This is a Snow White retelling that packed a lot into a short amount of pages. In this story, Snow's stepmother is alive and kept prisoner in the palace where Snow, her husband, and their daughter live. I think it also portrays Snow as having been pretty young when she was put to sleep and subsequently rescued by the prince. There's an interesting dynamic between Snow and her stepmother - enemies...and yet...there's more to it. The mirror is also an interesting character/magical item. There are definitely some uncomfortable moments hinted at around the price (maybe he's king, I honestly don't recall and it doesn't matter) but nothing graphic thankfully. The ending felt a little abrupt and was certainly surprising. Definitely check this out if you're looking for a short retelling. ( )

Short story time!

Honestly, I had hoped to thrill my way through not-so-happy ever after with this Snow White rendition and I did get what I was promised.

But after pushing my way through the whole family dynamics of a mother-in-law (who didn't actually die) and daughter, including the whole down the slippery slope of a daughter's revenge, I found myself distantly amused and sometimes downright bored. Unfortunately.

Was this a not-so-thinly veiled family drama re-enactment? A wish-fulfillment fantasy?

Maybe.

And maybe it just didn't strike me as all that entertaining.

But for all of you hunting for dark post-scripts to your favorite fairy tales, by all means, dive in! ( )

Nicely done!

This is a sequel to Snow White, which, being a 21stC retelling that appeared on tor.com, had to be darker and turn things on their head, preferably with character drama. But McDermott gives this tale a bite I wasn't expecting, took it places I hadn't thought of. I now want to read more by her. ( )

CHILLS. I loved the ending. ( )