A Glass Darkly

by K.E. Barden

‘Sometimes a monster can be the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen.’

Snow’s curse has been broken and with it, her heart. The grotto has been destroyed, Hansel is missing and the blisters on her feet aren’t the only reminder of how powerless she is. With the Queen’s murders watching, the fog dragon loose and the rebellion in hiding, Snow’s only hope is to find allies. And fast.

When a mysterious stranger sends her to the kingdom of Perridorm, where the royals control an army of the dead, Snow must choose between the battle for her throne or her true heart’s desire.

But temptation is a dangerous game. Dark magic stirs, the dead rise, and the powerful secret hidden in the Queen’s Mines threatens to break everything. Thieving wood nymphs are the least of Snow’s problems as she faces a web of lost love, shattered friendships, and an impossible how far would she go for her own happily ever after?

In this thrilling third installment of the Finding Ever After series, darkness spreads across the realm, and Snow must confront secrets that go deeper than she ever imagined.

Once Upon a Time meets Grimm’s original fairy tales in this gritty, heart-pounding YA fantasy retelling—where the path to happily ever after is anything but certain, and the cost may be your very soul.

526 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 17, 2025

About the author

K E Barden is an independent author based in Brisbane. Her first book, The Gilded Mirror was written entirely on a mobile phone and was a finalist in QWC's Adaptable program in 2025 where she pitched the series to directors and screen producers for screen adaption. 

When she isn’t writing, you can usually find her spoiling her high maintenance cat, building fairy castles or comparing her real boyfriend with her book boyfriends.

Her books are a combination of fiction, romance and fantasy focusing on choice, flawed characters, romance and complex relationships. 

You can find Kim on social media @ KEBardenAuthor

Reviews

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been so busy so this book took me a bit longer to read.
Idk why but I just can’t get behind snow, she’s a truly interesting character and I’m excited to see what she does and how she grows but I just don’t like her that much 😅. I will say this though I’m intrigued in her story and I want to see her get her happy ending but with the way she’s been talking to herself I don’t see her being the kind hearted queen everyone’s hoping for, it feels like it’s been set up for her to enter her villain era or no longer being pure of heart, but I still hope she becomes a character I like but for some reason she just rubs me the wrong way😅😂.
But oh my god the dwarves are becoming my favourite characters in the whole series and Oryx too Bronson and Brufell adventures were so fun to read and I sat there with bated breath whenever it was their povs. Dread pov introduction was so cool tbh, and am curious to see what the Queen does with him, he lowkey reminds me of the crow from maleficent but a lot more murderous and dangerous ahah. Florian has been uping his game I love him I hope we can see him become king in the future because he is just good, like he’s so smart and genuinely cares like mans has said yes to everything that has been thrown at him and keeps soildering on, him negotiating with the wood Nymphs and getting pips flute back like that’s my man right there and him having allergies and just being a regular guy makes him so much better to me! Malak my absolute boy, I love the fact that we got to see him flex his Troll strength but I really hope it doesn’t affect his own feelings of himself seeing how scared Florian was, man should be proud that he is that strong and is able to protect the ones he loves! Pip is such a cool character and you can tell he’s been through some shit but you can see that he genuinely cares about those around him, I’m excited to hopefully see more of his past with Rumple idk if a mentor mentee situation or if it’s lovers quarrel but I need to know!
Anyway this just makes me super excited for book 4!

[Agnes Varona Oquendo, Author · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the first two books from the “Finding Ever After Series- A Dark Fairy-Tale Retelling,”I couldn’t wait to read the third book. Although many of the main players such as Malak, Pip, Florian, Brufell and Bronson return in “A Glass Darkly,” along with a few added on, Hansel and Eve are merely mentioned from time to time but are no where to be seen. Nevertheless, I absolutely loved everything about this edition. In a sense, Princess Snow has finally made herself a name but getting there is a struggle along with those that share her visions, loyalties and hopes. This book answers so many of those deep and dark rooted questions about everyone in Snow’s circle.
The author brilliantly describes each scene with such a flair that I felt like I was there both physically and emotionally along with all of her characters. This book is definitely a great summer read.

[Jemma · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75 🌟

I was so keen to read this book as I loved books 1 & 2, but unfortunately I did not enjoy this one. I cant explain what or why I didn't enjoy it, because I just dont know myself. It is definitely my least favourite of the series so far hopefully book 4 redeems the series for me.

I really wish I could have rated it higher and loved it a bit more, I couldn't get into it took me over a month to finish i even read atleast 2 books while in the middle of this one.

Don't let my review persuade your experience and your rating of this book, everyone has their own opinion. I still love this series and the author for the most part, this book just unfortunately was not for me.

[Sheyla Robles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy reading this. It was very page turning, hard yo put down.
Love how the author was able to create Snows character she is something very intriguing. They way this story was describe it made me feel like i was in the story. Loved the adventures of the dwarfs.
This was more that i was expecting and i love it. Now i have to wait for the next one and my expectations are on the sky.
I really recommend adding it to your read this year.

[Bookloving_dutchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting grim and dark and I am here for it