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Eighteen-year-old Calla Benson is just like any other normal teenage girl. She has a secret crush on her best friend, likes music and movies, works hard to make good grades, and does her best to stay out of trouble. But once in a blue moon, Calla is anything but normal. There’s a predatory animal lurking inside her, just waiting to rampage through the forest once a year. One fateful night, Calla comes across something she’s never seen before—someone like her. After a tense meeting in the forest, Calla dives headlong into a fantastical land shrouded in mystery. With danger around every corner, she learns things are not always what they seem, and she is farther from normal than she ever imagined. With the help of her best friends, a pair of brooding brothers, and a family she never knew she had, Calla embarks on a mission to save her people from a treacherous queen. With wolves, witches, deathly secrets, and mysterious lands (and a few confusing boys), Calla’s life is flipped upside down. It’s the stuff fairy tales are made of… because being a teenager wasn’t already difficult enough.
390 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 17, 2018
About the author
M.J. Padgett
73 books231 followersM. J. Padgett is first and foremost a mom. Her free-spirited daughter has quite the vivid imagination, and her antics sometimes find their way into her mommy’s work. She is a lover of all things chocolate, a Grimm and Dickens addict, a self-proclaimed smarty-pants, and an introvert to the core.
Writing is her true passion (after raising her daughter, of course), and she writes as often as possible. One of her favorite things about writing is creating a world where people can escape reality for a little while, maybe even walk away feeling hopeful about the real world around them. When it comes to reading, she loves a book that can make her forget where she is no matter the genre. If she can get lost and feel like the characters are her real friends, she’s a happy reader.
Writing is her true passion (after raising her daughter, of course), and she writes as often as possible. One of her favorite things about writing is creating a world where people can escape reality for a little while, maybe even walk away feeling hopeful about the real world around them. When it comes to reading, she loves a book that can make her forget where she is no matter the genre. If she can get lost and feel like the characters are her real friends, she’s a happy reader.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
November 5, 2018
Thank you Voracious Readers and MJ Padgett for the free copy of this book in exchange with an honest review!
If you know me, then you know I love retellings or any kind of book that takes inspiration from old fairy tales! So when the opportunity arose to read this book, I gladly took it and I was extremely excited to read it! Now, as you can see, I have given it a low rating, but I'll talk about that in a moment.
I really liked Calla's character, she was portrayed quite well, which I know is a very difficult thing to do when writing about teenagers. What I liked most, was her realtionship with her adoptive parents, because I have noticed that very rarely there are good parent-kids relationships in this kind ogf books. It wa srefreshing to read about a family that loved and respect each other as much as Calla's family did.
Another thing I liked a lot, was the wide variety of characters and different personalities that were there, I really enjoyed reading about all of Calla's siblings and their relationships with each other and whole close knit they were! It really made me feel warm inside seeing them playing and interacting and then trying to save each other. Also something you don't see often in books and I have to say that I loved the siblings' relationship!
Now coming to why I gave this book such a low rating. What made me almost stop reading the book altogether was Calla and Will's relationship. It didn't come naturally at all, Calla realised her feelings over a plane ride and when the next day she found out that she was his wife in the past, she took in stride and went to him, saying how much she loved him, and I was like: "WHAAAAAT?" Also, what really made me angry was the poor excuse regarding Will's horrid behavior! He was treating Calla horribly apart from a few apologies here and there and every time he did something bad, he apologised to her and then the next time, he did something even worse and then apologised again and so on! That's a toxic relationship and they were fighting so much that it didn't leave time for us to envision them as a couple that was so much in love! It really threw me off and made me not enjoy the book after that part.
If you know me, then you know I love retellings or any kind of book that takes inspiration from old fairy tales! So when the opportunity arose to read this book, I gladly took it and I was extremely excited to read it! Now, as you can see, I have given it a low rating, but I'll talk about that in a moment.
I really liked Calla's character, she was portrayed quite well, which I know is a very difficult thing to do when writing about teenagers. What I liked most, was her realtionship with her adoptive parents, because I have noticed that very rarely there are good parent-kids relationships in this kind ogf books. It wa srefreshing to read about a family that loved and respect each other as much as Calla's family did.
Another thing I liked a lot, was the wide variety of characters and different personalities that were there, I really enjoyed reading about all of Calla's siblings and their relationships with each other and whole close knit they were! It really made me feel warm inside seeing them playing and interacting and then trying to save each other. Also something you don't see often in books and I have to say that I loved the siblings' relationship!
Now coming to why I gave this book such a low rating. What made me almost stop reading the book altogether was Calla and Will's relationship. It didn't come naturally at all, Calla realised her feelings over a plane ride and when the next day she found out that she was his wife in the past, she took in stride and went to him, saying how much she loved him, and I was like: "WHAAAAAT?" Also, what really made me angry was the poor excuse regarding Will's horrid behavior! He was treating Calla horribly apart from a few apologies here and there and every time he did something bad, he apologised to her and then the next time, he did something even worse and then apologised again and so on! That's a toxic relationship and they were fighting so much that it didn't leave time for us to envision them as a couple that was so much in love! It really threw me off and made me not enjoy the book after that part.
September 29, 2018
Absolutely loved this book. Such a creative story with wonderful characters. I received a free copy from the author through Voracious Readers Only and I could not put it down. Highly recommend!
June 6, 2026
My friend recommended this to me about a year ago, 💀and I just now picked it up!! I REALLY enjoyed this book, it kept me on my toes! the characters and plot were very enjoyable and I even though I’ve read many retellings this one was original. Calla was relatable and thus the story felt more real. The setting was nice, but I usually do enjoy a little description. Especially if it’s in another world/land but other than that, I think you should try it out! ♥️
I’ll try to get the second one soon! 📚
I’ll try to get the second one soon! 📚
October 5, 2018
So good! I love rewritten fairytales anyway, but Padgett's spin on this particular tale was very refreshing. It is so hard to find decent and wholesome retold versions of fairytales in general, without the authors adding tons of indecent and suggestive material trying to make a story that has been told millions of times still interesting. This author, in my humble opinion, did an amazing job. The characters were all so genuine, and I felt connected to each of them basically from the very beginning. The male characters, specifically Wil and Brody, really impressed me with their senses of propriety and honor in how they treated Calla and the other young ladies involved in this whirlwind novel. Calla's parents were also amazing in how they took all the craziness being thrown at them in stride, and never once wavered in the support of their daughter and her newfound family. Loved it!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only*
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only*
August 31, 2019
Couldn't really wrap my head around this one. Don't get me wrong, the concept was really a great idea, it's just the outcome that failed it all. For starters, I found the writing not up to my liking, as it lacked lush, it lacked depth, it lacked magic. Too much tell, no show at all. The characters' depth of emotions was like a Ramones song - I do love them btw - with only three chords, and although that may work in the music scene, it doesn't do anything for me where it comes to books. But what really threw me off was the fact the Grimm brothers had been alove for fifteen centuries. I mean, fifteen centuries, if you're going to do the maths - which I went and stupidly did because I couldn't get it out of my head and was unable to focus on the rest of the story until I pinned down what century the author had chosen to place the Snow White story in - means that, this being the 21st century, the first events of the Snow White curse took place in the... yep, Sixth Century. Literary liberties and all, I just couldn't get over that. Sorry, it really did not work for me, I mean, the 6th century is the Dark Ages, which I associate more to Arthurian tales than Snow White, so this really threw me off, and had me rolling my eyes. But for a youn YA audience, I do think kids will enjoy it and connect with Calla and her friends, I may be a tad too old and a tad too demanding for it, I guess...
December 12, 2018
The story is one of my favorite kind. It's a retelling of an old Grimm Brothers fairy tale Snow White but with a dark twist. Snow is the evil queen not her stepmother. Fans of Danielle Paige's Dorthy Must Die will love this. It has surprising twists and turns, and a love story that has lasted through lifetimes. It also does a really nice set up for the next book.
Check out my full review at https://bellesbookreviewssite.wordpre...
Check out my full review at https://bellesbookreviewssite.wordpre...
December 12, 2018
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers and what a great read. I may be 47 but this Book made me feel young again reading an alternative version of a well loved Grimm Brothers Story of Snow White.....well Done to the Author for an amazing and captivating read
December 10, 2018
I received this book from the author through Voracious Reader Only and I fell in love. This book is wonderfully written and I'm hooked! I love the characters and the continuation has my itching to read it! I suggest this book to any bookworm who loves a new take on an old story!
November 17, 2018
Enjoyed a spin off take of snow white. Inventive. Loved every minute
November 28, 2018
received a copy thru VRO. Great read, very enthralling. loved the writers style
September 25, 2018
Snow Kissed by M. J. Padgett is book 1 of the Immortal Grimm Brothers’ guide to sociopathic Princesses and a 5 star read.
I’m going to be totally honest right now and say that after the first 2 chapters I kept telling myself “it will get better” as I wasn’t feeling it yet BUT by the third chapter and beyond I couldn’t put it down, I had to force myself to take a break and get some sleep. This book is so interesting, the characters were well developed and the storyline flowed brilliantly.
Calla Benson has a secret, she turns into a wolf once in a blue moon, her parents are the only people who know and seem to take it it their stride but on the night she changes she runs into other wolves who she can see are just like her she is then told that fairy tales are real and she’s part of a very important story, the real story that only the brothers Grimm know.
This is a new author for me I’m glad I took the chance on this book and I can’t wait until the next book is released.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
I’m going to be totally honest right now and say that after the first 2 chapters I kept telling myself “it will get better” as I wasn’t feeling it yet BUT by the third chapter and beyond I couldn’t put it down, I had to force myself to take a break and get some sleep. This book is so interesting, the characters were well developed and the storyline flowed brilliantly.
Calla Benson has a secret, she turns into a wolf once in a blue moon, her parents are the only people who know and seem to take it it their stride but on the night she changes she runs into other wolves who she can see are just like her she is then told that fairy tales are real and she’s part of a very important story, the real story that only the brothers Grimm know.
This is a new author for me I’m glad I took the chance on this book and I can’t wait until the next book is released.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Read
November 2, 2018Loved this book! Such a fun read!
I think I found my new guilty pleasure book.
I think I found my new guilty pleasure book.
June 14, 2019
Received a free copy from VRO
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would - I like very few urban/modern fantasy books - but this was very different from anything I’ve read before. Based on the fairytale of Snow White, this retelling spun a completely different take on the classic story by portraying Snow White as the bad guy. Perfect for fans of fairytales and retellings with modern twists, such as Once Upon A Time. I'll be sure to keep an eye out for the rest of the series.
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would - I like very few urban/modern fantasy books - but this was very different from anything I’ve read before. Based on the fairytale of Snow White, this retelling spun a completely different take on the classic story by portraying Snow White as the bad guy. Perfect for fans of fairytales and retellings with modern twists, such as Once Upon A Time. I'll be sure to keep an eye out for the rest of the series.
September 29, 2018
Slow start... but Calla seems like a normal girl with romantic feelings and hobbies just like everyone else... except when a full moon turns her into a wolf! Very imaginative and hard to put down. It was interesting watching Calla go through her transitioning and come to terms with who she really is. Very good book!
September 29, 2018
Slow start... but Calla seems like a normal girl with romantic feelings and hobbies just like everyone else... except when a full moon turns her into a wolf! Very imaginative and hard to put down. It was interesting watching Calla go through her transitioning and come to terms with who she really is. Very good book!
December 9, 2021
I'm a sucker for a good fantasy YA novel, and this one ticked all the right boxes. A dark twist on a classic fairy tale, with the usual romance and drama, and some funny moments too. I read this in one go, couldn't put it down, and I can't wait to read the next in the series! Thank you to the author and VRO for a copy of this book.
September 29, 2018
Teen Wolf meets Snow White meets the immortal Grimm Brothers!
An intriguing read aimed at young adults and all fairytale lovers.
An intriguing read aimed at young adults and all fairytale lovers.
August 30, 2021
3.5/5 stars: Snow Kissed is a fun and light retelling of Snow White, where the fairytale princess is the villain, and the main character turns into a wolf.
I got Snow Kissed as a review copy and am giving my honest review of it.
There are a few (fairly mild) spoilers in this review. They are not hidden because that would be way too complicated with the way my review is written and a pain to read.
First of all, the concept is awesome. In this story, Snow White is evil and has cursed her half-siblings to turn into wolves. From the epilogue, it seems the rest of the series also features evil princesses. I mean, who wouldn't enjoy it?
The plot itself is interesting. Calla learns that she is a fairy tale princess and has to save her kingdom (technically her brother's kingdom) from Snow White. I really enjoyed watching Calla and her siblings bond - they had such a fun dynamic.
I liked Calla- despite being an immortal fairytale princess/wolf, she could be relatable. 'Trigonometry. Fantastic, the most boring class in the history of boring classes.' (Snow Kissed, Chapter Five) Calla also had some fantastic sarcastic narrator moments. And I love me a sarcastic narrator!
It was interesting to see a teen character who actually had parents. While her father was dead and her birth mother was trapped in a mirror for most of the book, her adoptive parents were there for her and supported her despite the strange situation. As much as I love an orphaned protagonist with a tragic past, it was fun to see one with an actual family.
As for Calla's biological family, I loved the dynamic between the seven Salien siblings (I saw what you did there, and I like it). It was a lot of fun seeing them bond into their familial pack.
I will say that at times, things seemed a bit convenient for the characters. Maybe it was the immortal wisdom, but their plans tended to work well. I was expecting something to go horribly wrong, like Ravenna's mirror breaking or somebody dying or betraying them. Not that I can complain about the characters surviving. While, yes, fictional death is great, I liked the Snow Kissed cast and am glad none of my favorites - or ships - died.
I wasn't a fan of Brody. However, I will admit that I have a habit of becoming extremely biased when love triangles are involved. I've never been a fan of the trope, usually because I get attached to one ship, and it drives me crazy when that one loses. Luckily that wasn't a problem in this book; Calla and Wil are adorable. I like how they had a history, and their relationship wasn't a magical insta-love connection. Their connection was legitimate and made sense, unlike many YA couples.
Snow Kissed is good if you want a standalone or a series without too much commitment. Snow Kissed wraps up nicely, and I believe that every other book in the series concludes its own story (while building on one another). While there is a good amount of violence, Snow Kissed isn't particularly gory in its descriptions. It's appropriate for pretty much all ages (there isn't even cussing, which is great).
I got Snow Kissed as a review copy and am giving my honest review of it.
There are a few (fairly mild) spoilers in this review. They are not hidden because that would be way too complicated with the way my review is written and a pain to read.
First of all, the concept is awesome. In this story, Snow White is evil and has cursed her half-siblings to turn into wolves. From the epilogue, it seems the rest of the series also features evil princesses. I mean, who wouldn't enjoy it?
The plot itself is interesting. Calla learns that she is a fairy tale princess and has to save her kingdom (technically her brother's kingdom) from Snow White. I really enjoyed watching Calla and her siblings bond - they had such a fun dynamic.
I liked Calla- despite being an immortal fairytale princess/wolf, she could be relatable. 'Trigonometry. Fantastic, the most boring class in the history of boring classes.' (Snow Kissed, Chapter Five) Calla also had some fantastic sarcastic narrator moments. And I love me a sarcastic narrator!
It was interesting to see a teen character who actually had parents. While her father was dead and her birth mother was trapped in a mirror for most of the book, her adoptive parents were there for her and supported her despite the strange situation. As much as I love an orphaned protagonist with a tragic past, it was fun to see one with an actual family.
As for Calla's biological family, I loved the dynamic between the seven Salien siblings (I saw what you did there, and I like it). It was a lot of fun seeing them bond into their familial pack.
I will say that at times, things seemed a bit convenient for the characters. Maybe it was the immortal wisdom, but their plans tended to work well. I was expecting something to go horribly wrong, like Ravenna's mirror breaking or somebody dying or betraying them. Not that I can complain about the characters surviving. While, yes, fictional death is great, I liked the Snow Kissed cast and am glad none of my favorites - or ships - died.
I wasn't a fan of Brody. However, I will admit that I have a habit of becoming extremely biased when love triangles are involved. I've never been a fan of the trope, usually because I get attached to one ship, and it drives me crazy when that one loses. Luckily that wasn't a problem in this book; Calla and Wil are adorable. I like how they had a history, and their relationship wasn't a magical insta-love connection. Their connection was legitimate and made sense, unlike many YA couples.
Snow Kissed is good if you want a standalone or a series without too much commitment. Snow Kissed wraps up nicely, and I believe that every other book in the series concludes its own story (while building on one another). While there is a good amount of violence, Snow Kissed isn't particularly gory in its descriptions. It's appropriate for pretty much all ages (there isn't even cussing, which is great).
February 24, 2020
a travesty and a disgrace
First the good points.
The writing is decent, and the line editing is very good - I didn't spot any obvious typos or inappropriate grammatical mistakes. The main character has agency (makes her own choices, isn't just acted upon. This saves it from a 1* rating)
However...
I get 'turning a fairytale inside out' and making the hero a villain and vice versa
I get wanting to throw werewolves or fae, or whatever strikes your fancy into a story.
But doing both smacks of lack of discipline, of self-indulgence. You know, if you're going to introduce werewolves (as in this case), it would help a LOT if there were, like, actual wolves in the original story.
The teenage cringeworthy relationships are probably not a problem for the target YA audience, might even be a plus for some. Me, I prefer people who don't cheerfully lie and betray their friends' trust.
Now we get to the big point.
I'm going to do a quick thought experiment here.
Imagine someone wrote a story involving Benjamin Franklin - but made him an almanac writer in a different part of the country (let's say New England), in a different time period (say early colonial days 1600s), and totally, totally ignored the brilliance of the real man. Wasn't involved in politics. Wasn't a scientist. Wasn't a diplomat. Etc., etc. But the story pretends that their character is OUR Ben Franklin.
WTF!?!?!? No one would ever get away with that, surely.
But.
That is PRECISELY what this author has done with the Brothers Grimm. Moved them in time and space, and totally ignored the vast majority of their lives that wasn't to do with fairy tale collection.
I am furious!
If this author has this little respect for her characters, and her readers, I have absolutely no interest in reading any more of her work, or even finishing this book. Thank goodness it was a free copy, and I didn't spend real money on this horrible excuse for writing.
First the good points.
The writing is decent, and the line editing is very good - I didn't spot any obvious typos or inappropriate grammatical mistakes. The main character has agency (makes her own choices, isn't just acted upon. This saves it from a 1* rating)
However...
I get 'turning a fairytale inside out' and making the hero a villain and vice versa
I get wanting to throw werewolves or fae, or whatever strikes your fancy into a story.
But doing both smacks of lack of discipline, of self-indulgence. You know, if you're going to introduce werewolves (as in this case), it would help a LOT if there were, like, actual wolves in the original story.
The teenage cringeworthy relationships are probably not a problem for the target YA audience, might even be a plus for some. Me, I prefer people who don't cheerfully lie and betray their friends' trust.
Now we get to the big point.
I'm going to do a quick thought experiment here.
Imagine someone wrote a story involving Benjamin Franklin - but made him an almanac writer in a different part of the country (let's say New England), in a different time period (say early colonial days 1600s), and totally, totally ignored the brilliance of the real man. Wasn't involved in politics. Wasn't a scientist. Wasn't a diplomat. Etc., etc. But the story pretends that their character is OUR Ben Franklin.
WTF!?!?!? No one would ever get away with that, surely.
But.
That is PRECISELY what this author has done with the Brothers Grimm. Moved them in time and space, and totally ignored the vast majority of their lives that wasn't to do with fairy tale collection.
I am furious!
If this author has this little respect for her characters, and her readers, I have absolutely no interest in reading any more of her work, or even finishing this book. Thank goodness it was a free copy, and I didn't spend real money on this horrible excuse for writing.
July 24, 2022
A twisted tale on the fairy tale of Snow White where you’ll discover that Snow is the evil person and the seven siblings from the man her father married after her mother’s death are killed over and over for 1500 years! The good queen is imprisoned in a magic mirror and the two brothers who tell this tale to the present day reincarnations of these siblings are none other than the Grimm brothers themselves!
I had a hard time seeing Snow as the evil person after reading the fairy tales all my life but it’s a fun, fresh, innovative look into the fairy tales that says what if what you have read and believed all your live about fairy tales wasn’t true?
The present day reincarnation of these seven siblings
brings them face to face with the persons whose stories they have read and believed their entire lives- as they are told who they are and why they have the ability to turn into wolves now.
It’s a fun read and one I think readers will enjoy! It’s the first in a series of fairy tales wherein the hero’s and heroines of the stories we’ve all known and loved now turn out to be bad! If you can read these stories
for the tale they are you’ll love this book and this series! Who knows after all. Fairy tales are the author’s point of view and whose to say if what we have believed all our lives was true or not?
I still love these fairy tales and probably will still believe the hero’s and heroines were good and not evil but the stories are a refreshing look at the stories from a different perspective!
I heartily recommend you pick up this book and read this story of how it was actually Snow White and not the evil queen that was actually the bad guy in the story! I loved this book and think this series will be a big hit
I had a hard time seeing Snow as the evil person after reading the fairy tales all my life but it’s a fun, fresh, innovative look into the fairy tales that says what if what you have read and believed all your live about fairy tales wasn’t true?
The present day reincarnation of these seven siblings
brings them face to face with the persons whose stories they have read and believed their entire lives- as they are told who they are and why they have the ability to turn into wolves now.
It’s a fun read and one I think readers will enjoy! It’s the first in a series of fairy tales wherein the hero’s and heroines of the stories we’ve all known and loved now turn out to be bad! If you can read these stories
for the tale they are you’ll love this book and this series! Who knows after all. Fairy tales are the author’s point of view and whose to say if what we have believed all our lives was true or not?
I still love these fairy tales and probably will still believe the hero’s and heroines were good and not evil but the stories are a refreshing look at the stories from a different perspective!
I heartily recommend you pick up this book and read this story of how it was actually Snow White and not the evil queen that was actually the bad guy in the story! I loved this book and think this series will be a big hit
December 11, 2023
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I’m a few years late (and given what I’m about to say I suspect the author might have preferred I hadn’t come back) but here we go:
This book is heavy on “tell” and very light on “show.” How do we know Calla is attracted to Brody (and then to Wil)? Because she told us. How do we know when Calla is angry/scared/happy/tired/etc? Because she tells us she is (or because she turns into a wolf and runs away, her only consistent expression of emotion that doesn’t also directly advance the plot). The book even has Calla explain - because he can’t tell from her actions. Little is set up, nothing felt fleshed out, and a lot of relationship development that probably would be important in any other story - such as with Marcus or Wil - was handwaved away as “instinctual”.
This constant tendency to tell rather than show flattened a promising premise and decent characters into a dull read. Other readers might find something to enjoy here, but I thought it was a slog.
This book is heavy on “tell” and very light on “show.” How do we know Calla is attracted to Brody (and then to Wil)? Because she told us. How do we know when Calla is angry/scared/happy/tired/etc? Because she tells us she is (or because she turns into a wolf and runs away, her only consistent expression of emotion that doesn’t also directly advance the plot). The book even has Calla explain - because he can’t tell from her actions. Little is set up, nothing felt fleshed out, and a lot of relationship development that probably would be important in any other story - such as with Marcus or Wil - was handwaved away as “instinctual”.
This constant tendency to tell rather than show flattened a promising premise and decent characters into a dull read. Other readers might find something to enjoy here, but I thought it was a slog.
October 4, 2022
Incredible Twisted Fairytale Recreation!!!
So I have read many different twisted fairytale books, but this one really took me by surprise at how uniquely creative the author was with this particular twisted version. I quickly got wrapped in the characters and the tale and it was definitely a hard one to put down. I loved the characters and fantastic world building really brought it all to life. I definitely recommend this to anyone who likes the fairytales rains ones and I can't wait to see where the next story in this series goes! I will also say, the cover art is stunning, but had me thinking it was a Red Riding Hood retelling or mashup instead of Snow White...
Parents: this is acceptable for preteens and up
Language: G
Violence: PG13- normal to genre... wolf shifter hunting scenes and fight scenes that are bloody but not too descriptive
Sexual content: PG - normal cozy romance with kissing and snuggles, no bedroom scenes to warn of
Narrator (4.5⭐) was really fun and easy to listen to, did a good job with the voices and accents, but was a bit slow, I preferred listening at 1.3x speed.
—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
So I have read many different twisted fairytale books, but this one really took me by surprise at how uniquely creative the author was with this particular twisted version. I quickly got wrapped in the characters and the tale and it was definitely a hard one to put down. I loved the characters and fantastic world building really brought it all to life. I definitely recommend this to anyone who likes the fairytales rains ones and I can't wait to see where the next story in this series goes! I will also say, the cover art is stunning, but had me thinking it was a Red Riding Hood retelling or mashup instead of Snow White...
Parents: this is acceptable for preteens and up
Language: G
Violence: PG13- normal to genre... wolf shifter hunting scenes and fight scenes that are bloody but not too descriptive
Sexual content: PG - normal cozy romance with kissing and snuggles, no bedroom scenes to warn of
Narrator (4.5⭐) was really fun and easy to listen to, did a good job with the voices and accents, but was a bit slow, I preferred listening at 1.3x speed.
—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
April 21, 2026
I’m not sure how to rate this one… I thought about giving it 4 stars because I really liked the idea behind the book and I was immediately sucked into the story and enjoyed it immensely at first. But there were too many things that bugged me the longer I read (which led to me needing half a year to finish the book and I’m usually a fast reader..)
My enthusiasm for the story plummeted when the love triangle came up - I’m never a big fan of them, but here it also felt unnecessary to the plot and kind of cruel. I did not like how this played out… Also both romances are definitely more tell than show, but I could have lived with this if it would have been my only complaint.
But my main problem is the relationship between Calla and Will. She is a teenager and even though it was clear there was “more” going on, this underlying romance gave me the creeps…
Also the resolution was so sudden and somehow way too easy while also being extremely strange and some aspects were just awful (like how many times they watched loved ones die and how long they were supposed to be alive, couldn’t really wrap my mind about this…)
Yeah, I don’t really know how to feel about this book, so I think 3 stars are kind of fair…
My enthusiasm for the story plummeted when the love triangle came up - I’m never a big fan of them, but here it also felt unnecessary to the plot and kind of cruel. I did not like how this played out… Also both romances are definitely more tell than show, but I could have lived with this if it would have been my only complaint.
But my main problem is the relationship between Calla and Will. She is a teenager and even though it was clear there was “more” going on, this underlying romance gave me the creeps…
Also the resolution was so sudden and somehow way too easy while also being extremely strange and some aspects were just awful (like how many times they watched loved ones die and how long they were supposed to be alive, couldn’t really wrap my mind about this…)
Yeah, I don’t really know how to feel about this book, so I think 3 stars are kind of fair…
November 13, 2022
This is not a retelling of the traditional Snow White tale. History is written by the winners, and true to any fractured tale, everything you thought you knew about Snow White is wrong - BUT - this is not Snow White's story. It is the story of the aftermath of a curse left in the wake of her story and the people it affects centuries later in the modern day. It does wrap back to Snow White - and leave some intriguing clues regarding future books in the series.
I really enjoyed Calla's story and the way it unwrapped. It kept me guessing with the way information was unveiled. I loved the way the characters came together and formed a found family and how supportive Calla's parents were through some admittedly unusual circumstances. The love triangle was a bit awkward to me and not my favorite - but I did agree with the resolution. Plenty of adventure and humor.
Alycia Younker did an excellent job narrating the book. Her voice is well suited to the story.
I really enjoyed Calla's story and the way it unwrapped. It kept me guessing with the way information was unveiled. I loved the way the characters came together and formed a found family and how supportive Calla's parents were through some admittedly unusual circumstances. The love triangle was a bit awkward to me and not my favorite - but I did agree with the resolution. Plenty of adventure and humor.
Alycia Younker did an excellent job narrating the book. Her voice is well suited to the story.
December 27, 2022
So, you think you know your fairy tales and the characters that populate them, but what you did not know is that the stories we hear are not necessarily true. Take Snow White, for example. Everyone knows that the wicked queen resented Snow's beauty and gave her a poisoned apple in order to kill her. Well, what if it was actually the other way and Snow was the psycho killer? Calla Benson is a normal teenage girl, but when the blue moon arrives, she shifts into a wolf. She found an entire group of children who were just like her when out in the forest on a run, but she's not just a wolf, she's Snow White's sister, and Snow is trying to destroy her. This is an amazingly clever and unique take on Wilhelm and Jacob Grimm who, incidentally, are central to this story. I can't wait for the continuation of this fabulous series.
The narration is very well done by Alycia Younker. The inflection, pace and her various accents were truly enjoyable!
The narration is very well done by Alycia Younker. The inflection, pace and her various accents were truly enjoyable!
February 3, 2023
This is a twisted version of the original Grimm tale of Snow White.
Calla Benson is a teenage girl with a secret, once a year she turns into a wolf and hunts. Unbeknownst to her, she has more than that one crazy secret in her past.
This was a fun twist on a classic story, with new POV's and changes in character personalities. Overall a cute story for fans of remixed tales.
Cons- the narrator was a bit dry at times and felt like she was simply reading the book, droning on at times. Overall at a higher listening speed she did a good job.
As an adult the YA part was a little hard to swallow, the quick love and acceptance that wouldn't happen in real life. Yet, wait... this is fiction. So yeah, not an issue.
Fun listen to break up a long week. Good for teens as it's clean and adults who like to re-live childhood stories in a new way.
Thank you to StoryOrigin for a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Calla Benson is a teenage girl with a secret, once a year she turns into a wolf and hunts. Unbeknownst to her, she has more than that one crazy secret in her past.
This was a fun twist on a classic story, with new POV's and changes in character personalities. Overall a cute story for fans of remixed tales.
Cons- the narrator was a bit dry at times and felt like she was simply reading the book, droning on at times. Overall at a higher listening speed she did a good job.
As an adult the YA part was a little hard to swallow, the quick love and acceptance that wouldn't happen in real life. Yet, wait... this is fiction. So yeah, not an issue.
Fun listen to break up a long week. Good for teens as it's clean and adults who like to re-live childhood stories in a new way.
Thank you to StoryOrigin for a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
June 29, 2021
this is a retelling of Snow White.. Snow White becomes bitter and full of hate after her mother dies and her father, the king, remarries and has more children with his new wife. Snow White wants to have control of the throne and rule the kingdom so she has her father killed and places a curse on her step brothers and sisters that makes them werewolves.
1500 years have passed and the Grimm brothers are finally able to locate all seven siblings. Each sibling has to be told the story of how they came to be werewolves and to go through memory excersises to remember their past so they can all come together and fight as one strong unit to defeat their evil step sister, Snow White.
I enjoyed this story and how it all came together with allof the siblings. The story was more about them then it was about Snow White.
1500 years have passed and the Grimm brothers are finally able to locate all seven siblings. Each sibling has to be told the story of how they came to be werewolves and to go through memory excersises to remember their past so they can all come together and fight as one strong unit to defeat their evil step sister, Snow White.
I enjoyed this story and how it all came together with allof the siblings. The story was more about them then it was about Snow White.
August 11, 2023
This is not my usual genre, but I was happy to have the opportunity to preread for my daughters who love fantasy & fairytale retellings. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the book! Calla was a strong heroine, well written & believable for her age. She showed maturity in many situations, yet also acted like a typical 17-year-old occasionally, just like most real life teens. I loved how the author wove the magic into the story so seamlessly that I wasn't pulled out of the story by my disbelief, and there was some pretty fantastical stuff in the story. Overall, the book was an enjoyable read & I highly recommend it for ages 13 & up.
Content concerns: only kissing mentioned, mention of nakedness (spoiler alert: one of Calla's siblings ends up being one of her teachers & he is characterized as not caring about being naked after he transforms from his wolf to his human form)
Content concerns: only kissing mentioned, mention of nakedness (spoiler alert: one of Calla's siblings ends up being one of her teachers & he is characterized as not caring about being naked after he transforms from his wolf to his human form)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2019
Snow Kissed is a novel that explores the dark side of one of the best known princesses: Snow White, by the way the princess that I dislike most...
It has always seemed to me that so much sweetness should have a false side and this book has given me the reason! Snow is not the sweet and suffering little princess that fairy tales have made us believe, but a hypocritical witch, sociopath and murderous femme fatale capable of the most horrible crimes to achieve her ends. Snow Kissed is a very interesting and entertaining book, difficult to stop reading and that leaves the reader with a sense of justice well served after reading the story.
Now I have to wonder what my favorite princess, Cinderella will be capable of?
It has always seemed to me that so much sweetness should have a false side and this book has given me the reason! Snow is not the sweet and suffering little princess that fairy tales have made us believe, but a hypocritical witch, sociopath and murderous femme fatale capable of the most horrible crimes to achieve her ends. Snow Kissed is a very interesting and entertaining book, difficult to stop reading and that leaves the reader with a sense of justice well served after reading the story.
Now I have to wonder what my favorite princess, Cinderella will be capable of?
January 5, 2019
Got a free copy through voracious readers. If I had to choose two words to describe this book it would be weird and fantastic. I love different fairytale stories but I have not seen one with a story line quite like this. The story was interesting and I was able to really get into the story after the first couple chapters. The only criticism that I would have is that once or twice there would be something mentioned once and then never again which would bothers me a little when authors do that because it just make me think 'why bother mentioning that if it clearly isn't important to the story and is just randomly added for seemingly no reason?'
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