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Poisoned: Snow White's Story
A poisoned apple and true love's first kiss were only the beginning to Snow White's story...
After a handsome prince swoops in to save the day, Snow can't help but feel like something is still missing in her life. She begins to wonder if "happily ever after" really exists, because what she is experiencing certainly isn't the idyllic life she imaged a princess would have. With each passing day, Snow feels an increasing desire to escape the pressures of the castle and return to the brothers who live in the cottage in the woods.
Snow adores the youngest of the brothers, who cannot speak and has an inexplicable, infectious joy about him. Oliver's grouchy caregiver doesn't want anyone to get close to their family, and continually rebuffs Snow's kindness. Snow can only hope that the unlikely friendship of these two brothers will be the key to unlocking her heart and happiness.
This retelling of the classic fairy tale, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, continues the story far beyond the supposed "happily ever after" and explores the value of friendships as Snow discovers the innate worth every person has, regardless of ability level.
If you enjoy clean romance, sweet friendships and disability inclusion, then try this book now! This young adult fairy tale retelling is a standalone story.
After a handsome prince swoops in to save the day, Snow can't help but feel like something is still missing in her life. She begins to wonder if "happily ever after" really exists, because what she is experiencing certainly isn't the idyllic life she imaged a princess would have. With each passing day, Snow feels an increasing desire to escape the pressures of the castle and return to the brothers who live in the cottage in the woods.
Snow adores the youngest of the brothers, who cannot speak and has an inexplicable, infectious joy about him. Oliver's grouchy caregiver doesn't want anyone to get close to their family, and continually rebuffs Snow's kindness. Snow can only hope that the unlikely friendship of these two brothers will be the key to unlocking her heart and happiness.
This retelling of the classic fairy tale, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, continues the story far beyond the supposed "happily ever after" and explores the value of friendships as Snow discovers the innate worth every person has, regardless of ability level.
If you enjoy clean romance, sweet friendships and disability inclusion, then try this book now! This young adult fairy tale retelling is a standalone story.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 27, 2022
95 people are currently reading
1088 people want to read
About the author
Mary Mecham
19 books782 followersMary Mecham writes high stakes, high swoon, no spice romantasy and fairy tale retellings packed full of adventure and romances. Her greatest joy is writing snarky banter and morally grey characters.
She is a born and raised Texan with a love of theater and books overshadowed only by her passion for disability advocacy. Her favorite food is chips and queso, her favorite holiday is April Fool's Day, and her favorite trope is enemies to lovers.
When she isn't writing, Mary enjoys spending time with her family and trying out new experiences, from fire breathing and axe throwing to trapeze flying and power paragliding.
She currently lives in Texas with her husband and three children.
You can get a FREE e-copy of her Rumpelstiltskin retelling, A Curse of Gold and Beauty, when you sign up for her newsletter at MaryMecham.com
She is a born and raised Texan with a love of theater and books overshadowed only by her passion for disability advocacy. Her favorite food is chips and queso, her favorite holiday is April Fool's Day, and her favorite trope is enemies to lovers.
When she isn't writing, Mary enjoys spending time with her family and trying out new experiences, from fire breathing and axe throwing to trapeze flying and power paragliding.
She currently lives in Texas with her husband and three children.
You can get a FREE e-copy of her Rumpelstiltskin retelling, A Curse of Gold and Beauty, when you sign up for her newsletter at MaryMecham.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
May 23, 2023
I think that this is a great book! I learned more about Severe Intellectual Disabilities. At first I thought the author was exaggerating the disability but I came to find out that she wasn't. I am ignorant on this kind of disability and it was very interesting to learn more however with the ending I felt like it was most inaccurate to what she had consistently said throughout the book. Malcolm didn't do much but take care of Ollie. So he can't have children when he can barely take care of Ollie on his own. And what about all the help Snow rangled up for him? Malcolm wouldn't want to leave Ollie. So it isn't a nanny looking after Ollie who took his place. I just didn't feel like the ending worked with the whole story line. Malcolm made it very clear that night and day he would watch his brother and now suddenly he has all the time in the world to work on his projects and have children and take care of children? Is anyone else confused?
I didn't like how the ending went so far into the future. It made me really sad.
Snow: Sadly she reminded me more of a Cinderella. I liked that the author explained why Snow didn't fight back when her stepmother made her a servant and how she had learned how to clean and cook, but then as Snow had "prince charming" and was thoroughly abused by him so just kept taking it. Then, without warning, she suddenly grew a backbone!?!?!?
Malcolm: He was an angel.
Ollie: Sweet kid. It was hard for me to imagine him as an adult since he acted like a child. I also couldn't believe how violent he could be. I had heard about this but it was still crazy.
Darius: Sweet, sweet, mean, mean, mean, sweet. He was a flip flop.
Snow White retelling: I LOVED all the elements of snow white and how the author worked them in! Genius!
Content: kisses
I did NOT receive a complimentary copy. I bought this book.
I didn't like how the ending went so far into the future. It made me really sad.
Snow: Sadly she reminded me more of a Cinderella. I liked that the author explained why Snow didn't fight back when her stepmother made her a servant and how she had learned how to clean and cook, but then as Snow had "prince charming" and was thoroughly abused by him so just kept taking it. Then, without warning, she suddenly grew a backbone!?!?!?
Malcolm: He was an angel.
Ollie: Sweet kid. It was hard for me to imagine him as an adult since he acted like a child. I also couldn't believe how violent he could be. I had heard about this but it was still crazy.
Darius: Sweet, sweet, mean, mean, mean, sweet. He was a flip flop.
Snow White retelling: I LOVED all the elements of snow white and how the author worked them in! Genius!
Content: kisses
I did NOT receive a complimentary copy. I bought this book.
December 30, 2022
What a beautiful and powerful story! If you enjoy a good fairytale romance that still gives you unexpected twists and turns this is the book for you.
The beginning of the book kept me guessing on who the hero would be and then it was still the beginning of the book once she was woken by "true loves kiss." I found myself wondering just what would happen next.
Snow's journey of growth and learning to become the ruler was beautiful and touching. She begins timid and unsure of herself but learns to stand up for herself in the midst of difficult obstacles.
Then there are the fantastic seven men she meets in the forest. Oliver is immediately lovable with his child-like disposition and the joy he finds in the simplest of things. Mary Mecham did such a beautiful job of portraying the intellectual disability that he has in a way that all readers can relate to. Also her exposure of caregiver fatigue, while we love those we care for, no one person should be expected to do it alone.
Then there is Malcom. I love how you grow to understand him throughout the book. You can't help but love this grumpy man right from the start. He is a constant always quietly there staunchly supporting those he loves.
I adored this book from beginning to end. I laughed, I cried, I swooned. It was a beautiful and enjoyable read!
The beginning of the book kept me guessing on who the hero would be and then it was still the beginning of the book once she was woken by "true loves kiss." I found myself wondering just what would happen next.
Snow's journey of growth and learning to become the ruler was beautiful and touching. She begins timid and unsure of herself but learns to stand up for herself in the midst of difficult obstacles.
Then there are the fantastic seven men she meets in the forest. Oliver is immediately lovable with his child-like disposition and the joy he finds in the simplest of things. Mary Mecham did such a beautiful job of portraying the intellectual disability that he has in a way that all readers can relate to. Also her exposure of caregiver fatigue, while we love those we care for, no one person should be expected to do it alone.
Then there is Malcom. I love how you grow to understand him throughout the book. You can't help but love this grumpy man right from the start. He is a constant always quietly there staunchly supporting those he loves.
I adored this book from beginning to end. I laughed, I cried, I swooned. It was a beautiful and enjoyable read!
December 25, 2024
I absolutely ADORED this book. It was so fun, swoony, inspirational, and heartwarming. As someone who hasn’t been around many people with disabilities, I found it very eye opening and taught me how to better see those people. Thank you Mary for writing this novel, and sharing your heart with us.
Thank you for all that you do, and for the messages you share in your writing!
I absolutely loved the characters, and I like each one for a different reason. Snow was great, and for the first time, a people pleaser character who didn’t annoy me. She felt relatable and was a sweet girl with some spunk. Malcom was…words cannot express 🥰 and Oliver was so lovely, and so full of joy.
The plot was very interesting, and kept me hooked the entire time! I especially loved the different twists that were in the book, and the unique spin on the story. I have never enjoyed a Snow White retelling, but this one was an exception! So good, and I highlighted soo many quotes.
Definitely a book I will reread and become one of my comfort reads.
Thank you for all that you do, and for the messages you share in your writing!
I absolutely loved the characters, and I like each one for a different reason. Snow was great, and for the first time, a people pleaser character who didn’t annoy me. She felt relatable and was a sweet girl with some spunk. Malcom was…words cannot express 🥰 and Oliver was so lovely, and so full of joy.
The plot was very interesting, and kept me hooked the entire time! I especially loved the different twists that were in the book, and the unique spin on the story. I have never enjoyed a Snow White retelling, but this one was an exception! So good, and I highlighted soo many quotes.
Definitely a book I will reread and become one of my comfort reads.
November 22, 2022
Poisoned starts off following the typical story of Snow White we all know and love, but it doesn't stay that way for long. Things quickly get shaken up as we move past the original tale and explore what happens after Snow wakes up from her deadly slumber!
As a self-proclaimed fairy tale retelling connoisseur, I have to say this Snow White telling did not disappoint! It was so beautifully unique! Mecham did an excellent job of keeping me wondering just who Snow's true love was, and I was pleasantly surprised at who it turned out to be! The biggest draw to this story is the incredible disability inclusion in one very special character. Mecham does an excellent job of tying this character into the story of Snow White, and even using him to explain some of the plot holes left in the Disney version.
Beautiful, heartfelt characters. Touching romance. And a story of friendship and inclusion.
Definitely going to recommend to anyone looking for a disability inclusive book.
Note: I was given an advanced copy of this book to review, and was not required to leave a good rating.
As a self-proclaimed fairy tale retelling connoisseur, I have to say this Snow White telling did not disappoint! It was so beautifully unique! Mecham did an excellent job of keeping me wondering just who Snow's true love was, and I was pleasantly surprised at who it turned out to be! The biggest draw to this story is the incredible disability inclusion in one very special character. Mecham does an excellent job of tying this character into the story of Snow White, and even using him to explain some of the plot holes left in the Disney version.
Beautiful, heartfelt characters. Touching romance. And a story of friendship and inclusion.
Definitely going to recommend to anyone looking for a disability inclusive book.
Note: I was given an advanced copy of this book to review, and was not required to leave a good rating.
September 27, 2022
Confession time: Snow White is not one of my favorite fairytales. I always found the Disney princess annoying and the romance of the original story fell flat for me (I mean, did the prince and her really even know each other?)
Enter Mary Mecham with her new fairytale retelling, and I have completely fallen in love with this story!
Poisoned is a wonderful blend of growth, humor, and heart. Mecham weaves the tale of Snow White in a brilliant new way, far beyond “true love’s kiss,” and sheds new light on what true love actually is.
Much like all classic fairytales, this story teaches some valuable lessons, such as every human’s intrinsic worth no matter how “small” or different they seem; how a person acts behind closed doors is a lot more telling than the front they present to the world; and finally, true love isn’t flowery declarations or showy displays, but rather the quiet desire of wanting what is best for the other person.
These characters dazzle on the page, and I found Snow to be very relatable. At the start of the story, she is a people pleaser and doesn’t want to upset anyone or rock the boat. By the end of the story—after a lot of confusion and tough decisions—she blossoms into an independent and steadfast young woman. Through it all, her heart is in the right place, and that made her very easy to sympathize with and helped me understand her decisions.
Malcolm is the perfect loveable grump! I adore the enemies-to-lovers trope, and Mecham handled it beautifully in this story. For one thing, I believed it every step of the way. In the beginning, I completely understood why the characters didn’t like, or even trust, each other. Malcolm was especially fun to get to know. He isn’t suave or particularly charming, but underneath that gruff exterior is a true heart of gold. If you love a romance where the main characters have false assumptions about the other and then their world gets shaken up when they discover just who that person is (and how much they really mean to them) then I highly recommend you give this story a try. You will definitely be swooning and rooting for that happily-ever-after!
And finally, Oliver is the character that pulls this entire story together. He’s Malcolm’s youngest brother who cannot speak and experiences many day-to-day challenges with things we take for granted, yet he is full of joy and teaches both characters about love, life, and resilience. I especially loved how Mecham made Oliver’s personality sparkle on the page, even with so few words from him. I fell in love with him right along with Snow as she got to know him.
As a mother of a special needs child myself (proud autism mama here!) I thought Mecham did a wonderfully accurate job portraying this aspect of the story: from the small victories that seem huge; to the sweetness of peaceful moments; to navigating the many unsolicited comments (from rude to well-meaning) of others; to the struggles and reality of burnout; and above all, how loving a person who takes on the world differently can make you see it in a whole new way. Not only will parents and siblings of anyone with special needs feel heard and represented when reading this story, but it is also so valuable to anyone who has wondered what life is like for someone with disabilities (and what it’s like for their family). This book is great for tweens and up because of the empathy and lessons it teaches, and how it normalizes disabilities. I definitely plan to share it with my kids and will be recommending it to others as well.
So if you love enchanting fairytales, sweet romance, and dynamic characters, I highly recommend you add this book to your TBR list. I promise you have never heard Snow White’s story told like this, and you may just fall in love with this fairytale like I did!
* I received an ARC of this book for review. All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own. Thank you, Mary Mecham, for the opportunity to read this book early!
Enter Mary Mecham with her new fairytale retelling, and I have completely fallen in love with this story!
Poisoned is a wonderful blend of growth, humor, and heart. Mecham weaves the tale of Snow White in a brilliant new way, far beyond “true love’s kiss,” and sheds new light on what true love actually is.
Much like all classic fairytales, this story teaches some valuable lessons, such as every human’s intrinsic worth no matter how “small” or different they seem; how a person acts behind closed doors is a lot more telling than the front they present to the world; and finally, true love isn’t flowery declarations or showy displays, but rather the quiet desire of wanting what is best for the other person.
These characters dazzle on the page, and I found Snow to be very relatable. At the start of the story, she is a people pleaser and doesn’t want to upset anyone or rock the boat. By the end of the story—after a lot of confusion and tough decisions—she blossoms into an independent and steadfast young woman. Through it all, her heart is in the right place, and that made her very easy to sympathize with and helped me understand her decisions.
Malcolm is the perfect loveable grump! I adore the enemies-to-lovers trope, and Mecham handled it beautifully in this story. For one thing, I believed it every step of the way. In the beginning, I completely understood why the characters didn’t like, or even trust, each other. Malcolm was especially fun to get to know. He isn’t suave or particularly charming, but underneath that gruff exterior is a true heart of gold. If you love a romance where the main characters have false assumptions about the other and then their world gets shaken up when they discover just who that person is (and how much they really mean to them) then I highly recommend you give this story a try. You will definitely be swooning and rooting for that happily-ever-after!
And finally, Oliver is the character that pulls this entire story together. He’s Malcolm’s youngest brother who cannot speak and experiences many day-to-day challenges with things we take for granted, yet he is full of joy and teaches both characters about love, life, and resilience. I especially loved how Mecham made Oliver’s personality sparkle on the page, even with so few words from him. I fell in love with him right along with Snow as she got to know him.
As a mother of a special needs child myself (proud autism mama here!) I thought Mecham did a wonderfully accurate job portraying this aspect of the story: from the small victories that seem huge; to the sweetness of peaceful moments; to navigating the many unsolicited comments (from rude to well-meaning) of others; to the struggles and reality of burnout; and above all, how loving a person who takes on the world differently can make you see it in a whole new way. Not only will parents and siblings of anyone with special needs feel heard and represented when reading this story, but it is also so valuable to anyone who has wondered what life is like for someone with disabilities (and what it’s like for their family). This book is great for tweens and up because of the empathy and lessons it teaches, and how it normalizes disabilities. I definitely plan to share it with my kids and will be recommending it to others as well.
So if you love enchanting fairytales, sweet romance, and dynamic characters, I highly recommend you add this book to your TBR list. I promise you have never heard Snow White’s story told like this, and you may just fall in love with this fairytale like I did!
* I received an ARC of this book for review. All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own. Thank you, Mary Mecham, for the opportunity to read this book early!
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April 2, 2025I really appreciated how Mecham tackled the disability representation and caregiver burnout! There was such an authenticity and grace. Oliver is precious and Malcolm is a gem. Watching Snow grow from a shy people pleaser into a confident woman who stood up for herself (& against her abuser) was beautiful.
My only complaint is the romance. Malcolm & Snow are totally endgame, and I was totally rooting for them. Unfortunately, pesky narcissistic Charles, Snow’s fiancée, was in the way. And the kissing between Snow and Malcolm happens while’s she still engaged to Charles—the first time is under the guise of “friends needing kissing lessons” and then other kiss happened just before she broke things off with Charles. For me, it toed the cheating line too much for my personal preferences. Charles was a class-A jerk no question, but it still wasn’t right.
That aside, this was a lovely story about confidence and not infantilizing or treating disabled individuals as “lesser” just because they’re “different.”
Content: Snow is in an abusive arranged betrothal (physical/ emotional/ mental abuse & gaslighting); kissing only
My only complaint is the romance. Malcolm & Snow are totally endgame, and I was totally rooting for them. Unfortunately, pesky narcissistic Charles, Snow’s fiancée, was in the way. And the kissing between Snow and Malcolm happens while’s she still engaged to Charles—the first time is under the guise of “friends needing kissing lessons” and then other kiss happened just before she broke things off with Charles. For me, it toed the cheating line too much for my personal preferences. Charles was a class-A jerk no question, but it still wasn’t right.
That aside, this was a lovely story about confidence and not infantilizing or treating disabled individuals as “lesser” just because they’re “different.”
Content: Snow is in an abusive arranged betrothal (physical/ emotional/ mental abuse & gaslighting); kissing only
October 12, 2025
Heartwarming, honest and insightful though the heavy themes of gaslighting and severe manipulation hit too close personally and therefor kept me from truly enjoying this story.
The mundane everyday felt drawn-out while the plot twists came in a little late and lasted for only a few pages. And sadly, major aspects of the romance were not my favorite.
The ending though was exquisitely sweet.
The mundane everyday felt drawn-out while the plot twists came in a little late and lasted for only a few pages. And sadly, major aspects of the romance were not my favorite.
The ending though was exquisitely sweet.
July 11, 2024
My issue with it was the constant spelling everything out...
i.e "I am sorry" "It is not" like the characters constantly all speak like that with no conjunctions.
Idk why but it drove me nuts to the point it legitimately dropped my rating by a whole star.
i.e "I am sorry" "It is not" like the characters constantly all speak like that with no conjunctions.
Idk why but it drove me nuts to the point it legitimately dropped my rating by a whole star.
December 3, 2024
Rounded to 4⭐️ because the message/lessons and how Snow grew was so good! And Malcolm was the best character ever for sure!!
There were several things that bothered me(what Snow tolerated-ugh there were painful parts-, some implausibilities and modern language wrong for the era, Darius was kinda… floppy, and how some of it was written wasn’t my fave both developmentally and simplistically), but this is still a book I’ll think about for a while!
My grandmother was a special ed teacher for 20ish years and I saw first hand the connections she made and challenges she faced. This book gives an even more in depth view of what caretakers go through but also how amazing!!! I think this is so important and special how the author wrote Oliver as such a focal character.
The twists to the original story were really neat!!
I loved how the relationships developed and I enjoyed that it is what seemed to drive this story!
CW: poisoning, people being close to drowning, mental/verbal/emotional abuse, kissing(one especially kinda gross… lol), mentions of a stabbing
There were several things that bothered me(what Snow tolerated-ugh there were painful parts-, some implausibilities and modern language wrong for the era, Darius was kinda… floppy, and how some of it was written wasn’t my fave both developmentally and simplistically), but this is still a book I’ll think about for a while!
My grandmother was a special ed teacher for 20ish years and I saw first hand the connections she made and challenges she faced. This book gives an even more in depth view of what caretakers go through but also how amazing!!! I think this is so important and special how the author wrote Oliver as such a focal character.
The twists to the original story were really neat!!
I loved how the relationships developed and I enjoyed that it is what seemed to drive this story!
CW: poisoning, people being close to drowning, mental/verbal/emotional abuse, kissing(one especially kinda gross… lol), mentions of a stabbing
December 8, 2024
*4.5*
Finished this book yesterday, and it’s my first Mary Mecham!
I really, really enjoyed this spin on Snow White. Snow’s character development was interesting and enjoyable.
Malcolm piqued my interest. What seemed gruff was just a protective loyalty.
Oliver was an absolute gem. Charles is a cotton-headed ninny muggin.
This story was excellent. The writing was extremely engaging. The scenery was vivid and the story was compelling. I rooted for the characters all along the way. The reason for four and a half stars in content.
The disability representation for me was very nice to see. It taught me more compassion. Delightfully done
Content: minor violence, r*t*td*d (said by bad guy, the character who is called this is based on the author’s daughter so the author wanted to show her hate and the evil power behind this word), romance (somewhat detailed kiss while one character is engaged (reason for lowered rating), lightly detailed kiss (maybe two)) nothing else major to note
Finished this book yesterday, and it’s my first Mary Mecham!
I really, really enjoyed this spin on Snow White. Snow’s character development was interesting and enjoyable.
Malcolm piqued my interest. What seemed gruff was just a protective loyalty.
Oliver was an absolute gem. Charles is a cotton-headed ninny muggin.
This story was excellent. The writing was extremely engaging. The scenery was vivid and the story was compelling. I rooted for the characters all along the way. The reason for four and a half stars in content.
The disability representation for me was very nice to see. It taught me more compassion. Delightfully done
Content: minor violence, r*t*td*d (said by bad guy, the character who is called this is based on the author’s daughter so the author wanted to show her hate and the evil power behind this word), romance (somewhat detailed kiss while one character is engaged (reason for lowered rating), lightly detailed kiss (maybe two)) nothing else major to note
March 18, 2023
As a mama to a kiddo with an intelectual disability, I approve this story 110%. I will never stop recommending this books to my friends and family!
December 4, 2022
This was a unique and refreshing Snow White tale that stands on its own!
This story perfectly entwines a plot that pulls you in, realistic characters, sweet moments, humor, and heavy topics which were handled well.
Going into this book, I knew a lot was said about Oliver, and I assumed going into it that he was the love interest. But, as it seemed to be established that Snow only saw Oliver as a friend, I honestly didn't know who it could be then. Charles? Darius? Malcolm?
I read for a bit longer, and the more I did, the more I started to really want it to be Malcolm. I ended up flipping to around the end of the book and saw that Malcolm did wind up being the one Snow chose. I was happy with that and thought it was a lot of fun. I mean, Snow White and Grumpy? What a fun concept for a retelling!
Snow was such a sweet and likable character. I thought she was awfully childish at first, but I think that was the point, because we get to see her learn and grow and really come into herself. I enjoyed her arc.
It's probably obvious by now, but my favorite character was Malcolm. He was the one I connected with the most, and I enjoyed learning more about him as the pieces were put together.
Malcolm and Snow's relationship was so much fun to watch unfold. I'm a sucker for a love story where the two characters form a friendship before they begin to develop feelings. That's what happened here. They had a rocky start, but as they began to know each other, they learned the other isn't what they assumed, and they began to like each other. They formed a friendship and even a partnership, built each other up, supported each other, and helped the other heal. I thought it was lovely.
I was pleasantly surprised by the caregiver aspects and awareness incorporated. Although having previously been a caregiver myself, I had never really seen that in fiction. I felt so understood that I wanted to cry.
I thought it was clever how it takes place after "happily ever after" and also liked the little nods and references to the dwarfs, the Disney movie, and the original fairytale.
There were also so many plot twists! I guessed a couple of them, but the others took me by complete surprise. And the twists I did guess didn't mess up the story for me. Instead, I was able to anticipate the things leading up to them unfolding.
Everything wrapped up with an ending that I didn't expect but thought was fitting and so cute.
I enjoyed this one a lot, and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author!
This story perfectly entwines a plot that pulls you in, realistic characters, sweet moments, humor, and heavy topics which were handled well.
Going into this book, I knew a lot was said about Oliver, and I assumed going into it that he was the love interest. But, as it seemed to be established that Snow only saw Oliver as a friend, I honestly didn't know who it could be then. Charles? Darius? Malcolm?
I read for a bit longer, and the more I did, the more I started to really want it to be Malcolm. I ended up flipping to around the end of the book and saw that Malcolm did wind up being the one Snow chose. I was happy with that and thought it was a lot of fun. I mean, Snow White and Grumpy? What a fun concept for a retelling!
Snow was such a sweet and likable character. I thought she was awfully childish at first, but I think that was the point, because we get to see her learn and grow and really come into herself. I enjoyed her arc.
It's probably obvious by now, but my favorite character was Malcolm. He was the one I connected with the most, and I enjoyed learning more about him as the pieces were put together.
Malcolm and Snow's relationship was so much fun to watch unfold. I'm a sucker for a love story where the two characters form a friendship before they begin to develop feelings. That's what happened here. They had a rocky start, but as they began to know each other, they learned the other isn't what they assumed, and they began to like each other. They formed a friendship and even a partnership, built each other up, supported each other, and helped the other heal. I thought it was lovely.
I was pleasantly surprised by the caregiver aspects and awareness incorporated. Although having previously been a caregiver myself, I had never really seen that in fiction. I felt so understood that I wanted to cry.
I thought it was clever how it takes place after "happily ever after" and also liked the little nods and references to the dwarfs, the Disney movie, and the original fairytale.
There were also so many plot twists! I guessed a couple of them, but the others took me by complete surprise. And the twists I did guess didn't mess up the story for me. Instead, I was able to anticipate the things leading up to them unfolding.
Everything wrapped up with an ending that I didn't expect but thought was fitting and so cute.
I enjoyed this one a lot, and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author!
September 6, 2024
I don't ordinarily read fairytale retellings and didn't get into this book right away, but I found myself thinking about the characters and intrigued by the story even when I wasn't reading, and for me that's a sign of good storytelling.
By the first half, I was hooked and finished the book deeply touched by the sweet and unexpected love story, the depth of themes explored, and, of course, I fell head over heels for Oliver.
If you like Snow White's story as it's traditionally told, you'll be surprised by the twists this one takes, but I think you'll enjoy them as much as I did. Malcolm and Oliver will steal your hearts and make you rethink everything you know about Prince Charmings and what true love really means.
By the first half, I was hooked and finished the book deeply touched by the sweet and unexpected love story, the depth of themes explored, and, of course, I fell head over heels for Oliver.
If you like Snow White's story as it's traditionally told, you'll be surprised by the twists this one takes, but I think you'll enjoy them as much as I did. Malcolm and Oliver will steal your hearts and make you rethink everything you know about Prince Charmings and what true love really means.
July 31, 2025
First of all, can I just say I loved the disability representation in this book and the inclusivity. I love Snow White and how much she cares for Oliver! Also, Malcolm and all he gives up for his brother. I also love how real this book is with how hard it is to care for someone with significant disabilities. It doesn't sugar coat the reality of what so many people go through. Caregiver burnout is so real! Also Prince Charming is a jerk. My favorite part might have been kissing practice. 😍 I would definitely recommend this book. Probably my favorite Mary Mecham book so far!
Content: kisses only, no swearing. Could be triggering for people who have dealt with abuse.
Content: kisses only, no swearing. Could be triggering for people who have dealt with abuse.
October 29, 2022
Dopey is cringey. Oliver is real.
My mom and I have discussed before the discomfort of not knowing how to interact with someone, and I've certainly read articles about the dynamics of caretakers desperately trying to help their charges fit in society better versus people's instincts to just be nice and tolerate whatever "because they don't know any better", something snow says repeatedly. I've never read such an honest and compelling disabled character in a work of fiction. And integrating it into such a well known story? It's amazing
My mom and I have discussed before the discomfort of not knowing how to interact with someone, and I've certainly read articles about the dynamics of caretakers desperately trying to help their charges fit in society better versus people's instincts to just be nice and tolerate whatever "because they don't know any better", something snow says repeatedly. I've never read such an honest and compelling disabled character in a work of fiction. And integrating it into such a well known story? It's amazing
February 29, 2024
As someone who has never really cared for Snow White, I am happy to announce that I now like it! Or at least this version! Mary did an amazing job! I absolutely loved this book and will binge-read all of her books ASAP! I will also be buying a print copy of this book to add to my permanent library. Highly recommended!
April 14, 2023
Poisoned: Snow White's Story by Mary Mecham is one of the books I was most excited about from this year's Fairy Tale Day event, especially after reading her excellent "Rumpelstiltskin" retelling that is included with a subscription to her newsletter. I thought a disability-friendly retelling of "Snow White" was an interesting concept and was eager to see how it would tie into the original fairy tale. The disability elements of the story were handled excellently and clearly had a ton of research and personal experience put into them, but I was a bit surprised by how few fairy tale elements the book contained. The "Snow White" story is rushed through in the first few chapters and is stripped down to its most basic elements to leave time for the story that the author actually wanted to tell. I think the title is a misnomer, particularly after reading another "Snow White" retelling with the same name. This is hardly Snow White's story, and she is only poisoned for little more than a page. A better title might have been Snow White and Dopey or Snow White and Grumpy because the two most important characters in the book were inspired by Dopey and Grumpy from the Disney movie.
Poisoned: Snow White's Story takes place in a world very similar to our own with no magic to speak of. You might be wondering how the magic of true love's kiss is able to break the spell on Snow White, and you will continue wondering that for a long time because it isn't explained until the end of the book even Snow White eats the poisoned apple and subsequently wakes up close to the beginning. The majority of the book focuses on the seven brothers who are inspired by the dwarfs from the Disney film, particularly Malcolm, who is an archetype of Grumpy, and Oliver, who is an archetype of Dopey. These two brothers are heavy handed metaphors for a caregiver and a person with a severe intellectual disability. This particular aspect of the book was done so well that I often forgot I was reading a fairy tale adaptation. The author got her point across successfully, but I feel that the book should have had a more honest presentation since the cover and title make it look more like a classic fairy tale retelling.
The author does a good job of portraying this version of Snow White as the character most of us are familiar with. She is kind and submissive and the story does not beat around the bush in addressing why some of those traits may work to her disadvantage. After her original fairy tale is resolved early on, she finds herself in an abusive relationship with a manipulative prince who takes advantage of her at every possible turn. She often flees to the solace of Malcolm and Oliver, where she acts as a friend to Oliver and an aid to Malcolm's caregiving. Over time, she learns just how much effort it takes to be a caretaker and gains an incredible amount of respect for Malcolm, who had to give up any opportunity to live a normal life so he could devote all his time to caring for Oliver and keep him away from danger. Oliver's unseemly appearance and erratic behavior sometimes causes problems for Snow White, especially during his first visit to the castle, but she provides every accommodation she can muster to be a friend to him and revel in his playful innocence.
The book ends in a way that I would not have expected from a "Snow White" retelling but makes perfect sense for this particular adaptation. As the queen, Snow White has access to many people and resources that most caretakers would not, placing her in a unique position to provide a happy ending for Malcolm and Oliver. However, she is afraid to stand up for herself for a large portion of the book and needs Malcolm's help to learn how to become more assertive and claim her dominance as the new queen. It is only after she is able to speak out about injustice that she can truly take advantage of her power to help those in need like Oliver. I liked how this element of the book is a nod to more modern "Snow White" adaptations like Mirror Mirror and Snow White and the Huntsman in which her peers teach her to come out of her shell, but in this case, it is done without picking up a sword, which makes this book stand apart.
I think Poisoned: Snow White's Story does a better job of telling a disability-inclusive fairy tale than Just the Way You Are by Allison M. Boot but at the expense of expanding upon the "Snow White" narrative. We barely get a chance to know Snow White's stepmother or what her life was like before she ate the apple, which I suppose isn't much of a problem considering how many other stories there are about that already. Still, I think that a different presentation for the book that places more focus on Oliver as the "Dopey" character would have provided readers with a more honest depiction of what to expect. I would first and foremost recommend this book to real-life caretakers and people who are looking for disability-inclusive stories. Fairy tale fans may also enjoy it, but I think they should be aware of how little of the story focuses on Snow White prior to reading it.
Poisoned: Snow White's Story takes place in a world very similar to our own with no magic to speak of. You might be wondering how the magic of true love's kiss is able to break the spell on Snow White, and you will continue wondering that for a long time because it isn't explained until the end of the book even Snow White eats the poisoned apple and subsequently wakes up close to the beginning. The majority of the book focuses on the seven brothers who are inspired by the dwarfs from the Disney film, particularly Malcolm, who is an archetype of Grumpy, and Oliver, who is an archetype of Dopey. These two brothers are heavy handed metaphors for a caregiver and a person with a severe intellectual disability. This particular aspect of the book was done so well that I often forgot I was reading a fairy tale adaptation. The author got her point across successfully, but I feel that the book should have had a more honest presentation since the cover and title make it look more like a classic fairy tale retelling.
The author does a good job of portraying this version of Snow White as the character most of us are familiar with. She is kind and submissive and the story does not beat around the bush in addressing why some of those traits may work to her disadvantage. After her original fairy tale is resolved early on, she finds herself in an abusive relationship with a manipulative prince who takes advantage of her at every possible turn. She often flees to the solace of Malcolm and Oliver, where she acts as a friend to Oliver and an aid to Malcolm's caregiving. Over time, she learns just how much effort it takes to be a caretaker and gains an incredible amount of respect for Malcolm, who had to give up any opportunity to live a normal life so he could devote all his time to caring for Oliver and keep him away from danger. Oliver's unseemly appearance and erratic behavior sometimes causes problems for Snow White, especially during his first visit to the castle, but she provides every accommodation she can muster to be a friend to him and revel in his playful innocence.
The book ends in a way that I would not have expected from a "Snow White" retelling but makes perfect sense for this particular adaptation. As the queen, Snow White has access to many people and resources that most caretakers would not, placing her in a unique position to provide a happy ending for Malcolm and Oliver. However, she is afraid to stand up for herself for a large portion of the book and needs Malcolm's help to learn how to become more assertive and claim her dominance as the new queen. It is only after she is able to speak out about injustice that she can truly take advantage of her power to help those in need like Oliver. I liked how this element of the book is a nod to more modern "Snow White" adaptations like Mirror Mirror and Snow White and the Huntsman in which her peers teach her to come out of her shell, but in this case, it is done without picking up a sword, which makes this book stand apart.
I think Poisoned: Snow White's Story does a better job of telling a disability-inclusive fairy tale than Just the Way You Are by Allison M. Boot but at the expense of expanding upon the "Snow White" narrative. We barely get a chance to know Snow White's stepmother or what her life was like before she ate the apple, which I suppose isn't much of a problem considering how many other stories there are about that already. Still, I think that a different presentation for the book that places more focus on Oliver as the "Dopey" character would have provided readers with a more honest depiction of what to expect. I would first and foremost recommend this book to real-life caretakers and people who are looking for disability-inclusive stories. Fairy tale fans may also enjoy it, but I think they should be aware of how little of the story focuses on Snow White prior to reading it.
July 5, 2023
Snow White's story is given a completely new spin. Disability inclusion is at the forefront of this story from beginning to end. Mecham has an intense passion for it, lovingly crafting the character of Oliver and portraying a realistic representation. And through Snow, Mecham shows readers the reality of someone who has a mind like Oliver has and how people treat him as a result of it.
Snow's biggest flaw and obstacle is dealing with maintaining boundaries. She states how helping people makes her happy. It is fresh to see such a conflict in a protagonist and when faced with gaslighting to further prove a threat to her struggle with boundaries.
However, when these two issues meet together to form the whole of the plot, things fall apart for me. Snow quickly comes to rely on Oliver's naivete and endless cheer to bolster her up through her struggles. And proceeds to fall in love with his caretaker. She even says she looks forward to "Oliver Day" and that seeing his caretaker is an added bonus. The dynamic comes off as codependent to me when almost all of her interactions with the caretaker are when he is in this role. Not to mention her boundary and people-pleasing issues. His role is full time with hardly any days off. Only when Snow comes into the picture, does she fuss at his brothers to help him carry the load of being a caretaker. When he is off-duty as caretaker, Oliver still ends up coming up in conversation. There is hardly any separation between him being caretaker and just being a man. Romance does not come to my mind when he ends up being a bit of a caretaker to her by offering her the emotional support she needs in the majority of her private conversations with him. I would not marry my therapist. Oliver also pushes them together into hugging, which I do not find romantic. The worst offense for me was that she is engaged to the gaslighting character, but has "kissing practice" with the caretaker. It's to better kiss gaslighter and help caretaker be a better kisser, she reasons. She questions if it is wrong to kiss him when she is engaged, albeit to an abuser, but caretaker says, "No! No, not at all! Practice doesn't count; we are just friends helping each other out, so you wouldn't be cheating. [Gaslighter] would probably be grateful; you will be a better kisser next time." This feels so wrong to me. I would not go around kissing other men while engaged and think it is totally okay. Dump the gaslighter, then get your kissing in. She only dumps gaslighter when she overhears him revealing his true feelings and evil deeds, which did not feel as satisfying to me as her learning, with caretaker's help, to stand up for herself from setting her own boundaries and trusting her own feelings without overhearing a confession, essentially.
Snow's story ended up being completely different from what I was expecting, and not in a good way.
Snow's biggest flaw and obstacle is dealing with maintaining boundaries. She states how helping people makes her happy. It is fresh to see such a conflict in a protagonist and when faced with gaslighting to further prove a threat to her struggle with boundaries.
However, when these two issues meet together to form the whole of the plot, things fall apart for me. Snow quickly comes to rely on Oliver's naivete and endless cheer to bolster her up through her struggles. And proceeds to fall in love with his caretaker. She even says she looks forward to "Oliver Day" and that seeing his caretaker is an added bonus. The dynamic comes off as codependent to me when almost all of her interactions with the caretaker are when he is in this role. Not to mention her boundary and people-pleasing issues. His role is full time with hardly any days off. Only when Snow comes into the picture, does she fuss at his brothers to help him carry the load of being a caretaker. When he is off-duty as caretaker, Oliver still ends up coming up in conversation. There is hardly any separation between him being caretaker and just being a man. Romance does not come to my mind when he ends up being a bit of a caretaker to her by offering her the emotional support she needs in the majority of her private conversations with him. I would not marry my therapist. Oliver also pushes them together into hugging, which I do not find romantic. The worst offense for me was that she is engaged to the gaslighting character, but has "kissing practice" with the caretaker. It's to better kiss gaslighter and help caretaker be a better kisser, she reasons. She questions if it is wrong to kiss him when she is engaged, albeit to an abuser, but caretaker says, "No! No, not at all! Practice doesn't count; we are just friends helping each other out, so you wouldn't be cheating. [Gaslighter] would probably be grateful; you will be a better kisser next time." This feels so wrong to me. I would not go around kissing other men while engaged and think it is totally okay. Dump the gaslighter, then get your kissing in. She only dumps gaslighter when she overhears him revealing his true feelings and evil deeds, which did not feel as satisfying to me as her learning, with caretaker's help, to stand up for herself from setting her own boundaries and trusting her own feelings without overhearing a confession, essentially.
Snow's story ended up being completely different from what I was expecting, and not in a good way.
Read
August 10, 2024From the Author:
I am so excited to share Poisoned: Snow White's Story with everyone! I loved watching Snow develop the confidence to stand up for herself and for others she cares about while she develops friendships and finds romance.
When readers start Poisoned, they will think they can guess what is going to happen because it begins in a familiar way. But this retelling goes far beyond the poisoned apple, with plenty of twists and turns along the way.
On The Disability Aspect of this Novel:
This book features a main character who is non-verbal and has a Severe Intellectual Disability, and he has been my all-time favorite character to write! He is modeled after my own daughter, so writing him really felt like sharing what is nearest and dearest to my heart. My dream is that my readers will adore Oliver as much as I love my daughter.
I have been asked many times in my life how people should interact with my daughter, and this book, in addition to being a Snow White retelling, serves as a model of what that might look like, while recognizing that every situation will be a little different. (Spoiler: the answer to how to interact is always genuine friendship, kindness, and consistent expectations!)
I also felt it was needed to share about Malcolm, who deals with Caregiver Burnout. This is a major topic for caregivers of individuals with Moderate/ Severe IDD, and even though we love and adore those we care for, that burnout is still exhausting and valid, and we need help.
Overall, this book is a sweet retelling of Snow White, but will find particular meaning with readers who have family members with disabilities or who don't have experience with disabilities but want to get a glimpse of what that life looks like on a day to day basis.
Happy Reading!
I am so excited to share Poisoned: Snow White's Story with everyone! I loved watching Snow develop the confidence to stand up for herself and for others she cares about while she develops friendships and finds romance.
When readers start Poisoned, they will think they can guess what is going to happen because it begins in a familiar way. But this retelling goes far beyond the poisoned apple, with plenty of twists and turns along the way.
On The Disability Aspect of this Novel:
This book features a main character who is non-verbal and has a Severe Intellectual Disability, and he has been my all-time favorite character to write! He is modeled after my own daughter, so writing him really felt like sharing what is nearest and dearest to my heart. My dream is that my readers will adore Oliver as much as I love my daughter.
I have been asked many times in my life how people should interact with my daughter, and this book, in addition to being a Snow White retelling, serves as a model of what that might look like, while recognizing that every situation will be a little different. (Spoiler: the answer to how to interact is always genuine friendship, kindness, and consistent expectations!)
I also felt it was needed to share about Malcolm, who deals with Caregiver Burnout. This is a major topic for caregivers of individuals with Moderate/ Severe IDD, and even though we love and adore those we care for, that burnout is still exhausting and valid, and we need help.
Overall, this book is a sweet retelling of Snow White, but will find particular meaning with readers who have family members with disabilities or who don't have experience with disabilities but want to get a glimpse of what that life looks like on a day to day basis.
Happy Reading!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2023
I'm giving this 3 stars because I personally didn't enjoy it very much. I found myself bored and skimmed a lot. Snow White was a bit TOO perfect. Her only real flaws were kindly meant misconceptions and an inability to stick up for herself.
That being said I believe the author deserves a lot of praise for many aspects of this book. I rarely see fantasy books with disabled characters, especially ones with what appears to be Down Syndrome. I am by no means an expert on Down Syndrome and have had very limited contact with children or adults who have it. So I'm open to being wrong but it appeared the author either did excellent research or has had a close personal experience with someone who has Downs.
I thought it was very tastefully done and I could perfectly visualize Ollie and all of the scenes with him were so easy to picture. Everything from how his brother treated him, the drain it causes a solo caretaker, the variety of ways people can respond to someone with Downs, and so much more were all amazingly well done.
There's also a toxic relationship complete with gaslighting that was showcased well. I mean really, the important stuff, the real stuff, that I could find no fault with.
So while this wasn't my cup of tea, I've never felt inspired to basically say I didn't care for this book BUT it is very well-written and has so many things in it that I think are super important to see in books.
I would recommend this to people because it is worth reading for the things you learn even if you don't like it. And you may very well enjoy it.
That being said I believe the author deserves a lot of praise for many aspects of this book. I rarely see fantasy books with disabled characters, especially ones with what appears to be Down Syndrome. I am by no means an expert on Down Syndrome and have had very limited contact with children or adults who have it. So I'm open to being wrong but it appeared the author either did excellent research or has had a close personal experience with someone who has Downs.
I thought it was very tastefully done and I could perfectly visualize Ollie and all of the scenes with him were so easy to picture. Everything from how his brother treated him, the drain it causes a solo caretaker, the variety of ways people can respond to someone with Downs, and so much more were all amazingly well done.
There's also a toxic relationship complete with gaslighting that was showcased well. I mean really, the important stuff, the real stuff, that I could find no fault with.
So while this wasn't my cup of tea, I've never felt inspired to basically say I didn't care for this book BUT it is very well-written and has so many things in it that I think are super important to see in books.
I would recommend this to people because it is worth reading for the things you learn even if you don't like it. And you may very well enjoy it.
September 27, 2022
This has probably become one of my top favorite Snow White retellings. The author has taken all the elements of the familiar story we know and love and expanded upon them to provide a story that is rich in character, sweet romance, and heart-touching moments. Snow White as a traditional character can often be quite passive (it’s hard to do a lot when you’re lying in a glass coffin waiting for a prince to kiss you awake), but in this retelling she is active and three-dimensional, with a character growth that is immensely satisfying.
Some time should also be taken to appreciate Oliver’s character. He is so sweet and lovable, and I appreciate the accurate portrayal and handling of disability. The author did not shy away from the hard and sometimes painful aspects of being a caretaker to someone with disabilities, but she also was able to highlight the joy and richness it brings as well.
If you’re looking for a sweet romance, heart-warming friendships, and a new spin on an old tale, this book is for you!
Some time should also be taken to appreciate Oliver’s character. He is so sweet and lovable, and I appreciate the accurate portrayal and handling of disability. The author did not shy away from the hard and sometimes painful aspects of being a caretaker to someone with disabilities, but she also was able to highlight the joy and richness it brings as well.
If you’re looking for a sweet romance, heart-warming friendships, and a new spin on an old tale, this book is for you!
July 11, 2025
𐙚⋆˙𖠋°｡⋆˚⁺𖠋°｡⋆˚⁺𖠋°｡⋆˚⁺𖠋°｡⋆˚⁺𖠋°｡⋆˚⁺𖠋°｡⋆˚⁺𖠋⋆˚ᡣ𐭩
🍏~Genres~🍏
Fantasy/ Forbidden Romance/Retelling/Clean/GrumpyxSunshine
A poisoned apple and true love's first kiss were only the beginning to Snow White's story...
🪨~Characters~🪨
(Snow White "Snow") FMC she was such a people pleaser And I honestly kinda am too so I related to her in that regard.
(Malcolm) MMC He was really grumpy but he loves all of his brothers and is the fulltime caregiver to Oliver.
(Oliver) MALCOLM'S BROTHER He is nonverbal and has a sever intellectual disability. He was the dopey character.
(Armand) MALCOLM'S BROTHER Armand and Jonas are twins so that's cool I really like twins in books. He Was really shy and Bashful.
(Jonas) MALCOLM'S BROTHER He has allergies so he was really Sneezy.
(Quentin) MALCOLM'S BROTHER he was always really sleepy.
(Felix) MALCOLM'S BROTHER He was so happy all the the time.
(Tiberias) MALCOLM'S BROTHER he is a doctor
(Prince Charles) SNOW WHITE'S FIANCE
He was so awful he called Oliver a Retarded dope And is abusive to Snow I really didn't like him.
(Darius) THE HUNTSMAN He was ok he was kinda Aggressive about everything he did or said though.
(Queen Griselda) SNOW WHITE'S STEPMOM she wasn't the worst snow white stepmom I've read but I still didn't like her.
(Queen Eileen) CHARLES' MOM She was annoying.
🌼~Quotes~🌼
“Just wondering how your legs stay so snow white. You were aptly named.” I rolled my eyes. “Well, if that is the case, you should have been named Grumpy!” His face cracked into the first grin I had ever seen from him. It completely transformed his face. It was nice to know that he did anything as friendly as smile. When he smiled, he looked like an entirely different person. He almost looked handsome.
Mirror, Mirror on the wall, Who is the fairest one of all? Lips red as the rose, Hair black as ebony, Skin white as the snow.
I pulled the cloth covering the pies off with a flourish. When Malcolm saw the pie labeled Grumpy, he laughed. “I guess that one is mine, isn’t it?”“How did you guess? Malcolm’s eyes twinkled. “You know me better than anyone.”
I could be myself with Malcolm, and he accepted me just the way I was. If only I could be engaged to Malcolm instead of Charles…
“I am better than that pathetic scavenging commoner in every way!” he screamed, “He is nothing compared to me! What on earth does he have that I don’t?”“I have her and you don’t,” Malcolm instantly quipped.
As it turned out, the grumpiest of those seven brothers I met was my real Prince Charming. And yes, we did live happily ever after.
🧸~What I liked~🧸
That Malcolm is grumpy and has six brothers, The ending, The last line, the epilogue, The lagoon scenes,
📜~What I disliked~📜
nOtHiNg!
🍬~Content/Trigger Warnings~🍬
Attempted murder, Blood, Panic attack, Bullying/Shaming Someone for being disabled, Malcolm and Snow kiss while she is engaged to Charles, pregnancy, Death, Murder, Near Drowning,
🍄~Language~🍄
Retarded,
🍏~Genres~🍏
Fantasy/ Forbidden Romance/Retelling/Clean/GrumpyxSunshine
A poisoned apple and true love's first kiss were only the beginning to Snow White's story...
🪨~Characters~🪨
(Snow White "Snow") FMC she was such a people pleaser And I honestly kinda am too so I related to her in that regard.
(Malcolm) MMC He was really grumpy but he loves all of his brothers and is the fulltime caregiver to Oliver.
(Oliver) MALCOLM'S BROTHER He is nonverbal and has a sever intellectual disability. He was the dopey character.
(Armand) MALCOLM'S BROTHER Armand and Jonas are twins so that's cool I really like twins in books. He Was really shy and Bashful.
(Jonas) MALCOLM'S BROTHER He has allergies so he was really Sneezy.
(Quentin) MALCOLM'S BROTHER he was always really sleepy.
(Felix) MALCOLM'S BROTHER He was so happy all the the time.
(Tiberias) MALCOLM'S BROTHER he is a doctor
(Prince Charles) SNOW WHITE'S FIANCE
He was so awful he called Oliver a Retarded dope And is abusive to Snow I really didn't like him.
(Darius) THE HUNTSMAN He was ok he was kinda Aggressive about everything he did or said though.
(Queen Griselda) SNOW WHITE'S STEPMOM she wasn't the worst snow white stepmom I've read but I still didn't like her.
(Queen Eileen) CHARLES' MOM She was annoying.
🌼~Quotes~🌼
“Just wondering how your legs stay so snow white. You were aptly named.” I rolled my eyes. “Well, if that is the case, you should have been named Grumpy!” His face cracked into the first grin I had ever seen from him. It completely transformed his face. It was nice to know that he did anything as friendly as smile. When he smiled, he looked like an entirely different person. He almost looked handsome.
Mirror, Mirror on the wall, Who is the fairest one of all? Lips red as the rose, Hair black as ebony, Skin white as the snow.
I pulled the cloth covering the pies off with a flourish. When Malcolm saw the pie labeled Grumpy, he laughed. “I guess that one is mine, isn’t it?”“How did you guess? Malcolm’s eyes twinkled. “You know me better than anyone.”
I could be myself with Malcolm, and he accepted me just the way I was. If only I could be engaged to Malcolm instead of Charles…
“I am better than that pathetic scavenging commoner in every way!” he screamed, “He is nothing compared to me! What on earth does he have that I don’t?”“I have her and you don’t,” Malcolm instantly quipped.
As it turned out, the grumpiest of those seven brothers I met was my real Prince Charming. And yes, we did live happily ever after.
🧸~What I liked~🧸
That Malcolm is grumpy and has six brothers, The ending, The last line, the epilogue, The lagoon scenes,
📜~What I disliked~📜
nOtHiNg!
🍬~Content/Trigger Warnings~🍬
Attempted murder, Blood, Panic attack, Bullying/Shaming Someone for being disabled, Malcolm and Snow kiss while she is engaged to Charles, pregnancy, Death, Murder, Near Drowning,
🍄~Language~🍄
Retarded,
July 7, 2025
I really wanted to like this book, as I have enjoyed many other Mary Mecham's books, but this one just doesn't work for me.
It wasn't because of the disability representation, just to make that clear. That was probably the best part of the book and it is what made me interested in reading this book in the first place. Oliver and Malcolm were decent characters, it's just... everyone else... I cannot tell if it was the way they were written or if they were just underdeveloped, but I was constantly irritated and rolling my eyes. Specifically when it comes to Snow, Darius, and Charles. It's not because of their 'negative' personality traits, but because of how it was written.
I think this book has the classic problem of too much telling, not enough showing. It didn't prompt my imagination nor was it particularly compelling.
While sometimes I am okay with dialogue more suited to modern times presented in a fantasy setting, in this book it feels like a bit too much. To the point that you could basically pick up the characters and drop them in a modern small town and not much would have changed. In fact, I probably would have appreciated it or related to it a bit more if this book was in a modern setting because there just hits a certain point where it stops feeling like a fantasy retelling.
Can't say I was a fan of the romance either. The rest will be a bit spoilery because I don't think I can explain my thoughts on it without certain plot points but...
It wasn't because of the disability representation, just to make that clear. That was probably the best part of the book and it is what made me interested in reading this book in the first place. Oliver and Malcolm were decent characters, it's just... everyone else... I cannot tell if it was the way they were written or if they were just underdeveloped, but I was constantly irritated and rolling my eyes. Specifically when it comes to Snow, Darius, and Charles. It's not because of their 'negative' personality traits, but because of how it was written.
I think this book has the classic problem of too much telling, not enough showing. It didn't prompt my imagination nor was it particularly compelling.
While sometimes I am okay with dialogue more suited to modern times presented in a fantasy setting, in this book it feels like a bit too much. To the point that you could basically pick up the characters and drop them in a modern small town and not much would have changed. In fact, I probably would have appreciated it or related to it a bit more if this book was in a modern setting because there just hits a certain point where it stops feeling like a fantasy retelling.
Can't say I was a fan of the romance either. The rest will be a bit spoilery because I don't think I can explain my thoughts on it without certain plot points but...
September 19, 2022
Disney’s Snow White meets dark bits of Shrek with diverse undertones
This Snow White and Cinderella mashup retelling was difficult to read for me personally, but I liked it and it is definitely worth reading. It has surprising twists and turns, murder, ghosting, an unlikely friendship & romance, people with disabilities (hence the reference to diverse) and quite a different HEA from what we’ve come to expect from Disney.
First, it felt like Disney’s Snow White was upgraded to a teen diverse movie. But then, when at the end of the tale we know and love - you know, where the prince wakes Snow - the book was still at 25% with some gaping holes showcased, I was intrigued. There was lots of food for thought. What if the dwarves had good cause to live a secluded life? If the mirror wasn’t magic, how did the Evil Queen know where to find Snow? If there was no chase from the 7 dwarves (coz most had moved away), then who really killed the hag? If Snow was poisoned would a kiss (and not a properly administered antidote) really wake her?
So, I braced mysef for the “ever after” part of the story and read on. Snow becoming queen was a lonely affair, despite (or was it because of?) the prince at her side. After daddy died, Snow had been demoted to a scullery maid by the Queen and to go from that back to frilly petticoats, meeting with advisors & formal dos, all while she’s an Amiable (DISC green) rather than a Driver (DISC red)… you see the difficulty. I loved Snow’s friendship with Oliver (we know him as Dopey from Disney’s tale). I adored Snow’s relationship with Malcolm (or Mum as Olly called him) and their training on how to woo and how to act like a queen. I hated the ghosting stinker of a prince, but then initially Snow wasn’t my favourite either- what with coming up with excuses for her fiancee’s nasty behaviour - but I guess that’s just the victimology report on abusive relationships.
While it is a traditional clean & sweet romance (and not the one you think, btw), in a substantial part this was also a friendship fiction book between a very lonely girl and a disabled boy.
Recommended for lovers of diverse mashup fairytale retellings where things are turned on their head and that’ll make you think.
Trigger warnings: might be difficult (but beneficial) to read for survivors of mental abuse and ghosting.
This Snow White and Cinderella mashup retelling was difficult to read for me personally, but I liked it and it is definitely worth reading. It has surprising twists and turns, murder, ghosting, an unlikely friendship & romance, people with disabilities (hence the reference to diverse) and quite a different HEA from what we’ve come to expect from Disney.
First, it felt like Disney’s Snow White was upgraded to a teen diverse movie. But then, when at the end of the tale we know and love - you know, where the prince wakes Snow - the book was still at 25% with some gaping holes showcased, I was intrigued. There was lots of food for thought. What if the dwarves had good cause to live a secluded life? If the mirror wasn’t magic, how did the Evil Queen know where to find Snow? If there was no chase from the 7 dwarves (coz most had moved away), then who really killed the hag? If Snow was poisoned would a kiss (and not a properly administered antidote) really wake her?
So, I braced mysef for the “ever after” part of the story and read on. Snow becoming queen was a lonely affair, despite (or was it because of?) the prince at her side. After daddy died, Snow had been demoted to a scullery maid by the Queen and to go from that back to frilly petticoats, meeting with advisors & formal dos, all while she’s an Amiable (DISC green) rather than a Driver (DISC red)… you see the difficulty. I loved Snow’s friendship with Oliver (we know him as Dopey from Disney’s tale). I adored Snow’s relationship with Malcolm (or Mum as Olly called him) and their training on how to woo and how to act like a queen. I hated the ghosting stinker of a prince, but then initially Snow wasn’t my favourite either- what with coming up with excuses for her fiancee’s nasty behaviour - but I guess that’s just the victimology report on abusive relationships.
While it is a traditional clean & sweet romance (and not the one you think, btw), in a substantial part this was also a friendship fiction book between a very lonely girl and a disabled boy.
Recommended for lovers of diverse mashup fairytale retellings where things are turned on their head and that’ll make you think.
Trigger warnings: might be difficult (but beneficial) to read for survivors of mental abuse and ghosting.
October 10, 2022
Poisoned is the first book I’ve read by Mary Mecham and its a story that touched me so deeply it definitely won’t be the last read from her. It was such a beautiful story filled with so much heart that took all the elements of the classic tale and expanded it into such a heartfelt story and sweet romance that had me enthralled from beginning to end. It was such a fun twist to explore the classic fairytale of Snow White with what happens after she’s awoken from her deadly slumber, and I also enjoyed the mystery of which of our heroes was Snow’s true love. I must say I am so happy with who it turned out to be.
Snow was a fabulous heroine whose journey of growth was so satisfying and touching to experience. I enjoyed seeing her work through her timidity and uncertainties about herself, as well as her confusion and difficult decisions, in order to blossom into such a steadfast ruler as she learns to stand up for herself amidst difficult obstacles, overcomes her struggles to be accepted, and grow into her role as queen. In addition, her relationships with Malcolm and Oliver were so beautiful and enhanced every step of her personal journey.
I absolutely adored sweet, lovable Oliver. He truly was such a lovable ray of sunshine with a delightful child-like disposition who finds joy in the simple magic of everyday life. His intellectual disability was portrayed so lovingly, and I was particularly touched by the emphasis on everyone having value and worth. I enjoyed Snow’s journey of love, compassion, and acceptance for Oliver, as well as their developing relationship. Their relationship was such a beautiful portrayal of true love—of wanting what was best for one another. I also thought the portrayal of dealing with a disability was handled so well, even from the caregiver’s perspective—the important message that it can be difficult and sometimes painful to be a caregiver, but even amid the challenges, it can bring such joy and richness to one’s life. It was one of many valuable lessons in this lovely story.
In conclusion, Poisoned was truly a beautiful delightful read, a unique portrayal of this beloved fairytale that was full of both romantic love and the love that comes from friendship, satisfying growth, and inclusion. I highly recommend this enchanting story, and look forward to Mary Mecham’s other works.
Snow was a fabulous heroine whose journey of growth was so satisfying and touching to experience. I enjoyed seeing her work through her timidity and uncertainties about herself, as well as her confusion and difficult decisions, in order to blossom into such a steadfast ruler as she learns to stand up for herself amidst difficult obstacles, overcomes her struggles to be accepted, and grow into her role as queen. In addition, her relationships with Malcolm and Oliver were so beautiful and enhanced every step of her personal journey.
I absolutely adored sweet, lovable Oliver. He truly was such a lovable ray of sunshine with a delightful child-like disposition who finds joy in the simple magic of everyday life. His intellectual disability was portrayed so lovingly, and I was particularly touched by the emphasis on everyone having value and worth. I enjoyed Snow’s journey of love, compassion, and acceptance for Oliver, as well as their developing relationship. Their relationship was such a beautiful portrayal of true love—of wanting what was best for one another. I also thought the portrayal of dealing with a disability was handled so well, even from the caregiver’s perspective—the important message that it can be difficult and sometimes painful to be a caregiver, but even amid the challenges, it can bring such joy and richness to one’s life. It was one of many valuable lessons in this lovely story.
In conclusion, Poisoned was truly a beautiful delightful read, a unique portrayal of this beloved fairytale that was full of both romantic love and the love that comes from friendship, satisfying growth, and inclusion. I highly recommend this enchanting story, and look forward to Mary Mecham’s other works.
September 1, 2025
This is without a doubt the most memorable Snow White retelling I’ve read. The specific twists the author added to this favourite among fairytales make it stand out, and I absolutely adore the update to Disney’s ill-conceived stereotypical presentation of Dopey for comic relief and instead transforming that character into a beautiful exploration of what life with a non-verbal person is like. This story honours not only the hardships such disabilities bring with them and clearly illustrates how society tends to fall short when it comes to interacting with such difference, but also highlights he beauty of having a life filled with the kind of abundant, unadulterated love and joy that flow from being present in the life of someone like Oliver. I found that aspect of this retelling immensely touching and quite frankly eye-opening.
In addition, the exploration of the toll on caregivers, adds another level to the twist in this story and brings things into even greater perspective. Yes, we hear about caregiver burnout, but through Malcom’s character, we get to live it, and that too offered a major learning curve.
But that is not all. The twists on the prince and Snow White’s characters added yet another layer of exploration in personality types and a brilliant exposé on relationships, offering readers insight into the differences between a healthy and unhealthy relationship. Considering this exceptional retelling is suitable for teens, I’d say it ought to be read by all teenagers, merely to allow them to experience so many truly important life lessons. In all honesty, I wish this book or anything like it had existed when I was a teen. It is a truly empowering story, and I would have benefited greatly from exposure to everything incorporated into this story when I was younger and more naive with less life experience under my belt.
Whether you are young or old, I can promise you this story will surprise you and it certainly surprised me with a lovely reminder that no matter how old we are or how much we already know, there is always more to learn and there is no better way than to experience something new through the eyes of another.
Highly recommend!
In addition, the exploration of the toll on caregivers, adds another level to the twist in this story and brings things into even greater perspective. Yes, we hear about caregiver burnout, but through Malcom’s character, we get to live it, and that too offered a major learning curve.
But that is not all. The twists on the prince and Snow White’s characters added yet another layer of exploration in personality types and a brilliant exposé on relationships, offering readers insight into the differences between a healthy and unhealthy relationship. Considering this exceptional retelling is suitable for teens, I’d say it ought to be read by all teenagers, merely to allow them to experience so many truly important life lessons. In all honesty, I wish this book or anything like it had existed when I was a teen. It is a truly empowering story, and I would have benefited greatly from exposure to everything incorporated into this story when I was younger and more naive with less life experience under my belt.
Whether you are young or old, I can promise you this story will surprise you and it certainly surprised me with a lovely reminder that no matter how old we are or how much we already know, there is always more to learn and there is no better way than to experience something new through the eyes of another.
Highly recommend!
July 13, 2023
After the huntsman told her to flee into the woods, Snow White stumbles upon a small cottage overrun by seven brothers. The youngest, Oliver, is child-like and full of exuberance for life, even though he can’t speak. The oldest, Malcolm, is Oliver’s grumpy guardian and he isn’t thrilled to have the princess crashing at the cottage.
When her stepmother poisons her and subsequently dies, Snow believes Charles is her Prince Charming, and she sets forth to learn how to rule her country with him as her guide.
But the pressures and expectations of the throne are a lot to take in, and Snow seeks solace in spending time with Oliver… and maybe his older brother too. With everything going on, the grumpy seem less grumpy and the charming less charming.
Will Snow figure out how to stand up for herself and what she truly desires?
“If you always tear through life in a desperate search for peace, you will never find it. It is only when you allow yourself to let go of what you cannot control that peace will find you, whatever your circumstances are.”
Disability inclusion is a passion for Mecham, and that shines through this story in the portrayal of Oliver. I love how she showed the different sides of someone with a severe intellectual disability, while providing a forum for readers to learn how to interact and better understand such people.
I did struggle to read parts of this story because the topic of gaslighting is a difficult one for me, so I often found myself only reading a few pages at a time. That said, it’s well written, and we get to see Snow struggle with it before slowly coming to understand what was happening and finally standing up for herself.
There was one instance where Snow made the deliberate choice to kiss someone other than her fiancé which I didn’t love.
Poisoned is a fun take on the story of what happened to Snow White after she was awakened by “true love’s kiss.”
4.5 Roses. It's a beautiful story, but I struggled with parts.
Some kissing. Themes of jealousy and gaslighting
No violence
No swearing
When her stepmother poisons her and subsequently dies, Snow believes Charles is her Prince Charming, and she sets forth to learn how to rule her country with him as her guide.
But the pressures and expectations of the throne are a lot to take in, and Snow seeks solace in spending time with Oliver… and maybe his older brother too. With everything going on, the grumpy seem less grumpy and the charming less charming.
Will Snow figure out how to stand up for herself and what she truly desires?
“If you always tear through life in a desperate search for peace, you will never find it. It is only when you allow yourself to let go of what you cannot control that peace will find you, whatever your circumstances are.”
Disability inclusion is a passion for Mecham, and that shines through this story in the portrayal of Oliver. I love how she showed the different sides of someone with a severe intellectual disability, while providing a forum for readers to learn how to interact and better understand such people.
I did struggle to read parts of this story because the topic of gaslighting is a difficult one for me, so I often found myself only reading a few pages at a time. That said, it’s well written, and we get to see Snow struggle with it before slowly coming to understand what was happening and finally standing up for herself.
There was one instance where Snow made the deliberate choice to kiss someone other than her fiancé which I didn’t love.
Poisoned is a fun take on the story of what happened to Snow White after she was awakened by “true love’s kiss.”
4.5 Roses. It's a beautiful story, but I struggled with parts.
Some kissing. Themes of jealousy and gaslighting
No violence
No swearing
January 29, 2025
Poisoned - A Snow White Retelling
Mary Mecham
Rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Review
This book had serious twisty turns and it was totally unpredictable in a really good way it had the background of Snow White but the way the retelling is told was a complex plot line that I didn't expect and the unpredictablility just made it all the more interesting for me! The tropes were enemies to friends to lovers and the transition was smooth like butter mmmmmhmmmmm....the character development was so beautifully written the banter was charming, the villian was properly villianing that I HATED him SO MUCH!!! the writing style is simple and the disability inclusivity element just made it all the more wonderful.
Our MC is Snow who is pale as the snow and has a head of wild curls which Priscilla cannot tame so she resigns to making Snow wear heavy crowns to adorn her but Snow wasn't a servant alongside the kitchen staff of the castle so she's having a hard time coping up with the new systems of being a princess and what with her being woken up by true loves kiss by Prince Charles, her world is turned upside down but she feels that the only constant is Oliver and Malcom aka Mr.Grumpy. As days go by she feels the constant needto escape into the woods than face royal duties because of how she is treated by the ministers and her fiance even! but Prince Charles loves her right at least she has one good thing going on.......
This is a beautiful retelling of Snow White that you'll absolutely love to devour and the way the author's research shines through the books on her writing about disability because one can easily write a disabled character but it takes actual research and effort to write the way Mary Mecham writes her disabled character I truly have a newfound appreciation for people who take care of autistic people I knew it was hard but the author writes about it in such an unfiltered manner that you can only understand it when you read the book sogo grab your copy NOW 😉
Mary Mecham
Rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Review
This book had serious twisty turns and it was totally unpredictable in a really good way it had the background of Snow White but the way the retelling is told was a complex plot line that I didn't expect and the unpredictablility just made it all the more interesting for me! The tropes were enemies to friends to lovers and the transition was smooth like butter mmmmmhmmmmm....the character development was so beautifully written the banter was charming, the villian was properly villianing that I HATED him SO MUCH!!! the writing style is simple and the disability inclusivity element just made it all the more wonderful.
Our MC is Snow who is pale as the snow and has a head of wild curls which Priscilla cannot tame so she resigns to making Snow wear heavy crowns to adorn her but Snow wasn't a servant alongside the kitchen staff of the castle so she's having a hard time coping up with the new systems of being a princess and what with her being woken up by true loves kiss by Prince Charles, her world is turned upside down but she feels that the only constant is Oliver and Malcom aka Mr.Grumpy. As days go by she feels the constant needto escape into the woods than face royal duties because of how she is treated by the ministers and her fiance even! but Prince Charles loves her right at least she has one good thing going on.......
This is a beautiful retelling of Snow White that you'll absolutely love to devour and the way the author's research shines through the books on her writing about disability because one can easily write a disabled character but it takes actual research and effort to write the way Mary Mecham writes her disabled character I truly have a newfound appreciation for people who take care of autistic people I knew it was hard but the author writes about it in such an unfiltered manner that you can only understand it when you read the book sogo grab your copy NOW 😉
February 27, 2025
This is the ninth book by Mary Mecham that I've read, and once again, I am surprised and enchanted by how she retells fairytales. There's plenty of nods to the original tale, and the Disney movie that was all know, but this version of Snow White is fresh and new, with deeper personalities for all the characters. They don't feel like fictional people in a whimsical tale of magic. They seem like people that could certainly exist in real life.
As someone who typically reads enemies, or rivals, to lovers romance, this friends to lovers was a nice palate cleanser, and very sweet and fun! The teasing was funny, and as always with Mary Mecham, there's no spice while still having an excellent romance and several sweet and swoony moments.
What I loved most about this book is it's deeper themes regarding people with intellectual disabilities. How to approach and treat people with disabilities, how to support their caregivers and help with caregiver burnout, and how to recognize signs of manipulation and emotional abuse are all explored in depth in this story. This is a book that teaches as well as entertains, and that is a feat that I have to applaud! And I love that the author highlighted these themes with the discussion questions at the end of the book. You rarely see discussion questions like that in books anymore, especially fantasy books, and I wish more books had them! This book is proof that fantasy isn't just fun and whimsy and deeper life lessons can be woven into fantasy and romance stories!
10 out of 10, would highly recommend that everyone in the world read this book.
As someone who typically reads enemies, or rivals, to lovers romance, this friends to lovers was a nice palate cleanser, and very sweet and fun! The teasing was funny, and as always with Mary Mecham, there's no spice while still having an excellent romance and several sweet and swoony moments.
What I loved most about this book is it's deeper themes regarding people with intellectual disabilities. How to approach and treat people with disabilities, how to support their caregivers and help with caregiver burnout, and how to recognize signs of manipulation and emotional abuse are all explored in depth in this story. This is a book that teaches as well as entertains, and that is a feat that I have to applaud! And I love that the author highlighted these themes with the discussion questions at the end of the book. You rarely see discussion questions like that in books anymore, especially fantasy books, and I wish more books had them! This book is proof that fantasy isn't just fun and whimsy and deeper life lessons can be woven into fantasy and romance stories!
10 out of 10, would highly recommend that everyone in the world read this book.
June 16, 2023
I enjoyed reading this book though Charles and his mother were ones I despised as everyone who reads this book will as well.
It was a twisted tale of Snow White where the real evil was the so- called Prince Charming! Snow has been relegated to being a servant by her wicked stepmother but does escape when she is taken away by the one who was to kill her. She meets seven brothers and likes all of them but the grumpy one initially. However, as time goes on her feelings toward him changes as she also discovers her original “Prince Charming” is anything but! It takes to the end of the book for her to finally get the courage after overhearing a conversation to finally do something about i! It and does marry her real “Prince Charming” in the end to have her happily ever after!
This book also deals with an individual who has been born with mental and emotional issues but still has a happy outlook on life and the wonders of the world around him. It gives one food for thought as to how to treat those who have developmental issues we may encounter in our own life.
I heartily recommend all three of Mary’s books I’ve read as ones you will enjoy. I enjoy fairy tales and these twisted versions are no different. It’s fun to see them from another’s point of view and picture them in an entirely different light!
This book will not only be one you’ll enjoy but also will make you think again about how to act and treat people who may be different from you as well as how not to be around people period!
I think you’ll find you enjoy reading these books as much as I have!
It was a twisted tale of Snow White where the real evil was the so- called Prince Charming! Snow has been relegated to being a servant by her wicked stepmother but does escape when she is taken away by the one who was to kill her. She meets seven brothers and likes all of them but the grumpy one initially. However, as time goes on her feelings toward him changes as she also discovers her original “Prince Charming” is anything but! It takes to the end of the book for her to finally get the courage after overhearing a conversation to finally do something about i! It and does marry her real “Prince Charming” in the end to have her happily ever after!
This book also deals with an individual who has been born with mental and emotional issues but still has a happy outlook on life and the wonders of the world around him. It gives one food for thought as to how to treat those who have developmental issues we may encounter in our own life.
I heartily recommend all three of Mary’s books I’ve read as ones you will enjoy. I enjoy fairy tales and these twisted versions are no different. It’s fun to see them from another’s point of view and picture them in an entirely different light!
This book will not only be one you’ll enjoy but also will make you think again about how to act and treat people who may be different from you as well as how not to be around people period!
I think you’ll find you enjoy reading these books as much as I have!
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