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Mischief Matchmakers #3
The Mirror
Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all….said no one ever.
Isabella Norveau was the daughter of a sorceress. Growing up, she learned the magic of her mother in their villa high in the mountains. Though she had everything she could ever desire, Isabella desired love over power. It was for this reason that she disobeyed her mother and eloped with a visiting king when she was only sixteen, only to find her dreams broken by a man who pined for his deceased wife, incapable of loving her. After a few years of suffering a loveless marriage, he eventually passed, and upon his death Isabella became guardian of his twelve-year-old daughter whom she’d loved like a sister and set above all others in her affections.
Ruling her kingdom with icy control and compassion, Isabella refused courtiers and turned away noble men who desired to woo her. She allowed no man to get close to her. So, it passed day after day, until she received from her a mother a very special gift…a mirror with a spirit dwelling within it who sets her ablaze. Confronted with her own passions, her world is thrown into chaos. It is only surmounted when her stepdaughter goes missing from the castle with her trusted huntsman. As everything comes crashing down around her, Isabella must find the courage to embrace a love with the one being who is most dangerous, and yet also the only one able to help her find her stepdaughter.
A retelling of Snow White like you ‘ve never seen before.
The Mirror is a Dark Spirits Fairytale within the Dark Spirits Universe.
Warning this book contains explicit violence and sex that might not be suitable for all audiences.
***This is a second edition of the original book. Upon adding it to the Dark Spirits Fairytale series, it now has 12,000 words of new content and new cover***
Isabella Norveau was the daughter of a sorceress. Growing up, she learned the magic of her mother in their villa high in the mountains. Though she had everything she could ever desire, Isabella desired love over power. It was for this reason that she disobeyed her mother and eloped with a visiting king when she was only sixteen, only to find her dreams broken by a man who pined for his deceased wife, incapable of loving her. After a few years of suffering a loveless marriage, he eventually passed, and upon his death Isabella became guardian of his twelve-year-old daughter whom she’d loved like a sister and set above all others in her affections.
Ruling her kingdom with icy control and compassion, Isabella refused courtiers and turned away noble men who desired to woo her. She allowed no man to get close to her. So, it passed day after day, until she received from her a mother a very special gift…a mirror with a spirit dwelling within it who sets her ablaze. Confronted with her own passions, her world is thrown into chaos. It is only surmounted when her stepdaughter goes missing from the castle with her trusted huntsman. As everything comes crashing down around her, Isabella must find the courage to embrace a love with the one being who is most dangerous, and yet also the only one able to help her find her stepdaughter.
A retelling of Snow White like you ‘ve never seen before.
The Mirror is a Dark Spirits Fairytale within the Dark Spirits Universe.
Warning this book contains explicit violence and sex that might not be suitable for all audiences.
***This is a second edition of the original book. Upon adding it to the Dark Spirits Fairytale series, it now has 12,000 words of new content and new cover***
251 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 24, 2020
190 people are currently reading
447 people want to read
About the author
S.J. Sanders
86 books1,005 followersS.J. Sanders is a mom of two toddlers and one adult living in Anchorage, Alaska. She has a BA degree in History, but spends most of her free time painting, sculpting, doing odd bits of historical research, and writing. While she has more research orientated writing under another pen name, her passion is sci-fi and paranormal romance of which she is an avid reader. After years of tinkering with the idea, and making her own stories up in her head, S.J has began to seriously pursue writing as an author of Sci-fi Romance utilizing her interests in how cultures diversify and what they would look like on a extraterrestrial platform to humans interacting with them and finding love.
She can be found on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Author-SJ-Sa...
And follow her blog at https://sjsandersromance.wordpress.com
She can be found on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Author-SJ-Sa...
And follow her blog at https://sjsandersromance.wordpress.com
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
May 5, 2021
Amazing Retelling
This is a crazy good retelling of Snow White and the evil queen, but this queen isn’t as evil as portrayed, merely spooky. Isabella, the witchy queen, is our heroine, and her hero is a tricksy tricksy king of the woods, who was accidentally trapped in a mirror. The two of them have to think and act fast to save Katarina, our snow-pure princess, from both political treachery and supernatural sneakery. Excellent world building, sexy sexy sex times, and characters easy to both love and hate. Another excellent SJ Sanders book in my Kindle’s library.
This is a crazy good retelling of Snow White and the evil queen, but this queen isn’t as evil as portrayed, merely spooky. Isabella, the witchy queen, is our heroine, and her hero is a tricksy tricksy king of the woods, who was accidentally trapped in a mirror. The two of them have to think and act fast to save Katarina, our snow-pure princess, from both political treachery and supernatural sneakery. Excellent world building, sexy sexy sex times, and characters easy to both love and hate. Another excellent SJ Sanders book in my Kindle’s library.
January 25, 2020
Unlike the other two books, this one isn’t RH. There’s only room for one spirit in the mirror here. I really liked it, it was original but played along with the fairytale as well. Isabella the ‘evil’ witch queen and Ganthus the mirror spirit.
I liked their chemistry and how they interacted. The spirit itself was interesting, sounding like a large demonic shadow cat. The two of them together was sweet. Rounded nicely off at the end.
I liked their chemistry and how they interacted. The spirit itself was interesting, sounding like a large demonic shadow cat. The two of them together was sweet. Rounded nicely off at the end.
Want to read
December 22, 2021okay but finally a story that does magic mirror persona's justice?? 16yo me is forever grateful
March 4, 2021
Ok story, except it dragged on a lot of the time and both povs we read through in the book are fairly messy which both confused me and ruined the read for me. Even though I really enjoyed the concept of the book, it was a disappointing read I'm afraid.
December 13, 2023
Quick Blurb
When the daughter of a sorceress follows her desires into the seat of a queen she soon realizes that the world outside of her mother’s mountain home is not at all what she imagined it would be, trapped within the position of a feared witch Queen Isabella has resorted to being at peace with the life she has so foolishly chosen for herself and wants to do right by the young princess left in her care upon her husbands death. But when a mirror is sent to her nearing her 30th birthday by her other containing the spirit of a dangerous creature her plans of peacefulness are thwarted by the creatures quick witted tongue and advancing hunger she feels within herself for more than just her power.
5 Stars - [9/10]
What I liked
If there one author that will deliver every single time its Sanders at this point, I’ll end up reading all their work because why does everything they write so perfectly link with both the lore, the original retelling, and the entirely new plotline that they make to make this retelling hit the way it does? I adore the way the author writes with a fresh take on lore and older myths we haven’t heard of or are not inherently popular the way Greek and roman myths are in the book retelling genre. I really loved the way in which the ‘evil queen’ wasn’t even evil but a lonely young girl all but eighteen when she was married, made queen, and forced to play in a role of subservience to her husband who sounds and acts like an asshole btw even to his own daughter who I am assuming is snow, doesn’t remember much of him after his death proves how deadbeat of a man he was and I adored the way Bella loved snow like her own child, urging her to take the throne when she felt she was ready and protected her from being married off it was so sweet how they loved each other genuinely I always felt that this was how classically villainous woman in step-mother roles could be re-written because why would they still hate a child when it was the man who wronged them? Brilliant way of also incorporating the retelling versions of the seven dwarves and prince charming, I like that the MMC for snow was devoted and so helplessly in love he had no proper experience with hunting and seemed like a soft boy prince all round I loved him so much. But don’t even get me started on Ganthus the spirit in the mirror is the same species as one of the other MMC’s in Sanders previous books I had read but can’t quite remember the name of. He was so juicily possessive over Isabella it was so endearing in the best way; he was her biggest supporter throughout the book regardless of what was happening and ugh he was just so sexy. The dwarves almost had me in a chokehold cause like why was I contemplating if they’d be an RH for snow you’ll see why I was saying this when you read the book but they where so funny to me and goofy especially when they kept hassling with Bella when they refused to give up Snow after taking her.
What I did not like
I cant remember that bitch ass advisor but yoh I wanted to smack him in the face every time he opened his sexist mouth like I get not liking Bella right, she was an outsider on his Kings throne so I get there would be lingering bitterness but what the actual hell is your problem shitting on your own princess? That’s when I knew this had nothing to do with blood and bonds it was purely because Katherina [Snow] was a girl heir. I was not a fan of the Ganthus liking her mama before her trope, he makes it known that it was purely a power lust thing and not anything intimate he also says her mama didn’t reciprocate but yoh why is that a trope? It’s so weird and I don’t know how I would feel if my man [magical or not] flat out said I ‘used to have a thing for your mama’ before you where born. Lol its so funny when I think about it now.
Overall Opinions
Read it for Sander’s amazing world-building and for the way they always land with their monster romances will not be disappointed in a book by this author
When the daughter of a sorceress follows her desires into the seat of a queen she soon realizes that the world outside of her mother’s mountain home is not at all what she imagined it would be, trapped within the position of a feared witch Queen Isabella has resorted to being at peace with the life she has so foolishly chosen for herself and wants to do right by the young princess left in her care upon her husbands death. But when a mirror is sent to her nearing her 30th birthday by her other containing the spirit of a dangerous creature her plans of peacefulness are thwarted by the creatures quick witted tongue and advancing hunger she feels within herself for more than just her power.
5 Stars - [9/10]
What I liked
If there one author that will deliver every single time its Sanders at this point, I’ll end up reading all their work because why does everything they write so perfectly link with both the lore, the original retelling, and the entirely new plotline that they make to make this retelling hit the way it does? I adore the way the author writes with a fresh take on lore and older myths we haven’t heard of or are not inherently popular the way Greek and roman myths are in the book retelling genre. I really loved the way in which the ‘evil queen’ wasn’t even evil but a lonely young girl all but eighteen when she was married, made queen, and forced to play in a role of subservience to her husband who sounds and acts like an asshole btw even to his own daughter who I am assuming is snow, doesn’t remember much of him after his death proves how deadbeat of a man he was and I adored the way Bella loved snow like her own child, urging her to take the throne when she felt she was ready and protected her from being married off it was so sweet how they loved each other genuinely I always felt that this was how classically villainous woman in step-mother roles could be re-written because why would they still hate a child when it was the man who wronged them? Brilliant way of also incorporating the retelling versions of the seven dwarves and prince charming, I like that the MMC for snow was devoted and so helplessly in love he had no proper experience with hunting and seemed like a soft boy prince all round I loved him so much. But don’t even get me started on Ganthus the spirit in the mirror is the same species as one of the other MMC’s in Sanders previous books I had read but can’t quite remember the name of. He was so juicily possessive over Isabella it was so endearing in the best way; he was her biggest supporter throughout the book regardless of what was happening and ugh he was just so sexy. The dwarves almost had me in a chokehold cause like why was I contemplating if they’d be an RH for snow you’ll see why I was saying this when you read the book but they where so funny to me and goofy especially when they kept hassling with Bella when they refused to give up Snow after taking her.
What I did not like
I cant remember that bitch ass advisor but yoh I wanted to smack him in the face every time he opened his sexist mouth like I get not liking Bella right, she was an outsider on his Kings throne so I get there would be lingering bitterness but what the actual hell is your problem shitting on your own princess? That’s when I knew this had nothing to do with blood and bonds it was purely because Katherina [Snow] was a girl heir. I was not a fan of the Ganthus liking her mama before her trope, he makes it known that it was purely a power lust thing and not anything intimate he also says her mama didn’t reciprocate but yoh why is that a trope? It’s so weird and I don’t know how I would feel if my man [magical or not] flat out said I ‘used to have a thing for your mama’ before you where born. Lol its so funny when I think about it now.
Overall Opinions
Read it for Sander’s amazing world-building and for the way they always land with their monster romances will not be disappointed in a book by this author
March 5, 2021
Did I like the book? Yes, of course. It is really well written after all. However, this take on the farytale follows Andersen´s version, and it keeps all the big milestones... and for me these characters didn´t make it work at times. I couldn´t get how the queen is so very self-sacrifying for people that don´t give a damn for her, and above all, for a useless princess that aknowledges all of her sacrifices with just a look while doing nothing during the queen´s torture. TORTURE AND HUMILIATION. And maybe the worst is knowing this princess (and prince, really), her lack of disposition for her future role, and the fact that we still get a "she will be a great and loved queen" out of thin air, like that makes everything allright! Ug!
For me the queen is waaaaay too giving and emphatic towards uselest people, and that infuriated me. Still, I give the book four stars because I recognize the quality (This is S.J. Sanders after all).
For me the queen is waaaaay too giving and emphatic towards uselest people, and that infuriated me. Still, I give the book four stars because I recognize the quality (This is S.J. Sanders after all).
April 8, 2021
Tales are written by the victors.
I really like this story in this version. We are given the story from the perspective of the so called wicked Queen. In this version the Queen is actually a just and kind woman who is cruelly betrayed by the men who are accustomed To taking Power by whatever means they feel justified in doing. A retelling like this gives a perspective of the other side, the Queen who is willing to sacrifice even her own reputation for the good of her beloved step daughter.
I am happy to see that even with the conspiracies around her the Queen gets to have her own happily ever after even with the betrayal of those who conspire against both her and stepdaughter - and her own sacrifices. This puts a completely different spin on what is normally cast in stone of who is the bad "guy".
I really like this story in this version. We are given the story from the perspective of the so called wicked Queen. In this version the Queen is actually a just and kind woman who is cruelly betrayed by the men who are accustomed To taking Power by whatever means they feel justified in doing. A retelling like this gives a perspective of the other side, the Queen who is willing to sacrifice even her own reputation for the good of her beloved step daughter.
I am happy to see that even with the conspiracies around her the Queen gets to have her own happily ever after even with the betrayal of those who conspire against both her and stepdaughter - and her own sacrifices. This puts a completely different spin on what is normally cast in stone of who is the bad "guy".
January 23, 2022
This was a very imaginative retelling of Snow White! I really enjoyed that Isabella wasn't an evil queen. Her former husband inflated the rumors of her sorcery to use to his advantage, and she was never able to reverse those opinions, even with all the good she did for her kingdom. It didn't help that she was a strong ruler and the men in the castle and surrounding kingdoms were intimidated and frightened by that. Her devotion to her stepdaughter was wonderful to see.
I also enjoyed the relationship between Isabella and Ganthus. He respected her and wanted her to be a partner in their relationship and worked on his expectations to make their pairing work. Overall, I really enjoyed it and hope to read more in the series and by this author.
Tropes: fated mates, twisted fairytale, monster romance
I also enjoyed the relationship between Isabella and Ganthus. He respected her and wanted her to be a partner in their relationship and worked on his expectations to make their pairing work. Overall, I really enjoyed it and hope to read more in the series and by this author.
Tropes: fated mates, twisted fairytale, monster romance
January 23, 2020
An intriguing take on an old tale.
First, move several steps to the side. Take a look from this new perspective. Eye-opening. Riveting. Not a gentle love story, not for the faint of heart.
I love Isabella’s character, she’s headstrong, yes, but good hearted, and a loving protector of her stepdaughter, Katharina. Much of what she does is with Katharina’s future in mind. Ganthus, to whom Isabella has been promised, is arrogant, entitled, annoying, but very much in love with his beautiful sorceress. I rue the ages that were so harsh to people perceived to be ‘different,’ so willing to accept rumor as fact, even though other actions told a different story. There are lessons here we would do well to heed. Fascinating story!
First, move several steps to the side. Take a look from this new perspective. Eye-opening. Riveting. Not a gentle love story, not for the faint of heart.
I love Isabella’s character, she’s headstrong, yes, but good hearted, and a loving protector of her stepdaughter, Katharina. Much of what she does is with Katharina’s future in mind. Ganthus, to whom Isabella has been promised, is arrogant, entitled, annoying, but very much in love with his beautiful sorceress. I rue the ages that were so harsh to people perceived to be ‘different,’ so willing to accept rumor as fact, even though other actions told a different story. There are lessons here we would do well to heed. Fascinating story!
February 3, 2020
*WARNING* story contains sexual content
This story only reminds me of snow white because of the mirror and even that is a very loose interpretation. This story starts out with a young girl being to stubborn to listen to her mother. The impetuousness of youth, the teenager always knows they are right, always knows better and more than mom does.... Things don't turn out as expected.
Most of this story is loneliness, betrayal, and secrets. When the romance came into it, it was slow going. It was nice not having an "Insta love" story.
This story only reminds me of snow white because of the mirror and even that is a very loose interpretation. This story starts out with a young girl being to stubborn to listen to her mother. The impetuousness of youth, the teenager always knows they are right, always knows better and more than mom does.... Things don't turn out as expected.
Most of this story is loneliness, betrayal, and secrets. When the romance came into it, it was slow going. It was nice not having an "Insta love" story.
August 2, 2021
Not really a fan of the "fated mates" trope, and the circumstances surrounding Isabella and Ganthus were kind of...eh....not my cup of tea
That kind of soured the romance a bit, but otherwise, I loved this twist on the Snow White/"evil" queen story. As expected, S.J. Sanders doesn't disappoint!
4 stars
That kind of soured the romance a bit, but otherwise, I loved this twist on the Snow White/"evil" queen story. As expected, S.J. Sanders doesn't disappoint!
4 stars
October 16, 2022
Dark spirts Fairytales- Mirror Mirror
What a great retelling of “Snow White” beautifully done, I like this version so much better! A young girls dreams of true love is broken by indifferent husband, king. Her joy is his young daughter,who treats her like a mother. But Isabella’s mother sends her a mirror with a king of the woods who is romancing her. Lots of humor, action and romance in this book. Love this version of the classic fairytale, not all is as it seems
What a great retelling of “Snow White” beautifully done, I like this version so much better! A young girls dreams of true love is broken by indifferent husband, king. Her joy is his young daughter,who treats her like a mother. But Isabella’s mother sends her a mirror with a king of the woods who is romancing her. Lots of humor, action and romance in this book. Love this version of the classic fairytale, not all is as it seems
February 14, 2020
Fantastically Written
I love this book. Every detail of the original fairy tale was represented in this story. The care and detail that went into this plot is evident and it makes for an excellent story. I truly enjoyed reading it and will definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a great read.
I love this book. Every detail of the original fairy tale was represented in this story. The care and detail that went into this plot is evident and it makes for an excellent story. I truly enjoyed reading it and will definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a great read.
February 27, 2020
Another good read in this series
I really enjoy these books. This one might not have been as good as the others. It was almost like to different books. The start of the book seemed less supernatural then the end.
Also wasn’t sure if this was a sleeping beauty re make or Snow White. Kinda confused on that.
I really enjoy these books. This one might not have been as good as the others. It was almost like to different books. The start of the book seemed less supernatural then the end.
Also wasn’t sure if this was a sleeping beauty re make or Snow White. Kinda confused on that.
March 13, 2020
Amazing Bad Guy is the Good Guy
This si an amazing flip to your normal "Snow White". I love Isabella and Ganthis's start. It isn't conventional and is a love that grows through the story, which is a good one. Definitely worth a read. It was linger than expected, but not in the "forced to add words" way. It just had more to tell and the story benefited from it.
This si an amazing flip to your normal "Snow White". I love Isabella and Ganthis's start. It isn't conventional and is a love that grows through the story, which is a good one. Definitely worth a read. It was linger than expected, but not in the "forced to add words" way. It just had more to tell and the story benefited from it.
April 9, 2021
I enjoyed this story and the characters, but there were points in the story where the snow white retelling didn't fit. I think if the author had deviated more from the fairytale and just allowed her own characters and ideas to dictate more of the direction of the plot, this would have been a better book.
May 16, 2021
Whoa
LOVE an sj sander tale,but this one was indeed shaping up to not be a fave,but WOW!! Those last couple of chapter plot twists and revelations!!! Oy!! What happens to the other characters? Bechtold and the wildiu wip? The king of forest kings? A slow ride initially,but ends in such a roller coaster!! An HEA to end all HEAs!!
LOVE an sj sander tale,but this one was indeed shaping up to not be a fave,but WOW!! Those last couple of chapter plot twists and revelations!!! Oy!! What happens to the other characters? Bechtold and the wildiu wip? The king of forest kings? A slow ride initially,but ends in such a roller coaster!! An HEA to end all HEAs!!
December 8, 2022
A lovely Snow White retelling, told from the Evil Queen's perspective!
The mirror has it all, young foolish love, good banter, the inprisonment of a silvanus, loyalty and betrayl and an amazing love story!
I really liked reading this book, I recently read Matchsticks, on a fantasy anthology book, and enjoyed discovering this author.
The mirror has it all, young foolish love, good banter, the inprisonment of a silvanus, loyalty and betrayl and an amazing love story!
I really liked reading this book, I recently read Matchsticks, on a fantasy anthology book, and enjoyed discovering this author.
February 28, 2020
A very unique spin on snow white. This was all about the villan rather than the heroine. I loved how dark and absolutely spellcasting this was. It isn't your typical fairytale and I definitely loved that! I highly recommend this book it is full of surprises!
April 17, 2020
mirror mirror ...love is real 🖤
A fantastic retelling of snow white... monsterly remake! Loved it! What a unique way to twist it and make it come alive in a different beautiful way! Very Raw and heartfelt! Sj Sanders keeps killing it like always 👌🖤
A fantastic retelling of snow white... monsterly remake! Loved it! What a unique way to twist it and make it come alive in a different beautiful way! Very Raw and heartfelt! Sj Sanders keeps killing it like always 👌🖤
April 18, 2020
Beautiful retelling
Very nicely done, weaving the Grimm story with her own world and creatures. I devoured this book I a day, so it certainly will keep your attention. There are a few spelling errors, but only A few.
Very nicely done, weaving the Grimm story with her own world and creatures. I devoured this book I a day, so it certainly will keep your attention. There are a few spelling errors, but only A few.
February 1, 2021
Great retelling of Snow White
Really great story. Only problem is spelling (names of characters for spelling changed), lack of good editing (missing far too many conjunctions), and finally if you are going to sow what you reap it is sow, no sew.
Really great story. Only problem is spelling (names of characters for spelling changed), lack of good editing (missing far too many conjunctions), and finally if you are going to sow what you reap it is sow, no sew.
March 22, 2021
Grate story
This is a wonderful spen of snow white. If your looking for a new writer that can put twist and turns to a fairly tale / similar stories you will love this author. To the author keep writing books like this one. I can't seem to get enough of stories like this.
This is a wonderful spen of snow white. If your looking for a new writer that can put twist and turns to a fairly tale / similar stories you will love this author. To the author keep writing books like this one. I can't seem to get enough of stories like this.
April 18, 2021
3.5 stars. This was really well written and a very unique take on the snow white tale, but the 'protective alpha male' thing was way overblown. Especially since he didn't manage protect her at all while she was actually being tortured. Just.. WTF.
July 27, 2022
fun twist on Snow White
A fun retelling of Snow White. I liked how the author twisted elements from the original into her own tale. There were lots of major plot points that I foresaw long before it happened but I still enjoyed the story.
A fun retelling of Snow White. I liked how the author twisted elements from the original into her own tale. There were lots of major plot points that I foresaw long before it happened but I still enjoyed the story.
January 24, 2020
This is a great book. I love the two main characters Isabella and Ganthus. This book is a must read for a fan of Grimms fairy tales and the work of S.J. Sanders. She always writes true to her style of writing. Love this author
June 12, 2021
Slow start but then bloomed into a great story
This started slow but sped up quite well. Entertaining characters and settings. The evil characters were easy to distrust and hate.
This started slow but sped up quite well. Entertaining characters and settings. The evil characters were easy to distrust and hate.
August 4, 2021
Loved It!
I really enjoyed Isabella and Ganthus’ story. It was a really fun retelling of Snow White. And so very sweet.
I really enjoyed Isabella and Ganthus’ story. It was a really fun retelling of Snow White. And so very sweet.
November 30, 2021
S J Sanders is a brilliant author loved it, 5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews