Snow by Tracy Lynn

Snow said nothing, tears streaking down her face. He was partially right, and treated her tragedy so easily . . . like it was a common story in the city. What kind of people--or monsters--are these? What would they do to her?
"That's enough, the two of you. She's alone, she's lost--and she's seen us. There is only one thing to do. We have to take her to Chauncey."

I picked up Snow at my local library after having seen it out of the corner of my eye and realizing it was a retelling of Snow White. And who doesn't love a fairytale princess retelling, after all? I snatched it up and expected it to be mildly entertaining, enjoyable at best. I didn't expect it to be nearly as good as it really was.

Granted, I've never read a retelling of Snow White. However, I have just recently seen Snow White and the Huntsman with Kristen Steward and Chris Hemsworth for the second time and, while I did enjoy it, this was immensely better.

The Dutchess Jessica was born to a mother who died shortly after her birth and a father who couldn't love her because of it. For most of her childhood, therefore, she is allowed free reign of the estate she lives in. The servants become her family and she learns to clean and cook from them. She develops a fondness for animals and grows into a tender yet wild girl.

Then her father, needing an heir since women cannot inherit, remarries. At first, Jessica is quite fond of her new stepmother, though she is strict and vain. But as Jessica grows and comes of age, she realizes there is something that isn't quite right about the woman. She is cold and has a strange hold on Alan, Jessica's friend, that worries her.

When Alan warns her that her stepmother has hired someone to kill her, Jessica makes her escape to London, where she hopes to hide and make a living somehow. There, she makes friends with a group of thieves that have their own secrets that keep them hidden from the outside world. Can she figure out how to survive on the unforgiving streets? And when her stepmother suddenly shows up, begging for forgiveness and claiming to be cured of her madness, will Jessica make the right choice in accepting or rejecting her advances?  Her life, and the lives of those she cares about, may hang in the balance.

Snow was quite an interesting take on the story of Snow White and I really enjoyed finding out how each new bit correlated with the classic story. The character of Jessica (or Snow, as she is later called) was both relatable and endearing, as were Alan and Raven, as well as many of the other characters. I found myself wishing for a sequel as the pages drew to a close, if only to revisit some of the characters I had become acquainted with in the last few hundred pages.

Tracy Lynn (or Celia Thomson--her other pseudonym) has created a captivating tale weaving together these compelling characters and an interesting plot to give an exciting new spin on an old tale. I enjoyed this immensely and look forward to reading other retellings in the "Once Upon a Time" series (which is a set of retellings of princess stories by different authors, it seems).  If you get the chance, I definitely recommend picking up this book.

Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

"Did you help her escape?" The duchess came nearer, rounding on him. "Did you have something to do with this?"
"I am unable to speak of anything you do not wish me to, My Lady. You know that."
She narrowed her eyes, displeased by his evasive answer. "Did--you--help--her?"