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Black Snow Falling
In 1592, a girl with spirit is a threat.
Ruth has secrets. An old book of heresy belonging to her long-absent father. A dream that haunts her. A love that she and Silas hide from the world.
When she is robbed of all she holds true, her friends from Crowbury slide into terrible danger. Hope is as faints as a moonbow. Dare Ruth trust the shadowy one who could destroy them all?
This is a story about hope overcoming evil, written with moral complexity. Ruth devastation breaks apart time. She sees that her hopes and dreams are a visceral halo of rainbow colours spinning to white... and that evil dream thieves are severing these halos from sleeping victims, many of whom she knows.
Ruth has secrets. An old book of heresy belonging to her long-absent father. A dream that haunts her. A love that she and Silas hide from the world.
When she is robbed of all she holds true, her friends from Crowbury slide into terrible danger. Hope is as faints as a moonbow. Dare Ruth trust the shadowy one who could destroy them all?
This is a story about hope overcoming evil, written with moral complexity. Ruth devastation breaks apart time. She sees that her hopes and dreams are a visceral halo of rainbow colours spinning to white... and that evil dream thieves are severing these halos from sleeping victims, many of whom she knows.
250 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2018
8 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 1, 2018
This is a humdinger of a novel, and a real treat. As a not too frequent reader of YA, this nevertheless caught my eye (literally - it's a thing of beauty in itself and shimmers & winks at you from the shelves).
There's so much going on in these 200 odd pages (historical/fantasy can often be unnecessarily over-long) and so many strands cleverly woven in - the well researched historical elements stand out, yes, but there's the beautifully understated romance between principal protagonist, the savvy yet sensitive and quietly feisty Ruth (a trail-blazing square peg for these buttoned up, repressive Tudor times) and her illicit love, Silas......then there's the magical realist element which creeps up most effectively through the nature signs and the nocturnal wanderings, subtly evoked. Nothing crashes in at all; it all just works. Actually, there is one crash that comes out of the blue, but it serves the darker episodes that are served up later, and all done in the best possible stunningly cinematic taste.
At sentence level, it doesn't crash either; perhaps the essential strength of BSF is that the writing doesn't draw attention to itself, and unlike the image of the Armillary Sphere on the inside of the front cover, you don't get to glimpse the inner workings.
The 12+ reader age tag is strictly for bookseller purposes only; in reality this is 'everybody' fiction; an adventurous & booky 9 year old will be enchanted by this, as will a sparky 99 year old (my own mum is not far off this upper marker, and has taken note!)
And it's tender too. I'm not ashamed to say the ending made me blub.
Highly recommended.
There's so much going on in these 200 odd pages (historical/fantasy can often be unnecessarily over-long) and so many strands cleverly woven in - the well researched historical elements stand out, yes, but there's the beautifully understated romance between principal protagonist, the savvy yet sensitive and quietly feisty Ruth (a trail-blazing square peg for these buttoned up, repressive Tudor times) and her illicit love, Silas......then there's the magical realist element which creeps up most effectively through the nature signs and the nocturnal wanderings, subtly evoked. Nothing crashes in at all; it all just works. Actually, there is one crash that comes out of the blue, but it serves the darker episodes that are served up later, and all done in the best possible stunningly cinematic taste.
At sentence level, it doesn't crash either; perhaps the essential strength of BSF is that the writing doesn't draw attention to itself, and unlike the image of the Armillary Sphere on the inside of the front cover, you don't get to glimpse the inner workings.
The 12+ reader age tag is strictly for bookseller purposes only; in reality this is 'everybody' fiction; an adventurous & booky 9 year old will be enchanted by this, as will a sparky 99 year old (my own mum is not far off this upper marker, and has taken note!)
And it's tender too. I'm not ashamed to say the ending made me blub.
Highly recommended.
July 28, 2018
I’ve been lucky enough to read Black Snow Falling multiple times at a number of points through its development and I feel extremely privileged because of that. I first read the book when I was handed a copy of the manuscript by Jean Findlay of Scotland Street Press. She knew I was a fan of fantasy and science-fiction and so she asked if I’d like to read it and give my opinion. So, I put my head down to read it and forty minutes later looked up and I was already six chapters deep with no idea where or when I was; appropriate for a book where one of the central plot elements is time-travel. I’ve tried to avoid spoilers where possible here because it’s a book people deserve to enjoy for the first time knowing very little of what is about to hit them.
I was hooked instantly by MacWhirter’s relentless pace and compelling characters and world. Initially, the time jumps of the first few of chapters are disruptive but it’s a structure I’ve encountered before and I think it works brilliantly here. I even missed them initially but it is necessary for all the chapters to focus on the ‘present’ of the novel beyond the first few chapters. The structure of those chapters is similar in style to Evie Wyld’s All the Birds, Singing, in that the chapters jump between two different timelines. Dante by Guy Haley also follows this structure, jumping between episodes of Dante’s early life and the present day in alternating chapters. But these books use this structure for the entire novel, while the timelines of Ruth and Jude are brought violently together relatively early on. It’s a well-executed idea, helping to develop the novel’s foundation early on before launching into the action.
Substance is never lacking in MacWhirter’s work, despite the relentless pace of the action. Every chapter is populated by compelling characters. MacWhirter’s strength is that her characters feel real, with believable motivations and concerns. I’m a particular fan of Ruth. For the heroine of a YA novel, there is nothing special about her save her hope. That’s not to say she’s boring, but rather that she is an ordinary person, swept up in extraordinary events beyond her control. She acts as we all would; she sees things beyond her comprehension, both wonderful and terrible, and she reacts in a very human way. Ruth’s fear of the Dream Thieves feels real, as does her wonder over the true nature of dreams. Sagazan is a close second for my own favourite character and is certainly a contender for my favourite villain of the year. I’m normally a fan of quite complex villains who may believe they are doing good in some twisted way. Sagazan is refreshing, unapologetically evil. A true agent of chaos who revels in the fear he causes. I love that there is no subtlety to his actions. Sagazan is a consistent threat to Ruth as the novel draws to its conclusion. I’m looking forward to how his character develops in the next book.
MacWhirter’s book is exceptionally well researched so that the historical aspects feel natural. I’ve read plenty of historical fiction where the author tries to introduce facts and figures to make a claim to historical accuracy, but normally it just bogs down the narrative. But the historical setting of Black Snow Falling feels natural and not at all forced. There are of course small bits of explanation for the reader but they are well incorporated, reading more like Ruth is reminding herself, rather than the author explaining something for the reader’s benefit. The books fantasy elements likewise are well incorporated and are very intriguing. The idea of the Dream Thieves being shadowy demon creatures may not be entirely new, but their characterisation makes them an intriguing adversary. I love the fact that despite their demon like nature, MacWhirter hasn’t written them as you’d expect. The Dream Thieves are a gang of ruffians and hooligans. They might be immortal terrors but they are also crude, belligerent and malevolent. And yet MacWhirter has made them feel incredibly sinister. After all, they might be a gang of terrors, but they have a plan.
The way in which MacWhirter manages Ruth’s reactions to the fantastical things she sees is one of my favourite aspects of the narrative. The time travel scene stands out in particular. The reader knows from the outset what they are seeing. And yet Ruth sees it in such a way that we know she is struggling to comprehend what is going on. We see this further in the appearance of Godrick, Adam and the Chronicle of Dreams, and the Dream Thieves ship and the events aboard. Ruth might be intelligent, but she is still a young woman from the late 1500s trying to understand events beyond her comprehension. Ruth isn’t a Mary Sue heroine who will save the world single on her own. Hope and compassion are far more powerful forces in the resolution of the narrative than anything else. It’s a powerful message which we need today now more than ever.
I feel extremely privileged to have watched Black Snow Falling become a fantastic debut novel. MacWhirter’s writing is the gateway to a wonderful new universe which I’m sure will only go from strength to strength. The depths of her imagination, and impressive literary talents place MacWhirter amongst the very best of current fantasy writers. I cannot wait to watch her career unfold as I’m sure it will be brilliant. Black Snow Falling is the sort of writing we need at a time when hope for some can feel very far away.
I was hooked instantly by MacWhirter’s relentless pace and compelling characters and world. Initially, the time jumps of the first few of chapters are disruptive but it’s a structure I’ve encountered before and I think it works brilliantly here. I even missed them initially but it is necessary for all the chapters to focus on the ‘present’ of the novel beyond the first few chapters. The structure of those chapters is similar in style to Evie Wyld’s All the Birds, Singing, in that the chapters jump between two different timelines. Dante by Guy Haley also follows this structure, jumping between episodes of Dante’s early life and the present day in alternating chapters. But these books use this structure for the entire novel, while the timelines of Ruth and Jude are brought violently together relatively early on. It’s a well-executed idea, helping to develop the novel’s foundation early on before launching into the action.
Substance is never lacking in MacWhirter’s work, despite the relentless pace of the action. Every chapter is populated by compelling characters. MacWhirter’s strength is that her characters feel real, with believable motivations and concerns. I’m a particular fan of Ruth. For the heroine of a YA novel, there is nothing special about her save her hope. That’s not to say she’s boring, but rather that she is an ordinary person, swept up in extraordinary events beyond her control. She acts as we all would; she sees things beyond her comprehension, both wonderful and terrible, and she reacts in a very human way. Ruth’s fear of the Dream Thieves feels real, as does her wonder over the true nature of dreams. Sagazan is a close second for my own favourite character and is certainly a contender for my favourite villain of the year. I’m normally a fan of quite complex villains who may believe they are doing good in some twisted way. Sagazan is refreshing, unapologetically evil. A true agent of chaos who revels in the fear he causes. I love that there is no subtlety to his actions. Sagazan is a consistent threat to Ruth as the novel draws to its conclusion. I’m looking forward to how his character develops in the next book.
MacWhirter’s book is exceptionally well researched so that the historical aspects feel natural. I’ve read plenty of historical fiction where the author tries to introduce facts and figures to make a claim to historical accuracy, but normally it just bogs down the narrative. But the historical setting of Black Snow Falling feels natural and not at all forced. There are of course small bits of explanation for the reader but they are well incorporated, reading more like Ruth is reminding herself, rather than the author explaining something for the reader’s benefit. The books fantasy elements likewise are well incorporated and are very intriguing. The idea of the Dream Thieves being shadowy demon creatures may not be entirely new, but their characterisation makes them an intriguing adversary. I love the fact that despite their demon like nature, MacWhirter hasn’t written them as you’d expect. The Dream Thieves are a gang of ruffians and hooligans. They might be immortal terrors but they are also crude, belligerent and malevolent. And yet MacWhirter has made them feel incredibly sinister. After all, they might be a gang of terrors, but they have a plan.
The way in which MacWhirter manages Ruth’s reactions to the fantastical things she sees is one of my favourite aspects of the narrative. The time travel scene stands out in particular. The reader knows from the outset what they are seeing. And yet Ruth sees it in such a way that we know she is struggling to comprehend what is going on. We see this further in the appearance of Godrick, Adam and the Chronicle of Dreams, and the Dream Thieves ship and the events aboard. Ruth might be intelligent, but she is still a young woman from the late 1500s trying to understand events beyond her comprehension. Ruth isn’t a Mary Sue heroine who will save the world single on her own. Hope and compassion are far more powerful forces in the resolution of the narrative than anything else. It’s a powerful message which we need today now more than ever.
I feel extremely privileged to have watched Black Snow Falling become a fantastic debut novel. MacWhirter’s writing is the gateway to a wonderful new universe which I’m sure will only go from strength to strength. The depths of her imagination, and impressive literary talents place MacWhirter amongst the very best of current fantasy writers. I cannot wait to watch her career unfold as I’m sure it will be brilliant. Black Snow Falling is the sort of writing we need at a time when hope for some can feel very far away.
September 5, 2023
I’m so upset with this book.
I LOVED the first 130ish pages, I was so gripped by what was happening and so excited to finish but the last 100 pages are so underdeveloped, this book needed AT LEAST another 100 pages for the end to have a satisfying conclusion.
The whole big fight (so to say) is done within 10 pages and there was never any fear that the characters could be in danger, everything was just so underwhelming.
God im just so annoyed with it.
I LOVED the first 130ish pages, I was so gripped by what was happening and so excited to finish but the last 100 pages are so underdeveloped, this book needed AT LEAST another 100 pages for the end to have a satisfying conclusion.
The whole big fight (so to say) is done within 10 pages and there was never any fear that the characters could be in danger, everything was just so underwhelming.
God im just so annoyed with it.
August 6, 2018
‘Black Snow Falling’ is an imaginative and artistic story with fresh, new characters that are part of an intriguing storyline that draws the reader into the mystical world of Britain’s past. The blend of aspects of historic life, along with the mysterious creatures and complex characters creates an ingenious piece of work that is a pure joy to read for both teenagers (such as I) and adults.
August 2, 2018
Black Snow Falling by L J Macwhirter pushes the boundaries of imagination, superbly crafted, multi-layered, a book of hope for our dark times, a book that will endure. This book is set to become a classic for all ages.
September 17, 2018
Black Snow Falling takes the reader on a journey into a dark world of hopes and dreams. Living in despair, Ruth, the main character, is determined to live her life her own way and not by the wishes of her cold and callous step-mother. With her dad away she finds her only escape in her forbidden love with Silas, a man deemed beneath her status.
Ruth stumbles from one dream to the next, allowing her subconscious to take her places she fears, only to be forced on into the darkness afraid of what lies around the corner. Ruth’s bravery is all-consuming and if you’re not careful you too will be holding your breath as she bravely encounters creatures we only see in nightmares.
Throughout this entire story I was caught up in the life of the young girl as she battled on her way between dreams and reality. The story even reaching into my own dreams! A creepy and yet perfect story in its atmosphere, this book is another fantastic addition to add to my YA collection.
I can’t wait to see what else Liz MacWhirter creates next!
Ruth stumbles from one dream to the next, allowing her subconscious to take her places she fears, only to be forced on into the darkness afraid of what lies around the corner. Ruth’s bravery is all-consuming and if you’re not careful you too will be holding your breath as she bravely encounters creatures we only see in nightmares.
Throughout this entire story I was caught up in the life of the young girl as she battled on her way between dreams and reality. The story even reaching into my own dreams! A creepy and yet perfect story in its atmosphere, this book is another fantastic addition to add to my YA collection.
I can’t wait to see what else Liz MacWhirter creates next!
August 1, 2018
Review originally posted on my blog here https://itsannazoe.wordpress.com/2018...)
Today is the publication day of ‘Black Snow Falling’, a historical-fantasy novel by L. J MacWhirter, and I was lucky enough to receive an advance reader copy by Scotland Street Press, in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve always been honest on here about what kind of genres I generally enjoy more than others and to continue in that vein, I would never have picked historical fiction or fantasy as my favourites. But… I’ve already eaten my words once this year with ‘Things a Bright Girl Can Do’ by Sally Nicholls (a book that’s now one of my all time favourites) and I’m definitely willing to do that again with ‘Black Snow Falling.’
The story begins by alternating between two points of view, one of Jude, the son of a candle-maker (who also plays the role of ‘master curiosity’ at the banquets of King Henry the 8th) and then a girl called Ruth, the daughter of an Earl in Elizabethan times, who’s POV becomes the sole perspective as the story continues (with the exception of one chapter from the POV of a stable hand called Silas). The book will feel familiar to most people with it’s fairytale-esque aspects; in particular I noticed nods to Cinderella with the ‘evil stepmother and sister’ characters, as well as just the overall whimsical tone throughout.
The shift in tone from the sort of more historical story and then the one of fantasy and magic, felt a little jarring at times as the juxtaposition between what sometimes felt like two completely different stories felt quite harsh, but I actually think that that was quite a powerful storytelling technique. It made the parts with the ‘dream thieves’ feel like dreams themselves, lulling you into a false sense of security for parts that were actually pretty dark and more ‘nightmarish.’
I think the recommended age range for the book was the early teenage years which I would agree with. I managed to guess what was a (sort of) major plot point really early on but I definitely don’t think I would have been able to do that when I was 12/13. I’m not sure I would have necessarily ‘enjoyed’ it more when I was younger as it actually really interesting to read it at this age, as I was able to appreciate the twists on classic myths and fairy-tales, as well as appreciating the psychology of it as a psychology student (it’s definitely the only ‘children/teens’ book I’ve read that attempted to describe cognitive dissonance!)
It also featured a lot of really lovely quotes like: “Yet dreams are not always sent for great purpose. Sometimes they are sent to suffuse the soul with hope. For without hope life on Earth is a hideous interlude before heaven.” I think that was my favourite one, I really loved the way the story portrayed hope and how much power it can have against the dark – even in the worst of times.
Overall, yes, there were a lot of cliches and tropes that might seem overdone at first but once you begin paying attention to the subtleties and the way the story plays into those and subverts them in a really clever way, then I think you’d agree that it combines lots of tales that we already know and love in a really intelligent way, as well as providing a modern take on them, that can be appreciated by most of it’s readers.
Today is the publication day of ‘Black Snow Falling’, a historical-fantasy novel by L. J MacWhirter, and I was lucky enough to receive an advance reader copy by Scotland Street Press, in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve always been honest on here about what kind of genres I generally enjoy more than others and to continue in that vein, I would never have picked historical fiction or fantasy as my favourites. But… I’ve already eaten my words once this year with ‘Things a Bright Girl Can Do’ by Sally Nicholls (a book that’s now one of my all time favourites) and I’m definitely willing to do that again with ‘Black Snow Falling.’
The story begins by alternating between two points of view, one of Jude, the son of a candle-maker (who also plays the role of ‘master curiosity’ at the banquets of King Henry the 8th) and then a girl called Ruth, the daughter of an Earl in Elizabethan times, who’s POV becomes the sole perspective as the story continues (with the exception of one chapter from the POV of a stable hand called Silas). The book will feel familiar to most people with it’s fairytale-esque aspects; in particular I noticed nods to Cinderella with the ‘evil stepmother and sister’ characters, as well as just the overall whimsical tone throughout.
The shift in tone from the sort of more historical story and then the one of fantasy and magic, felt a little jarring at times as the juxtaposition between what sometimes felt like two completely different stories felt quite harsh, but I actually think that that was quite a powerful storytelling technique. It made the parts with the ‘dream thieves’ feel like dreams themselves, lulling you into a false sense of security for parts that were actually pretty dark and more ‘nightmarish.’
I think the recommended age range for the book was the early teenage years which I would agree with. I managed to guess what was a (sort of) major plot point really early on but I definitely don’t think I would have been able to do that when I was 12/13. I’m not sure I would have necessarily ‘enjoyed’ it more when I was younger as it actually really interesting to read it at this age, as I was able to appreciate the twists on classic myths and fairy-tales, as well as appreciating the psychology of it as a psychology student (it’s definitely the only ‘children/teens’ book I’ve read that attempted to describe cognitive dissonance!)
It also featured a lot of really lovely quotes like: “Yet dreams are not always sent for great purpose. Sometimes they are sent to suffuse the soul with hope. For without hope life on Earth is a hideous interlude before heaven.” I think that was my favourite one, I really loved the way the story portrayed hope and how much power it can have against the dark – even in the worst of times.
Overall, yes, there were a lot of cliches and tropes that might seem overdone at first but once you begin paying attention to the subtleties and the way the story plays into those and subverts them in a really clever way, then I think you’d agree that it combines lots of tales that we already know and love in a really intelligent way, as well as providing a modern take on them, that can be appreciated by most of it’s readers.
September 7, 2018
An excellent, deeply engaging tale with some fascinating characters and a compelling mythology. I never wanted it to end.
October 24, 2018
This was a cover-based purchase. As a physical object, this book is stunning. The silver parts are embossed and it's just beautiful. Plus, when I read the back, it seemed to be a historical fiction YA based on heresy -- yes! sign me up!
Unfortunately, it really didn't live up to the cover for me. The narrative was unoriginal. Like, how many medieval fantasy stories are there are about a girl who falls for the stable hand? An evil, gold-digging stepmother who wants to marry her off to an old man? Blah. Ruth was a totally uninspiring protagonist. I was marginally more interested in Jude's chapters because the history was interesting, and he had more personality ... but those chapters were few and far between. Most of the page time is given over to Ruth, who is a bland cardboard cutout of a tudor heroine.
The narrative style is weird too. Most of the time it's third person limited, but sometimes it strangely pans out to the wider world to randomly describe nature? There's also a borderline racist description of one of the minor characters that falls into the dark-skinned aggressor trope.
I will probably keep the book because it's such a beautiful object that I enjoy looking at it on my shelf, but I wouldn't recommend it.
Unfortunately, it really didn't live up to the cover for me. The narrative was unoriginal. Like, how many medieval fantasy stories are there are about a girl who falls for the stable hand? An evil, gold-digging stepmother who wants to marry her off to an old man? Blah. Ruth was a totally uninspiring protagonist. I was marginally more interested in Jude's chapters because the history was interesting, and he had more personality ... but those chapters were few and far between. Most of the page time is given over to Ruth, who is a bland cardboard cutout of a tudor heroine.
The narrative style is weird too. Most of the time it's third person limited, but sometimes it strangely pans out to the wider world to randomly describe nature? There's also a borderline racist description of one of the minor characters that falls into the dark-skinned aggressor trope.
I will probably keep the book because it's such a beautiful object that I enjoy looking at it on my shelf, but I wouldn't recommend it.
April 2, 2022
I usually don't go for fantasy books and and it was the first YA book I've picked up from my library. Maybe I'm not the target reader but this book was a flop for me. The first half was intriguing. The main character is Ruth, a girl living in the 1500s. She has an evil stepmother (idk why stepmothers always have to be evil but ok), who is making Ruth marry some old guy to get her out of the house. Her best friend is willingly getting married so Ruth is frustrated that she isn't sympathetic. Ruth's boyfriend was cheating on her and Ruth finds out. All this human drama kept me somewhat interested.
But the main theme of this book is hopes and dreams. (The cover says "hold on to your hopes and dreams") The latter half of the story, I felt, was very different. Ruth goes into a fantasy world where she rescues a boy who had lost his dreams, along with a bunch of other kids. I guess it's a nice message but I didn't care for it. I quickly lost interest and sped to the end so that I can move on to another book🤷🏻♂️
But the main theme of this book is hopes and dreams. (The cover says "hold on to your hopes and dreams") The latter half of the story, I felt, was very different. Ruth goes into a fantasy world where she rescues a boy who had lost his dreams, along with a bunch of other kids. I guess it's a nice message but I didn't care for it. I quickly lost interest and sped to the end so that I can move on to another book🤷🏻♂️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2018
I was privileged to get an advance copy of" Black Snow Falling" by Liz Macwhirter and started reading on the way to the canaries. Snow in the sun. ❄☀️❄☀️❄☀️❄
I could not put it down. I fell in love with Jude from chapter one and needed someone to rescue him. He needed justice. Ruth was like every girl whoever hoped for knowledge, true friendship, adventure ,romance and true love.💜
The writing was so poetic in parts it was as if Crowbury , the village , the church and the Hall were painted in watercolours in my mind's eye. Like watching a period movie that seamlessless becomes something else. I loved it and did not want it to end. Like life, nothing is quite as we hope or as it at first seems. It resonates with my own experiences of life and people.
As a teacher,I can see it will appeal to young adults and older alike. I cannot wait for the next one ,as it surely has set a theme with potential for far more stories to come....
I could not put it down. I fell in love with Jude from chapter one and needed someone to rescue him. He needed justice. Ruth was like every girl whoever hoped for knowledge, true friendship, adventure ,romance and true love.💜
The writing was so poetic in parts it was as if Crowbury , the village , the church and the Hall were painted in watercolours in my mind's eye. Like watching a period movie that seamlessless becomes something else. I loved it and did not want it to end. Like life, nothing is quite as we hope or as it at first seems. It resonates with my own experiences of life and people.
As a teacher,I can see it will appeal to young adults and older alike. I cannot wait for the next one ,as it surely has set a theme with potential for far more stories to come....
August 18, 2018
Black Snow Falling was such a joy to read. A fresh new idea with brilliant characters. The story was both gripping and an emotional journey. A great book to lose yourself in a few hours. Looking forward to more from the author, and more from this new mythology!
July 27, 2019
This book doesn't really know what it wants to be -fable or fantasy. It also doesn't know whether it wants to be YA or an adult book. The main issue is that too many ideas are crammed into the story especially in the 2nd half. Some storylines - such as Silas and Ruth's relationship- feel underdeveloped and are just quickly wrapped up at the end of the novel. Other characters suffer from lack of characterization - such as Godrick and are mentioned only a few times but are important or are mentioned but it is confusing as to Thier significance. The initial idea is good but it's executed confusingly.
September 17, 2018
Personally this is not a type of book for me.
It is very dark and depressing.
Yes in some point probably past page 60 or 70 the absolute grim and depressing description get a bit of life added to it by introduction of faster paced development.
There is absolutely not even ounce of humour in this book. The action even when developed into something what might be seen as slightly more positive is still full of darkness.
I can see why some people appreaciate it.
The book is dairly well written and have a good plot.
If you like to read stuff which takes you on unpleasant emotional rollercoaster then by all means read this. It is good in that way.
If you are empathetic and would rather avoid negativity I advice you to skip this one and read something what makes you feel good.
I struggled first 1/3 part of the book after which i consider it getting 'better' at just about the point I was planning to abandon it, and then I wanted to give it a chance and finish it.
This is my personal perceptuon. I dont like dramas, horrors and especially history dramas as I like to read for pleasure not depresive reason :)
I picked this book on the Esinburgh International Book Festival and liked the bakpage and cover thinking it will be a bit more magical.
I gave it 2 start mostly based on my personal dislike of this types of books/stories.
The writing itself us good, the portraying of reality and description of period is very well written too.
It is very dark and depressing.
Yes in some point probably past page 60 or 70 the absolute grim and depressing description get a bit of life added to it by introduction of faster paced development.
There is absolutely not even ounce of humour in this book. The action even when developed into something what might be seen as slightly more positive is still full of darkness.
I can see why some people appreaciate it.
The book is dairly well written and have a good plot.
If you like to read stuff which takes you on unpleasant emotional rollercoaster then by all means read this. It is good in that way.
If you are empathetic and would rather avoid negativity I advice you to skip this one and read something what makes you feel good.
I struggled first 1/3 part of the book after which i consider it getting 'better' at just about the point I was planning to abandon it, and then I wanted to give it a chance and finish it.
This is my personal perceptuon. I dont like dramas, horrors and especially history dramas as I like to read for pleasure not depresive reason :)
I picked this book on the Esinburgh International Book Festival and liked the bakpage and cover thinking it will be a bit more magical.
I gave it 2 start mostly based on my personal dislike of this types of books/stories.
The writing itself us good, the portraying of reality and description of period is very well written too.
October 12, 2018
Before I even opened the book, I was hooked: secrets, heresy, black snow, a girl with spirit, dream thieves, hope. The premise felt simultaneously new and fresh as well as deeply rooted in the past — no small feat!
A time slip novel, the story opens with Jude’s dream being stolen, with dire consequences for his life, before transporting us to Ruth, some fifty years in the ‘future’ (it’s difficult to call 1592 the future). Ruth lives with her stepmother, stepsisters and an array of servants. Her father is off on an exploration. Yes, there’s a nod to Cinderella motifs, but it’s a nod more about the saturation of such material within our collective consciousness — a passage from Shakespeare’s The Tempest and a quote from Queen Elizabeth I paratextually frame the story — than it is about telling *another* Cinderella tale. The way in which MacWhirter handles the many, many threads of story is the treat of this novel.
Stars explained:
1 = DNF
2 = Ok, but struggled
3 = Perfectly lovely book
4 = Loved it
5 = Blew. Me. Out. Of. The. Water.
A time slip novel, the story opens with Jude’s dream being stolen, with dire consequences for his life, before transporting us to Ruth, some fifty years in the ‘future’ (it’s difficult to call 1592 the future). Ruth lives with her stepmother, stepsisters and an array of servants. Her father is off on an exploration. Yes, there’s a nod to Cinderella motifs, but it’s a nod more about the saturation of such material within our collective consciousness — a passage from Shakespeare’s The Tempest and a quote from Queen Elizabeth I paratextually frame the story — than it is about telling *another* Cinderella tale. The way in which MacWhirter handles the many, many threads of story is the treat of this novel.
Stars explained:
1 = DNF
2 = Ok, but struggled
3 = Perfectly lovely book
4 = Loved it
5 = Blew. Me. Out. Of. The. Water.
November 9, 2022
there’s nothing better than the feeling of completing a book in one day.
I want to put this as my first ‘winter’ themed book of the year. I really enjoyed this and as a debut novel it did not disappoint.
The novel brings its readers to a mystical world of Britain’s Elizabethan past through a fantasy manner and does it so so well. The writing was engaging and had me hooked and I felt connected to all the characters, despite them being complex and mystical. However, the plot itself is quite depressing and dark and has lack of positivity and humour in it which I struggled with considering it is a fantasy book.
I got slight ‘sandman’ by Neil Gaiman vibes from this too, which is cool considering I finished the tv series not long ago. There were times where I felt some chapters were slightly less engaging than others and my brain had switched off a bit. Overall, it was quite a good book and I’ll probably give ir a reread due to some of the complexity within the plot.
I want to put this as my first ‘winter’ themed book of the year. I really enjoyed this and as a debut novel it did not disappoint.
The novel brings its readers to a mystical world of Britain’s Elizabethan past through a fantasy manner and does it so so well. The writing was engaging and had me hooked and I felt connected to all the characters, despite them being complex and mystical. However, the plot itself is quite depressing and dark and has lack of positivity and humour in it which I struggled with considering it is a fantasy book.
I got slight ‘sandman’ by Neil Gaiman vibes from this too, which is cool considering I finished the tv series not long ago. There were times where I felt some chapters were slightly less engaging than others and my brain had switched off a bit. Overall, it was quite a good book and I’ll probably give ir a reread due to some of the complexity within the plot.
January 5, 2019
An eerie, atmospheric Elizabethan fantasy, Black Snow Falling is deep, dark and authentic. The plot is woven with care and complexity. With an genuine sense of history, it creates a unique mythology and imaginative world and tightly holds the reader in its' icy grip. The characters are believable, compelling and fit within their context perfectly. While the story touches on very contemporary concerns; forced marriage, sexism, abuse and class issues; it stays firmly within its' time and place. The fantasy elements are filled with texture and nuance; developing a perflectly paced journey that fascinates as it time-flips and calls into question the fabric of history itself. Certainly a perfect winters read. Gorgeous; absolutely gorgeous.
October 8, 2018
This was an interesting read, eve if it could do with some improvements in plot imo. My only comment is that there really wasn’t any point in setting this story in 1592, since the historical period didn’t have anything to do with 2/3 of the book which was clearly fantasy. It would have been the same whether it was set on 1500, 1860 or 1910, and the main reason I chose to read this was because it was set in during Elisabeth reign.
April 30, 2019
The book had so much potential to be great but (possibly a mistake on my part) I had expected a book for adults where as this is clearly aimed at teens. Maybe the placement in the general book shop at the Edinburgh book festival was a mistake and it should have been in teen/young adult next door in the kids tent? Anyway as a result I found the pace, lack of depth and general writing not to my liking. HOWEVER IF I had picked it up KNOWING it's level I might have enjoyed it more.
January 26, 2020
Overall: 3/5 Stars. While the prose and world contained within the book are enchanting and haunting, the mythos is left too unexplored, and the pacing of the second half of the novel detracts considerably from what could have been an original, bewildering historical fantasy novel. Simply put, it’s too short.
Find my full review on my blog
Find my full review on my blog
January 15, 2019
Wow what an imagination. LJ MacWhirter has created a fully thought out world peopled with interesting characters facing huge challenges. I felt fully immersed in the middle ages, and yet also in the fantasy world which intruded into those times. Somehow that collision felt ok when we understood the huge scientific challenges to the world view the society was facing.
November 15, 2018
Firstly, I fell in love with the blurb but when you open it up it’s like finding a whole new world. Your book took me on a journey in which I couldn’t put the book down. I highly recommend this book. I love the dark fairytale twist especially.
December 28, 2018
Stunning cover and a good premise, but I just couldn’t get into it. There didn’t seem to be enough dialogue and I never really got a feel for who the characters were. Some lovely description of scenery, however.
(Two typos towards the end too!)
(Two typos towards the end too!)
December 30, 2025
This YA urban fantasy is set in 1543 and 1592, about a girl's a recurring dream, and when dreams and reality intertwine.
Ruth is the only child of an aristocratic, except he has gone away, leaving her stepmother in charge. Lately she's been having a strange and sinister dream that would not go away. Her world falls apart when her stepmother wants to send her away and her secret love lets her down. She is too self-absorbed to worry about the strange ongoings in the village. When even her best friend couldn't save her, she returns home doomed to a life of misery. The dream returns, but this time, when she wakes up and meets character and after character from the dream.
This is a magical read, whisking me back in time to the age of sails and the birth of renaissance. I enjoyed the connection to Henry VIII's court and his reputation amongst the courtiers, having been married five times. I also liked the omniscient being Ruth meets, who bewilders her with snippets of the future with her eg cognitive dissonance, the earth revolves around the sun.
The blurring of dream and reality reminds me of Strange the Dreamer andMuse of Nightmares.
Ruth is the only child of an aristocratic, except he has gone away, leaving her stepmother in charge. Lately she's been having a strange and sinister dream that would not go away. Her world falls apart when her stepmother wants to send her away and her secret love lets her down. She is too self-absorbed to worry about the strange ongoings in the village. When even her best friend couldn't save her, she returns home doomed to a life of misery. The dream returns, but this time, when she wakes up and meets character and after character from the dream.
This is a magical read, whisking me back in time to the age of sails and the birth of renaissance. I enjoyed the connection to Henry VIII's court and his reputation amongst the courtiers, having been married five times. I also liked the omniscient being Ruth meets, who bewilders her with snippets of the future with her eg cognitive dissonance, the earth revolves around the sun.
The blurring of dream and reality reminds me of Strange the Dreamer andMuse of Nightmares.
April 28, 2022
I enjoyed about two thirds of this book; the cover is beautiful and the story at the start keeps you guessing and really does draw you in. The idea is unique and the way the author wants to make you feel about the characters is portrayed well. However, the last 30% of the book feels very rushed to me, there doesn’t seem to be much depth in the development and everything seemed to happen too quickly without much questioning on Ruth’s part. It had the potential to be great, and much of it was, yet I found the ending unfulfilling! I’m sure others would enjoy it if you like a book that gets to the point and is mostly plot driven, rather than delving into background and character arcs. Therefore, I think this book deserves 3 stars as it is great up to a point, but those extra 2 stars were just not quite there. If you want an easy, quick read with a unique story, definitely check it out though!
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