absolutely unforgettable. Willa’s words made me rethink what it means to be “good.” She writes with the honesty of someone twice her age.

[Hannah Ava · Rating 5 out of 5]

By the end of chapter two, I knew this wasn’t going to be a typical YA fantasy. There’s real pain here, real emotion, and a surprising amount of truth. Willa’s writing is cinematic you can see every scene, every battle, every tear. If this is her debut, I can’t imagine what she’ll do next.

[Emily Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me realize how little we question what’s “good” or “evil.” Snow is both innocent and powerful, cursed yet courageous. It’s such a refreshing take on the princess narrative. Willa R. Finnegan didn’t just write a story she redefined a genre.

[Brandon Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books that make me question everything, and this one did exactly that. Snow isn’t your perfect fairytale princess she’s human, flawed, confused, and learning. Watching her navigate her curse and discover who she really is was both heartbreaking and inspiring.

[Ava Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every once in a while, a book comes along that reminds you why you love reading. This was that book for me. “Snow: Cursed” is hauntingly beautiful, heartbreakingly deep, and morally complex in the best way. I finished it and immediately wanted to start over, just to feel that magic again.

[Lou Vinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went in expecting a typical princess story… and came out questioning the entire idea of “good vs. evil.” This book is hauntingly beautiful. Willa R. Finnegan is wise beyond her years.

[JANINIE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hi Willa,

My name is Janine, and I recently attended the 20- and 30-Somethings Book Club event in Paris on September 30th, where your book Snow: Cursed was featured. I just wanted to reach out and share how much your story moved me.

From the very first chapter, I was completely drawn in. The way you portrayed Snow’s inner conflict and her journey through light and shadow was so powerful. I loved how you challenged the idea of what good and evil truly mean it gave the story so much depth and heart.

Your writing style is elegant, emotional, and vivid. Every page felt alive, and I could truly feel the weight of Snow’s choices. It’s no wonder Snow: Cursed has won such prestigious awards it absolutely deserves all the praise it’s getting.

Thank you for creating such a beautifully written and thought-provoking book. I’ll definitely be recommending it to others and I can’t wait to read what you write next!

[Wociv · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pulled me in from the very first page. The emotional depth and tension kept me hooked until the end. I could really feel Snow’s confusion and pain as she tried to figure out who she truly was. The ending left me thinking long after I closed the book.

[Sabrina Dollé · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written coming-of-age fantasy. I loved the mix of magic, mystery, and self-discovery. The pacing is steady, and every chapter peels back another layer of Snow’s life and the curse that shadows her. It’s more than a fairytale it’s a journey of identity.

[Miles Everett]

Finnegan’s storytelling is graceful but fierce. The world feels ancient yet timeless, and the blurred line between good and evil gives the narrative real weight. The dialogue crackles with tension, and the emotional beats land perfectly. A haunting, beautifully told tale.