Fairytale Novellas #2
Hayden Wand
Christian Fiction, Young Adult, Romance, Faerietale Retelling
{GoodReads}
January Snow has blood on her hands.
Never the obedient daughter of her father's expectations, she finally thinks she's found a way to earn his respect. But when her plan to take down her father’s rival ends in disaster, her stepmother is convinced that the tragedy that ensues is January’s fault- and she might not be wrong. Maria d’Angelo has spent her life communicating with the spirits, and now she’s certain they’re telling her one thing: January needs to die.
David Brendan has been searching for his brother’s killer, but the only witness to Jon’s death is the runaway daughter of one of the city’s most notorious crime bosses. Suddenly thrust from his high society world into one of mob violence, shadowy spiritualism, and political conspiracy, he realizes that he’s not the only one looking for January Snow- and if he doesn’t find her first, she won’t be the only one who ends up dead.
JANUARY SNOW is a retelling of "Snow White" set during the Roaring Twenties.
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WARNING: Possible Spoilers!
I was provided an ARC (advanced reader copy) by the author in exchange for my honest review.
WARNING: Possible Spoilers!
I was provided an ARC (advanced reader copy) by the author in exchange for my honest review.
{The Basics}
Loved this snazzy new retelling of Snow White! It is such a fun reimagining of the faerietale set in the Jazz Age of 1920s America. January Snow---not your typical mild-mannered faerietale princess---has all the spunk, sass, & baggage that comes with being the daughter of a well-known mob boss.
After attempting to take the matters between two feuding mob families into her own hands, Jan comes home to find her father dead & her stepmother gunning for her (literally). Her only option is to flee before her father's former henchmen catch up & silence her for good.
After attempting to take the matters between two feuding mob families into her own hands, Jan comes home to find her father dead & her stepmother gunning for her (literally). Her only option is to flee before her father's former henchmen catch up & silence her for good.
{Violence}
A man was killed via knife to chest. Another is poisoned---we see his face go red as he chokes & falls unconscious. Another man is shot dead on the spot, to the astonishment of the others around the table.
One man is shot in the chest, another in the gut.
At a train station, a man holds a woman at gunpoint. A young woman is poisoned---she begins hallucinating, her tongue red & eyes "don't look right." Someone fakes their death.
One man is shot in the chest, another in the gut.
At a train station, a man holds a woman at gunpoint. A young woman is poisoned---she begins hallucinating, her tongue red & eyes "don't look right." Someone fakes their death.
{Spiritual Content}
Maria, January's stepmother, is considered a "witch" (though the word isn't really thrown around). She's a medium who converses with spirits of the dead. In essence, she plays with the dead, but not in the sense that it's all for show (though much is quite dramatic)---it's implied that she's a real medium, whose seances produce unexpected & unnatural effects not simply brushed away by illusion.
As a little girl, Jan recalls the seance her father takes her to in order to "speak" with her. It's there she meets Maria for the first time and in the innocence of a child remembers the palpable darkness, emotions, & terror she felt. Unexplainably, a red apple appears on the table with significance only to Jan. At that, Maria says that "physical objects rarely cross the divide."
January mentions her time at a Catholic boarding school, and that the belief "didn't stick," probably due to the "hobbies" she kept...
The lyrics to "Jesus Paid it All" are recalled in a few verses.
A man known as Preacher often quotes Scripture from the Bible.
As a little girl, Jan recalls the seance her father takes her to in order to "speak" with her. It's there she meets Maria for the first time and in the innocence of a child remembers the palpable darkness, emotions, & terror she felt. Unexplainably, a red apple appears on the table with significance only to Jan. At that, Maria says that "physical objects rarely cross the divide."
January mentions her time at a Catholic boarding school, and that the belief "didn't stick," probably due to the "hobbies" she kept...
The lyrics to "Jesus Paid it All" are recalled in a few verses.
A man known as Preacher often quotes Scripture from the Bible.
{Language // Alcohol & Drugs}
"Son of a gun" and "gosh" are used at least once. Another instance where the phrase "she cursed" is used, but no words detailed.
Cigarettes. Cigars.
Cigarettes. Cigars.
{Romantic Content}
Unlike most faerietales & their retellings, this one has little to no romance---but that teeny fact does not take away from the story in any way. It's implied toward the end that two characters are drawn to each other & make sure they meet more frequently. But no kissing & no other forms of affection present.
There's brief mention of an affair with a young man from another mob family. It's implied a sexual affair in order to rebel from a parents strict/overbearing rules, but no details other than a bit of regret.
There's brief mention of an affair with a young man from another mob family. It's implied a sexual affair in order to rebel from a parents strict/overbearing rules, but no details other than a bit of regret.
{Conclusion}
Overall, this novella was so enjoyable! I loved the little taste of 1920s America as well as the Snow White twists in a more non-magical, real-world way. The characters were relatable, the plot engaging, & one can't help but ship Jan & David. ;D
I would certainly recommend if you're looking for a fun, clean, albeit short tale, of a jazzy Snow White!
I would certainly recommend if you're looking for a fun, clean, albeit short tale, of a jazzy Snow White!
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YESSSS! I loved this one! It was so much fun! :D
ReplyDeleteDefinitely! I loved the era especially :]
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