Welcome to my stop on the Shadows on Snow Blog Tour hosted by RBTL World of Books Blog Tours! Click here to follow along with the full tour schedule.
Title: Shadows on Snow
Author: Starla Huchton
Genre: Fantasy/YA
Publisher: Self Published
Publication date: November 3rd 2014
Available Formats: eBook & Paperback
Source: Copy for review
Once upon a time, a dark evil crept into my kingdom, stealing my loved ones and the happy life I knew. The world turned against me, and I swore to become stronger, to keep myself safe.
Once upon a time, there was a handsome prince, hair dark as ebony, skin as pure as the freshly driven snow, and I became the only one who stood between him and death.
Once upon a time, our stories intertwined, and now, healing my heart may be the only way to save us all from the evil that threatens to destroy what little we have left.
When I saw that Starla Huchton had another book up for review, I automatically signed up didn't need to know anything else about it, not even the synopsis. I know that sounds a bit crazy, but after reading the first three books in her Evolution series which I'm now obsessed with, she's become an author on my auto-read/auto-buy list.
Starla's writing is magical, inventive, and unique. It transports you to places you didn't even know you wanted to go, and once you get there, you don't want to leave. Her novel Shadows on Snow is no different as a re-imagining of the Snow White fairy tale. I describe the novel as a re-imagining rather than a retelling because while elements of Snow White are present, Shadows on Snow is quite different and stands on its own.
First of all, Snow White is male (Prince Leopold) instead of female! Prince Leopold is born to parents who had tried to have children for a long time. When he's born, they rejoice over their miracle baby, and he's described as having an almost ethereal and otherworldly beauty and grace surrounding him. Everyone in the kingdom instantly loves him. He's the personification of all that is good and positive in the world.
The story is told in first person not from Prince Leopold's POV but from the POV of a boy working in the stables. Prince Leopold's father has died, and his mother is gravely ill. The boy from the stables is tasked with finding out why the Queen is so ill. This is really all I can say to give you an idea of how Shadows on Snow begins because anything more and I risk giving away too much. And I definitely don't want to ruin any of the surprises coming your way!
There's so much awesomeness in this story! It's full of magic, romance, suspense, and hope. There are some dark times, but I kept holding onto the hope that everything would turn out okay. I desperately wanted them to turn out okay! It's amazing to me how the same author can create completely different characters and completely different worlds - a testament to the talent of Starla Huchton. It's my mission to read every book she has written and will write.
I had sky high hopes for Shadows on Snow - the title, the cover, the synopsis, the author, and the promise of great writing heightened my anticipation of starting this book. I'm so glad I'm one of the first to read it because now I can recommend this novel as well as Starla's Evolution series. Shadows on Snow needs to be on your TBR today!
My Rating:
A geek of all trades, Starla Huchton has been crafting stories in various genres since 2007. Her first novel, The Dreamer's Thread, was released as a full cast audiobook podcast, becoming a double-nominee and finalist for the 2010 Parsec Awards. After releasing short fiction of steampunk, noir fantasy, and other varieties, she released the first three books of the Sci-Fi Romance Endure series in 2013. All three books of the Evolution series, a New Adult Superhero Romance series, were released in 2014, as well as a Steampunk Fantasy novel, Master of Myth (the Antigone's Wrath series, book 1), which was the first place winner of the Crested Butte Writers' contest, The Sandy, in 2012. Shadows on Snow, a gender-flipped retelling of Snow White, releases in November 2014.
When not writing, Starla trains three Minions, a black lab, and a military husband whilst designing book covers for independent authors and publishers at DesignedByStarla.com.
Other Works by Starla AKA S.A.
Evolution Series
The Endure Series
Maven #1
Nemesis #2
Progeny #3
Paradigm #4 (WIP)
The Antigone's Wrath Series
Master of Machines #2 (WIP)
Stand Alones
Shadows on Snow (Coming this Fall)
Blog Tour organized by:
I think I'd go for Peter Pan so I could fly, play, eat, and fight all I wanted and be a silly kid. Obviously I'm looking to escape adulthood.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Jennifer! I have to read this now. I love the switch up with Snow White. You know who I think would love this? Can you guess? Jaclyn! I feel like clapping for you because this was a such a great read for you! I hope you're doing well and surviving the school year. The homework is killing me! Mostly 7th grade science is killing me.
That sounds just like you, Robyn, lol. I can see you as a female Peter Pan! I'd LOVE to escape adulthood, good lord would I ever!
DeleteThank you, Robyn! As you can see, I can't recommend Starla's books enough - they're fantastic! :) Yes, Jaclyn!! I love you feel like clapping for me!! :D Ugh, Brady helps Janie with her math homework, lol. I used to be able to help her until this year. 6th grade + me = fail
If I could be part of a fairy tale I would want to be part of Beauty and the Beast because of the amazing library. That would definitely be my happy place!
ReplyDeleteOh my god, the library! That would be lovely! Thanks for stopping by, Monica! :)
DeleteThanks so much for hosting me here today, Jennifer! And I'm so glad you loved the book! <3
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Starla! Thanks for having me! :)
DeleteI'd love to be apart of Peter Pan <3. Thanks so much for the giveaway chance!
ReplyDeletePeter Pan would be awesome - wouldn't have to deal with adulthood craziness. You're welcome! :)
DeleteBeauty and the beast I think or Alice in Wounder Land.
ReplyDeleteBoth of those would be great! Thanks for stopping by, Stacey! :)
DeleteThis sounds so incredible, Jennifer! I one-clicked the first in the Evolution series since you recommended it so highly. I hope to get to it soon....and then onto this one! ;)
ReplyDeleteOh, and I love the cover!!
DeleteIt's AH-MAZING!! I'm going to read the next one and review that coming up in February. I'm so stoked - love Starla's writing!! I hope you love her Evolution series - I personally think it's epic, lol. I've never read a series like that before. It was so cool the characters are super heroes! :D
DeleteI know, right?? The cover is beautiful!! :D