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A Tale of Ice and Ash
“Mirror, Mirror, on the wall, who will come to save us all?”
Five years after her stepmother tried to have her killed, Eirwen has built a new life in the woods. Far from the princess she was meant to be, she is now a skilled treasure hunter and master of the Dwarven underground.
Eirwen’s peaceful existence is shattered when she crosses paths with Cole, the son of her enemy, and a thorn in her side growing up. Eirwen learns that though she escaped the evil queen’s clutches, the kingdom she left behind has suffered. Together with her adoptive family, she raises an army to restore her rightful place on the throne.
But something is stirring Under the Mountain, a centuries-old secret begging to break free…
Five years after her stepmother tried to have her killed, Eirwen has built a new life in the woods. Far from the princess she was meant to be, she is now a skilled treasure hunter and master of the Dwarven underground.
Eirwen’s peaceful existence is shattered when she crosses paths with Cole, the son of her enemy, and a thorn in her side growing up. Eirwen learns that though she escaped the evil queen’s clutches, the kingdom she left behind has suffered. Together with her adoptive family, she raises an army to restore her rightful place on the throne.
But something is stirring Under the Mountain, a centuries-old secret begging to break free…
278 pages, ebook
Published November 6, 2020
38 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Macdonald
37 books460 followersKatherine "Kate" Macdonald writes the books she wishes she could have read more of as a teen—stories of fierce girls and gentle boys, of romance and adventure, and where the "three Cs" (chemistry, communication and consent) reign supreme. There may still be a little bit of miscommunication along the way as the characters grow as people, but she tries not to rely on that trope too much!
She loves books packed with witty banter, stories where you can feel the love growing between a pair, that include excellent, well-developed side-characters and a few subtly-foreshadowed twists and turns. She despises toxic relationships and tales that rely on old-fashioned notions of male and female stereotypes. She enjoys bending expectations and crafting worlds where sexism is a thing of the past. She considers herself an LGBTQIA+ friendly author, and her stories include a range of characters from within the community and absolutely no discrimination in sight.
She holds a BA in English and Creative Writing from Lancaster University, and a PGCE in teaching English and Drama from the University of Exeter. She's been a writer since she was old enough to hold a crayon, but it was only after surviving a year of parenthood and a full-time job on less than six hours of sleep a night that she finally gained the courage to publish her debut novel, "The Rose and the Thorn." It's a retelling of Beauty and the Beast inspired by a dream of a girl surrounded by snow in a field of flowers.
At her heart, Macdonald is storyteller, and it is her dream to inspire others in the way that she has been inspired.
She lives in Devon with her manic child and well-behaved cats.
She loves books packed with witty banter, stories where you can feel the love growing between a pair, that include excellent, well-developed side-characters and a few subtly-foreshadowed twists and turns. She despises toxic relationships and tales that rely on old-fashioned notions of male and female stereotypes. She enjoys bending expectations and crafting worlds where sexism is a thing of the past. She considers herself an LGBTQIA+ friendly author, and her stories include a range of characters from within the community and absolutely no discrimination in sight.
She holds a BA in English and Creative Writing from Lancaster University, and a PGCE in teaching English and Drama from the University of Exeter. She's been a writer since she was old enough to hold a crayon, but it was only after surviving a year of parenthood and a full-time job on less than six hours of sleep a night that she finally gained the courage to publish her debut novel, "The Rose and the Thorn." It's a retelling of Beauty and the Beast inspired by a dream of a girl surrounded by snow in a field of flowers.
At her heart, Macdonald is storyteller, and it is her dream to inspire others in the way that she has been inspired.
She lives in Devon with her manic child and well-behaved cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
June 16, 2021
Right off the bat, I read this book while battling a cold. Not one of those “mmm I’m gonna sip tea and get cozy and read a book” colds, but instead one of the “Oh god my head hurts, I can’t read more than 2 chapters at a time because I AM DYING” dramatic type colds. It took me 4 days to get through this one, and I hate feeling like perhaps I didn’t enjoy it as much because of my own issues.
I am pleased with this Snow White retelling, as it took a fairly boring story of “this child fell asleep and was kissed by a grown man who she hardly knew and then they lived happily ever after”, and actually gave Snow a much needed facelift. And age up.
Instead, we are introduced to Eirwen (Snow), who has aged up 5 years and has NERVE. We learned that she has been living happily with the dwarves after her escape, and goes on Indiana Jones type adventures during her downtime. She comes into her own and eventually makes some tough decisions.
Through flashbacks, we are introduced to her stepbrother, Prince Cole, and…
Look I’m just gonna say it. If you liked Life With Derek as a kid, and didn’t quite understand why you wanted Derek and Casey to kiss, but you knew you needed to keep that want on the low-low, I think you’re gonna like this book.
“There were easier ways of getting me into bed…”
“You’re vile,” she hissed, bringing the needle to his skin, “we’re technically stepsiblings, you know. Or were.”
“It’s not like we grew up together or share any blood at all, it’s not weird.”
“It is disgusting and so are you.” She pushed against his chest. “Lie still.”
This was the moment when I texted my sister and said “WHERE IS THIS BOOK GOING”
To which she replied “Help me stepbrother, I’m stuck”
All jokes aside, you only think about the step-relationship at the beginning of the book when it’s all flashbacks of them having childhood banter and present-day conversations of them bringing it up. After the first 1/3 of the book, I mostly forgot about the “taboo”ness.
There was a lot to like about this book. It was very adventure heavy, which was a little more than the other 3 in the series I read. There were some fun side characters (the dwarves are not caricatures anymore!), FEMALE FRIENDSHIP which you know I love, and a villain who is not what she seems. (I liked the twist about the Queen and her motivations!) I saw somewhere the author mentioned that she does not like the default evil woman villain, and it’s nice to see how she changes these stories to reflect it. The bones are there, they’re just given a much needed renovation!
I noticed some easter eggs from the previous books like Ariel loves Freed and R+T- those were cute! I forgot to mention it in my review of A Song of Sea and Shore that I loved seeing Ariel and Freed- I guess I shouldn’t have skipped around- I want to see if they show up in Barnyard Princess and Kingdom of Thorns!
I liked the book. I wish I had read it when I was well so I could have enjoyed it more, but I’m still glad nonetheless!
I have to address the other review on this page: the one that has a weird fixation on STDs.
Let me recap something: this book has dwarves, a magic mirror, jewelry that can make you tell the truth/change your appearance, stones that glow, fairies, nightmare creatures, etc.. And this reviewer got super fixated on the lack of… syphillis? I laughed so hard reading this review, because it really seemed like that person wanted the moral of this story to be
To appease Her Majesty, I have taken the liberty to rewrite a selection from the novel. Mrs. Macdonald, I hope you don’t mind.
“I picked up the proper, er, precations,” he said. “Earlier in the week. Just in case. Slightly presumptuous, I know, but if you want to-“
“I want to, but I must ask first. Have you been routinely screened after each of your sexual partners for venereal diseases? Why, you could be going mad from Syphillis, or teeming with chlamydia or ghonnorea, which could render the both of us impotent and unable to bear children!”
“I am so glad you brought that up,” he said as grabbed a roll of parchment out of his pack and smiled.
“My doctor at Planned Parenthood provides me with blood testing before and after each new sexual partner. While at my appointments, we also discuss what contraceptives I am using, as well as any questions I may have about my body. Here’s my last 2 years of test results.”
Eirwen was impressed, but skeptical. “How do I know that you don’t have a sexually transmitted disease that just hasn’t been found yet? Protection doesn’t mean sex is risk free outside a faithful, monogamous, marital relationship with a partner who is not infected.”
Cole reached into his pack again, this time pulling out brightly colored individually wrapped items. “That’s the best part. We don’t need to worry when we have these.”
“Jimmy hats? Cole, condoms aren’t 100% effective against venereal diseases. My youth pastor taught me that.”
“Ordinarily, you would be right. But these are magical jimmies, blessed by fairies. They work just like any other magical item we have used, so you don’t have to question it. Luckily for us, the fairies at Planned Parenthood give them out for free to encourage safe sex. They’re 100% effective, will heal any unknown STDs, and are biodegradable.”
“Wow,” Eirwen said with a blush, “It seems like we have gone over all of my concerns. I’m glad that we had this mature conversation as two consenting adults.”
I am pleased with this Snow White retelling, as it took a fairly boring story of “this child fell asleep and was kissed by a grown man who she hardly knew and then they lived happily ever after”, and actually gave Snow a much needed facelift. And age up.
Instead, we are introduced to Eirwen (Snow), who has aged up 5 years and has NERVE. We learned that she has been living happily with the dwarves after her escape, and goes on Indiana Jones type adventures during her downtime. She comes into her own and eventually makes some tough decisions.
Through flashbacks, we are introduced to her stepbrother, Prince Cole, and…
Look I’m just gonna say it. If you liked Life With Derek as a kid, and didn’t quite understand why you wanted Derek and Casey to kiss, but you knew you needed to keep that want on the low-low, I think you’re gonna like this book.
“There were easier ways of getting me into bed…”
“You’re vile,” she hissed, bringing the needle to his skin, “we’re technically stepsiblings, you know. Or were.”
“It’s not like we grew up together or share any blood at all, it’s not weird.”
“It is disgusting and so are you.” She pushed against his chest. “Lie still.”
This was the moment when I texted my sister and said “WHERE IS THIS BOOK GOING”
To which she replied “Help me stepbrother, I’m stuck”
All jokes aside, you only think about the step-relationship at the beginning of the book when it’s all flashbacks of them having childhood banter and present-day conversations of them bringing it up. After the first 1/3 of the book, I mostly forgot about the “taboo”ness.
There was a lot to like about this book. It was very adventure heavy, which was a little more than the other 3 in the series I read. There were some fun side characters (the dwarves are not caricatures anymore!), FEMALE FRIENDSHIP which you know I love, and a villain who is not what she seems. (I liked the twist about the Queen and her motivations!) I saw somewhere the author mentioned that she does not like the default evil woman villain, and it’s nice to see how she changes these stories to reflect it. The bones are there, they’re just given a much needed renovation!
I noticed some easter eggs from the previous books like Ariel loves Freed and R+T- those were cute! I forgot to mention it in my review of A Song of Sea and Shore that I loved seeing Ariel and Freed- I guess I shouldn’t have skipped around- I want to see if they show up in Barnyard Princess and Kingdom of Thorns!
I liked the book. I wish I had read it when I was well so I could have enjoyed it more, but I’m still glad nonetheless!
I have to address the other review on this page: the one that has a weird fixation on STDs.
Let me recap something: this book has dwarves, a magic mirror, jewelry that can make you tell the truth/change your appearance, stones that glow, fairies, nightmare creatures, etc.. And this reviewer got super fixated on the lack of… syphillis? I laughed so hard reading this review, because it really seemed like that person wanted the moral of this story to be
To appease Her Majesty, I have taken the liberty to rewrite a selection from the novel. Mrs. Macdonald, I hope you don’t mind.
“I picked up the proper, er, precations,” he said. “Earlier in the week. Just in case. Slightly presumptuous, I know, but if you want to-“
“I want to, but I must ask first. Have you been routinely screened after each of your sexual partners for venereal diseases? Why, you could be going mad from Syphillis, or teeming with chlamydia or ghonnorea, which could render the both of us impotent and unable to bear children!”
“I am so glad you brought that up,” he said as grabbed a roll of parchment out of his pack and smiled.
“My doctor at Planned Parenthood provides me with blood testing before and after each new sexual partner. While at my appointments, we also discuss what contraceptives I am using, as well as any questions I may have about my body. Here’s my last 2 years of test results.”
Eirwen was impressed, but skeptical. “How do I know that you don’t have a sexually transmitted disease that just hasn’t been found yet? Protection doesn’t mean sex is risk free outside a faithful, monogamous, marital relationship with a partner who is not infected.”
Cole reached into his pack again, this time pulling out brightly colored individually wrapped items. “That’s the best part. We don’t need to worry when we have these.”
“Jimmy hats? Cole, condoms aren’t 100% effective against venereal diseases. My youth pastor taught me that.”
“Ordinarily, you would be right. But these are magical jimmies, blessed by fairies. They work just like any other magical item we have used, so you don’t have to question it. Luckily for us, the fairies at Planned Parenthood give them out for free to encourage safe sex. They’re 100% effective, will heal any unknown STDs, and are biodegradable.”
“Wow,” Eirwen said with a blush, “It seems like we have gone over all of my concerns. I’m glad that we had this mature conversation as two consenting adults.”
Read
July 16, 2022Obviously I read it. Many times. It's my beautiful baby number 7!
Honestly, I had such fun writing this, it's been difficult to get into my Little Mermaid retelling where the fact that the MC doesn't have a voice means that the flirty banter is fairly minimal.
The flirty banter in this book? It's en pointe, if I do say so myself. Cole x Eirwen were hilarious to write with their endless back-and-forths, and both verbal and physical sparring. I need to write another love/hate/reluctant allies book STAT.
Like all my retellings, this story gives the heroine back her agency. She is no longer a passenger in her own story but a person with choices and wishes. She is far from unsupported in her quest as she is backed by her entire adoptive family, a diverse group of dwarves capable of kicking butt and cooking pies. Honestly, I wish I'd had time to give all of them a bit more attention.
Anyway, if you like fairy tales but hate insipid heroines, you'll probably enjoy this, especially if you also enjoy romance and the wittiest of banter!
Honestly, I had such fun writing this, it's been difficult to get into my Little Mermaid retelling where the fact that the MC doesn't have a voice means that the flirty banter is fairly minimal.
The flirty banter in this book? It's en pointe, if I do say so myself. Cole x Eirwen were hilarious to write with their endless back-and-forths, and both verbal and physical sparring. I need to write another love/hate/reluctant allies book STAT.
Like all my retellings, this story gives the heroine back her agency. She is no longer a passenger in her own story but a person with choices and wishes. She is far from unsupported in her quest as she is backed by her entire adoptive family, a diverse group of dwarves capable of kicking butt and cooking pies. Honestly, I wish I'd had time to give all of them a bit more attention.
Anyway, if you like fairy tales but hate insipid heroines, you'll probably enjoy this, especially if you also enjoy romance and the wittiest of banter!
December 11, 2021
To be honest, I'm not a big fan of the original Snow White tale, but I love Katherine's books, so of course I was going to read it haha. And I couldn't put it down. I am in love with Eirwen's character, and the relationship she develops with Cole is just brilliant. I also love Cole's own character development, the complex relationship with his mother. Oh and the dwarves, I love them all, especially Onyx. So many things happen in this book, and I don't want to spoil, but let me tell you there's not a single chapter where you will think "ok, things are calming down, I'll stop here for today". (Which is why I read it in 2 days.) Alright, I'm not a big fan of Snow White but oh my, I loved every second of A Tale of Ice and Ash !!
June 29, 2021
Absolutely Fantastic!
I want to preface this review by saying I read a lot. Like, easily 150 books a year. One of the things I adore, is a week done fairytale adaptation, and without a doubt, this is the very best Snow White I've ever read. It was perfect and beautiful in every way. I've never read anything by Katherine Macdonald, and there were only 26 reviews when I read this, but I am so grateful I took a chance! Would definitely recommend this to anyone.
I want to preface this review by saying I read a lot. Like, easily 150 books a year. One of the things I adore, is a week done fairytale adaptation, and without a doubt, this is the very best Snow White I've ever read. It was perfect and beautiful in every way. I've never read anything by Katherine Macdonald, and there were only 26 reviews when I read this, but I am so grateful I took a chance! Would definitely recommend this to anyone.
December 22, 2021
Another lovely lovely reworking of a timeless favourite.
The romance is fun and sweet, the story is very exciting my heart was in my mouth in several places, and the Dwarves were loveable and memorable sweethearts.
It’s a new classic and I know I’ll be reading the whole series again.
That’s the thing about good fairy tales, they never get old.
I enjoyed every minute.
The evil wicked villain was very evil and wicked indeed.
Excellent!
The romance is fun and sweet, the story is very exciting my heart was in my mouth in several places, and the Dwarves were loveable and memorable sweethearts.
It’s a new classic and I know I’ll be reading the whole series again.
That’s the thing about good fairy tales, they never get old.
I enjoyed every minute.
The evil wicked villain was very evil and wicked indeed.
Excellent!
November 8, 2020
A fantastic retelling! I loved this Snow White retelling...as with Katherine Macdonalds other books, you won't find any damsels in distress here... No helpless princesses!
The romance was perfectly done, and I think my favourite so far. The book is packed full of witty banter... Action... Twists.
Cannot wait for the more books from this author.
The romance was perfectly done, and I think my favourite so far. The book is packed full of witty banter... Action... Twists.
Cannot wait for the more books from this author.
November 3, 2021
A highly enjoyable reimagining of Snow White. The banter between Eirwen and Cole was delightful. I also love when a character refers to their love interest by a special nickname, and seeing Cole call Eirwen "Snow" (and the transition to him calling her by her true name, and her requesting the nickname because she's grown fond of it) was great.
May 26, 2021
After reading The Rose and The Thorn, I was ready to binge Katherine MacDonald books, so I started this one next as recommended by a friend. I typically dislike most Snow White retellings be it in movie or book format. I never feel like I can connect with Snow White or the story. WELL I'm glad I set the disdain for the story aside, because this retelling of Snow White was different and utterly compelling. It was so much deeper than any other and had layers of story weaved in.
First, instead of Snow/Eirwen taking care of a bunch of dwarves, she's adopted into a dwarf family that is more dynamic than just 7 men, and it.changes.everything.completely. Each member has their own personality and you root for them throughout the book. I said it in a different review and I'll say it again here: one of the things Katherine does well in all her books is establishing ah-mazing side characters that are as lovable and 'real' as the main characters. Read it just to appreciate grump, but lovely Onyx.
Snow is a role model and honestly a badass. She's brave and strong, but also kind. She learns along the way which is the pinnacle of a good character in my eyes. Cole is equally great and goes through his own journey and development. Their banter is so entertaining and the longing and chemistry was on point. This book does have quite a few “heart monologues” as I’ve termed them. Paragraphs of longing or deep feelings about another character. It’s not personally my cup of tea, but I know some people do like it! I skimmed those paragraphs and continued on.
Overall though, a stunning book that I continue to think about a week later!
First, instead of Snow/Eirwen taking care of a bunch of dwarves, she's adopted into a dwarf family that is more dynamic than just 7 men, and it.changes.everything.completely. Each member has their own personality and you root for them throughout the book. I said it in a different review and I'll say it again here: one of the things Katherine does well in all her books is establishing ah-mazing side characters that are as lovable and 'real' as the main characters. Read it just to appreciate grump, but lovely Onyx.
Snow is a role model and honestly a badass. She's brave and strong, but also kind. She learns along the way which is the pinnacle of a good character in my eyes. Cole is equally great and goes through his own journey and development. Their banter is so entertaining and the longing and chemistry was on point. This book does have quite a few “heart monologues” as I’ve termed them. Paragraphs of longing or deep feelings about another character. It’s not personally my cup of tea, but I know some people do like it! I skimmed those paragraphs and continued on.
Overall though, a stunning book that I continue to think about a week later!
December 23, 2021
I did not even read the description when I got this ARC lol well I read it but did not think much about it lol, I saw it was from Kate and just snatched it. Well, I actually saw the part where it said there are step-siblings and usually it is a no-no for me, but I told myself to be open-minded. And y'all, no worries they are not related at all, like in any way, so if you can roll with it get this book.
Apart from this, the book was a pleasure to read (at this point I am biased because I love anything Kate writes haha), the pace, and the banter was just great (I think like I do not need to write about this as each book is filled with banter which makes you laugh so hard sometimes).
The only reason I gave 4 starts is that, I am going through some stuff and just could not enjoy the book as I would normally would but nevertheless. The book is short itself and it has a real easy writing, so ideal if you are after a quick read yourself. And as usual I finish with saying thank you very much for the book, my Queen.
Apart from this, the book was a pleasure to read (at this point I am biased because I love anything Kate writes haha), the pace, and the banter was just great (I think like I do not need to write about this as each book is filled with banter which makes you laugh so hard sometimes).
The only reason I gave 4 starts is that, I am going through some stuff and just could not enjoy the book as I would normally would but nevertheless. The book is short itself and it has a real easy writing, so ideal if you are after a quick read yourself. And as usual I finish with saying thank you very much for the book, my Queen.
January 30, 2021
I am in love with fairy tale retellings and Snow White is an excellent subject for one, something this writer handles with expertise. The basic elements that you know to be staples of the story remain but have been given a fresh cost of paint as it were.
Snow and her dwarf family are easily the highlight of this tale. Every time they had significant page time, I just ate up every single second of it. Snow is a passionate, feisty protagonist but has her moments of weakness and flaws. Seeing her interact with the dwarves that have given her shelter is a delight. I love seeing Dwarven culture get focus and it delivers here masterfully.
You likely won’t like Cole...at first. This is a good thing. His character is developed so well and realistically and his initial first impression is one reason why it works so well.
Overall, if you’re a fan of culture, strong protagonists and a nice dose of found family, definitely put this one on your TBR list.
Snow and her dwarf family are easily the highlight of this tale. Every time they had significant page time, I just ate up every single second of it. Snow is a passionate, feisty protagonist but has her moments of weakness and flaws. Seeing her interact with the dwarves that have given her shelter is a delight. I love seeing Dwarven culture get focus and it delivers here masterfully.
You likely won’t like Cole...at first. This is a good thing. His character is developed so well and realistically and his initial first impression is one reason why it works so well.
Overall, if you’re a fan of culture, strong protagonists and a nice dose of found family, definitely put this one on your TBR list.
January 11, 2022
A wonderful, reimagined retelling of Snow White. This book has a strong, well-developed and an interesting story line with twists and unexpected turns keep you reading and turning the pages. It pulled me in from beginning to end and held my attention. Amazing world building that is detailed and imaginable. I felt like I was right there watching, feeling, and experiencing the book...not just reading it. The atmosphere created and characters were so realistic. Strong, interesting, and fascinating characters that are well developed and diverse. This is a fast-paced intriguing read! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 27, 2020
A fairy tale with a difference. Katherine MacDonald has taken Snow White to a whole new level. She has empowered Snow to save herself and her kingdom. I found this book to be a great read. It's one I would prefer to read to my nieces rather than the original. It would show them that women could save themselves.
I would say this is a terrific read. It has all the things needed for a bestseller a little romance, a little action and some drama for balance. Highly recommend.
I would say this is a terrific read. It has all the things needed for a bestseller a little romance, a little action and some drama for balance. Highly recommend.
December 26, 2021
There are remnants of the originally Snow White story that make it recognizable, but Snow, or Eirwen as she’s named in this story, is no passive, simple princess hiding in the woods. The dwarves are much more complex than being reduced to one word descriptions as in Disney adaptation which adds wonderful complexity and richness to the story. Eirwen is indeed hiding from her evil stepmother, but more developed reasons and storyline are given as explanation.
The story follow Eirwen on her journey back to the throne to reclaim her throne and save her people, helped by the dwarf family she had come to love and Cole, the current crown prince. I enjoyed Cole’s character as we get to watch him grapple with learning his mother’s awfulness and come to his own decision about which side of the battle he will stand on. He goes on his own journey here to maturity and honor. I enjoyed him very much, and watching is playful, teasing banter with Eirwen. Katherine Macdonald does it again with beautifully creating a strong female character who fights her own battles and a love interest that respects that strength. The prince awakening the princess with a kiss part of the story was done well - no male dominated possessiveness or forcing himself on the princess. She controlled the situation and directed the outcome. Fantastic!
I enjoyed the side character Marie, Eirwen’s childhood friend, very much. She was delightful and just the kind of friend every girl would love to have!
All in all, the story and characters are well-developed and complex - I was entertained throughout the whole story. I enjoyed it but did not fall in love with it as much as other Katherine Macdonald books so I give it 4.5/5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The story follow Eirwen on her journey back to the throne to reclaim her throne and save her people, helped by the dwarf family she had come to love and Cole, the current crown prince. I enjoyed Cole’s character as we get to watch him grapple with learning his mother’s awfulness and come to his own decision about which side of the battle he will stand on. He goes on his own journey here to maturity and honor. I enjoyed him very much, and watching is playful, teasing banter with Eirwen. Katherine Macdonald does it again with beautifully creating a strong female character who fights her own battles and a love interest that respects that strength. The prince awakening the princess with a kiss part of the story was done well - no male dominated possessiveness or forcing himself on the princess. She controlled the situation and directed the outcome. Fantastic!
I enjoyed the side character Marie, Eirwen’s childhood friend, very much. She was delightful and just the kind of friend every girl would love to have!
All in all, the story and characters are well-developed and complex - I was entertained throughout the whole story. I enjoyed it but did not fall in love with it as much as other Katherine Macdonald books so I give it 4.5/5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 29, 2022
Katherine Macdonald continues her reign as the queen of fairytale retelling with A Tale of Ice and Ash!
In this amazing Snow White retelling, Macdonald crafts an entirely new world, giving both Snow and the dwarves a rich history coupled with magic, danger, and love.
Pulling from a few elements of the original story along the way, this completely unique tale had me hooked from the beginning. It was such a fun read with a perfect amazing for this not so traditional fairy tale.
I’m officially a super fan of Macdonald’s and I can’t wait for more of her fantastic books.
*I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and this is my honest, voluntary review.*
In this amazing Snow White retelling, Macdonald crafts an entirely new world, giving both Snow and the dwarves a rich history coupled with magic, danger, and love.
Pulling from a few elements of the original story along the way, this completely unique tale had me hooked from the beginning. It was such a fun read with a perfect amazing for this not so traditional fairy tale.
I’m officially a super fan of Macdonald’s and I can’t wait for more of her fantastic books.
*I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and this is my honest, voluntary review.*
November 16, 2020
If you want a snappy, exciting, diverse, and delightful retelling of Snow White, this is IT. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The banter between the leads was to die for!! so witty and fun. I loved the worldbuilding, the complexity of the villain (she's not the Evil Queen from the kids' movie!), and the addition of some pretty terrifying monsters and mysterious magic. I've really enjoyed every book from this author but I can honestly say this is my absolute favorite. Will definitely read it again!
December 5, 2022
I really enjoyed this one. Eirwen is a strong, kind character. She's self-reliant at times, but also willing to admit when she needs help. The main romantic relationship was a little weird given the characters were technically step-siblings (although not raised together) but I think it worked alright. The plot was engaging and often surprising. The twists on the fairytale were excellent and made clever use of the story's original elements while maintaining the princess's agency and self-determination.
January 21, 2021
As always, I adored this latest edition to Katherine Macdonalds Fairytales retold series.
She always manages to create such wonderful worlds, filled with interesting and original characters, putting her own spin on the tales.
Her use of banter, flirtations and emotion made those characters come to life on the pages, making me have so many mixed feelings throughout reading.
Loving moments.
Heart wrenching moments.
Fear.
You name it.
Of all the characters, I think I adored Cole and Onyx thme most.
Onyx was moody, but so loveable, and Cole made me laugh. I couldn't help but feel a connection with him.
And Eirwen (our snow white) was certainly no damsel in distress. She was more than capable of saving herself, not waiting around for her prince charming to arrive.
The chemistry between her and Cole is endearing, and steamy too. The dialogue on point.
'"I hate your hidden depths," she whispered, smiling.
"No, you don't."
"Fine, I hate your confidence."
"hmm, no, I'm fairly sure you like that too."
"You're insufferable."
"Yes," he said, moving closer, "but I think you enjoy that most of all." '
I loved this book, and cannot wait for the next in the series.
She always manages to create such wonderful worlds, filled with interesting and original characters, putting her own spin on the tales.
Her use of banter, flirtations and emotion made those characters come to life on the pages, making me have so many mixed feelings throughout reading.
Loving moments.
Heart wrenching moments.
Fear.
You name it.
Of all the characters, I think I adored Cole and Onyx thme most.
Onyx was moody, but so loveable, and Cole made me laugh. I couldn't help but feel a connection with him.
And Eirwen (our snow white) was certainly no damsel in distress. She was more than capable of saving herself, not waiting around for her prince charming to arrive.
The chemistry between her and Cole is endearing, and steamy too. The dialogue on point.
'"I hate your hidden depths," she whispered, smiling.
"No, you don't."
"Fine, I hate your confidence."
"hmm, no, I'm fairly sure you like that too."
"You're insufferable."
"Yes," he said, moving closer, "but I think you enjoy that most of all." '
I loved this book, and cannot wait for the next in the series.
January 1, 2022
I really enjoyed this fairytale retelling that retains many of the aspects of the original, while providing a strong, charismatic heroine, and twists and turns that make it a unique story in its own right. The prince and princess in this story are 'all grown up' so to speak and they both grow and change as they learn about themselves, each other, and the world. I love that the heroine has been 'modernized' in the sense that she is intelligent and self-propelled. She's not sitting around waiting to be rescued. I like the role model she presents, but due to some steamy scenes, I would recommend the story for older teens and above.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 13, 2021
The more I read Katherine Macdonald's books the more I love her! A Tale of Ice and Ash is a Snow White retelling and it is everything you could possibly want. The characters were simply wonderful and each of the dwarves were incredibly endearing in their own way. Katherine has created a truly magical story staring a brave princess with a good heart. The relationship between Snow and the prince is perfect. There's no love and first sight, it's real and it's believable. A strong female lead with lots of twists and the odd poisoned apple.
December 31, 2021
loved it !!! love this series !!! love Cole !!! OMG !!! love Eirwen... this is their story... a fast paced action packed drama... a re-telling of snow white... twists on twists... snow white is all grown up... yes, her evil step mother tried to kill her... but, she escaped ... and is now the master of the Dwarvin underground ... she will lead an army to regain control of her kingdom...and Cole ? he is her enemy's son... this is their story...
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 12, 2021
Needling and saying harsh things you don’t mean aren’t romantic
The premise is good, the plot is well thought out, the imagery is lovely, the romance does well portraying healthy consent negotiation, waiting for consent, and not assuming consent for future or more intimate actions based on past consent for one action. It is pretty awful otherwise.
The hero pressures the heroine constantly to be sexually available while she constantly tells him to stop and he is also verbally abusive. Supposedly this is okay because he apologized, but then he goes on to consistently verbally annoy her because it pleases him to hurt her emotionally and makes him feel like he’s being funny. Constant verbal abuse creates chronic stress and that can lead to illness or ongoing medical issues. It isn’t flirting, it isn’t funny, and it’s not okay to take joy in someone else’s pain. I will need to explain to my tween that this is not safe behavior in someone she might consider dating when she is older.
Then, the heroine insults hero after she properly consents to the romance when he doesn’t deserve it and says harsh things to him that she doesn’t even mean throughout the supposed HEA. In some ways she is creating emotional distance because she inn’t comfortable with intimacy, but she never heals or gets past this unhealthy behavior. Psychologically speaking, contempt, disdain, defensiveness and stonewalling are activities in verbal interactions between couples that will eventually destroy the relationship. This is not a recipe for HEA and it isn’t fun to read. James 3:10 states that blessing and cursing should not come out of the same mouth. A person either acts in a loving way and speaks in a loving way or they are not loving at all because their behavior and the words are not an agreement with one another. Disagreement between words and actions mean that a person is not being sincere and are not a safe person to trust. Proverbs 26:18 explains that a person who metaphorically shoots flaming arrows at their neighbor and then claims they were only joking is insane. This is because speaking in a contemptuous way destroys the relationship. Contempt and disdain are not flirting and they are not romantic. Verbal abuse is not okay and minimizing the damage it causes by pretending that acting kind in other ways is fixes it is unhelpful. It takes 10 good interactions to make up for 1 bad one and retain a solid foundation for the relationship.
Next, the hero sleeps around and there is no discussion of the STD’s he put himself at risk for. Fictionally, STD’s can be imagined away, but a parent proofreading the book for a tween will need to discuss the message the book gives about casual sex because it portrays the hero’s access to experience as only positive. STD’s don’t always show symptoms and many can injure a woman’s fertility.
Additionally, the bonding hormone makes a chemical bond that breaks when you lose a relationship. The pain network in the brain can’t differentiate between a broken arm and a lost relationship. That is one reason grieving death hurts so much. Making a chemical bond occurs every relationship and every sexual experience. Breaking chemical relational bonds over and over may be ignored emotionally, but it abuses your own social support bonding capacity and eventually it can interfere with forming long term relational bonds.
Further, the hero & heroine engage in extramarital sex with an aside that the hero has brought some vague form of “protection.” Condoms reduce the risk of contracting some forms of STD’s when used correctly & don’t protect against HPV skin contact or any areas where Syphilis outbreaks are not covered. Chlamydia and gonorrhea can be found in the throat in addition to the genital area and it isn’t always obvious that someone is infected. Current outbreaks are epidemic in the population and many infected people don’t know they have an STD or that they are spreading it. “ Protection,” doesn’t mean sex is risk free outside a faithful, monogamous, marital relationship with a partner who is not infected. The book doesn’t even mention possible treatment for STD’s from casual sex. There are a lot of mature themes that I would have to address from this book if I allow my tween to read it because it discusses extramarital sex without actually discussing the facts about risks that are involved in the real world.
The random mention of the married homosexual character does not allow him to act realistically with the plot. As the remnant group of attempted genocide, how does he deal with the fact that he cannot procreate? Does it ever bother him or how does he process grief for losing his heritage & not being able to create a new heritage to grant as an inheritance? He is infertile in all practical ways, which usually leads to grief. How does he cope with it? The other characters get to add insights of their own, but he’s really more of a 2-D character who seems to be a token part of the imagery rather than a full person.
Strong reservations about recommending.
The premise is good, the plot is well thought out, the imagery is lovely, the romance does well portraying healthy consent negotiation, waiting for consent, and not assuming consent for future or more intimate actions based on past consent for one action. It is pretty awful otherwise.
The hero pressures the heroine constantly to be sexually available while she constantly tells him to stop and he is also verbally abusive. Supposedly this is okay because he apologized, but then he goes on to consistently verbally annoy her because it pleases him to hurt her emotionally and makes him feel like he’s being funny. Constant verbal abuse creates chronic stress and that can lead to illness or ongoing medical issues. It isn’t flirting, it isn’t funny, and it’s not okay to take joy in someone else’s pain. I will need to explain to my tween that this is not safe behavior in someone she might consider dating when she is older.
Then, the heroine insults hero after she properly consents to the romance when he doesn’t deserve it and says harsh things to him that she doesn’t even mean throughout the supposed HEA. In some ways she is creating emotional distance because she inn’t comfortable with intimacy, but she never heals or gets past this unhealthy behavior. Psychologically speaking, contempt, disdain, defensiveness and stonewalling are activities in verbal interactions between couples that will eventually destroy the relationship. This is not a recipe for HEA and it isn’t fun to read. James 3:10 states that blessing and cursing should not come out of the same mouth. A person either acts in a loving way and speaks in a loving way or they are not loving at all because their behavior and the words are not an agreement with one another. Disagreement between words and actions mean that a person is not being sincere and are not a safe person to trust. Proverbs 26:18 explains that a person who metaphorically shoots flaming arrows at their neighbor and then claims they were only joking is insane. This is because speaking in a contemptuous way destroys the relationship. Contempt and disdain are not flirting and they are not romantic. Verbal abuse is not okay and minimizing the damage it causes by pretending that acting kind in other ways is fixes it is unhelpful. It takes 10 good interactions to make up for 1 bad one and retain a solid foundation for the relationship.
Next, the hero sleeps around and there is no discussion of the STD’s he put himself at risk for. Fictionally, STD’s can be imagined away, but a parent proofreading the book for a tween will need to discuss the message the book gives about casual sex because it portrays the hero’s access to experience as only positive. STD’s don’t always show symptoms and many can injure a woman’s fertility.
Additionally, the bonding hormone makes a chemical bond that breaks when you lose a relationship. The pain network in the brain can’t differentiate between a broken arm and a lost relationship. That is one reason grieving death hurts so much. Making a chemical bond occurs every relationship and every sexual experience. Breaking chemical relational bonds over and over may be ignored emotionally, but it abuses your own social support bonding capacity and eventually it can interfere with forming long term relational bonds.
Further, the hero & heroine engage in extramarital sex with an aside that the hero has brought some vague form of “protection.” Condoms reduce the risk of contracting some forms of STD’s when used correctly & don’t protect against HPV skin contact or any areas where Syphilis outbreaks are not covered. Chlamydia and gonorrhea can be found in the throat in addition to the genital area and it isn’t always obvious that someone is infected. Current outbreaks are epidemic in the population and many infected people don’t know they have an STD or that they are spreading it. “ Protection,” doesn’t mean sex is risk free outside a faithful, monogamous, marital relationship with a partner who is not infected. The book doesn’t even mention possible treatment for STD’s from casual sex. There are a lot of mature themes that I would have to address from this book if I allow my tween to read it because it discusses extramarital sex without actually discussing the facts about risks that are involved in the real world.
The random mention of the married homosexual character does not allow him to act realistically with the plot. As the remnant group of attempted genocide, how does he deal with the fact that he cannot procreate? Does it ever bother him or how does he process grief for losing his heritage & not being able to create a new heritage to grant as an inheritance? He is infertile in all practical ways, which usually leads to grief. How does he cope with it? The other characters get to add insights of their own, but he’s really more of a 2-D character who seems to be a token part of the imagery rather than a full person.
Strong reservations about recommending.
November 16, 2020
This book is up there with my favourite of Kate's – The Rose and the Thorn. I think R&T just pips it because I had such a soft spot for the beast!
I really loved the spin Kate put on this classic fairytale. It's got all the elements you'll know from the original, but with additions in all the best places, such as, ahem, a much better, far wittier, definitely cheekier prince. The dynamic between him and Snow is just *chef's kiss*. Could not get enough of it.
One of my favourite things about these retellings that Kate does is how she strips away all the questionable, would-not-fly-today stuff from the originals and makes it much better. You'll find it in all of her books – characters with actual agency and love interests who care about consent. It might seem like a small issue, but it's so damn refreshing to see.
Would recommend highly.
I really loved the spin Kate put on this classic fairytale. It's got all the elements you'll know from the original, but with additions in all the best places, such as, ahem, a much better, far wittier, definitely cheekier prince. The dynamic between him and Snow is just *chef's kiss*. Could not get enough of it.
One of my favourite things about these retellings that Kate does is how she strips away all the questionable, would-not-fly-today stuff from the originals and makes it much better. You'll find it in all of her books – characters with actual agency and love interests who care about consent. It might seem like a small issue, but it's so damn refreshing to see.
Would recommend highly.
May 13, 2021
I have so many thoughts. First, Cole.
Cole, Cole, Cole, Cole. A BEAUTIFULLY written character. Her best yet. Eirwen, too, was so well developed. Their personalities make the relationship stack on itself, making it more structured and stable with each passage. A beautifully written couple. Maybe my favorite pairing yet. The reader gets how *right* they are for each other. The relationship builds so beautifully, so *naturally* from start to finish. From the moment we are introduced to them on page one to the ending lines (be prepared to cry!).
Their relationship was so natural, it weaves in and out, the perfect blend of harmony and discord. It completely made sense how their personalities were drawn together. They felt the most REAL and fleshed out of MacDonald’s fairytale characters.
Next: The plot. Amazing. AH-MAZE-ING. It pulses, it moves, it quickens and slows and grows and grips you, and you are NEVER in a dull moment, NEVER. Now THAT is a feat worth recognizing! Also her best plot yet, and you can really see the progression in her writing here. With each book her plots have become more intricate and this one showcases that beautifully.
Dynamics: Looooove the added family dynamic of the dwarves. It’s not just seven men, but a whole family and she has a mom and dad dwarf, and different dynamics there with each one, and the familial addition just really, REALLY sells it. Brilliant.
Style: Kate MacDonald’s writing style isn’t bogged down by chunks of dry description. Instead it flows throughout the story and breathes with it. The action is alive and jumps out at you from the page. Not to mention how poetic her style is. Oh, so poetic... The way she wraps around a character’s head (and heart) is so astounding... I would cut off my right arm to write like thatI (Except not really... because then writing would be difficult.)
As beautiful as this book is, there should be a big fat WARNING sign: YOU WILL BE WEEPING MORE THAN ONCE. I won’t spoil anything but let’s just say she really knows how to pull those heartstrings! Hold back, she did not. Milk it, she definitely did. And I hate (love) her for it.
Lastly, my love of Onyx has to be mentioned. Because... well, Onyx. I’ll let you find out for yourself, but let’s just say Onyx stole my heart!
All-around an amazing adventure, moving plot, and characters so naturally developed that make you want to cry and root for true love!
Cole, Cole, Cole, Cole. A BEAUTIFULLY written character. Her best yet. Eirwen, too, was so well developed. Their personalities make the relationship stack on itself, making it more structured and stable with each passage. A beautifully written couple. Maybe my favorite pairing yet. The reader gets how *right* they are for each other. The relationship builds so beautifully, so *naturally* from start to finish. From the moment we are introduced to them on page one to the ending lines (be prepared to cry!).
Their relationship was so natural, it weaves in and out, the perfect blend of harmony and discord. It completely made sense how their personalities were drawn together. They felt the most REAL and fleshed out of MacDonald’s fairytale characters.
Next: The plot. Amazing. AH-MAZE-ING. It pulses, it moves, it quickens and slows and grows and grips you, and you are NEVER in a dull moment, NEVER. Now THAT is a feat worth recognizing! Also her best plot yet, and you can really see the progression in her writing here. With each book her plots have become more intricate and this one showcases that beautifully.
Dynamics: Looooove the added family dynamic of the dwarves. It’s not just seven men, but a whole family and she has a mom and dad dwarf, and different dynamics there with each one, and the familial addition just really, REALLY sells it. Brilliant.
Style: Kate MacDonald’s writing style isn’t bogged down by chunks of dry description. Instead it flows throughout the story and breathes with it. The action is alive and jumps out at you from the page. Not to mention how poetic her style is. Oh, so poetic... The way she wraps around a character’s head (and heart) is so astounding... I would cut off my right arm to write like thatI (Except not really... because then writing would be difficult.)
As beautiful as this book is, there should be a big fat WARNING sign: YOU WILL BE WEEPING MORE THAN ONCE. I won’t spoil anything but let’s just say she really knows how to pull those heartstrings! Hold back, she did not. Milk it, she definitely did. And I hate (love) her for it.
Lastly, my love of Onyx has to be mentioned. Because... well, Onyx. I’ll let you find out for yourself, but let’s just say Onyx stole my heart!
All-around an amazing adventure, moving plot, and characters so naturally developed that make you want to cry and root for true love!
December 12, 2021
Rating: 4.25 Stars
“Sacrifice is a strange thing, you know. It’s utterly selfless selfishness. In the moment, it’s the right thing to do, but honestly, it’s easy to be brave for a moment. It’s easy to die. It’s the people that love you that pay the real price.”
I enjoyed A Song of Sea and Shore, but I absolutely adored A Tale of Ice and Ash. Macdonald has a talent for bringing to life fantastical worlds, as well as writing new, yet familiar retellings of iconic fairy tale classics.
The characters and plot far outshone that of the original Snow White, but the banter was without a doubt my favorite aspect. This is definitely worth reading for lovers of clean, fairy tale retellings, featuring a competent heroine and sensitive hero.
“You’re not... you’re not terrible, you know.”
He rolled over and laughed. “Goodness, Snow. What sweet words you throw at me. Be careful. I might just fall in love with you.”
“And we’re back to detestable again. That was short lived.”
Title: A Tale of Ice and Ash by Katherine Macdonald
POV(s): Multiple—Third Person
Interconnected Series: Yes
Standalone: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
HEA:
Relationship: M/F
Genre(s): Fairy Tale Retelling, Clean Romance
Triggers: N/A
Tags/Tropes:
❖ Competent-Heroine
❖ Evil-Stepmother
❖ Family-Interference
❖ Found-Family
❖ Hate-to-Love
❖ Hero-Incorrigible-Flirt
❖ Heroine-Presumed-Dead
❖ Magic
❖ Rebellion
❖ Reclaim-the-Throne
❖ Reluctant-Allies
❖ Royalty
❖ Snow-White-Retelling
❖ Step-Siblings
❖ Tortured-Hero
❖ Virgin-Heroine
❖ Witty-Banter
November 16, 2020
In A Tale of Ice and Ash, we follow our Snow White character, Eirwen, as she joins with the evil queen’s son, Cole, to bring justice to their kingdom.
I love Kate Macdonald’s retellings, because she makes a point to correct the misogyny in the original fairytales! Eirwen is strong and controls her own actions, and while she sometimes needs help and “saving” (as do we all), she helps and saves others at least as often. This book also references consent and birth control, so hooray for that!
The story is made more adventurous with dwarves that are stronger and far more interesting than Disney’s versions. There’s an abandoned dwarven city underground, with some very dark magic. And speaking of dark magic, the magic mirror has the coolest story behind it. (I won’t say more than that, lest I give spoilers.) There’s even a Huntsman who is one of my favorite secondary characters.
Now let’s get to the romance! I can’t believe it took me four paragraphs to get there! This is such a beautiful (and fun!) story, with believable barriers to “happily ever after.“ I adore both these characters and the way they change as they learn to love each other. And while Macdonald keeps the story PG-13, there are some really delicious scenes, including one in a hot spring that I’ll willingly admit I went back to read a second time.
I’m definitely a fan of Kate Macdonald’s fairytale retellings, and a Tale of Ice and Ash is a five-star addition to the list!
I love Kate Macdonald’s retellings, because she makes a point to correct the misogyny in the original fairytales! Eirwen is strong and controls her own actions, and while she sometimes needs help and “saving” (as do we all), she helps and saves others at least as often. This book also references consent and birth control, so hooray for that!
The story is made more adventurous with dwarves that are stronger and far more interesting than Disney’s versions. There’s an abandoned dwarven city underground, with some very dark magic. And speaking of dark magic, the magic mirror has the coolest story behind it. (I won’t say more than that, lest I give spoilers.) There’s even a Huntsman who is one of my favorite secondary characters.
Now let’s get to the romance! I can’t believe it took me four paragraphs to get there! This is such a beautiful (and fun!) story, with believable barriers to “happily ever after.“ I adore both these characters and the way they change as they learn to love each other. And while Macdonald keeps the story PG-13, there are some really delicious scenes, including one in a hot spring that I’ll willingly admit I went back to read a second time.
I’m definitely a fan of Kate Macdonald’s fairytale retellings, and a Tale of Ice and Ash is a five-star addition to the list!
June 16, 2021
I picked this one up, because I liked how short and sweet The Barnyard Princess was by this author, but I think that overall this author’s fairy tale retellings are just not for me. There were a few things that really ruined this one in particular for me:
(1.) The MC personalities and relationship background were frustratingly similar to The Barnyard Princess… and the one actual difference in the MC relationship was that Snow White’s love interest in this book is in fact her BROTHER… Nope, nope, nope.
(2.) Much like this author’s Beauty and the Beast retelling, this Snow White retelling just felt like it dragged on for far too long. It really would have benefited from another couple rounds of editing.
(3.) There seemed to be some confusion on what the tone of the story was supposed to be. In particular, I was just really bothered by the sheer amount of modern slang and popular references in what is supposed to be a classic fantasy/fairy tale world. (There’s definitely a verbatim quote from Mark Twain in here as dialogue at one point, there is a side plot where Snow White is basically Lara Croft/Tomb Raider, and then zombies and the Roman god Janus make an appearance?)
So nice that you can try out this series on KU, but I don’t think I’m going to try any more from this series personally.
(1.) The MC personalities and relationship background were frustratingly similar to The Barnyard Princess… and the one actual difference in the MC relationship was that Snow White’s love interest in this book is in fact her BROTHER… Nope, nope, nope.
(2.) Much like this author’s Beauty and the Beast retelling, this Snow White retelling just felt like it dragged on for far too long. It really would have benefited from another couple rounds of editing.
(3.) There seemed to be some confusion on what the tone of the story was supposed to be. In particular, I was just really bothered by the sheer amount of modern slang and popular references in what is supposed to be a classic fantasy/fairy tale world. (There’s definitely a verbatim quote from Mark Twain in here as dialogue at one point, there is a side plot where Snow White is basically Lara Croft/Tomb Raider, and then zombies and the Roman god Janus make an appearance?)
So nice that you can try out this series on KU, but I don’t think I’m going to try any more from this series personally.
May 8, 2022
This was a fun, mostly (?) original retelling of Snow White. To be honest, it is similar to the movie Mirror, Mirror with Lilly Collins and Julia Roberts, but more badass. I like the idea of a warrior princess who fights to take back her throne. The pacing was pretty good and I was invested in the storyline. I thought the worldbuilding was interesting and engaging, especially the parts about the Queen and the Mirror. For the most part, I liked the dynamic of Eirwen and Cole, which has both the "reunited childhood friend" and "enemies to lovers" trope. What I did not like, however, was the sex scene. I feel like it didn't add anything to the plot, and I also did not like the implication that the only way you can truly and totally love someone is by having sex with them. Their relationship was wholesome and cute, and I liked the building relationship between them as they got to know each other better. I feel like the sex scene was forced into the storyline and contributed nothing. But that's just my opinion. I did like the ending though. It was very engaging and original. I do like Katherine McDonald's books, I just think they don't need the sex scenes. But overall this was a good book.
February 3, 2021
In some ways this was great. In others, not so much. Wasn't a fan of the fact that the love interests were step-siblings, especially since her father actively tried to adopt him and raise them as siblings for a year or two in their early teens. Maybe it's just my own sensitivity to the subject since we're adopting two kids around that age, but it was just really gross to me. I did love the adopted dwarvish family, though, and Snow's dwarf father is possibly my favourite character in the whole thing.
There was also some pretty mature content (PG-13 nudity, kissing, etc.) in the latter part of the book which makes this book hard to hand off to younger readers who would have otherwise enjoyed a fun Snow White retelling.
There was also some pretty mature content (PG-13 nudity, kissing, etc.) in the latter part of the book which makes this book hard to hand off to younger readers who would have otherwise enjoyed a fun Snow White retelling.
January 23, 2021
I really liked Katherine Macdonald’s take on the Snow White fairytale. The world building was truly unique and interesting. There was surprising depth to the characters, and I love the idea that people aren’t just born evil. They’re created. The author does a very good job at building that up and expanding on it throughout the story.
My absolute favorite part about this book was all the flirting. There was a lot of it, and the banter between the characters constantly had me cracking a smile. I also loved Onyx. He was the perfect grumpy but loving father dwarf.
A Tale of Ice and Ash is a great addition to the fairy tale retellings in this series, and I look forward to reading what’s next.
My absolute favorite part about this book was all the flirting. There was a lot of it, and the banter between the characters constantly had me cracking a smile. I also loved Onyx. He was the perfect grumpy but loving father dwarf.
A Tale of Ice and Ash is a great addition to the fairy tale retellings in this series, and I look forward to reading what’s next.
February 2, 2022
I loved it!
Katherine Macdonald is able to weave words into such beautiful and unique tales.
Snow White was never my favorite, but this retelling is glorious. I didn’t want to put it down and kept “uh-huhing” my husband while he tried to talk to me, hoping he’d get the hint and leave me alone till I’d finished it. (He didn’t..)
I was never able to relate to the Disney version of Snow. She had no real depth. This Snow was feisty and capable but also vulnerable and very fragile at times. She was much more human.
I put off reading this one because it was a Snow White retelling, but I’m glad I finally gave it a chance. It was well worth it!
Katherine Macdonald is able to weave words into such beautiful and unique tales.
Snow White was never my favorite, but this retelling is glorious. I didn’t want to put it down and kept “uh-huhing” my husband while he tried to talk to me, hoping he’d get the hint and leave me alone till I’d finished it. (He didn’t..)
I was never able to relate to the Disney version of Snow. She had no real depth. This Snow was feisty and capable but also vulnerable and very fragile at times. She was much more human.
I put off reading this one because it was a Snow White retelling, but I’m glad I finally gave it a chance. It was well worth it!
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