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Urban Magick & Folklore #1
Snow so White
Once upon a future-time, in a city of steel, concrete, and Magick, a wicked queen trapped a mighty warrior with a curse ...
In the tiny village of Somer, far from the city, Cherie knows nothing of the evil spell. Her home is a safe, Magickal place. The Fae travel freely along its roads, Magickal humans and animals are welcome, and everyone is hidden from the Queen’s sight by Jack Frost, the local ghost, who blurs the Queen’s mirror with snow and ice.
But when Jack’s spell begins to crack, the Queen’s eyes fall on Somer. Nothing will keep her from abducting all of Somer’s Magickals, not even a war with the Fae.
To avert a war, save her village--and herself--Cherie strikes a perilous bargain. Aided only by Jack and her own small Magick, she’ll set off on a quest … If she fails, she’ll lose more than her life.
A retelling of Snow White with Urban Magick, plenty of folklore, and a Princess Charming. Perfect for fans of Naomi Novik’s Uprooted and Spinning Silver.
In the tiny village of Somer, far from the city, Cherie knows nothing of the evil spell. Her home is a safe, Magickal place. The Fae travel freely along its roads, Magickal humans and animals are welcome, and everyone is hidden from the Queen’s sight by Jack Frost, the local ghost, who blurs the Queen’s mirror with snow and ice.
But when Jack’s spell begins to crack, the Queen’s eyes fall on Somer. Nothing will keep her from abducting all of Somer’s Magickals, not even a war with the Fae.
To avert a war, save her village--and herself--Cherie strikes a perilous bargain. Aided only by Jack and her own small Magick, she’ll set off on a quest … If she fails, she’ll lose more than her life.
A retelling of Snow White with Urban Magick, plenty of folklore, and a Princess Charming. Perfect for fans of Naomi Novik’s Uprooted and Spinning Silver.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2022
2059 people are currently reading
7077 people want to read
About the author
C. Gockel
67 books572 followersC. Gockel got her start writing fanfiction, and she is not ashamed! Much. She received emails, messages and reviews from her fans telling her she should 'do this professionally'. She didn't; because she is a coward and life as a digital designer, copywriter and coder is more dependable. But in the end, her husband's nagging wore her down: "You could be the next '50 Shades of Gray' and I could retire!" Unfortunately, the author isn't much for writing smut. She is sad about this; she'd love for her husband to be able to retire and just work for her so she could nag him.
At the moment, Ms. Gockel is working on the next installment of her Archangel Project series.
Ms. Gockel loves to hear from readers. She can be reached by email at: cgockel.publishing at gmail.com
Her Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/CGockelWrites
At the moment, Ms. Gockel is working on the next installment of her Archangel Project series.
Ms. Gockel loves to hear from readers. She can be reached by email at: cgockel.publishing at gmail.com
Her Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/CGockelWrites
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews
July 2, 2023
When I saw a Facebook promotion for Snow So White by C. Gockel, I was curious but hesitant. The book was promoted as urban fantasy, which is not usually my cup of tea. When I finally got around to reading it, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it bears more similarities to some lesser-known fairy tales than it does to "Snow White." The accurate marketing also helped me ease into the modern setting and urban fantasy creatures within it like vampires and monsters. I was pleasantly surprised by how strong the book's world-building is and how emotionally connected I felt to the characters. While it may not be the type of fairy tale retelling I'm used to reading, it has a strong sense of what it wants to be.
Cherie lives in a world that is similar to our own with one major difference. One day, the earth was infused with magic, causing ordinary people to gain supernatural abilities, monsters to roam freely, and certain forms of technology to become unnecessary. People who were younger when the change happened had an easier time adapting to it than those who were used to a more traditional way of life. Cherie doesn't have any great powers that she knows of, but she does have two magical grandmothers and a strong bond with a boy nicknamed Jack Frost. Jack is trapped in a mirror world and can only communicate with Cherie through reflections. Jack is older than he looks and first met Cherie through her grandmother, a doctor, who he seemed to have met before the world was touched by magic and he become trapped in an ageless state in the mirror realm. When the book begins, Cherie's beloved grandmother passes away, and she is in a state of mourning when she embarks on an epic quest to free Jack from his mirror prison and escape his wicked stepmother, the Queen.
While it is an extremely creative book in its own right, this story does not really feel like a gender-bent retelling of "Snow White," and I think that plays in its favor. "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" is the second most commonly retold fairy tale next to "Cinderella," so it was refreshing to see a story that does something completely different with it. I think it works better as a "Snow Queen" retelling. All of the basic elements of "The Snow Queen" are there including a boy who is trapped in an icy prison, a girl encountering numerous perils to rescue him, and a wicked queen who wants to make everyone her slave. In "The Snow Queen," Gerda encounters many supernatural companions who aid her on her quest as opposed to Snow White who spends most of her time looking after the dwarfs in their cottage. In this book, Cherie has a supernatural companion who helps her fight her way to Jack, a vampire named Grendel, who identifies herself as Cherie's grandmother, but due to her age, she is more likely to be an older ancestor of hers. Their companionship plays a major factor in the emotional appeal of the story, especially due to how much Cherie needs a maternal figure in her life after mourning her other grandmother.
Another fairy tale this book reminds me of is "Fairer than a Fairy," which is also about a girl who falls in love with a prince who she can only talk to in reflections. In that story, their communication is limited to the reflection of a rainbow when the hits a specific fountain at a certain angle. "Fairer than a Fairy" also had a brave princess heroine who went on a daring quest to awaken the sleeping body of the prince who talks to her in reflections through his dreams. The love story between Jack and Cherie seems so impossible that the desire for them to overcome the odds and be together is exhilaratingly strong. That is where this book excels despite its complex and occasionally confusing lore. The bond between Jack and Cherie is so strong that it overcomes space, time, and many other powerful forces that fight to keep them apart, which is exactly how a good fairy tale should be told. Even though there were parts of the book that I didn't completely understand due to a lack of familiarity with urban fantasy, my desire to see Jack and Cherie together never faded.
Snow So White by C. Gockel offers a unique twist on fairy tale retellings, diverging from the familiar story of "Snow White" and delving into lesser-known tales like "The Snow Queen" and "Fairer than a Fairy." While it may not fit into the traditional mold of a fairy tale retelling, the book shines in its world-building and emotional connection. The bond between Cherie, and her trapped companion, Jack Frost, is undeniably powerful, driving the reader to root for their reunion despite the challenges they face. Although there were moments of confusion with the urban fantasy elements, the desire to see their love triumph remains unwavering. Ultimately, Snow So White delivers an engaging and satisfying reading experience for fans of fairy tales and urban fantasy alike.
Cherie lives in a world that is similar to our own with one major difference. One day, the earth was infused with magic, causing ordinary people to gain supernatural abilities, monsters to roam freely, and certain forms of technology to become unnecessary. People who were younger when the change happened had an easier time adapting to it than those who were used to a more traditional way of life. Cherie doesn't have any great powers that she knows of, but she does have two magical grandmothers and a strong bond with a boy nicknamed Jack Frost. Jack is trapped in a mirror world and can only communicate with Cherie through reflections. Jack is older than he looks and first met Cherie through her grandmother, a doctor, who he seemed to have met before the world was touched by magic and he become trapped in an ageless state in the mirror realm. When the book begins, Cherie's beloved grandmother passes away, and she is in a state of mourning when she embarks on an epic quest to free Jack from his mirror prison and escape his wicked stepmother, the Queen.
While it is an extremely creative book in its own right, this story does not really feel like a gender-bent retelling of "Snow White," and I think that plays in its favor. "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" is the second most commonly retold fairy tale next to "Cinderella," so it was refreshing to see a story that does something completely different with it. I think it works better as a "Snow Queen" retelling. All of the basic elements of "The Snow Queen" are there including a boy who is trapped in an icy prison, a girl encountering numerous perils to rescue him, and a wicked queen who wants to make everyone her slave. In "The Snow Queen," Gerda encounters many supernatural companions who aid her on her quest as opposed to Snow White who spends most of her time looking after the dwarfs in their cottage. In this book, Cherie has a supernatural companion who helps her fight her way to Jack, a vampire named Grendel, who identifies herself as Cherie's grandmother, but due to her age, she is more likely to be an older ancestor of hers. Their companionship plays a major factor in the emotional appeal of the story, especially due to how much Cherie needs a maternal figure in her life after mourning her other grandmother.
Another fairy tale this book reminds me of is "Fairer than a Fairy," which is also about a girl who falls in love with a prince who she can only talk to in reflections. In that story, their communication is limited to the reflection of a rainbow when the hits a specific fountain at a certain angle. "Fairer than a Fairy" also had a brave princess heroine who went on a daring quest to awaken the sleeping body of the prince who talks to her in reflections through his dreams. The love story between Jack and Cherie seems so impossible that the desire for them to overcome the odds and be together is exhilaratingly strong. That is where this book excels despite its complex and occasionally confusing lore. The bond between Jack and Cherie is so strong that it overcomes space, time, and many other powerful forces that fight to keep them apart, which is exactly how a good fairy tale should be told. Even though there were parts of the book that I didn't completely understand due to a lack of familiarity with urban fantasy, my desire to see Jack and Cherie together never faded.
Snow So White by C. Gockel offers a unique twist on fairy tale retellings, diverging from the familiar story of "Snow White" and delving into lesser-known tales like "The Snow Queen" and "Fairer than a Fairy." While it may not fit into the traditional mold of a fairy tale retelling, the book shines in its world-building and emotional connection. The bond between Cherie, and her trapped companion, Jack Frost, is undeniably powerful, driving the reader to root for their reunion despite the challenges they face. Although there were moments of confusion with the urban fantasy elements, the desire to see their love triumph remains unwavering. Ultimately, Snow So White delivers an engaging and satisfying reading experience for fans of fairy tales and urban fantasy alike.
October 23, 2023
WHAT A CRINGY FANTASY! He is over two hundred years old. Even her grandmother is younger than him. And he met her when she was a five-year-old child – A CHILD! He saw her growing up. I’m giving it 1 star.
July 23, 2023
This is a fun retelling of Snow White. Cherie lives in a small town, far from the evil Queen. When the Queen's recruiters come to grow her army with Magickals, Cherie runs. Although her powers are not strong, she knows she is no longer safe. Helped by her friend and crush, Jack, Cherie finds aide in unlikely places.
I really enjoyed Jack's roll as the cursed prince and Cherie as his rescuer. He is the one who is asleep, trapped in his dreams. He can see others through mirrors in his dream-state and has taken on a roll of the local "ghost". Confused by her feelings for Jack, Cherie takes it on herself to remove his curse. I liked the change from the traditional story.
While I really liked the idea of this book, I struggled getting through parts of it. It took awhile to get going, and I just had a difficult time with some of the writing. It may have been more of a 'me thing', not the actual writing. Overall, it was an enjoyable fairytale retelling.
I really enjoyed Jack's roll as the cursed prince and Cherie as his rescuer. He is the one who is asleep, trapped in his dreams. He can see others through mirrors in his dream-state and has taken on a roll of the local "ghost". Confused by her feelings for Jack, Cherie takes it on herself to remove his curse. I liked the change from the traditional story.
While I really liked the idea of this book, I struggled getting through parts of it. It took awhile to get going, and I just had a difficult time with some of the writing. It may have been more of a 'me thing', not the actual writing. Overall, it was an enjoyable fairytale retelling.
June 12, 2024
It was fine. I’m in a book slump so maybe it would have been better if I actually wanted to read. Will not be reading the rest of the series.
August 14, 2022
Snow White Superbly Reimagined
Ms Gockel has a wonderful talent of reimagining mythologies, folklore and old tales, and this combination and retelling of the Snow White, Jack Frost, and Grendel stories is really quite amazing!
I was hooked from the first page, reading late into the night past normal sleepiness. The character development is compelling, and well organized into a storyline that draws the reader in gradually.
Even more amazing are the varied, distinct personalities that feel thoroughly real despite the surrounding fantasy, and for which a true caring emerges. You end up really caring what happens to these characters.
I cannot wait to start the next book in this series!
Ms Gockel has a wonderful talent of reimagining mythologies, folklore and old tales, and this combination and retelling of the Snow White, Jack Frost, and Grendel stories is really quite amazing!
I was hooked from the first page, reading late into the night past normal sleepiness. The character development is compelling, and well organized into a storyline that draws the reader in gradually.
Even more amazing are the varied, distinct personalities that feel thoroughly real despite the surrounding fantasy, and for which a true caring emerges. You end up really caring what happens to these characters.
I cannot wait to start the next book in this series!
December 19, 2024
honestly better than i was expected it to be from a stuff your kindle day book, i might read the next one
June 3, 2023
This was an interesting take to fairy tales, a bit overwhelming.
I wasn’t expecting for more than a Snow White and Jack Frost re-telling. It seemed like the author wasn't satisfied so she decided to add everything else into the mix.
Already didn’t care for Cherie. Too Mary Sue for my liking. She was probably one of the main reasons this book dragged.
It was a nice change to have a male character be the damsel in distress for once. But I didn’t care for Jack as much as Cherie.
For a book that was close to 400 pages, it just wasn’t worth the read. Repetitive on both points of views. A cliffhanger?! Lack of actual action. Nothing was resolved by the end, just more situations arising.
I wasn’t expecting for more than a Snow White and Jack Frost re-telling. It seemed like the author wasn't satisfied so she decided to add everything else into the mix.
Already didn’t care for Cherie. Too Mary Sue for my liking. She was probably one of the main reasons this book dragged.
It was a nice change to have a male character be the damsel in distress for once. But I didn’t care for Jack as much as Cherie.
For a book that was close to 400 pages, it just wasn’t worth the read. Repetitive on both points of views. A cliffhanger?! Lack of actual action. Nothing was resolved by the end, just more situations arising.
July 9, 2023
This is a very urban and sort of dystopian retelling (very loosely) of Snow White. There is a lot of magic and adventure in this story. I was hooked from the first chapter and I plan on continuing the series. The author is very vivid in details and the characters it was like being beside the characters through all the adventures. If you like heavy world building and a twisted retelling of fairytales then I suggest this book.
September 26, 2024
"Real fairy tales often have grizzly endings"
I really LOVE C.Glockel's work, having read much of her other scifi. However, this story which incorporates everything from Jewish tradition to Nordic mythology wasn't an easy read. It is born in violence, raised in hope and wishes, and never.quite.resolves. I do have the next two in the series but it might be a while before I read them. Recommended 4/5
I really LOVE C.Glockel's work, having read much of her other scifi. However, this story which incorporates everything from Jewish tradition to Nordic mythology wasn't an easy read. It is born in violence, raised in hope and wishes, and never.quite.resolves. I do have the next two in the series but it might be a while before I read them. Recommended 4/5
September 1, 2024
Fun Retelling
Imagine Magic and technology trying to figure how to work together and meshing into some weird hybrid. This book is set in the real world but one where Magic has seeped in and changed everything. Guns work but cars need Magic. Cell phones don’t work but you can communicate through mirrors. All cultures myths are real, know of each other, and sort of work together.
Into all this craziness, a girl with weak magic needs to go on a quest to save her found family by waking her friend from a curse. Her strong will and ability to bring people together is what could save them all.
Smart, witty, and a tangled web of folklore.
Imagine Magic and technology trying to figure how to work together and meshing into some weird hybrid. This book is set in the real world but one where Magic has seeped in and changed everything. Guns work but cars need Magic. Cell phones don’t work but you can communicate through mirrors. All cultures myths are real, know of each other, and sort of work together.
Into all this craziness, a girl with weak magic needs to go on a quest to save her found family by waking her friend from a curse. Her strong will and ability to bring people together is what could save them all.
Smart, witty, and a tangled web of folklore.
December 27, 2023
++ DNF after 34% ++
This was one of my Stuff your Kindle Day reads. A few chapters in and I still had no clue what was going on or who was who. The author introduced characters as quickly as skipping the part of introducing them properly and the story advanced too quickly, things happening too quickly leaving the reader to figure out why.
This was one of my Stuff your Kindle Day reads. A few chapters in and I still had no clue what was going on or who was who. The author introduced characters as quickly as skipping the part of introducing them properly and the story advanced too quickly, things happening too quickly leaving the reader to figure out why.
September 27, 2022
Richly Imaginative
The beginning of this book was disorienting for me. It wasn't until about 20% in that I was really hooked.
Cherie's magic, and her knowledge of the folklore(and use of said knowledge) is what made this book for me. Her relationship with Grendel, too. Her sheer determination to see the humanity--the potential for goodness-- in everyone she encountered was delightful, and it made for some really creative scenarios instead of everything being solved with mad fighting skills. This book was chock full of creativity, and seeing the fairy tale twisted into such a fresh and different shape was just... REALLY satisfying.
I'm looking forward to picking up the next one when it releases.
The beginning of this book was disorienting for me. It wasn't until about 20% in that I was really hooked.
Cherie's magic, and her knowledge of the folklore(and use of said knowledge) is what made this book for me. Her relationship with Grendel, too. Her sheer determination to see the humanity--the potential for goodness-- in everyone she encountered was delightful, and it made for some really creative scenarios instead of everything being solved with mad fighting skills. This book was chock full of creativity, and seeing the fairy tale twisted into such a fresh and different shape was just... REALLY satisfying.
I'm looking forward to picking up the next one when it releases.
August 12, 2022
So good!! amazing how quickly it sucks you in! pun intended haha
I loved this futuristic urban fantasy! The romance was so good and the way it developed throughout the story was amazing. It was central but not central. The story and the addition of Grendel was engaging and I absolutely loved the humor! What a great read! I definitely plan to finish the series! I personally enjoyed this more than Lunar Chronicles’ Cinder, and I loved that series, so glad to add this to my collection!
I loved this futuristic urban fantasy! The romance was so good and the way it developed throughout the story was amazing. It was central but not central. The story and the addition of Grendel was engaging and I absolutely loved the humor! What a great read! I definitely plan to finish the series! I personally enjoyed this more than Lunar Chronicles’ Cinder, and I loved that series, so glad to add this to my collection!
March 20, 2024
I went in thinking it was a stand-alone in a series. Boy, was I WRONG the cliffhanger it left me on. Ridiculously good story, kept me on the edge of my seat.
January 12, 2025
Unfortunately, I did not have a good time with this book, even though I loved the premise. The world building seemed all over the place, with a lot of things thrown in and a lot of repetition. The main villain remains very obscure throughout the book, and the dangers Cherie faces seem almost non-existent despite the reader being told that she is, in fact, in a lot of it. And she doesn’t even do anything when she faces obstacles, they seem to resolve all on their own. The action is in a lot of places very confusing, and the reactions of the characters are sometimes weird and extreme. The love story started out great, but turned creepy in places. The ending is very abrupt and the story doesn’t feel resolved. I know there are more books, but that doesn’t mean this ending should be left so open.
What I did like was Grendel and the way the Snow White story was turned on its head.
What I did like was Grendel and the way the Snow White story was turned on its head.
January 19, 2024
Synopsis:
A retelling of Snow White, “a future-time in a city of steel, concrete and Magick, a wicked queen trapped a mighty warrior with a curse”. Vampires, dwarves, magick, mirrors, Princess Charming and more. The story follows Cherie on her journey to save her village of Somer. She bargains with creatures of magick she didn’t even know existed. If she fails she’ll loose more than just her life.
Review:
I think overall this was an ok book. I was looking forward to a retelling of Snow White and I appreciate that the rescuer, Cherie, was a woman. A role reversal is always fun to read.
I found parts of the book a little boring and difficult to read though, but overall the book was fine. I wish there was more of a cliffhanger to want me to continue with the series but I found there wasn’t much of a rise to the action that made me excited to continue. I’ll likely try the next in the series but I’m not quite ready right now.
A retelling of Snow White, “a future-time in a city of steel, concrete and Magick, a wicked queen trapped a mighty warrior with a curse”. Vampires, dwarves, magick, mirrors, Princess Charming and more. The story follows Cherie on her journey to save her village of Somer. She bargains with creatures of magick she didn’t even know existed. If she fails she’ll loose more than just her life.
Review:
I think overall this was an ok book. I was looking forward to a retelling of Snow White and I appreciate that the rescuer, Cherie, was a woman. A role reversal is always fun to read.
I found parts of the book a little boring and difficult to read though, but overall the book was fine. I wish there was more of a cliffhanger to want me to continue with the series but I found there wasn’t much of a rise to the action that made me excited to continue. I’ll likely try the next in the series but I’m not quite ready right now.
October 8, 2025
Grendel was by far my favorite vampire. Favorite character. I need more Grendel.
Now with that being said, I get the book is suppose to be a retelling and that’s why she had to woken up by a kiss but man Jack was walking the stalker line a bit tooooo close for my liking.
Cherie, is one of the FMC that annoy me from how naive she is.
Overall the story had a whole promise but it felt too cramped in this short book. There was also so much backstory to process that it became muddled and it was just confusing.
I’m unfortunately not going to be continuing this series
Now with that being said, I get the book is suppose to be a retelling and that’s why she had to woken up by a kiss but man Jack was walking the stalker line a bit tooooo close for my liking.
Cherie, is one of the FMC that annoy me from how naive she is.
Overall the story had a whole promise but it felt too cramped in this short book. There was also so much backstory to process that it became muddled and it was just confusing.
I’m unfortunately not going to be continuing this series
June 28, 2024
DNF- I really gave this book a chance but there was just way too much going on. It had potential with the gender reversed retelling set up, but then too much was thrown in. The first 20% was a bore. It finally picked up but got weirder with the other poorly placed fairytales mixed in. I lost it at 35% when they said there were "Rock Talkers." Magikals that speak to rocks. I give up.
October 5, 2024
Stuff your kindle day fun! I usually don't expect much from stuff your kindle day - but I couldn't put this one down! Loved the weaving of diverse mythologies and the character relationships. Recommend for a fun fantasy read!
July 4, 2024
This just didn't hit for me. I do like the premise of Princess Charming vs. Prince Charming, but it never really got me.
May 16, 2025
I love how the different mythologies and fairytales are entwined in the story.
Also a very clever way of using their names
Also a very clever way of using their names
November 19, 2023
Initially difficult to get into but enjoyable once I was able to work out what was going on. A good plot and interesting characters spoilt for me by the fact that the story is not complete and you need another book to continue it.
February 16, 2023
‘Coexisting with the Fae is only logical’
Cherie lives in a world ‘where your grandparents were from was where you were from’, vampires aren’t merely a conspiracy theory, and skeleton keys are carved from bone. And her Magickal mirror has a view into the house that Jack built.
The author called out some serious topics:
‘Peace isn’t always kind.’
Sometimes, the undead are better allies than our fellow man. Choose wisely whom you trust.
Some of the characters was ready to go since the Fischers ‘convinced us it was always good to be packed’ (they were Jewish, so had ‘a millennia of experience being prepared to leave’).
Many modern-day ills are mentioned throughout such as natural resources having been stripped, dangers of mine work, TV and other electronic devices tempting children/tweens away from exploring their surroundings. A sad commentary on what we ignore:
‘Morally, was it wrong to tolerate such…such…intolerance?’
I appreciate the various cultures in this story, including the various ethnic enclaves of Chicago. Humans come in all colors our backgrounds shape our mindset and enrich our lives.
Some sage advice from the author:
‘A princess must sometimes do what is good for her people even when they disapprove.’
‘Your mind is your most powerful ally. When you are afraid, be calm and think.’
‘Read your folklore. Someday, it might save your life.’
Don’t face your trials hungry.
Be master of your dreams…
Fave quotes (there actually are tons more, but…):
‘Giving the Queen’s agents a wedgie is not going to work!’
‘Real fairy tales often had grisly endings.’
I don’t have ‘Blood So Red’, but I will immediately start ‘Grendel & Beowulf’.
Cherie lives in a world ‘where your grandparents were from was where you were from’, vampires aren’t merely a conspiracy theory, and skeleton keys are carved from bone. And her Magickal mirror has a view into the house that Jack built.
The author called out some serious topics:
‘Peace isn’t always kind.’
Sometimes, the undead are better allies than our fellow man. Choose wisely whom you trust.
Some of the characters was ready to go since the Fischers ‘convinced us it was always good to be packed’ (they were Jewish, so had ‘a millennia of experience being prepared to leave’).
Many modern-day ills are mentioned throughout such as natural resources having been stripped, dangers of mine work, TV and other electronic devices tempting children/tweens away from exploring their surroundings. A sad commentary on what we ignore:
‘Morally, was it wrong to tolerate such…such…intolerance?’
I appreciate the various cultures in this story, including the various ethnic enclaves of Chicago. Humans come in all colors our backgrounds shape our mindset and enrich our lives.
Some sage advice from the author:
‘A princess must sometimes do what is good for her people even when they disapprove.’
‘Your mind is your most powerful ally. When you are afraid, be calm and think.’
‘Read your folklore. Someday, it might save your life.’
Don’t face your trials hungry.
Be master of your dreams…
Fave quotes (there actually are tons more, but…):
‘Giving the Queen’s agents a wedgie is not going to work!’
‘Real fairy tales often had grisly endings.’
I don’t have ‘Blood So Red’, but I will immediately start ‘Grendel & Beowulf’.
September 29, 2023
Enjoyment: 4⭐
Characters: 5⭐
Writing: 4⭐
Plot and Pacing: 3.5⭐
Worldbuilding: 3.5⭐
ABOUT
Snow So White is an urban fantasy set in a dystopian future, where the Queen reigns as a tyrant collecting those of Magicks to serve in her army. Her reach is far and wide with the exception of Somer, a small village safeguarded by the mysterious ghost called Jack Frost, who disrupts her magick with his snow storms. When Jack's spell starts to crack, Cherie, a seemingly low Ember Magickal, must find a way to keep the residents of Somer, herself, and Jack safe.
Yes, it's as messy as it sounds, but it does get better. Snow So White is a very loose retelling of Snow White, except it's not a princess that needs saving. It's the prince.
CHARACTERS
Each character was well-written with complex emotions, conflict, and traits balanced out to make us care about them. Cherie is a "peacekeeper" who serves as a mediator for the group. Her energy is soothing, and she's emotionally mature enough to have a spine of her own rather than being a doormat. She struggles with feelings such as heartbreak, grief, and loneliness without coming across as melodramatic. Her low self-esteem was also understandable and made her more relatable. She is an optimist who seeks the good in people and the best in every situation, which is a stark contrast to the cynicism displayed by many other characters.
My first impression of Jack was that he was the brooding grump who many authors want us to choose, but upon reading more of his perspective, he became more than just that. He was cautious, serious, and distant, but all within reason that we can empathize with. He deals with much mental complexities such as trauma and the fight between wants and needs versus fear.
Grendel was written in such a way that you couldn't be sure whether or not she was trustable, but it was a good way to show the volatile nature of vampires. Her unintentional sense of humor and delivery was so entertaining that I smiled a few times while reading her dialogues. In the end, it became certain what kind of person she was, and that also made her development go around as a character and provided more depth toward the perception of vampires.
WRITING
C. Gockel is skilled at descriptive writing and weaving character thoughts and emotions into narrative without being too melodramatic. She does this by having various symbolism and showing how the characters react to something rather than telling. Conflicts were quite clear and each internal and external struggle were well-defined. There were times when I found myself skimming superfluous descriptions or action scenes, but it wasn't much of an issue. One of my favorite lines:
PLOT AND PACING
In the beginning, I was just about as disoriented as Cherie. Unfortunately, this book fell into the pitfall of having the action scene as a sense of urgency rather than establishing the emotional/conflict stakes. Even when the next scene came, I was whiplashed by the changes in atmosphere and stakes. Just in my opinion, the story could have started elsewhere. It just took a hot minute to build up.
Aside from that, the plot was fairly solid. After the first third of the story, a good sense of urgency was set, and it kept me turning the page to find out what's going to happen next.
WORLDBUILDING
Snow So White had elements of a good world (I mean urban fantasy and dystopian vibes?? yes!), but the way it was approached was somewhat disorienting. There were so many name drops and some things had little to no explanation such as the Embers, the Queen, why there are so many mythos all over the place, how the whole Change began, what the Queen is trying to fight, etc. There could have been more stakes and urgency had we known more about the Queen, but the story focused on surviving her army and waking Jack that it fell flat. Also, just what is Cherie anyway? I'm assuming these things will be covered in the next book(s), but it would have been nice to know more about them here.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The story is good. I'd say that the reason I kept reading the book was for the characters, to see how they'd develop and how it would end. I might read the next book, but we'll see. If you like the vibes, I recommend giving it a try.
Characters: 5⭐
Writing: 4⭐
Plot and Pacing: 3.5⭐
Worldbuilding: 3.5⭐
ABOUT
Snow So White is an urban fantasy set in a dystopian future, where the Queen reigns as a tyrant collecting those of Magicks to serve in her army. Her reach is far and wide with the exception of Somer, a small village safeguarded by the mysterious ghost called Jack Frost, who disrupts her magick with his snow storms. When Jack's spell starts to crack, Cherie, a seemingly low Ember Magickal, must find a way to keep the residents of Somer, herself, and Jack safe.
Yes, it's as messy as it sounds, but it does get better. Snow So White is a very loose retelling of Snow White, except it's not a princess that needs saving. It's the prince.
CHARACTERS
Each character was well-written with complex emotions, conflict, and traits balanced out to make us care about them. Cherie is a "peacekeeper" who serves as a mediator for the group. Her energy is soothing, and she's emotionally mature enough to have a spine of her own rather than being a doormat. She struggles with feelings such as heartbreak, grief, and loneliness without coming across as melodramatic. Her low self-esteem was also understandable and made her more relatable. She is an optimist who seeks the good in people and the best in every situation, which is a stark contrast to the cynicism displayed by many other characters.
My first impression of Jack was that he was the brooding grump who many authors want us to choose, but upon reading more of his perspective, he became more than just that. He was cautious, serious, and distant, but all within reason that we can empathize with. He deals with much mental complexities such as trauma and the fight between wants and needs versus fear.
Grendel was written in such a way that you couldn't be sure whether or not she was trustable, but it was a good way to show the volatile nature of vampires. Her unintentional sense of humor and delivery was so entertaining that I smiled a few times while reading her dialogues. In the end, it became certain what kind of person she was, and that also made her development go around as a character and provided more depth toward the perception of vampires.
WRITING
C. Gockel is skilled at descriptive writing and weaving character thoughts and emotions into narrative without being too melodramatic. She does this by having various symbolism and showing how the characters react to something rather than telling. Conflicts were quite clear and each internal and external struggle were well-defined. There were times when I found myself skimming superfluous descriptions or action scenes, but it wasn't much of an issue. One of my favorite lines:
PLOT AND PACING
In the beginning, I was just about as disoriented as Cherie. Unfortunately, this book fell into the pitfall of having the action scene as a sense of urgency rather than establishing the emotional/conflict stakes. Even when the next scene came, I was whiplashed by the changes in atmosphere and stakes. Just in my opinion, the story could have started elsewhere. It just took a hot minute to build up.
Aside from that, the plot was fairly solid. After the first third of the story, a good sense of urgency was set, and it kept me turning the page to find out what's going to happen next.
WORLDBUILDING
Snow So White had elements of a good world (I mean urban fantasy and dystopian vibes?? yes!), but the way it was approached was somewhat disorienting. There were so many name drops and some things had little to no explanation such as the Embers, the Queen, why there are so many mythos all over the place, how the whole Change began, what the Queen is trying to fight, etc. There could have been more stakes and urgency had we known more about the Queen, but the story focused on surviving her army and waking Jack that it fell flat. Also, just what is Cherie anyway? I'm assuming these things will be covered in the next book(s), but it would have been nice to know more about them here.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The story is good. I'd say that the reason I kept reading the book was for the characters, to see how they'd develop and how it would end. I might read the next book, but we'll see. If you like the vibes, I recommend giving it a try.
August 20, 2023
Another DNF im sorry
January 26, 2024
I almost dnf this many times, but I hate doing that. It was painful to get through.
November 15, 2024
I don't know what I was expecting from this book, but it did not meet my expectations. There was a lot of promise in the story, but I really struggled getting through it. I've read a lot of fantasy/romantasy in the last year or so, and while this one wasn't as bad as some of the stories I've read, it wasn't that great either.
None of the characters really reached out and grabbed me, other than Grendel. She was really the only one that I really liked. There were a lot of characters in this story, and honestly, most were forgettable. There were some that were mentioned at the end that I literally couldn't place from the beginning because they were that unimportant to me. Even Cherie, the FMC, and Jack, the MMC, were both kind of vanilla.
The story had some interesting parts. There is a whole big backstory about wars with the vampires, people becoming magical, magic replacing electrical power, and all different mythological worlds interacting with each other. It should have been more interesting. But we never really get a lot of details about the history, and what we learn is in bits and pieces that sometimes contradict each other. There is way more that happened in the past than we learned about. Which makes the story somewhat muddled in places.
I actually think that is part of the problem. There was so much stuffed into this book. Was it supposed to be a story about a grand quest where the FMC learns and accepts her power? Or was it an analogy about how modern conveniences are creating an unnatural world? A love story? A reverse damsel in distress who has to be saved from the evil queen? This story has parts of all of those tropes. I think this is a case of too many cooks spoiling the pot. There was too much going on, and it overpowered the good parts of the story. I feel like if the author had focused on one main theme and expanded that, the story could have been much better. But I actually felt like Jack a lot: lost in a world that doesn't make sense and only getting glimpses of the main story.
Snow So White is apparently the first in the series, but I have no desire to read any more.
My rating: 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars
None of the characters really reached out and grabbed me, other than Grendel. She was really the only one that I really liked. There were a lot of characters in this story, and honestly, most were forgettable. There were some that were mentioned at the end that I literally couldn't place from the beginning because they were that unimportant to me. Even Cherie, the FMC, and Jack, the MMC, were both kind of vanilla.
The story had some interesting parts. There is a whole big backstory about wars with the vampires, people becoming magical, magic replacing electrical power, and all different mythological worlds interacting with each other. It should have been more interesting. But we never really get a lot of details about the history, and what we learn is in bits and pieces that sometimes contradict each other. There is way more that happened in the past than we learned about. Which makes the story somewhat muddled in places.
I actually think that is part of the problem. There was so much stuffed into this book. Was it supposed to be a story about a grand quest where the FMC learns and accepts her power? Or was it an analogy about how modern conveniences are creating an unnatural world? A love story? A reverse damsel in distress who has to be saved from the evil queen? This story has parts of all of those tropes. I think this is a case of too many cooks spoiling the pot. There was too much going on, and it overpowered the good parts of the story. I feel like if the author had focused on one main theme and expanded that, the story could have been much better. But I actually felt like Jack a lot: lost in a world that doesn't make sense and only getting glimpses of the main story.
Snow So White is apparently the first in the series, but I have no desire to read any more.
My rating: 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars
January 30, 2025
here’s my take on snow so white by c. gockel (2.5/5 stars, because i couldn't bring myself to give it 3, but it's not terrible). okay, let’s start with the fact that this book felt like a game of "where's waldo?" except i was looking for a coherent plot. like, i thought i signed up for a cool twist on snow white, but instead i got a magical rollercoaster that kept swerving and i couldn't figure out if it was going up or down.
cherie, our protagonist, was fine, but i kept getting distracted by all the weird magic stuff and all the characters who just kept popping up like uninvited guests at a party. i couldn't even keep track of who's who—jack frost was cool in theory, but his vibe was like that of the guy who shows up at the party and spends 10 minutes explaining the rules of a game that no one really wants to play.
the pacing was... rough. like, imagine trying to run a marathon but your shoes keep getting caught on every little thing. it was slow, i’ll admit. sometimes i was like, "okay, i get it, there's magic. can we get to the part where stuff happens?"
also, not to be dramatic, but sometimes the plot felt like it was trying to juggle 10 flaming swords while riding a unicycle—just way too much. i’m all for complexity, but it felt like the author was trying to throw in every fantasy element under the sun, and it got overwhelming. by the time things started to pick up, i was too exhausted to care.
so, yeah. not the worst book i’ve read, but definitely not a quick, fun read. if you want a fantasy with a little less “what’s happening” and more “wow, cool,” this might not be it. but hey, maybe you'll like it more than i did—it's got the ingredients for something interesting, just not all mixed in the right way for me.
cherie, our protagonist, was fine, but i kept getting distracted by all the weird magic stuff and all the characters who just kept popping up like uninvited guests at a party. i couldn't even keep track of who's who—jack frost was cool in theory, but his vibe was like that of the guy who shows up at the party and spends 10 minutes explaining the rules of a game that no one really wants to play.
the pacing was... rough. like, imagine trying to run a marathon but your shoes keep getting caught on every little thing. it was slow, i’ll admit. sometimes i was like, "okay, i get it, there's magic. can we get to the part where stuff happens?"
also, not to be dramatic, but sometimes the plot felt like it was trying to juggle 10 flaming swords while riding a unicycle—just way too much. i’m all for complexity, but it felt like the author was trying to throw in every fantasy element under the sun, and it got overwhelming. by the time things started to pick up, i was too exhausted to care.
so, yeah. not the worst book i’ve read, but definitely not a quick, fun read. if you want a fantasy with a little less “what’s happening” and more “wow, cool,” this might not be it. but hey, maybe you'll like it more than i did—it's got the ingredients for something interesting, just not all mixed in the right way for me.
January 14, 2024
3.5/5 stars
I love a good fairytale retelling and unfortunately this one fell short for me. It took me 8 chapters just to get into the plot and gain a basic understanding. However, there are still things I don't fully understand I feel need clarification. What is the Change? the book talks about the time before and after the Change, what is it? Ember appeared and people became Magick, but what is Ember? where did it come from? There are so many things that are unexplained.
Cherie, the main character is fantastic. She grows in the book and I love a good character development. Her relationship with Grendel is fun and provides a needed comic relief.
I think there were too many ideas thrust into one book. Too many mythical creatures from different cultures somehow make appearances and it all became too confusing to me.
I also think the story lacked depth. Many scenes needed more descriptions and clarification. I have a vivid imagination and I had a hard time picturing the world as I read, because it lacked descriptions.
I liked how the tale of Snow White was turned upside down in this book, where Cherie, the main character is not Snow White. I'm still left with lots of questions as to who she is.
The romance between Cherie and Jack Frost was disturbing to me. I didn't find it necessary and he came off as too manipulative to me.
Overall, I liked the book. At least enough to finish reading it. However, I doubt I will read the rest of the series.
I love a good fairytale retelling and unfortunately this one fell short for me. It took me 8 chapters just to get into the plot and gain a basic understanding. However, there are still things I don't fully understand I feel need clarification. What is the Change? the book talks about the time before and after the Change, what is it? Ember appeared and people became Magick, but what is Ember? where did it come from? There are so many things that are unexplained.
Cherie, the main character is fantastic. She grows in the book and I love a good character development. Her relationship with Grendel is fun and provides a needed comic relief.
I think there were too many ideas thrust into one book. Too many mythical creatures from different cultures somehow make appearances and it all became too confusing to me.
I also think the story lacked depth. Many scenes needed more descriptions and clarification. I have a vivid imagination and I had a hard time picturing the world as I read, because it lacked descriptions.
I liked how the tale of Snow White was turned upside down in this book, where Cherie, the main character is not Snow White. I'm still left with lots of questions as to who she is.
The romance between Cherie and Jack Frost was disturbing to me. I didn't find it necessary and he came off as too manipulative to me.
Overall, I liked the book. At least enough to finish reading it. However, I doubt I will read the rest of the series.
July 25, 2024
Ritka de ez nagyon nem tetszett. Át sem tudtam magam rágni az egész könyvön. Egyszerűen túl sok minden van benne. Először is tetszett az hogy a szerepek fel vannak cserélve és a főhős az aki mély álomba merült a Gonosz Királynő miatt, és a főhősnőnek kell őt megmentenie. És nagyjából itt vége is van annak ami tetszett ebben a könyvben. Varázslatot akarsz, esetleg varázslatos állatokat, világ végét ahol az élet teljesen megváltozott. Pipa. Ez mind megvan. Emellett pedig vannak vámpírok, tündérek, mágia, háború, mindenféle mitikus lény ami csak eszedbe jut és még rengeteg minden más. Egyszerűen túl sok és túl nagy a káosz. Nincsenek eléggé kifejlesztve a karakterek és egyáltalán nem nőnek a szívemhez. Ritka de számomra ez 2/5⭐️
It's rare, but I really didn't like it. I couldn't get through the whole book. There's just too much going on. First of all, I liked the fact that the roles are reversed and the protagonist is the one who fell into a deep sleep because of the Evil Queen, and the heroine has to save her. And that's about the end of what I liked about this book. You want magic, maybe magical animals, the end of the world where life has completely changed. You got it. It's all there. In addition, there are vampires, fairies, magic, war, all kinds of mythical creatures you can think of and many other things. There is simply too much and too much chaos. The characters are not developed enough and do not grow to my heart at all. It's rare, but for me it's 2/5⭐️
It's rare, but I really didn't like it. I couldn't get through the whole book. There's just too much going on. First of all, I liked the fact that the roles are reversed and the protagonist is the one who fell into a deep sleep because of the Evil Queen, and the heroine has to save her. And that's about the end of what I liked about this book. You want magic, maybe magical animals, the end of the world where life has completely changed. You got it. It's all there. In addition, there are vampires, fairies, magic, war, all kinds of mythical creatures you can think of and many other things. There is simply too much and too much chaos. The characters are not developed enough and do not grow to my heart at all. It's rare, but for me it's 2/5⭐️
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