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Crowns of the Fae #3
Crown of Poison
Crown of Poison is a Snow White retelling with a twist, full of dark fae magic, deadly court schemes, and steamy romance. The Crowns of the Fae books can be read in any order as stand-alone novels.
480 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2026
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March 5, 2026
A Snow White retelling with loyal sidekicks especially a surprisingly sweet ice dragon.
This is the third of the interconnected stand-alones, told in dual POV, and it leans fully into the Snow White motifs without feeling like a checklist. The mirror, the poison, the apple, the kiss… it is all there, but beautifully woven into a new story.
Eira, the snow princess, is being hunted by a thoroughly unfortunate MMC: a hunter and assassin owned by the evil queen and sent to kill her. Tortured, dangerous, and very much not in control of his own life. Exactly the kind of man a fairy-tale heroine should absolutely stay away from. Of course not, but that is the plan!
The real scene stealers, however, are the sidekicks. Frisk and Kendra quickly became my favorites in the whole series. One is an innocent little ice dragon who is almost painfully cute, the other a worldly, sharp-tongued snow fox with excellent banter. Their dynamic alone could carry several chapters.
What I liked most was how the author reinterprets the familiar elements of Snow White and folds them into the world-building without making it feel forced. The result is recognizable, but still its own story.
⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️✨4.25 stars
A clever fairy-tale remix with excellent sidekicks and a properly tortured hero.
If you like
• fairytale retellings
• tortured dark MMCs
• magical animal sidekicks
Not for you if you stopped the Disney movie always in the moment the old hag appeared (I have a family history there😉) and insist on the original‘s dwarves.
MMC scent: woodsy mountain.
This is the third of the interconnected stand-alones, told in dual POV, and it leans fully into the Snow White motifs without feeling like a checklist. The mirror, the poison, the apple, the kiss… it is all there, but beautifully woven into a new story.
Eira, the snow princess, is being hunted by a thoroughly unfortunate MMC: a hunter and assassin owned by the evil queen and sent to kill her. Tortured, dangerous, and very much not in control of his own life. Exactly the kind of man a fairy-tale heroine should absolutely stay away from. Of course not, but that is the plan!
The real scene stealers, however, are the sidekicks. Frisk and Kendra quickly became my favorites in the whole series. One is an innocent little ice dragon who is almost painfully cute, the other a worldly, sharp-tongued snow fox with excellent banter. Their dynamic alone could carry several chapters.
What I liked most was how the author reinterprets the familiar elements of Snow White and folds them into the world-building without making it feel forced. The result is recognizable, but still its own story.
⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️✨4.25 stars
A clever fairy-tale remix with excellent sidekicks and a properly tortured hero.
If you like
• fairytale retellings
• tortured dark MMCs
• magical animal sidekicks
Not for you if you stopped the Disney movie always in the moment the old hag appeared (I have a family history there😉) and insist on the original‘s dwarves.
MMC scent: woodsy mountain.
March 3, 2026
Let me start off with this, I LOVE THIS AUTHOR'S BOOKS! As a mega fan since picking up my first RL Perez book years ago, I can't seem to get enough, devouring every book she's written with excitement! Why excitement, you might wonder, well...
Eira is devastated at the loss of his father, and something is smelling very rotten. She's determined to find the cause, she'd determined to find the source of this rot. She might be a Princess but, as a half human, her stepmother, Calista, barely tolerates her, now, however, the gloves are off. Calista no longer sees the need for false outwardly acceptance of Eira, she wants her gone, permanently. While searching for any evidence that might shed light on what is causing this disquiet within her, she discovers a damning letter, penned by her father and a strange hand mirror. What she read, what she saw, horrified her, although, there was little she could do, but flee. Flee from the castle, flee from her stepmother. Yes, you guessed right, this is a Snow White retelling, except, it more a reinvention than a retelling, the bones are there so one is aware, but twisted in an unexpected tale of deception, court intrigue, lies, prejudice and a beautiful love story that took my breath away. There are no dwarves, there are, instead, 7 human nobles who are by her side in this fight, this battle to unseat and expose Calista. And the twist on the apple? Ingenuous!
Ms Perez leads me on a path I wasn't certain I'd survive, through briars and brambles, through rocky terrain, through unimaginable hurdles, treacherous, dangerous. The characters springing up on this path were all immensely impressive, the vileness of Calista screamed through the pages, the softness, vulnerability but fierceness of Eira resonated, and I loved how resourceful she was, her quick thinking so so awesome but it was Theron who consumed me, gutted me with the situation he was in. A situation he hoped to remedy, with one final act. Hunter becomes the hunted as Eira puts an ingenious plan in place and heavens did I giggle at how Eira duped Theron! Their first encounter was...illuminating. Forget about face value, shallow characters, Ms Perez gives them depth, she gives them a voice so strong, they bleed into my heart. The banter, often comical, cuts through the lethal and perilous undertaking, infusing a lightness in an otherwise dark tale. As this illustrates, “We aren’t taking roads?” “Of course not. I thought you were supposed to be stealthy! What would people think if they saw me riding a stag?” “That you’re insane. And rightly so.”
Theron and Eira... what a pair! After turning Theron with a few choice words, Fae bargaining at it's best, they begin their journey to the palace. With lots of laughs, by me. Eira's friends aren't only humans, she befriends the creatures of the woods, all adore her, all would do anything for her. They too are Fae, Unseelie, who are mistrusted by most. Not so Eira. She loves them as much as they do her, she trusts them as much as they do her. Until...a deadly Demon Fae attacked them all and she learnt the truth about her friends. I loved the realism of the moment, the almost stupor Eira falls into when she realises they had been lying to her. Not maliciously, but prudently keeping that knowledge hidden, making her rethink, well, everything! Especially her own secret... Slowly, the animosity and loathing between Theron and Eira erodes, he sees her as more than "just another inferior human" and she sees that the cold assassin had a soft heart after all. The banter was delightful, Ms Perez kept me riveted waiting to see what happens next, and boy oh boy, the next was an exquisite realisation of love, need and desire that curled my toes.
Feisty Frisk, skittish Kendra, brusque Mauro, Unseelie creatures, who rally around Eira, are the funniest, most dedicated friends anyone could have. So too is Stella, pint sized, human, and pure dynamite! These characters are all pure dynamite, the exploded, imploded, right into my heart. The determination to succeed, the growth in Eira, the magic she has at her command, simply divine! Shocking at times, the twisty turny route the author took me on, frek, adrenaline central! Her natural leadership skills ignite, she rallies even the ferocious pixies to ally with her. But her biggest challenge is Theron. To make him see his worth, to make him see he's not determined by his past deeds. "We are more than just our appearances. We are more than our bloodlines. We are beings with desires and goals, feelings and ambitions"
But the guilt Theron holds on his shoulders after the bombshell revelation by Eira, would cripple another man, he almost does. He was so burdened by his sins. By his self-loathing, I could easily see him buckle under the weight, very descriptive scenes, I swear I was picturing him like Atlas, bent at the knee, being pressed on by grief and remorse. I wanted to cry for him, with him when he revealed his innermost turmoil and hurts, “I didn’t realize,” he said in a strained voice. “Didn’t realize what I’d become… until I met you.” The entire shift in acceptance, in acknowledgement was superbly crafted by Ms Perez, she shone a light so illuminating on Eira, all could see, all could feel. This reimagined retelling was exciting, familiar yet innovative, it was suspenseful and warming, it was a one sitting read, because heck, it was impossible to put down! With all the action, with all the twists, with all the heat, as always, the author leaves me sighing in content and urgently needing the next book...
Eira is devastated at the loss of his father, and something is smelling very rotten. She's determined to find the cause, she'd determined to find the source of this rot. She might be a Princess but, as a half human, her stepmother, Calista, barely tolerates her, now, however, the gloves are off. Calista no longer sees the need for false outwardly acceptance of Eira, she wants her gone, permanently. While searching for any evidence that might shed light on what is causing this disquiet within her, she discovers a damning letter, penned by her father and a strange hand mirror. What she read, what she saw, horrified her, although, there was little she could do, but flee. Flee from the castle, flee from her stepmother. Yes, you guessed right, this is a Snow White retelling, except, it more a reinvention than a retelling, the bones are there so one is aware, but twisted in an unexpected tale of deception, court intrigue, lies, prejudice and a beautiful love story that took my breath away. There are no dwarves, there are, instead, 7 human nobles who are by her side in this fight, this battle to unseat and expose Calista. And the twist on the apple? Ingenuous!
Ms Perez leads me on a path I wasn't certain I'd survive, through briars and brambles, through rocky terrain, through unimaginable hurdles, treacherous, dangerous. The characters springing up on this path were all immensely impressive, the vileness of Calista screamed through the pages, the softness, vulnerability but fierceness of Eira resonated, and I loved how resourceful she was, her quick thinking so so awesome but it was Theron who consumed me, gutted me with the situation he was in. A situation he hoped to remedy, with one final act. Hunter becomes the hunted as Eira puts an ingenious plan in place and heavens did I giggle at how Eira duped Theron! Their first encounter was...illuminating. Forget about face value, shallow characters, Ms Perez gives them depth, she gives them a voice so strong, they bleed into my heart. The banter, often comical, cuts through the lethal and perilous undertaking, infusing a lightness in an otherwise dark tale. As this illustrates, “We aren’t taking roads?” “Of course not. I thought you were supposed to be stealthy! What would people think if they saw me riding a stag?” “That you’re insane. And rightly so.”
Theron and Eira... what a pair! After turning Theron with a few choice words, Fae bargaining at it's best, they begin their journey to the palace. With lots of laughs, by me. Eira's friends aren't only humans, she befriends the creatures of the woods, all adore her, all would do anything for her. They too are Fae, Unseelie, who are mistrusted by most. Not so Eira. She loves them as much as they do her, she trusts them as much as they do her. Until...a deadly Demon Fae attacked them all and she learnt the truth about her friends. I loved the realism of the moment, the almost stupor Eira falls into when she realises they had been lying to her. Not maliciously, but prudently keeping that knowledge hidden, making her rethink, well, everything! Especially her own secret... Slowly, the animosity and loathing between Theron and Eira erodes, he sees her as more than "just another inferior human" and she sees that the cold assassin had a soft heart after all. The banter was delightful, Ms Perez kept me riveted waiting to see what happens next, and boy oh boy, the next was an exquisite realisation of love, need and desire that curled my toes.
Feisty Frisk, skittish Kendra, brusque Mauro, Unseelie creatures, who rally around Eira, are the funniest, most dedicated friends anyone could have. So too is Stella, pint sized, human, and pure dynamite! These characters are all pure dynamite, the exploded, imploded, right into my heart. The determination to succeed, the growth in Eira, the magic she has at her command, simply divine! Shocking at times, the twisty turny route the author took me on, frek, adrenaline central! Her natural leadership skills ignite, she rallies even the ferocious pixies to ally with her. But her biggest challenge is Theron. To make him see his worth, to make him see he's not determined by his past deeds. "We are more than just our appearances. We are more than our bloodlines. We are beings with desires and goals, feelings and ambitions"
But the guilt Theron holds on his shoulders after the bombshell revelation by Eira, would cripple another man, he almost does. He was so burdened by his sins. By his self-loathing, I could easily see him buckle under the weight, very descriptive scenes, I swear I was picturing him like Atlas, bent at the knee, being pressed on by grief and remorse. I wanted to cry for him, with him when he revealed his innermost turmoil and hurts, “I didn’t realize,” he said in a strained voice. “Didn’t realize what I’d become… until I met you.” The entire shift in acceptance, in acknowledgement was superbly crafted by Ms Perez, she shone a light so illuminating on Eira, all could see, all could feel. This reimagined retelling was exciting, familiar yet innovative, it was suspenseful and warming, it was a one sitting read, because heck, it was impossible to put down! With all the action, with all the twists, with all the heat, as always, the author leaves me sighing in content and urgently needing the next book...
July 25, 2026
I’ve been really enjoying the Crown of the Fae Series. Each is a different fairy-tale retelling with its own fae twist. This story is a Snow White retelling. We follow Eira, a runaway princess who is trying to form a rebellion to overthrow her evil stepmother. She wants to right the injustices the queen has inflicted. Theron is the hunter tasked by the evil queen to hunt down the princess and bring her heart to the queen.
Eira is very resourceful and smart. She knows how to hide her tracks with her invisibility magic. I love her interactions with the woodland creatures, especially Kendra; she was so precious! She’s willing to do everything in her power to help her people, fae and humans alike. I love Eira’s and Theron’s banter. They couldn’t stand each other, but they always found ways to get under each other’s skin. Theron’s distaste for humans and Eira’s mistrust of the hunter were the perfect formula for a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers dynamic that I love. (The artwork at the end of the book is gorgeous and helpful in picturing Eira and Theron (🥵).
I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. One of the characters goes through a life-changing transformation, and we see a glimpse of them struggling with the consequences. I’m excited to see how this will be handled.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Eira is very resourceful and smart. She knows how to hide her tracks with her invisibility magic. I love her interactions with the woodland creatures, especially Kendra; she was so precious! She’s willing to do everything in her power to help her people, fae and humans alike. I love Eira’s and Theron’s banter. They couldn’t stand each other, but they always found ways to get under each other’s skin. Theron’s distaste for humans and Eira’s mistrust of the hunter were the perfect formula for a slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers dynamic that I love. (The artwork at the end of the book is gorgeous and helpful in picturing Eira and Theron (🥵).
I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. One of the characters goes through a life-changing transformation, and we see a glimpse of them struggling with the consequences. I’m excited to see how this will be handled.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Crown of Poison by R.L. Perez
Crown of the Fae #3
4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (rounded up to a 5)
Spice: 1.5/5
Cursing: slight
Format/Source: ebook from author
Genres/Tropes: romance, fantasy, fairy tale retelling, enemies to lovers, magical creatures
Audience: NA
Setting: Winter Court
Characters: Eira, Calista, Theron, Frisk, Kendra, Stella, Denton, Mauro, Vikros, Nyra
👍 short chapters, multi POV, unique magical creatures, slight cursing, different Snow White retelling, fast-paced, offbeat magical powers and fae
👎 none
Description:
Princess Eira, a half-fae half-human, only wants freedom for her court and her people. But her stepmother has banished her from the kingdom because of her human bloodline. Now, Eira leads a secret band of rebels, all eager for change. And when an assassin crosses her path, she sees her chance to infiltrate the Winter Court and put an end to her stepmother’s rule. Or so she thinks.
Theron, the realm’s most skilled assassin, has been trapped in a contract with the Queen of the Winter Court for over a decade. Lucky for him, he has one last mission to complete before he is finally free: eliminate the vagabond princess who threatens the queen. But when he tracks her down, she isn't what he expected. She tricks him into a bargain, and now, he is forced to travel alongside her to the Winter Palace.
As they journey together, their hatred toward one another shifts, making way for new feelings. Eira realizes Theron is more than just a killer. And Theron discovers that Eira is not the villain the queen had painted her to be. But the queen's hold on Theron is stronger than he thought. And as he starts to fall for Eira, he struggles against the binding magic of his contract with the queen, which demands he fulfill his final assignment.
Can Eira achieve her goal of freeing her kingdom? Or will the deadly assassin unravel her plans… and her heart?
I enjoyed this novel, especially the unusual magical creatures, fae, and abilities. This is a very distinctive retelling of the beloved Snow White. I recommend this novel those who enjoys fairy tale retellings.
#bookstagram #booklovers #fairytaleretelling #snowwhite
Crown of the Fae #3
4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (rounded up to a 5)
Spice: 1.5/5
Cursing: slight
Format/Source: ebook from author
Genres/Tropes: romance, fantasy, fairy tale retelling, enemies to lovers, magical creatures
Audience: NA
Setting: Winter Court
Characters: Eira, Calista, Theron, Frisk, Kendra, Stella, Denton, Mauro, Vikros, Nyra
👍 short chapters, multi POV, unique magical creatures, slight cursing, different Snow White retelling, fast-paced, offbeat magical powers and fae
👎 none
Description:
Princess Eira, a half-fae half-human, only wants freedom for her court and her people. But her stepmother has banished her from the kingdom because of her human bloodline. Now, Eira leads a secret band of rebels, all eager for change. And when an assassin crosses her path, she sees her chance to infiltrate the Winter Court and put an end to her stepmother’s rule. Or so she thinks.
Theron, the realm’s most skilled assassin, has been trapped in a contract with the Queen of the Winter Court for over a decade. Lucky for him, he has one last mission to complete before he is finally free: eliminate the vagabond princess who threatens the queen. But when he tracks her down, she isn't what he expected. She tricks him into a bargain, and now, he is forced to travel alongside her to the Winter Palace.
As they journey together, their hatred toward one another shifts, making way for new feelings. Eira realizes Theron is more than just a killer. And Theron discovers that Eira is not the villain the queen had painted her to be. But the queen's hold on Theron is stronger than he thought. And as he starts to fall for Eira, he struggles against the binding magic of his contract with the queen, which demands he fulfill his final assignment.
Can Eira achieve her goal of freeing her kingdom? Or will the deadly assassin unravel her plans… and her heart?
I enjoyed this novel, especially the unusual magical creatures, fae, and abilities. This is a very distinctive retelling of the beloved Snow White. I recommend this novel those who enjoys fairy tale retellings.
#bookstagram #booklovers #fairytaleretelling #snowwhite
April 30, 2026
I loved the first book in this series, so I went into book two with really high expectations, and it did not disappoint. I absolutely adored both the FMC and MMC, along with all of Eira’s sidekicks.
The wintry atmosphere was beautifully done, and I loved the clever twists on Snow White elements woven throughout the story. The shift from hatred into something far more dangerous made their dynamic incredibly tense and engaging. The wicked fae stepmother adds a dark, enchanting layer, while the princess is cheeky and easy to love, especially alongside the charming and believable woodland creatures.
The Hunter felt just as well developed, and their connection came across as natural from the very beginning. When the slow burn romance finally builds, it feels earned, and the added layer of fae politics brings just enough danger and intrigue to keep the pages turning.
I will definitely be on the lookout for the audiobook so I can experience this one again before diving into book four.
The wintry atmosphere was beautifully done, and I loved the clever twists on Snow White elements woven throughout the story. The shift from hatred into something far more dangerous made their dynamic incredibly tense and engaging. The wicked fae stepmother adds a dark, enchanting layer, while the princess is cheeky and easy to love, especially alongside the charming and believable woodland creatures.
The Hunter felt just as well developed, and their connection came across as natural from the very beginning. When the slow burn romance finally builds, it feels earned, and the added layer of fae politics brings just enough danger and intrigue to keep the pages turning.
I will definitely be on the lookout for the audiobook so I can experience this one again before diving into book four.
March 1, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early release copy.
I didn’t realize when I got this that it was the third of an interconnected series. Now I want to go read the others. I had so much fun with this story. I love retellings and this Snow White one was such a fun ride! I loved Eira from start to finish. There’s nothing about her I would change. The way she stood up for what she believed in is what made me love her. And our hero was complicated and broody. I adored him. I wasn’t obsessed enough to give this 5 stars but still had a ton of fun. Looking forward to reading more from this world!
I didn’t realize when I got this that it was the third of an interconnected series. Now I want to go read the others. I had so much fun with this story. I love retellings and this Snow White one was such a fun ride! I loved Eira from start to finish. There’s nothing about her I would change. The way she stood up for what she believed in is what made me love her. And our hero was complicated and broody. I adored him. I wasn’t obsessed enough to give this 5 stars but still had a ton of fun. Looking forward to reading more from this world!
March 2, 2026
✨𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌✨
Eira is a fierce outcast turned rebel who outwits adversaries. The Hunter is a hot, morally grey MMC aching for freedom and is sent to hunt her.
Tropes:
🍎Snow White retelling
🤝Fae bargains
⚔️"l've been sent to unalive you"
🐾Animal companions
🗣️Grumpy × sunshine banter
🪨Only one cave
🙋 He falls first
As secrets and revelations come to light, can these bargain-bound adversaries overcome the longing in their hearts or will their bargains doom them both?
Crown of Poison is an alluring Snow White retelling packed with action, searing quips, and undeniable tension!
Huge thanks to the author for the ARC opportunity. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Eira is a fierce outcast turned rebel who outwits adversaries. The Hunter is a hot, morally grey MMC aching for freedom and is sent to hunt her.
Tropes:
🍎Snow White retelling
🤝Fae bargains
⚔️"l've been sent to unalive you"
🐾Animal companions
🗣️Grumpy × sunshine banter
🪨Only one cave
🙋 He falls first
As secrets and revelations come to light, can these bargain-bound adversaries overcome the longing in their hearts or will their bargains doom them both?
Crown of Poison is an alluring Snow White retelling packed with action, searing quips, and undeniable tension!
Huge thanks to the author for the ARC opportunity. This is my honest and voluntary review.
March 2, 2026
Crown of Poison is one of my favorite Snow White retellings. This is Eira and Theron’s story filled with adventure, hidden powers, and the most evil Queen. I love how the story follows Eira escaping the Queen and becoming a rebellious leader. I love how spunky she is and how she gets the Hunter,Theron, on her side. I love their chemistry and connection they have, but also how they protect each other and confine their secrets to each other. I also love the connection Eira has with the other unseelie fae, the animals, and how they will help her in their journey. Their story is an epic adventure is putting the rightful queen in power and getting rid of the evil in the world. I really enjoyed their story and was so excited to find out who’s next. I cant wait to read more!
I voluntarily leave my honest review of this gifted book.
I voluntarily leave my honest review of this gifted book.
March 21, 2026
ARC from NetGalley
I really enjoyed this, the Snow White elements gave it a easy familiar feel while also adding in a lot of its own magic and work.
I loved how the lore of the fae folk mixed into the story.
The treatment of different species and how the courts actions are unjust was very well written and some politics could take note on how it is delt with!
The slow burn between the princess and the hunter was brilliant 👏 I loved the way they slowly began to understand each other and open thier minds.
I really enjoyed this, the Snow White elements gave it a easy familiar feel while also adding in a lot of its own magic and work.
I loved how the lore of the fae folk mixed into the story.
The treatment of different species and how the courts actions are unjust was very well written and some politics could take note on how it is delt with!
The slow burn between the princess and the hunter was brilliant 👏 I loved the way they slowly began to understand each other and open thier minds.
July 19, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley for sending me this eARC. I enjoy fairytale retellings and this one was inspired by Snow White and Once Upon a Time, which itself is also a fairytale retelling.
Half fae Princess Eira escapes from the evil stepmother, Calista, after finding out she's a demon fae. Calista proceeds to hunt Eira down for years while Eira survives in the woods and slowly builds an army of rebels.
The Huntsman, Theron, is tasked to hunt and kill Eira. I like the characterization of Eira, she's written to be extremely cunning, which makes sense as she's been evading capture for five years. Eira and Theron are cute together, though he does suffer from a lot of self-loathing.
The animal companions are very sweet and I wish we saw more of Rogun, perhaps he'll be in the next book?
Half fae Princess Eira escapes from the evil stepmother, Calista, after finding out she's a demon fae. Calista proceeds to hunt Eira down for years while Eira survives in the woods and slowly builds an army of rebels.
The Huntsman, Theron, is tasked to hunt and kill Eira. I like the characterization of Eira, she's written to be extremely cunning, which makes sense as she's been evading capture for five years. Eira and Theron are cute together, though he does suffer from a lot of self-loathing.
The animal companions are very sweet and I wish we saw more of Rogun, perhaps he'll be in the next book?
February 10, 2026
R.L. Perez - Crown of Poison // ARC received from author
Eira escaped her evil step-mother five years ago. Now she’s ruling as the Queen and terrorizing the kingdom with her blood magic. Eira is going to take back the crown no matter what, but when the queen sends her best hunter Theron, after Eira, things gets much more complicated.
Crown of Poison is an adventurous retelling of Snow White. I really liked Eira and how brave she was. This princess is smart, sassy and badass. Her banter with Theron was fun and I enjoyed their constant bickering.
The romance was a slow burn enemies to lovers, which never goes wrong. After tricking Theron into a bargain where he agrees not to kill her and travel with her back to the palace, they have to cooperate. Dealing with your enemy isn’t the easiest but it’s very fun to read! Especially when someone gets high on pixie wine… The sexual tension is real.
My favorite part was the talking animal companions. I loved how protective all the animals were of Eira. They were funny and sweet and adorable.
I found the travel trope well done, but felt the heist part was a little rushed. Everything happened at the end and I felt that part could’ve been elaborated. I wanted to see more fight scenes and action but felt like it maybe wrapped up too nicely, too quickly. Otherwise it was a fast, enjoyable read and a good third book in a series I adore. If you haven’t read Crown of Slumber or Crown of Briars yet, I highly recommend them! Both amazing fairytale retellings with dragons 👀
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Eira escaped her evil step-mother five years ago. Now she’s ruling as the Queen and terrorizing the kingdom with her blood magic. Eira is going to take back the crown no matter what, but when the queen sends her best hunter Theron, after Eira, things gets much more complicated.
Crown of Poison is an adventurous retelling of Snow White. I really liked Eira and how brave she was. This princess is smart, sassy and badass. Her banter with Theron was fun and I enjoyed their constant bickering.
The romance was a slow burn enemies to lovers, which never goes wrong. After tricking Theron into a bargain where he agrees not to kill her and travel with her back to the palace, they have to cooperate. Dealing with your enemy isn’t the easiest but it’s very fun to read! Especially when someone gets high on pixie wine… The sexual tension is real.
My favorite part was the talking animal companions. I loved how protective all the animals were of Eira. They were funny and sweet and adorable.
I found the travel trope well done, but felt the heist part was a little rushed. Everything happened at the end and I felt that part could’ve been elaborated. I wanted to see more fight scenes and action but felt like it maybe wrapped up too nicely, too quickly. Otherwise it was a fast, enjoyable read and a good third book in a series I adore. If you haven’t read Crown of Slumber or Crown of Briars yet, I highly recommend them! Both amazing fairytale retellings with dragons 👀
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you love fairytale retellings with bite, sass, and a fierce FMC… Crown of Poison delivers. 👑🐍
R.L. Perez takes the bones of Snow White and gives us something far darker and far more fun.
Enter Eira — a kick-a$$ heroine — her band of cheeky talking animals, and Theron… the gruff huntsman who absolutely stole the show for me.
Theron’s growth across the story was chef’s kiss. I came for the grump, stayed for the razor-sharp wit. 😏
Perez’s writing flows effortlessly, pulling you through the angst, adventure, and simmering emotion without missing a beat.
If you’re enjoying the Crowns of the Fae fairytale re-imaginings, this is another strong addition — and the best part? They work perfectly as standalones.
Thank you to R.L. Perez for the early copy. All opinions are my own.
R.L. Perez takes the bones of Snow White and gives us something far darker and far more fun.
Enter Eira — a kick-a$$ heroine — her band of cheeky talking animals, and Theron… the gruff huntsman who absolutely stole the show for me.
Theron’s growth across the story was chef’s kiss. I came for the grump, stayed for the razor-sharp wit. 😏
Perez’s writing flows effortlessly, pulling you through the angst, adventure, and simmering emotion without missing a beat.
If you’re enjoying the Crowns of the Fae fairytale re-imaginings, this is another strong addition — and the best part? They work perfectly as standalones.
Thank you to R.L. Perez for the early copy. All opinions are my own.
April 9, 2026
It’s an interconnected standalone that you can read perfectly by itself. It is a good palate cleanser; the Snow White story is not that hidden, but it’s changed in a very witty way. You fall in love right away with the hunter.
June 12, 2026
4.5 sparkwood apples 🍎
“Somehow, despite marching into a tribe that would see her as an enemy, she had turned them into allies.”
“Somehow, despite marching into a tribe that would see her as an enemy, she had turned them into allies.”
April 15, 2026
Princess Eira is a halfblood - and therefore hated amongst her kind, where only fae really are valued. But she's still the princess and as such deserves respect.. Until she discovers the queen's horrid secret and is forced to flee into the wilderness. She can't risk exposing the queen, not like this, no social standing and no proof.. But maybe the hunter, the assassin sent to kill her, might just be who she needs to free herself and her kingdom in the end.
As a snow white retelling this definitively had potential - the animal companions had to be there, she's snow white! The hunter following her tracks, somehow spelled to the queen, the queen and her mirror herself, the apples.. Every element is there and I quite enjoyed that, especially as a darker, wilder retelling of the old story. The one bigger element that was somehow there and still mostly missing were the seven dwarves - yes, she's got the seven humans, but they're barely mentioned, so it was a bit more of a stretch to see the connection there. I think with how much of a presence they are in the original, cutting them out here made it a bit harder to keep in mind that this is a retelling.
The other very strong theme here was the whole fae topic - the author strongly followed the old fairy tale characteristics of fae making bargains and being bound by them, trapping themselves and others in them, not being able to lie etc, which was the whole thing around how the princess bound the hunter to herself, or the way the hunter was tricked by the queen in the beginning - and ugh, that made the story feel so so very young. I mean, you're trying to tell me that both of them, queen and hunter, have been alive for centuries and spent their whole life being fae but they both still fall so easily for such obvious ploys by the other party.. That they both know not to trust? That on one hand and on the other the way the characters talk to each other (princess and hunter bickering, the animals commenting on it as if they couldn't be heard) put me a little bit out of the story a few times.
I quite enjoyed the part where the characters are traveling through the forest and winter landscapes, the mountains.. And the whole time the princess is growing a little bit as a person until by the end she is who she was meant to be. This was just well done and felt like a natural development - unlike the romance. Enemies to lovers, touch her and die and.. Overall, this felt just trope heavy and, while I hate to say it, also a little bit cringy. I think their relationship was just not given enough time to really develop, especially to the level they want it to be at. The ending was nice though - the finale and the resolution to it. The animal side kicks were actually quite fun though and I like that while she is a princess, Eira isn't useless - she's not sitting around, hoping for a prince to come rescue her, hoping for someone else to solve all her problems.. No, she's out there robbing carriages in the beginning of the book already and she doesn't step down after that either. While the hunter is with her, she doesn't need to rely on him or hide behind him at all, she can hold her own - and I really liked that part.
In total the story is a quick read - fast paced with a lot of action, a lot going on, always something happening to just make you want to keep going. The chapters are also well placed - there's a tendency to have something wild happen toward the end, so that you find yourself just needing another one before stopping... On top of that the writing lends itself exactly to that type of story as well - easy to read, quick to fly through and fun.
Overall, a nice quick read with most of the key elements of the original but done well enough to be its own story, with its own overarching theme of inequality between the different types of magical creatures and their heritage.. Which means even in the retelling we've got a hint of the original trying to convey a message with the story. Well done even though it often reads quite young.
Thank you Willow Haven Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
As a snow white retelling this definitively had potential - the animal companions had to be there, she's snow white! The hunter following her tracks, somehow spelled to the queen, the queen and her mirror herself, the apples.. Every element is there and I quite enjoyed that, especially as a darker, wilder retelling of the old story. The one bigger element that was somehow there and still mostly missing were the seven dwarves - yes, she's got the seven humans, but they're barely mentioned, so it was a bit more of a stretch to see the connection there. I think with how much of a presence they are in the original, cutting them out here made it a bit harder to keep in mind that this is a retelling.
The other very strong theme here was the whole fae topic - the author strongly followed the old fairy tale characteristics of fae making bargains and being bound by them, trapping themselves and others in them, not being able to lie etc, which was the whole thing around how the princess bound the hunter to herself, or the way the hunter was tricked by the queen in the beginning - and ugh, that made the story feel so so very young. I mean, you're trying to tell me that both of them, queen and hunter, have been alive for centuries and spent their whole life being fae but they both still fall so easily for such obvious ploys by the other party.. That they both know not to trust? That on one hand and on the other the way the characters talk to each other (princess and hunter bickering, the animals commenting on it as if they couldn't be heard) put me a little bit out of the story a few times.
I quite enjoyed the part where the characters are traveling through the forest and winter landscapes, the mountains.. And the whole time the princess is growing a little bit as a person until by the end she is who she was meant to be. This was just well done and felt like a natural development - unlike the romance. Enemies to lovers, touch her and die and.. Overall, this felt just trope heavy and, while I hate to say it, also a little bit cringy. I think their relationship was just not given enough time to really develop, especially to the level they want it to be at. The ending was nice though - the finale and the resolution to it. The animal side kicks were actually quite fun though and I like that while she is a princess, Eira isn't useless - she's not sitting around, hoping for a prince to come rescue her, hoping for someone else to solve all her problems.. No, she's out there robbing carriages in the beginning of the book already and she doesn't step down after that either. While the hunter is with her, she doesn't need to rely on him or hide behind him at all, she can hold her own - and I really liked that part.
In total the story is a quick read - fast paced with a lot of action, a lot going on, always something happening to just make you want to keep going. The chapters are also well placed - there's a tendency to have something wild happen toward the end, so that you find yourself just needing another one before stopping... On top of that the writing lends itself exactly to that type of story as well - easy to read, quick to fly through and fun.
Overall, a nice quick read with most of the key elements of the original but done well enough to be its own story, with its own overarching theme of inequality between the different types of magical creatures and their heritage.. Which means even in the retelling we've got a hint of the original trying to convey a message with the story. Well done even though it often reads quite young.
Thank you Willow Haven Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This follows Eira, also known as the Snow Princess, who has been exiled for the last five years after not only discovering her stepmother’s true form, but stealing an enchanted object that belonged to her.
Now, when Eira hopes she has amassed an army, she learns she can’t pay them enough. But when she learns her stepmother has sent her personal assassin to take out Eira, Eira decides to attempt to use the assassin to get to her stepmother and end her reign, before it’s too late.
This is a unique take on Snow White. I also feel like after reading this, the title gives it a whole new meaning while also hinting at events in the book.
Eira is not a soft-spoken Snow White, but she does have animal friends that talk and are not your average animal 😆 The animals and Fae creatures were a highlight for me, especially the little arctic fox, what a sassy fox.
Eira I thought was fierce, snarky, and just a girl who knows what she wants and is gonna get it. She’s a no nonsense gal, and I appreciate when someone knows what they want and won’t allow anything to distract her.
Theron is that broody grumpy character I always love, with that tragic past and hidden soft heart. I especially loved him with the animals and fae creatures.
I love the relationships in here, such as between Eira and Stella. You can tell these two had such a bond, and then the others that Eira bonds with despite them being humans and she half.
I think I had the hardest time with the romance. Even though I did for the most part like the way it played out towards the end of the book, I didn’t really like how it developed up to that point. Now, I love Eira, but I didn’t really like how Theron was portrayed. He came off as rather dumb. I got the impression he is this really smart, stealthy, really good at his job assassin, but then he meets the princess and it’s like he’s not that at all. I mean, he gets tricked by her so easily, a few times, and it’s like he couldn’t do anything right, and I just don’t think that really matched the character that was developed at the beginning of the book, at least not for me. And even though I liked his character, I just don’t like how he was portrayed in the book after being told one thing, but then he acts differently than what I expected. And so for me, the romance wasn’t really romantic, it was just there, and I didn’t really care if they’d end up together. I would say I think they would make pretty good friends though.
Aside from that, I really did enjoy the unique take on Snow White, and I really like this world. I do look forward to the next book!
Thank you to the author for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Now, when Eira hopes she has amassed an army, she learns she can’t pay them enough. But when she learns her stepmother has sent her personal assassin to take out Eira, Eira decides to attempt to use the assassin to get to her stepmother and end her reign, before it’s too late.
This is a unique take on Snow White. I also feel like after reading this, the title gives it a whole new meaning while also hinting at events in the book.
Eira is not a soft-spoken Snow White, but she does have animal friends that talk and are not your average animal 😆 The animals and Fae creatures were a highlight for me, especially the little arctic fox, what a sassy fox.
Eira I thought was fierce, snarky, and just a girl who knows what she wants and is gonna get it. She’s a no nonsense gal, and I appreciate when someone knows what they want and won’t allow anything to distract her.
Theron is that broody grumpy character I always love, with that tragic past and hidden soft heart. I especially loved him with the animals and fae creatures.
I love the relationships in here, such as between Eira and Stella. You can tell these two had such a bond, and then the others that Eira bonds with despite them being humans and she half.
I think I had the hardest time with the romance. Even though I did for the most part like the way it played out towards the end of the book, I didn’t really like how it developed up to that point. Now, I love Eira, but I didn’t really like how Theron was portrayed. He came off as rather dumb. I got the impression he is this really smart, stealthy, really good at his job assassin, but then he meets the princess and it’s like he’s not that at all. I mean, he gets tricked by her so easily, a few times, and it’s like he couldn’t do anything right, and I just don’t think that really matched the character that was developed at the beginning of the book, at least not for me. And even though I liked his character, I just don’t like how he was portrayed in the book after being told one thing, but then he acts differently than what I expected. And so for me, the romance wasn’t really romantic, it was just there, and I didn’t really care if they’d end up together. I would say I think they would make pretty good friends though.
Aside from that, I really did enjoy the unique take on Snow White, and I really like this world. I do look forward to the next book!
Thank you to the author for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 28, 2026
This is a Snow White re-telling that follows Eira, aka Snow, and Theron, aka the Hunter. Calista, the queen, rules the land through fear and hate, collecting the blood of others to control them for her own nefarious intents. Theron, bound to obey the queen, is sent to collect the heart of Eria. What he doesn't expect is to meet a strong-willed and cunning princess who quickly tricks him into a deal that prevents him from completing his task. Eira is leading a rebellion to take back the kingdom, and her would-be assassin gets pulled into her plans. Traveling together, they each start to unravel their own preconceptions of each other and the world around them. Their attraction for each other grows, but is it enough to overcome the Queen's curse and control?
Tropes:
Grumpy x Sunshine
Fairytale reimagining
Enemies to lovers
Banter and teasing
Fae bargains
"I'm yours"
Animal companions
This was a very interesting reimagining of Snow White. We have Eria (Snow), a snarky princess who is battling time to save her kingdom. She's snarky, kind of stabby, actually capable, and challenges our mmc in the best ways. I loved Frisk and Kendra, and Mauro is so surly in the best way. But where I think this book really shines is our mmc. Snow pretty much had her shit together but Theron? He had so much growing to do in this story and I liked how the author handled that plot point. Theron fears being his father, thinks he's above the same prejudice and attitude, and doesn't understand his own complicity in the current ecosystem of the land until Snow challenges his opinions and views. And it's not an immediate awakening but a gradual build up until he has his "holy shit" moment. I like that we get to see him challenge his own implicit bias and we see how that shakes him to his fundamental core. I also like the dynamic of Theron as a male character; the author highlighted anxiety, self doubt, insecurity, and even moments where our mmc cries because he's overcome with emotion. I'm all for the big, strong mmc but I actually really appreciated that dynamic representation and that it was not seen as weakness or lesser by our fmc.
I do think it would have been nice to kind of see what happens with Snow during the timeskip; how did she get to where she is with her fighting abilities, rebels, and animals? I think the world could also be fleshed out a little more in terms of showing us the damage the queen was causing and the different races that exist in the world.
Overall though, I really enjoyed this and am glad I finally sat down to read this. 4.5/5
Tropes:
Grumpy x Sunshine
Fairytale reimagining
Enemies to lovers
Banter and teasing
Fae bargains
"I'm yours"
Animal companions
This was a very interesting reimagining of Snow White. We have Eria (Snow), a snarky princess who is battling time to save her kingdom. She's snarky, kind of stabby, actually capable, and challenges our mmc in the best ways. I loved Frisk and Kendra, and Mauro is so surly in the best way. But where I think this book really shines is our mmc. Snow pretty much had her shit together but Theron? He had so much growing to do in this story and I liked how the author handled that plot point. Theron fears being his father, thinks he's above the same prejudice and attitude, and doesn't understand his own complicity in the current ecosystem of the land until Snow challenges his opinions and views. And it's not an immediate awakening but a gradual build up until he has his "holy shit" moment. I like that we get to see him challenge his own implicit bias and we see how that shakes him to his fundamental core. I also like the dynamic of Theron as a male character; the author highlighted anxiety, self doubt, insecurity, and even moments where our mmc cries because he's overcome with emotion. I'm all for the big, strong mmc but I actually really appreciated that dynamic representation and that it was not seen as weakness or lesser by our fmc.
I do think it would have been nice to kind of see what happens with Snow during the timeskip; how did she get to where she is with her fighting abilities, rebels, and animals? I think the world could also be fleshed out a little more in terms of showing us the damage the queen was causing and the different races that exist in the world.
Overall though, I really enjoyed this and am glad I finally sat down to read this. 4.5/5
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received a ARC copy of this book from the author and wanted to offer my honest, voluntary impression upon finishing it even though I wasn’t required to post a review.
A Snow White retelling that merges Fae and humans together in a struggle to reclaim and post the rightful princess to take the throne her father held before he was killed by his treacherous second wife!
Princess Eira is forced to flee the castle when she discovers the dark secret her stepmother hides to save her life! However she is wounded by the queen and poison is slowly killing her as she gathers humans and Fae and Unseelie to her cause. Then the Queen’s assassin is sent to kill her but he is tricked into a Fae bargain with her and being bound to her to attempt her coup to reclaim her throne he slowly starts to see what he has been told about her has all been lies. Being an assassin, however, he wants to help her succeed even though he doesn’t think he’s worthy to be in her presence if she succeeds.
Through the trek and battles with the Queen’s soldiers and each of them sacrificing themselves for each other a bond grows between these two original enemies into something far more than they originally envisioned.
This is a story you’ll enjoy reading of a half Fae, half human who possesses Fae magic that helps her out of tight spots and a Fae assassin who finally believes what Eira is telling him and discovers magic he never knew he had but makes the ultimate sacrifice to give it to Eira who uses it to save a mortal fatally wounded and himself as well with his gift to her!
If you enjoy fairytales you will love this story of love, hate, attraction and rejection as two people discover the one that completes them is the one who they never considered at all!
I enjoyed this story and the battle between good and evil and the hard choices one makes for love and kingdom! I wholeheartedly and enthusiastically recommend this story as one I believe you’ll love as well as you are caught up in the action/ adventure of these two and the Fae animals who aid Eira in her quest to take the crown from her evil stepmother and show the world just how evil she truly is!
If you haven’t read fairytales recently why not give this book a read and discover what you’ve been missing! Fairytales are a wonderful escape from reality as you immerse yourself in a story you will soon be captivated with!
You won’t regret your decision to read this book I assure you!
A Snow White retelling that merges Fae and humans together in a struggle to reclaim and post the rightful princess to take the throne her father held before he was killed by his treacherous second wife!
Princess Eira is forced to flee the castle when she discovers the dark secret her stepmother hides to save her life! However she is wounded by the queen and poison is slowly killing her as she gathers humans and Fae and Unseelie to her cause. Then the Queen’s assassin is sent to kill her but he is tricked into a Fae bargain with her and being bound to her to attempt her coup to reclaim her throne he slowly starts to see what he has been told about her has all been lies. Being an assassin, however, he wants to help her succeed even though he doesn’t think he’s worthy to be in her presence if she succeeds.
Through the trek and battles with the Queen’s soldiers and each of them sacrificing themselves for each other a bond grows between these two original enemies into something far more than they originally envisioned.
This is a story you’ll enjoy reading of a half Fae, half human who possesses Fae magic that helps her out of tight spots and a Fae assassin who finally believes what Eira is telling him and discovers magic he never knew he had but makes the ultimate sacrifice to give it to Eira who uses it to save a mortal fatally wounded and himself as well with his gift to her!
If you enjoy fairytales you will love this story of love, hate, attraction and rejection as two people discover the one that completes them is the one who they never considered at all!
I enjoyed this story and the battle between good and evil and the hard choices one makes for love and kingdom! I wholeheartedly and enthusiastically recommend this story as one I believe you’ll love as well as you are caught up in the action/ adventure of these two and the Fae animals who aid Eira in her quest to take the crown from her evil stepmother and show the world just how evil she truly is!
If you haven’t read fairytales recently why not give this book a read and discover what you’ve been missing! Fairytales are a wonderful escape from reality as you immerse yourself in a story you will soon be captivated with!
You won’t regret your decision to read this book I assure you!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with an eARC for this book in exchange for my honest review.
The Story
Eira is the half-fae, half-human princess of the winter court. After her father’s death at the hands of Eira’s stepmother, she barely escapes from the palace with her life. Five years later, she and a group of human nobles from around the kingdom are fighting in the shadows to take down the fake Queen. But Eira’s stepmother won’t go down without a fight.
Enter Theron, unwilling assassin to the Queen who’s been under her control for the past decade. She offers him a bargain: bring her the heart of the rebel princess and be freed of his duties as assassin. After ten years suffering in her employ, Theron jumps at the chance. But thanks to Eira’s quick thinking, he ends up unwittingly drawn into a far bargain not to harm her and to get her safely back into the winter palace.
Thoughts
I take my fairytale retellings VERY seriously and this book did not disappoint. This is the perfect Snow White retelling with just the right amount of callbacks to the original fable while still feeling like a fresh story. The world building is just enough to give us that old fairytale style fantasy world.
Eira is an absolute badass - despite having been raised to be royalty, she doesn’t come across the way most royals do. It’s an “I’m not like other royals” type of personality without being absolutely insufferable. She’s determined and steadfast in her beliefs and will put her life on the line for what she believes in and I love that for her (and for the reader).
Theron is your run of the mill rough and tough assassin with a secret heart of gold. What makes him stand out though is that rather than the normal “man shows woman the horrors of their kingdom and she reluctantly joins his cause” we get the exact opposite with Theron joining Eira’s cause instead. It’s nice to see a man realize that the woman is smarter than him - very refreshing.
And the woodland creatures - I mean fae creatures - have to be my favorite part. Kendra is just baby and Morus is your grumpy old grandpa with a soft spot for his grandkids. Frisk is your comic relief with a righteous soul. I’m here for ALL of them.
I can’t recommend this book highly enough, if you love fairytales with a twist in any capacity, this book is for you.
The Story
Eira is the half-fae, half-human princess of the winter court. After her father’s death at the hands of Eira’s stepmother, she barely escapes from the palace with her life. Five years later, she and a group of human nobles from around the kingdom are fighting in the shadows to take down the fake Queen. But Eira’s stepmother won’t go down without a fight.
Enter Theron, unwilling assassin to the Queen who’s been under her control for the past decade. She offers him a bargain: bring her the heart of the rebel princess and be freed of his duties as assassin. After ten years suffering in her employ, Theron jumps at the chance. But thanks to Eira’s quick thinking, he ends up unwittingly drawn into a far bargain not to harm her and to get her safely back into the winter palace.
Thoughts
I take my fairytale retellings VERY seriously and this book did not disappoint. This is the perfect Snow White retelling with just the right amount of callbacks to the original fable while still feeling like a fresh story. The world building is just enough to give us that old fairytale style fantasy world.
Eira is an absolute badass - despite having been raised to be royalty, she doesn’t come across the way most royals do. It’s an “I’m not like other royals” type of personality without being absolutely insufferable. She’s determined and steadfast in her beliefs and will put her life on the line for what she believes in and I love that for her (and for the reader).
Theron is your run of the mill rough and tough assassin with a secret heart of gold. What makes him stand out though is that rather than the normal “man shows woman the horrors of their kingdom and she reluctantly joins his cause” we get the exact opposite with Theron joining Eira’s cause instead. It’s nice to see a man realize that the woman is smarter than him - very refreshing.
And the woodland creatures - I mean fae creatures - have to be my favorite part. Kendra is just baby and Morus is your grumpy old grandpa with a soft spot for his grandkids. Frisk is your comic relief with a righteous soul. I’m here for ALL of them.
I can’t recommend this book highly enough, if you love fairytales with a twist in any capacity, this book is for you.
March 13, 2026
4.25 Stars
2.5 Spicy
This semi spicy fae Snow White retelling has talking animal familiars, a dark assassin/ hunter and an evil queen. It gives you all the elements of the Snow White Disney classic we love but enough of a twist to make it the adult version I have been craving.
Eira, also known as the Winter or Snow princess is half human- half fae. When she secretly finds out her step mother killed her father and is a demon fae she runs to escape. After years of being on the run, a hunter is sent to kill Eira. Theron is trapped in a fae contract with the queen. He has no choice and is haunted by the memory of his father as well as his own prejudices against humans.
Now this is where the story shines. I love that Eira traps Theron in a bargain. She isn't exactly a damsel in distress, but uses her own cunning and severely limited resources to always be ahead of the Queen or those who wish to hurt her. I really enjoyed the banter between the two as well as Eira's teasing. She is such a counter balance to Theron who has spent so much of his life without a choice. You know he is going to fall first and hard from the beginning. He is practically craving somewhere to care for him and see him as something other then a hunter.
The animal familiars were adorable and Kendra might have won my heart by being small but mighty. Her and Frisk were fun side characters and I also enjoyed their interactions with Theron as they helped him recognize the fae world is not so black and white. Theron's self loathing was crippling at times, so to have the lighter animals familiars really helped counter balance chapters from his POV.
I didn't love the ending. It felt too pushed together, but other then that I can't wait to read more from this series. If you like slightly dark, action packed, full of banter chemistry I would definitely recommend Crown of Poison!
Tropes
- He Falls first
- Who did this to you?
-Touch her and die
- Animal familiars
-Snow White Retelling
-Hidden powers
-One cave / sleeping to stay warm together
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Willow Haven for providing me an eARC.
#CrownofPoison #NetGalley
2.5 Spicy
This semi spicy fae Snow White retelling has talking animal familiars, a dark assassin/ hunter and an evil queen. It gives you all the elements of the Snow White Disney classic we love but enough of a twist to make it the adult version I have been craving.
Eira, also known as the Winter or Snow princess is half human- half fae. When she secretly finds out her step mother killed her father and is a demon fae she runs to escape. After years of being on the run, a hunter is sent to kill Eira. Theron is trapped in a fae contract with the queen. He has no choice and is haunted by the memory of his father as well as his own prejudices against humans.
Now this is where the story shines. I love that Eira traps Theron in a bargain. She isn't exactly a damsel in distress, but uses her own cunning and severely limited resources to always be ahead of the Queen or those who wish to hurt her. I really enjoyed the banter between the two as well as Eira's teasing. She is such a counter balance to Theron who has spent so much of his life without a choice. You know he is going to fall first and hard from the beginning. He is practically craving somewhere to care for him and see him as something other then a hunter.
The animal familiars were adorable and Kendra might have won my heart by being small but mighty. Her and Frisk were fun side characters and I also enjoyed their interactions with Theron as they helped him recognize the fae world is not so black and white. Theron's self loathing was crippling at times, so to have the lighter animals familiars really helped counter balance chapters from his POV.
I didn't love the ending. It felt too pushed together, but other then that I can't wait to read more from this series. If you like slightly dark, action packed, full of banter chemistry I would definitely recommend Crown of Poison!
Tropes
- He Falls first
- Who did this to you?
-Touch her and die
- Animal familiars
-Snow White Retelling
-Hidden powers
-One cave / sleeping to stay warm together
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Willow Haven for providing me an eARC.
#CrownofPoison #NetGalley
March 3, 2026
Did Not Finish - 28%
I was really excited to start reading Crown of Poison - a Snow White retelling, Romantasy style, sounded perfect. The were some interesting elements in the plot, a compelling magic system and magical animal companions - all a big tick from me. However, the writing just fell flat in my opinion.
The key plot points seemed really interesting, it just felt like a rush to get to each one. We were thrown into Princess Eira breaking into her evil step mother (Calista)’s room looking for evidence about the suspected murder of Eira’s father. Starting with action is great but there wasn’t enough backstory about Calista and her treatment of Eira to make this feel tense and dangerous.
The story then jumps to 5 years in the future and Eira (now also known as Snow) living in Knockspur with a whole host of animal/fae companions. I would’ve loved to have read more about how Eira set up her life here, how she made connections with the rebels etc. It felt like too much was missed in the time jump.
The characters weren’t hugely developed either. What was Calista doing to the kingdom that made her such a fearsome, tyrannical ruler who needed to be overthrown? Yes, she does blood magic but what for? I didn’t fully understand why Eira would have been better placed as a ruler - I didn’t know anything about her as a person and found her quite unlikeable.
Finally, The Hunter… other than the fact he had biceps, a beard, smelt like forests and mountains (I believe…) and was repeatedly outwitted and overpowered, I knew nothing about him.
I did really enjoy the fae creatures though! And I did think that Eira and The Hunter had some good banter.
I also loved the idea of Calista keeping the blood of different characters and using it to harm/threaten/manipulate them. The Demon Fae concept was also interesting - the descriptions of the Demon Fae were probably the strongest of all the characters.
The story had heaps of potential, the writing just felt too rushed and lacking in world/character building.
I was really excited to start reading Crown of Poison - a Snow White retelling, Romantasy style, sounded perfect. The were some interesting elements in the plot, a compelling magic system and magical animal companions - all a big tick from me. However, the writing just fell flat in my opinion.
The key plot points seemed really interesting, it just felt like a rush to get to each one. We were thrown into Princess Eira breaking into her evil step mother (Calista)’s room looking for evidence about the suspected murder of Eira’s father. Starting with action is great but there wasn’t enough backstory about Calista and her treatment of Eira to make this feel tense and dangerous.
The story then jumps to 5 years in the future and Eira (now also known as Snow) living in Knockspur with a whole host of animal/fae companions. I would’ve loved to have read more about how Eira set up her life here, how she made connections with the rebels etc. It felt like too much was missed in the time jump.
The characters weren’t hugely developed either. What was Calista doing to the kingdom that made her such a fearsome, tyrannical ruler who needed to be overthrown? Yes, she does blood magic but what for? I didn’t fully understand why Eira would have been better placed as a ruler - I didn’t know anything about her as a person and found her quite unlikeable.
Finally, The Hunter… other than the fact he had biceps, a beard, smelt like forests and mountains (I believe…) and was repeatedly outwitted and overpowered, I knew nothing about him.
I did really enjoy the fae creatures though! And I did think that Eira and The Hunter had some good banter.
I also loved the idea of Calista keeping the blood of different characters and using it to harm/threaten/manipulate them. The Demon Fae concept was also interesting - the descriptions of the Demon Fae were probably the strongest of all the characters.
The story had heaps of potential, the writing just felt too rushed and lacking in world/character building.
March 8, 2026
A Poisoned Apple Worth Biting Into!
Fairytales were some of my most treasured stories growing up, and Crown of Poison by R. L. Perez beautifully captures that same sense of magic and wonder. This imaginative retelling breathes new life into the familiar world of Snow White while adding its own twists, depth, and adventure.
At the heart of the story is a young princess forced into survival after betrayal threatens everything she knows. Along the way we meet a mysterious hunter, a cunning and dangerous queen, enchanted apples, and loyal forest friends ready to help the Snow Princess in her fight to uncover truth, justice, and a chance at happiness.
Fans of fantasy and fairytale retellings will recognize several beloved tropes woven skillfully into the narrative, including a reluctant hero, redemption arcs, enemies-to-lovers tension, magical forests, talking animals, and a quest filled with danger and discovery. Perez balances these elements with engaging world-building and a magic system that keeps the story feeling fresh while still honoring the classic inspiration.
The pacing makes this an easy and enjoyable read, perfect for those looking for a magical escape without committing to an overly long novel. By the final page, readers are left with a heartwarming sense of closure—along with the intriguing promise of a future story centered on one of the book’s most mysterious characters.
If you enjoy adventurous fairytales, enchanting forests, and stories where courage and kindness triumph over darkness, Crown of Poison is definitely worth adding to your reading list.
And one thing is certain… after finishing this book, you may never look at apples the same way again.
Fairytales were some of my most treasured stories growing up, and Crown of Poison by R. L. Perez beautifully captures that same sense of magic and wonder. This imaginative retelling breathes new life into the familiar world of Snow White while adding its own twists, depth, and adventure.
At the heart of the story is a young princess forced into survival after betrayal threatens everything she knows. Along the way we meet a mysterious hunter, a cunning and dangerous queen, enchanted apples, and loyal forest friends ready to help the Snow Princess in her fight to uncover truth, justice, and a chance at happiness.
Fans of fantasy and fairytale retellings will recognize several beloved tropes woven skillfully into the narrative, including a reluctant hero, redemption arcs, enemies-to-lovers tension, magical forests, talking animals, and a quest filled with danger and discovery. Perez balances these elements with engaging world-building and a magic system that keeps the story feeling fresh while still honoring the classic inspiration.
The pacing makes this an easy and enjoyable read, perfect for those looking for a magical escape without committing to an overly long novel. By the final page, readers are left with a heartwarming sense of closure—along with the intriguing promise of a future story centered on one of the book’s most mysterious characters.
If you enjoy adventurous fairytales, enchanting forests, and stories where courage and kindness triumph over darkness, Crown of Poison is definitely worth adding to your reading list.
And one thing is certain… after finishing this book, you may never look at apples the same way again.
March 19, 2026
Thank you to R.L. Perez, Willow Haven Press, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this as an eARC.
This is a fun and heartwarming Snow White retelling, full of banter, loyal furry friends, and romance blooming out of forced proximity. I really enjoyed the conflict that lives within Theron (the hunter) and his being forced to view the world in a different light due to his continued interactions with Eira (Snow Princess). I enjoyed how Eira was portrayed, not as a helpless princess or damsel that needed rescuing or protection, but as the leader of a rebellion trying to overthrow the current government (the evil queen, who is Eira's stepmother) who has been systematically oppressing anyone who is not seelie fae, including humans, for years.
This is definitely more of an insta-love story, since Eira and Theron are only in each other's orbits for a few days, but their banter is entertaining and there is definitely a grumpy/sunshine vibe between the two of them. I loved the addition of the fae animals as sentient, interactive beings who are intelligent, clever, and actively assist and participate in the rebellion. Not a whole lot of world building, but that's to be expected since this is a stand-alone in an interconnected world, but we do get a cameo from Sybelle, from A Court of Briars, at the beginning of this book, reinforcing the interconnectedness of the novels in the series and the courts in the land.
This was a relatively quick read and an interesting retelling of Snow White's story. I would recommend to anyone looking for a good reimagining of a traditional fairy tale. Four stars.
This is a fun and heartwarming Snow White retelling, full of banter, loyal furry friends, and romance blooming out of forced proximity. I really enjoyed the conflict that lives within Theron (the hunter) and his being forced to view the world in a different light due to his continued interactions with Eira (Snow Princess). I enjoyed how Eira was portrayed, not as a helpless princess or damsel that needed rescuing or protection, but as the leader of a rebellion trying to overthrow the current government (the evil queen, who is Eira's stepmother) who has been systematically oppressing anyone who is not seelie fae, including humans, for years.
This is definitely more of an insta-love story, since Eira and Theron are only in each other's orbits for a few days, but their banter is entertaining and there is definitely a grumpy/sunshine vibe between the two of them. I loved the addition of the fae animals as sentient, interactive beings who are intelligent, clever, and actively assist and participate in the rebellion. Not a whole lot of world building, but that's to be expected since this is a stand-alone in an interconnected world, but we do get a cameo from Sybelle, from A Court of Briars, at the beginning of this book, reinforcing the interconnectedness of the novels in the series and the courts in the land.
This was a relatively quick read and an interesting retelling of Snow White's story. I would recommend to anyone looking for a good reimagining of a traditional fairy tale. Four stars.
March 19, 2026
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. As always, all thoughts are entirely my own.
Dearest readers, allow me to speak plainly: Crown of Poison by R.L. Perez had me utterly enchanted.
This story sank its claws into me and refused to let go. From the very first sparks between Eira and Theron, I was hopelessly gone. Their chemistry was not merely present, it was alive. It leapt off the page so vividly that I felt as though I were experiencing every charged glance, every sharp exchange, every stolen breath right alongside them. And yes, I was very much kicking my feet and giggling whenever they were together.
The banter? Exquisite.
The forced proximity? Delicious torment.
The enemies-to-lovers tension? Positively divine.
And when that tension began to bloom into something fiercer, something deeper, something dangerously close to touch her and die and he’d burn the world for her... I was finished. Entirely ruined in the best possible way. Theron has officially earned his place on my book boyfriend list, and I shall not be entertaining objections at this time.
What I adored most was how intensely I could feel this story. It was immersive in the sort of way that makes you forget you’re reading at all. I wasn’t just watching these characters fall into each other’s orbit, I was right there in the storm of it. And by the end? I was perched on the edge of my seat, completely unsure of how it would all unfold.
This is the kind of book I would gladly reread again and again just to experience every emotion a second time.
An absolute 5-star read for me, and one that has left me eager to devour more of R.L. Perez’s work.
Dearest readers, allow me to speak plainly: Crown of Poison by R.L. Perez had me utterly enchanted.
This story sank its claws into me and refused to let go. From the very first sparks between Eira and Theron, I was hopelessly gone. Their chemistry was not merely present, it was alive. It leapt off the page so vividly that I felt as though I were experiencing every charged glance, every sharp exchange, every stolen breath right alongside them. And yes, I was very much kicking my feet and giggling whenever they were together.
The banter? Exquisite.
The forced proximity? Delicious torment.
The enemies-to-lovers tension? Positively divine.
And when that tension began to bloom into something fiercer, something deeper, something dangerously close to touch her and die and he’d burn the world for her... I was finished. Entirely ruined in the best possible way. Theron has officially earned his place on my book boyfriend list, and I shall not be entertaining objections at this time.
What I adored most was how intensely I could feel this story. It was immersive in the sort of way that makes you forget you’re reading at all. I wasn’t just watching these characters fall into each other’s orbit, I was right there in the storm of it. And by the end? I was perched on the edge of my seat, completely unsure of how it would all unfold.
This is the kind of book I would gladly reread again and again just to experience every emotion a second time.
An absolute 5-star read for me, and one that has left me eager to devour more of R.L. Perez’s work.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Enemies to lovers, hunter-hunted, found friends, good defeats evil with themes around inclusion... it was great to read the latest installment in the Crowns of the Fae series. Same same but different to the other books in the series - you know what you're getting, and that's no bad thing.
It's may be predictable (I saw the loopholes as soon as the bargains were struck) - but it's also incredibly addictive. I read it through in one sitting. I loved Eira and Theron's bickering and banter, and the little moments where they're still denying their feelings for each other - and the moments after they gave in. The spice is solid, although I could have used a bit more of it. That alleyway scene!
As you might expect with a Snow White retelling, she has animal friends - and they're so loveable. A cute and teeny dragon who finds her bravery as the book progresses, a witty and cheeky fox, and a curmudgeonly stag are with her throughout, all fiercely loyal. I was very glad none of them died.
There are a couple of plot holes. There were attempts to close them, but I still had questions. But they didn't affect the main plot so I could let them slide. I was also frustrated that she had a solution all those years, but was so focused on her plan that she couldn't see it - and Theron could definitely have realised sooner than he did.
Still, I had a good time - and I'm already really looking forward to Crown of Ashes, which I'm sure will be just as addictive and fun.
---
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It's may be predictable (I saw the loopholes as soon as the bargains were struck) - but it's also incredibly addictive. I read it through in one sitting. I loved Eira and Theron's bickering and banter, and the little moments where they're still denying their feelings for each other - and the moments after they gave in. The spice is solid, although I could have used a bit more of it. That alleyway scene!
As you might expect with a Snow White retelling, she has animal friends - and they're so loveable. A cute and teeny dragon who finds her bravery as the book progresses, a witty and cheeky fox, and a curmudgeonly stag are with her throughout, all fiercely loyal. I was very glad none of them died.
There are a couple of plot holes. There were attempts to close them, but I still had questions. But they didn't affect the main plot so I could let them slide. I was also frustrated that she had a solution all those years, but was so focused on her plan that she couldn't see it - and Theron could definitely have realised sooner than he did.
Still, I had a good time - and I'm already really looking forward to Crown of Ashes, which I'm sure will be just as addictive and fun.
---
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Crown of Poison 4.5☆
Snow White is probably my favorite of the Disney princesses (along with Belle), so when I read that the next Crowns of the Fae books was going to be her retelling, I was thrilled. Crown of Poison was everything I had hoped it would be! R.L. Perez brilliantly reinvented Snow White's story, and it's the best retelling I've read so far! The prologue started off with a bang! Adrenaline inducing and nail biting right at the start. The use of the apple but not in the same way of the traditional story was such a great twist to the tale. This rendition had a ton of amazing elements that draw you in and keep you hooked such as steller magical powers, various types of faerie creatures, a cute tiny dragon, the slowest of slow burns, lots of flirting that everyone around can see except the MMC and FMC, fun teasing banter and catchy swear words like "shivering bones". I also love the dual POV.
Eira is kind, funny (especially drunk on the pixie brew) and full of sunshine, but also very cunning and clever. Her bright personality was the perfect balance to the Theron's broody, grumpy one. The side characters were a delightful addition to the story. The faerie creatures defensiveness and care for Snow was heartwarming.
This has been my favorite book of the Crowns of the Fae series. The recreation of Snow White, from the apple to the mirror to the animals and "the kiss".. it was such a great twisty take on the fairytale!
Favorite Quotes:
“Tormenting you is my absolute pleasure.” ~ Eira
“Not a torment at all.” ... “In fact, you’ve dug your way into my heart, peeling back layers I didn’t know were there. You’ve stripped me bare, princess.” ~ Theron
“Who am I, princess?” ~Theron
“You are mine.” ~ Eira
“You stupid, grouchy man, why did it take you so long?” ~ Eira
He’d satisfied me while leaving me wanting more. It was torture. {Eira}
Snow White is probably my favorite of the Disney princesses (along with Belle), so when I read that the next Crowns of the Fae books was going to be her retelling, I was thrilled. Crown of Poison was everything I had hoped it would be! R.L. Perez brilliantly reinvented Snow White's story, and it's the best retelling I've read so far! The prologue started off with a bang! Adrenaline inducing and nail biting right at the start. The use of the apple but not in the same way of the traditional story was such a great twist to the tale. This rendition had a ton of amazing elements that draw you in and keep you hooked such as steller magical powers, various types of faerie creatures, a cute tiny dragon, the slowest of slow burns, lots of flirting that everyone around can see except the MMC and FMC, fun teasing banter and catchy swear words like "shivering bones". I also love the dual POV.
Eira is kind, funny (especially drunk on the pixie brew) and full of sunshine, but also very cunning and clever. Her bright personality was the perfect balance to the Theron's broody, grumpy one. The side characters were a delightful addition to the story. The faerie creatures defensiveness and care for Snow was heartwarming.
This has been my favorite book of the Crowns of the Fae series. The recreation of Snow White, from the apple to the mirror to the animals and "the kiss".. it was such a great twisty take on the fairytale!
Favorite Quotes:
“Tormenting you is my absolute pleasure.” ~ Eira
“Not a torment at all.” ... “In fact, you’ve dug your way into my heart, peeling back layers I didn’t know were there. You’ve stripped me bare, princess.” ~ Theron
“Who am I, princess?” ~Theron
“You are mine.” ~ Eira
“You stupid, grouchy man, why did it take you so long?” ~ Eira
He’d satisfied me while leaving me wanting more. It was torture. {Eira}
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Excellent and very unique take from a Snow White inspired story!
The Queen has launched a search for her stepdaughter who vanished in thin air. But not only her, but something important she also took from her. The Queen has a few secrets and loaths her stepdaughter that has been slipping through her searching for years.
Eira is rebelling against the Queen due to the unfair and wrong treatment of humans and unseelie fae. She is rallying troups for a revolution against the crown to reinstate the true queen: her!
The Queen is sending her most skilled hunter to kill Eira and she is using her magic to manipulate and force her will upon everything and everyone she wants to use and control.
When Eira tricks the hunter he has no choice and reluctantly, but not easily, help her with her cause and a favoure she needs.
Forwards, the magical unseelie animals who are also Eiras friends, are helping them along the way. They are also adorable!!
Eira is a bad ass, stubbern, fiercely loyal friend and animal lover who would rather die than not help someone in need.
The hunter is a grumpy fae used to being alone, hates humans and don't understand them at all. He has a very steep character growth and improves himself immensly in the expanse of the story!
The relationship between Eira and hunter, and hunter and the magical animals I found really cute!
Loved it!
Thank you to netgalley and the author for an ARC!
The Queen has launched a search for her stepdaughter who vanished in thin air. But not only her, but something important she also took from her. The Queen has a few secrets and loaths her stepdaughter that has been slipping through her searching for years.
Eira is rebelling against the Queen due to the unfair and wrong treatment of humans and unseelie fae. She is rallying troups for a revolution against the crown to reinstate the true queen: her!
The Queen is sending her most skilled hunter to kill Eira and she is using her magic to manipulate and force her will upon everything and everyone she wants to use and control.
When Eira tricks the hunter he has no choice and reluctantly, but not easily, help her with her cause and a favoure she needs.
Forwards, the magical unseelie animals who are also Eiras friends, are helping them along the way. They are also adorable!!
Eira is a bad ass, stubbern, fiercely loyal friend and animal lover who would rather die than not help someone in need.
The hunter is a grumpy fae used to being alone, hates humans and don't understand them at all. He has a very steep character growth and improves himself immensly in the expanse of the story!
The relationship between Eira and hunter, and hunter and the magical animals I found really cute!
Loved it!
Thank you to netgalley and the author for an ARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ok so anyone who knows me knows I LIVE for a fairytale retelling, childhood stories into adult fantasies 🥹
R L Perez takes a new spin on Snow White with a special dedication to Graham (#justiceforthehuntsman).
Our story begins with an understanding of why snow was exiled, introducing a court system and different fae factions. I am going to argue it’s not spoilers to say that the main villain is the Evil Step Mother 😂
We the proceed with a time jump to Snow, her bandits and a range of magical creatures… dragons, elk and foxes (oh my 🎶).
As the story progresses, we gain an understanding of the magic systems and how the court has come into such a place of torment under Step Mothers rule. Following Snow and the Huntsman journey to the castle, there is excitement and adventure.
However, this retelling was on the shorter side, leading to an insta-love interpretation (including badly timed spicy moments- like girl you’re literally so close to ending your task and a roll on a dusty floor is really your priority?), and an final chapter and epilogue that seemed to backtrack on the love story? I’m all for some self development and proving yourself but ‘I am yours’ is basically a proposal at this point.
Got to be honest, I did enjoy the book, I just wanted MORE!
Thank you to NetGalley and R L Perez for the opportunity to review and read this book!
R L Perez takes a new spin on Snow White with a special dedication to Graham (#justiceforthehuntsman).
Our story begins with an understanding of why snow was exiled, introducing a court system and different fae factions. I am going to argue it’s not spoilers to say that the main villain is the Evil Step Mother 😂
We the proceed with a time jump to Snow, her bandits and a range of magical creatures… dragons, elk and foxes (oh my 🎶).
As the story progresses, we gain an understanding of the magic systems and how the court has come into such a place of torment under Step Mothers rule. Following Snow and the Huntsman journey to the castle, there is excitement and adventure.
However, this retelling was on the shorter side, leading to an insta-love interpretation (including badly timed spicy moments- like girl you’re literally so close to ending your task and a roll on a dusty floor is really your priority?), and an final chapter and epilogue that seemed to backtrack on the love story? I’m all for some self development and proving yourself but ‘I am yours’ is basically a proposal at this point.
Got to be honest, I did enjoy the book, I just wanted MORE!
Thank you to NetGalley and R L Perez for the opportunity to review and read this book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Crown of Poison proves yet again why R.L. Perez is among my top favorite open-door romantasy authors. I was consumed by the story from start to finish, and several times I found my stomach in knots because of the suspense. Ms. Perez truly has the knack for prolonging the MCs' suffering - and you as the reader ends up riveted to the book because you won't want to put the book down until the MCs are out of danger. The action sequences keep you at the edge of your seat, and of course the spicy scenes just bring up the heat to flush your cheeks. I love how the enemies-to-lovers transition between the MCs was made to be believable; I hate it when MCs are clearly enemies at one point then all of a sudden they're inseparable lovers. In this book, how Princess Eira and royal assassin Theron eventually fell for each other was woven in a way that convinced me that it was indeed an inevitable outcome for the two of them. They're both incredible characters that there's no other way but to adore them. And the villain? Oh was she unequivocally evil! I was wholly satisfied at the end that she faced.
This was clearly another 5-star read for me. Im thrilled that I have yet to see more of this series with the book that follows next!
I'm a grateful recipient of a free review copy of this book. I write this review voluntarily.
This was clearly another 5-star read for me. Im thrilled that I have yet to see more of this series with the book that follows next!
I'm a grateful recipient of a free review copy of this book. I write this review voluntarily.
March 31, 2026
Crown of Poison by R.L. Perez is the fourth book in the Crowns of the Fae series, following Crown of Slumber, Crown of Briars, and Crown of Twelve (novella) and is a dark fairy tale retelling of Snow White. The story follows Eira, the runaway Snow Princess, as she has exiled herself from her kingdom now ruled by her cruel stepmother. She stole proof of her stepmother’s treachery and now is being tracked by the huntsman (five years later) sent to return with her heart. Eira has been forced to survive on her own and turns out to be more than the huntsman is expecting as they are suddenly forced to help each other in order to return to the kingdom.
As with the previous books in the series, I absolutely enjoyed this book. Snow White is one of my favorite fairy tales and this retelling is no exception. While there weren’t seven dwarfs, there is a cast of woodland animals and various fae who more then replace their classic counterparts. There was less spice in this book than the last, but the tortured enemies to lovers emotional component really ties the reader to the characters and makes you root for them to win despite everything thrown in their way. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a little darkness and spice mixed in with the sugar and nice of their classic fairy tales.
As with the previous books in the series, I absolutely enjoyed this book. Snow White is one of my favorite fairy tales and this retelling is no exception. While there weren’t seven dwarfs, there is a cast of woodland animals and various fae who more then replace their classic counterparts. There was less spice in this book than the last, but the tortured enemies to lovers emotional component really ties the reader to the characters and makes you root for them to win despite everything thrown in their way. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a little darkness and spice mixed in with the sugar and nice of their classic fairy tales.
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