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A Garden of Fairy Tales
Daylily: A Snow White Retelling
Amid tragedy and betrayal, will Daylily find her true worth?
Daylily, the undeniably beautiful princess of Blumen, is unprepared when her family is betrayed. Finding herself thrust into a role she never expected to take, Lily must dig beyond the beauty she was taught to treasure and find the strength to meet the challenges she faces.
Daylily, the undeniably beautiful princess of Blumen, is unprepared when her family is betrayed. Finding herself thrust into a role she never expected to take, Lily must dig beyond the beauty she was taught to treasure and find the strength to meet the challenges she faces.
170 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 4, 2025
8 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
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June 30, 2025
*3.75 stars*
It felt as though spring had already arrived
~My Thoughts~
Overall, this book was pretty good. There were some things that didn't quite make sense to me plot wise, and I do wish we got to actually see their day to day life a bit more instead of having all of the time skips, plus I really would have liked to have seen a bit more action, too, along with more romance scenes to actually see them fall in love a bit more than we got to, but Daylily was still enjoyable how it is. Plus, I have to admit, there were some twists I definitely didn't see coming, which was nice.
A couple of minor things that I wasn't overly fond of, but didn’t really impact my enjoyment much are that there were multiple times characters would either talk about or tease Lily about the possibility of her marrying a man she just met, and lowkey it made me think of Anna from Frozen expect for the fact that Lily has more sense than Anna did then, but it happened with two different men, and with the second one, the teasing didn't quite make sense as to why it started when it did because of the context of that scene with everything else going on at the time, but that's probably just a me thing on why it stuck out to me, so yeah.
And the other one is that there was a scene where they were coming up with other swear words for Lily to say, and, I mean, they were all made up ones for the book, and I know with how our world is nowadays it probably shouldn't bother me, but just with how I am that scene was pretty unnecessary and a bit disappointing to read…
As to the fact that this is a Snow White retelling, I did really like how the author changed the fairytale and made it her own. It was unique compared to the other Snow White retellings I have read, so that made a favorable impression on me.
And I know my thoughts might be confusing and seem like they are all over the place because honestly, they probably are, and I'm sorry for that, but don't get me wrong, it was an enjoyable read. It really was, and I'd still say that y'all should try Daylily out. It just wasn't completely my cup of tea. I will say, though, that my biggest complaint, honestly, is that it was too short because I was not ready to leave the characters and their world by the end, and I really wished we could have stayed longer.
~Characters~
Lily: I liked her a decent amount, I guess. Her personality was lowkey confusing, though, because to me she basically changed it a bunch of times, so yeah. My favorite part about her is that she likes to garden.
Henry: I needed him to have more page time, honestly, because the bit we got with him was great, and I really liked him, but I didn't get enough of Henry to make him a very memorable character.
*Just a note: Lord Hee-nam and Lady Ae-ra were amazing, like, most likely my favorite characters in the book, and I absolutely need to see more of them!
~Book Cover Rating~
7.5/10 It's cute!
~Content Warnings~
(Warning! 🚨 Before you go any further, there is a chance that something I've said about the content could possibly be a bit spoilerish, so please proceed with caution! Also, if I missed any content, please let me know so I can add it!)
Trigger Warnings:
None that I can think of.
Faith based/Christian:
None that I remember
Other Religious Content:
None
Violence:
Mentions of death (off page), someone was poisoned (off page),
Sexual Content/Romance:
Mentions and talks of ladies’ beauty. Mentions of flirting. Blushing. A gentleman was holding a lady in an embrace (not detailed). Teasing and talks about possibly marrying someone. A gentleman with his shirt off. Noticing how well someone looks. Kissing (not detailed)
Magic:
None
Bad Language:
None other than some fake swear words only for this book.
LGBTQ+:
None
Drugs/Alcohol:
Mentions of characters drinking, mentions of ale and wine.
No mentions of drugs.
~Other Notes~
Daylily is in the Garden of Fairytales series, but it can be read as a standalone and you don't have to read it in order either because the books are not actually connected storywise as far as I know.
~My Age Recommendation~
15 years old and older
~Will I Read the Rest of the Series/More from this Author?~
Yes!
~Will I reread this book at some point in time?~
Potentially!
*I received a free copy of this book from the author for my honest review. A positive review was not required. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It felt as though spring had already arrived
~My Thoughts~
Overall, this book was pretty good. There were some things that didn't quite make sense to me plot wise, and I do wish we got to actually see their day to day life a bit more instead of having all of the time skips, plus I really would have liked to have seen a bit more action, too, along with more romance scenes to actually see them fall in love a bit more than we got to, but Daylily was still enjoyable how it is. Plus, I have to admit, there were some twists I definitely didn't see coming, which was nice.
A couple of minor things that I wasn't overly fond of, but didn’t really impact my enjoyment much are that there were multiple times characters would either talk about or tease Lily about the possibility of her marrying a man she just met, and lowkey it made me think of Anna from Frozen expect for the fact that Lily has more sense than Anna did then, but it happened with two different men, and with the second one, the teasing didn't quite make sense as to why it started when it did because of the context of that scene with everything else going on at the time, but that's probably just a me thing on why it stuck out to me, so yeah.
And the other one is that there was a scene where they were coming up with other swear words for Lily to say, and, I mean, they were all made up ones for the book, and I know with how our world is nowadays it probably shouldn't bother me, but just with how I am that scene was pretty unnecessary and a bit disappointing to read…
As to the fact that this is a Snow White retelling, I did really like how the author changed the fairytale and made it her own. It was unique compared to the other Snow White retellings I have read, so that made a favorable impression on me.
And I know my thoughts might be confusing and seem like they are all over the place because honestly, they probably are, and I'm sorry for that, but don't get me wrong, it was an enjoyable read. It really was, and I'd still say that y'all should try Daylily out. It just wasn't completely my cup of tea. I will say, though, that my biggest complaint, honestly, is that it was too short because I was not ready to leave the characters and their world by the end, and I really wished we could have stayed longer.
~Characters~
Lily: I liked her a decent amount, I guess. Her personality was lowkey confusing, though, because to me she basically changed it a bunch of times, so yeah. My favorite part about her is that she likes to garden.
Henry: I needed him to have more page time, honestly, because the bit we got with him was great, and I really liked him, but I didn't get enough of Henry to make him a very memorable character.
*Just a note: Lord Hee-nam and Lady Ae-ra were amazing, like, most likely my favorite characters in the book, and I absolutely need to see more of them!
~Book Cover Rating~
7.5/10 It's cute!
~Content Warnings~
(Warning! 🚨 Before you go any further, there is a chance that something I've said about the content could possibly be a bit spoilerish, so please proceed with caution! Also, if I missed any content, please let me know so I can add it!)
Trigger Warnings:
None that I can think of.
Faith based/Christian:
None that I remember
Other Religious Content:
None
Violence:
Mentions of death (off page), someone was poisoned (off page),
Sexual Content/Romance:
Mentions and talks of ladies’ beauty. Mentions of flirting. Blushing. A gentleman was holding a lady in an embrace (not detailed). Teasing and talks about possibly marrying someone. A gentleman with his shirt off. Noticing how well someone looks. Kissing (not detailed)
Magic:
None
Bad Language:
None other than some fake swear words only for this book.
LGBTQ+:
None
Drugs/Alcohol:
Mentions of characters drinking, mentions of ale and wine.
No mentions of drugs.
~Other Notes~
Daylily is in the Garden of Fairytales series, but it can be read as a standalone and you don't have to read it in order either because the books are not actually connected storywise as far as I know.
~My Age Recommendation~
15 years old and older
~Will I Read the Rest of the Series/More from this Author?~
Yes!
~Will I reread this book at some point in time?~
Potentially!
*I received a free copy of this book from the author for my honest review. A positive review was not required. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 19, 2025
4.5⭐️
This was a great retelling of Snow White. Very likable characters and great storyline. Still has elements of the original story with unique differences.
This was a great retelling of Snow White. Very likable characters and great storyline. Still has elements of the original story with unique differences.
April 4, 2025
Heartwarming Snow White retelling but doesn’t shy from hard issues!
A wonderful fantasy world with cute “Easter eggs” of Snow White fairytale and nods to Eastern and Northern European cultures.
It follows the original story in many aspects but includes a few twists. Please be aware of mentions of war, destruction, death of loved ones, betrayal, etc. However, it is in the midst of hardships and difficult choices the reader sees the growth, maturity and self-assurance of the female character, Lily.
And then there is Henry.
One of the things I enjoyed was a clean and steadfast romance with no flashy scenes or misunderstandings or readings into the actions or words but rather simple growth of admiration into love.
It is my first foray into this author’s work but I thoroughly enjoyed the easy style and lovable characters. I had a privilege of reading it as an advanced copy, but the expressed opinions are my own.
A wonderful fantasy world with cute “Easter eggs” of Snow White fairytale and nods to Eastern and Northern European cultures.
It follows the original story in many aspects but includes a few twists. Please be aware of mentions of war, destruction, death of loved ones, betrayal, etc. However, it is in the midst of hardships and difficult choices the reader sees the growth, maturity and self-assurance of the female character, Lily.
And then there is Henry.
One of the things I enjoyed was a clean and steadfast romance with no flashy scenes or misunderstandings or readings into the actions or words but rather simple growth of admiration into love.
It is my first foray into this author’s work but I thoroughly enjoyed the easy style and lovable characters. I had a privilege of reading it as an advanced copy, but the expressed opinions are my own.
April 3, 2025
What a fun tale! A light read, suspenseful enough that I didn't want to stop reading, but light enough that I could still sleep afterward. I enjoyed the storyline, the main character was cute and funny, and the male characters were refreshingly strong.
Overall, one I'd love to pick up again on a rainy spring day.
Overall, one I'd love to pick up again on a rainy spring day.
May 19, 2025
Adorable
This book was surprisingly adorable, despite the sad events that occurred in it. I loved the simple ending. I saw the resolution coming due to the foreshadowing, but it was still satisfying.
This book was surprisingly adorable, despite the sad events that occurred in it. I loved the simple ending. I saw the resolution coming due to the foreshadowing, but it was still satisfying.
May 13, 2025
Daylily: A Snow White Retelling
A Garden of Fairy Tales
By Madeline Kersberger
Daylily is the princess of Blumen who spends much of her time among the castle's gardens. She has skills with a needle and has her looks to recommend her. But she knows she has little to offer besides her beauty, and her stepmother has decided the best way she can serve her country is by marrying as soon as possible. The first potential suitor is tolerable and, with time, could prove to be something more.
When tragedy strikes and Lily is forced to flee, she is forced to become someone with more substance. She must find a strength she never knew she possessed to survive and reclaim her rightful place. With a small contingent of loyal servants and soldiers willing to protect and give their lives for her, she must fight for what is hers.
I really enjoyed the first release in the Garden of Fairy Tales collection, which retold Snow White. The writing was engaging, and the characters came to life throughout. I recommend this book for tweens/teens and up. Overall, this is a clean read with some violence because battles are never friendly. I loved seeing Lily's growth and would love to step into this world again if given the opportunity.
A Garden of Fairy Tales
By Madeline Kersberger
Daylily is the princess of Blumen who spends much of her time among the castle's gardens. She has skills with a needle and has her looks to recommend her. But she knows she has little to offer besides her beauty, and her stepmother has decided the best way she can serve her country is by marrying as soon as possible. The first potential suitor is tolerable and, with time, could prove to be something more.
When tragedy strikes and Lily is forced to flee, she is forced to become someone with more substance. She must find a strength she never knew she possessed to survive and reclaim her rightful place. With a small contingent of loyal servants and soldiers willing to protect and give their lives for her, she must fight for what is hers.
I really enjoyed the first release in the Garden of Fairy Tales collection, which retold Snow White. The writing was engaging, and the characters came to life throughout. I recommend this book for tweens/teens and up. Overall, this is a clean read with some violence because battles are never friendly. I loved seeing Lily's growth and would love to step into this world again if given the opportunity.
April 5, 2025
Daylily is a wonderful start to the Garden of Fairy Tales series.
I was wondering how the authors would use the different flowers in their books, if they were just there to give the books beautiful matching covers and titles, but I really enjoyed seeing how Kersbergen used the Daylily - and lilies and flowers in general - in her story. They were important to the story, important to the main character and her kingdom and we even get some lily-facts at the end of the book!
I probably wouldn’t classify Daylily as a Snow White retelling but more as an “inspired by” sort of story. We find a lot of elements of the original fairy tale, but it gave off different vibes and there are a lot of changes, so it definitely felt like its own unique story.
Kersbergen did a great job with worldbuilding and I loved the main - and a lot of side - characters of this book. Poor Lily is thrown into an awful situation and has to face a heavy load of grief, betrayal, new responsibilities and a future she had never envisioned for herself or her kingdom. It was easy to feel for her and her loss is portrayed in a way that makes you empathize easily with her but not bawl your eyes out while reading. At least this was my reading experience.
The romance is sweet and squeaky clean. It came a little bit too easy for my taste, since we know the moment the love interest is introduced how this is going to go and aside from comments from other characters there wasn’t really much to base their love connection on. We definitely see admiration for the other one, but there honestly were a few other male characters who could have filled in for the love interest. I still enjoyed the romance plot since it was slowly progressing and I really loved both characters. They were brave, kind and honest with no unnecessary misunderstandings thrown around.
Daylily kicks off this new fairy tale series with heartbreak and hope and the perfect Spring vibes to start this new (reading) season!
* Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily and the expressed opinions are my own.
I was wondering how the authors would use the different flowers in their books, if they were just there to give the books beautiful matching covers and titles, but I really enjoyed seeing how Kersbergen used the Daylily - and lilies and flowers in general - in her story. They were important to the story, important to the main character and her kingdom and we even get some lily-facts at the end of the book!
I probably wouldn’t classify Daylily as a Snow White retelling but more as an “inspired by” sort of story. We find a lot of elements of the original fairy tale, but it gave off different vibes and there are a lot of changes, so it definitely felt like its own unique story.
Kersbergen did a great job with worldbuilding and I loved the main - and a lot of side - characters of this book. Poor Lily is thrown into an awful situation and has to face a heavy load of grief, betrayal, new responsibilities and a future she had never envisioned for herself or her kingdom. It was easy to feel for her and her loss is portrayed in a way that makes you empathize easily with her but not bawl your eyes out while reading. At least this was my reading experience.
The romance is sweet and squeaky clean. It came a little bit too easy for my taste, since we know the moment the love interest is introduced how this is going to go and aside from comments from other characters there wasn’t really much to base their love connection on. We definitely see admiration for the other one, but there honestly were a few other male characters who could have filled in for the love interest. I still enjoyed the romance plot since it was slowly progressing and I really loved both characters. They were brave, kind and honest with no unnecessary misunderstandings thrown around.
Daylily kicks off this new fairy tale series with heartbreak and hope and the perfect Spring vibes to start this new (reading) season!
* Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily and the expressed opinions are my own.
April 11, 2025
This was a new author for me, which was exciting in and of itself, and it turned out that I loved the author’s choices of words and phrases! They painted such incredible pictures with just a few well chosen words!
The story was a subtle retelling of Snow White with a main character that started out weak and malleable, but grew strong and confident over time. I love how the various side characters showed their true colors as the story folded, and how the political situations as well as the romance felt real and valid! The facts about flowers turned out to be true after some fact checking (including the statement at the end after the epilogue), and I found out some things that I was happy to learn! The story was entertaining, informative, and clean and uplifting! I loved the happy ending and the growth arc that continued throughout the book!
The story was a subtle retelling of Snow White with a main character that started out weak and malleable, but grew strong and confident over time. I love how the various side characters showed their true colors as the story folded, and how the political situations as well as the romance felt real and valid! The facts about flowers turned out to be true after some fact checking (including the statement at the end after the epilogue), and I found out some things that I was happy to learn! The story was entertaining, informative, and clean and uplifting! I loved the happy ending and the growth arc that continued throughout the book!
April 17, 2025
Daylily by Madeline Kersbergen
⛅ A beautiful princess
⛅ Tragedy
⛅ An unexpected role
⛅ Finding true worth
⛅ Sweet romance, just a kiss (no spice)
Genre: Fairytale
A very subtle Snow White retelling. When tragedy strikes her family, Princess Lily must step up and become the best she can be. I was just a little disappointed in this one becuase the retelling is so subtle. Our main character is beautiful, she briefly stays in a cabin with seven guards, and apples are mentioned a time or two, but if I hadn't known it was a retelling, I wouldn't have recognized it as one. And then the solution to all their problems is mentioned at the very beginning, so the reader knows how it will end but the characters don't so I found that a bit odd. But overall it is cute and sweet and a good book from a debut author.
A standalone in the Garden of Fairy Tales series
⛅ A beautiful princess
⛅ Tragedy
⛅ An unexpected role
⛅ Finding true worth
⛅ Sweet romance, just a kiss (no spice)
Genre: Fairytale
A very subtle Snow White retelling. When tragedy strikes her family, Princess Lily must step up and become the best she can be. I was just a little disappointed in this one becuase the retelling is so subtle. Our main character is beautiful, she briefly stays in a cabin with seven guards, and apples are mentioned a time or two, but if I hadn't known it was a retelling, I wouldn't have recognized it as one. And then the solution to all their problems is mentioned at the very beginning, so the reader knows how it will end but the characters don't so I found that a bit odd. But overall it is cute and sweet and a good book from a debut author.
A standalone in the Garden of Fairy Tales series
April 3, 2025
Daylily is a solid effort from someone I believe to be a debut author. It's generally light reading, but does include familial deaths among occasional darker moments. The main character is sweet and funny and is surrounded by some interesting supporting characters. It's one of those books that I can't decide if it should be classed as a 'retelling of' or an 'inspired by' as many of the elements of the Snow White fairy tale are definitely included, but there are enough changes and differences to make it a unique story. Overall, a fun and quick read.
I received an ARC from the author. All opinions and views in the review are my own.
I received an ARC from the author. All opinions and views in the review are my own.
April 25, 2025
This was cute, I enjoyed the time frame of this, how it showed the after of winning the country back, and all the political challenges that came with it. I couldn't quite relate to the character but I did not mind her. I felt more so that there was a lot of saying and mentioning of emotions but less describing or bringing you into them. If that makes sense.
very clean, I thin younger me would have enjoyed this.
very clean, I thin younger me would have enjoyed this.
April 22, 2025
A beautiful tale of hope in difficult times. Intelligently written and a great story. I enjoyed the nods to Snow White and also the original story crafted by the author. Looking forward to more from this debut author!
April 14, 2025
Floral twist of Snow White
Loved the hope and resilience in this story, and the nod to the historical events as wel! The flowers fit perfectly into the story.
Loved the hope and resilience in this story, and the nod to the historical events as wel! The flowers fit perfectly into the story.
May 23, 2025
This was a really enjoyable read! I liked seeing Lily’s growth throughout the book. ♥️
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews