The Shadow Queen (Ravenspire)

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine
Book One of the Ravenspire series
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: February 16, 2016
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher

Summary (from Goodreads):

Lorelai Diederich, crown princess and fugitive at large, has one mission: kill the wicked queen who took both the Ravenspire throne and the life of her father. To do that, Lorelai needs to use the one weapon she and Queen Irina have in common—magic. She’ll have to be stronger, faster, and more powerful than Irina, the most dangerous sorceress Ravenspire has ever seen.

In the neighboring kingdom of Eldr, when Prince Kol’s father and older brother are killed by an invading army of magic-wielding ogres, the second-born prince is suddenly given the responsibility of saving his kingdom. To do that, Kol needs magic—and the only way to get it is to make a deal with the queen of Ravenspire, promise to become her personal huntsman…and bring her Lorelai’s heart.

But Lorelai is nothing like Kol expected—beautiful, fierce, and unstoppable—and despite dark magic, Lorelai is drawn in by the passionate and troubled king. Fighting to stay one step ahead of the dragon huntsman—who she likes far more than she should—Lorelai does everything in her power to ruin the wicked queen. But Irina isn’t going down without a fight, and her final move may cost the princess the one thing she still has left to lose.

What I Liked:

I adore retellings! Especially fairy tales ones. Redwine's Defiance trilogy is one of my favorite trilogies, and as soon as I saw that she was working on a "fairy tale project", I knew I would love it. This book was delightful to read! I breezed through it so quickly - the pages could not turn fast enough for me!

Lorelai and her younger brother Leo have been hiding from Queen Irina, who killed their father nine years ago, and took the Ravenspire throne. Lorelai is the rightful queen, and she, Leo, and the former captain of the guard have been plotting to take back the throne for Lorelai. Lorelai's magic will be very important in attempting to defeat Irina. In the kingdom of Eldr, Prince Kol is now King Kol, after his father and older brother were killed by ogres. Kol strikes a deal with Irina - banish the magical-wielding ogres, and Kol will bring Lorelai's heart to Irina. But when Kol catches Lorelai, he finds that he cannot do it, and he fights Irina's control over him. Together, the princess and the dragon king could destroy Irina - but Irina is not so easy to kill.

I had no idea that this book had dragons in it! Kol and the people of Eldr are human dragons with two hearts, a human one and a dragon one. Kol is a fierce Draconi warrior who can hunt and catch prey easily - which is why Irina struck the deal with him. Who better to find Lorelai than a master dragon huntsman? Kol is honorable and noble and loyal, but unfortunately, making the deal with Irina gave her control over him. It's with Lorelai's help that he get control back, bit by bit. But Irina has his human heart, so they must destroy Irina not only to restore the Ravenspire, but to get Kol's human heart back.

So I really liked Kol. I also liked Lorelai. She is sweet and kind like Snow White, but she is also very tough and intelligent, analytical and calculating. She does not hesitate to help or heal anyone, and uses her magic in good ways. She isn't a helpful princess by any means! But she's also very kind. I love how she never gave up on Kol, despite Irina's control over him.

The story is very engaging, and I read the book in no time! It's about four hundred pages, but I literally could not stop turning pages. I will say that the first couple of chapters lagged a little, but not enough for me to be bored or starting skimming.

I do love that this book is written in third person POV, occasionally switching between Kol and Lorelai. Both of them are lovely characters to follow, with very different burdens and lives and motives. I liked both of their voices and didn't mind reading from one side or the other.

What's also interesting is that we get Irina's third person POV at times. I love how Redwine digs deep into the heart and soul of all of her characters, including the villain. I didn't hate the queen as much as one might have! Really well written by Redwine.

The romance isn't a make-or-break aspect of this book, and I like how gradual it sweeps through the story. Kol and Lorelai kind of do a 360-degree turn in their relationship - it starts well, gets poor, and then gets better again. I love their interactions, their tenacity, their determination to be good to and for each other. Cute romance and no love triangle!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! I think the story here is closed - the next book in the series should be a companion novel, I imagine? Set in the same world, but with different characters? I wouldn't mind that! Which fairy tale will Redwine take us through next?

What I Did Not Like:

There is one aspect of this book that is bothering me a bit- it's something to do with Lorelai's brother, Leo. I didn't quite like his resolution, at the end of the book. It just wasn't clear, in my opinion. But I think this might be addressed in another novel? I hope I'm right!

Would I Recommend It:

I recommend this book! Fantasy fan, retellings fan, Snow White fan, this book is magical and epic and will appeal to anyone who loves a fairy tale. And hey, I'm pretty sure it's a standalone, so it's nice to know that (most) things are resolved. The ending was very resolved, in this story. Hopefully future books are companion novels!

Rating:

4 stars. I have faith in Redwine's storytelling! This book did not disappoint at all. The retelling aspect was well-written, the magic was larger than life, the characters were so likable, and the romance was sweet! Sign me up for the next book!

I’m a glutton for three things: fairy tale retellings, beautiful covers, and high fantasies that come with maps. So, obviously, I couldn’t help myself when it came to The Shadow Queen – also since this is an author who gets quite a bit of hype but I had yet to read. There were parts of this book that I enjoyed, but overall it wasn’t too impressive.

The Shadow Queen is a retelling of Snow White, where the princess – Lorelai – kicks freaking butt. In this version, the princess and her brother escaped from the evil queen after she took over the kingdom, and they’ve been on the run for 9 years. Lorelai, being the only other person with magic in the land, has been training her physical strength, endurance, and magical abilities like crazy, so that one day she can take back her kingdom and kill the queen.

So yeah: in theory, Lorelai is awesome because she is a fighter, a strategist, and a genuine inspiring leader. She doesn’t only want to defeat the queen to get her revenge – she actually wants to save all of the people who are suffering because of Irina’s rule. But, to be honest, the characters all kind of lacked a spark for me. I am such a character reader that having a strong connection and getting sucked in by a character’s voice is crucial for me to truly enjoy a book. But that never really happened with Lorelai or Kol (the other POV character). Though I admired her drive and her strength, maybe her voice was just too pure and good for me to truly be interested. I need some complexity!

The same goes for Kol. In theory Kol is cool because he’s a human who can morph into a freaking DRAGON. He’s also a devil-may-care prince suddenly thrust onto the throne after his parents and brother are killed in the war. He does actually gain some complexity later in the story due to Irina’s maneuvering against Lorelai (but I’ll spare you the spoilers). But his relationship with Lorelai is so obvious and pure that though I had no problem continuing to read about it, I wasn’t overly excited by it. And yeah, thinking about it, Kol was just as honorable and good-natured as Lorelai. Where is my complexity?

So this story has some cool elements. There are dragons, tons of magic, an intriguing evil villain, an awesome Huntsman storyline, classic Snow White elements, and the stakes are high. There’s a major character death quite near the beginning of the book that really gets you on the edge of your seat. And all of Irina’s acts against the kingdom are vivid and frightening. In that sense, it really is a clear battle of good versus evil where you want to keep reading just to be sure that good wins. It doesn’t always seem like it will.

But though it was easy enough to keep reading, I’m left feeling the book was pretty average. More good than bad, but still kind of eh. I think it has something to do with the magic that seems to come so easy to Lorelai and frankly doesn’t always make sense as to its boundaries and limitations. Her revenge plot also seems rather convoluted at times. And the romance never gave me any really big feels – even though it was kind of hate-to-love romance which is normally MY JAM. Finally, the main characters are just so good that it’s almost gross. Heh, my mind works in weird ways. But it is what it is.

Summing Up:

The Shadow Queen was good for a few hours of entertainment but not overly impressive. Never bad enough to quit reading, but never great enough to get me cheering. I’m not ruling out the possibility that I’ll read the sequel though – or another book by C.J. Redwine. I think with different characters and a more “grabby” plot, this author could maybe work for me.

Recommended To:

Fans of really clean cut good vs evil fantasy and fairy tales.

*An electronic advance review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the contents of the review.

I received this book for free from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Snow White is one of my favorite characters, especially on OUAT (because, bad ass Snow!), so obviously I’m going to say hell yes to a retelling. And when you get one with a cover that is this gorgeous, you don’t say no.

When I got the ARC for this book, I started reading immediately. And only a chapter or so in, I got distracted. It took months to come back to the book. I thought it was just me, but no. It’s this book.

Because, me and this book just aren’t working out.

One thing I’ve learned (a few years ago) is there is a curse to having found impeccable YA fantasy series. Curse? you question. And curse, I empathically say once more. When you read books as amazing as what I’ve coined the fantasy trifecta (Throne of Glass, A Girl of Fire and Thorns, Incarnate), you just really start to see the flaws and fissures in anything that tries and fails to measure up. It’s not their fault they get plot, characters, world-building, and MAGICALLY EVERYTHING exactly right. And it’s not that these other books are failing because of series that get it just right. It’s that my eyes have been open and I’m not going to settle for second-rate.

This book did have some good going for it:

-Draconi - I’ve seen some synopses for dragon/humans and I’ve never got it. BUT THIS BOOK made it awesome. And two hearts! I’m hoping this is a subtle heart to Doctor Who. Even if not, it was a really cool concept

-World: The world had a lot of potential. Except everyone seemed to travel from place to another REALLY fast.

-NO instalove. NO triangles. This book isn't about that stuff.

But SO, SO, much bad. Or boring. Or just generic:

-A ‘lost’ heir that matures to about 17 and steps out of the shadows to reclaim the throne

-A main character who has unexplainable power to be the ONLY person in the world to defeat the ‘big bad’

-A country in ruins

-A hell-bent villain who's fatal flaw is getting in the way of their own happiness, because something hurt her/him in the past.

-17-year-olds who can automatically make HUGE decisions for countries with no regard of the fact that they are pretty much kids and might not be ready for that kind of burden

-The STRUGGLE to use magic but not become the very villain the protagonist is fighting against.

-A fight to resist seemingly unbeatable magic that somehow happens, even when it shouldn't.

-Magic that just somehow becomes extremely powerful with seemingly no practice

Not only was this book uninspiring, I couldn’t connect with any of the characters. I just didn’t really care when anyone did anything - good or bad. I wasn’t worried and I never got invested. Hell, I didn’t even find the ‘big bad’ threatening or dubious. She was just, sad to me.

The thing I think that was the nail in the coffin was how much it seemed like other books. There’s a collar and Russian-esque magic language, like Shadow & Bone. There was the lost queen, like The Orphan Queen. There was the retelling that was SO MUCH like Snow White and the Huntsman.

I love this author and it hurts my heart to not enjoy her book. I’ve been so excited for so long, but unfortunately my high standard for fantasy beats out my wanting to like it.

Queen Irina must have her due. She was looked over for marriage and a royal position when her younger sister was chosen to marry the King of Ravenspire. So Irina set about to fix things. She got rid of her sister, married the King and used magic apples to control everyone. Well, everyone but her niece/stepdaughter Princess Lorelai who also has her own magic. When young Lorelai tries to stand up to the Queen and break her magical hold on the kingdom, things backfire horribly. Her father dies, and everyone thinks she and her brother Leo died as well. But a faithful guard has kept Lorelai and Leo hidden, training them to survive and they're biding their time till Lorelai's magic is strong enough to take on Irina again. In the meantime, Ravenspire is wilting as Irina overuses the magic of the land and hunger starts to drive the peasants to horrible measures.

The neighboring kingdom of Eldr has it's own problems. The ogres are proving hard to defeat in the war, and are currently winning thanks to some magical help. Prince Kol suddenly finds himself King Kol after his parents and older brother are wiped out by ogres. Kol realizes even with their great strength and dragon sides, he and his people can't defeat these magical ogres. He decides Queen Irina of Ravenspire is his only hope for aid.

Yes, this is a retelling of Snow White, but it has been adapted quite a bit. There are no dwarves in this version, Lorelai can do parkour (not called that, but the action sequences match this talent), the Huntsman of the original tale has been split into two characters, Prince Charming is a dragon morphing human with plenty of his own problems, everyone but Lorelai is eating the Queen's icky apples, and the magic of the kiss actually makes sense. And even though there's obvious elements from that fairy tale, the story feels quite unique - so much so that readers won't entirely be able to predict what will happen. The magic was interesting and has some Eastern European/Russian flavoring in the sound of the words which was nice as that isn't common unless the tale has Baba Yaga in it...and there's no Baba Yaga here. I appreciated that the romance between Kol and Lorelai develops slowly and realistically. Also, Lorelai and Kol realize that they haven't known each other that long and don't rush things despite their feelings. Overall, an imaginative fairy tale adapation with plenty of freshness to it, a good ol' revolutionary princess, interesting magic, and a realistically-paced romance.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content beyond a kiss. Magical violence does result in a couple deaths (no gory details). War deaths are mentioned, but not described. Some scratches and scorches described.

This was another book I read in preparation for a book festival, this time being the SOKY book fest that I attended in April.  C.J. Redwine was on the confirmed author list, and scheduled to be at the festival promoting the second book in her Ravenspire series, The Wish Granter.  When I noticed that this book was available through Hoopla for audiobook download, I figured I would give it a go before the festival.  Not going to lie, I had high hopes for this book because I am a sucker for books with any type of apple on the cover.  #NoShame

The thing I liked the most about this book was how the author spun this retelling of Snow White.  Good retellings, in my opinion, are really hard to achieve because there is a delicate balancing act between the original tale & the new story.  Keep too closely to the original story, and readers will be bored, but stray too far and they will be outraged.  I think the author did a good job staying true to the story while giving us some new elements: dragons and more magic.

"You don’t go into battle because you’re sure of victory. You go into battle because it’s the right thing to do."

And yet.  Despite the fact that I liked how the author spun this retelling, something felt off about this book.   I think my biggest issue with this book was the fact I didn’t really connect to the characters.  They felt a little lifeless to me.  This isn’t to say they were unlikable, just a little bland.  There were a few points in the plot which should have evoked certain emotional responses from me, but didn’t… I think if the author had slowed the plot down and focused a little more on character development, this would have helped me to form more of a connection to the characters.

"Gabril’s voice was strong and sure. “I believe in you, and I’ve fought for you, because in a world full of people who crumble before an evil too terrifying to comprehend, you put up your fists and fight.”"

If you are a fan of YA fantasy and/or fairytale retellings, then I would still recommend this book.  The Shadow Queen was a solid read, but had I connected better with the characters, it could have been a great one.  I think I will still continue on with the series to see if Redwine’s characterization is more developed in the second book.

Usually I don’t do Fairy Tale retelling, but after loving Lunar Chronicles, I decided to give this book a shot. I have very mixed feelings about it. Here’s what I liked:

The Draconi were interesting in concept, I love Dragons so people who can shift into dragons and that have a human heart that keep the dragon one in check was cool.

Irina was a good villain, the evil magic she wields is definitely creepy.

I like the explanation of why Lorelei is as powerful as she is. It isn’t your average “This girl is SO powerful she can defeat the evil villain with only a small amount of training!” so that was a nice touch.

The interaction with Irina and Viktor. It wasn’t a ton, but it interested me.

There is some acknowledgment to a higher power in the world and I appreciated that.

No heavy swearing or innapropriate content.

What I didn’t like:

The story was short, and I feel like it could have been made longer but I’m not sure exactly how. There were several repetitive battle scenes that took up a lot, and after we have the prologue, we are immediately thrown 9 years ahead to Lorelei plotting to take back the throne. It seemed a bit rushed.

I’m not usually a fan of strange languages to wield magic, (there are a few exceptions) and this book has it. I just find weird magic words and then the LONG sentence translation afterwards to be Meh.

I didn’t fall in love with any of the main characters. They were ok, but if I HAD to pick a favorite it’d be Kol. Lorelei just wasn’t someone I was all that interested in.

It does seem a bit of a stretch that Irina didn’t scry for Lorei’s existence for 9 years.

And the whole thing just seem very generic and simple. Nothing was necessarily bad, it just wasn’t complicated. Maybe I’m too used to reading things like LOTR’s, Inheritence Cycle, Echoes; Whispers of White (Miranda Marie), and Divergent.

I’m very interested in the next two books in this series though so hopefully I enjoy them more.

I’m a sucker for retellings. I love seeing some of my favorite stories twisted and presented in a new way. That’s why I was initially drawn to The Shadow Queen. I wanted to see this new spin on Snow White, even though I’m not a big fan of the Snow White fairy tale itself. Overall, I did enjoy this twist on Snow White.

Lorelai is definitely a likable heroine. She is smart and strong and is fighting hard for what she believes in. It’s very easy to root for her. Then we have Kol who is also easy to get behind. He gets wrapped up in terrible circumstances because he is desperate to save his home. He is a good guy and what he goes through is horrible. I loved the relationship between these two because they really made one another stronger. And I so loved that Kol never got all macho hero and that Lorelai was usually the one saving the day.

The other thing I really enjoyed was the dragons. I was totally not expecting that and was so excited when I saw that was part of the story. Dragons make everything better and it definitely added something great to the world.

The thing I struggled with most though is that The Shadow Queen doesn’t exactly feel like anything new. And I know it’s a retelling, but it still feels like a retelling I’ve read before if that makes sense. At times I felt like I was reading Snow’s story from season one of Once Upon A Time (minus the dragon thing) and I’m not gonna lie, Snow is my least favorite character on the show. As we built toward the end though it definitely became its own story and I did enjoy it.

The Shadow Queen is a good twist on the Snow White story. I really enjoyed the dragons and the romance and it’s a pretty quick read. If you’re a Snow White fan I definitely recommend.

For nine years Loreli and her brother have been on the run from their evil stepmother, Queen Irina who killed their father and assumed (stole) the throne of Ravenspire. These nine years, Queen Irina has grown weak, the magic she uses to bewitch the land and the people in it to bend to her will, has taken its toll. In a neighboring kingdom of Eldr, Prince Kol suddenly finds himself King after his family his killed in a ogre attack. Unable to fend off the beasts and fearing the destruction of his kingdom, he takes off for Ravenspire to strike a deal with Queen Irina. The price for her magic is steep, kill the lost Princess Loreli. Both young royals find themselves in a terrible battle of self will and preservation, but can they pool their talents and resources to defeat Queen Irina and restore their respective kingdoms to peace, or will she fare too formidable of a foe? 

This book absolutely came alive on the pages. Everything from the characters, Ravenspire and surrounding lands, the intense and fierce battles, the devastation and heartbreak - it all just radiated from the pages. Redwine has such a rich and vibrant writing style, I was immediately immersed (addictively so) within the books pages, wresting myself back to reality (begrudgingly) when real life called. Lorelei was fierce, brave, selfless, and strong all things that make an enjoyable heroine. I loved that she was the one who saved Kol, countless times; no damsel in distress here, she definitely kicked ass! The Draconi were fantastically unique, adding another dimension to the plot and Kol as a character which was fun. Now I have to add Draconi to my list of fictional future husbands... *sigh*..... Although seemingly heartless and wicked to the core, I was surprised to find our villainess, Irina, written with glimpse of humanity as well. While I wasn't rooting for her by any stretch of the imagination, I did feel a sense of pity for her throughout most of the book. If only she didn't let her hunger for power consume her, her life could have been so much different. 10000000/10 would recommend this read to any lover of a fairytale retelling. Absolutely enchanting in all the best ways! 

Originally reviewed for YA Books Central: [...]

4.5 STARS

As YA fairytale retellings go, this one is a thoughtfully crafted fantasy smorgasbord.

Redwine’s alternate version of Snow White isn’t some waifish, naive songbird—sleeping off her questionable life choices while waiting on a rescue.

(Sorry, Disney fans. Please don’t troll me.)

Here instead we have a cunning rebel sorceress for a princess, who’s been secretly training for a decade to overthrow her murderous, throne-stealing aunt. Did I mention she’s also a kick-butt falconer who excels at parkour? Oh, and the handsome prince is a freshly orphaned dragon shifter, who is trying desperately to save the kingdom he doesn’t feel worthy of leading.

That’s right… the prince/huntsman is also a dragon. You’re welcome.

THE SHADOW QUEEN is written in third-person past-tense, from multiple POVs (primarily Lorelei and Kol’s, but with crucial perspective snippets from queen Irina.) The pacing moves along at a rapid clip, complemented by snappy dialogue and well-rounded characterization. Redwine’s prose itself is strong both in conveyance of emotion and the sound handling of frequent action scenes.

Above all, this tale carries the persisting theme of doing what’s right--even when it costs you more than you want to pay.

The brother/sister dynamic between Lorelai and Leo was spot-on endearing. Fierce loyalty, with an authenticating touch of mutual annoyance.
------
Lorelai smirked at Leo, who raised a brow and then glared up at the sky. "The two of you are conspiring against me again, aren't you?"

"She just wants to share her lunch with you."

Leo blanched. "Last time she shared, I got a face full of rabbit guts from above. Tell your bird to keep her victims to herself.”
------

The worldbuilding in this stand-alone is fairly extensive, with an array of adjoining kingdoms (complete with map!) that are likely to receive individual play time in future books within this series. Much of the names and terminology carry Slavic-sounding underpinnings, the extent of which this reviewer isn’t qualified to analyze. All I can say is that the usage was vaguely guttural, consistent without being overwhelming, and overall appealing in the medieval-fantastical atmosphere it conjured.

This reader would have been interested to see a little more detail on whether lifespans vary between differing peoples, and whether Human/Eldr pairings were at all unprecedented in this world’s history. But perhaps more intricate matters of biologic compatibility will be addressed in future installments.

If you’re a fan of retellings that manage to turn a classic on its head in all the right ways, this book may be right up your alley.

Favorite Quote:
“You don't go into battle because you're sure of victory. You go into battle because it's the right thing to do.”

Thank you Edelweiss for letting me read The Shadow Queen, this doesn’t change my opinion at all!

So. Uh, yeah… this is awkward. The Shadow Queen was among the top books I was looking forward to for this year, it fell flat for me. I couldn’t make it through this book, sadly I couldn’t drag myself to the end even though I made it 43% of the way to the end. So this is a DNF review… because I can’t finish this! I CAN’T!

NOTE: you’ll probably enjoy this book more than I did :) I DESPISE writing negative reviews because some people wont read it after reading bad reviews. Look, just because The Shadow Queen wasn’t for me, it doesn’t mean you wont like it. Give it a shot!

What I Liked
The prologue to The Shadow Queen is A++++++! The prologue blew me away, it was dark and creepy and SO well written! It really set up the feel for the rest of the book :)
This book is totally reminiscent of The Huntsmen/Snow White movie :D. It was creepy and the evil queen reminded me so much of the evil queen from the movies. Because she is EVILLLL!
Irina is one evvviiiiil lady. She also happens to be the only point of view I found interesting. The evil queen is actually evil, she is nightmare inducing and *shivers* freaky. I LOVED reading her chapters.

What I Didn’t Like
After the prologue, my attention was lost. The book was boring from chapter one on and I have NO idea why but nothing interested me at all in this story. The Shadow Queen itself sounded amazing but reading it, it more or less, put me to sleep and I hate saying that, but it’s the truth. The Shadow Queen is one of the most boring books I ever read :/

Within the first 100 pages, 2 people die/almost die and it’s supposed to be tragic. Yet… I felt nothing. I’m not cold hearted, I typically feel things when characters die but their death felt more like a plot point than anything else. What I mean by that is there death felt pointless. We didn’t even know or care about these characters and they died so it was like “uh ok…” that’s the best way I can explain it…

I really found Kol and Lorelai boring. They were dry in personality and felt very similar reading there chapters. The Shadow Queen has 3 points of views, Lorelai, Irina and Kol… I managed to find interest in one of the POVS… Like I said, Kol and Lorelai were flat.

Some things just didn’t make sense to me. Why didn’t Irina confront the mirror about Lorelai to make sure she actually died all those years ago? WHY in the world did she not ask sooner? I thought that was really odd and ? yeah…

Fable’s Final Thoughts
The Shadow Queen is, so far, the most disappointing book I’ve read this year. Nothing about this story held my interest, so yeah… I hope you enjoy it more than I did!

I had been looking for another book series to obssess about, and it seems I have found it. The Shadow Queen is a fast- paced, easy read for lovers of fantasy and retellings.

The Shadow Queen is loosely based on Snow White. It doesn't follow the story to the T, but that is find with me. I typically don't like it when retellings stray way, way, WAY far away from the original, but this one I actually enjoyed it that way. It seemed more creative that way.

The characters are easy enough to understand, do know that they aren't filled with incredible depth and detail, but they still had some sort of depth. I didn't particularly like how the romance between Lorelai and Kol was fast, but it at least wasn't instalove.

I also (spoiler) didn't like how her brother died so early on in the book. We were barely on the fifth chapter when he died! I think that is way to early for a character death. I understand wanting to create conflict and emotion, but at leat have the chacters die more towards the end.

The world building was very little, but that may be fixed later on in the series.

Overall, this story was a good and fastpaced novel, and I look foreward to reading the others in the series. I have finally found a good novel worth reading!

Irina was an eldest daughter of the king of Morcant and she had been scorned but she nestled her hatred in her heart an on day she would have vengeance. Her younger sister had gotten married first to King Arlen of Ravenspire. From that union came Prices Lorleigh and Prince Leo. Irina gets her vengeance when her younger sister dies under mysterious circumstances. Upon marrying King Arlen she immediately set upon takin control of the kingdom with poisonous apples that have a black gooey texture. People are like Zombies with almost no will of their own. Both Irina and Lora leigh are Mardushkas or sorceresses. Irina takes it upon herself to train the young princess to be powerful Mardushka like herself. When Loraleigh sees the evil Irina’s impact on the kingdom she goes against her mentor and tries to take her down and at first she fails, with nothing to show for her efforts save for a dead father and she and her brother made fugitive.
Wandering her kingdom like a fugitive hiding herself and her magic from Irina, Loraleigh plots her revenge and the plot to restore her kingdom. Doing her best to help the starving people under Irina’s reign. She goes about fomenting resistance with the help of Leo and a loyal guard named Gibril. The plot takes a turn with the entrance of the King of Eldr, his name is kol. The draconi of Eldr can shape shift into dragons and have two hearts. One heart is human and the other is dragon. Seeking Irina’s help to rid his kingdom of an ogre invasion the newly crowned king finds himself trapped and transformed into a terrible predator. Loraleigh must battle the evil queen and her formidable ally to both rescue her kingdom and stay alive.
This story in a new entry into the realm of retelling faerie tales albeit with a twist. In this tale Snow White is a sorceress powerful enough to challenge a wicked queen who has stolen her father’s throne. The huntsman is a prince who can shape shift and not some lackluster bounty hunter. He is a good guy but forced to do an evil queen bidding. For those who like the retelling genre you are sure to like this. I just cannot convince myself to believe that people can shapeshift into dragons.

I had been looking for another book series to obssess about, and it seems I have found it. The Shadow Queen is a fast- paced, easy read for lovers of fantasy and retellings.

The Shadow Queen is loosely based on Snow White. It doesn't follow the story to the T, but that is find with me. I typically don't like it when retellings stray way, way, WAY far away from the original, but this one I actually enjoyed it that way. It seemed more creative that way.

The characters are easy enough to understand, do know that they aren't filled with incredible depth and detail, but they still had some sort of depth. I didn't particularly like how the romance between Lorelai and Kol was fast, but it at least wasn't instalove.

I also (spoiler) didn't like how her brother died so early on in the book. We were barely on the fifth chapter when he died! I think that is way to early for a character death. I understand wanting to create conflict and emotion, but at leat have the chacters die more towards the end.

The world building was very little, but that may be fixed later on in the series.

Overall, this story was a good and fastpaced novel, and I look foreward to reading the others in the series. I have finally found a good novel worth reading!

Irina was an eldest daughter of the king of Morcant and she had been scorned but she nestled her hatred in her heart an on day she would have vengeance. Her younger sister had gotten married first to King Arlen of Ravenspire. From that union came Prices Lorleigh and Prince Leo. Irina gets her vengeance when her younger sister dies under mysterious circumstances. Upon marrying King Arlen she immediately set upon takin control of the kingdom with poisonous apples that have a black gooey texture. People are like Zombies with almost no will of their own. Both Irina and Lora leigh are Mardushkas or sorceresses. Irina takes it upon herself to train the young princess to be powerful Mardushka like herself. When Loraleigh sees the evil Irina’s impact on the kingdom she goes against her mentor and tries to take her down and at first she fails, with nothing to show for her efforts save for a dead father and she and her brother made fugitive.
Wandering her kingdom like a fugitive hiding herself and her magic from Irina, Loraleigh plots her revenge and the plot to restore her kingdom. Doing her best to help the starving people under Irina’s reign. She goes about fomenting resistance with the help of Leo and a loyal guard named Gibril. The plot takes a turn with the entrance of the King of Eldr, his name is kol. The draconi of Eldr can shape shift into dragons and have two hearts. One heart is human and the other is dragon. Seeking Irina’s help to rid his kingdom of an ogre invasion the newly crowned king finds himself trapped and transformed into a terrible predator. Loraleigh must battle the evil queen and her formidable ally to both rescue her kingdom and stay alive.
This story in a new entry into the realm of retelling faerie tales albeit with a twist. In this tale Snow White is a sorceress powerful enough to challenge a wicked queen who has stolen her father’s throne. The huntsman is a prince who can shape shift and not some lackluster bounty hunter. He is a good guy but forced to do an evil queen bidding. For those who like the retelling genre you are sure to like this. I just cannot convince myself to believe that people can shapeshift into dragons.

If you like updated versions of fairytales, then you will love The Shadow Queen. I hadn’t ever read one, so I was unsure if I’d like it, but I am happy to say that other than some of the basic plot points this storyline was as different from Snow White as you could get. Ok, there was an evil witch, and some rotten apples and some rather scary creatures that aren’t for the faint of heart! There was also a heroine who looked pretty similar to Snow White, with raven locks, pale skin and a healthy glow in her cheeks, but this was a Snow White with an edge! She knew how to fight!

Here are some of the plot points…Lorelei and her brother, are in hiding after their evil stepmother Queen Irina unleashes a flood of rotten apples on her kingdom, holding everyone entranced, including their father. Lorelai however, sees the apples for what they are, poison, andbides her time. One day she tries to save her father and brother by attacking the Queen with her Mardushka (witch) power. Needless to say, her power is too young and she is only able to save her brother, her father falls to his evil wife. Hiding out with the help of a faithful servant, Lorelai and her brother play a little Robin Hood. They rob from the Queen, trying to diminish her power, while feeding the starving people in her land. She also trains daily hoping her power will become stronger. One day she saves Prince Kol of the neighboring country of Eldr and his friends, from some starving villagers. He is on his way to Ravenspire to meet with the Queen hoping to get Irina’s help to fight off the Ogre’s that are attacking his land and killing his people. Did I mention he’s a dragon? These Ogre’s are using magic and it will take a very strong Madushka to help them fight them off. Irina , not surprisingly,tricks him into a slavery of sorts, and tells him that unless he brings her Lorelei’s heart, she won’t let him free and his people will die.

This fairytale was a wonderful mix of fantasy and action, with just a hint of romance. This was a classic story of good versus evil, with some martial arts and wizardry thrown in. I could very easily see this book as a movie, because it played in my head like a hybrid Disney slash Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. The characters had great heart and, well, who wouldn’t want to see the evil Queen overthrown by a martial arts Princess and a dragon Prince?

This fast-paced retelling of Snow White was full of fun, adventure, and swoons as we follow Lorelai and her path to reclaiming the throne of Ravenspire. From the very beginning, I loved her character. She was courageous and knew how to fight back. She may have been based on Snow White, but she certainly isn’t wasting her time waiting for a prince. Lorelai undergoes many obstacles throughout the book, but each time she picks herself back up and keeps her strong will.

"The princess didn’t want to run. She wanted to see her father. She wanted to stay in her home.
She wanted to fight."

Redwine meshes up many aspects of fantasy books to build this one, and I didn’t mind at all, despite the tropes. If not exactly original, they were all well-executed and I found that I couldn’t stop reading. With Snow White comes a jealous stepmother, and Queen Irina is certainly one. She’s actually a pretty wicked villain, bringing in new twists to the story that we thought we knew. For example, Prince Kol from a neighboring kingdom comes into Ravenspire to get their help to save his own kingdom. And while he’s developing feelings for a certain fugitive princess, he’s also tasked to bring back her heart to save his own kingdom from the ogres invading it. Although he has Draconi warriors (who can shapeshift into dragons!), what they really need is magic, to fight against the ogres.

What really stood out to me was each character’s internal conflict as they struggled to become the leader that each nation needed them to be. They go through so much growth in this book. It’s one thing to say you’ll do something, and it’s another to actually go through with it and get results. Lorelai and Kol don’t let obstacles stop them – they learned and kept moving forward to accomplish their goal.

"He faced the castle and clenched his fists. He would figure out how to lead his people. How to protect them. He would become the kind of ruler he could be proud of, or he would die trying."

The romance was especially swoony, despite all the things the characters go through. I mean, it would be rather hard to fall in love with the guy who’s supposed to kill you, right? But both characters had trust in each other and worked together to fight back against Irina. Each ruler had their own priorities and motives for doing what they did, but they also complemented each other so well. It’s a quite straight-forward romance, and isn’t heavily stressed upon. No drama or entanglements are there to drag the book’s plot. Kol and Lorelai know their hearts, and they know whether or not to follow it, all the while thinking about each respective kingdom.

The dialogue between characters can be absolutely hilarious at times! It brought great depth to each of them and the friendships and support that come with those interactions just made my heart melt. If you’re looking for a book with easy-to-love characters, then definitely pick this one up. Each one of them just pop out and are unique in their own way, creating a cast of characters that is unforgettable.

"Hastily, Lorelai swept into an elegant curtsy – no small feat considering her current attire – and said the first thing that popped into her head.
‘You look most fetching today, my lord.’"

Despite the “shadow” in the title, the cute romance and flying pages will make for a quick and light read that will be delightful for any fantasy reader. Don’t come looking for a totally original story, because many aspects of fantasy in this book have been seen before; instead, the interesting mix of them all and refreshing characters make up for it more than enough. The ending is quite satisfying and has a nice resolution. It seems like the next books in the series will be companions, with a new fairy tale to explore. I for one can’t wait to meet those new characters in this world!

I really enjoyed Redwine's Defiance Trilogy for its strong characters and thrilling plotline, so I was eagerly awaiting her next series. Not only did the Shadow Queen have an awesome cover but I'm a sucker for a good fairy tale retelling and I knew Redwine would do a great job.

I'm not sure how many people watch ABC's Once Upon a Time but Lorelai reminded me a lot of Snow (and not just because they are Snow White). She's a kickass lead with a heart of gold but she also has her own flaws. I like that she isn't perfect and I like that she isn't defenceless and requires a "prince" to save her from her troubles. And the same can be said about Kol--he isn't some flawless character either.

The cast as a whole was a lot of fun. It was easy to root for the good guys and despise the bad guys (you always need a good villain). They were all so likeable to me and that made me want to read more about their story. And there were some heartwarming moments as well.

Somewhere around the latter half of the book, I started to get a little bored. Which was weird because things were happening--it wasn't like the characters were just sitting around waiting; there was plenty of action. I think I just wanted to get to the climax that little bit sooner. One plot device in particular seemed like it was just regurgitated in a slightly different way after it had been resolved and that really slowed down the story for me.

Otherwise, the pacing was great and the story kept my attention.

Review copy

Plot: The Shadow Queen has one of the most exciting openers I have had the pleasure of reading. Lorelai's beloved mother dies in a tragic accident, but her father - the king - must take a bride. He marries Lorelai's aunt who is using her magic to control the kingdom of Ravenspire. It was exciting! The Shadow Queen loses its steam after that gruesome opening, and it was sad to see it peak so soon.

The Shadow Queen is written well, but it's not a writing style that meshes with me, much like my reading experience with Defiance. The scenes that should have packed an emotional punch read rather dry to me. People were dying and there wasn't a spike in excitement or anything. This could be because it is told from the third person perspective. I think that this novel would have been a bit more emotional if it were told from Lorelai's perspective.

Characters: Irina is evil and I loved every terrible thing that she did. She reminded me of a cross between Regina from Once Upon a Time and the Queen from Snow White and the Huntsman. I liked that Redwine gave her a bit of backstory but didn't detract from her evil nature. Our main characters, Lorelai and Kol, are adorable and have a strong connection from the get go. Once again, I wish there was more emotion behind their words. Did I mention there are dragons? Because there are dragons.

Worldbuilding: Like many high fantasy novels, there are multiple lands that are in conflict with each other, and The Shadow Queen only manages to scrape the top of the iceberg. There are ogres, fae, dragons, and crazy magic wielders. I hope that these elements are explored more in the companion novels to come!

Short N Sweet: The Shadow Queen was a unique take on Snow White with unforgettable characters, unfortunately, the writing style was not for me.

This was a fantastic retelling of Snow White. Lorelai is a kick butt Snow White who only strengthens as the story progresses, and Kol is a conflicted yet lovable huntsman/prince who's also a dragon shifter. What? I know! Crazy right? But, it was a nice twist that worked seamlessly within the story. You get to know these characters and their world so well, it's easy lose yourself and feel what they feel. This is a dark retelling, and the evil queen takes no prisoners. So, yeah, folks are going to die. There's a lot of action and the romance is slow to build. I loved Sasha! She added a little lightness to the story in her own way. The Shadow Queen kept the bones of the Snow White tale, but it was fleshed out into its own unique story. I'm excited to read more in this series.

I definitely had high hopes for The Shadow Queen. I'm not quiet about the fact that I love fairytale adaptions (even though I don't actually know much about fairytales? DOES THAT MAKE ME FAKE?) and, of course, one look at that cover and I was hooked. This was one of my favorite cover designs of Harper's reveal week. Not to mention it's by CJ Redwine! I haven't finished the Defiance series but I know I loved it and I'LL GET THERE SOMEDAY EVEN IF IT KILLS ME.

For the most part, The Shadow Queen definitely did not disappoint. The stakes were high. My emotions were flying. And bonus points because The Shadow Queen did feel like a fairytale to me in a different way from usual, though I don't think I can really explain why.

I do wish we had gotten to see more descriptions of the land, more about how its people interacted with each other, what it was all like. I wanted more of the little details that make fiction feel real. The Shadow Queen is very much focused on Lorelai's fight to get back Ravenspire. Its people are miserable under the hand of our evil queen, Irina. They're starving even though there's certainly enough food to go around. But I want to know how the kingdom worked. Its structure, you know?

That being said, Lorelai's fight is a pretty good one. We get to see plenty of odd magic and I loved Lorelai as a heroine. She's so strong and determined, regardless of the way her life has ended up. Both her parents were taken from her long ago. She's lived on the run, with only her brother and Gabriel to teach her magic. It's been a long journey back to the Ravenspire throne. And when she's once again faced with tragedy. . . Well. She manages to pull herself together for the sake of the kingdom. EVEN IF I WASN'T TOO HAPPY WITH OUR TRAGEDY. SOB.

There are dragons and ogres and gyrfalcons - though I wish we had gotten to see and hear about more creatures. I wish the descriptions had made them come to life a little more. But anyways. Like I said, the magic aspect was very interesting - not in an astounding and intricate way, like A Darker Shade of Magic - though it still had its own new aspects.

Lorelai has a connection with her gyrfalcon that allows them to speak to each other, to send images. It's something that could have been really weird but wasn't. It worked. Lorelai had a devoted companion and the relationship between them was a nice touch. And Gabriel, who has been her mentor and a father, in a way, was another relationship I enjoyed. Gabriel is just as stubborn as Lorelai which makes for some interesting.

Of course, we also have Kol, newly crowned King of Eldr. And, you know, a dragon. (Not the coolest dragon ever, mind you, but I'll take what I can get because DRAGONS.) He unwillingly becomes a pawn in Irina and Lorelai's fight and a course of evens leads him to be able to communicate with Lorelai telepathically as well - and unable to speak aloud. Though their relationship wasn't steamy and it's not going to make my list of favorite ships ever, they definitely had their sweet moments and I could really feel their connection. There was tension, there was danger, and they didn't just throw themselves into it. They definitely fit together very well.

One of my favorite things is that we do get to see things from Irina's point of view. Her heart, her magic, they're failing her. They've been failing her for years as she takes and takes and takes from the land. She's manipulative, of course, and carries all the familiar markings of an evil queen, but C.J. Redwine somehow managed to make her feel unique, and I loved that.

tl;dr: The Shadow Queen wasn't a beautiful and incredible adaption the way I feel like Cinder is, but I really, truly enjoyed it. Lorelai is a pretty fantastic heroine with a fire and determination to take back her kingdom. The Shadow Queen felt vibrant and fun and as my first 2016 book, it definitely didn't disappoint. 4 stars

The Shadow Queen was one of my most anticipated books of 2016. I attempted to read it months ago when it first came out, but my reading slump was in full force. I was really worried my slump would effect how I felt about this book, so I put it down each time I tried to pick it up. But in the last few months, my reading slump has finally trickled off and I was finally able to pick this up and get past the first chapter and I’m SO glad I waited! I was able to truly enjoy it – without fear of my reading slump – and I LOVED LOVED LOVED IT!!!

This book was such an emotional rollercoaster. One second I was ready to cry, the next I was laughing my butt off and then I was ready to cry again. Sometimes I wanted to happy-cry and sometimes my heart broke so hard for the characters. It was just incredibly tense and very heart-in-your-throat and I loved every single second of it! I wish there was a sequel, but I’m very satisfied with how it ended.

Overall, I ADORED this book. It had gorgeous writing, epic world-building and characters that I cared about with all my heart. I highly recommend it for those who love fairy tale retellings (it’s a Snow White retelling!) and for fans of CJ Redwine, a master storyteller and an author who is now forever on my auto-buy list!

I’m a sucker for fairytale retellings. Scratch that, I’m a sucker for any kind of retelling. However, I am not a fan of Snow White (at all), so I was hesitant to go into this one, but seriously enjoyed it.

This is a retelling, so obviously, the plot is pretty predictable. It’s a story we’ve all heard and seen before (except, maybe me, because I’m not sure I’ve been able to sit through the whole Snow White and the Seven Dwarves movie), and yet, the story it tells feels different and new. This book is charming in the fairytale sort of way.

I loved Lorelai and Leo and their fight. I loved Kol and his dragon powers (although, that was a bit weird to begin with…like they turn into dragons…okay). The evil queen was so much fun.

Overall, this book was fun to read. It’s not dark and edgy like some other fantasy retellings, and sometimes, you just want to have fun while you read. This is that kind of book. No angst or pain and suffering, just a lot of fun.

***** Gladys #XOXOtheNerdGirl *****

*This book was provided by the author/publisher for an honest opinion.

The Shadow Queen is a dark and twisted retelling of the fairy tale Snow White, and I LOVED IT! It's perfect for middle-grade tweens, young adults and "new" young adults (ahem) like myself.

In this retelling, the part of the evil queen is played by Queen Irina who is the aunt and stepmother of Princess Lorelai. Irina is pure evil and a magic wielder called a Mardushka. She uses power words to evoke spells from a living thing or a person's core. She has also used her vast knowledge and power to hold the kingdom once beloved by Lorelai's parents.

For all that Irina knows of the world, she doesn't know two things. One that Lorelei survived the attack on the castle nine years ago and that Lorelai's powers as a Mardushka has grown ten folds!!! With the help of her father's most trusted captain and her brother, Lorelai plans on taking back her kingdom. What she didn't plan on was a Dragon-Shifter King from Elder with two hearts worth their weight in gold. Queen Irina has made a twisted pact with the King of Elder to save his Kingdom to her benefit, but she also was in for a shock!

The Queen of Shadows is excellent and gives you the twists and turns a reader craves in a fairy tale. You will NOT be disappointed. The main characters and the secondary characters come alive with each word you read. I wasn't disappointed at all in this magical rendition.

5 Stars and a tip of my Nerd Girl hat.

*This review was done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official

The Shadow Queen is an exciting fairytale retelling and I loved this!

I’m not a fan of Snow White but author C.J. Redwine’s retelling involves a strong female character who I fell in love with. Lorelai Diederich is the crown princess of Ravenspire. When her father is murdered by her evil stepmother, the wicked queen, Lorelai is forced into hiding. During the years in hiding Lorelai learns to master the magic she inherited from her mother’s people. Even with the years of practice Lorelai fears she will not be strong enough to fight the wicked queen. But after a devastating tragedy Lorelai faces her fears in order to save her kingdom. I loved that Lorelai fights to save her people instead of waiting for her prince charming to rescue her. Of course every fairytale has to have a handsome prince and in The Shadow Queen it is Kol. Kol is the newly crowned King of Eldr, a neighboring kingdom in need of magic to fight against the ogres. Kol and Lorelai forge an alliance to save each other’s kingdoms. Their relationship slowly builds from being allies into a swoon worthy romance that had me giddy. I’m a hopeless romantic so with all the tragedy that Lorelai and Kol endured I wanted a happily ever after ending for these two. And the author did not disappoint me! Lorelai and Kol have been added to my favorite couples list.

This is my first book from author C.J. Redwine and I loved her writing. The characters were well-developed and the story was exciting. I love her creativity and how she added unique twists to this classic tale. I plan to read more from this author.

Audiobook Review
I enjoyed Khristine Hvam narration of The Shadow Queen. I’ve heard her other narrations and she always brings a clear and entertaining performance. I love that she is able to create distinct voices for each character and brings to life the emotions of each scene. The combination of author C.J. Redwine’s writing and Khristine Hvam’s performance had me captivated. I had a hard time putting this down and also didn’t want the story to end.

Lorelai is thrilled when her father remarries hoping that her stepmother Irina, the new queen of Ravenspire, will bring back the happy family that has been lost since her mother died. Unfortunately Irina has other ideas, she has a grudge against Lorelia's father for choosing her sister over her and she is out for revenge. Irina gradually uses magic to turn the king and courtiers alike into puppets and Lorelai is the only one who can see what is going on around her. Finally when Irina kills the king Lorelai manages to escape from the castle with her younger brother Leo and Gabril, a palace guard.

Now it's nine years later and Lorelai, Leo and Gabril may have spent their time in hiding but they've also been training hard and preparing to fight to take back the kingdom that is rightfully theirs. Lorelai and Leo are both skilled fighters and Lorelai has also worked hard at learning to use her magic. While they've been planning their attack Irina's black magic has been slowly destroying Ravenspire from the inside and now the time has come when they're going to have to make a stand before it's too late.

I'm a sucker for fairytales so I wanted to read The Shadow Queen, a Snow White retelling, from the minute I first heard about it. I was a little nervous after seeing a few negative reviews but don't let that put you off because I ended up loving every minute of this book. I was completely sucked into Lorelai's story from the very first page and I just devoured the story. This is a wonderful retelling, it takes all of the elements you'd expect to find in Snow White and transforms them into something fresh and original. Add in the dragon shifters and I'm completely in heaven!

The characters are brilliant, Lorelai has been through so much but her determination to take back what is rightfully hers never wanes. She can see how much Ravenspire is suffering under Irina's rule and wants to bring things back to how they used to be, the magic Irina uses takes too much from the land and it's causing food shortages that leave people starving in the villages. Lorelai, Leo and Gabril have done what they can to try and help people but now their only hope is to stop Irina once and for all. Irina is power hungry and obsessed with destroying Lorelai and everyone close to her. Dragon shifter Kol gets caught in the crossfire when he comes to Irina for help. He is from a neighbouring kingdom and he needs Irina's magic to help him fight against his own enemies. Kol's people are being slaughtered and Irina is his only chance but she tricks him into making a promise that could end up costing him everything.

I don't want to say too much more but if you love fairytales, fantasy or dragons then you really need to buy this book. I'm so excited that there are going to be more books set in this world and I can't wait to get my hands on the next one.

Source: Received from Scholastic in exchange for an honest review.

"The Shadow Queen" is a fantastic retelling of Snow White. Lorelai is a young princess when her mother does and her father remarries her aunt, Irina, a powerful mardushka (witch). Irina puts the kingdom under a spell using magical apples and soon everyone will listen only to her. Lorelai is a mardushka herself and breaks Irina's hold over the kingdom. Irina retaliates by killing her father and Lorelai flees with her brother Leo and a guard, Gabril. The kingdom ends up in poverty with enough food. They are on the run but try to help the people by stealing from Irina. Lorelai is also training to defeat Irina.

Kol is a prince of Eldr, where everyone has two hearts-human and dragon- and can shift into a fire breathing dragon at any time. His kingdom is under attack by magical ogres. His parents and older brother are killed by ogres and he must take their place as king. He goes to Irina for help to defeat the ogres as they kill more and more people.

Kol and Lorelai's lives are quickly entwined. This book is well written and captivating. I loved the ideas and her growth plus their relationship. Lorelai is a worthy queen. I won't say too much so as to avoid spoilers, but it's an incredible journey all the way to the last. I am very much hoping for sequels and soon as there is so much that can be done with the fascinating world in this book!

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: A kick-ass retelling of Snow White.

Opening Sentence: Nothing had been right in the castle since her mother’s death.

The Review:

I love retellings but have very high expectations when reading them. To ‘retell’ a classic fairytale that was written and is still adored hundreds of years later is no mean feat. To make such a risky undertaking you have to be pretty confident that your story works. Otherwise, you not only come across as a ‘copycat,’ you also undermine the classic tale, something which seriously bugs me. Luckily, The Shadow Queen passed the test with flying colours! It made enough reference to the original story of Snow White to be classed as a retelling, but added its own original twist so that it wasn’t just a story based on Snow White, it was so much more.

The evil queen, Irina, was a brilliant villain. She was ruthless, power-hungry and had the sad sob-story to justify her evil intentions. The ultimate psycho queen who actually became crueler as the story progressed.

I’m glad we’re friends. Her tone was serious, her smile shy.
I am too. He watched her turn back toward the tent and let the warmth of their friendship push against the whispers that wanted him to destroy her.

The Shadow Queen had me on the edge of my seat with all the drama and suspense. As soon as I thought ‘they’re safe now,’ Irina would strike and either the trees would start attacking Lorelai and her allies, or statues would come to life to try and stomp them to death; there was always something to keep the action going!

The romance was adorable and I’ve yet to read a funnier first meeting between the two! That first scene when Kol meets Lorelai was hilarious and is stamped in my memory.

Hastily, Lorelai swept into an elegant curtsy – no small feat considering her current attire – and said the first thing that popped into her head.
“You look most fetching today, my lord.”
The large Eldrian boy snorted. Kol’s eyes widened, and his smile froze. And Leo – curse his miserable hide- made the strangled choking noise that meant he was trying desperately not to laugh.
“Oh no.” Lorelai pulled her hand from Kol’s, her skin prickling with heat from absolute humiliation. Maybe if she prayed hard enough, the forest floor would open up and swallow her. If there was any justice in the world, it would swallow Leo too.

The phrase ‘one-true-pairing’ comes to mind when I think of the two. Despite the magic coursing through King Kol’s dragon heart, he refuses to submit and kill Lorelai time and time again. Subsequently, her magic heals him and if that’s not swoon-worthy enough for you, then can I add that Kol can turn into a fierce, gorgeous dragon at will and has two hearts?! It doesn’t get better than that.

“Oh, skies, you’re in love with him.” Trugg shook dust off his shoulders. “Unbelievable. The boy is trapped with his dragon heart, unable to speak, and is determined to kill you, and still he manages to turn on the charm. Well he’s Eldr’s, so don’t go getting any mardushka ideas about him.”

Lorelai is a true warrior queen because even though almost her entire family has been murdered by Irina, she finds the strength to move forward and continue with her plan to overthrow Irina and take pack her crown. Her un-courtly ways were entertaining, especially when Gabril and Leo try to teach her court manners. Best of all is that she’s super kick-ass and has a fricking gyrfalcon as a pet!

“Courtly conversation is tedious. I have better things to do.”
“Better things than convincing our nobility that you can lead a kingdom, maintain its allies, secure new ones, and interact with royalty without bringing shame upon the kingdom of Ravenspire?”
“I was kind of hoping vanquishing Irina would take care of all that.”

Overall, I really enjoyed this read and hope you will give it a try because I can’t recommend it enough!

Notable Scene:

“Wrong.” He held her gaze, his eyes fierce. “Bloodlines and birthrights don’t make someone worth following. Neither does the appearance of power. I follow you because you have the courage of a true warrior.”

“I don’t feel courageous.” She turned toward the west. “I just see what needs to be done, and there’s no one else to do it. No one else who can fight Irina with the weapon she’s used to destroy Ravenspire. It has to be me. That doesn’t make me a warrior. That just makes me the best tool for a necessary job."

FTC Advisory: Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins provided me with a copy of The Shadow Queen. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.

Snow White meets Snow White & the Huntsman & Once Upon A Time (Tv show). The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine puts in a new twist to the classic of Snow White. Part of a series, each a standalone (as far a I know) called Ravenspire ..... and I will definitely not be able to see apples the same way again.

Lorelai was a strong protagonist, possess an analytical mind, with a penchant for over thinking the situation. She has something the conventional Snow White never did, magic. After the tragedy Lorelai, her brother Leo and their guard flee the castle, bidding their time and amassing support before they make their play. In a very Robin Hood-esque way they steal from the Queen and give to the people suffering starvation. A well laid plan but then Prince Charming enters and all of her well laid plans go astray.

Kol, the new King of the neighboring kingdom is a dragon (cool). More like he is a human, who can also shift to a dragon form. Their country is facing extinction against the horde of Giant. In a bid to gain support Kol enters Ravenspire thinking with its widespread drought & starvation they would claimer to get all the help needed ..... but he realizes the futility of the situation, when in return the Queen traps him to hunt Lorelai down and bring back her heart.

Gorgeous writing from Redwine. The world building was also very well placed and the characters were very well placed about the plot. While Lorelai was all that is analytical and aggressive and somewhat proud. Kol was all charm with the added dragon. It also wasn't insta romance but a gradual build-up and I loved experiencing their journey through the pages. The magical showdown throughout the pages were epic enough to set our hearts racing and rooting for the good.

But really that was all of it. Somehow I still got bored through the ordeal a lot. Really the good guys were just good and the bad guys felt just as bad. Even the evil Queen didn't really have much to add just that she breached new levels of evil with pretty much everything she did. Where was the dynamics, the hidden spices in their characteristics. They don't really add anything new to what's been done, so many times before.

So, verdict is good .... but it just didn't have that feeling of excellent to it but i'm definitely looking forward to the next story in the series.

“Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the most powerful of them all?”

Usually I tend to avoid the retellings of my favorite fairytales. As much as people call their concept 'damsel in distress', I do not agree with that. I grew up reading these stories, watching the cartoons and NEVER ever thought I was less capable, less powerful, or just LESS than MEN. So, yes, I avoid the retellings, because I did not want to ruin the original stories for me. Lately the feminism in the books became the concept when the girls are physically strong. Well, guess what? That is not feminism, that is just a physically strong woman.

"No one could survive him. He was fire and blood and death. He was rage trapped in a human skin.
He was a king. No, he was a killer. He was a brother.
He was fire, blood, and death.
And nothing would change until the girl in front of him was dead.
“Run,” he whispered, his voice more dragon than human, though he already knew it was too late. If she ran, his dragon would chase her. Catch her.
Kill her.
And he’d be free."

However, I do not regret finally reading this book. Yes, the female characters presented to us were both strongly fit and strongly willed, they were independent and driven, and I loved it. I loved how the author twisted and turned the original Snow-white story but kept the key points, the princess on run, the witch step-mother, the mirror, the prince AND the kiss. The only thing missing were the seven dwarfs, but they came in the end of the book, as seven dragons, which is better. No offense to cute dwarfs, but still. I liked that those were from prince's kingdom and not hers, it felt their connection so much more serious.

"The girl who must die. Who must give her heart to him.
The girl who hadn’t run, but had tried to reach him.
To save him."

There were many things that displeased me in the book, those being deaths, but everything else, the pace, the length, the action, the mystery, the romance was amazingly portioned. One thing that I was surprised and really in love with was that the author not only presented Kol's and Lorelai's POVs but Itina's as well. Behind every villain there is a story, and I was glad to see her. I did not like her, not at all, but I saw why she might have done it, even though like Viktor I did not agree with that.

“Lorelai thinks there’s something worth saving in you. Do your best to prove her right.”

The book is considered good if both its characters are loved, and I loved Lorelai and Kol. I loved that they both were thrown to this life, that they were not truly ready to rule practice wise, but heart wise they were born ready. I loved their connection, but I would have loved to see not just a coronation but also a marriage to see what happens next. Yes, they are together, but I was interested to see what was going to happen to their kingdoms. Would they have merged them, or ruled them separately? I am sad that the author did not elaborate. Maybe in the future books it will be mentioned by the other kingdoms.

"Her will was stronger than her foolish heart.
Her will desired Ravenspire.
Her will wanted Lorelai dead."

I have to talk about the two most important losses that I would have loved to avoid. Leo and Viktor. I loved Leo, I would have loved to see him in the future books. He was still too young, too lively, too adventurous and deserved his happily ever after. I still do not believe and do not accept his death. Same goes for Viktor. The guy was loyal to the bone, and yes, maybe it did not help him or Ravenspire, but I could not help and admire him for that. I wanted actually to see a happy ending for Irina and him, I wanted her to find the good that she once had, that the small part inside her heart still had, but I guess the author did not want to change that part of the story.

"And you’re sure we’re safe?
I’m sure. The water will tell me if we aren’t.
Good. Then there’s nothing to stop me from kissing you properly."

The secondary characters brought me joy. Seriously. I loved reading the constant banter going on between Jyn and Tugg. I am glad that there was a hint of more there, unfortunately we did not see how it progressed, but we can imagine I guess. It will not be as good as the reality but still. I loved the Draconi, and hope to see more of them.

"You promised you’d save me, but I’m not saved if I have to bury you and go home to what’s left of Eldr."

What interests me is that the names, the surnames and the chants are extremely similar to some Slavic, and I would love to know, which language is actually used in the the concept.

"He raised his head and gave her a tiny smirk. "I did tell you I’d kiss you back to life if I had to."
She smiled. "I’m sure it was a hardship for you."
He tried and failed to smile in return. "I thought I’d lost you. I don’t ever want to go through that again."
She took his face in her hands. "My heart will always come back to you."

Overall, I cannot wait to start the next books in the series. So we found out there are Mardushkas, Draconi in this world. What else is waiting there for us?

C.J. Redwine was disappointed with the Snow White and the Huntsman movie, so she decided to create her own Snow White retelling. I can definitely say that the storyline in Redwine’s book was better than that particular movie, though unfortunately, there is no Chris Hemsworth in The Shadow Queen.

The characters in this retelling do not strictly follow the Snow White rules. Lorelai isn’t named Snow; Kol isn’t a true huntsman and is, instead, a dragon; and both the evil queen and Lorelai have magic. I definitely enjoyed Redwine’s twist on the world. I think some fairytale retellings can often be too stuck to their namesakes, whereas this one offers a fresh batch of characters and events to create a semi-unique plot. Plus, dragons are cool.

All of the main characters in this story, minus one, really connected with me. I could feel their pain and I even experienced some of their grief, despite, at times, never actually meeting the characters, like Kol’s family for instance. Oh, and I need to have a serious talk with Ms. Redwine about a certain cruel action she performed against one particular innocent and loveable character. (Why, Redwine?! Why?!)

However much I enjoyed the main protagonists, Queen Irina wasn’t someone I could empathize with. While I felt she was more than an evil dictator, I couldn’t really see how exactly she was more than that title. Her character could have been delved into some more to help her personality development out; although, I didn’t really like her chapters, so I’m not sure how much more I would have liked to hear her wicked thoughts.

The plotline of the book was, because this is a retelling, somewhat predictable. The princess fights the evil queen and either wins or loses or lives to fight another day (I won’t give away spoilers). However, I have to say I was a little disappointed by how quickly Lorelai realized her true potential and how powerful she actually is. Additionally, the magic system and how Irina and Lorelai’s magic works just needed a little more fleshed out. I wasn’t sure why/how Irina and Lorelai were performing some of their tricks. But overall, it’s a solid plotline with a fun world that Redwine can continue to play in.

While there were some small parts that had me a tad confused, this book is a great addition to a growing list of retelling books. It’s unique enough to stand on its own, but it can still draw in readers who aren’t sure they want to dive into a completely new fantasy world. And, like I mentioned, there’s dragons. What more could a reader ask for?

*Note: I purchased a copy of this book for myself. This in no way affected my opinion/review.

Can you imagine my excitement when I got this ARC?! It was such perfect timing since I just finished reading her Defiance series.

Anywho, I can tell you her writing is just getting more amazing. I was hooked right from the first chapter!

Lorelai was taught magic by the now queen. The queen had used her magic to make the king and guards do what she wanted. So Lorelai used the magic against her. It made her dad see the truth, however, she was not thrilled and killed the king. Now its Lorelai, her brother, and the guy who helped them get out of the castle that day.

Now its been a few years later. Irina is still a wicked queen. But now Lorelai is nearly strong enough take back what is hers and get rid of Irina for good. But as they make their way to her, things aaren't looking so well for the kingdom. The need for food is stronger than she thought. So bad, that she saw a family die before her. It was then she really couldn't stand it anymore and moved her plan way up.

You also get to read about Kol. He really just wanted to relax, and got kicked out of another school. But he will deal with his punishment once he is drunk enough. Though what happens is something he never expected.

His parents and brother were killed. And now its just Kol and his sister left. Quickly there is a funeral, and then Kol is crowned king. Things are about to really start moving. Kol gets an idea on how he can take care of his kingdom, and that would mean going into Irina's kingdom for some help. But that kingdom doesn't fancy dragons.

You can tell once Kol and Lorelai meet, that things are just going to get even better! The story keeps flowing, you stay glued to the pages right up until the last word!

This has to be my favorite read of the year so far!

This reimagining of Snow White added a few important twists to the story that I really felt brought new life to a tired fairy tale. There are no dwarves. Thankfully. There is a huntsman, but he has a lot more riding on capturing the wayward princess than he ever has before. There is magic - big magic - tied to land and intentions and heart. And this pretty princess with skin as white as snow? Well, she doesn't need a rescue. She is a hardcore warrior in her own right, and this version of the story makes it clear that her courage is the real thing that packs a punch and not some idealized virtue that sounds nice in a eulogy. I have to admit that I'm almost done with fairy tale revisions, and I had to take a break before starting over and giving this book my real attention. I'm glad I took that break. This book does deserve to be savored rather than devoured simply because the relationships are complex, the dangers feel real, and just when you want to cover your eyes or slam the book closed, another turn of events keeps you in the game. Lorelai, the protagonist, is easy to connect with, and a strong female protagonist I believe my high school readers will admire and enjoy. There is a bit of romance, and the author nicely sidesteps the dreaded insta-love by providing a deeper connection. I think most readers will be quite pleased with their relationship and the relationships throughout this book. It reminded me of Princess of Thorns a bit, and if you enjoyed that book, I feel sure this one will grab you as well. I'm adding it to my classroom library wish list and recommending it to all my readers who like their ladies tough and true. Language and situations are appropriate for middle and high school readers, but adult readers will enjoy it as well. I received an ARC from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

In a current era of young adult fiction where fairytale retellings abound in great numbers, this story is epic, clever, familiar, original, fun, and so enjoyable to read. With one tough, warrior princess, an evil queen, a gorgeous new fantasy world to discover, a charming and slightly adorable romantic interest and even dragons (dragons!!!), The Shadow Queen is set apart from your average fairytale retelling.

Once upon a time there was a princess who was unlike any other princess. She lived, not in a castle but on the streets, moving from town to town. She was clever and strong. She fought and trained, and she worked hard for every mouthful of food. She loved her brother and desperately missed her dead father and mother, and she knew that one day she would enact revenge and would restore her kingdom to health and prosperity.

Lorelai lost almost everything the day her stepmother, Irina, killed her father and assumed the crown of Ravenspire. Lorelai escaped with her younger brother Leo and loyal guardsman, Gabril. For nine years she has evaded Irina, stealing from the Queen's stores, helping the peasants who starve under Irina's harsh rule, and planning for the day when she can take back her kingdom. In the neighbouring kingdom of Eldr, Prince Kol is shocked by the tragic death of his family, leaving him to take the throne as Eldr's new king. But with ogres marching ever closer to the heart of his kingdom and leaving destruction in their wake, he fears his only available course of action is to approach Queen Irina of Ravenspire and beg for her help in securing Eldr's safety.

Saying this book is just a fairytale retelling would be underselling it. Yes, there are many similarities to the original tale of Snow White and even some of the recent retellings in both print and film. There is an evil queen taking power from people's hearts, the use of apples for nefarious purposes and a kingdom that needs to be returned to its rightful ruler. The similarities end there though, as Lorelai is as opposite to a damsel in distress as possible (no enchanted sleep here), and there are no dwarves, seven or otherwise. As I look back though, there are little nods to the story which I didn't pick up on at first, but which make the whole story that much more clever and richly detailed.

Ultimately this is a high-action fantasy, with one tough heroine. Lorelai is incredibly brave. She can run fast (not as fast as Leo, but still), she can fight, she can leap across buildings and she can run up walls!! But she is also very clever, and just a little bit devious. The Shadow Queen is written in third person, alternating between Lorelai, Kol and Irina's perspectives, which flows perfectly and allows readers to get to better know the characters and their true motivations.

I must admit, I had a bit of a love/shake-my-head-in-frustration relationship with Kol. He has tragedy followed by great responsibility thrust upon him. Yes, his kingdom is in dire need for help, yes, Kol is in a hard place and has few options, but going to a sorceress queen and agreeing to do her bidding while asking few questions is a little too trusting and naive! Of course it's going to go badly. Sigh. Luckily for Kol, Lorelai is pretty good at coming up with plans and has no trouble with saving people. But by the end, Kol had stolen a little piece of my heart with his charm and determination to save his kingdom, people and ... well, everyone. Kol is also where the dragons come into the story. The people of Eldr are Draconi and can transform into dragons (so cool).

While Lorelai is everything you could ever want in a strong and independent heroine, and Kol is the charming and adorable romantic dragon-in-distress, Leo, Lorelai's brother, was the character who stole my heart. Dear, sweet, cheeky Leo, who makes endless jokes and who loves to tease his big, serious sister. He brings so much heart to this story (pun intended, take it or leave it).

The romance is a fabulous part of this book, not the focus but a delicious addition, growing slowly but with great heat and intensity. Little moments are used to create great depth. In fact, there is a lightheartedness brought by the characters that contrasts with the heavy nature of the book, the death and desperation of the people of Ravenspire, Lorelai's loss and even the destruction of Eldr.

The action is pretty much non-stop. Just when you think things will go easier for Lorelai and her little band of friends something else happens, another oh no, what now?! moment. But in between all the fights and the heartbreak and magic are sweet little scenes, banter between Lorelai and her brother, self-important posturing from Kol's friend Trugg, heartwarming moments as Kol and Lorelai grow closer, that bring a brightness and freshness to this story.

The ending is worthy of this epic story and there is enough of a happily ever after to satisfy any fairytale guidelines. This book is a standalone in a new series of fairytale retellings set in the same fantasy world. I'm hoping that means we will reconnect with Lorelai and Kol in the following book, as well as meeting some new characters.

A charming addition to the growing abundance of fairytale retellings, The Shadow Queen stands out with its courageous and intelligent female lead, creative fantasy-world setting I can't wait to explore further, dizzying romance and non-stop action.

The publishers provided a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When Lorelai was a young child who watched her stepmother, Queen Irina, destroy her family (literally), she vowed to return to take back the throne. In the years following, Lorelai trained her body, mind, and magic to become better than the dangerous woman crushing Lorelai’s beloved kingdom. Now, the time has come to face Irina. A nearby Prince Kol has just sorrowfully stepped up to his own kingdom’s throne after tragic deaths in the ogre wars, and he makes a deal with Irina to save his people…in exchange for Lorelai’s heart. As the two young royals both journey to save their kingdoms, they will find they have more in common than expected, but the wicked queen won’t go down without a war against all who oppose her.

On paper, THE SHADOW QUEEN proclaimed everything I love: fairy tale retellings, strong characters, magic, and castles. No matter how good a synopsis sounds, however, there is no guarantee that those elements will all work together to create a brilliant story. Thank the skies, THE SHADOW QUEEN swept past every expectation I had with wings stronger than a dragon’s.

The characters are the bleeding heart of the story (pun unintended, but happily accepted). Lorelai is determined, kind, and fierce. She is a true warrior, full of honor and an unwavering love for her suffering kingdom. What I love most about her is her strategizing. She isn’t one to leap into a dangerous situation without a plan or a confidence in her abilities. Her calculating mindset, combined with her very sincere resolve, make believing in her place as queen easy. Likewise, Kol is an equally remarkable character, and I love the dragon action tied in with him. Their relationship evolves from one of almost diplomatic respect to a deep friendship to a slow, slow romance, and it holds all the warmth and adorableness of a fairy tale with the sweet awkwardness and complexities that come with learning to trust someone in a dangerous world.

The villain, Queen Irina, is heartbreakingly realistic. Readers will see her continuously presented with chances to be merciful, to be kind, and to simply not act evil. At the end of the day, Irina is not a monster born to do bad; she is a person with power who, when presented with a choice, chooses evil, revenge, and hate. When stripped down to their hearts, Irina and Lorelai truly reveal what consequences those choices have.

As much as I adore the main characters, the secondary characters, especially Jyn, Trugg, and Sasha, are such delightful additions to the story. I laughed so many times during their dialogues. The battles scenes throughout the story are truly epic as well, often involving mountains, waterfalls, and giant trees.

C.J. Redwine’s THE SHADOW QUEEN is retelling at its finest, taking the bare bones of the original and shaking everything up to see how the story could be different. Lorelai is the kind of queen we can all hail with strength and a desire to do good as her most powerful arsenal.

The Shadow Queen a fantasy book that is loosely based on the story of Snow White with some variations.

Lorelai Diederich is the heir to the kingdom of Ravenspire and early in the story (like the original) her mother dies, so there is only her, her younger brother Leo and her father, but due to an alliance he must remarry with a royal from the Morcantian Kingdom, so he remarries Irina, Lorelai's maternal aunt which is a mardushka (woman with magical powers). But once she's crowned as Queen Irina, she begins to magically manipulate the whole kingdom to do her will, and the only one that she does not manipulate magically is Lorelai, which is also a mardurshka. But when Lorelai tries to free her father from the spell, everything goes wrong and Lorelai needs to flee and save her life and that of her younger brother. And for the next nine years she is in hiding and preparing magically to someday face Queen Irina so she can regain her kingdom.

For its part, the part of the hunter-prince charming belongs to Prince Kol, he's from the Kingdom of Eldr and he's a Draconi, (he can transformed into a dragon), but because his kingdom is at war with the ogres and to win the war he needs magical help, he seeks help from the Queen Irina, who accept to help him with the condition that he must hunt, capture and deliver Lorelai to the palace, but despite Kol willing to do everything to save his kingdom, when he finally manages to capture Lorelai, he can not keep up with his orders and releases her (like the hunter does in the story), but when Kol faces Queen Irina, he realizes that she is not someone that can be easily fooled and he must pay the price for trying to trick her.

What I liked most of The Shadow Queen is that even though most or some elements closely resemble the original (I have not read the original story but inquire about it), there are variations of the original elements such as: the magic mirror, but with the difference that for the Queen Irina beauty is not as important as power. Other elements that remain are the hunter (which in this case is also the prince charming that can transform into a dragon), there is also magic and apples spellbound. Among the differences is that there are not seven dwarfs, glass coffin and that Lorelai (Snow White) is a warrior and a mardurshka (magical person), so she is not a helpless princess.

Overall, The Shadow Queen is a good retelling, dark, with interesting characters and is a standalone, Lorelai's story begins and ends here, but it has companions novels that take place in other realms within the same world.

THE SHADOW QUEEN was an excellent fantasy reminiscent of Snow White (but without the dwarfs.) Lorelai fled the palace with her younger brother when her stepmother Irina kills her father and makes a grab for the throne. The are protected by a loyal guard named Gabril and have have spent nine years honing her magical powers and surviving in a land the Irina is draining.

King Kolvanismir has come from the neighboring kingdom of Eldr after the death of his father, mother, and older brother at the hands of ogres who are invading the kingdom. He feels that his only choice is to beg for help from the Queen of Ravenspire who has magic that could save his kingdom. Kol and the other people in his kingdom are two-hearted. They have human hearts and dragon hearts and can shift into dragons but they can't defeat the ogres.

When Kol and his companions first come to Ravenspire they need to be rescued by Lorelai, her brother, and Gabril when they run into a starving mob who want anything they have. After the rescue, they head on the palace where Kol makes a horrible deal with the queen. He agrees to find Lorelai and bring her to the queen in return for the queen using her magic to return the ogres to their previous prison. Kol doesn't know that the girl who rescued him is the princess the queen wants.

When Kol finds Lorelai and realizes that he owes her a debt, he has to fight the compulsion that the queen has laid on him. They come up with a plan to fool the queen. But it fails and the queen takes Kol's human heart and sends him after Lorelai again. This time it is much harder for Lorelai to reach Kol because he has lost his human heart and his dragon is bent on obeying Irina.

Kol is still fighting and Lorelai is using all her magic to help him remember his human life. Kol has lost his human voice and can only speak mind-to-mind with Lorelai. The two become very close because they know each other's thoughts. They gradually go from friendship to love. But Lorelai still has to find a way to defeat the queen who will do anything to hold on to the kingdom she stole.

This book was wonderfully exciting. It was filled with action. It had a very believable romance. It had a villain whose motives were realistic for her. She felt that she was always unloved and passed over and was determined to get what she felt she deserved no matter the cost. And the villain does pay a great cost when she chooses to kill the only one who has ever really loved her. All of the main characters were well-rounded people who had both strengths and weaknesses.

Fans of fantasy will love this one and be very glad they got to know Lorelai and Kol.

I really enjoyed THE SHADOW QUEEN. I'm not typically a fan of retellings, fairy tales made modern or changed never really were my thing. Too much of a been there, done that feeling for my tastes. And to be honest, Snow White even in the original form never was my favorite But the cover on this one completely hooked me in, so I gave it a try, and I'm so glad I did. It's Snow White, but it's really not. In fact, I think a lot of why I enjoyed this book so much is that it was far more "not" Snow White. Aside from just a few similarities, THE SHADOW QUEEN is fully its own story. Add that to the fully fleshed and intriguing cast of characters, and I was hooked from the start.

Lorelai is strong and fierce and yet very vulnerable as well. So much of this book was about her journey towards confidence and believing herself and powers. She faces so many trials and persevered through every single one, and I thoroughly enjoyed cheering her on the entire way. Then you have Kol who has similar confidence issues, but in a very different way. The two made for an interesting pair especially when you consider certain obstacles that were placed between them. But I really enjoyed how neither was over the moon instalove swoon for the other, but kept their heads and always remembered their duties. They are both to be the leaders of their countries, and I really felt their attitudes matched that. So many times once a love interest is involved everyone always seems to lose their heads, and it was a refreshing change of pace here to not have that happen.

That being said, while I enjoyed this book, it did have a few pacing issues that kept me from giving a five star rating. Some things that I felt could have used a bit more focus due to their importance/intensity were very rushed through. While in reverse, some things that I felt were less important seemed to drag a bit longer than necessary. For example, there's a pretty big loss relatively early on that seemed to happen in a blink. While I felt like I should have been devastated alongside the characters, I just wasn't due to how fast things happened and then moved on. Almost more of a telling rather than showing me the character's devastation. And then in reverse, there's several inner struggles that different characters go through that seem to drag on, and become a bit repetitive by the end. There's other examples of course, but I'll stay vague to avoid spoilers.

All in all, THE SHADOW QUEEN has made me think I might be a fan of retellings after all. From the characters, to the world building in a familiar yet different story, I was hooked from the start. While things wrapped up well in this book, and the story could end here, things were left just open enough to continue, and I can't wait to see what's next.

Normally when a story is re-told, then told again, and again and again, it becomes zestless, boring and stagnant. That's not the case with this tale, though I am becoming bored with the Snow White redux. I can happily say, The Shadow Queen, by C. J. Redwine, was different and written in a way, you could almost overlook the fact that it's recycled!

I wanted this book because of the amazing photo. I know it's nothing but a black apple with stenciled lettering, but it's so crisp, clean and HD'd to death- I had to read it. And you know what, sometimes you can judge a book by its cover. It was devilishly good.
The story is about a battle of witches for one kingdom- pretty much. It's a continuous fight between Queen Irina and Princess Lorelei, step-mother verses child. The princess is trying her best to defeat her evil step-mother in retaliation for killing her family and destroying the surrounding lands of Ravenspire and its people. Using an insidious vine that grows black, poisonous apples, the Queen takes from everywhere and everyone to stay strong and alive, but she's got a weakness. And a slightly weak backstory...

*For Full Book Review: [...]
**Book is from my personal library, for an honest review.

This review was originally published on Latte Nights Reviews.

I don’t normally read retellings but The Shadow Queen was one that captivated me the very simple cover and the intriguing synopsis. Even though this book took a bit for me to fully get into mainly because it was slow in the beginning, I was surprised by how much I was enjoying it.

Lorelai had a good life with her family at the castle but she soon started realizing that Queen Irina was not who she was portraying to be and Lorelai was the only one not falling at the queen’s feet, thanks to the powers she possess. When the queen murdered her father, the former captain of the guard took Lorelai and her brother Leo, helped them escaped and kept them in hiding. All the while, Lorelai practices her magic so that one day she can defeat Irina and reclaim her throne.

I was impressed by not only the characters but also the vivid description the author wrote for this fantasy world. It’s usually quite difficult for me to really picture a fantasy world but C.J. Redwine executed it wonderfully. Even writing this review, I’m remembering various scenes of the book where Lorelai had to use magic to fight/defend herself and I can still picture everything in my mind (and I read this book in December so it says a lot).

Prince Kol lost his father and his brother to ogres and now he has to step up and be king of Eldr. I expected him to be a careless king and sit on his throne, not doing anything. To say I was surprised by Kol is an understatement. He took charge from the moment he was appointed king and decided to seek for a solution so his people would be safe in Eldr. He goes to Irina for help but she asks for Lorelai in return. And Irina knows Kol’s a dragon, which she uses to her advantage and takes control of Kol in the process. Okay, yes you read right. A DRAGON!! I was so surprised by this fact but I was loving every minute of this turn-around to the story. It got me even more excited for the rest of it!

I really loved both Lorelai and Kol. Lorelai was so caring but so freaking tough and badass. The badass-ery in this book from this princess is off the charts. I was in awe of her and I wanted to read more and more. Kol was the perfect addition especially with his dragon nature. There were scenes that really hooked me in deep when it came to these two amazing characters that when the book ended, I wanted more! And the romance isn’t insta-love!! It was slow-built and the reader gets to enjoy it at a very nice pace.

The story was very well-written, even in third POV. I’m not the biggest fan of third POV but this one was perfect. It demanded to be in third POV and it helped deliver the story even more. We get to read about Lorelai, Kol and even Irina.

Overall, I loved this book a lot. It was a great start to a series that I can’t wait to read more of. I highly recommend it to every fantasy lover and retelling lover because you won’t be disappointed.

I received an eARC for free in exchange for an honest review.

The Shadow Queen is a retelling of Snow White. Lorelai is the the exiled crown princess of Ravenspire with magical powers. She intends to use her powers to kill her stepmother, the evil queen, and to take back her kingdom. What she does not know is that her stepmother has made a deal with the dragon shapeshifter, King Kol of Eldr, to kill Lorelai and to bring back her heart. Lorelai must stay one step above the huntsman, and to battle the queen. Who will win the epic showdown, Lorelai or the evil queen?

Lorelai is really a tough heroine. I really liked her. She was easy to sympathize with, and I rooted for her to win all the way. She is a woman who has lost so much, and she is trying to heal from her losses. She is also very insecure. Yet, slowly she grows into a strong and confident young woman who believes in herself. She is also very selfless and always sees good in others. Her kindness is her strength and because of her mercy, people are willing to fight for her to be queen. She is also very smart and a strategist. She always has a plan. These qualities show that Lorelai is the worthy queen of Ravenspire.

Overall, this book is about love, loss, friendship, and choices. The message of this book is to believe in yourself. While this book has a strong protagonist, I also liked how we have a powerful female villain. This villain was very intriguing, and I loved some chapters being told from her perspective. She has a tragic past, and she will do whatever it takes to make her dreams come true. I love how this villain seemed so strong and almost invincible, but she makes Lorelai stronger. In a way, it is Irina who has prepared Lorelai to be the queen that Ravenspire needs to be. The characters are very fun and likable. I loved the storyline, it is full of action, and it was like watching a game of chess where we see both Lorelai and Queen Irina making their move to see who will win the throne of Ravenspire. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the re-telling of fairy tales, exciting fantasy war intrigue, and anyone looking for a novel with a strong female lead.
(Note: I read an ARC copy in courtesy of Edelweiss)

Full disclosure: I read 50 percent of the book, then DNF’d (did not finish) it.

The Shadow Queen is billed as a fresh Snow White retelling, and fortunately avoids a literal approach. The subtlety’s are there, but it’s not a direct mirror of the original story.

Unfortunately, what was presented in the book was devoid of character development and joy.

Part of the problem for me was that the The Shadow Queen opens with Lorelei, her brother and guardian all on the run. Like in the classic tale, an evil queen (Irina) has taken over the kingdom and magicked everyone to follow her harsh rule.

Only Lorelei has the power to stop Irina, and she’s trying to figure out how do that while staying hidden and alive.

Because of this dynamic, readers are immediately thrown into the fray with Lorelei. I didn’t feel connected to her as a character because her real personality isn’t shown – she felt like a stand in princess with power.

Then, some new characters are introduced – Kol, a dragon prince, and his friends/protectors. Just when their storylines start to pick up, things take a turn and become slightly ridiculous.

I’m also not a fan of characters being included JUST to be a catalyst for a bigger movement. The one I’m talking about literally had no other purpose and was basically a literary device. It was transparent to me and pretty frustrating.

I stopped as the action was finally starting to pick up. I did not feel compelled to keep reading and felt adrift from any attachment to the characters.
I’m pretty bummed about this one because my fave Maria V. Snyder blurbed this story with a rave review.

OVERALL:
The lack of character development and unimaginative ideas made The Shadow Queen a flop for me. If you’re looking for other great retellings, I would recommend reading anything by Rosamund Hodge, the Lunar Chronicles or The Wrath and The Dawn instead.

***I received an eARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

Initial Reaction
The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine starts like any fairy tale with “Once Upon a Time….” so I knew instantly that this was going to be a good book. Right?! Because what book can be bad if it starts like that?! *Please note sarcasm* Don’t get me wrong. This book is AMAZING!!!! BUT it is a very dark and twisted retelling of the classic Snow White. Seriously, in the prologue the evil queen is feeding ROTTEN apples to her subjects!

The princess at the young age of 8 stops her, but she pays a high price for it. Watching her father die along with anyone else in the room, Lorelai escapes with her younger brother and her father’s guard. The evil queen kills everyone that witnessed Lorelai’s betrayal with the vow that she will get Lorelai. 9 years later….Lorelai is still evading the Queen Irina and training to one day face her. She will take back her kingdom and she will save it from the cruelty and evil of Irina. But what will it cost her?

Snow White Like You’ve Never Seen Her
Lorelai Deiderich (aka Snow White) is one of those characters that sticks with you. She’s cunning, kind, ruthless when she needs to be, and loyal to those she loves. After her attempt to free her kingdom at 8, Lorelai went into hiding, but she’s been training to harness her magic ever since so that one day she can defeat Irina. She’s scared with good reason, yet will risk anything to keep her brother safe. She’s strong and passionate and I would NOT want to be on her bad side. She’s out for revenge and she will not rest until Irina is off the throne.

Irina (aka the Evil Queen) is not as evil as she seems. Yes she is powerful and she uses horrific means to reach that power, but the author humanizes her in a way that will make you sympathize with Irina. Something that I struggled with honestly. Irina is cruel, but not heartless. In fact she’s a woman scorned. Knowing that, her actions — however deplorable they may be — make sense. Her motive is to take back what was promised to her and she does that and more. The problem is the way in which she does it. Her vengeance is scary and she is unpredictable which makes her the perfect evil queen.

And then there is Kol, the newly crowned King of Eldr. His whole life he has not lived up to the high expectations of his father. When his parents and older brother are killed rather suddenly and Kol inherits the crown, he wants to prove his worth and save Eldr from the invading Orge army. Kol is kind, honorable, just, and brave. He fulfills not only the role of Snow White’s prince but also her huntsman. Kol seeks to make a deal with Irina: save his kingdom from the Orges and he will give her the money for food Ravenspire desperately needs. BUT Irina doesn’t want money. She wants him to bring her the heart of the lost princess.

My favorite character though is Leo, Lorelai’s younger brother. He’s spunky, full of life, and love for his older sister. He gives her confidence and a reason to fight. He is her rock and her confidante. He also brings levity to the story and I just love him!!!!

Heart-Breaking, Gut-Wrenching Action
C.J. Redwine does a fantastic job of weaving her original fantasy world with the essential elements and story of the classic Snow White. While this made it slightly predictable at times, the overall effect, for me at least, was nothing short of brilliant! I loved the aspects of the original (like the characteristics of the characters) carrying over into this new high fantasy world. There are orges and mardushkas and dragons to name just a few of the new elements.

But my favorite part of the book is the driving, fast-paced plot. Lorelai has a plan in motion at the start of the story to bring the queen down, but after a devastating encounter with the queen, Lorelai’s plans go out the window and a new plan forms. I honestly had a hard time sitting the book down for any length of time. I NEEDED to know what would happen next!

Predictable Conclusion
If you know the story of Snow White, then you already know how the book will end, BUT it is well worth the read! C.J. Redwine has created a new world full of adventure, suspense and swoon-worthy romance. I laughed, I cried (and not just a few tears, like full-blown sobs) and cheered for the characters. I was fully invested in the story and happy with its conclusion. How often do I get to say that?! If you enjoy a good retelling, high fantasy, or a sweet romance, I highly recommend you get a copy of this book ASAP!

*I received this book as an eARC from Balzer + Bray via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review*

The Shadow Queen may be a Snow White retelling, but it is a completely new story that stands on its own. The basic elements of the classic fairy tale are present, but so much has been added that it's far from a simple retelling. There are dragon people. There is an ogre war. The magic system is very cool and inspired by the well-known imagery of the heart in the classic story.

I am a huge fan of Fantasy YA and I love how prominent it is becoming, but as more is made tropes definitely seem to be recurring. This is another story of a princess from a fallen kingdom who must live a simple life and train until the most opportune moment comes when she can attempt to take back her rule. I've read a lot of these recently, but they are all unique. They take different twists and turns in their storytelling.

Lorelai has a magical psychic link to a gyrfalcon named Sasha. I loves Sasha's role in the story. She's a hot headed predator with some sass.

I really enjoyed the character of Leo and wanted to see more of him. Early on I was shipping Leo and Trugg.

The magic is such a big part of this novel. The villain's magic is super creepy. I liked how the hearts of everything come into play. The magic is described so well that you really get a grasp on it. And at some points, the imagery is very strong and goosebump-creating.

Irina is a great villain. It's nice seeing her perspective and at least understanding where she is coming from, if not sympathizing with her.

I give this book a 5/5. I highly recommend it. Definitely one of the great YA Fantasy novels out there now. The writing is wonderful. The worldbuilding is magical. The characters tug at your heart.

I got this book from NetGalley to review. This ended up being a well done fairy tale/fantasy. I enjoyed it a lot.

Lorelai Diederich is the crown princess but she is in hiding from the wicked queen who has stolen her father’s throne. The only way for Lorelai to take back the throne and start to repair the Kingdom of Ravenspire is to master her magic and confront the Queen. Meanwhile in the neighboring kingdom of Eldr, Priince Kol is having big problems of his own. His parents and brother are killed by invading ogres and he suddenly finds himself King of Eldr.

In a desperate gamble to save Eldr from orge takeover Kol pleads his case to the Queen of Ravenspire. She demands that Kol bring her back the heart of the Crown Princess Lorelai in exchange for aid. However, Kol wasn’t expected to like Lorelai as much as he does and wasn't expecting the Ravenspire Queen to be quite so evil.

I enjoyed this book quite a bit, it was predictable but still a very fun read. The characters are fun and easy to engage with; I really enjoyed them all and was surprised at how quickly I came to care for them. I even felt some sympathy for the Wicked Queen.

I also really enjoyed the magic throughout. I loved how the Eldr people can transform into dragons and enjoyed the interesting ways in which both Lorelai and the Ravenspire Queen use their magic.

This is obviously a retelling of Snow White and, although some things have been changed quite a bit, there are definitely parallels between the two stories.

The story wraps up completely. Looking on Goodreads it looks like this may be the beginning of a series, however this book stands alone very nicely. The writing was easy to read and well written.

Overall a fun and entertaining fantasy fairy tale retelling. I really enjoyed the characters and the magic throughout. The plot is fairly predictable and I would have liked to see a bit more world-building, but it was still a fun YA fantasy read.

Inspired by the story of Snow White, seventeen-year-old Lorelai Diederich has been on the run for nine years, ever since her stepmother (the evil queen) killed her father (King of Ravenspire) and usurped the throne of Ravenspire. The hidden princess and her younger brother have been taken care of – and trained – by their father’s trusted guard. Lorelei inherited magic from her mother, and she has worked for years to hone that magic and use it to take back her throne and save her kingdom. Along the way, she and her brother secretly play Robin Hood, stealing from the queen to give back to the starving people of her kingdom… preparing for the day she can defeat Queen Irina. When she meets Kol, the young dragon king of Eldr, she saves his life from a crowd of villagers… and you know the fairy tale… falls for him. But can Lorelai save her kingdom AND save Kol when Irina ensnares Kol with her magic and forces him to be her Huntsman and kill Lorelai? Many fun twists in this updated fairy tale for a YA or adult audience.

I truly enjoyed this book. It was a wonderful combination of adventure, fantasy, and romance. The heroine, Lorelai, went on a believable journey of growth as she came into her own, learned to use the skills she possessed, and became the woman she was meant to be. Kol, who helped her on this journey, was also an excellent companion as he grew and changed into someone worthy of his birthright. The path both of these characters took as they developed was well-paced and well-thought-out. None of their actions or statements felt out-of-place, too fast, or too convenient. Both characters had to grow up, face personal demons, and learn to trust themselves (and each other) in order to take their place in the world.
Which brings me to the setting. The world-building in the novel was very good. The setting and descriptions really helped bring the reader into the world of the characters, with their different countries. The author's use of language for place-names, characters' names, and the spells used was wonderful.
The growing relationship between Lorelai and Kol also moved at a good pace. It felt very organic and natural, not at all forced. By the end of the novel they ended up at a very believable place, and it was very satisfying for the reader.
My favorite quote from the book came from Lorelai, as she was making the momentous decision to face her greatest enemy:
"I don't feel courageous." She turned toward the west.
"I just see what needs to be done, and there's no one else to do it. No one else who can fight Irina with the weapon she's used to destroy Ravenspire. It has to be me. That doesn't make me a warrior. That just makes me the best tool for a necessary job."
That quote really spoke to me. Lorelai didn't feel as though she was a hero. She felt as though she had a duty, a destiny to fulfill. And she did her best to complete her task. That her actions made her a hero was just a consequence of her belief that she must do what was right for herself and her people.
My only problem with the novel was some of the words used. "Creepy" was used several times, in a way that seemed too modern for this book. It felt out of place and took me out of the action and jarred me out of the setting of the book. Some of the dialogue by Trugg also seemed to "modern." Some of the things he said just felt very out of place for the world that the author created--as though he was picked up from a show on the CW Network and stuck into this medieval fantasy setting. It felt forced and as though he did not belong.
Overlooking these few issues, I truly enjoyed reading this book. I would definitely recommend this book and this author. I would look forward to visiting this world again in future novels.

Review posted on CrossroadReviews.com

This book was purchased via BAM and this review is 100% honest.

the shadow queen is a retelling of Snow White. And I thought it was amazing!!! It has magic shifters. And well no one is safe from the wrath of queen. So just because they are main characters or side characters doesn't mean they will come out alive!!

This one is tech. In three POVs. And they blend seamlessly. No need for header names etc.

The story and plot are pretty straight forward you have an evil queen a girl on the run a king etc.

The characters were great!! Lorelei was amazing. She's a take no nonsense kind of girl! And she kicks butt! With her plucky side kick brother Leo. Who I just adore!!

The rest of the cast were great to but I won't get into any of them since I don't want to give anything away.

I really hope for this to be a series as I think Redwine could do some AWEOME stuff with these characters. We do get an epilogue that's set 7 months into the future but for me it wasn't enough. I want one that is like 10 years into the future. I know I'm greedy!!

The book was an amazing fantasy and I'm glad I got to read it!

**3.86 stars**

This book was a fairytale retelling, but it seemed to lack some creativity and unique aspects of it. This book felt like a bunch of stories I've heard before but then smashed together. the power of hearts, hidden warrior princess, etc. But, THIS BOOK STILL HAD A LOT OF UNIQUE ASPECTS I ENJOYED that weren't really delved into.

The different abilities and types of people in each kingdom were cool to learn about but, they were barely there. You didn't see much of the culture or magic behind the world, but were only told that "hey... this kingdom has dragons. This one has magic. Dey need halp." I wish we had seen more because.... well it was just cool magic and i wANT MORE

This is a Snow White retelling so you'd think there'd be a spectacular group of characters but, that just wasn't the case. We had less than a handful of in-depth characters. The "seven dwarves" only really showed up in the beginning and the end. I wish we had been able to see more of them beacuse I FREAKING LOVE THE POWER OF FRIENDSHIP MLP FOR LIFE FITCHES ahaha jk but I do love me some more characters.

This book did throw in some twists and turns because the villain was very cunning. I mean she was no Queen Levana, Though she was smart, she was also predictable sometimes because this book was like a bunch of overtold stories smushed into one.

The main character was definitely strong, there's no doubt about that. There were tons of circumstances where she really showed her intelligence and strength that I enjoyed immensely. But, we're not really told much about her other than she's loyal and gr9 at magic. I think we might even be told more about the prince.

I don't know if this was interesting enough for me to go into the next book. I really liked the magic and I think I'd want to learn more about it but I don't know if the next book goes into it much.

I loved reading The Shadow Queen. I was hooked immediately. Nearly in tears several times in the first couple chapters. I wanted to pull sn all-nighter and read it in one sitting. Redwine created characters that were well-developed. While reading I laughed aloud, cried, and chewed on my lips in fear. Lorelei is an amazing heroine who saves herself, and others, time and time again. There is romance but the romance is secondary to the challenge of winning back the kingdom. Despite the fact that The Shadow Queen is the first in the Ravenspire series, it did not have a cliffhanger ending. The ending was entirely satisfactory. I appreciate that Redwine understood she can give us an ending to sigh over and feel good about and that we will still be waiting anxiously for the next book in the series. Overall, I found The Shadow Queen to be quite FETCHING.

With Valentine’s Day and The Walking Dead‘s return making February my favorite month, we also have so many awesome YA’s releasing that deserve some love! I asked Caragh M. O’Brien (The Rule of Mirros), C.J. Redwine (The Shadow Queen) and Amy Matayo (The End of the World) to talk all things YA and romance.

Jessie: Tell readers about your book.

C.J.: The Shadow Queen is a dark epic fantasy inspired by the Snow White fairy tale. In the story, a fugitive princess is determined to save her people from the most powerful sorceress her kingdom has ever seen while trying to stay one step ahead of the dragon-shifter prince who is magically contracted to rip out her heart.

Jessie: Do you have a favorite YA hero or heroine?

C.J.: You do realize that this is like asking me to choose between my children, right? :) I’m going to say Hermoine Granger. She’s intelligent, brave, compassionate and has a fierce sense of justice. There are so many times throughout the HP series where Hermoine’s preparedness or quick-thinking or bank of knowledge is what saves the day, and she never flinches from doing what’s right, even when it costs her deeply. Also I’m pretty sure she’s a Griffinclaw like me.

Head over to the HEA Blog to see more from C.J. as well as some fun with Caragh M. O'Brien and Amy Matayo!

I love the classic fairy tale retelling genre, and this was a great, fun story with lots of action and a fierce, powerful hero. The world-building is fantastic with a new, exciting take on dragons. I loved the way that the magic was used and how Lorelai was taught to use it. The characters are very good, though a little cliche. Lorelai was definitely a Mary Sue, but I still loved her determination, courage, and selflessness. Kol is also a good character who carries a heavy burden, and who also couldn't catch a break in any situation. That said, my favourite character was Leo, Lorelai's brother. The action was thrilling and extremely creative and carried a fair amount of surprises. It's very different from the well known Disney story and while it wasn't perfect, I definitely loved it and am very excited to see where this series could go next.

The Shadow Queen is a Snow White re-tellling that takes the traditional story and then throws in magic dragons, and a crazier queen. The book starts of with an action heavy intro and then slows down to develop the characters. While I do appreciate the grabby intro, I felt a bit like I was just thrown into the deep end. I needed to find my balance before really enjoying what was going on. In the end though, I enjoyed The Shadow Queen, the plot gradually climbs to the climax of the story. There are flashbacks but overall the plot pacing was linear and very traditional.

My main reservation was the predictability of a couple plot points. Predictability that comes at you when you are reading and you go no no no don't you dare do what I think you are going to. I felt like it was to give motivation and move the plot forward so I get it but I wish it went differently.

Aside from that I thoroughly enjoyed the addition of dragons to this classic story. I also enjoyed the dynamic between Lorelai and Kol. There are a lot of different things going on and a lot of secondary stories and characters that make for a very entertaining book! Redwine offers the reader an intricate and imaginative re-telling.

In the Shadow Queen, there are no dwarfs, but Redwine does give us a huntsman and dragons. The neighboring kingdom is Eldr. After his parents and older sibling are attacked and killed by ogres, Prince Kol suddenly finds himself King of Eldr and need of magical assistance. Kol’s people are shifters and Redwine brilliantly fed us information about him and his kingdom. Kol did not have an easy time, and I admired his courage, internal struggles and growth.
There is a romance in the Shadow Queen that developed from attraction and circumstance but was bound in trust. I love that Redwine did not wrap this up in a bow instead; she left the reader hopeful and smiling.
Redwine knows how to weave a story from the romance to the intense action scenes and battles I found myself immersed within its pages. Nothing felt rushed and the darker aspects she brought to the story thrilled me. She stayed true to many aspects of this classic but placed her own stamp on it. I find myself anxious to return. Copy provided by publisher, full review at caffeinated book reviewer.

The Shadow Queen by C. J. Redwine ? 5/5 ?'s.
So The Shadow Queen is a Fairy Tale retelling of Snow White .. And quiet frankly I loved it more than the original story because instead of having the chocking hazard princess (No offense to Snow White!) we get this kick ass princess who's like a mini Aelin and she can kick some series butts and we also get a dragon prince and a really really mean evil queen. Things in this book are more intense specially with all of those fantasy creatures and elements, and things are not predictable at all so you're definitely in it for a couple of surprises. This book was a mixture of Snow White and the huntsman and Throne of glass series in a way and the whole dragon thing reminded me of game of thrones. I loved the way it ended to the point where I don't think that I'll be reading the second book because the ending was so satisfying for me but I know I'll probably get the second book and read it because I'll be very tempted ? there is nothing significant that I disliked about it but throughout this book my attention kept wandering around so I had to reread a couple of things but I think that's due to the fact that I have a lot on mind because honestly this book was exciting and there were a lot of things happening in it ❤️✨

The narrator was wonderful. She had a very poetic voice, but the story was full of emotion and written in vivid detail, so the performance was amazingly entertaining.

The main characters, Lorelai and Kol were strong, independent characters. They both had their sights and weakness. As the heroine, Lorelai was as fierce as they come. I easily put her in the same realm as Katniss and Hermione.

The romance between Lorelai and Kol was one that gradually built throughout the book. It was not the main point of the story. It was so sweet and gratifying.

The twists and turns in The Shadow Queen were full of surprises. There was heartbreak and shocking moments. I highly recommend this book. YA readers, fantasy readers, and romance readers will all find something wonderful here.

Obsessive Book Nerd was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book! I loved that it was a snow white retelling, but with some extra elements added in. Like magic and dragons and Sasha. My favorite character was Kol, and I wish we would’ve gotten to see more of him and his story (even though he wasn’t the main focus of the book). The whole girl fighting for her rightful place as queen trope is very prominent in YA fantasy novels, but I have to admit that those are my favorite type of books to read! Can’t wait for my copy of the next book to come in so I can read that as well.