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Bewitching Fairy Tales #2
Mirrors of Ice
There is still worth in broken things.
With the end of her mourning period approaching, Princess Eirwen of Glaciar knows her time is up. Her aunt, Queen Regent Isolde, is going to strike soon, but Eirwen’s ready—as ready as one can be for their own assassination. As soon as Eirwen is out of the way, there will be nothing left to stop Isolde from taking over Glaciar.
With no allies, no plan, and a paltry amount of magic, Eirwen has no idea how she’s going to pull off a coup, but what other choice does she have?
As the youngest of seven, Prince Sterling of Idres is used to being overlooked at best and criticized at worst, but none of it bothers him. Nothing ever does. While he is generally uninterested in the world, when Princess Eirwen of Glaciar is mysteriously kidnapped, he takes notice while no one else seems to care.
However, when he discovers Snow White, the street performer who just so happens to sound a lot like the missing princess, he’s sufficiently intrigued. What is she doing in Idres, and what does it have to do with him?
With the end of her mourning period approaching, Princess Eirwen of Glaciar knows her time is up. Her aunt, Queen Regent Isolde, is going to strike soon, but Eirwen’s ready—as ready as one can be for their own assassination. As soon as Eirwen is out of the way, there will be nothing left to stop Isolde from taking over Glaciar.
With no allies, no plan, and a paltry amount of magic, Eirwen has no idea how she’s going to pull off a coup, but what other choice does she have?
As the youngest of seven, Prince Sterling of Idres is used to being overlooked at best and criticized at worst, but none of it bothers him. Nothing ever does. While he is generally uninterested in the world, when Princess Eirwen of Glaciar is mysteriously kidnapped, he takes notice while no one else seems to care.
However, when he discovers Snow White, the street performer who just so happens to sound a lot like the missing princess, he’s sufficiently intrigued. What is she doing in Idres, and what does it have to do with him?
468 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 22, 2021
About the author
Celeste Baxendell
19 books907 followersCeleste Baxendell has always read anything she could get her hands on, but once she read her first fantasy novel, she was hooked and hasn’t looked back since.
Her love of magic, adventure, and romance hasn’t waned with age, and she endeavors to write nail-biting stories with compelling, complex characters, and finding light in dark times.
She is incredibly blessed to spend her time writing from her favorite chair with her legs curled up under her as she fights the southern heat. When she isn’t writing, she’s either reading, drawing, or sewing, in that order, and most likely thinking about writing as she does.
Her love of magic, adventure, and romance hasn’t waned with age, and she endeavors to write nail-biting stories with compelling, complex characters, and finding light in dark times.
She is incredibly blessed to spend her time writing from her favorite chair with her legs curled up under her as she fights the southern heat. When she isn’t writing, she’s either reading, drawing, or sewing, in that order, and most likely thinking about writing as she does.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
May 20, 2023
5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️!
This story was so unique tying together The Snow Queen and Snow White together. I really enjoyed this book. It was longer, but keeps you intrigued The entire time. Lots of adventure!!! I recommend it! I'm looking forward to the next one!
This story was so unique tying together The Snow Queen and Snow White together. I really enjoyed this book. It was longer, but keeps you intrigued The entire time. Lots of adventure!!! I recommend it! I'm looking forward to the next one!
July 25, 2021
Huh....after my mixed feelings about the objectively good but subjectively suspicious first book, I didn't think I'd be rating 5 stars but here we are.
So...the thing about many books, especially ones featuring a romance, is that I tend to favor one character over the other. And that...didn't happen here. It's too long to explain in a review but the way the author characterised the protagonists, side characters, villain (even if she technically didn't have much on screen time), and mysterious suspicious people was...honestly captivating. And mix that in with the smashal of Snow White and Snow Queen to make an intriguing plot and emotional (heh) journey for our characters...and finally making one of the characters scary smart and observant so there's no awkward "try to figure it out" angst...
Yeah, there were many things to love about this book. LIKE THE FOUND FAMILY!! So subtle but so prevalent and I loved it so much...and while there was a big romantic element, I also love how one of the strongest loves shown was the familial/created/truth-seeking kind. So...there may have been a few typos and grammar errors, but the way these stories are paced and written (and the way I got way too attached to the MCs) kinda made me skim over it, and they seemed less there than in book 1.
A friend of mine read this book before the 1st book, and I can agree that if you prefer some...lesser angst, this book can help prepare you for the previous book's more intense angst. But all in all, Mirrors of Ice is a favorite...
Content: Nothing foul here except a clean kiss or two. Some violence but it's less intense/psychological than the 1st book and more magical in nature
So...the thing about many books, especially ones featuring a romance, is that I tend to favor one character over the other. And that...didn't happen here. It's too long to explain in a review but the way the author characterised the protagonists, side characters, villain (even if she technically didn't have much on screen time), and mysterious suspicious people was...honestly captivating. And mix that in with the smashal of Snow White and Snow Queen to make an intriguing plot and emotional (heh) journey for our characters...and finally making one of the characters scary smart and observant so there's no awkward "try to figure it out" angst...
Yeah, there were many things to love about this book. LIKE THE FOUND FAMILY!! So subtle but so prevalent and I loved it so much...and while there was a big romantic element, I also love how one of the strongest loves shown was the familial/created/truth-seeking kind. So...there may have been a few typos and grammar errors, but the way these stories are paced and written (and the way I got way too attached to the MCs) kinda made me skim over it, and they seemed less there than in book 1.
A friend of mine read this book before the 1st book, and I can agree that if you prefer some...lesser angst, this book can help prepare you for the previous book's more intense angst. But all in all, Mirrors of Ice is a favorite...
Content: Nothing foul here except a clean kiss or two. Some violence but it's less intense/psychological than the 1st book and more magical in nature
June 6, 2021
I have no words.
This story was a beautifully written piece of art, with stunning world-building and characters that you connect with on the first page.
I had read Stalks of Gold right before this (though it isn't necessary, MoI works as a standalone as well) and I was really, really curious to see Sterling's story after reading his(albeit fairly small) part in it.
Sterling and Eirwen were both such relatable, flawed, human characters. There were parts where my heart ached right along with them, and at one point, I had to read through a bit of mist and a lump in my throat.
I was so, so thrilled with every part of this book, I just cannot recommend it enough!
This story was a beautifully written piece of art, with stunning world-building and characters that you connect with on the first page.
I had read Stalks of Gold right before this (though it isn't necessary, MoI works as a standalone as well) and I was really, really curious to see Sterling's story after reading his(albeit fairly small) part in it.
Sterling and Eirwen were both such relatable, flawed, human characters. There were parts where my heart ached right along with them, and at one point, I had to read through a bit of mist and a lump in my throat.
I was so, so thrilled with every part of this book, I just cannot recommend it enough!
Want to read
October 25, 2022Only $0.99 for a limited time (until 10.29.2022) > https://books2read.com/u/bpapKE
What if Snow White was the Snow Queen's niece?
Mirrors of Ice is perfect for you if you like:
Unlikely allies to lovers
A princess with an indomitable spirit
A prince with a frozen heart
And a queen with immense power
Found family
A high-stakes race against the clock
Curses, magic mirrors, and ice magic
Stories about grief, self-worth, and loving your broken pieces
Complex, compelling characters with satisfying development
And of course, true, sacrificial love!
I have an ARC copy of this that the author was gracious enough to give me, but I haven't read it yet. I HAVE read the beginning to this series, and it was a unique and interesting retelling :). Quite certain the content level would be PG-PG13, and the romance is on the clean side - but, as I've not personally read this, reader discretion is advised.
What if Snow White was the Snow Queen's niece?
Mirrors of Ice is perfect for you if you like:
Unlikely allies to lovers
A princess with an indomitable spirit
A prince with a frozen heart
And a queen with immense power
Found family
A high-stakes race against the clock
Curses, magic mirrors, and ice magic
Stories about grief, self-worth, and loving your broken pieces
Complex, compelling characters with satisfying development
And of course, true, sacrificial love!
I have an ARC copy of this that the author was gracious enough to give me, but I haven't read it yet. I HAVE read the beginning to this series, and it was a unique and interesting retelling :). Quite certain the content level would be PG-PG13, and the romance is on the clean side - but, as I've not personally read this, reader discretion is advised.
June 22, 2021
4.5 stars.
I received and ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Where to start.
I should mention before anything else that this was my first book by Celeste Baxendell, and since it could be read as a standalone according to her, I didn't go and read Stalks of Gold (book 1) before (I was too eager to start on this one).
Now about the content...
This book contained all the ingredients I love about a fairytale retelling. Mystery, romance, and an artful crossover between two beloved classics. What a clever idea to combine Snow White and the Snow Queen! When I saw which fairy tales Celeste had chosen to mix for this one, I was very excited but also wary: would she do both stories justice? Well, my friends, I'm glad to say she did.
Storytelling:
Celeste undoubtedly has a way with words. Her sentences flow and I was never bored. In the beginning of the book I was a little disappointed because one of the character's perspective was super grim, he hated everything, everything was depressing and his family's relationship was strenuous at best (and I love great family relationships so I was SAD)... But then I stepped back and I realised that this was exactly how this guy's pov should be in a Snow Queen retelling! Celeste had gripped me right into the story without me even realising what was going on!
The writing still felt a little hesitant in some parts, but I'm sure this will subside through the next few books.
Characters:
There was just the right amount of characters in the book. Not too many as the main focus (Eirwen, Sterling and Chasen at some point) and just enough as secondary characters to keep the story interesting.
The only thing that disappointed me, but that's personal, is the bad family relationship. Now, of course I know that's a reality, but I love good family relationships in books, I think books are meant to show an ideal, and I missed that one in Mirrors of Ice. However, the found family sort of made up for it, so I'll settle for that.
Eirwen and Sterling had real depth to their character, I had no problem imagining them, their faces, how they would behave, and I really loved how their personalities balanced each other out. Celeste is definitely skilled in portraying her characters! There was real character development and growth in this book.
The Plot:
The plot was well thought-out, and the action really flowed. There were good morals upheld throughout the book. some scenes did appear a little superficial, particularly for Isolde. I understood she was the sort of woman to justify all she did by the good of the kingdom, but Eirwen accepted that and agreed instead of realising the good of the kingdom was absolutely not what Isolde was doing. Also, I was a little disappointed that Isolde wasn't more evil. I mean, she was evil but we don't really know if that stems in her jealousy for her sister in the beginning, or if she simply has always been that way. I guess I like my villains extra evil. She lacked a little depth and that's why I'm removing one star (along with the family aspect), even though the story was great!
The Content (and CW):
The content was absolutely clean. There was no excessive violence, and the only possibly 'shocking' scene was the final fight in which there was some destruction and injuries. The romance was squeaky clean, with one non-descript kiss and nothing more. I really liked how love blossomed between the two main characters: it felt really pure, in no way physical and really progressive, no insta-love there!
Conclusion:
Celeste Baxendell is an author to look out for. Her work is promising and original, a very enjoyable read, especially if you like cross-overs! I, for one, look forward to all her next installments... Check out the books she's already written:
and
Recommendations:
If you like Mirrors of Ice, you'll enjoy Melanie Cellier's A Dream of Ebony and White: A Retelling of Snow White and A Crown of Snow and Ice: A Retelling of The Snow Queen and Lucy Tempest's Princess of Midnight
EDIT: This book released today! You can find it on Amazon :)
I received and ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Where to start.
I should mention before anything else that this was my first book by Celeste Baxendell, and since it could be read as a standalone according to her, I didn't go and read Stalks of Gold (book 1) before (I was too eager to start on this one).
Now about the content...
This book contained all the ingredients I love about a fairytale retelling. Mystery, romance, and an artful crossover between two beloved classics. What a clever idea to combine Snow White and the Snow Queen! When I saw which fairy tales Celeste had chosen to mix for this one, I was very excited but also wary: would she do both stories justice? Well, my friends, I'm glad to say she did.
Storytelling:
Celeste undoubtedly has a way with words. Her sentences flow and I was never bored. In the beginning of the book I was a little disappointed because one of the character's perspective was super grim, he hated everything, everything was depressing and his family's relationship was strenuous at best (and I love great family relationships so I was SAD)... But then I stepped back and I realised that this was exactly how this guy's pov should be in a Snow Queen retelling! Celeste had gripped me right into the story without me even realising what was going on!
The writing still felt a little hesitant in some parts, but I'm sure this will subside through the next few books.
Characters:
There was just the right amount of characters in the book. Not too many as the main focus (Eirwen, Sterling and Chasen at some point) and just enough as secondary characters to keep the story interesting.
The only thing that disappointed me, but that's personal, is the bad family relationship. Now, of course I know that's a reality, but I love good family relationships in books, I think books are meant to show an ideal, and I missed that one in Mirrors of Ice. However, the found family sort of made up for it, so I'll settle for that.
Eirwen and Sterling had real depth to their character, I had no problem imagining them, their faces, how they would behave, and I really loved how their personalities balanced each other out. Celeste is definitely skilled in portraying her characters! There was real character development and growth in this book.
The Plot:
The plot was well thought-out, and the action really flowed. There were good morals upheld throughout the book. some scenes did appear a little superficial, particularly for Isolde. I understood she was the sort of woman to justify all she did by the good of the kingdom, but Eirwen accepted that and agreed instead of realising the good of the kingdom was absolutely not what Isolde was doing. Also, I was a little disappointed that Isolde wasn't more evil. I mean, she was evil but we don't really know if that stems in her jealousy for her sister in the beginning, or if she simply has always been that way. I guess I like my villains extra evil. She lacked a little depth and that's why I'm removing one star (along with the family aspect), even though the story was great!
The Content (and CW):
The content was absolutely clean. There was no excessive violence, and the only possibly 'shocking' scene was the final fight in which there was some destruction and injuries. The romance was squeaky clean, with one non-descript kiss and nothing more. I really liked how love blossomed between the two main characters: it felt really pure, in no way physical and really progressive, no insta-love there!
Conclusion:
Celeste Baxendell is an author to look out for. Her work is promising and original, a very enjoyable read, especially if you like cross-overs! I, for one, look forward to all her next installments... Check out the books she's already written:
and
Recommendations:
If you like Mirrors of Ice, you'll enjoy Melanie Cellier's A Dream of Ebony and White: A Retelling of Snow White and A Crown of Snow and Ice: A Retelling of The Snow Queen and Lucy Tempest's Princess of Midnight
EDIT: This book released today! You can find it on Amazon :)
July 1, 2021
A great book and I enjoyed reading it. I loved the storyline and characters.
October 30, 2022
3/5
The first book in the series was... To put it in kind words "not very good". To that extent that I didn't want to have anything to do with this series. However, a small voice in my head told me to give it a try so I succumbed to it without any expectations only the worst ones. Strangely enough, it turned out to be a quite decent story.
To my surprise, the main heroine Eirwen was very likeable what made me impressed. I took to her almost immediately and her story captivated me. It was interesting to follow her actions and root for her. It was such a relief to find out that she possessed good traits of character and wasn't as hateful or stupid as Aurelia was. As for the Sterling... Well, I have to admit, I couldn't stand him at first and then found him dull and quite insignificant to the whole story. It seemed as he was dragged like an obedient dog by Eirwen because of some attachment to her. I know, his character wasn't an easy one and there are reasons but still I couldn't force myself to like him even a slightest. Though, I pitied him since his family didn't treat him well especially Cynrik and Sterling didn't deserve what happened to him.
Moreover, I found his relationship with Eirwen rather confusing. For the most part of the book there was no chemistry between them and the whole affection seemed out of place. I think the story could go without it. They could be just friends and I would be really fine with that.
Even though this book was better than the first installment, I wouldn't say it was my fav story. Again, the author showed a great skill by putting two fairy tales together almost seamlessly what deserves an applause but the whole book was rather boring. We have a great amount of travelling from point A to point B without much progress of the plot but a big quantity of inner thoughts and analyzes. It felt bland and made me uninterested from time to time. I consider Eirwen as the biggest asset of the book along with heartwarming found family trope. Maybe I'll read the third installment but I'm not so sure.
The first book in the series was... To put it in kind words "not very good". To that extent that I didn't want to have anything to do with this series. However, a small voice in my head told me to give it a try so I succumbed to it without any expectations only the worst ones. Strangely enough, it turned out to be a quite decent story.
To my surprise, the main heroine Eirwen was very likeable what made me impressed. I took to her almost immediately and her story captivated me. It was interesting to follow her actions and root for her. It was such a relief to find out that she possessed good traits of character and wasn't as hateful or stupid as Aurelia was. As for the Sterling... Well, I have to admit, I couldn't stand him at first and then found him dull and quite insignificant to the whole story. It seemed as he was dragged like an obedient dog by Eirwen because of some attachment to her. I know, his character wasn't an easy one and there are reasons but still I couldn't force myself to like him even a slightest. Though, I pitied him since his family didn't treat him well especially Cynrik and Sterling didn't deserve what happened to him.
Moreover, I found his relationship with Eirwen rather confusing. For the most part of the book there was no chemistry between them and the whole affection seemed out of place. I think the story could go without it. They could be just friends and I would be really fine with that.
Even though this book was better than the first installment, I wouldn't say it was my fav story. Again, the author showed a great skill by putting two fairy tales together almost seamlessly what deserves an applause but the whole book was rather boring. We have a great amount of travelling from point A to point B without much progress of the plot but a big quantity of inner thoughts and analyzes. It felt bland and made me uninterested from time to time. I consider Eirwen as the biggest asset of the book along with heartwarming found family trope. Maybe I'll read the third installment but I'm not so sure.
June 22, 2021
"There is still worth in broken things."
Mirrors of Ice is a standalone retelling of both the tales of Snow White and the Snow Queen. Princess Eirwen must survive her own assassination in order to stop the Queen from taking over Glaciar. Whilst everyone presumes Eirwen to be dead, Prince Sterling, the seventh and overlooked son of a neighbouring country, notices a new street performer by the name of Snow White who seems eerily familiar. What will Prince Sterling do with this information? All he is sure of, is that he has never known true beauty until seeing Snow White's magic.
I was very curious as to how the author would pull off the combining of two classic fairytales, but pull-it off she most certainly did! Baxendell seamlessly blends the two tales together to reinvent a beautiful story about two lost souls finding faith and trust within each other. I was taken on an icy adventure with two characters on a journey of self-discovery.
I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style; it was easy to read with vivid world building. The only reason I gave this 4 stars was that, for my personal taste, I would have liked to have had a little more development of the romance earlier on to give a nice slow-burn. But as a fantasy, this wasn't necessarily needed.
Highly recommend this if you're a fan of fairytales and story retellings.
Mirrors of Ice is a standalone retelling of both the tales of Snow White and the Snow Queen. Princess Eirwen must survive her own assassination in order to stop the Queen from taking over Glaciar. Whilst everyone presumes Eirwen to be dead, Prince Sterling, the seventh and overlooked son of a neighbouring country, notices a new street performer by the name of Snow White who seems eerily familiar. What will Prince Sterling do with this information? All he is sure of, is that he has never known true beauty until seeing Snow White's magic.
I was very curious as to how the author would pull off the combining of two classic fairytales, but pull-it off she most certainly did! Baxendell seamlessly blends the two tales together to reinvent a beautiful story about two lost souls finding faith and trust within each other. I was taken on an icy adventure with two characters on a journey of self-discovery.
I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style; it was easy to read with vivid world building. The only reason I gave this 4 stars was that, for my personal taste, I would have liked to have had a little more development of the romance earlier on to give a nice slow-burn. But as a fantasy, this wasn't necessarily needed.
Highly recommend this if you're a fan of fairytales and story retellings.
May 30, 2021
There is still worth in broken things.
What a beautiful story.
This is a retelling of both Snow White and the Snow Queen. I was initially curious and admittedly a little skeptical about what that would look like, but the execution was flawless. Elements from both of fairy tales were blended in a complementary way and the final result is equally Snow White and equally Snow Queen.
One of my favorite things was that it explores mature themes such as self-worth and identity without becoming too dark and while still being a fun and clean retelling.
I read this without reading the first book, Stalks of Gold, so this definitely can be read as a standalone. There were some minor details about some side characters and backstory that I think I missed out on, but everything relevant to this story was fully explained. That being said, I loved this so much that Stalks of Gold has moved to the top of my to-read list.
I received a free ARC and am voluntarily writing a review.
What a beautiful story.
This is a retelling of both Snow White and the Snow Queen. I was initially curious and admittedly a little skeptical about what that would look like, but the execution was flawless. Elements from both of fairy tales were blended in a complementary way and the final result is equally Snow White and equally Snow Queen.
One of my favorite things was that it explores mature themes such as self-worth and identity without becoming too dark and while still being a fun and clean retelling.
I read this without reading the first book, Stalks of Gold, so this definitely can be read as a standalone. There were some minor details about some side characters and backstory that I think I missed out on, but everything relevant to this story was fully explained. That being said, I loved this so much that Stalks of Gold has moved to the top of my to-read list.
I received a free ARC and am voluntarily writing a review.
October 14, 2021
What a unique and creative version of the Ice Queen and Snow White! The characters drew me in and their development was perfect. The author’s ability to write multidimensional chapters even when they are not themselves is impressive. The plot held my interest and was well-paced. Personally, I think this book is better than the first one in terms of pacing, characters, and atmosphere. It has some heavy themes, but is not as dark as the first book.
I look forward to the next book in the series! This book is perfect for people who love high-stakes fairy tale retellings and intriguing plots.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
I look forward to the next book in the series! This book is perfect for people who love high-stakes fairy tale retellings and intriguing plots.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
June 22, 2021
This is a fantastic combination of two fab fairytales, Snow White and the Snow Queen but this is certainly no Disney tale! With A beautifully well written storyline that immediately draws you in, I loved how the author has interwoven the two tales and the characters. It’s a fun, clean retelling full of adventure, challenges and a little romance, then throw in a few twists and you have one awesome read!
I did read the first book in the series and it was again a fantastic read but doesn’t need to be read to read this one but if I were you I would go back and read it!
I did read the first book in the series and it was again a fantastic read but doesn’t need to be read to read this one but if I were you I would go back and read it!
May 29, 2021
Last fall I was a beta reader of this book, and words fall short trying to describe it! The story follows Princess Eirwen and Prince Sterling who team up to defeat Eirwen's aunt and step mother Queen Regent Isolde of Glaciar. Before sending feedback I had decided to *GLANCE* thru the manuscript, but I ended up rereading the whole thing again! Even though it was not a published book at the time, it was one of my best reads of 2020 (and due to the ongoing pandemic, I had read quite a lot of good stuff). Even though it is part of a series, you can treat it like a standalone and still enjoy it thoroughly. Celeste is a very very very very very talented writer and does a very good job capturing the internal conflict of the two royals. I cannot wait to read the other works of Baxendell. I had read it such a long time ago and read and beta read (sorry for the tongue twister) so much after that but I still remember it like the back of my hand. One more thing, it is *MIRRORS* Of Ice, not *MIRROR* Of Ice; throughout the beta reading process I read it as the latter.
March 4, 2022
Darker fairy tale…
Retellings that are written well, but with dark spins. It felt heavy and kind of hard to keep reading at times. I had to take breaks, but in the end, finished.
Retellings that are written well, but with dark spins. It felt heavy and kind of hard to keep reading at times. I had to take breaks, but in the end, finished.
June 28, 2024
I loved this imaginative, action-packed retelling of Snow White and the Ice Queen! Princess Eirwen (Snow White) is so determined to do the right thing, and she makes enormous sacrifices for the people she loves. Prince Sterling is hard to love at first (and there's a good reason why!)... but he has so much more depth and pain than anyone other than Eirwen realizes. And the huntsman, Chasen, is much more than a side character; he becomes integral to the story and is an admirable man in his own right. If you enjoy fantasy romance, clean fairy tales, tons of action, and happy endings, grab Mirrors of Ice!
July 2, 2021
This story was so original, and yet had the elements I was looking for in a retelling of Snow White. The story pulled me in from the first page and I had to keep reading to see who was trying to kill Princess Eirwin! I loved the cross over with the Snow Queen and how magic filled every part of the story.
Highly recommend!
Highly recommend!
Want to read
June 30, 2021 Nominated for a 2021 Swoony Award, to vote click here: https://tinyurl.com/y593ce67
April 5, 2022
Mirrors of Ice was one of the many promotional sales from National Fairy Tell a Fairy Tale Day. I decided to check it out since I had already read the first and third books in this series. Celeste Baxdendell is not the kind of author you should turn to if you are looking for a quick fairy tale fix. Her Bewitching Fairy Tales series is long, detailed, and often quite dark. However, if you have some time on your hands and are looking to be fully immersed in a fleshed-out fantasy world packed with references to multiple fairy tales, this is a good series to check out. Mirrors of Ice is the second entry in this series and works just as well as a standalone book as it does an expansion to the world that was built in the other books. It is a combination of "The Snow Queen" and "Snow White" and cleverly addresses elements of both fairy tales that I rarely see in other adaptations, which secures its place as my favorite book in the Bewitching Fairy Tales series thus far.
Mirrors of Ice had a confusing start for me. It felt like it was up to the reader to deduce that the heroine, Eirwen, was trying to avoid a huntsman named Chasen at a royal ball because her stepmother (who is also her aunt) was trying to kill her. Of course, knowing that "Snow White" is one of the fairy tales that inspired this story certainly helps with that, but the description of these plot points in the first chapter of the narrative of this particular book was a bit murky. I also wasn't too sure how Prince Sterling, a guest at the ball, caught on to Eirwen's plight as quickly as he did. Most of this was cleared up later, though. Each chapter became increasingly more enticing than the last as the layers of Eirwen and Sterling's personalities were slowly stripped away to reveal their true selves. The second half of the book more than makes up for the shortcomings of the first half.
"The Snow Queen" plays an important role in the plot of Mirrors of Ice. It draws a lot more from the original Hans Christian Andersen story than Disney's Frozen, but there are a few elements specific to Frozen near the end, namely the concept of people turning to ice. Eirwen's aunt, Isolde, plays the roles of both the evil stepmother from "Snow White" and the "Snow Queen" herself, a fitting combination considering that both women are as cold as ice. As her niece, Eirwen inherits some of her ice powers, an ability that she uses to her advantage at several key points throughout the book. Like Kay in the original fairy tale, Prince Sterling is cursed by a magic mirror to only see the ugliness in the world with the exception of ice magic. Luckily for him, this draws him to Eirwen, who is determined to break his curse as she seeks refuge with his royal siblings in their castle. I thought it was quite original to change Snow White's refuge from a cottage of seven dwarfs to a castle of seven royal siblings.
My favorite thing about this book is the love story, which is something that I felt was lacking in the other two books that I read from this series. Sterling's curse made him more observant to Eirwen's plight and feelings, which makes him the perfect person to protect her from Isolde. Likewise, Eirwen's selfless desire to help everyone she meets makes her the perfect candidate to break Sterling's curse. The two learn more about each other over the course of the book and grow closer at a refreshingly realistic pace. Sterling's brother, King Besart, hires Eirwen to try to break Sterling's curse, which gives her an opportunity to live in the castle and learn more about Sterling's troubled relationship with his family. As a result, she learns how to care for and support him in a way that his own family had failed to.
Mirrors of Ice is a heavy story that will melt your heart over the course of reading it. I enjoyed the clever references to "The Snow Queen," a story that has rarely been done justice in popular media. The "Snow White" influences were also nearly woven in without feeling forced. At its core, this book is a love story between two characters who are misunderstood by most of the people in their lives and have the compassion and patience to find their true selves. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking to be fully immersed in a fantasy world and has the time and energy to fully appreciate its detailed setting. This book also made me more eager to read the newest edition to Betwitching Fairy Tales, Cinders of Glass.
Mirrors of Ice had a confusing start for me. It felt like it was up to the reader to deduce that the heroine, Eirwen, was trying to avoid a huntsman named Chasen at a royal ball because her stepmother (who is also her aunt) was trying to kill her. Of course, knowing that "Snow White" is one of the fairy tales that inspired this story certainly helps with that, but the description of these plot points in the first chapter of the narrative of this particular book was a bit murky. I also wasn't too sure how Prince Sterling, a guest at the ball, caught on to Eirwen's plight as quickly as he did. Most of this was cleared up later, though. Each chapter became increasingly more enticing than the last as the layers of Eirwen and Sterling's personalities were slowly stripped away to reveal their true selves. The second half of the book more than makes up for the shortcomings of the first half.
"The Snow Queen" plays an important role in the plot of Mirrors of Ice. It draws a lot more from the original Hans Christian Andersen story than Disney's Frozen, but there are a few elements specific to Frozen near the end, namely the concept of people turning to ice. Eirwen's aunt, Isolde, plays the roles of both the evil stepmother from "Snow White" and the "Snow Queen" herself, a fitting combination considering that both women are as cold as ice. As her niece, Eirwen inherits some of her ice powers, an ability that she uses to her advantage at several key points throughout the book. Like Kay in the original fairy tale, Prince Sterling is cursed by a magic mirror to only see the ugliness in the world with the exception of ice magic. Luckily for him, this draws him to Eirwen, who is determined to break his curse as she seeks refuge with his royal siblings in their castle. I thought it was quite original to change Snow White's refuge from a cottage of seven dwarfs to a castle of seven royal siblings.
My favorite thing about this book is the love story, which is something that I felt was lacking in the other two books that I read from this series. Sterling's curse made him more observant to Eirwen's plight and feelings, which makes him the perfect person to protect her from Isolde. Likewise, Eirwen's selfless desire to help everyone she meets makes her the perfect candidate to break Sterling's curse. The two learn more about each other over the course of the book and grow closer at a refreshingly realistic pace. Sterling's brother, King Besart, hires Eirwen to try to break Sterling's curse, which gives her an opportunity to live in the castle and learn more about Sterling's troubled relationship with his family. As a result, she learns how to care for and support him in a way that his own family had failed to.
Mirrors of Ice is a heavy story that will melt your heart over the course of reading it. I enjoyed the clever references to "The Snow Queen," a story that has rarely been done justice in popular media. The "Snow White" influences were also nearly woven in without feeling forced. At its core, this book is a love story between two characters who are misunderstood by most of the people in their lives and have the compassion and patience to find their true selves. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking to be fully immersed in a fantasy world and has the time and energy to fully appreciate its detailed setting. This book also made me more eager to read the newest edition to Betwitching Fairy Tales, Cinders of Glass.
June 21, 2021
With the second novel in the Bewitching Fairy Tales series, the author continues to combine different fairy tales to create their own unique story. While the first novel, Stalks of Gold, combined Rapunzel and Rumpelstiltskin,
Mirrors of Ice
is a story combining Snow White and The Snow Queen. In this series, each novel is a standalone with overlapping themes, so a reader can read one without reading the other, although they are both worth reading. One of the main characters, Prince Sterling briefly appeared in the first story and Aurelia and Sandor from the first appear in this one, which created a nice crossover within the series.
After the death of her father, Princess Eirwen of Glacier finds herself as the last obstacle in her stepmother/aunt’s plan to take over the throne. Queen Regent Isolde comes up with a plan to get rid of Eirwen when they are at a wedding in a neighboring kingdom of Astren. After a series of events, Eirwen finds herself on the run and in hiding in Idres, where she meets a familiar face, Prince Sterling, who she first met at the wedding. Prince Sterling, the youngest of seven children, has always found himself forgotten and lonely. He is drawn to Eirwen for reasons he cannot explain, at first, but he and Eirwen start to get to know each other. The two of them come together to create a plan to help Eirwen to take back her kingdom and to fix a curse along the way.
So far, I love how this author uses elements from the source material so the reader is familiar with some pieces, but the actual tales feel original. It was easy to find the pieces of each fairy tale without them feeling like carbon copies of the originals. True to form with fairy tales, there are elements of magic and morals for the characters to learn as there are themes of finding your own identity and self-worth throughout. Both Eirwen and Sterling were flawed characters, who were just trying to do what is best for those around them and not being entirely comfortable with themselves (each for different reasons). Their character growth was done very well as it felt like a natural progression and it was individual development to fit each character’s situation.
Eirwen was an easy character to root for from the very beginning, while Sterling was a little harder to love at first. However, there are reasons for his character being a certain way and everything comes together in a very well written and natural way by the time everything is revealed. There are a lot of heart-warming moments, including found family, which was well done. Sterling’s family was well done, but I just wish there was more about their relationships towards the end since it is a part of Sterling’s story.
Overall, this novel is a nice and easy read while still being interesting. Although it was a light-hearted read, there is enough depth to give the reader a sense of balance to create an excellent fairy tale story. As Isolde is the main villain, I would have liked a little more background for her character as a way to connect more with her evil side. Her motives are presented in the story, but I just would have like a little more depth. However, it did not take away from my enjoyment of the story and I still greatly liked it. I cannot wait to see what fairy tales the author combines for her next addition to the series! [Actual Rating = 4.25]
**I give a special thank you to Book Sprouts and the author, Celeste Baxendell, for the opportunity to read and review this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**
After the death of her father, Princess Eirwen of Glacier finds herself as the last obstacle in her stepmother/aunt’s plan to take over the throne. Queen Regent Isolde comes up with a plan to get rid of Eirwen when they are at a wedding in a neighboring kingdom of Astren. After a series of events, Eirwen finds herself on the run and in hiding in Idres, where she meets a familiar face, Prince Sterling, who she first met at the wedding. Prince Sterling, the youngest of seven children, has always found himself forgotten and lonely. He is drawn to Eirwen for reasons he cannot explain, at first, but he and Eirwen start to get to know each other. The two of them come together to create a plan to help Eirwen to take back her kingdom and to fix a curse along the way.
So far, I love how this author uses elements from the source material so the reader is familiar with some pieces, but the actual tales feel original. It was easy to find the pieces of each fairy tale without them feeling like carbon copies of the originals. True to form with fairy tales, there are elements of magic and morals for the characters to learn as there are themes of finding your own identity and self-worth throughout. Both Eirwen and Sterling were flawed characters, who were just trying to do what is best for those around them and not being entirely comfortable with themselves (each for different reasons). Their character growth was done very well as it felt like a natural progression and it was individual development to fit each character’s situation.
Eirwen was an easy character to root for from the very beginning, while Sterling was a little harder to love at first. However, there are reasons for his character being a certain way and everything comes together in a very well written and natural way by the time everything is revealed. There are a lot of heart-warming moments, including found family, which was well done. Sterling’s family was well done, but I just wish there was more about their relationships towards the end since it is a part of Sterling’s story.
Overall, this novel is a nice and easy read while still being interesting. Although it was a light-hearted read, there is enough depth to give the reader a sense of balance to create an excellent fairy tale story. As Isolde is the main villain, I would have liked a little more background for her character as a way to connect more with her evil side. Her motives are presented in the story, but I just would have like a little more depth. However, it did not take away from my enjoyment of the story and I still greatly liked it. I cannot wait to see what fairy tales the author combines for her next addition to the series! [Actual Rating = 4.25]
**I give a special thank you to Book Sprouts and the author, Celeste Baxendell, for the opportunity to read and review this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**
May 13, 2022
Another beautifully written book. I again felt torn over this.
Good points include well-written characters that were fully fleshed out. Scenery that was easy to visualize. Even get to see Aurelia and Sandor again for a bit. Also a VERY interesting plot and journey. I honestly couldn't solve a few bits of it before it was revealed. I had to resist skipping ahead just to have certain questions answered because I was soooo curious.
On the bad side, this book is way way too long. I enjoy a long book if it's necessary. There was a lot of travel in here that in my opinion could've been parsed down. Especially the last half of the book I was like... I just want the plot to progress. I'm dying to know what happens and there's so much traveling traveling. Small talk. But a lot of it could've just been cut or written tighter. It honestly got frustrating and I did skim sections in the last probably 20%.
The other thing that bothered me was the relationships between Sterling and his siblings. Trying to avoid spoiler and suffice to say REGARDLESS of the WHY Sterling was the way he was.... his siblings were out of line. Like simply AWFUL people. Harlin apparently took what happened in the previous book and ran back home to tell all his family about it and cast Sterling in a bad light. The other 5 siblings who get more page time than Harlin are just as bad, and some worse.
I honestly was so mad at them because none of them had excuses. They just assumed Sterling was always wrong. They ignored him. They treated him like crap. Any time someone would pick a fight with him he was the one they blamed. I mean Cynrik is sitting there purposely goading him and not only does the rest of the family watch without calling him out on it but once it escalates they come down on Sterling.
So by the end I was ready for him to say his piece to them and then walk out. I'm just going to say I was disappointed with how easily they all got off. It didn't feel like they were really sorry and it all worked out for them. No bad consequences for them, no shame, no regret, and they get to live their best lives. I was quite put out by that, not going to lie.
The length and frequent mistreatment by the other royal family members(with an unsatisfactory resolution) dropped my enjoyment enough that like the previous book I was deciding if I should continue on. Then I saw the 600+ pgs for the next book and I'm out. Considering the filler and fluff in the first two I can't imagine the next wouldn't be a more severe case.
Lastly(and this doesn't bother me but it's worth noting) this is a very LIGHT Snow White retelling. As in we have an evil queen, a hunstmen, someone bites a poisoned apple, the princess adopts the name Snow White for awhile, a magic mirror is involved, Snow White sorta sleeps and needs rescued, and someone needs a kiss at some point.
It all works together really well and I don't mind at all that it's a loose retelling. But in case someone cares there it is.
Good points include well-written characters that were fully fleshed out. Scenery that was easy to visualize. Even get to see Aurelia and Sandor again for a bit. Also a VERY interesting plot and journey. I honestly couldn't solve a few bits of it before it was revealed. I had to resist skipping ahead just to have certain questions answered because I was soooo curious.
On the bad side, this book is way way too long. I enjoy a long book if it's necessary. There was a lot of travel in here that in my opinion could've been parsed down. Especially the last half of the book I was like... I just want the plot to progress. I'm dying to know what happens and there's so much traveling traveling. Small talk. But a lot of it could've just been cut or written tighter. It honestly got frustrating and I did skim sections in the last probably 20%.
The other thing that bothered me was the relationships between Sterling and his siblings. Trying to avoid spoiler and suffice to say REGARDLESS of the WHY Sterling was the way he was.... his siblings were out of line. Like simply AWFUL people. Harlin apparently took what happened in the previous book and ran back home to tell all his family about it and cast Sterling in a bad light. The other 5 siblings who get more page time than Harlin are just as bad, and some worse.
I honestly was so mad at them because none of them had excuses. They just assumed Sterling was always wrong. They ignored him. They treated him like crap. Any time someone would pick a fight with him he was the one they blamed. I mean Cynrik is sitting there purposely goading him and not only does the rest of the family watch without calling him out on it but once it escalates they come down on Sterling.
So by the end I was ready for him to say his piece to them and then walk out. I'm just going to say I was disappointed with how easily they all got off. It didn't feel like they were really sorry and it all worked out for them. No bad consequences for them, no shame, no regret, and they get to live their best lives. I was quite put out by that, not going to lie.
The length and frequent mistreatment by the other royal family members(with an unsatisfactory resolution) dropped my enjoyment enough that like the previous book I was deciding if I should continue on. Then I saw the 600+ pgs for the next book and I'm out. Considering the filler and fluff in the first two I can't imagine the next wouldn't be a more severe case.
Lastly(and this doesn't bother me but it's worth noting) this is a very LIGHT Snow White retelling. As in we have an evil queen, a hunstmen, someone bites a poisoned apple, the princess adopts the name Snow White for awhile, a magic mirror is involved, Snow White sorta sleeps and needs rescued, and someone needs a kiss at some point.
It all works together really well and I don't mind at all that it's a loose retelling. But in case someone cares there it is.
October 31, 2023
"Mirrors of Ice," part of the Bewitching Fairy Tales series, takes the sequel game up a notch, surpassing its predecessor in various aspects.
The pacing, character development, and atmosphere are notably refined, making for an even more engaging read. While the story delves into heavy themes, it doesn't plunge into the same depths of darkness as the first book. What stands out is the author's exceptional ability to creatively combine the tales of the Ice Queen and Snow White, a feat that showcases their adept storytelling skills once again.
As someone who had the pleasure of reading "Stalks of Gold" just before diving into this sequel, I was particularly eager to explore Sterling's story further. Both Sterling and Eirwen are portrayed as relatable, flawed, and profoundly human characters. Their development is handled with perfection, drawing readers in and allowing for easy connections with their journeys.
The balance of characters in the story is masterfully achieved. There's just the right number of characters to maintain a clear focus on the main players, primarily Eirwen, Sterling, and Chasen at certain points. Meanwhile, the secondary characters are well-crafted, showcasing the author's ability to breathe life into multidimensional characters, even when they aren't at the center of the narrative.
The character of Isolde, the villain, brings a fascinating dynamic to the story. She embodies the archetype of villains who genuinely believe they are the heroes of their own tales, making them all the more chilling and dangerous. Her actions, even including murder, are justified in her mind as being for the greater good of the kingdom.
What truly shines in this book is the subtle yet prevalent theme of found family. The romantic element, while significant, doesn't overshadow the equally compelling portrayal of familial bonds and the search for truth.
With great anticipation, I look forward to the next book in the Bewitching Fairy Tales series and its exploration of the ramifications of the events, particularly for Cynrik. His journey toward self-examination and redemption, along with the realization that he can no longer blame his brother for everything, promises to be an engaging continuation of the narrative.
"Mirrors of Ice" stands as a remarkable addition to the Bewitching Fairy Tales series, leaving readers eager to uncover the path the story will tread next.
The pacing, character development, and atmosphere are notably refined, making for an even more engaging read. While the story delves into heavy themes, it doesn't plunge into the same depths of darkness as the first book. What stands out is the author's exceptional ability to creatively combine the tales of the Ice Queen and Snow White, a feat that showcases their adept storytelling skills once again.
As someone who had the pleasure of reading "Stalks of Gold" just before diving into this sequel, I was particularly eager to explore Sterling's story further. Both Sterling and Eirwen are portrayed as relatable, flawed, and profoundly human characters. Their development is handled with perfection, drawing readers in and allowing for easy connections with their journeys.
The balance of characters in the story is masterfully achieved. There's just the right number of characters to maintain a clear focus on the main players, primarily Eirwen, Sterling, and Chasen at certain points. Meanwhile, the secondary characters are well-crafted, showcasing the author's ability to breathe life into multidimensional characters, even when they aren't at the center of the narrative.
The character of Isolde, the villain, brings a fascinating dynamic to the story. She embodies the archetype of villains who genuinely believe they are the heroes of their own tales, making them all the more chilling and dangerous. Her actions, even including murder, are justified in her mind as being for the greater good of the kingdom.
What truly shines in this book is the subtle yet prevalent theme of found family. The romantic element, while significant, doesn't overshadow the equally compelling portrayal of familial bonds and the search for truth.
With great anticipation, I look forward to the next book in the Bewitching Fairy Tales series and its exploration of the ramifications of the events, particularly for Cynrik. His journey toward self-examination and redemption, along with the realization that he can no longer blame his brother for everything, promises to be an engaging continuation of the narrative.
"Mirrors of Ice" stands as a remarkable addition to the Bewitching Fairy Tales series, leaving readers eager to uncover the path the story will tread next.
December 9, 2022
Content:
Language: None.
Violence: mild to low moderate. A character gets shot in the leg with an arrow, and a few small wounds. Most of it is peril and danger related rather than physical violence.
Sexual: mild to non-existent. kissing is all that happens.
TW: It does deal with heavy themes. There is a lot of familial neglect and what I would call emotional betrayal.
Thanks to friends who I complained to about having a hard time with Stalks of Gold, the first book in this series, they recommended I skip it and read this book first.
I love friends.
This book is phenomenal. I rounded up to 5 stars, even though it really was shy of it for me, because the characters are A-MAZ-ING. What great arcs for especially Eirwen and Sterling, but also Chasen. The psychology in this story was well developed and had me hooked from pretty much the first time I read Sterling's POV.
And can I just say, what a creative meshing of two fairy tales?! Holy smokes. That was seamless, original, and yet had all the aspects of both The Snow Queen and Snow White that made familiar greetings from the page at me all through the story.
Sterling especially had me just jumping up and down at what a clever little author Ms. Baxendell was for pulling off her twin for the Snow Queen's Kai! I didn't even notice it for a long time and it was perfection. That reveal made me grin like an idiot and get happy shivers at being so expertly led along and fooled.
The story was paced brilliantly. I was a little worried, because a lot of authors struggle if a book goes over 300 pages with keeping their storytelling tight and engaging. No problems here, even though she's closer to 500 pages with this one.
While I was (as you can probably tell) absoutely giddy over Sterling, Eirwen was such a great character who I could connect with and relate to, and cheer with all my heart. She just goes from one fire to the next and has the 'leave no man behind' mentality that made me both admire her and feel stressed out for her. She's a great character.
I can't recommend this enough to anyone who likes fantasy, but especially to those who love fairy tale retellings or re-imaginings. This is bar-none the best Snow Queen retelling I've ever read.
Language: None.
Violence: mild to low moderate. A character gets shot in the leg with an arrow, and a few small wounds. Most of it is peril and danger related rather than physical violence.
Sexual: mild to non-existent. kissing is all that happens.
TW: It does deal with heavy themes. There is a lot of familial neglect and what I would call emotional betrayal.
Thanks to friends who I complained to about having a hard time with Stalks of Gold, the first book in this series, they recommended I skip it and read this book first.
I love friends.
This book is phenomenal. I rounded up to 5 stars, even though it really was shy of it for me, because the characters are A-MAZ-ING. What great arcs for especially Eirwen and Sterling, but also Chasen. The psychology in this story was well developed and had me hooked from pretty much the first time I read Sterling's POV.
And can I just say, what a creative meshing of two fairy tales?! Holy smokes. That was seamless, original, and yet had all the aspects of both The Snow Queen and Snow White that made familiar greetings from the page at me all through the story.
Sterling especially had me just jumping up and down at what a clever little author Ms. Baxendell was for pulling off her twin for the Snow Queen's Kai! I didn't even notice it for a long time and it was perfection. That reveal made me grin like an idiot and get happy shivers at being so expertly led along and fooled.
The story was paced brilliantly. I was a little worried, because a lot of authors struggle if a book goes over 300 pages with keeping their storytelling tight and engaging. No problems here, even though she's closer to 500 pages with this one.
While I was (as you can probably tell) absoutely giddy over Sterling, Eirwen was such a great character who I could connect with and relate to, and cheer with all my heart. She just goes from one fire to the next and has the 'leave no man behind' mentality that made me both admire her and feel stressed out for her. She's a great character.
I can't recommend this enough to anyone who likes fantasy, but especially to those who love fairy tale retellings or re-imaginings. This is bar-none the best Snow Queen retelling I've ever read.
January 28, 2023
A great second book in the series! Mirrors of Ice is a mashup of Snow White and The Snow Queen. Baxendell does a great job of combining different fairytales and making them seem like they belong together. I love trying to find all the hints to each story.
This book, like the one before it, Stalks of Gold, deals with some heavy issues. Both characters are dealing with trauma from their childhoods. Just like in the Snow Queen story, the hero has a frozen heart and is unable to feel strong emotions. He shows many of the signs of depression: apathy, lack of interest, lack of emotion, just going with the motions, trying to stay logical. He was written so well and was my favorite character because of the change that he had to go through. The heroine's trauma wasn't as evident until you got to know more of her story (and if you're familiar with Snow White). She had more of a habit of using stubbornness to ignore her pain. A major theme of this book is dealing with that lingering trauma and that what we go through in life makes us who we are.
The villain is one of those so believable that you can understand their reasonings for what they do type. You can clearly see her path from maybe (?) a good person to the villain willing to do anything to achieve their goals.
Although there is some heaviness in Mirrors of Ice, there is the resolution of healing. One of my favorite quotes is "there is worth in broken things". It's presented many times, reminding me of the Japanese custom of fixing broken pottery by fusing the pieces together with gold. The pottery is put back together, but it is different and may need to serve a different purpose. It is still beautiful and useful.
Another theme is that of found or chosen family versus actual family. The main characters have issues with their families, but the support that they receive from each other and friends helps them towards healing-of themselves and within their individual families.
The magic system was interesting with ice and mirror magic present. There is a sweet, clean, realistic, healthy romance, and a happy ending. There is cameos of some characters from the first book, and hints of future characters. On to the next book!
This book, like the one before it, Stalks of Gold, deals with some heavy issues. Both characters are dealing with trauma from their childhoods. Just like in the Snow Queen story, the hero has a frozen heart and is unable to feel strong emotions. He shows many of the signs of depression: apathy, lack of interest, lack of emotion, just going with the motions, trying to stay logical. He was written so well and was my favorite character because of the change that he had to go through. The heroine's trauma wasn't as evident until you got to know more of her story (and if you're familiar with Snow White). She had more of a habit of using stubbornness to ignore her pain. A major theme of this book is dealing with that lingering trauma and that what we go through in life makes us who we are.
The villain is one of those so believable that you can understand their reasonings for what they do type. You can clearly see her path from maybe (?) a good person to the villain willing to do anything to achieve their goals.
Although there is some heaviness in Mirrors of Ice, there is the resolution of healing. One of my favorite quotes is "there is worth in broken things". It's presented many times, reminding me of the Japanese custom of fixing broken pottery by fusing the pieces together with gold. The pottery is put back together, but it is different and may need to serve a different purpose. It is still beautiful and useful.
Another theme is that of found or chosen family versus actual family. The main characters have issues with their families, but the support that they receive from each other and friends helps them towards healing-of themselves and within their individual families.
The magic system was interesting with ice and mirror magic present. There is a sweet, clean, realistic, healthy romance, and a happy ending. There is cameos of some characters from the first book, and hints of future characters. On to the next book!
January 18, 2024
Retelling of Snow White with twists.
Princess Eirwen fears her aunt for good reason because after her mother dies, she marries her father
but later on murders him and tries multiple times to kill her as well. The latest try is while she is attending a wedding at a neighboring kingdom and the bodyguard she has is only there to kill her. However, that night she meets a strange prince from another neighboring country and wonders if he might be able to help her. She escapes the bodyguard but he follows her and corners her but can’t bring himself to
kill her and lets her go. Her journey to that country and meeting up with this strange prince who has no emotions is intriguing to her. On a request from the king, his brother Eirwen discovers he is cursed but who did it and how he and Eirwen’s lives seem to be linked together isn’t revealed until much later in the book!
Their journey for answers to help her claim her throne before her aunt can assume control and the
exciting adventures and escapes will have you reading this book every chance you get until you finish it!
I throughly enjoyed this book and wholeheartedly recommend it as one not to be missed!! Celeste writes stories that are so believable it’s hard to believe they’re not! You get caught up in the story and the characters and want everything else to just stop so you can continue reading.
If you love fairy tales don’t miss this book! In fact get
book one in the series Stalks of Gold and then this book two in that series! They are that good! I loved this series and so will you! If you think you’ve outgrown fairy tales read this book and you’ll rethink
what you believed!!
This book is full of action, adventure, intrigue, heart and a pull to finish it as quick as you can because you won’t want to quit until you’re done! The hidden relationship between Sterling and Eirwen is masterful to say the least! It’s genius in fact!
I urge you to read not only this book but the other books in this series! You won’t regret it!
Princess Eirwen fears her aunt for good reason because after her mother dies, she marries her father
but later on murders him and tries multiple times to kill her as well. The latest try is while she is attending a wedding at a neighboring kingdom and the bodyguard she has is only there to kill her. However, that night she meets a strange prince from another neighboring country and wonders if he might be able to help her. She escapes the bodyguard but he follows her and corners her but can’t bring himself to
kill her and lets her go. Her journey to that country and meeting up with this strange prince who has no emotions is intriguing to her. On a request from the king, his brother Eirwen discovers he is cursed but who did it and how he and Eirwen’s lives seem to be linked together isn’t revealed until much later in the book!
Their journey for answers to help her claim her throne before her aunt can assume control and the
exciting adventures and escapes will have you reading this book every chance you get until you finish it!
I throughly enjoyed this book and wholeheartedly recommend it as one not to be missed!! Celeste writes stories that are so believable it’s hard to believe they’re not! You get caught up in the story and the characters and want everything else to just stop so you can continue reading.
If you love fairy tales don’t miss this book! In fact get
book one in the series Stalks of Gold and then this book two in that series! They are that good! I loved this series and so will you! If you think you’ve outgrown fairy tales read this book and you’ll rethink
what you believed!!
This book is full of action, adventure, intrigue, heart and a pull to finish it as quick as you can because you won’t want to quit until you’re done! The hidden relationship between Sterling and Eirwen is masterful to say the least! It’s genius in fact!
I urge you to read not only this book but the other books in this series! You won’t regret it!
April 25, 2024
I really love Celeste Baxendell's writing, and she certainly doesn't pull any punches when it comes to making her characters go through tough times. When a character is injured in one of her stories, you know that it matters, which adds the to tension.
I thought the familial relationships were well-portrayed, as to what it would be like to live in a toxic family that is emotionally abusing you. I wish, though, aside from Cynrik, that the others had realised and repented for their mistreatment of their younger brother. The eldest, in particular, had no excuse. He knew Sterling was cursed, and instead of encouraging compassion and understanding, he allows the rest of the family to treat Sterling like absolute dirt. I had a lot of sympathy for Sterling and his plight.
I thought Eirwen's story was also compelling, and I liked where they went with Chasen's character too (although I couldn't stop myself from making jokes about how Chasen was chasin' Snow White). The found family element at the end of the story was unexpected, but welcome.
I also loved the theme that things that are broken still have value. That came through very strongly, and it is such an important message. I always tell my children that nothing they could do--and nothing that could be done to them--would ever take away my love from them. I'm glad that message is in a book for young adults to read and soak in.
That being said, I'm struggling a little bit with this series. I love the idea of fairy tale mash ups, and I feel like Baxendell handles them really well in terms of plot, but the pacing suffers. From my POV, this story didn't need to be as long as it was. I think another issue I'm having with the series is that fairytale retellings tend to have a fairly heavy romantic subplot, but the main characters in this story didn't have much chemistry .
I thought the familial relationships were well-portrayed, as to what it would be like to live in a toxic family that is emotionally abusing you. I wish, though, aside from Cynrik, that the others had realised and repented for their mistreatment of their younger brother. The eldest, in particular, had no excuse. He knew Sterling was cursed, and instead of encouraging compassion and understanding, he allows the rest of the family to treat Sterling like absolute dirt. I had a lot of sympathy for Sterling and his plight.
I thought Eirwen's story was also compelling, and I liked where they went with Chasen's character too (although I couldn't stop myself from making jokes about how Chasen was chasin' Snow White). The found family element at the end of the story was unexpected, but welcome.
I also loved the theme that things that are broken still have value. That came through very strongly, and it is such an important message. I always tell my children that nothing they could do--and nothing that could be done to them--would ever take away my love from them. I'm glad that message is in a book for young adults to read and soak in.
That being said, I'm struggling a little bit with this series. I love the idea of fairy tale mash ups, and I feel like Baxendell handles them really well in terms of plot, but the pacing suffers. From my POV, this story didn't need to be as long as it was. I think another issue I'm having with the series is that fairytale retellings tend to have a fairly heavy romantic subplot, but the main characters in this story didn't have much chemistry .
September 2, 2023
This book sucks.
I dnfed it. I couldn't handle it.
The Reasons:
1. I honestly liked Eirwen at first, but while reading the book, I started not liking her. One of the reasons is she treats Sterling like trash. I didn't want her to end up with him, but they did in the end. Also, she's blind. She doesn't see that Sterling's family's sucks
2. Sterling's family treats him horribly. They blame him for causing fights and problems, which he didn't even do. Like, they need someone to watch him during a ball. For what??? The guy doesn't say offensive or derogatory stuff. Worst of all, the guy has a curse, and they treat him like trash. Frickk, like what the hell, Besart!!! Besart knows he has a curse, but he allows his family to treat him like this. Also, Crynik sucks. He's my most hated character. I wanted to hit him so badly after what he did to Sterling. He causes fights for no reason and doesn't get reprimanded. If I were his sibling, I would slap his ass. That bastard deserves it.
In conclusion:
Sterling deserved better.
I honestly hoped the author revealed there wasn't a curse, but sadly, there is. I don't believe Sterling has a curse at all. I think he's like that because of his messed up family. They're all stupid. They did him dirty, and he was the character I liked most.
Lastly, I can't believe this book doesn't have- 1 or 2-star reviews on GoodReads. This book is not good. It was bad for me, and I may be the only one who thinks that way, but that's fine by me.
I dnfed it. I couldn't handle it.
The Reasons:
1. I honestly liked Eirwen at first, but while reading the book, I started not liking her. One of the reasons is she treats Sterling like trash. I didn't want her to end up with him, but they did in the end. Also, she's blind. She doesn't see that Sterling's family's sucks
2. Sterling's family treats him horribly. They blame him for causing fights and problems, which he didn't even do. Like, they need someone to watch him during a ball. For what??? The guy doesn't say offensive or derogatory stuff. Worst of all, the guy has a curse, and they treat him like trash. Frickk, like what the hell, Besart!!! Besart knows he has a curse, but he allows his family to treat him like this. Also, Crynik sucks. He's my most hated character. I wanted to hit him so badly after what he did to Sterling. He causes fights for no reason and doesn't get reprimanded. If I were his sibling, I would slap his ass. That bastard deserves it.
In conclusion:
Sterling deserved better.
I honestly hoped the author revealed there wasn't a curse, but sadly, there is. I don't believe Sterling has a curse at all. I think he's like that because of his messed up family. They're all stupid. They did him dirty, and he was the character I liked most.
Lastly, I can't believe this book doesn't have- 1 or 2-star reviews on GoodReads. This book is not good. It was bad for me, and I may be the only one who thinks that way, but that's fine by me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2022
"What was true love if not the willingness to lay one's life down so someone else could have a better one?"
"There's no way you can know trusting me won't come back to haunt you. That's the point. The only way to know if you can trust me, Eirwen, is to trust me. That's the only way I can prove it."
I really loved this book and could literally not put it down! The characters were so complex and emotional and I loved reading about their journeys to self-love and self-discovery. Eirwen was such an amazing main character and I surprisingly wasn't even bored by Sterlings perspective and also loved reading about his character growth. They both had amazing depth to their characters and the author created these characters perfectly. I also love a good found family and this one was great to read about.
I loved how the author combined the two stories of The Snow Queen and Snow White. The story had subtle hints to the original while being completely unique and entertaining. I really did love the plot of this book and again found it to be so intriguing and just amazing. This is a very lazy review but I recommend this book if you like fast paced, cross-over retellings with a small side of slow-burn romance, magic and evil step-mothers. As well as a resilient female main character who lost all her family and must face high-stakes to steal back her kingdom while learning to trust along the way.
"There's no way you can know trusting me won't come back to haunt you. That's the point. The only way to know if you can trust me, Eirwen, is to trust me. That's the only way I can prove it."
I really loved this book and could literally not put it down! The characters were so complex and emotional and I loved reading about their journeys to self-love and self-discovery. Eirwen was such an amazing main character and I surprisingly wasn't even bored by Sterlings perspective and also loved reading about his character growth. They both had amazing depth to their characters and the author created these characters perfectly. I also love a good found family and this one was great to read about.
I loved how the author combined the two stories of The Snow Queen and Snow White. The story had subtle hints to the original while being completely unique and entertaining. I really did love the plot of this book and again found it to be so intriguing and just amazing. This is a very lazy review but I recommend this book if you like fast paced, cross-over retellings with a small side of slow-burn romance, magic and evil step-mothers. As well as a resilient female main character who lost all her family and must face high-stakes to steal back her kingdom while learning to trust along the way.
April 3, 2024
This was such an interesting and creative combination of Snow White and the Snow Queen. It was everything a fairytale should be (at least in my opinion). It had an engrossing plot, a seemingly hopeless problem to overcome, amazing, lifelike characters, and of course, a fantastic romance.
I absolutely adored both Eirwen and Sterling, and watching how much better they both were together and how well they loved and respected the other was so great. I was convinced they were perfect for each other even before Sterling's curse was broken, and even more so afterward. I laughed and cried so many times for them on their journey and their HEA was perfect.
Also, I love in all of this author's writing how well developed even the side characters are. Everyone that's in any way important to the story is given substance, depth, motivation, etc. to make them believable and not just plot devices to be looked over. Chasen especially was great in this book, and I look forward to getting to know him better in the next book.
And can I just say how much I love that Eirwen is written in such a way that she's incredibly strong in her own right, but that the people around her who love her and support her make her even better? It's so believable that she's going to be a good queen, and I love that so much.
As much as I enjoyed the first book in this series, I completely fell in love with this one.
I absolutely adored both Eirwen and Sterling, and watching how much better they both were together and how well they loved and respected the other was so great. I was convinced they were perfect for each other even before Sterling's curse was broken, and even more so afterward. I laughed and cried so many times for them on their journey and their HEA was perfect.
Also, I love in all of this author's writing how well developed even the side characters are. Everyone that's in any way important to the story is given substance, depth, motivation, etc. to make them believable and not just plot devices to be looked over. Chasen especially was great in this book, and I look forward to getting to know him better in the next book.
And can I just say how much I love that Eirwen is written in such a way that she's incredibly strong in her own right, but that the people around her who love her and support her make her even better? It's so believable that she's going to be a good queen, and I love that so much.
As much as I enjoyed the first book in this series, I completely fell in love with this one.
March 20, 2023
Princess Eirwen is about to die. She knows the huntsman her aunt, Queen Isolde, has hired isn’t there for her protection. He’s there to kill her. Eirwen manages to escape the assassination attempt, but she’s not about to hide away and let her aunt steal her kingdom.
Sterling is the youngest of seven. The mistake. The screw up. Other names his siblings have no compunction in calling him. But as much as he finds the world boring, ugly, and often loathsome, he notices things others miss. Like the odd behavior of the visiting royals from Glaciar. Or the fact the new performer in town, Snow White, is really the missing princess.
As Eirwan’s aunt continues to hunt her, she and Sterling set off on a quest to better understand the magic that surrounds them. But the more they dig, the more they discover how powerful that magic is – and how closely linked they are.
A beautifully written story about a found family. Eirwen’s struggle about being strong enough to rule and make the right decisions was a core motivator without the story.
I loved the subtle nuances to Sterling’s point of view that reflected his own internal battles. I did find the explanation for how he became like that a little weak. The punishment didn’t fit the crime, as they say.
The final battle was glorious, and I loved the nod to “love will thaw a frozen heart.”
Sterling is the youngest of seven. The mistake. The screw up. Other names his siblings have no compunction in calling him. But as much as he finds the world boring, ugly, and often loathsome, he notices things others miss. Like the odd behavior of the visiting royals from Glaciar. Or the fact the new performer in town, Snow White, is really the missing princess.
As Eirwan’s aunt continues to hunt her, she and Sterling set off on a quest to better understand the magic that surrounds them. But the more they dig, the more they discover how powerful that magic is – and how closely linked they are.
A beautifully written story about a found family. Eirwen’s struggle about being strong enough to rule and make the right decisions was a core motivator without the story.
I loved the subtle nuances to Sterling’s point of view that reflected his own internal battles. I did find the explanation for how he became like that a little weak. The punishment didn’t fit the crime, as they say.
The final battle was glorious, and I loved the nod to “love will thaw a frozen heart.”
June 4, 2021
‘There is still worth in broken things’
Celeste Baxendell has beautifully combined two popular fairytales to create a riveting novel. I was hooked from the very first page and sad when I reached the end.
Everything about this novel was incredible. The plot took on the premise of the fairytales, but was unique in its own way. The world building was amazing, and I didn’t feel that I had missed out on anything with this being the second book in the series. The writing style was very well written and made this novel an easy read.
The highlight for me in this novel was the characters: Eirwen and Sterling. They were both equally compelling and I absolutely enjoyed reading about the two of them. They were both riddled with flaws and insecurities, which I absolutely love. They were aware that they wouldn’t always be perfect but continued to try their best and save both their kingdom and each other.
The message of this book was absolutely beautiful. This novel took great pride in finding love within yourself and bettering your self-worth.
This was my first time reading a book from this author, and I’m so happy that I did. Celeste Baxendell is definitely an author to look out for and I’ll gladly read her other works.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Celeste Baxendell has beautifully combined two popular fairytales to create a riveting novel. I was hooked from the very first page and sad when I reached the end.
Everything about this novel was incredible. The plot took on the premise of the fairytales, but was unique in its own way. The world building was amazing, and I didn’t feel that I had missed out on anything with this being the second book in the series. The writing style was very well written and made this novel an easy read.
The highlight for me in this novel was the characters: Eirwen and Sterling. They were both equally compelling and I absolutely enjoyed reading about the two of them. They were both riddled with flaws and insecurities, which I absolutely love. They were aware that they wouldn’t always be perfect but continued to try their best and save both their kingdom and each other.
The message of this book was absolutely beautiful. This novel took great pride in finding love within yourself and bettering your self-worth.
This was my first time reading a book from this author, and I’m so happy that I did. Celeste Baxendell is definitely an author to look out for and I’ll gladly read her other works.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 3, 2022
I received a free ARC copy of this book and I am leaving a review voluntarily.
Wow! Much as I like book 1, this one is even better. I think the author really builds on the strengths of Book 1: great main character, excellent worldbuilding and description and applies that experience to fixing some of the issues I had, namely some side characters and pacing.
The main character remains the best thing in the book and I adored every scene she was in. Her personality was well crafted and her interactions with everyone else was a joy to witness. I appreciate a crafty and smart heroine and she certainly fits that bill.
Again, the combo of the fairy tales together works beautifully because you don’t quite know where the story is going but can still appreciate the familiar symbols when they appear.
I think the pacing and side characters are handled much better in this book—and we even see a return from characters in book 1! I love how it’s done as you can still follow the story if you picked this book up first but it means so much more if you’re read the first. So win-win!
All in all, another great retelling and definitely worth your time to look at. I can’t wait to see what Book 3 has in store!
Wow! Much as I like book 1, this one is even better. I think the author really builds on the strengths of Book 1: great main character, excellent worldbuilding and description and applies that experience to fixing some of the issues I had, namely some side characters and pacing.
The main character remains the best thing in the book and I adored every scene she was in. Her personality was well crafted and her interactions with everyone else was a joy to witness. I appreciate a crafty and smart heroine and she certainly fits that bill.
Again, the combo of the fairy tales together works beautifully because you don’t quite know where the story is going but can still appreciate the familiar symbols when they appear.
I think the pacing and side characters are handled much better in this book—and we even see a return from characters in book 1! I love how it’s done as you can still follow the story if you picked this book up first but it means so much more if you’re read the first. So win-win!
All in all, another great retelling and definitely worth your time to look at. I can’t wait to see what Book 3 has in store!
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