Sunday, September 6, 2015

Mirrored - Alex Flinn


Title: Mirrored
Author: Alex Flinn
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: September 15, 2015
Source: Edelweiss


Mirrored by Alex Flinn is a retelling of the popular Snow White fairy tale.  It is very creatively done and the story really pulls you in.

The story is told in two parts.  The first part is told by our evil witch Violet.  We watch her grow up as an outcast and as a victim of bullying.  We also get to see how she comes into her powers and watch her evolve into the character type we know her as.  We get to see why she became evil and what drove her to be that way.

I felt drawn towards the misfit version of Violet.  I felt her pain and her awkwardness.  I hated that she was so horribly bullied by her peers.  Her childhood was one that no child should have to endure.  As she grows up she learns how to use her powers and become obsessed with beauty.

The second part of the story was told by Celine.  Celine is the daughter of Greg, the object of Violets undying affection, and Jennifer, Violets nemesis growing up.  I think you can see where this is going.  I do not want to go into any detail and accidentally give what I would consider spoilers.  Let me just put it this way: Celine has to watch her back all the time.

There are a couple of other key characters in this story.  We have the beloved Kendra.  Fans of Alex Flinn's work will remember her, as she typically makes some sort of appearance in her fairy tale retellings.  However, do not fret if you haven't read the other books.  This is very much a stand alone book.  Then we have the ever wonderful and goofy Goose.  Goose is an awesome character and friend.

I did enjoy this book a lot, but that is not to say that it didn't have its faults.  A lot of the story seemed too simple and convenient.  Those part of the story left me wanting more.  I wanted to feel more struggle and angst from the characters.  Also, the characters did not always feel very flushed out.  Sadly I felt this happened not only sometimes with the main characters, but also with very important but still more in the background of the story characters.  I wanted more from the characters.  I wanted them to feel more real to me than they did.

All this being said, I still could not put the book down.  I enjoyed it a lot.  The way the story was put together just compels you as a reader to continue on.  It makes you want to know what is going to happen next and it makes you want to know how it ends.

I recommend this book.  Mirrored will pull you in and not let you go until you finish.  It is a quick and enjoyably "fluffy" read.  You will not be disappointed!

My Rating
4 out of 5 stars





Review based on an advanced reading copy provided by the publisher through Edelweiss.


4 comments:

  1. I feel like Cinderella and Snow White are the "go-to" fairy tales to re-write... I think I'd like some lesser known tales to be updated! (Having said that, I can't wait for Winter (Lunar Chronicles #4) to come out in November - and that's Snow White as well, but in a sci-fi world...)

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    Replies
    1. I see where you are coming from, but I do think some of the others are starting to make an appearance. Especially Alice in Wonderland. I saw one for Peter Pan on Netgalley just today also. And Wizard of Oz seems to be starting to appear! I kind of want someone to do Beauty and the Beast (aside from Beastly). I have a NA for Little Red Ridinghood I need to review also!

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  2. I guess if it's original (in the re-telling), it wins me over!!

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